Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Lowly Jeong Jin-young - [2]
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Yi Do-hyeok was too flustered to speak for a moment. Take over the neighborhood? What, start a war or something?
"Sorry, but there's already a martial artist in this neighborhood. They get tributes from the local thugs..."
Jeong Jin-young replied to Yi Do-hyeok's words.
"I know."
"Then you're planning to fight that martial artist and steal their turf?"
Fortunately, that wasn't the plan.
"Nah. I heard martial artists are supposed to get along. Fighting each other is a no-go."
"So what are you gonna do?"
"I looked into it, and the martial artist who took over this area hasn't really dipped into the nightlife business. They take tributes from individual thugs running nightlife spots, but they don't touch the establishments themselves. No protection fees from the venues, no investment scams either. So we can stick our necks out there."
It was true enough. Yi Do-hyeok recalled how, from his own office, the red-light district near Dongincheon Station was completely ignored—not even a glance. He didn't know the exact reason, but it was probably because Invincible BB Bullet and his disciple practiced the Virgin Boy Skill.
"So you're going after the nightlife spots the martial artists haven't claimed?"
"Street karaoke bars, officetels, massage parlors—everything!"
"Weren't you saying you'd take over this whole neighborhood?"
"Isn't Bipchon part of the neighborhood?"
"Goddamn punk, all talk and no..."
As Yi Do-hyeok stared in disbelief, Jeong Jin-young asked,
"Anyway, that cool with you?"
"Hell if I know. Go ask them yourself. But wait—you're a martial artist?"
"Yeah."
"You actually trained in martial arts?"
"That's why I'm called a martial artist, dumbass."
"Where'd you get the money for spirit pills?"
"Haven't taken any spirit pills yet? I've just been grinding my ass off on training."
"A guy without spirit pills calling himself a martial artist? Bullshit..."
"Tch, real masters don't rely on pills! Even the old masters treated them as side shit. Training matters more than pills, training!"
"Emperor Wanli would come back from the grave to call that crap."
"What do you know? Rely too much on pills and your qi gets impure, leading to qi deviation."
"Back then, they couldn't tell real spirit pills from poison, so they chugged mercury and arsenic compounds like idiots. Nowadays, with thorough analysis, we know what's real. No qi deviation. The more you take, the better."
"Acting like you know shit, you fucking... Anyway, I've got a good internal art, so I'm good."
"You've barely trained a few years and think you've built up qi with that internal art? With that pea-sized internal energy, you can only beat amateur boxers."
"Argh, even if I'm a novice, big bro's a master, so it's fine!"
Yi Do-hyeok's eyebrow twitched.
"You serve a 'big bro' too?"
"You think I'd conquer the neighborhood solo? So, you in or what?"
"No way, punk."
Jeong Jin-young grumbled.
"You said you dreamed of being a vigilante, asshole. I remembered you wanted to work in the martial world someday, so I bothered telling you..."
Only then did Yi Do-hyeok's tone soften.
"Thanks for remembering, but I'm already working in the martial world, so I'm good."
"Didn't you say you work at a loan shark office?"
"That's martial world related. Up until a few months ago, I thought the boss was half-bullshitting, but lately it's legit."
"Pay good? Like ten mil a month?"
Yi Do-hyeok recalled the cut he'd gotten after the last job.
"Not at first, but now yeah."
"Damn, that's good money..."
Yi Do-hyeok figured he'd drop it now, but no.
Jeong Jin-young texted someone on his phone, read the reply, and his face hardened.
Then he kept nagging.
"Still, come meet him at least, yeah?"
"Punk, what's your deal? You in a pyramid scheme now?"
"Not that, but give me some face, huh? I bragged to big bro I'd bring a friend. If I go back alone, I'll get chewed out."
"I said I'm not switching jobs."
"Just come along, then it's not a total lie..."
Yi Do-hyeok thought dragging friends in like this was straight-up pyramid scheme level, but he couldn't flat-out refuse an old buddy.
"Fine, I'll just show my face and bounce."
"Fuck yeah, thanks!"
Seeing his relieved expression—like he'd cheated death—told Yi Do-hyeok all about this 'big bro's' character. No easy rejection and walk away there. He'd probably force it half-coercively.
Still, Yi Do-hyeok was confident he could shake it off. Thinking about where he worked now...
They met the so-called 'big bro' at a nightlife spot near Dongincheon Station.
The man, just shy of thirty, flashed a friendly smile and spoke.
"Oh, Jin-young's friend?"
"Yes. Yi Do-hyeok."
"Call me Seong-jin hyung. What you do? Sit. Have a drink."
Jeong Jin-young's big bro, Kim Seong-jin, had set the scene like a yakuza manga panel. Woman at his side, drinks ready.
Yi Do-hyeok, uninterested in liquor, still recognized the label: a multimillion-won bottle.
"I'm good."
"Punk, when hyung offers a drink, you take it quietly. Shut up and drink!"
Kim Seong-jin poured anyway, watched him drink, then started the scout pitch.
The pitch boiled down to: Our revenue's gonna be huge. Join now, you're a founding member. Can't pay big upfront, but later ten mil a month base...
Despite all the sweet talk, Yi Do-hyeok politely declined.
And sure enough, Kim Seong-jin didn't let him off easy.
"Don't wanna work with me? What, my mug looks like a retard you can't vibe with?"
"No."
"Bullshit. Who you calling a sucker..."
Kim Seong-jin suddenly glared at Jeong Jin-young and barked.
"Hey, you said he'd definitely join, so I went all out. Now what? Wasting real cash. You scamming me?"
"No, hyung..."
"No buts—pay for the drinks."
"Huh?"
"You pay for the drinks."
Jeong Jin-young looked at Yi Do-hyeok like he might cry.
Yi Do-hyeok said,
"Cut the crap."
"What, you paying? I never said I'd cover. Dutch pay, Dutch."
Suppressing a sigh, Yi Do-hyeok said,
"I already have a job."
"Where? Want me to tell 'em you're switching?"
"The office behind that herbal clinic."
"How the hell should I know that, punk."
"The boss there, Yi Pung..."
Kim Seong-jin blinked, then chuckled.
"Punk's bullshitting."
"I really work under Boss Yi Pung. He's my master's disciple."
"Disciple my ass. Yi Pung's got jack for martial arts—who's he gonna teach?"
"Actually, someone else teaches the martial arts."
"Oh ho, new bullshit. Who?"
"Invincible Unaffiliated. Fellow martial artist, you should know him."
Kim Seong-jin knew of Invincible Unaffiliated. His reaction was instant and intense.
"This punk thinks I'm a sucker..."
To ease the suspicion, Yi Do-hyeok explained.
Like how he'd driven and worked with him when Gangnam's Greatest Sword came chasing last time.
Or since Yi Pung wasn't officially Invincible BB Bullet's disciple, he wasn't a proper grand-disciple, but he trained an hour daily under Invincible Unaffiliated anyway.
Meanwhile, Jeong Jin-young seemed clueless about Invincible BB Bullet or Unaffiliated, just staring blankly.
But Kim Seong-jin wasn't.
"You really work under Great Hero Yi Pung?"
Yi Pung had gone from 'that guy' to 'Great Hero,' casual to polite.
"Yeah."
And the next moment, Yi Do-hyeok and Jeong Jin-young both jolted.
Kim Seong-jin shot up, bowed ninety degrees, and greeted,
"My apologies here. Accept this unworthy brother's respects, hyung."
Yi Do-hyeok led the way to his office.
Following, Kim Seong-jin muttered,
"Walking so damn confident. Must be legit. Crazy..."
Yi Do-hyeok paused and asked,
"You say something?"
"No, nothing. Sorry for bothering you."
Jeong Jin-young didn't like his hyung acting so subservient. He grumbled,
"Hyung, no need for that. He's my buddy..."
"Buddy or not, if that's where he works, they're our bosses, fucker."
"That place he's at that big?"
Kim Seong-jin asked exasperatedly,
"You know Invincible BB Bullet?"
"Heard the name, not details..."
"Doctor Heo Pung-gae?"
"Yeah, I know him."
"That's his disciple. Invincible BB Bullet's disciple is Invincible Unaffiliated."
"Funny-ass nickname. Anyway, disciple of a legends book guy... like Kim Doo-han's level?"
"Still not getting it. You saw Bong-pal before?"
"Yeah, that cocky prick acting tough on his gang's rep."
"That prick squeezes us hard for cash. Figure he needs it to tribute up the chain. Know who he tributes to?"
"O Family Manor?"
"Yeah. But even O Family Manor head trembles before Martial Alliance elders."
"Oh, so this Invincible Unaffiliated guy's a Martial Alliance elder?"
"No. The elder he bribes while trembling."
Jeong Jin-young blinked, staring blankly at Yi Do-hyeok ahead.
Finally, the three entered Yi Pung's office.
Even now, Jeong Jin-young couldn't grasp his hyung's reaction. The shabby office and domestic car out front screamed anything but big shot.
But seeing the owner, he involuntarily flinched.
The burly, bearded middle-aged man, Yi Pung, listened dourly to Kim Seong-jin's proposal.
Then Yi Pung spoke.
"We don't touch nightlife anyway, so you take it over, collect protection, and want permission?"
Kim Seong-jin bowed his head. Jeong Jin-young had never seen his hyung so low.
"Yes, please..."
"Sucking honey while freeloading?"
"We'll split half."
"Chump change?"
"Not profit, from revenue..."
"Eh, you'll skim whatever anyway, not tempting. Anyway, can't lend our name."
"We don't need anything. We'll earn and tribute ourselves. Please."
Yi Pung picked his nose and replied offhandedly.
"Fine, we'll think about it. Leave your number and go."
"Thank you! This grace..."
Didn't even want the thanks. Yi Pung waved him off.
"Enough. Step out to the hall for a bit. Talk to your bro alone."
Kim Seong-jin left without question.
Left behind, Jeong Jin-young stared dazedly between Yi Pung and Yi Do-hyeok.
Yi Pung laughed—friendly, unlike with Kim Seong-jin—and spoke warmly.
"Do-hyeok's friend?"
"Uh? Y-yeah..."
"Getting into nightlife?"
"Yes. Planning a big spot at the entrance too, collecting protection around. Already contracted with liquor supplier, got a loan."
Yi Pung sighed, "Aigo."
Then said,
"From what I know, martial artists never run nightlife directly. Know why?"
"N-not really..."
"Too risky for high-value martial artists."
"Huh?"
"Loan sharks? Fine if busted, pay fine, keep going. Nightlife? Cops raid once, boss goes down. Straight to prison. Hate prison? What then?"
"Put up a front..."
"Yeah, front boss. Means keeping a fall guy. Looks like that punk plans to use you that way."
"What're you..."
"If shit hits, he sends you to prison instead. Why else teach useless you martial arts and drag you around? Ditch that punk's bro act before you rot in jail years... Work here?"
"Huh?"
"Not just anyone gets this offer. For Do-hyeok's friend."
Jeong Jin-young answered immediately.
"No thanks."
Yi Pung chuckled.
"Kim Seong-jin? He claimed martial artist? I'm small fry, but he's no less. I remember high-value martial artists' faces—that punk's over thirty, first time seeing him, gotta be small fry.
But our big boss? Currently the martial world's most famous Invincible Unaffiliated... See those? All gifts to that peerless master."
Jeong Jin-young froze, eyeing the table piled with luxury goods—prices obvious from labels, stacked like junk.
He gritted his teeth and said,
"I'm good."
"You idiot, you're getting played. Kicking an offer to work under a peerless master? Crazy."
"Say what you want, no use. I don't betray hyung."
His tone was so heroic, like a movie line.
Yi Pung looked baffled, then snorted.
"Do what you want. Jail or whatever, not my problem."
"Then..."
"Go call your hyung back."
After Jeong Jin-young left, Yi Pung muttered,
"That retard punk. Thinks he's cool saying that."
Yi Do-hyeok cautiously replied,
"Yeah? Probably. He's always been full of himself."
"Anyway, birds of a feather flock together."
Yi Pung was looking at Yi Do-hyeok as he said it.
"Huh?"
"You two are identical. Heads full of weird romantic bullshit."
Yi Do-hyeok, who'd just pitied Jeong Jin-young, flinched. Do I look like that too?
Moments later, Kim Seong-jin reentered, bowing again.
"You called?"
"Yeah. Thought about it—might as well allow it."
"Thank you..."
"Anyway. One thing: got connections in the fist world?"
"Yes, some!"
"Know the local thugs well?"
"Very!"
"Then, know anyone who'd mess with us here?"
"Mess with us? Who'd dare mess with Great Hero Invincible Unaffiliated..."
"Yakuza punks know Invincible BB Bullet's big in the martial world, but not how big. They don't know their place, think they can mess."
Yi Pung explained the acupuncture clinic incident under Invincible Unaffiliated.
After hearing it all, Kim Seong-jin said gravely,
"Could be the thugs. Plenty tribute here, might resent it..."
"Right? Who you think?"
"Probably didn't do it themselves."
"Then?"
"Subcontracted it out."
"Wanna smash whoever took the subcontract. Any guesses?"
"Got one."
"Oh, who?"
Kim Seong-jin scratched his cheek.
"No-name small fry like me texting Great Hero Yi Pung feels wrong... Heard this saying? In the martial world, beware women, elders, and children."
"Yeah."
"Fits the situation perfect."
And Kim Seong-jin began explaining.