Anhui, docks, 14:10
“Eleven,” the police officer stated, pointing to body bags neatly arranged on the ground. “This is the work of criminals from another province; local gangs don’t leave bodies behind.”
“Possibly.” Summing up all the facts, Hwang Ji Hyo leaned towards a similar opinion, but he didn't think that was all there was to it. Maybe they just didn't have time to clean up after themselves, or maybe this was some kind of "message" left for their rivals. “Did you find anything at the docks?”
“No, nothing.”
“Understood.” When Lucius Cornelius Scipio disbanded the Board of Directors of Rex Ventorum and created a federal republic, Hwang Ji Hyo could finally breathe freely: he could now work not to maintain order in favor of faceless and greedy corporations, but for the good of the country and its people. However, he still has mixed feelings about the policies of Pretor Shin Si Yong. On the one hand, he was glad that Anhui flourished and people became happier, but on the other hand, the crime problem in the province had become more acute than ever before. When Kim Ji Choi was in power, all the scoundrels were in prisons, rather than living rich and comfortable lives off illegally obtained funds. Moving away from the scene of the crime, the detective used his cell phone.
“San-gyeong?... Yes, it’s me. Yes, I remember that you asked me not to call you... I have a request. What do you mean you refuse? You haven't even listened to me yet!… Just so you know, you owe me… Great, then arrange a meeting with the dragon for me. No, I’m not crazy. Do as I say. Okay.”
Anhui, Tangun Club, 22:16
“Mr. Zhong is expecting me.” Upon entering the club, the detective had to explain himself to two gangsters. In such situations, Hwang Ji Hyo always felt out of place; anything could be expected from these places and these types.
“You’re from San-gyeong?” The thug’s eyes held an intimidating directness; he probably had his brains beaten out on this job if he ever had any. “Yes, from him.” Nodding approvingly, the gangster gestured and led the detective inside. Inside the club, well-dressed people were relaxing, musicians performed live music on a small stage, and beautiful singers added beauty to the place simply by their presence.
Literally within a minute, the guide brought Hwang Ji Hyo to the VIP zone. In the center of the room sat the Tangun Dragon, leader of the largest criminal syndicate in Anhui.
“Ah, Detective! It’s been a while since we last met. What brings you here today?”
“I'm interested in the massacre at the docks.” Hwang Ji Hyo decided to get straight to the point; he sincerely despised this man and therefore did not want to stay here any longer than necessary.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The Tangun Dragon was involved in the most terrible crimes, including organizing organ trafficking. The detective had repeatedly tried to put the scoundrel behind bars, but he always managed to avoid justice.
“I am a police officer, that is true, but before that I am a resident of Anhui, who loves his homeland. Despite our… ‘differences,’ we have something in common: we are different from other citizens of Rex Ventorum. We have a different skin color, a different eye shape, a culture and traditions different from everyone else. I know that Tangun has concluded some agreement with the rest of Anhui's criminal groups, which is why there have been no serious conflicts between you in our province for the past few months. Oh, no, don't think that I sympathize with you or anyone of your kind; I would give anything just to see all of you go to jail, but the appearance of bandits from Velox disrupts your already fragile world and puts all other residents of the province at risk.”
“A cunning fox.” Zhong smirked crookedly. “But you are right; white-skinned people have an extremely negative impact on our business and ‘peace.’”
“So what?”
“Come back in a week; my man will provide you with information for your investigation.