Two hours later, I finally returned home, and I had to admit that I began to feel a little better. Admittedly, I was far from normal, but the remorse that had been oppressing me until then was no longer bothering me. It finally reached me that Yoongi was right. I regretted more and more that I had not allowed Kai to involve me in his world more. This was a mistake, because if I had taken more interest in how our group functions and the relationships within it, I wouldn't feel so lost now. And now, I will have to rely solely on Lucas and Yoongi's knowledge. I went downstairs to the living room to wait for Lucas and Mark to show up. I wanted to inform them as soon as possible about what Yoongi passed on to me and find out if there was any news about old Chu. I became more and more impatient as they were both late, but after fifteen minutes they finally arrived.
- You are late - I remarked in a tired voice.
- Did you want to see us at a certain time? - Lucas feigned surprise.
- Of course not. I made an appoint with you for a specific time just for fun - I rolled my eyes, putting my hands on my chest.
- Sorry, boss, but there were terrible traffic jams in the city - apologized Mark.
- A minor problem at the club - Lucas plopped down on the couch next to me - but I managed to clear everything quickly.
- That's good, because I have news that will require our attention. However, to start with a more important issue: old Chu. Mark, did you finally find something?
- Unfortunately, it seems that he has disappeared. His men are scattered. Some stayed in China, a few are in Seattle or San Francisco, but nothing much else. I tried to poke around a bit in his bank accounts, but he secured himself perfectly.
- And those who stayed on the spot?
- The minnows themselves, who have no access to Chu. They only contacted Huang.
- And did you try to track him down? I mean Huang? - Lucas asked.
- Yes, and I even had two hits, but I think it's nothing important - Mark launched the tablet and found the right data - both in Europe. First Germany and about a week later Greece.
- Well, you don't want to tell me that the old man went on vacation?!
- They want to confuse us - I noted - it probably wasn't even Huang but one of his men. He was supposed to direct us to another area to draw us away from the old man.
- That's what I think too. That's why I didn't say anything about it. I will continue to check everything, but so far it's looking for a needle in a haystack.
- You know what? Hold on with it - I got up from my seat and started circling the living room - let's hold off looking for Chu and focus on something else.
- Do you want to leave this ?!- Lucas looked at me surprised.
- No, of course not. Chu led to Kai's death and he must suffer the punishment. Death for death, but maybe if it reaches them that we have stopped looking for him, they will finally emerge from the hole where they have hidden themselves.
- It's possible - he muttered, pondering on what I said - for how long do you want to linger?
- Let's lurk for a month or even two and see what happens. Since I've already been waiting for two months, I think I can hold out a little longer.
- Revenge tastes best cold - chuckled Mark quietly.
- Exactly - I smiled at him - just because I linger for two months doesn't mean that Chu is safe. On the contrary, he should be even more afraid of me.
- What about the other thing you wanted to talk about? - Lucas looked at me carefully.
- What are you able to tell me about the groups in San Francisco?
They both plunged into their thoughts. After a while, Lucas rose from his seat and made himself a drink. He offered it to me as well, but I shook my head. Mark also declined.
- To be honest, I don't know much about it - Mark admitted -I only know that some of ours started in this city and that Chu has its headquarters there. I myself have been operating from the beginning in Seattle, so I focused mainly on our city. Anyway, I'm just a hacker, nobody important - he smiled apologetically.
- Well, there is quite a large Chinese community in San Francisco, and many of the members of our groups come from there or from China - Lucas began - but at the moment young Cai and old Wu and his son are mainly active there. In addition, there are a few Latino groups interacting there, a few of ours, but overall it's one big mishmash of nationalities. And why are you interested in San Francisco?
- I talked to Yoongi today and he passed on the rumors that have been circulating lately.
- Rumors? Are we going to deal with rumors now? - He looked at me with amusement.
- It may be just rumors, but I prefer to keep my cool - I focused my attention on Mark - try to find something about Korean groups operating in Busan. Everything you can find. Who is at the head, who they work with, and most importantly whether any of them have splintered.
- Okay, boss.
- The Koreans? Are they the ones involved in the rumors?
- Yes. Word has reached Yoongi about the appearance of a young group in San Francisco, and they were rumored to be part of the one in Busan, but that's all that's known so far. And then there's the fact that they've started inquiring about Seattle. And you know what that could mean?
- If what you say is true, they will try to take advantage of our weakness and join the fight for the city.
- Exactly. Either they will join us, or they will join forces with Velazques.
- Or they will take their chances and try to fight alone - chuckled Mark quietly.
- If they are part of a larger group and are to act as recon, then we will have a serious problem - added Lucas.
- I know, which is why I want Mark to try to find out something about them as soon as possible. They may be one step ahead of us, but now they will lose the element of surprise. The question is, does Velazques have a clue?
- There's nothing to indicate that he's somehow specifically gathering men - Lucas furrowed his brow - so far it looks like he's trying to defend himself against Nakamoto. Yuta's people did a good slaughter to him last time - a wide smile appeared on his face.
- However, they didn't gain much from it - I croaked - other than the fact that both sides lost a few men, it didn't come to a move of any of the borders. The Japanese are still operating mainly in our districts. I know that they are our allies, but I'm afraid that if this continues, they will start to become more and more impatient.
- It's possible, but you don't have to worry much. They won't risk acting against us. The Nakamoto are the first family to dare to try their luck outside Japan, so they are unlikely to want to bring dishonor to their own. Old Nakamoto likes his fingers too much - he burst out laughing loudly.
- Are you sure about that? After all, we don't have any closer ties with them.
- For now. Who knows how our cooperation will develop further. Although, we are their allies, so if they betray us, they will tarnish their honor.
- Well, let's hope the Nakamoto think the same way you do. Mark, you can go back to your place now, you know what to look for. Unless you prefer to spend the night here? - I suggested.
- Thank you boss, but I'd rather get to work as soon as possible. Something tells me that it won't be easy and I'm in for a few days without enough sleep - he gave us a quick nod and went outside.
- I hope he will be able to find something - I sighed, slipping on the couch - if we alert the Elders about their appearance and provide them with the necessary information, we will catch some points.
- Mark is an excellent hacker, so I'm sure he'll be able to handle it fairly quickly. Do you need me for anything else? Because I have something to do in the city.
- No, I think I'll go to bed - I waved my hand -Tomorrow I have classes first thing in the morning.
- I remember, I'll drive you to them and maybe I'll stay with you.
- You don't have to - I objected.
- But I want to, you have quite interesting lectures - he laughed quietly.
- Very funny - I rolled my eyes - it's just a pity that they no longer give me any pleasure.