Soho

Chapter 68: < Protect – Episode 67 – Shanghai Express [6] >

‘Reality sucks.’

He threw his hands up in the air. His identity had been leaked out into the world, and Ahn Soo Ho could no longer be a middleman who cleaned after other people, and he had no interest either.

‘The rank should be decided among the ones who want to be a part of it.’

He hoped there would be no fools who would claim that the bloodshed incident was his responsibility. Because he would have ripped their mouth to shreds.

“The head of foreign affairs and national security is here, CEO Ahn.”

“Who?”

“Chief Hong Sang Chul.”

“Did he say he was the head of foreign affairs and national security?”

“Um, yes.”

“He must have been desperate.”

Including the involved countries and observers, the BRICS summit was a gathering between 9 different countries. They were likely observing each other to see what people were wearing, buying, and saying.

“It’s nice to meet you, CEO Ahn.”

“Welcome, Chief Hong.”

Even though this was their first time meeting, since everyone was patriots when they were traveling abroad, Hong Sang Chul treated Ahn Soo Ho warmly.

“Our country’s image has improved thanks to the donations you made to the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. I’m very thankful to you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Hong Sang Chul put on an innocent face. Ahn Soo Ho was able to read an expression on his face that was not pride. That either meant he was a psychological expert who could even trick Ahn Soo Ho, or that he really didn’t know anything.

‘I’m impressed.’

They sent someone who didn’t know him as the errand boy? He didn’t know if that was President Lee Joong Hyun’s plan, but it was an excellent move. In any case, Ahn Soo Ho was a businessman of Korea. In the middle of chatting with Hong Sang Chul, he saw Logan approach with a stiff face.

“What is it?”

“The accompanist has died.”

Kumiko. He didn’t know her last name. The expert of code-breaking and the expert operation planner was a VIP that Japan was protecting.

“How?”

“I don’t know the details, but Japan thinks it was murder.”

“Was it the States?”

“I need some time to confirm it.”

Ahn Soo Ho had no expression on his face.

When the Dresden file was released, the ones who were deleted from the list of criminals weren’t very pleased. He only half believed that Kumiko was dead. A specialist like her was more than capable of camouflaging her own death. So he couldn’t believe it until seeing the body for himself.

“They must have expressed their pity for me.”

“That’s what it seemed like.”

Ahn Soo Ho laughed bitterly. Time had passed, but since this happened after he requested for Kumiko, it was no wonder they suspected him.

“Find her.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Logan didn’t question Ahn Soo Ho’s order to find a dead person. If he was asked for something, he would do it.

‘What are you conspiring, Kumiko?’

When they met not long ago, she talked as if she was revealing everything, but Ahn Soo Ho didn’t believe her. It was impossible that a great analyst like Kumiko wouldn’t catch on to his involvement.

‘Maybe...’

Wasn’t it her who wanted the truth about the Dresden file to be released out into the world? The next day, Ahn Soo Ho participated in the keynote address of the BRICS Summit. Since it was the only cooperation that stood a chance against the G7, it made for great news, but the G7 Summit in Japan was no joke either.

The attention of the world was focused on Asia.

“It’s been a long time, CEO Ahn.”

President Lee Joong Hyun sensed cameras, so he flashed a smile, but he was very conflicted on the inside.

“It’s nicer to see you at such a great event, Mr. President. Don’t you agree?”

“Yes.”

He had no choice but to respond to Ahn Soo Ho’s showy remark.

“I received your greeting quite well.”

“Ahem.”

The secretary of defense came to represent everyone, but the one who induced him was none other than Lee Joong Hyun. The Comradery Association had a hard enough time dealing with the aftermath of what Ahn Soo Ho did, and as for the Korea National Association, Lee Geun Taek and a few others were exterminated, so this was the president’s one and only opportunity.

“I’d like to apologize.”

“I’ll accept that apology.”

As soon as Ahn Soo Ho accepted the apology, Lee Joong Hyun frowned at what followed.

“But let’s make it even.”

If the president didn’t become unruly, he wouldn’t have had to waste money on an Asian tour. He would have just focused on taking over broadcasters as originally planned. In the end, the Asian tour ended well, but he had a feeling he would get nagged by his younger sibling when he got back to Korea.

“Wouldn’t it be great to have another broadcaster in Korea in order to strengthen the development of Hallyu?”

“Um, that’s not completely up to me, CEO Ahn.”

“What can’t be solved with money in this world? You’re just not trying.”

Lee Joong Hyun didn’t know how much money Ahn Soo Ho was spending on the media.

“Even if I helped, what will you do about the rich people of the broadcasting field?”

“I’m very close to the boss of all of them.”

“Th...that’s true.”

The president was taken aback.

Kim Dae San and Ahn Soo Ho’s relationship was a mystery to the Blue House as well. They didn’t understand how Hosoo Entertainment could have such power over Daesan Group. There were rumors about Ahn Soo Ho being Kim Dae San’s love child, but those who knew anything didn’t believe that. The vice-chairman, Kim Dae Chan acted like he was nice, but he was actually cold and ruthless.

“I’ll look forward to it, Mr. President.”

The keynote address ended just in time.

Ahn Soo Ho got up without hearing Lee Joong Hyun’s answer and clapped. Since everyone else stood up to applause, the president did so as well. He was going to refuse the request, but Ahn Soo Ho slipped out before he could.

“Haha!”

Ahn Soo Ho laughed as he got into his car.

“Are you happy about something?”

“Yes. Something great happened.”

He wished he had captured his crinkled facial expression on camera.

‘I guess I could watch the keynote address footages later.’

The Chinese probably poured their heart and soul into filming it for promotional purposes.

“A photo of you with the president is trending in Korea.”

“That’s no big news.”

“That’s not true, CEO Ahn. The response is no joke.”

“Really?”

Seo Joo Kyung showed him the news page on her tablet.

- Hosoo Entertainment Group’s Ahn Soo Ho and President Lee Joong Hyun enter side-by-side.

- CEO Ahn Soo Ho of Hosoo Entertainment was welcomed by the head of state.

- CEO Ahn Soo Ho, who even slips through the ban against Korean culture, sits next to President Lee Joong Hyun.

- Look at his suit fit! Which suit brand does CEO Ahn Soo Ho wear?

The last article was strange, but the rest of the articles were quite favorable.

“Did you have something to do with this?”

“No, Sir! It’s all natural.”

Seo Joo Kyung said it wasn’t her, but she probably did do something. He read some other articles while he was at it.

- I was wondering why the president’s photo was up on this board, but it’s all because of Hosoo Entertainment! Wow! Look at his pose!

- Who knew we’d ever see the president’s photo in the entertainment news?

- Who’s CEO Ahn anyway? Does he want to run for president?

- It’s not like his entertainment agency represents our country. Isn’t this an embarrassment?

- Not even Kim Dae San can be invited there, you punk! Stop your nonsense!

- Then how did the CEO of an entertainment agency get an invite? Did he do sexual favors?

- Watch your mouth, you bastards! Whatever you write here will never disappear! Do you want to get dragged to the police?

- Are you looking down on him? He just does business and politics as a hobby!

- How much money do you need to participate in something like that?

- There are romance rumors about Pretty Girl’s Jane and Jang Geon Woo. They’re both under Hosoo Entertainment. Do you think he’s putting on a show to cover this up?

- You crazy bastard! He participated in a summit to cover up a romance rumor? That’s ridiculous.

- A piece of crazy news has arrived! Do you have any idea what BRICS actually is?

- I don’t! Is that a problem! I only know about bras!

- What about garter belts?

- What about lingerie?

- That’s the same thing!

- What about Kimochi?

- Stop it, you losers!

Ahn Soo Ho’s car stopped at the indoor gymnasium located across from the Shanghai Main Stadium. As soon as he entered, he felt sharp gazes.

“It’s nice to meet you, everyone. I don’t have to introduce myself, right?”

There was no answer.

“I’d like to thank everyone who made this gathering happen.”

After Shun May and Chang Ming gave their introduction, they stepped down.

“The reason why we’ve gathered you everyone here is because you’ve retired. So you are no longer active. I wouldn’t dare to compare myself to seasoned veterans such as yourselves, but I have quite the reputation as well.”

There were times when modesty was better than bragging.

The ability to lower one’s self in front of other people was a matured way of living. In particular, those who did martial arts for a living in China enjoyed quoting the ideas of others. It was like an approval of something worthy. Ahn Soo Ho’s reputation was widely known in the world of martial arts as well. The way he hid and fought with his bare hands was a shock to the Chinese who did martial arts.

Some looked down on Ahn Soo Ho and view him as just a mercenary who used guns, but there was no martial artist in history that had the kind of influence he had. He was truly on top.

Just because he was retired didn’t mean he had to hole himself in his room.

“I probably won’t touch a gun with this hand ever again.”

That was a lie. He was ready to shoot if needed.

“I’m sure you’ve felt how undervalued martial arts is around the world. Some Westerners still insist that Kung Fu is a sport and not a technique for murder.”

“Ahem!”

“Ahem!”

People coughed uncomfortably. Ahn Soo Ho stressed that they were in it together.

“Guns are scary weapons. But martial arts isn’t completely hopeless in the face of guns. Don’t you agree?”

“That’s right!”

“That’s right!”

Ahn Soo Ho’s luring magic even worked on stiff martial artists and grandfathers. All he had to do was talk about China’s greatness and suck up to them a little.

“As those in martial arts, we’re like fellow alumni! We’re family! And family should help each other!”

“That’s right!”

Just like the battles that happened in the era of the Roman Empire, fights were as just as addicting or more addicting than gambling. The successful mercenaries, soldiers, and boxers even got scouted into the black market. Ahn Soo Ho had no interest in running a secret boxing ring. But he was planning to send a strong message to the sports associations run by the West.

‘This will be easier than I expected.’

With J-Law and Angola’s war, the information agencies didn’t have the leisure to worry about him too. The CIA might have had the manpower, but it would be hard for countries of Europe. China couldn’t dig too deep out of consideration for his relationship with the premier, and the Red Sea Trading Company had internal problems to deal with. All that was left was Japan, but it was unlikely that a problem with Empire could get in the way.

It was possible that everyone here would go home and kick in their beds thinking of this day.

“Let’s become the top with our own will, without the involvement of Westerners!”

“Oh!”

< Protect – Episode 67 – Shanghai Express [6] > The end.