Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: Regional Conflict (7)
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“What more do you want me to do?”
“Don’t worry. It’s just a little chat with Jin Ruogong. Until then, keep quiet and don’t stir up trouble with protests or anything.”
“A chat?”
“Yeah, a chat. A chat that makes everyone happy. Jin Ruogong will mellow out a bit, which’ll make things easier for you. Plus, you’ll get bonus points for smoothly escorting him out of here.”
Wu Shangkai was curious about what exactly Kim Suhyun planned to discuss with Jin Ruogong, but he didn’t feel like asking anymore. He said he understood and hung up.
* * *
“I have the right to a formal trial, and until then, the right to proper treatment! What the hell is this?!”
“Hmm, impressive.”
Kim Suhyun nodded as he watched Jin Ruogong snarling while bound.
It was true that ever since returning to the past and climbing to his current position, his once-formidable enemies seemed trivial. Even to him, it was surprising.
But grudges didn’t just vanish.
“Oh, sorry. I just have a bit of a grudge against you. No real emotions involved. You uncomfortable?”
“You’re insane. Once I get out of here, I’ll file an official complaint!”
“Even a mad dog like you has a sharp mind for weird things. You think I wouldn’t have calculated that?”
“?”
“With all the shit you’ve pulled, do you think any complaint from you would matter? Be grateful the Chinese government even wants to take you back.”
“Bullshit. There’s no evidence…”
“Sorry, but there is evidence. So cut it out.”
Kim Suhyun’s attitude showed not a hint of wavering. Faced with this, even the mighty Jin Ruogong faltered a little. Was there really evidence?
“So, once you get out, complain officially or whatever. Of course, if you get out. Until then, you’d better play nice.”
“Gah! What the hell is this?!”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just being nice.”
Kim Suhyun spoke as he removed a small device from Jin Ruogong’s arm. As a stinging sensation shot through his arm, Jin Ruogong glared at him.
“We’re holding you, so your health can’t have any issues, right? Just running a little check.”
Jin Ruogong’s calm expression suddenly clouded over. Thinking about it, if they did a thorough exam, one of his secrets might come to light.
“Wait, I’m fine health-wise! No need for that kind of check…”
“Truth is, the health check’s an excuse. Saving a superpower user like you isn’t easy. Gotta collect all the data we need now.”
Jin Ruogong ground his teeth at Kim Suhyun’s words. The sarcasm and knack for getting under someone’s skin were no joke. If not for the superpower nullifier, he’d smash through that security door and snap the bastard’s neck right then…
“Wait, what about the others?”
“What?!”
Kim Suhyun looked at Jin Ruogong with genuine surprise.
“No way you’re worried about your comrades, is it? This is shocking. Did getting beat by Erendil knock some sense into you?”
“If the others are getting this treatment too, I won’t let it slide! Unlike me, they’re highly rated internally!”
“Doesn’t it make you sad to admit from your own mouth that you’re underrated? So what? If you don’t want heat, tell your friends to behave?”
Jin Ruogong hadn’t brought it up out of camaraderie. It was just a ploy to raise their hostage value. Even if he could handle his own treatment, dragging other superpower users into it would bring serious backlash.
“Untie me now and…”
“Shut your crap.”
“Mmph, mmph!”
The chair Jin Ruogong was sitting in had been designed to restrain superpower users in the past. It bound the limbs and covered the mouth and eyes. No need for it now with the nullifier, but Kim Suhyun preferred breaking spirits this way.
“And your friends are doing fine. This is just for you.”
‘Why me?!’
“Curious why? Like you said, you’re a dog, so I can rough you up without complaints. The others? They get proper treatment.”
‘Tie those bastards up too!’
“We’ll talk after the test results.”
* * *
“Haha, thank you.”
“It’s our honor. Hahaha.”
“We’re so embarrassed for misunderstanding you at first, Mr. Kim Suhyun.”
The Chinese superpower users had turned into meek lambs, chatting amiably with Kim Suhyun. They weren’t restrained, and their holding area was almost like any normal room. Just their powers sealed.
True to form as Jin Ruogong’s crew, they quickly grasped the situation. They knew exactly who was in the crosshairs from Kim Suhyun’s words.
No reason to act tough or stubborn. It’d only bring disadvantages.
Sipping the cheap tea Kim Suhyun offered with delight, they smiled meekly. Unlike Jin Ruogong’s spot, the atmosphere was warm and friendly.
“Once your people from China arrive, we’ll talk and release you. Got it?”
“It’s all because of…”
“Jin Ruogong, right?”
“Perfect. Need anything else?”
* * *
“Results back?”
“Oh, here… I didn’t expect this…”
“Good, this’ll do.”
Jin Ruogong glared at Kim Suhyun with fierce eyes as the blindfold came off. But Kim Suhyun ignored it, scanning the documents he’d brought.
“Smoke? Want a cigarette?”
“Once I’m out, I’ll kill you.”
“That wouldn’t be bad. If you’ve got the skills. Anyway, China lenient on drugs?”
Some things never changed. Even top superpower users had to mind public opinion. Like how Kim Suhyun, a mage, still worried about Yi Jung-young’s schemes.
No matter how powerful, defying the public meant downfall. Same in China’s different system. Overt bribes, scandals… all fatal weaknesses.
“What’re you talking about?”
“Test on your blood came back positive for drugs. Knew you were a psycho, but drugs too? News to me.”
Jin Ruogong sneered.
“You must’ve slipped them to me.”
‘This bastard… sharp.’
It was technically true, though Jin Ruogong meant something else.
“I did?”
“You dosed me while I was here.”
“Smart thinking. Makes you seem not totally crazy sometimes. But Jin Ruogong, it doesn’t matter. Precise tests show timelines. Your drug’s unusual, so I checked around. Know this guy?”
Kim Suhyun showed him Kim Jong-tae’s photo.
“Didn’t he introduce you to it? Famous back home. Meet him publicly even once? No excuse would hold. I light the spark, others pour the fuel.”
“Others…? What?”
“People who hate you. Gotta be some in China too. With your personality, you’ve made more enemies, not less.”
Jin Ruogong shut his mouth. Kim Suhyun’s words hit too close to home; he didn’t know how to respond.
He wasn’t stupid. Acting wild was fine in safe spots, but he knew to bow in real danger.
If this went public…
‘I’m done!’
No matter his family or skills, he couldn’t last. A minor screw-up versus drug addiction? Different leagues. All his past deeds would pile on.
“Ready to drop the attitude and open up? Your Chinese escorts are outside. Impressive they came after your mess. I’d ditch and replace. Even rare superpowers—China can find new ones, right?”
“Just say what you want!”
“Politely.”
“?”
“More politely, weakling.”
“You dog…”
“Still can’t control your temper, huh? Guess this is goodbye. Bye, junkie.”
“Tell me… what you… want, sir!”
“Simple. We get friendly.”
“…?”
“I say what I want, you do it. That about it?”
Like Wu Shangkai when he was cornered, Jin Ruogong reacted the same. He looked pained holding back curses.
“That all…?”
“Outside, someone holds your leash. Don’t badmouth me to him. No ‘mistreatment,’ ‘illegal detention’ crap—it won’t fly, and tell him not to let it out. What you say outside: ‘I was nuts, fucked up, deeply sorry. Won’t happen again. Sorry, Korea.’ Got it?”
“That’ll ruin my rep…!”
“Better than junkie. Do it or not?”
Kim Suhyun loved one-sided talks. Five minutes later, he walked out with a satisfied smile, Jin Ruogong in tow.
‘Finally got a head completely in my grasp.’
Back before returning, he and his team likened Chinese orgs to a multi-headed monster. Cut one, another popped up elsewhere. Too vast to cover fully.
But now, from Wu Shangkai down to the field ops, he had one whole branch in his pocket.
‘Wiping them out… unrealistic. Better to control them. Like hostile symbiosis.’
That was his conclusion.
Enough to scheme whenever. No matter internal Chinese drama, this grip ensured nothing slipped by.
‘Good… time to get serious.’
Wu Shangkai waited anxiously in the distance. Kim Suhyun smirked and waved.
* * *
“Official apology statement?!”
“You weren’t gonna do even that to take him? Don’t mistake my soft touch for easy. Tried to wipe a merc team.”
“Yeah, but… my boss’ll eat me alive.”
“Package it right. Say you negotiated an apology statement to de-escalate and get him out mildly. That should fly. Bonus points even.”
Wu Shangkai pondered. Not entirely wrong. No bribes, just an apology to extract him. Impossible without their connection.
Sure, humiliation in Cameron society, but people forget fast. One embarrassment wasn’t the worst.
“But one issue.”
“What?”
“Can’t convince Jin Ruogong. He won’t listen quietly.”
“Oh, convinced him already.”
“?!”
“Come in, Jin Ruogong. Your handler’s here. Apologize or not?”
“…I will…”
“Good. Back out.”
As Jin Ruogong left, Wu Shangkai grabbed Kim Suhyun’s hand. Before he could speak, Wu Shangkai pleaded earnestly.
“Please, teach me how to handle that guy. I’ll do anything!”