Chapter 1035: Civil War (1)

I entered VIP Room No. 1 with Wang Long, where the aftermath of the commotion had left everything in shambles.

Christopher Lee had only just come to his senses and was leaning against the sofa, clutching his chest as he groaned. Alex Jang, meanwhile, wiped the drool running down his chin with his sleeve as he struggled to regain his bearings.

"Ugh... What... What happened? Where... did everyone go?"

As he looked around in confusion, our eyes met.

"You... why are you here..."

I smiled. "You still haven't figured out what's going on?"

Only then did Alex Jang realize Reporter Ahn Jong-Kyung had been a plant. His face twisted in fury.

At that moment, Christopher Lee flared up and shouted at Alex Jang. "Fuck! Alex! I told you something was off!"

Alex Jang shouted back, "You should've paid more attention when we came in! None of this would've happened!"

The fact that the first thing they did after coming to was blame each other made it obvious once again that there was no such thing as loyalty among addicts.

I said, "All right, quiet down and pay attention! Starting now, whichever one of you tells us first who bought drugs from you will be the only one I'll ask the prosecutor to recommend for a reduced sentence. You've got five minutes. So, who's going first?"

Whenever Alex Jang supplied drugs, he always got the people around him addicted first. That meant there was no doubt HK Entertainment's artists were using drugs as well. Alex Jang and Christopher Lee exchanged uncertain looks, each wondering how to respond to my offer.

However, Alex Jang refused first. "You really think I'm that fucking stupid? Cut the bullshit. You expect me to confess my own crimes? Forget it. If you've got something to say, save it for me and my lawyer."

Christopher Lee also shouted, "Yeah. Get me my lawyer first too!"

'Well, that's exactly what I expected.'

Even before the regression, the two of them had kept their mouths shut until the very end, never revealing the list, and had managed to cut their sentences considerably. Back then, Alex Jang had received five years, while Christopher Lee had gotten three. Considering the public outrage they had caused, those punishments had been remarkably light. This time, though, I had no intention of letting them get away with it.

In that case, there was only one move left—The Thirty-Six Stratagems, Stratagem Thirty-Three: sow discord.

I immediately turned to Wang Long. "Wang Long. Christopher Lee is Chinese, so it's possible to request his extradition to China, right?"

The corners of Wang Long's lips curled upward. "Normally they wouldn't bother extraditing someone over a minor case like this. This time, though, I'll call in a favor from my father. A deputy party secretary has enough influence to make that happen."

Christopher Lee's eyes widened in alarm, and he spoke to Wang Long with newfound respect. "W-Wait a second. Deputy party secretary? Deputy party secretary... where?"

"Shenzhen."

Christopher Lee's entire body began trembling like a leaf. Being the deputy party secretary of Shenzhen, the economic powerhouse bordering Hong Kong, meant Wang Long's father ranked among the most powerful officials holding that position.

Thud.

Christopher Lee slid off the sofa and dropped to his knees. "P-Please spare me, sir! As long as you don't have me extradited to China, I'll tell you everything! I kept a ledger of everyone he told me to deliver drugs to!"

Alex Jang stared at Christopher Lee in disbelief and shouted, "You fucking idiot! Why the hell would you keep a ledger? If you hand that over, we're both dead!"

"You're Canadian. Even if you're convicted on drug charges, you'll live. I'm not. If they drag me back to China, I'm really dead!"

Christopher Lee looked desperately at Wang Long. "If I tell you everything, that'll do, right?"

Wang Long nodded. "That's right. If you're first, I won't request your extradition."

Christopher Lee hurriedly began naming names. "Alex spread drugs throughout HK Entertainment. The people he gave them to were..."

Just then, Alex Jang suddenly threw a punch straight at Christopher Lee's face.

Thud.

"You fucking idiot! How could you tell them that?!"

Christopher Lee staggered. Even though he had been hit while kneeling, Alex Jang's punch was so weak that it didn't knock him out.

"You son of a bitch!"

Clutching his face, Christopher Lee sprang to his feet and immediately slammed his forehead into Alex Jang's head.

Thunk.

The impact echoed like two Pachycephalosauruses, those dinosaurs famous for headbutting, smashing their skulls together with all their strength.

"Ughhh...!"

"Aaagh! My fucking head..."

The two idiots clutched their heads and screamed in agony. Apparently, both of them had skulls as hard as rocks, because neither one passed out. Then they completely lost it and started brawling like a pair of street dogs.

"You selfish bastard, trying to save only yourself—"

Thud.

"You fucking moron—"

Thud! Thud!

The insults never stopped as they traded one weak punch after another.

Watching the spectacle, Wang Long took a step back and laughed in disbelief. "Yoon-Ho. Did you see this coming?"

"Not at all. I didn't think they were this stupid..."

Even as we stared at them in utter disbelief, the two kept swinging until their faces were completely battered. Still, I couldn't just stand there forever.

I shouted, "Enough! I'll save only the one who talks first, talks the most, and gives the most detailed confession!"

Smack.

The two men immediately let go of each other and stumbled apart.

Alex Jang struggled to raise a trembling hand and shouted, "I'll talk! Me! But you've got to extradite that bastard to China! Promise me!"

Not about to lose, Christopher Lee blurted out, "As long as you don't send me to China, I'll tell you where this asshole hid all the hidden-camera videos he secretly took of ordinary people! Please!"

Alex Jang's face turned bright red as he screamed, "Shut the fuck up!!!"

"Like hell I will!"

They raised their barely functioning arms and launched themselves at each other all over again. The stratagem of sowing discord had worked so well that even I couldn't stop them anymore.

In the end, I opened the door to VIP Room No. 1 and called for help.

Creak.

"Mr. Seo, Mr. Yoon. These two are fighting over who gets to confess first. You'd better come take a look."

Prosecutors Seo Jae-Ill and Yoon Doo-Cheol both stared at me in disbelief. "The drug addicts want to confess?"

I stepped aside and pointed into Room No. 1. "That's what they're saying."

The two prosecutors walked inside, took one look at the pair brawling like animals, and let out dry laughs. "What an absolute circus."

Yoon Doo-Cheol called out to the investigators waiting outside. "Separate these idiots. Put each of them in a different room."

True to their sharp instincts, the prosecutors wasted no time. They separated the two men and immediately began trying to extract their confessions.

***

The prosecutors took Alex Jang and Christopher Lee into separate rooms and began interrogating them. Less than ten minutes later, the interrogations ended and the two men were led back out by the investigators.

With their hair sticking up in every direction, split lips, and bruised, swollen eyes, the moment they spotted each other, they both pointed accusing fingers and started shouting at the top of their lungs.

"You'll be dead by my hands before you ever make it to China!"

"Fuck you! Even if they drag me back to China, I'll make sure you're finished first! No, forget that. You're already finished!"

Even as the investigators dragged them away, the two kept screaming that they had exposed every last one of the other's secrets. Having completely lost their reason, they cared only about destroying each other now even though doing so meant destroying themselves.

'Bye-bye, Alex and Chris.'

I waved them off just as Yoon Doo-Cheol and Seo Jae-Ill stepped out into the hallway.

Yoon Doo-Cheol, who had questioned Christopher Lee, clicked his tongue. "This is the first time I've ever seen a drug addict cooperate so willingly. How did yours go, sunbae?"

Seo Jae-Ill, who had interrogated Alex Jang, answered with an equally incredulous look. "Same here. He spilled everything like he'd been waiting his whole life for the chance. He just kept begging me to make sure Chris gets sent to China."

"That's good news. We'll find an opportunity and send him."

"Yeah. We should grant his wish."

Everything was over, yet Seo Jae-Ill's expression remained grim.

Yoon Doo-Cheol asked, "Why the long face? All that's left is getting the warrants."

"There are over twenty people connected to HK Entertainment."

"That... many?"

Celebrities using drugs wasn't unheard of, but it was extremely rare for so many to be concentrated in a single agency.

Artists signed to major entertainment companies were usually kept under strict supervision. HK Entertainment, however, had been established in a hurry, and its internal oversight was weak. On top of that, Alex had been distributing drugs from the inside, so far more people than expected had been exposed.

"Chris only named about five people from HK Entertainment. The supplier definitely knows a lot more."

"Exactly. Which is why we need emergency warrants for the entire company."

"The whole company?"

"That's right. It's not just the artists. Two of the company's directors are involved too, along with four or five senior talent agents. And if they're involved, there are bound to be more people beneath them."

Realizing how serious the situation had become, Yoon Doo-Cheol's expression hardened as well. "Will this really be all right? You've already taken down the presidents of HK Electronics and HK Apparel. This time it's three more people. They say Chairman Hong flips the dinner table whenever he hears your name. He won't sit quietly after this."

"I'll just earn the nickname 'the Mad Dog of the Central District Prosecutors' Office one more time."

"Sunbae. If you start a war against the youngest, the one Chairman Hong treasures most, you could end up at war with the entire HK Inc. This is on a completely different scale."

"So what? Should we pretend we never saw any of it?"

"Of course not. I'm just saying we should be a little more cautious."

Seo Jae-Ill answered without hesitation, "If we're cautious, we'll lose them. We strike today."

After cutting Yoon Doo-Cheol off, Seo Jae-Ill turned to me. "Chief Jung, don't worry. No matter who we're up against, I won't waver."

I had definitely made the right decision by contacting Seo Jae-Ill.

Seeing his sunbae's resolve, Yoon Doo-Cheol cast aside his hesitation and nodded. "Damn it. Understood. We'll see this through to the end. Oh, and they said Alex kept a huge collection of hidden-camera photos of ordinary people at his house. I'll get a warrant for that place too."

"Leave that to one of your hoobaes. You come with me to HK Entertainment."

"Yes, sunbae."

Having steeled himself, Seo Jae-Ill turned to me. "Chief Jung, we'll be on our way."

I nodded. "Yes, Mr. Prosecutor. And thank you for accommodating my unreasonable request today."

"Unreasonable? Hardly. You need a little flexibility when you're catching scumbags. Oh, right. How much did this place cost? Our investigation budget isn't much, but I'd like to cover at least part of it."

I smiled. "This is a movie set. Why would you use investigation funds? Black Soul wandered in here by mistake during filming, and you raided the location after receiving an anonymous tip, remember?"

If they used official investigation funds to rent this place, it would amount to admitting the prosecution had conducted a sting operation. That meant Seo Jae-Ill couldn't spend even a single won.

"I feel a bit ashamed. Then at least let me shake hands with our anonymous informant."

"I think that much is fine."

Grip.

Smiling, I shook hands with Seo Jae-Ill.

Just then, Yoon Doo-Cheol held out his broad hand beside him. "Let me shake your hand too, Chief Jung."

I smiled as I shook his hand as well.

"We're about to take on a conglomerate with nothing but our bare hands. There's a good chance we'll end up hanging up our robes and opening private practices. Still, if everything works out, I'll make sure to repay what I owe you for today."

"Yes, sir."

After the handshake, the two prosecutors slowly turned and headed out. Watching their backs, I answered silently to myself.

'Don't worry. I won't let either of you fight this battle empty-handed.'

After all, what I had prepared to bring down HK Entertainment didn't end here.

***

As soon as the prosecutors left, I headed for the stage. The music had stopped, and the extras standing on the stage were all at a loss over what to do.

Smiling, I called out to them. "I'm sorry, everyone. It turns out Black Soul came in thinking the club was open for business. According to the prosecutors, they were apparently high on some kind of drug... but everything's over now, so you can all relax."

Only then did the extras breathe sighs of relief.

"Phew... I seriously thought Black Soul and the prosecutors showing up was part of the movie."

I announced, "I'm sorry for the scare. To make it up to you, we'll be adding another hundred thousand won to everyone's pay today."

"Really?"

"Yes. We've already filmed everything we needed, so anyone who wants to leave is free to go. If you'd rather stay, you're welcome to enjoy yourselves here for another two hours. Just clear out by nine. Of course, all the beer, soju, and food are on the house until then."

"Woooooo!"

The extras erupted into cheers. Several of them were already fiddling with their phones, apparently getting ready to post about it on social media. I successfully hit two birds with one stone. The news that Black Soul had been caught would spread naturally, while also generating publicity for She Was Beautiful.

With that, I headed toward the club entrance. Waiting there were Wang Long, Sasuke, the boss who ran Club JJ, and Madam Jung.

I thanked Madam Jung and Lackey first. "Thank you for letting us rent out the club today. We should settle the bill now. How much do I owe you?"

Madam Jung smiled. "The premium liquor bottles were just for decoration. The only things that were actually served were the beer and snacks. Since business hasn't officially started yet, five million won will cover it."

Club JJ had become one of Gangnam's hottest nightlife spots, bringing in over 300 million won a day. I had come prepared to spend at least a hundred million. And yet she was asking for only five million.

I shook my head. "That's far too little. People will still be here until nine. Please charge me more."

Lackey laughed and answered, "Honestly, we weren't planning to charge you anything. The only reason we're taking money at all is because it'd put you in an awkward position if we didn't."

"Hyung-nim...Even so, you should take what you're owed."

"Madam Jung and I both know we wouldn't be running our business this comfortably if it weren't for you, Chief Jung. So let us return the favor for once."

We went back and forth, but I couldn't win against the two of them. Eventually, I nodded. "All right."

I pulled out my phone, entered the amount, and tapped the transfer button.

[Transfer Complete: 10,000,000 won]

Ding.

Madam Jung looked at the notification on her phone and stared at me in surprise. "Mr. Jung!"

I shrugged. "I can add a little tip, can't I?"

"...Seriously."

The two of them simply shook their heads as if I was impossible to deal with.

I grinned before turning to Wang Long. "Everything's over now, so you're coming to the farewell party, right?"

At the moment, the staff from Shanghai New Media Inc. in China and AMOSE in Japan, both involved in the production of Project I.O.A, had rented out the entire Happy Pig Nation restaurant near Gangnam Station. Unfortunately, I couldn't join them just yet.

I said, "I still have something I need to take care of. I'll head over later."

"What is it?" asked Wang Long.

"Sorry. I can't tell you."

If anything went wrong, the less Wang Long knew, the safer he would be.

"All right, I get it. Sasuke and I will head to the dinner first. Just remember, if you ever need anything, call me. You know I'm on your side."

"Thanks. Even just hearing that means a lot."

Sasuke spoke up as well. "I probably won't be much help, but if you need anything at all, just call me."

"Will do."

After thanking the two of them for coming with me, I slowly walked outside. There was somewhere I absolutely had to go.

If I wanted to help Seo Jae-Ill and deal a fatal blow to HK Entertainment, it couldn't wait.

***

In the president's office of HK Chemical, Hong Jin-Gyu, the second son of the HK Inc. family, lounged with his feet propped up on the table, chewing butter-grilled squid while watching television with a satisfied grin.

-Late Sunday night. An emergency search warrant has been issued for HK Entertainment, a subsidiary of the HK Inc.

After receiving information that members of Black Soul, artists under HK Entertainment, were holding a drug party at a club in Gangnam, prosecutors uncovered evidence suggesting drug use had spread throughout HK Entertainment and launched an emergency raid on the company's headquarters.

The prosecution denied that the investigation would expand to the HK Inc. as a whole, stating that this was unlike the previous investigations into HK Apparel and HK Electronics.

...

The television showed investigators searching every corner of HK Entertainment. A moment later, Director Hong Ah-Yoon finally arrived at the company, her face flushed bright red as she angrily denounced the investigation as politically motivated.

Watching the broadcast, Hong Jin-Gyu chuckled. If his youngest sister fell from power, he would finally have a chance to seize her shares in the HK Department Store.

"So Ah-Yoon was running her company with a bunch of drug addicts, huh?"

For Hong Jin-Gyu, who was aiming to become the next chairman of HK Inc., this was a golden opportunity.

Just then, the office door opened.

Bang!

Chief Secretary Gong Gi-Seok, a thirty-five-year-old man wearing an apron, hurried inside. "Sir, I told you to wait until I finished making the sauce."

"Hey, your butter-grilled squid tastes great even without sauce."

"Sure, my cooking's good on its own, but it's even better dipped in the sauce."

Although Gong Gi-Seok had graduated from one of the country's top business schools, he also held a professional culinary license, making for an unusual résumé. Since Hong Jin-Gyu loved snacking, Gong Gi-Seok often cooked for him whenever he had the chance.

Hong Jin-Gyu pointed at the television. "When Ah-Yoon's company's in that kind of mess, who needs sauce? This news is the best seasoning there is."

"Well... you've got a point. Still, I made it with care, so at least dip it in the sauce."

"All right, all right."

Tap.

After setting the sauce on the table, Gong Gi-Seok walked over to the window.

As Hong Jin-Gyu dipped a strip of butter-grilled squid into the special sauce, he asked, "So this was Jung Yoon-Ho's doing again?"

"Yes. That's what the intelligence team says." Looking across the street through the eleventh-floor window at the ongoing raid, Gong Gi-Seok clicked his tongue. "What a mess."

"The way Chief Jung operates, he definitely planned this from the start. The funny thing is, when you think about it, the guy keeps making my life easier. Don't you think so?"

"I'd have to agree."

At that moment, the office intercom buzzed.

Buzz.

Gong Gi-Seok closed the curtains, walked back, and answered it. But the moment he heard the report, his expression froze.

"What is it?" asked Hong Jin-Gyu.

"Chief Jung Yoon-Ho is here alone at the underground parking entrance. He says he has a proposal for you and is asking for a meeting."

Hong Jin-Gyu set down the piece of butter-grilled squid he had been eating. "Well, now. My favorite snack has delivered itself right to my doorstep."

"What would you like me to do?"

Hong Jin-Gyu grinned. "No matter how much of an enemy he is to HK, we can't turn away a guest brave enough to walk into enemy territory alone. Tell the security team to bring him up through the VIP elevator quietly. I don't want anyone else knowing."

"Yes, sir."

The corners of Hong Jin-Gyu's mouth rose even higher. The fact that Jung Yoon-Ho had come here after bringing down his youngest sister could only mean one thing. He must have figured out the battle over the HK succession and come to offer an alliance.

"I wonder what kind of proposal our Chief Jung has for me that made him personally come to such a dangerous place."

Despite his relaxed tone, Hong Jin-Gyu could barely contain his curiosity. After all, Jung Yoon-Ho was the monster who had inserted himself into the Daechon Inc. succession battle and successfully made Kim Ae-Ryeon its chairman.