Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: Revenge Game (2)
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Hard marble floor. Yan Long knelt upon it, head bowed low.
Before him lay a razor-sharp longsword.
"Everything is my failure, my lord."
With a chilling *clang*, the blade slid free from its sheath. Yan Long offered the hilt toward his master, his voice trembling as he spoke.
"Thus, I seek to take responsibility for this failure... in this manner."
Late at night, the ceiling lights glinted off the gleaming blade.
James Wang, the director, approached slowly with somewhat deflated eyes.
"Foolish words, Yan Long. You know this as well as I."
James Wang kicked the sharpened blade aside with the tip of his shoe.
As his tall frame cast a long shadow over him, Yan Long cautiously lifted his head.
"My lord..."
"There is no need whatsoever to blame yourself for an unexpected blow. Better to focus on salvaging the situation first."
James Wang appeared far calmer than expected.
This was different from when Yan Long had reported the failed negotiations in Singapore.
Yan Long's surprised expression shifted to understanding at James Wang's next words.
"Fortunately, Beijing's old monster seems to view this as part of a long-term plan."
James Wang rubbed his chest, as if recalling the moment still sent a chill through him.
Hassan of the Muslim Independence Struggle Group. The instant word came that he had allied with Ammunition Group, James Wang's first move was to book a flight to Beijing.
*I apologize. There was a mistake on our end. We will handle the cleanup and ensure success.*
James Wang had rushed straight to Zhongnanhai, the heart of Beijing's power.
Beijing's old monster, the political mentor to the supreme leader. James Wang had bowed so low before him that his nose nearly touched the floor.
*Ho ho ho. I've heard. You got complacent and broke your nose, eh?*
*...I have no face to show you, Elder Zhang.*
The old monster of Beijing toyed with the mouse's tail gripped in his front paw, smirking ambiguously as he pondered what punishment to mete out.
Called Elder Zhang, he lightly tapped his gold-leaf fan on the table, seemingly savoring the moment of his overwhelming dominance.
*......*
Tension crept up James Wang's spine like walking on thin ice. Suddenly, footsteps approached from outside.
*Elder, forgive the interruption. I know you're in discussion, but this is most urgent...*
A young woman who appeared to be an aide. Elder Zhang stroked his beard and eyed her lazily before replying.
"It's fine. What is it?*
*The Standing Committee Chairman of the National People's Congress has sent an urgent message. Says it's pressing—what should we do?*
*Ah... Looks like they've hit another snag pushing that issue from above. Even at that position, they're still green when it comes to handling affairs.*
Elder Zhang clicked his tongue.
After a few more exchanges about Beijing's central politics, he dismissed the aide and turned back to James Wang, who had been left waiting.
*Well, the southern front isn't a battle to be decided in a day. I'll keep watching.*
*...I am deeply grateful for Elder Zhang's boundless magnanimity and patience.*
A soft *pfft* of satisfaction at the display of submission from Beijing's old monster.
The cat released the mouse's tail from its paw, growling lowly as it watched the rodent flee with its tail between its legs.
*Don't disappoint me when the time for reckoning comes. You know mercy and patience aren't handed out lightly.*
*......*
*Then be on your way.*
* * * *
James Wang clutched his pounding heart as he departed.
Even now, back in his stronghold of Shanghai after some time had passed, those emotions lingered.
He wiped a bead of cold sweat from his brow, careful not to let his subordinate see, and parted his trembling lips.
"This may be fortunate for now... but if Beijing's old monster decides to make an issue of it later, it could become a real problem."
Tension rose like walking on a blade's edge. That blade demanded action.
Without carrying it out, the tightening noose might choke even his breath.
"Before he finds leverage, we must divert Elder Zhang's attention."
"Wise words, my lord. We never know when the old monster's mood might shift..."
"Of course, we should also lob a heavy countermeasure to tighten the noose around Ammunition Group and Han Seo-jun."
With the situation mentally resolved, James Wang took a deep breath and helped the still-kneeling Yan Long to his feet, posing the question.
"What methods satisfy both needs?"
As if he had been waiting for the query, Yan Long grasped his master's hand and rose.
Immediately, his confident gaze reflected off the flat of the longsword discarded in the corner.
"I... have a plan, my lord."
"A plan?"
Yan Long nodded once and continued in a steady voice.
The humiliation from Singapore.
Ever since reading that letter from Yeosu Jangwoo Jungmun-si branding him a failed general. And especially after seeing the yellow smiley sticker at the end, he had vowed it.
He would plunge a dagger into the backs of Ammunition Group and Han Seo-jun, who had inflicted the worst disgrace upon him.
"Surely, Ammunition Group's full might will be focused on the massive Kra Canal project, so we must grab their ankles and scatter their forces."
"Go on."
"Conveniently, the late chairman of Ammunition Group made substantial equipment investments in China over the past few years."
Fuzhou hosted several foreign electronics factories, including one from Ammunition Electronics.
A large-scale semiconductor plant that had run smoothly in China until now suddenly found dark clouds gathering.
"Recently acquired by Ammunition Group, Cheolhwa Semiconductor has also leased vast factory sites in Fuzhou on a large scale."
"Fuzhou semiconductor plant..."
James Wang's reaction was lukewarm. Theoretically perfect, of course. Only theoretically.
Fuzhou wasn't held by his faction, requiring messy frictions to maneuver.
Thus, he trailed off, deep in thought. But...
"Yes! Of course! It no longer matters now!"
Seeing Yan Long's smile, James Wang articulated the flash of insight that struck him.
"Now that the central power structure has shifted, Fuzhou is within our reach as well."
"As expected of my lord's keen insight. You grasped the implication at once."
James Wang drew a fountain pen from his pocket.
He moved to the desk, pulled out a sheet of cream-colored paper, and signed it in black ink.
"Good. Before launching a full assault from the south, it's wise to land a few blows to the gut first."
He handed the signed paper to Yan Long.
The words "Power of Attorney" stamped at the top. It stated he would bear all responsibility.
The thick ink scent pierced his nose—the smell signaling the battle's start. He issued the order to his subordinate.
"Yan Long, mobilize every possible means immediately. The blame from the south will be washed away with this success."
"I shall obey, my lord."
* * * *
Fuzhou. The Ammunition-Cheolhwa Semiconductor joint venture plant in China buzzed without respite.
Semiconductor prospects bloomed rosily alongside the advancing IT industry. Especially in China, with scant domestic production tech but overflowing demand, profits soared.
"No! Why are you doing this all of a sudden?! What regulation have we violated... Argh!"
That dreamlike state shattered overnight.
In broad daylight, armed public security officers stormed the Ammunition-Cheolhwa Semiconductor plant.
The intimidating uniformed men shoved the site manager's chest with far more aggression than usual, bellowing.
"Shut it! We'll find out what the problem is and what laws you've broken soon enough."
"What the...!"
The site manager lay sprawled on the semiconductor plant floor, dazed and lost.
The public security captain, unconcerned with his state, barked orders to his men.
"Hey! Start the search! Tear the place apart if you have to!"
"Yes, sir!"
*Crash, clang.* Rough boots trampled the entire factory.
Cabinets holding vital company documents in the offices were swiftly emptied like vaults, and some production equipment contaminated by external dust.
"Good lord, what in the world is going on...?"
The site manager stared at the ravaged factory in disbelief.
As he gaped vacantly, someone placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Brother Kim! Brother Kim! Snap out of it!"
"Director Park?"
Park, from Cheolhwa Semiconductor.
His expression suggested he had suffered the same.
Frustrated, Park vented on the spot.
"Those crazy bastards barged into the construction site out of nowhere! Said the permits are revoked—get the hell out!"
"What nonsense is that? We've finished all the groundwork years ago."
"Same reason as here! Damn, what now... Feels like the big shots upstairs are involved."
Unlike the usual bribe-taking public security, no other solutions seemed viable in this crisis.
Just then, Michelle, president of Ammunition Electronics, who was inspecting the China site, rushed over upon hearing the news.
"This can't be...!"
"President Michelle!"
Michelle was aghast at the devastated semiconductor plant.
He calmed the half-weeping site managers and began pondering solutions.
"What do we do... No way to clean up this mess."
"Sort out the situation for now. I'll report to the Chairman immediately."
Deeming it beyond his authority, Michelle initiated the upward reporting chain.
He grabbed the direct hotline, dialed swiftly, and activated video to vividly show the site's disaster.
"Chairman? It's Michelle. At the China semiconductor plant right now..."
"I know."
"Chairman...?"
Despite the chaos on display, the Chairman remained unusually composed.
Then came an unexpected order, delivered with unshakable confidence.
"I've grasped the situation already. Don't return home yet—stay put. I've got a plan to smash the back of their heads."