There was silence in Choi Seong-jae's office, where panoramic windows overlooked Seoul at night. He sat at a desk littered with documents, his scarlet eyes sliding over lines of numbers and graphs. He was dressed in a dark suit, custom tailored at a Brioni atelier that perfectly tailored his figure.
The ringing of the phone broke the silence. Marco.
"Boss, there's a problem at Cheongliang," Marco blurted out, his voice sounding worried. - "All the First Generation Kings have gathered there, and some guy named James Lee."
Cheongliang. A name that gave him mixed feelings. On one hand, respect for the past, for the significant warriors who once ruled the area. On the other, annoyance over the chaos and the outlaw who might have thwarted his plans.
"James Lee," Sung-Jae muttered, "I've heard about this guy. They say he has a lot of potential."
"Send the Generals to Cheongliang," Son Jae ordered, his voice firm and decisive. - "Ensure order, but do not interfere without my orders. And inform me that there will only be new information."
Soon a black Maybach was gliding like a predator down the night highway, heading for Cheongliang. Kim was behind the wheel, and in the backseat leaned Seong-Jae and Marco.
"Why are you going to your place, boss?" - Marco asked. - "It's dangerous there."
"I have to see everything with my own eyes," replied Sung-Jae, looking out the window. - "I'm sure everything is under control."
In Cheongliang, as if in a boiling cauldron, passions were simmering. James Lee, whose name already terrified the local gangsters, had defeated Sonji Yook, the King of Cheongliang. But his triumph was short-lived. A ring of other First Generation Kings - Tesu Ma, Gongsob Ji, Jagen Na, and Jichang Kwak - closed around him.
At this tense moment, Choi Seong-Jae's generals appeared.
"Stop!" - Kang Dae Jun explained, his voice sounding like a roll of thunder. - "From the beginning!"
The First Generation kings were stunned. Their pride was hurt that some upstarts dared to cross them.
"Who are you to come to us?" - Gongsob Ji roared, clenching his fists.
"We're Choi Seong-Jae's Generals," replied Lee Hyun-Woo with a contemptuous wit. - "Remember that name."
"Choi Sung-Jae..." - Tesu Ma muttered, his eyes narrowing. - "Heard of that name for a long time. They say he's quite the player.
Jagen Na exercised more interest. He knew about Son Jae's influence in business circles.
At that moment, the phone rang. Kang Tae-joon answered it.
"Mr. Choi. Yes. We understand. We're waiting."
He turned on the phone and turned to Kings, "We've been shown to wait. Choi Sung-Jae will be here soon.
A black Maybach appeared on the horizon, its headlights cutting through the night darkness.
The car stopped, and Choi Sung Jae announced from it.
His appearance had the effect of a bomb going off. All eyes were drawn to him as if he were a magnet. He was dressed in a Tom Ford cocktail suit, his scarlet eyes sparkling like rubies.
Jichan Kwak, upon seeing Sungjae, couldn't hold back a shiver. He remembered how this man had taken away the title of King of Seoul from him. That shame was something he would remember forever.
"Choi Seong-Jae," Jichang Kwak muttered, his voice full of strength and fear.
"I've heard many stories about you," Song Jae repeated, his voice sounding calm and confident. - "Kings of the First Generation. You are legends. I respect your strength and your contribution to this world."
The kings were surprised. They had expected a haughty and arrogant upstart, not this met man who showed him respect.
- And what are you looking for here? - Tesu Ma asked.
"I have come to restore order," Sung-jae said. - "I repeat to you that the Cheonliang is under my bag."
He turned to James Lee.
"You have talent," Sung-Jae said. - "But you have much to learn. Your power has yet to be fully unleashed."
"I want to end this war," James Lee replied.
"War is a part of life," Sung-Jae said. - "Whoever is prepared for it will survive."
Suddenly, Sung-Jae attacked. He moved with incredible speed and distance, displaying skills in various martial arts.
The first to be hit was Gongsob Jie. Son Jae used a Muay Thai technique, sending him flying with a powerful elbow strike to the jaw. Then he switched to me
taekwondo technique, delivering a series of lightning-fast leg kicks to Tesu Ma's body. Jichang Kwak tried to attack Son Jae from behind, but he dodged and performed a hapkido hold, breaking his arm. Jigen Na, realizing that he was no match for Son Jae in hand-to-hand combat, tried to use his encirclement, but Son Jae, as if anticipating his actions, charged him for the opportunity.
Finished with the Kings, Sun Jae turned to James Lee.
"Now it's your turn," Sung-Jae said. - "Show me what you've learned to do."
James Lee rushed to attack, using all his skills and strength, but Sung-Jae repelled all of his blows. He demonstrated his mastery of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, dodging James Lee's attacks and counterattacking with incredible strength.
Soon, James Lee was defeated. Sun Jae didn't bother to finish him off. He saw potential in him and didn't want to destroy him.
"You have talent, kid," Sung-Jae said as he helped James Lee up. - "But you need to train and study more. Then you'll achieve a lot."
Sung Jae looked at Sonji Yook, who was unconsciously lying on the ground.
"Take him to the hospital," Son Jae ordered his generals. - "He might still be useful."
He turned to the Kings, "I have no interest in Cheongliang. I only want stability. If you maintain order, I will not interfere in your affairs."
Before leaving, Choi Seong-Jae paused and said: "Power is not a crown, but a responsibility. Remember that."
With these words, Choi Sung-Jae left Cheongliang, leaving behind defeated enemies and stunned allies. He had accomplished his mission by reminding everyone who is the master here.