Chapter 29
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Negotiation, Camp Roberts (1)
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The Black Society (Hei She Hui) was the most powerful organization in Camp Roberts' refugee zone, but it wasn't actually a single entity. It was just a front for a bunch of major and minor groups pooling their strength externally: the Triad, Anliang Commercial Association, Henan Village, Sunhua Group, Shanxi Hall, Zhili Hall, Hesheng Party, Jinan Faction, and so on.
Among them, the Triad held the most sway. Their Dragon Head also served as the Black Society's boss. The one who'd come to negotiate with Winter was a Triad executive. But she looked nothing like he'd expected.
"I've long admired your renowned name, and it's an honor to meet you like this, Mr. Han. I'm Li Ailing."
She was strikingly young and beautiful. She wore a sleeveless cheongsam draped with a fur coat. Amid the faded surroundings, her vivid colors stood out alone—like the classic image of a Chinese beauty from anyone's imagination. Everyone around gawked like fools. The women pouted with jealousy.
The fact that she could strut so boldly through the Korean enclave proved the Black Society's might. Five men who looked like 49ers—thugs—trailed her as bodyguards.
One of the bodyguards was her interpreter. He relayed her words exactly. He seemed like an ethnic Korean from China. His speech was a bit clumsy. But Winter had already acquired "Chinese" at level 6—expert max. Even if it felt slightly off to a native ear, it was fine for communication. Dialects were still a weak spot in speaking and listening, though. After a moment's thought, Winter spent some experience points. "Chinese" rose to level 7, entry-level professional. The boy replied in Chinese.
"I don't think we'll need an interpreter, miss. If I may ask, who exactly am I dealing with?"
She flashed an intrigued smile.
"Impressive. I knew you spoke Mandarin, but not this fluently. It's a bit different from what my comrades reported."
Ailing waved the hesitant Korean interpreter aside.
"I'll answer that. You're probably wondering about my position. I'm an Incense Master, assisting one of the big bosses. You can go through me for any negotiation without worry."
This time, Winter was surprised. That meant only two people ranked above her: the Dragon Head and the Deputy Leader. Far higher than the Grass Sandals liaison he'd expected, given her age. This was a heavyweight.
He needed to mind his words.
"Miss Li, are you related by blood to the Dragon Head or the Deputy Leader?"
He adjusted how he addressed her. "Teacher" was usually for men, but it worked as a respectful term for esteemed women too. Augmented reality's prompt helped.
Ailing gave an ambiguous look as she countered.
"Is that because of my age?"
"Honestly, yes. Sorry if that offends."
"No, not at all. You're right. The Dragon Head Grandmaster is my father. But I didn't get here on nepotism alone—don't misunderstand."
"If that were the case, he wouldn't have sent you here. No misunderstanding."
Pleased by his smooth talk, she smiled prettily again.
"Please call me 'miss' like before. 'Teacher' feels odd for a woman—makes me feel old."
"Got it."
That's when Yura unexpectedly brought out some tea and snacks. The tea set looked decent too. Winter was inwardly startled. Where'd this come from? A quick glance revealed Section Chief Min Wangi pointing at himself with a thumb and mouthing two words: dignity, humility.
Understanding the intent, he played along quietly.
"Times being what they are, I can't offer proper hospitality. Please forgive any shortcomings."
"When we're all struggling, asking for understanding is almost redundant."
Grace flowed from her elegant grip on the teacup. She didn't seem like a mob girl. She added an explanation.
"Do you know the tea ceremony?"
"Not at all."
"Let me teach you a bit. A tea's quality isn't just about the leaves. Even the finest steeped too hastily tastes like dirty water. The pour is part of the ritual."
She took a sip, closed her eyes. A silent swallow. Then she continued.
"And etiquette shapes the person. Without it, how pathetic would we be? You treat me with full courtesy, and I honor you in return—so dignity graces this moment."
A sweet voice claiming spirit over substance. The well-prepared boy got it instantly. He knew how to respond to face-conscious Chinese with their love for refined speech.
"After hearing that, the tea tastes even better. Must be the etiquette."
A quiet moment passed. In that time, Winter dismissed a few viewer quests from Ailing and Ddeokchi. He brushed them off without a flicker. Different viewers kept repeating the same quests. The bounties climbed higher.
Once the cups were empty, the talk resumed.
"Since you understand etiquette, let's discuss righteousness."
The main topic at last. Winter nodded.
"I'm listening."
The words didn't come right away. A calculated pause, no doubt. Hands neatly folded, she stared at the boy for a long stretch before finally speaking.
"Join the 'Triad' or kneel to the 'Black Society.' Choose one."
Winter was impressed.
"You're direct."
She looked faintly impressed too. Her "Discernment" caught how he'd grasped it from one line.
"You seemed worth being direct with."
It sounded like a threat at first glance. But Winter took it as simple honesty for good reason.
Why distinguish between Triad and Black Society? It meant infighting. A disadvantageous truth. By admitting it outright, she revealed her high regard for him—based on their brief exchange so far.
No need to pause the worldview for viewers. He was getting used to teletypes and broadcasts.
Winter tilted his head.
"I'm Korean, and so are my followers. You think we'd thrive in the 'Triad'?"
"Even ethnic Koreans became part of China in the end. Besides, thinking ahead, you have no choice. The 'Black Society' is strong."
Arrogant. Provocative. Confidence of the powerful. But with a gap.
Think it through. Winter currently had the edge in position. But the Chinese had no reason to panic. They knew he was a billboard. Ads were just come-ons to sell product. Loyal to America? Tempt them all with the same privileges.
Using a Korean like Winter to control Japanese or Chinese refugees wouldn't fly. The American role model, Colonel Kim Young-ok, had led Japanese troops. But times and situations differed greatly now.
To control Chinese and Japanese refugees, better to raise new billboards from their own ranks.
Stars were already emerging among them. Risking life on missions, racking up results. Soon, Winter-like figures would appear from both groups.
So mere Triad infighting didn't justify recruiting him.
"The top candidate isn't from the 'Triad,' is she?"
"Right."
Ailing accepted the sensitive point without hesitation.
Such attitudes weren't always trustworthy. Without superhuman "Insight," truth hid between deception and lies.
But here, it signaled sincere engagement. Winter trusted his instincts.
"Maybe a pointless question... but who?"
"The 'Anliang Commercial Association' and 'Zhili Hall' are competing. We had three Red Poles and one White Paper Fan as candidates—they all met with accidents in the last week."
Red Poles were enforcers, White Paper Fan an administrator. Heavy Triad losses. More than expected.
Worth digging deeper.
"Their doing?"
"Heard they went missing on ops."
Her tone sank deeper. Calm fury. Maybe one of the dead was kin. He pondered inwardly, kept it off his face. Just speculation.
Her earlier talk of righteousness? Lip service. Help us in our bind, and we'll truly welcome you as brothers. Empty promise.
Also a threat. No other options. Refuse, and the new Black Society boss unites them to crush Korean and Japanese groups.
"So, you want to pull in me—already recognized by the US military—to counter them...."
What they craved was Winter's position: unit formation rights, lead on external ops. With that, they wouldn't lose ground to rival factions.
"Insight." Augmented reality graphs, snippet future predictions. But system assists didn't always point true. Two prophets with opposing visions, both with solid grounds—choice forever the boy's.
Signposts splitting to optimism and pessimism. Winter read one.
"No guarantee you won't use and discard me."
Ailing feigned sorrow. She knew how to wield her charms. Ineffective on Winter, but others watched. She accounted for that.
At language skill peaks, voice and rhetoric ensnared foes. Her next words dripped with soft, pitiful tones.
Even affecting a player's "Insight." Distorted info. Why not blindly trust the system.
"We're bound by oaths. Betrayal means death. The 'Winter Alliance' becomes a Black Society affiliate, always maximally respected. Mr. Han gets Vanguard rank. Offered purely on righteousness and brotherhood. Trust us."
Vanguard equaled Incense Master in hierarchy, if not duties. Honorary for existing members, but still preferential treatment.
Affiliates were Triad subsidiaries. Good deal too—only for 3+ year veterans approved by the Dragon Head.
But still just form over substance. Empty.
"Sorry. I can't trust it."
"Why...."
"Even granting you and the Dragon Head, I can't trust the whole 'Triad.' Chinese pride runs deep, right? Plenty have always scorned Korea as a minor state. It's worse now. You think there'd be no discrimination or insults?"
"Again, Triad bylaws aren't lightly broken. 'No picking fights or sowing discord among brothers. Violators pay with their lives.' Once brothers, no ethnic excuses for strife. I swear it. If any try, death's their punishment."
Her gentle words hid firm pride. Straight gaze. But Winter denied her again.
"How about this? I can't even trust my own people."