To Hire You (1)
Returning to the branch office, Baek So-cheon sought out Yeom Jeong-gil this time.
As Baek So-cheon entered, Yeom Jeong-gil, who had been in the interrogation room, shot him a displeased glare first.
"What brings you here?"
"If you don't like me, I'll just head out."
As Baek So-cheon turned to leave, Yeom Jeong-gil barked.
"You bastard! Cut the crap and sit down already."
Baek So-cheon sat down in front of Yeom Jeong-gil.
"You didn't just drop by for no reason. So, what's up?"
"I thought long and hard about whether to come or not."
"Skip the bullshit."
"Wang Gon the division head was just released. Figured you might not know, so I came to tell you."
"What?"
Yeom Jeong-gil was startled.
"What the hell does that mean?"
"He's been released. Wang Gon the division head."
"That's what I'm asking—what the hell does that mean!"
Yeom Jeong-gil bellowed.
Confined to the interrogation room for days, he wasn't in a normal state. To him on the verge of exploding, news of Wang Gon's release was like pouring oil on a roaring fire.
"Wang Gon the division head was cleared of suspicion in this incident and let go."
To Yeom Jeong-gil, those words sounded like, "You're still here because you're under suspicion."
"Yang Chu the great hero says more investigation is needed."
Yeom Jeong-gil's expression darkened coldly. Logically, if they'd released Wang Gon, there was no reason to keep him locked up.
"Spill everything you know."
"Headquarters is keeping an eye on the Yang Chu case."
"I know that already! Tell me how the hell Wang Gon got released!"
Baek So-cheon hesitated, mumbling.
"If you don't wanna die, talk!"
"You're making me not want to say anything."
Yeom Jeong-gil, about to erupt again, reined in his anger.
"Cooperate with me, and you won't lose out. Wang Gon's just some division head. I'm one of Shin-hwa-bang's four great warriors."
"And yet that 'mere' division head got out first."
Yeom Jeong-gil's eyes sharpened. Baek So-cheon was still showing the same cheeky attitude he'd displayed from the start. This consistent demeanor would dispel any suspicion toward him.
"Fine, I'll tell you. Wang Gon the division head bribed Jeong-pung the squad leader."
"What?"
"Wang Gon found out Jeong-pung planned to pin the Yang Chu murder on one of you two. So he got out first."
"How'd he find out?"
"I told him."
"You son of a—!"
"No need to get mad at me. I'm employed by Wang Gon the division head."
It was true. This wasn't the time to be yelling at Baek So-cheon.
He'd lived his whole life without fear. But this time, he was scared. No matter how great Shin-hwa-bang was, they couldn't stand against the Murim Alliance.
The fact that Shin-hwa-bang hadn't lifted a finger while he was locked up was proof of that.
He didn't know that Jong-sun-saeng, sent down to handle this mess, had already been eliminated. That's why he was inwardly furious at Shin-hwa-bang's inaction and indifference.
What if the Murim Alliance tried to make him the scapegoat by force? Would Shin-hwa-bang really go all out to protect him?
He couldn't be sure.
And in this situation, Wang Gon had slipped out first. Wang Gon must have known the reality all too well.
"Is it really true that Wang Gon the division head bought off Jeong-pung?"
"He put up his house as collateral and pulled in a massive sum. With clear evidence like that, why would I lie?"
Yeom Jeong-gil clenched his fists tight. Baek So-cheon could tell—in that moment, Yeom Jeong-gil had decided to kill Wang Gon. Using bribes to escape a situation where one of them had to die was as good as declaring he'd kill the one left behind.
"Why tell me this? Aren't you Wang Gon's right-hand man?"
"How long have we even known each other for me to be his 'right-hand'?"
"Why betray him?"
"I gave him the key info to get out, but you know what that bastard gave me in return?"
Baek So-cheon showed off the bracelet on his wrist.
"Just this. What the hell? You kidding me?"
Yeom Jeong-gil recognized it as the bracelet Wang Gon always wore.
'Betraying him over something this petty!'
But Baek So-cheon had a track record.
On the first day, Yeom Jeong-gil had warned Wang Gon. That Baek So-cheon was the type who'd decided to kill his superior before even five years passed—and he'd probably decide to kill you before three.
True to that prediction, Baek So-cheon had betrayed Wang Gon over something this trivial, without batting an eye. Convinced his intuition had been spot-on, Yeom Jeong-gil found nothing suspicious in Baek So-cheon's betrayal.
"Switching ships, are you?"
"Might as well hop on a bigger, comfier one, right? Of course, the captain has to approve."
Yeom Jeong-gil snorted openly.
"I can't stand guys like you."
"Perfect. You'll need someone like me exactly for the jobs you hate."
With Yeom Jeong-gil silent, Baek So-cheon stood up.
"If not, forget it."
As he headed out, Yeom Jeong-gil spoke.
"Hop on. My ship."
He said it like it was no big deal, but it felt pathetic climbing onto the raft that was Baek So-cheon from his sinking vessel.
"How can I help?"
"First, get me out of here."
If Murim Alliance headquarters was watching this case, he couldn't expect help from his main branch. Right now, Baek So-cheon was Yeom Jeong-gil's only option.
"Find a way, whatever it takes. Dig up dirt on Jeong-pung, kidnap his kid—anything. Get me out. That's your boarding pass."
Baek So-cheon was securing his ticket.
Unfortunately for Yeom Jeong-gil, though, that ticket would put him on a hellbound ship to ruin.
"Release Yeom Jeong-gil? So you're letting both of the guys we brought in go?"
Jeong-pung was startled by Baek So-cheon's request.
"Yeah. Release Yeom Jeong-gil tomorrow night."
Releasing him immediately would raise suspicions. He needed to show some effort and time spent in "trying" to get him out.
Yeom Jeong-gil's rage would only grow in the stifling confinement.
The reason for a nighttime release was simple. Where would Yeom Jeong-gil, at the peak of his fury, go after leaving the interrogation room? To an inn for sleep? Back to his main branch in the dead of night? No—he'd head straight for Wang Gon's place.
"Then why bring him in the first place?"
"The purpose of bringing him in is already achieved. Now we're releasing him to achieve another."
"What purpose?"
"Tomorrow night, I'll kill them both. Though with Wang Gon, I might not even need to get my hands dirty."
Jeong-pung flinched for a moment. That meant using Yeom Jeong-gil to kill Wang Gon. No—Baek So-cheon was convinced Yeom Jeong-gil would kill Wang Gon.
Staring at Baek So-cheon for a beat, he spoke in a trembling voice.
"You're serious."
"Told you before, right? Everyone involved in this dies."
"But those two are important figures in Shin-hwa-bang."
"If they're 'important' in a pile of trash, they're just the stinkiest trash, aren't they? Might as well sweep 'em all out."
Jeong-pung had no words amid his various worries.
"Jeol-gang is your turf. Wouldn't it be nice to clean it up?"
"That's exactly why. If only this had happened in Fujian or Anhui."
Baek So-cheon asked Jeong-pung, who sighed.
"Scared?"
"You wouldn't be?"
"Don't be. They're just small-time villains anyway."
"Small-time to you..."
To him, they were a massive tidal wave, a storm.
Jeong-pung was afraid. Not of the enemies, but of Baek So-cheon as an ally. Past or present, Baek So-cheon knew no limits. Once these guys were dead, enemies who broke through their own limits would emerge.
"Squad Leader Jeong."
"What?"
"Ever thought about heading to headquarters?"
Jeong-pung flinched at the sudden mention of headquarters.
"Why ask?"
"Just curious. What about you?"
"Who wouldn't want to? But..."
"Nail this case perfectly, and you might get a shot at headquarters."
"No need to tempt me. I'll stick with you to the end. Once it's done, you head back first. Come back to Jeol-gang sometime before you die, reminisce about the old days."
Baek So-cheon chuckled at Jeong-pung's words.
As Baek So-cheon turned to leave, Jeong-pung's final worry stopped him.
"But you sure about this?"
"About what?"
"Yeom Jeong-gil's one of Shin-hwa-bang's four great experts, at the Peak realm. Even for you, taking him on won't be easy."
"I'm not handling him. Someone else is."
"Who?"
Instead of answering, Baek So-cheon said something else and left the room.
"Branch leader, you got booze hidden in that cabinet over there."
"Answer me!"
But Baek So-cheon was already gone.
Sighing over his worries, Jeong-pung finally pulled out the liquor from the cabinet.
"Beats me."
Entering the courtyard of his residence, Baek So-cheon looked toward the dark wall and said,
"Come out."
Then Cheon-geuk released her stealth and appeared. She was perched on the wall.
"No inner energy, and you still sniff me out like a ghost. Did you buy off one of my guardians? Yeah? They're the ones tipping you off that I'm here?"
"Why do you keep coming to my place?"
"What do you mean 'keep'? This is the first time without business. And since when are we 'others'?"
"So we're close?"
"Well, yeah. Not friends, not strangers. So what are we?"
"Whatever. Why're you here? Not busy?"
"Not busy."
"Good for the jianghu, then."
"Always with the jabs."
"Go! I'm washing up and sleeping."
Baek So-cheon went inside.
Cheon-geuk shook her head and spoke to her hidden four guardians.
"Ugh, pissing me off! Can't I put out a hit too? Right?"
The four guardians could only smack their lips, too scared to reply.
Honestly, she wasn't that upset. This kind of brush-off felt refreshing. No one else dared treat her this way.
"Anyone you wanna kill? Half price for you."
Baek So-cheon's voice came from inside.
"Nope."
"Tch."
At least he answered.
Standing in the courtyard, she gazed up at the full moon.
She should go, but her feet wouldn't move.
Then a transmission came from Dong-seong, leader of the Sa-cheon-sal.
-You can rest in Mun-seong for a while. Alliance matters can wait.
Cheon-geuk smirked. That's why he was the leader—sharp as ever.
"Let's go, just us. Grab a drink."
Then Baek So-cheon's voice came from behind.
"How much to hire you for a day?"
Turning, she saw him at the window, looking out.
"Me?"
"Yeah, you."
"Me..."
Of course, she didn't take jobs, but hypothetically.
"I'm super expensive."
"Didn't you say half price?"
"Still super expensive."
"How about a thousand nyang?"
"No way!"
Cheon-geuk looked at him like he'd lost his mind.
"A thousand nyang is exactly your worth."
"You're crazy?"
"Listen. Sleeping with you costs a hundred thousand nyang, right?"
"Who said anything about sleeping? Fine, say it does."
"Killing one villain versus sleeping with you—which costs more?"
"Sleeping with me, obviously."
"Right? So how much more? A hundred times?"
"Huh?"
"No? Is sleeping with you worth less than a hundred times killing one villain?"
"Of course... it's more."
"That's why it's a thousand nyang. A hundred times is actually too low. Sleeping with you should cost a thousand times that—a hundred nyang. Sound good? Sorry for undervaluing you."
"No, it's fine."
Cheon-geuk blinked. She'd fallen for Baek So-cheon's sophistry again.
"Got a place to go tomorrow night. See you then."
With that, Baek So-cheon vanished from the window.
The hidden four guardians transmitted among themselves as they watched.
-Tell her she's being scammed!
-She's the smartest person alive. She's playing along.
-You sure?
-...
Unaware or not of their exchange, Cheon-geuk hummed a tune as she walked off.
"Yeah, sleeping with me's worth at least a thousand times that. What're you waiting for? Let's go drink!"