Ha-Joon descended the mountain slowly by himself. Before leaving, he'd sent his companions ahead, wanting this part of the journey to be his own.
He was after the red paper, said to contain a critical weakness of Charles Choi. If he could grasp that piece of paper. He would slightly gain the upper hand in future negotiation with Charles.
But that was easier said than done. Ha-Joon knew he still couldn't gain full control over Charles Choi. Even if he managed to use the red paper to frame Charles for colluding with the Yamazaki, the plan would always carry a fatal risk.
Because in the end, he was Yamazaki.
And no matter how well he played his cards, the moment someone traced it back to him, that would be his end.
It was a liability he couldn't afford to overlook.
Of course, if he chose to remain within the Yamazaki state, protected by their name and power, even the highest authorities would hesitate to raid a syndicate as dangerous as them, even if Yamazaki had weakened due to recent event.
Just from that alone, it was clear how notorious the Yamazaki really were.
So, he had to tread carefully while managing a ticking time bomb.
Had it not been for the connection held by him in various places and power. He wouldn't have bothered with a piece of paper.
And that was one of the reason, he was eager to pull various talent in his group, by indirectly plotting against the people he couldn't lay hand for a time being.
While distracting on his thought, Ha‑Joon stomped down the mountain path. The shrine came in his view, and in the front gate stood two bodyguards of Shinmyung Cheon, Kojima Brothers.
Kojima Shigeaki and Kojima Hiroaki.
The moment they saw Ha-Joon emerging from the mountain forest, their expression hardened.
Ha-Joon shot a look that said 'Just as I thought'.
"Why did you run from Yamazaki." Ha-Joon shouted towards them. But before the two brothers could reply, Ha-Joon's figure blurred and moved towards them.
His fist neared, striking Shigeaki mid step shuddering the air around the target. The man flew back and crashed into a tree trunk.
Hiroaki charged before he hit the ground. Ha‑Joon twisted his body with uncanny speed, his elbow snapping up and cracking against Hiroaki's jaw. The second man staggered back and 'thud' on the ground, bleeding.
Ha‑Joon closed the distance too fast to follow, catching Shigeaki by the collar and kneeing him into the spine. The brothers collapsed in a heap on the ground.
Just as he was about to strike, Ha-Joon halted his fist inches from Shigeaki's face.
"This is the last mercy you'll get," he said coldly. "From this moment on, there's no more mentor and student between us."
"Besides… the young master hasn't seen you yet. I'll let him decide your fate."
Ha‑Joon turned and walked a few steps toward the shrine and entered the personal Hut without hesitation.
Inside, Shinmyung Cheon sat near the table, pouring wine into a small cup. His face devoid of expression. Seated beside him was Taejin Cheon, the younger Cheon almost hidden in his father's shadow.
Shinmyung raised his cup in acknowledgment.
"What a honor, for Ha-Joon himself, to enter my humble hut?" Shinmyung said, taking a small sip from his cup.
Ha-Joon didn't reply but moved closer to sit the opposite of him. On the side, Taejin looked at him, eyes filled with curious.
"I wonder, why you came to my place."
Ha-Joon glanced at Taejin before speaking bluntly. "I'm here to collect the evidence."
Shinmyung paused, cup mid air, and glanced sideways at him. "Evidence?" he repeated, feigning ignorance. "I'm afraid you'll have to be a little more specific."
"Don't play dumb, Shinmyung," Ha-Joon replied, resting his hands on table, his tone turning cold. "You know what I'm here for. The red paper."
Shinmyung stared at him, then smiled slightly before placing down his cup.
"And why," Shinmyung said smoothly, "would I give that to you?"
He slightly pushed aside the table and grabbed Shinmyung by the collar, bringing him closer. The soft fabric of the shaman's robe bunched in his fist as he leaned closer.
"You really don't want to know what happens if you keep testing me," Ha-Joon said in a low, threatening voice.
Shinmyung raised both hands with a calm breath. "Alright, alright" he said, half chuckling, though the tension in his face betrayed his discomfort. "No need to get dramatic."
Reluctantly, he reached into the folds of his robe and pulled out a worn envelope, sealed but faintly red in color.
Ha-Joon snatched the red paper from his hand and tucked it into his inner pocket without another word. He stood up and ran down his hand on the Shaman robe, fixing the wrinkle. A smile curled on his face he patted on the Shaman's shoulder.
"Heh," Ha-Joon exhaled, brushing the dust from his sleeve. "Hope you're sensible enough not to tell anyone about this. I've got eyes and ears everywhere."
Shinmyung just watched him quietly, sipping the remains of his wine with a barely concealed rage. Ha-Joon turned at the door, hand already on the curtain.
"Oh, and," he added, glancing back, "my men will bring the fake version to you in a week. Try not to lose it."
And with that, he stepped out of the Shaman's hut, the red paper safe in his coat and another piece of his plan falling into place.
The moment Ha-Joon stepped out of the shrine, letting the curtain fall behind him, a loud crash erupted from inside.
The shatter of glasses, followed by the scream of Taejin Cheon, echoed through the small hut.
Ha-Joon lit a cigarette, took a slow drag, and exhaled slowly.
"Taking it out on his own kid, huh," he muttered, a hint of disdain in his voice.
He began walking toward his next destination. But before he moved any further, he reached for his phone and dialed Minjae's number. The call connected after a short while.
"Yes, boss," came Minjae's voice from the other end.
Ha-Joon exhaled the smoke before speaking.
"Did you find his location."