Tō Shōko strutted with arrogance, his acne-scarred face practically spelling out the word. He hadn't noticed Anshin at first, and when he did, he paid no mind—Anshin was in plain clothes today.
As always, the brothers went straight for their favorite target: Kō Kikkyō.
"I… I'll just take my stuff. These are all mine," Kikkyō said, pointing at the equipment on his stall. "I'll move it out. I won't come back next year."
…
"This is a public market. You think you can take things away just because you say so?" Tō Shōryū stomped over, glaring, his face a mask of displeasure.
"This is my property. Why shouldn't I move it?" Kikkyō's anger finally flared. He had endured enough. New Year's Eve, and he hadn't even been able to eat with his siblings—hauled off to the bureau, beaten bloody, scraping pennies selling fish, forced to buy Shōryū a television worth more than seven thousand yuan… and it was smashed in the end!
Being bullied was one thing, but this was too much.
The lifelong honest man's face was flushed red with rage.
"Oh-ho, really?" Shōryū sneered theatrically. "You're mad? You dare shout at me?"
"You spent a couple days in lock-up and now you've grown some guts?" He jabbed Kikkyō's chest with his finger again and again.
Kikkyō's fury was about to explode. He was ready to throw everything away and fight.
…
"What's going on here?"
Anshin's cold voice cut through the air.
The Tang brothers turned. Their brows knit, then recognition flashed. This was the officer who had arrested the hostage-taker at the market a few days ago.
For a moment, they felt a pang of unease—but it passed quickly. What was a little district cop going to do to them? He was new, young, and powerless. And besides, they weren't "breaking the law" in any obvious way.
"What, Officer An? You trying to back Strongman here?" Shōryū sneered. "We're market administrators. During the holiday closure, nothing leaves the premises."
…
Anshin narrowed his eyes. He despised people like this most of all—the petty tyrants who abused scraps of authority to trample honest folk. Sometimes they did it for money. Other times, just to savor that pitiful illusion of control.
"I'll ask you one more time," his voice was calm, frighteningly calm. "Will you let Kō Kikkyō take his belongings?"
The brothers hesitated.
Then Shōryū spat. "Bah. What's a fresh little cop going to do? You don't scare me."
…
"Fine," Anshin said evenly. "Then we'll handle this by the book."
He straightened and recited clearly:
"According to the Criminal Law, Article on the Crime of Embezzlement: Whoever unlawfully takes another person's property of considerable value and refuses to return it may be sentenced to up to two years in prison, detention, or a fine. Where the value is exceptionally large or the circumstances serious, the punishment is two to five years of imprisonment, plus a fine."
Shōryū froze.
What the hell?
This serious?
…
"The definition of 'exceptionally large' is anything over 3,500 yuan," Anshin continued. "Kō Kikkyō, how much is your fish-keeping equipment worth?"
Caught off guard, Kikkyō answered, "The cheapest setup is still expensive. About fifteen thousand, give or take."
Snap.
Anshin clicked his fingers.
"Good. That confirms it. The Tang brothers have embezzled property valued at fifteen thousand yuan. This is a criminal case.
"Furthermore, I've received reports that you've been extorting protection money in this market for years, involving significant sums. I now have reason to suspect you are members of an entrenched black syndicate here at Old Factory Street.
"I'm taking you both in for investigation."
The brothers stared, wide-eyed.
This little cop… he came prepared!
Could it be their racket had really been reported?
"You punk," Shōryū barked. "Quit acting! Where's your evidence? Show me proof or I'll sue you for slander!"
…
Anshin ignored him. Evidence? That would come easily enough. Kikkyō himself was a living witness.
He wasn't the type to tiptoe around. If he acted, it would be decisively, like Ma Dong-seok smashing through thugs on-screen. Against these black elements, there would be no mercy.
From his pocket, Anshin pulled out gloves and slid them on.
"Commencing enforcement."
His hand shot toward Shōryū.
Shōryū's eyes widened. This cop was serious!
"Get off me! You've got no right to arrest me!"
He shoved hard, catching Anshin off guard. The wet, slippery market floor betrayed him—he crashed down hard.
The Tang brother froze.
Anshin stared up in shock.
"Extortion, organized crime, unlawful seizure of property…" His voice was like ice.
"And now… resisting arrest. No—assaulting an officer."