Eric divided the forces into sniper, escort, and standby teams, going over every detail of the operation plan thoroughly.
“Boss, no matter how perfect the plan is, we can’t predict everything.”
I nodded.
“The location isn’t ideal. There are only a few viable sniper points, and if a fight breaks out suddenly, it could get dangerous.”
Eric handed a bulletproof vest he had prepared in advance.
“Boss, you need to wear this too. It won’t stop everything, but it’ll increase your survival chances.”
He was the expert. Without argunt, I put the vest on under my clothes.
Trusting him ant following his advice.
“Black, you don’t need to explain, do you?”
Chief Ma simply nodded silently.
Given that he and Eric had worked as rcenaries together before, he seed to have already grasped everything without instructions.
“I’ll follow your judgnt, Boss.”
“If I step in, take that as the signal.”
If Chief Ma could wrap up negotiations smoothly, this could end without a single clash.
“Let’s move out. The Boss, Black, and I will ride in the sa vehicle. The rest will spread out in formation, blocking any vehicles from approaching us.”
The n moved to their assigned vehicles with precise coordination. I boarded the prepared car.
* * *
“Don’t slack off on the periter. These aren’t amateurs.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Zhang Linfeng had gathered every man he could muster at the site.
“He’s no ordinary guy. I heard he even inford the Hong Kong governnt about hiring Black Bear for VIP security.”
“Doesn’t matter. One stab to the gut and he’s still human. This isn’t a battlefield, and they won’t have proper weapons. If it’s a brawl, that’s our specialty.”
One of his n smirked, trying to reassure him, but Zhang Linfeng couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling.
“The woman?”
“She’s secured inside.”
“She’s been cleaned up and treated, right?”
“Yes. Since you ordered it, no one’s touched her.”
“Good. She’s an expensive hostage—treat her like it.”
Zhang Linfeng glanced at the darkening sky.
The sunset glowing over the stacked containers looked unnaturally vivid.
“Feels like rain’s coming.”
“The forecast didn’t say anything about that.”
“It’s just a feeling.”
He shook his head.
“If we handle this right, the Mainland will back us heavily. That ans we’ll get ahead of every other group. We have to succeed. If not, we’re all dead.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Just then, one of his n ran up.
“They’ve arrived.”
“How many?”
“Not sure. Around ten vehicles moving together.”
“With over fifty people, that sounds about right.”
He stared hard toward the entrance.
Monts later, vehicles rolled into the dockyard, escorting the car carrying Kim Muhyuk and Ma Seokdae.
The sun had already dipped below the horizon.
The convoy moved all the way to the warehouse entrance without interference.
“Please wait here for a mont.”
I nodded, and Eric stepped out.
Through the tinted window, I could see Eric conferring with team leaders.
“You can step out now. There are about fifty n visible outside. No idea how many are inside.”
I stepped out first, followed by Ma Seokdae.
“Boss, this way.”
Team Leader Jin’s n surrounded Ma Seokdae as we moved forward. I stayed with them, acting like just another bodyguard.
The warehouse doors opened with a loud tallic screech.
Inside, about fifty n were standing with hatchets and large knives, trying hard to look intimidating.
Eric spoke first.
“Who’s in charge here?”
Zhang Linfeng stood up.
“I’m /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ Zhang Linfeng. Who’s in charge on your side?”
Ma Seokdae stepped forward.
“Where’s Eva?”
“You’re the investor?”
“Doesn’t matter. Eva first.”
“Impatient, aren’t you?”
Zhang Linfeng signaled to his n.
A couple of them ran to a side office and soon dragged Eva out.
She looked better than I had feared.
“Sit.”
Zhang Linfeng gestured to a chair.
Ma Seokdae walked up casually and sat down across from him.
So he’s not just so rich businessman...
Zhang Linfeng sensed sothing off from Ma Seokdae’s calm deanor.
“Sit down? Tell what you want.”
The roles of guest and host were reversed.
I found myself impressed.
The Chief is handling this well.
Zhang Linfeng sat opposite him, studying his expression.
“We want our investnt in Peregrine returned.”
“Legally, the acquisition was clean, and as far as I know, all debts were settled. If you invested, you should’ve known you could lose it. Go get your money from whoever you invested with. Why co to ?”
Ma Seokdae glanced at Eva.
She turned her gaze from to Ma Seokdae, then lowered her head, as if understanding the situation.
Zhang Linfeng shrugged.
“We don’t care about that. We invested in Peregrine, and you bought it, so give us our money. Law? We don’t live by that.”
As expected, logic was useless with them.
Ma Seokdae frowned, incredulous.
“How much?”
“Three million dollars, plus two million for the woman’s life. Five million total.”
Ma Seokdae scowled.
“Do I look like an idiot to you?”
“Whether you are or not, the five million is about the sa as what you paid to hire Black Bear. There’s no bargaining.”
“And if I don’t pay?”
“Then the woman dies.”
At Zhang Linfeng’s signal, a thug pressed a knife to Eva’s neck.
“Then you die too.”
Ma Seokdae muttered without a hint of fear.
Zhang Linfeng laughed, tattoos twisting on his face.
“We’re not afraid to die. And you won’t leave here alive either. You shouldn’t have co this far. Close the doors!”
At his shout, more n poured into the warehouse.
“If you don’t pay, you don’t leave. Pay up, and we’ll let you go. Clean and simple.”
“This is ridiculous. Bring i Hong. I’ll pay five million when he’s here.”
“Don’t you dare speak the Godfather’s na. Keep talking, and you’ll die before any money changes hands.”
Zhang Linfeng growled at the ntion of i Hong.
“Go ahead. Kill .”
Ma Seokdae shrugged indifferently.
But Zhang Linfeng didn’t act.
That only proved he didn’t have the authority to decide.
“Bring i Hong. Money’s sothing bosses talk about, not dogs like you. Unless you want a war.”
Ma Seokdae smirked, recalling my order:
‘Chief, get i Hong here no matter what. That’s the only way nobody gets hurt. Zhang Linfeng won’t have the authority to decide.’
It had been my instruction before we left the car.
Though he didn’t know why, Ma Seokdae followed it faithfully.
When Zhang Linfeng refused, Ma Seokdae closed his eyes, signaling he was done talking.
Zhang Linfeng gestured to the thug holding Eva.
“You must really want to watch her die.”
The knife pressed against her neck, blood beginning to flow.
Ma Seokdae glanced at Eva but closed his eyes again.
Her face grew pale, blood dripping down her neck. Tears welled, but she didn’t scream.
“Enough!”
My voice cut through the tension.
The Black Bear n drew their weapons instantly.
“This could’ve ended easily with i Hong. Chief, that’s enough. Stand up.”
Ma Seokdae rose, drawing his gun.
Zhang Linfeng opened his mouth to speak, but the sudden shift in atmosphere shut him up.
Dozens of gun barrels now aid at him.
I spoke in Chinese.
“Call i Hong.”
“What? You bastard—”
A gunshot cracked.
The bullet grazed Zhang Linfeng’s cheek, leaving a bloody streak.
I extended my hand toward Oliver.
He handed a bag.
I glanced at Eva, then dropped the bag on the table and opened it. Stacks of cash filled it.
“One million dollars. Call i Hong.”
Zhang Linfeng stayed silent.
I pulled out my Zippo, lit a stack of bills, and tossed it into the bag.
“If you don’t call, I won’t give you anything. The money will keep disappearing.”
The fire consud the cash in less than a minute.
Oliver handed another bag.
“Call i Hong.”
Opening it revealed the sa amount of money.
I flicked open the lighter again.
Finally, Zhang Linfeng shouted.
“Wait! I’ll call him. Just wait.”
“Thirty minutes. Make the call right here, in front of .”
I snapped the lighter shut.
“And get the knife off her now. No more negotiations if you don’t. This isn’t bargaining. If Eva dies, everyone here dies—i Hong, the people behind him, everyone connected to you. Including you.”
“Who the hell are you?”
“I don’t need to know. Just bring i Hong.”
I dropped into the chair.
Biting his lip, Zhang Linfeng nodded to the thug, who moved the knife away from Eva.
My eyes t Eva’s.
I gave her the slightest nod. She stared at in a daze.
“What are you waiting for? Call him. Ti’s ticking. Or you all die.”
I turned to Eric.
“Eric, tell the snipers: shoot anyone who moves without orders. Start with the bastard next to Eva.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Though most didn’t understand English, Zhang Linfeng did.
Grimacing, he pulled out his phone and called i Hong.
After a three-minute call, he glared at .
“The Godfather is coming. Put your guns away now.”
“Don’t try anything stupid. The rcenaries outside will act based on what you do.”
Zhang Linfeng asked, “Are you the owner of Peregrine?”
I didn’t answer.
Fifteen minutes passed in silence.
Eric approached.
“Three cars are approaching. What do we do?”
“It’s the Godfather. Don’t attack!”
Zhang Linfeng’s shout was followed by my nod.
“Let them in. I want to see his face.”
The doors opened, and i Hong entered.
He glanced around, muttering as if amused.
“What a ss.”
He didn’t seem intimidated by Black Bear’s weapons, walking straight over and sitting down.
“You’re the woman’s master?”
“i Hong?”
“That’s .”
“Ha... Took long enough to see your face.”
i Hong’s face stiffened.
I spoke next.
“I’ll give you ten million dollars. Kill everyone who laid a hand on Eva, starting with Zhang Linfeng.”
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