Jack's analysis wasn't just speculation—he had solid intel. Jang Zhentai, who had been monitoring Zhou Xingzhe, was feeding him updates via text messages in real time.
One of Zhou's most loyal subordinates had turned up dead at the Ichijo Group's Korean branch, his body discovered early in the morning.
Shortly after, Zhou received a call from Ichijo Yoshio—a warning. If he didn't hand over the 30 kilos of HYPER immediately, things would get worse.
Both sides exchanged threats, but not long after, rumors spread through the police force—an entire squad of Ichijo Group hitmen, who had smuggled themselves into the country, had been wiped out. The police had also found a freezer full of corpses and dismembered body parts, suggesting an internal Yakuza massacre.
Before Zhou could catch his breath, Seoul's Metropolitan Police launched an internal probe into Geumcheon Police Station's Narcotics Unit. That's when he realized—those hitmen weren't dead. They were just in the hospital.
At this point, if Zhou Xingzhe didn't start planning his escape, he'd be an idiot. Fortunately, he had already prepared for such a situation. By the time Jack and Ma Seok-do forced Lil' Fatty—a former White Shark Gang member—to call him, Zhou had already packed up his valuables and was heading to Incheon Port with his last remaining loyal henchman.
Jack watched the little dot on his phone—the real-time GPS location of Zhou Xingzhe. He saw it pull over at the roadside, then start moving again, taking an off-ramp from the highway before stopping once more.
"Get ready."
As Jack tapped his finger on the table, the phone rang.
"Shit, he really called back!"
Lil' Fatty, who had been reluctant to make the call earlier, nearly jumped out of his seat in excitement. He hurriedly reached to answer.
"Stick to the script I gave you," Jack warned, grabbing his wrist.
Zhou Xingzhe was doomed either way, but how well Lil' Fatty played his role would determine Jack's final payout from this operation.
The call connected. A cold voice asked, "What's your price?"
"Huh? What price?"
Lil' Fatty actually froze for a second.
Across from him, Ma Seok-do clenched his fist in frustration, but fortunately, survival instincts kicked in.
"Ah! Ten billion won! I just need ten billion won!"
He took a deep breath and launched into the story Jack had drilled into him.
"Here's the thing—I hooked up with this chick recently. Turns out her ID was fake. She wasn't even 14! Man, these kids today, I swear. I mean, have you seen their figures? No way you'd think she was underage!
Now I need money to skip town, head to China. These drugs? I can't sell them. If I hold onto them, you'll catch me anyway. So why not just hand them over to you?"
"Send me the location. Come alone. One hour."
Zhou's tone was flat—impatient. He was about to hang up.
"Wait! Hold up! The goods aren't on me—I can't bring them over!" Lil' Fatty shouted in panic.
Silence.
Then Zhou's voice returned, low and menacing: "Are you screwing with me?"
"No! No way! I swear I'm not! I really need to get out of here!" Lil' Fatty's voice cracked with desperation—helped along by the sight of Ma Seok-do raising his fist, ready to slap him again.
"Listen—I was out that night, taking a girl out to sea for some fun. I rented a boat right next to that Ichijo Group yacht club. That's when I saw Inada.
I knew he was supposed to be drinking at my place, but instead, I saw him get on a yacht. He tossed two bags into the water and ran.
I didn't think much of it at the time—until I heard he was dead. Then you put out feelers for the missing drugs, and I connected the dots.
Those drugs are worth hundreds of billions. I'm only asking for ten billion. That's nothing, right? Heh… Hehehe."
Another long silence. Then Zhou Xingzhe spoke, his voice laced with suspicion—yet mostly disbelief.
"You're just giving me the location?"
"Huh? What'd I say? Shit!" Lil' Fatty gasped like he had just realized his mistake. He forced out a nervous laugh. "You're Captain Zhou Xingzhe, right? There's no way you'd screw me over!
Besides, I'm not stupid. I moved the stash this afternoon. Give me the money, and I'll tell you exactly which boat it's under. Otherwise, good luck searching."
Jack couldn't tell if this was great acting or just him being himself. Either way, it worked.
"Tell me which boat. Ten billion isn't a problem, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow."
Now Lil' Fatty hesitated.
Jack couldn't tell if he was really thinking or just playing his role too well. Either way, after a long pause, he finally asked, "Can I trust you?"
"I can shut down your Cyber Club tomorrow. Oh, and your shitty second-hand car lot, too." Zhou's patience was clearly wearing thin.
"Hahaha! Of course I trust you, sir!" Lil' Fatty laughed nervously. "I moved the stash next to Lucy. It's hanging off the white boat beside it, tied with a yellow rope. You can't miss it. I'll be waiting for your call tomorrow."
The call ended.
Lil' Fatty immediately snapped, slamming the phone down. "It's Cyber Club, you bastard!"
Ma Seok-do, grinning ear to ear, smacked him across the back of the head. "Damn it! It worked!"
Lil' Fatty shrank back but said nothing. Then, suddenly, he turned to Jack with a hopeful look.
"So… am I actually getting ten billion?"
Jack thought for a moment.
Without a word, he pulled out a small stack of twenty-dollar bills and stuffed them into Fatty's hands. "That's for the BMW rental over the past few days."
Then, after a pause, he tossed in an extra ten-dollar bill, rounding it to 250 dollars.
8:00 PM—Incheon Port
In the front seat of a black Hummer, the Wolf brothers sat with Jack in the back, all three of them resting with their eyes closed.
Next to Jack, Ma Seok-do gripped a small pair of binoculars, watching the docks intently.
The autumn sea breeze carried a sharp chill. Waves gently rocked the boats, but one vessel stood out—Lucy, a sleek black yacht that remained perfectly still, bolted securely in place.
The rhythm of the waves against the dock was almost hypnotic. The Hummer, engine off, blended into the shadows.
At the pier, a lone figure strained to pull two heavy packages from the water, flashlight in hand, checking the contents.
Ma Seok-do slapped his thigh in excitement.
"They really took the bait!"
"Patience," Jack murmured, glancing at his phone.
Zhou Xingzhe's GPS location showed he was nearby, parked in a black Audi.
So he came personally? Jack smirked. Guess he's really desperate.
"Boss, it's all here! That idiot wasn't lying!" Zhou's subordinate eagerly unzipped the bags, revealing the HYPER pills inside.
"What are you waiting for? Get in the car."
Zhou Xingzhe exhaled in relief. He released the handbrake, slowly pressing the gas pedal. Only after driving a short distance did he finally switch on the headlights. With a trembling hand, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Follow them!" Ma Seok-do blurted in English, too excited to realize it.
"Relax," Jack said. "They're the most nervous right now. Give it ten minutes."
Ten minutes later, Jack gave the signal.
Braxton started the engine. The deep rumble of the military-grade diesel Hummer filled the night as they set off in pursuit.
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