After finishing his business with Seokdu Wang, Ha-Joon didn't waste any more time in Suwon. His body was bruised, but not broken which would be healed by the time he could deal with another king so, he had no problem going with his bruised body.
He left the ruined bunkyard behind and began his journey south. His next destination, Pyeongtaek. Another regional king awaited, and Ha-Joon was eager to collect another pawn.
He rode in the backseat of a black sedan, one of the Seokdu Wang's vehicles which was now at his disposal. City lights began to fade as sun rose through the east. Ha-Joon ordered the driver: "Speed up."
"Yes, sir."
As they neared the Pyeongtaek border, Ha-Joon reclined, resting his eyes for a brief moment. But the phone call shattered the silence.
His burner phone buzzed on the seat beside him. He opened one eye and picked it up.
"What?" he muttered.
The voice on the other end was grim. It was one of his men embedded within the Yamazaki family.
"Boss… it's about Somi. She is badly injured."
Ha-Joon's posture straightened immediately.
"What happened." Spoke Ha-Joon in a low voice, carrying the edge of rage.
"Shintaro, he found out about her surveillance. She didn't stand a chance. We got her out just barely and haven't managed to escape the Yamazaki base, but... it's bad. She's unconscious. Broken ribs. Internal bleeding. She might not—"
The man didn't finish, he could understand the meaning behind it.
"Immediately take her for the treatment... And I don't won't to hear about failure."
"Understood. Bo-." the other side of the phone hung off abruptly before he could finish.
"Hmm... They got captured." Spoke Ha-Joon as the grip on his phone tightened until the side of it began to crack. His entire body tensed as veins surfaced across his neck and face. For a long moment, he didn't speak.
Then, in a voice colder than death itself: "Turn the car around. We're not going to Pyeongtaek. Not yet"
The driver who had been in the front seat driving the car broke out in cold sweet from the killing intent emanating from Ha-Joon. He had heard the conversation and could roughly guess about the situation.
The driver looked at him through the rearview mirror. One glance at Ha-Joon's expression was enough. He swiftly turned the car around and sped up.
.....
Ha-Joon didn't wait for subtlety. Once they reached Incheon port, he paid a smuggler triple the price for an immediate night ride. The boat cut across the waters of the Sea, as foam began to form behind the tail of the boat.
He stood on the deck the entire way, barely suppressing his burning rage.
Hours later, as Japan's coast neared, he tossed away his half-burnt cigarette. F**k, the plot. I don't care about it anymore. I will destroy him myself. He thought.
He landed near Fukuoka and moved fast, taking hidden roads, back alleys, and short contacts along the way. The spies planted across the Japan had began to spread the news of Ha-Joon arrival.
The Yamazaki family scrambled after the news of Ha-Joon.
By the time he reached the Yamazaki compound, guards were doubled. But it didn't matter.
He walked through the gates alone.
The first guard raised a weapon, but before he could react Ha-Joon had already shattered his hand and cracked all the bones in his body with a single step. The second tried to draw a blade, but Ha-Joon's palm smashed his skull into the concrete wall before disabling him completely.
Before he could take another step, alarm bell began to ring. Dozens of men poured out of the barrack.
Ha-Joon began to dismantle them brutally, tearing the legs and arms, shattering skull, as he began to tear through the formation.
The sheer impact of his brutality reminded them of their previous head. Fear began to take place in their heart as the fight continued.
Some begged for mercy, other screamed from the pain, few stood on the ground.
None survived until the hallway.
Blood streaked the wooden floor and the lifeless bodies could be seen across the inner field.
Ha-Joon pushed forward, leaving behind the bodies. As he reached the inner sanctum, he burst through the ornate doors of the Yamazaki residence's main hall.
There, in a sterile medical wing, lay Somi, broken, unconscious. Some of his men lay unconscious across her.
For the first time, Ha-Joon faltered.
He stepped closer. Looked at her pale skin. Touched her hand gently.
Then he turned and walked out of the hall.
"SHINTARO!"
The name exploded throughout the base.
As soon as he spoke, the silhouette began to appear in his vision. Slowly, Shintaro emerged clad in black haori and his sword "Yodo Muramasa" rested on his hips.
"So you've come back," he spoke as soon as he appeared.
Ha-Joon glared him for a moment before breaking the silence: "Why did you do it? To Somi."
Shintaro raised a brow, expression unreadable: "You think I wouldn't notice a traitor breathing beside me? I had spies in the Hangure family long before your little takeover. Somi's betrayal didn't go unnoticed."
He took a step forward and gazed upon Ha-Joon: "I wanted to take her as wife... Sadly she took the side of the traitor."
Ha-Joon trembled hearing his word. He had miscalculated because of hastily starting the take down and hadn't crossed the idea that Shintaro may have planted his spies around the Hangure family.
For a moment, he wish he could punch himself for not taking it into account.
Ha-Joon snapped out from his thought as Shintaro spoke: "And.. Haven't I told you not to take the decision you regret, in the past."
He adjusted his mind and met Shintaro's gaze: "I don't regret my decision."
"Very well, Let's settle this in old fashion."
As the word left his mouth, Shintaro slowly unsheathed his sword and advanced towards Ha-Joon.
Bang
They began their clash sending shock wave throughout the field.
...
(I will be uploading next chap in a few hours.)