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墨書 Inktalez
Park Bucheng stared at the phone screen, squinting as the glow illuminated his stern face. The message arrived suspiciously, just after he heard the news about Li Zhenghao colluding with the Americans, like a fuse ready to ignite an explosion. Leaning against the wall, his mind raced like a finely tuned machine, weighing the pros and cons, each gear meshing perfectly.
"Interesting," he chuckled softly, his fingers tapping rapidly on the screen as if playing a stirring melody. "I wonder who you are?"
The reply came swiftly: "A friend from the East District. How about we meet tomorrow noon at Old Mo's Café near Seoul Station?"
Park Bucheng's eyes sharpened, keen as a hawk. The East District? Wasn't that Li Zhenghao's archrival? It seemed this gangster rivalry was far more complex than he had imagined, like a vast spider web where everyone was ensnared, and he was trying to become the weaver. After a moment of thought, he replied, "Alright, I'll be there on time."
The night breeze swept by, carrying the chill of early autumn and lifting the hem of his shirt. Park Bucheng adjusted his sweat-soaked shirt; the dampness felt uncomfortable against his skin. He stretched his sore muscles; while Graceful Wave Steps was miraculous, it also drained considerable stamina—a double-edged sword that could harm both enemies and himself. He needed to find a place to rest and prepare for tomorrow's meeting, gathering his strength to remain invincible in the upcoming battle.
He found a 24-hour sauna, where the steam gradually relaxed his taut nerves. Closing his eyes, Kim Jae-hoon's face appeared in his mind—the second-in-command of the East District, a cunning character. He knew tomorrow's meeting would not be easy, but he was ready to face this challenge.
The next day at noon, Park Bucheng deliberately wore an ill-fitting gangster uniform paired with a flashy floral shirt, making him look like a low-tier thug—ridiculous and laughable. He pushed up his black-framed glasses and feigned a timid demeanor, resembling a sheep that had wandered into a wolf's den as he slipped into Old Mo's Café.
Inside the café, a well-dressed middle-aged man was reading a newspaper, its pages rustling softly in his hands. Park Bucheng recognized him immediately as Kim Jae-hoon. He pretended to trip and stumbled over to Kim Jae-hoon’s table, letting out an exaggerated gasp.
"Jin... Boss Jin," Park Bucheng bowed deeply, his voice trembling like a frightened rabbit.
Kim Jae-hoon lowered the newspaper and scrutinized Park Bucheng from head to toe with a flicker of disdain in his eyes, as if looking at an ant. "So you're the one who overheard Li Zhenghao's secret? You don't seem capable of much."
Park Bucheng shrank back slightly and stammered, "I... I just got lucky. Um, Li Zhenghao seems to be involved with the Americans..."
"Shut up!" Kim Jae-hoon interrupted sharply, his voice echoing like thunder in the café. "Do you dare speak such things? Do you know what kind of trouble this could bring you?"
Park Bucheng jumped in fright, nearly spilling the coffee in his hand. The scalding liquid splashed onto his skin, causing a sharp sting. Kim Jae-hoon observed his cowardly demeanor and softened his tone slightly. "So, what do you want?"
"I... I just want to stay alive," Park Bucheng mumbled, lowering his head, his voice deep and strained as if it were forced from his throat. "Li Zhenghao's people are looking for me everywhere; I can't hide for much longer..."
A knowing smile crept across Kim Jae-hoon's face, reminiscent of a cunning old fox. "Then why not come to East District? I can guarantee your safety."
Park Bucheng's eyes lit up momentarily, only to be replaced by hesitation as if he were engaged in an intense internal struggle. "But... I've heard that East District isn't very safe lately. It seems like someone is secretly hiring thugs, preparing for an internal purge..."
Kim Jae-hoon's expression darkened instantly, like a storm cloud overshadowing the previously clear sky. Park Bucheng pretended not to notice and continued rambling, "I'm a coward; I can't get involved in such matters. Maybe... I should just find a place to hide instead..."
"Wait!" Kim Jae-hoon called out to Park Bucheng as he prepared to leave, urgency lacing his voice. "Where did you hear all this?"
Park Bucheng stammered, "I... I just heard it from someone. I can't remember exactly who..."
Kim Jae-hoon narrowed his eyes, deep in thought, resembling a leopard stalking its prey. After a moment, he suddenly proposed, "How about you stay in West District as an undercover? I promise you'll receive the best treatment."
"Ah?" Park Bucheng's eyes widened in disbelief. "Isn't that... too dangerous?"
"What are you afraid of?" Kim Jae-hoon scoffed, a hint of disdain in his tone. "Haven't you already offended Li Zhenghao? You might as well work for me; at least you'll be able to save your life."
Park Bucheng feigned an internal conflict but had already made up his mind. He eventually nodded reluctantly, as if forced into acceptance. Before he left, Kim Jae-hoon handed him an encrypted phone for reporting on West District's situation at any time. This phone was like an invisible thread tying him closely to Kim Jae-hoon.
As he stepped out of the café, Park Bucheng wore a sly smile at the corner of his mouth, resembling a hunter watching its prey step into a trap. The performance had gone well; he had extracted information about the mole within East District while successfully infiltrating Kim Jae-hoon's camp. Most importantly, he now possessed a perfect identity—a double agent capable of navigating between the shadows and light, controlling the situation from both sides.
“Li Zhenghao is colluding with the Americans, and there are people in the East District conducting internal purges…” Park Bucheng squinted, murmuring to himself like a detective piecing together clues. “These two matters might be connected in some way.”
Lost in thought, his phone suddenly vibrated, buzzing with a message. It was from Li Zhenghao's people, instructing all the underlings in the West District to gather at headquarters for a meeting tonight. Park Bucheng's eyes lit up; this was a perfect opportunity to infiltrate the core.
“Kim Jae-hoon, you think I’m your pawn, but you’re actually mine,” Park Bucheng whispered to himself, a hint of mockery in his tone. “This game has just begun.”
As night fell and the city was bathed in the glow of streetlights, Park Bucheng blended into a group of underlings, keeping his head down as he entered the West District Headquarters, like a drop of water merging into the ocean, silent and unnoticed. He understood that tonight’s meeting could very well be a matter of life and death, but he felt no fear; he was ready to embrace the storm.
At that moment, a familiar voice slithered into his ear like a venomous snake: “Well, if it isn’t the coward from that day.”
Park Bucheng turned to see Bald Man approaching with a sinister grin on his face, cruelty etched into his features. His hand rested on his waist, where the outline of a gun was clearly visible, gleaming coldly in the dim light…
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