Chapter 1511 Uncovering (1)

Kang Jin-Ho’s eyes narrowed. “We’ve discovered their addresses?”

“Yes, sir.” Lee Hyeon-Ju firmly nodded. “I told our people to remain outside and not enter their residences to prevent any mishaps from occurring. We still don’t have all the facts, so we can’t afford to have another incident of assault on our hands. Those people could claim that a store manager had followed them home to assault them, after all.”

“Yes, that... would be a horrible outcome for us,” Lee Hyeon-Su animatedly nodded.

The Caffe Luogo would definitely sink to the abyss if something like that happened, that was for sure!

“Gee whiz! Why does it feel like we’re handling live grenades here?”

Lee Hyeon-Su grumbled. During his days in the Yeongnam Group, and later in the hallways of the Martial Assembly, he never felt the need to be this cautious. He only had to think about the CCTV cameras in the streets or potential eyewitnesses.

Back then, he didn’t have to sweat a bucket with worry over the prospect of his own people causing a massive incident. But now, his biggest enemy wasn’t some bastards cooking up dastardly schemes against him, or customers with too much entitlement and ego, but... But their own franchisees!

“Maybe we should create a separate department to handle stuff like this.”

When Lee Hyeon-Su muttered that to himself, Lee Hyeon-Ju chimed in.

“It couldn’t be helped, since we never expected MK to go through an incident like this, after all.”

“Well, yeah. There’s that, too.”

A wry smirk floated up on Lee Hyeon-Su’s face. He thought he wouldn’t have to deal with unsavory stuff like this in the surface world. Unfortunately, he had forgotten that humans populated both sides of the world. That meant unsavory things happened regardless of which part of the world he was in.

No, maybe stuff like this was way worse in the surface world.

Lee Hyeon-Ju frowned. “What should we do about this?”

“For now? Nothing. Let them be.”

“I’m sorry?”

Lee Hyeon-Su smirked deeply. “There isn’t much we can do about this right now. It’s not like we can handle this situation in our usual way, which is beating people up.”

For obvious reasons, the Martial Assembly’s preferred method of investigation couldn’t be relied upon in the surface world. Besides, calling the act of hurting people until they confessed couldn’t really be called an investigation, anyway.

“Wouldn’t it be better for our Assembly Master to step in personally?”

When Lee Hyeon-Ju asked that, Kang Jin-Ho shifted in his seat rather ominously.

However, Lee Hyeon-Su responded by scowling deeply. “Listen, Chief Lee!”

...And with that, the catastrophe of a Chief Lee calling another Chief Lee a Chief Lee had become a reality.

Lee Hyeon-Ju stood up straight after realizing how forceful Lee Hyeon-Su sounded just then.

“What the hell? Do you think our Assembly Master is Dor*emon or something? Why do you always ask for his help whenever something bad happens to us?”

“My apologies.”

“Sure, our company might not strictly enforce formality within the hierarchy, but why should our Assembly Master step in every single time? In that case, why are you even here? To get paid for doing nothing?”

“I’m sorry!”

Lee Hyeon-Su narrowed his eyes and glared at Lee Hyeon-Ju. Their personal relationship was one thing, but it was his duty as her superior to draw a clear line separating official and personal matters.

“We should be grateful that the Assembly Master has been taking care of things for us. However, he must never become our go-to solution for every trouble. Do not forget why you’re here, and what your duties are in this organization. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, sir!”

While listening to this exchange, Kang Jin-Ho sank back into his couch. Why was Lee Hyeon-Su acting like a strict drill sergeant all of a sudden?

He cocked an eyebrow. “Hang on. I don’t mind if...”

“And that’s exactly why these idiots are trying to take advantage of you, sir! Seriously! Kids these days!” Lee Hyeon-Su shot back.

“...”

Who was this boomer in Lee Hyeon-Su’s skin? Kang Jin-Ho scowled and tilted his head.

Meanwhile, Lee Hyeon-Su shuddered in indignation. “If only you idiots knew what it was like to work your asses off under Kim Seok-Il! Only then would you have realized this place is a goddamn paradise! Judging from your lack of discipline, maybe I have coddled you all too much!”

It was impossible to tell how torturous it had been to work for Kim Seok-Il, but even Kang Jin-Ho could tell how torturous it was to work under Lee Hyeon-Su these days.

Kang Jin-Ho groaned deeply. “Forget about that. Tell us what we should do about this instead.”

“And I’ve already told you, sir. We should let the pros handle this.”

Lee Hyeon-Su glanced at his phone, then sneakily got up to leave.

“Then, sir? May I be excused? I’d like to attend a meeting.”

“A meeting?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve already made an appointment with the other side. Now that we’ve found our clues, it’s time for them to start their investigation, you see?”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled wryly. Did Lee Hyeon-Su really set up a meeting with an NIS agent, knowing this situation would happen?

“I’ll be back soon, sir.”

“Chief Lee?”

“Sir?”

“Don’t be too hard on them, okay?”

“No need to worry, sir! I know our relationship with that side is very important.”

Lee Hyeon-Su winked playfully, then headed to the exit of the office.

Kang Jin-Ho called out to him again. “Oh, and if the investigation uncovers more people, I want to know about them.”

“Understood.”

Lee Hyeon-Su exited the office and closed the door quietly behind him. ℯ

Hwang Min-Su, who had been observing this exchange in silence, sighed softly. “Sir, just who is Mister Lee, really? What did he do before he started working for you?”

What did he do...? Kang Jin-Ho smirked wryly just then. What would be an appropriate way to describe Lee Hyeon-Su?

“Mm... He’s someone who used to do all sorts of things.”

Kang Jin-Ho and Lee Hyeon-Ju glanced at each other and exchanged a knowing chuckle.

***

Bloody hell. This waiting is killing me!

Bak Seong-Jo’s forehead was covered in a sheen of sweat. His legs were relentlessly trembling away, while his hands constantly fidgeted and wandered around, unable to settle down.

He usually didn’t get anxious like this. Besides, he wouldn’t have gotten promoted to the position of deputy director of the NIS if he had been an anxious type, anyway.

But knowing who he was supposed to meet today... How could he not shudder in dread right now? After all, he was about to have a sit-down with Lee Hyeon-Su.

That man, he... Those eyes belonged to a venomous snake!

Bak Seong-Jo still hadn’t forgotten Lee Hyeon-Su’s eyes glaring at him back then.

Average Joes off the street would never be able to figure out just what was inside that man. Even someone like Bak Seong-Jo struggled to believe that the same crimson blood as his coursed in Lee Hyeon-Su’s veins, after all!

So, you say the Assembly will remain docile as long as no one provokes it first?

What dogsh*t nonsense that was!

If Bak Seong-Jo was viewed as an obstacle in the Assembly’s path, Lee Hyeon-Su would have unhesitantly dragged him out behind the back and turned him into chicken feed!

Lee Hyeon-Su was fully capable of doing that without batting an eye!

The problem here was that Bak Seong-Jo simply had no power to stop that from happening.

Some people might think that the notion of a deputy director of the NIS having no power was ridiculous, but it was still the truth. The past incidents had sapped a lot of power from the NIS, while the Assembly’s position had strengthened even further.

Things had gotten so bad that the NIS now had no choice but to swoop in and cover up any mess the Martial Assembly might leave behind.

That’s not important right now.

With the situation like that, how could the NIS not focus its efforts on unearthing information on the Martial Assembly? One needed information to formulate a response, and one needed a response to minimize the damage done to them, after all!

That mindset had led to Bak Seong-Jo having a face-to-face encounter with Lee Hyeon-Su back then.

How should Bak Seong-Jo describe that experience?

It felt... It felt like a serial killer was rubbing his knife under my chin. All while grinning softly, no less!

He wasn’t trying to say that Lee Hyeon-Su was a psychopath. That man seemed fully capable of feeling a variety of emotions, after all. But that knowledge only worsened Bak Seong-Jo’s dread.

Because that meant Lee Hyeon-Su wasn’t mentally broken but had full awareness of what he was doing. So for him to still act that way...!

Bak Seong-Jo reached out and grabbed a cup of ice-cold water. He breathlessly gulped the icy liquid down, which helped to sober him up somewhat.

Why does he want to see me?

Bak Seong-Jo couldn’t say no to a meeting, since the other side held the upper hand in this relationship. All he could do now was fervently pray that this meeting wouldn’t go sideways for him. Or lead to something even worse!

Just as his thoughts reached that far, the door to the private room in this fine-dining establishment was shoved open, and the man with an unforgettable face waltzed inside.

Bak Seong-Jo reflexively stood up. “Y-you’re here, Mister Lee.”

“Oh, hello. I didn’t think you’d be waiting for me. My apologies for being late.”

“No, don’t say that. You are not late, after all.”

Lee Hyeon-Su grinned like a saint while pointing at the empty spots on the couch. “Let’s take a seat first, shall we?”

“Of course.”

Once Bak Seong-Jo took up his seat, Lee Hyeon-Su sat on the opposite side of the large table, then casually scanned his new surroundings.

“I see that you’re alone today, Deputy Bak.”

“Yes, I am. I didn’t see the point in dragging others with me.”

Lee Hyeon-Su smirked in bemusement, but that only made Bak Seong-Jo grin bitterly instead.

Bodyguards are meaningless against you, after all.

For one, Bak Seong-Jo had no confidence that his bodyguards could even stop Lee Hyeon-Su. Even if they could do it, firearms would have to be introduced into the proceedings.

However, firing guns at Lee Hyeon-Su? Who was not only the Martial Assembly’s chief of administration but also the second in command and Kang Jin-Ho’s confidant?

Everything will be over if that happens!

Indeed, Bak Seong-Jo wouldn’t be shocked to learn that the NIS director’s severed head had wound up in Kang Jin-Ho’s collection on the same day of the shooting!

Simply put, Bak Seong-Jo could do nothing regardless of what Lee Hyeon-Su did to him. In that case, what was the point of bringing a bunch of bodyguards with him? He might as well come alone and not have anyone witness his humiliation!

“Mister Lee, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

Lee Hyeon-Su smirked. “It’s nothing major, really. I just wanted to ask you for a simple favor, you see?”

“Did you... just say a simple favor?”

“Yes, I have. Why? Is that a problem?”

Bak Seong-Jo subtly furrowed his brow. The NIS wasn’t some random organization that “did favors” for individuals or companies. He would have voiced his displeasure and left this so-called meeting if someone else had said that to him.

However, this situation was not as simple as that, now was it?

A favor for the Assembly...?

To Bak Seong-Jo’s knowledge, the Martial Assembly’s capabilities should rival the NIS, and then some. So, for them to ask for a favor like this...?

Does this mean they wish to mend our relationship to some degree?

Bak Seong-Jo fake-coughed softly. “I have to say, that notion sounded a little... strange to me, Mister Lee. Because the Assembly and the NIS don’t have a relationship where we can exchange favors, you see?”

Lee Hyeon-Su chuckled, then pulled out a packet of cigarettes. “Do you mind if I smoke?”

“Of course. If you’re okay, I’d like to join you.”

“Let’s do that, then.”

Lee Hyeon-Su casually waved his hand, prompting Bak Seong-Jo to mouth a cigarette, too. Some nicotine in his system should help settle his nerves a bit more.

While puffing out a waft of cigarette smoke, Lee Hyeon-Su addressed Bak Seong-Jo. “Yes, our current relationship doesn’t permit us to do that. However... We can’t maintain this state of affairs forever, no?”

“...”

Bak Seong-Jo’s expression grew graver.

Lee Hyeon-Su was right. Obviously, Bak Seong-Jo didn’t know what the Martial Assembly’s stance on this matter was, but at least the NIS’s stance was crystal clear; it wanted to improve its relationship with the Assembly, no matter what.

Here was something the NIS desperately wanted but didn’t dare to ask first. So Bak Seong-Jo was inwardly happy that the other side brought up the topic first.

Lee Hyeon-Su narrowed his eyes slightly. “I’ll be honest. Our Assembly Master still doesn’t view the NIS in a favorable light even now.”

Bak Seong-Jo’s expression stiffened at the mention of the Assembly Master, Kang Jin-Ho.

That was hardly surprising, however. The former Prime Minister, Kim Myeong-Chan, colluding with the higher-ups of the NIS to kill Kang Jin-Ho was not even a secret anymore. That was why all the related parties in the NIS got the boot as a result.

Didn’t Bak Seong-Jo’s promotion get fast-tracked so that he could fill the void left behind by those idiots?

“We don’t have any excuses to offer you in that regard. Even though my idiotic predecessors were responsible, well...”

Bak Seong-Jo tried to shift the blame away from him just then, but Lee Hyeon-Su didn’t bother to call him out on that one.

“Yes, true. Thankfully, our Assembly Master is a merciful, generous person. He understands that the current NIS is no longer run by the same people. And that’s why he believes it’s no longer necessary to maintain the negative feelings from the past and maybe even bury the hatchet altogether.”

Lee Hyeon-Su was being half-truthful just then.

It was true that Kang Jin-Ho didn’t hold any ill feelings toward the current incarnation of the NIS. All the parties involved got taken out, so why should he still hold a grudge? Even if the organization’s name hadn’t changed?

As for the made-up part? The state of the Assembly’s relationship with the NIS didn’t interest him whatsoever.

Of course, there was no reason to tell the truth in this situation. It wasn’t as if Bak Seong-Jo would ask Kang Jin-Ho personally for verification, after all!

“Is that true?” Bak Seong-Ju urgently asked.

Lee Hyeon-Su coolly nodded. “Of course. That’s why I’m here, asking you for a favor like this. If this favor is handled well, mending the relationship and going back to how things were in the past won’t be a pipe dream for us anymore.”

Bak Seong-Jo’s complexion brightened instantly.