Chapter 30

Chapter 30
## Chapter 30

### Chapter Title: Time to Grab the Club (2)

—

“Step inside…”

The welcoming smile on Sima Jin’s face vanished instantly. The group of men who had shoved their way into the butcher shop looked equally stunned.

“Good grief! Look at her, she’s breathtaking!”

Jang Sand o, leading the pack, felt his throat go dry as he took in Sima Jin’s appearance.

“Can I help you with something?”

Sima Jin struggled to maintain her composure as she addressed them.

“W-well, about that…”

Dazzled by her radiance, Jang Sand o stumbled over his words, unable to form a coherent sentence.

“Dammit, what were we supposed to say again?”

The lackeys he had brought along were just as flustered, murmuring uselessly to one another.

In the midst of this awkward standoff, Cheol Woo—who had finished his work in the back—walked out with a massive carcass resting on his shoulder, the fresh meat still slick with blood.

“Who are these characters?”

Cheol Woo glared at the intruders who were crowding the storefront.

“They look like they might be patrons, but…”

Sima Jin moved quickly to position herself behind Cheol Woo’s massive frame, her voice trailing off as she peeked around him.

“Why the uncertainty?”

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Cheol Woo hoisted the meat onto a heavy iron hook at the front display.

Sima Jin let out a small gasp when she saw the crimson liquid dripping onto the floor.

“Why would you bring that out while it’s still bleeding?”

“We’ll let it drain right here. We can’t have the shelves looking bare.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

Sima Jin gave a reluctant nod, remembering that Sima Hyeon had cleared out the inventory earlier that morning.

Nevertheless, she couldn’t hide her disgust, her face scrunching up.

“Go grab some from the cold storage downstairs instead. This is honestly a bit much.”

The way her brow furrowed and her nose crinkled was so charming it was almost impossible not to stare.

Even Cheol Woo, who worked beside her every day, felt the pull of her charm—so for these strangers, the sight was enough to leave them completely mesmerized.

“You’re in a shop that sells meat. Focus on the product, not where your eyes shouldn’t be.”

Cheol Woo’s gravelly voice cut through the air like a blade.

“Jin, head to the back. I’ll deal with these ‘customers’ myself.”

Feeling a sense of dread from the men’s coarse behavior, Sima Jin didn’t argue; she hurried toward the back to find Sima Geon.

The men watched her go with longing expressions, only letting out disappointed breaths once she disappeared into the rear of the building.

*Clap! Clap!*

Cheol Woo struck his palms together loudly to break their trance.

“Alright, what are you looking for? I haven’t laid everything out yet, but if you name the cut, I can get it for you.”

Finally snapping back to reality, the men remembered their actual purpose for being there.

“Hmph! We didn’t come here to buy dinner.”

Jang Sand o’s face twisted into a sneer, his earlier awe replaced by an arrogant mask. On his signal, his subordinates began knocking over displays and shoving equipment around.

Cheol Woo watched the display of petty violence with a chilling, calm smile.

“If you aren’t here for the meat, then what’s the occasion?”

His voice had dropped an octave, turning heavy and dangerous, though Jang Sand o was too self-absorbed to notice the shift.

“You need to pay your dues to operate in this district.”

“Dues? We’re already current on our taxes.”

Cheol Woo shrugged his shoulders, which only made Jang Sand o flare up with rage.

“Not the government’s cut—ours.”

“Oh! I see. This is an old-fashioned shakedown.”

Jang Sand o scowled as Cheol Woo let out a dry laugh.

“Watch your tone. To put it accurately, we ensure you can conduct your business without any… interruptions. That takes resources, so you contribute your share. Think of it as a community service.”

“You’ve got a silver tongue for a thug. You’re talking about protection money.”

Jang Sand o started cackling at Cheol Woo’s bluntness.

“Precisely. Protection money. I’m glad you’re quick on the uptake.”

“I don’t require your services.”

Cheol Woo spoke with total indifference as he closed the distance between himself and Jang Sand o.

“Take a good look at me. Do I look like a man who needs a bodyguard?”

His massive stature, combined with his scarred features and booming voice, made Jang Sand o swallow hard in fear.

“Are you lot from the Blood Banner Gang?”

“T-That’s right.”

“Then listen up, you idiots! Pay for the meat your group stole last time before you come here asking for more. Stop trying to live off others!”

A suffocating, violent energy began to radiate from Cheol Woo, leaving the gang members gasping for air. They stood paralyzed, like small animals caught in the gaze of a predator.

“Pitiable rats.”

Cheol Woo reached out, ripped a slab of gristle and hair off the hanging meat, and smacked it directly onto Jang Sand o’s face.

“Take this snack and get lost.”

The sticky, fatty mass clung to Jang Sand o’s forehead, refusing to fall off.

“Get out! If I see your faces again, I’ll start snapping bones.”

Cheol Woo waved them away as if they were bothersome insects, but the gang was too terrified to move a muscle.

“What? You want to die today?”

Cheol Woo leaned in, flashing a predatory grin.

To those men, that smile looked more like a death sentence from a demon than a human expression.

“MOVE!”

The moment Cheol Woo roared, they scrambled out of the shop, tripping over one another in a desperate race to reach the street.

Cheol Woo let out a deep chuckle as he watched them flee in total disarray.

“Feeling proud of yourself?”

He turned to find Sima Geon watching the scene with a look of mild pity.

“Trash like that asking for a handout. It’s a joke. I was being patient, honestly. I sent them away peacefully so they won’t bother us again.”

“Peacefully? You practically threatened their lives.”

“This *is* peaceful. They still have their health. If I had actually lost my temper, they’d be leaving in buckets.”

“I can’t argue with that.”

There was no hyperbole in what Cheol Woo said.

In truth, the fact that they were able to run away on their own two legs after trying to rob him was nothing short of a miracle.

“But what if this is just the start? What if they come back with more men?”

Sima Jin stared out toward the road where the thugs had vanished, her eyes full of concern.

“Don’t sweat it. If I were the type to be pushed around by small-time losers, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”

Despite his bravado, Sima Jin’s face remained pale and drawn.

Just then, Sima Hyeon walked back into the shop after finishing his rounds, his expression grim.

“What’s wrong with you? Don’t tell me another customer refused to pay.”

Sima Hyeon shook his head at Cheol Woo’s remark.

“No, it’s not that. The atmosphere in the marketplace is terrible right now.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

“It’s the Blood Banner Gang.”

Sima Hyeon let out a heavy sigh before continuing.

“Everyone thought they’d settle down after they took out the Youth Justice Society, but they’ve been out of control for the last few days.”

“Trying to collect protection fees, I assume.”

Sima Hyeon blinked in surprise that Sima Geon already knew, then nodded somberly.

“It’s a nightmare. The Youth Justice Society used to take a cut, but it was fair—everyone could afford it. These Blood Banner lunatics are different. They’re demanding triple the usual rate, and if you can’t pay, they destroy your livelihood.”

“And the guards are just letting it happen?”

Sima Hyeon gave a bitter, hollow laugh.

“They might show up to take a report, but it’s all theater. They’re likely in the gang’s pocket. I’m terrified they’ll target us next.”

“They were just here.”

Sima Hyeon’s head snapped toward Sima Jin as she spoke up.

“They already came?”

“Only a moment ago. Cheol Woo oppa ran them off, but I’m still worried.”

“What did they demand? How much were they asking for?”

Sima Hyeon turned his questions toward Cheol Woo.

“Who cares? I didn’t waste my time listening to their garbage. I gave them a piece of fat and told them to beat it. Hahaha!”

“This isn’t a joke! These are the people who wiped out the Youth Justice Society. They won’t just let this go. People say they have powerful connections behind them.”

Sima Hyeon was convinced the Blood Banner Gang would retaliate. They would likely return with overwhelming force to make an example of the shop.

He respected the strength of Sima Geon and Cheol Woo, but they were only two men against a small army. If the gang decided to swarm them, skill wouldn’t be enough.

“They will definitely return. When they do, please stay out of it. I’ll try to find a middle ground.”

Sima Hyeon pleaded with Cheol Woo, his voice trembling.

“Don’t be ridiculous. We barely make a profit as it is. We can’t let those vultures bleed us dry. Not with the money we owe for the ranch…”

Cheol Woo dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand.

“This isn’t about the money!”

Sima Hyeon shouted, his face white with the fear of losing his family.

As Cheol Woo stared at him in surprise, Sima Geon reached out and placed a calming hand on Sima Hyeon’s shoulder.

“I understand your fear, but try to relax. Everything is under control.”

“How can you say that…?”

Seeing the confident smirk on Sima Geon’s face, Sima Hyeon felt his energy leave him, unable to keep arguing.

Sima Geon then nudged Cheol Woo’s side.

*[Time to grab the club.]*

Cheol Woo’s eyes went wide as he received the silent, mental message.

—

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

“Haaa…”

A heavy, weary sigh escaped Yong Jung, a premier operative of the Flying Wing Squad and the trusted lieutenant of the Left Envoy. He sat staring at a blank sheet of parchment, brush in hand.

A full hour had passed while he attempted to write his routine status report, yet he hadn’t managed to ink a single word.

Finally, after much internal debate, he began to write.

*No notable developments.*

It was brief and simple.

He stared at the words for a few seconds, then dropped the brush and violently balled up the paper.

“Dammit! This isn’t working…”

Another sigh followed.

Ever since the Black Ox Squad vanished, he had been assigned to monitor Sima Geon and his companions, as they were the primary suspects.

The act of spying was easy enough.

They didn’t seem like martial masters or particularly observant individuals.

He knew they had a background as mercenaries, but he was far too skilled to be spotted by some low-level hired swords. The real issue was something he hadn’t planned for.

“Young Lady Sima…”

Yong Jung’s gaze turned soft and unfocused as Sima Jin’s image filled his mind.

He hadn’t been hit this hard at first. She was beautiful, certainly, but not enough to ruin him.

But within days, everything changed.

Her loveliness seemed to grow exponentially every time he saw her, until it was world-altering. He felt as though he couldn’t even breathe if he wasn’t near her.

“If they call me back to headquarters now…”

Yong Jung’s eyes widened in panic as he shook his head.

“I can’t let that happen!”

He grabbed a fresh brush and began writing with a newfound ferocity.

The report was soon overflowing with text.

When he finally finished, he looked over his work with a nod of approval.

In truth, there was no actual intelligence in the report. He had simply taken minor, vague observations—suspicious movements, the need for continued oversight—and dressed them up in elaborate, professional language.

“This should prevent them from recalling me.”

A small, relieved smile touched his lips, though a bead of cold sweat rolled down his temple, signaling just how much stress he was under.