Seoul's subway system doesn't have airport-style security checks, but some stations, such as Myeongdong Station and Seoul Station, may temporarily add security equipment like X-ray machines or conduct random checks during specific periods (large events, holidays).
However, it was neither a specific nor a special period, so security was non-existent.
Under the clear sky, Myeongdong Station was bathed in a faint golden glow by the early summer sun, and the Line 4 blue station sign shimmered slightly in the reflection of the glass curtain wall.
The escalators continuously moved a moderate flow of people: tourists carrying Lotte Department Store shopping bags, high school students with earphones tucked into the folds of their uniforms, and office workers in suits using briefcases to fend off the crowds.
The scents of perfume, fried chicken, and subway air conditioning blended into Myeongdong's unique olfactory tide.
Station announcements played alternately in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese, and on the floor tiles towards Exit 8, half a concert poster, frayed by countless shoe soles, was stuck.
Occasionally, a short 'beep-beep' alarm would sound at the turnstiles, as tourists hesitated, holding their T-money cards, unsure which sensor to tap.
Zhang Jie entered the subway station, head down, on the escalator. He then walked to a vending machine, where a girl had just bought a subway ticket.
Zhang Jie went straight to her, took the subway ticket from her hand, and slipped a franklin into her hand.
"Thank you."
Taking the ticket, slipping the money, turning to thank—all in one fluid motion.
Zhang Jie then quickly went to the turnstile, swiped his card, and walked through.
The girl hadn't even reacted yet. She looked at the subway ticket that had vanished from her hand and the franklin that had appeared, and couldn't help but curse, "이 자식 미친 거야? 감히 내 표를 훔쳐?! (Is this kid crazy? How dare he snatch my ticket?!)"
Then she blinked, looked at the franklin in her hand, and then at the departing figure. Her feet, which had been about to chase after him to get an explanation, involuntarily rooted themselves to the ground, unmoving, unable to step forward.
"Oh? This guy isn't crazy, is he? He actually gave me 100 usd, and that ticket isn't worth 100 usd!"
Moreover, that guy was in a hurry and didn't look like a good person.
Meixi, who was a bit short on money, decided not to think about it anymore. As long as she had the money, she could just buy a new ticket.
"Thank you, Mother Nature!"
After entering the subway station, Zhang Jie casually glanced at the twisted Korean characters. Who could recognize these?
Oh, he could recognize some of them.
He opened Google Translate, took a photo, confirmed the route after translating, and then casually boarded a subway train.
However, less than a minute after he boarded, several more people hurriedly rushed into the same subway train.
One minute before the subway was about to depart, some guys dressed in suits rushed in from the subway station and also boarded this train.
The carriage Zhang Jie was in was the very last one, while those guys boarded different carriages, scattered throughout, and began searching through them.
He had no idea that information about him had already spread throughout the entire assassin world in Korea.
And those assassins who boarded the train were looking for him—not only Cui Wenhan's people, but also Suoluo's people, and at the same time, Triads' people.
Zhang Jie, sitting in the very last seat, saw a guy continuously approaching from the back, his eyes seeming to search for something.
Zhang Jie knew that this guy was most likely coming for him, so before he arrived, he pulled down his baseball cap and turned to continue walking towards the back.
Zhang Jie wasn't the only one who stood up, so the guy didn't suspect anything for the moment and continued walking backward. At this point, Zhang Jie lowered his cap brim, appearing like someone waiting to get off the train.
Soon, the guy searched from front to back. Not finding anyone resembling the photo, he looked towards the guy standing at the very back, leaning against the door, and walked over.
He walked up to Zhang Jie, and just as he was about to ask a question, Zhang Jie struck like lightning, directly kicking him in the groin, then covering his mouth with his hand. At the same time, his right hand, like a knife, sharply struck his throat, immediately silencing the guy.
Before he could react, Zhang Jie landed another punch on the back of his head, the "baby sleep therapy" continuing to work its magic.
He then placed the man on the floor, leaning him against the door, and Zhang Jie walked towards the second carriage.
Everything happened in a flash, and no sound was made. Everyone was absorbed in their phones; occasionally, someone would see but pretend not to, so no one noticed their confrontation.
Zhang Jie, walking forward, arrived at the second carriage. This carriage had slightly fewer people than the previous one, but not by much.
But there were still people constantly searching. Zhang Jie was numb; when did his appearance become so widely known, and why were so many people looking for him?
Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Zhang Jie pulled out his phone and saw it was Veronica calling, and he answered the call.
"Little brother~ You need to be careful now, you're the hottest commodity in Korea."
Veronica's voice was as languid as ever.
Zhang Jie merely frowned and said in a low voice, "If you have something to say, say it!"
"Oh, little brother~ Your temper is as fiery as ever. Let me put it this way, the Choi Conglomerate and the Triads have both put a bounty on you. Now, I estimate all the assassins in Seoul are looking for you."
After saying this, Veronica closed her mouth, as if waiting to hear Zhang Jie's shocked voice.
In fact, she succeeded. After hearing Veronica's words, Zhang Jie was completely stunned. "What the f***! Are these people crazy?"
"Whether they're crazy or not, I don't know, but what I do know is that you have a bounty of 800,000 usd on your head. Those assassins must be going crazy."
Veronica's intelligence immediately made Zhang Jie feel terrible. How could one person face all the assassins in Korea?
"So, your employer doesn't intend to take his things, does he?" Zhang Jie said, his voice stiff.
"He wants to take the things, and he also wants to kill the person, but I'm still very sorry to have gotten you involved. I didn't expect things to turn out this way, but before the mission is completed, I can't provide you with any extra assistance, so you'll have to rely on yourself."
Veronica's words sent a chill down Zhang Jie's spine. So that's how it was. It truly was better to rely on oneself than on others.
However, Zhang Jie had no intention of compromising. If they wanted to play, then they would play it to the end!
Looking at the approaching man in the suit, Zhang Jie guessed he must be from the Choi Conglomerate.
As he approached, before he could even look at Zhang Jie, Zhang Jie kicked him, making him lose his balance. Then, with his right hand clenched into a fist, thumb extended, he sharply jabbed his throat.
After jabbing, he quickly struck his temple and the back of his head twice, then feigned a somewhat panicked expression as he supported him, saying, "Are you alright?"
Whether he was alright, he himself didn't know, but looking at his peaceful eyes, Zhang Jie knew he was fine.
The subway had already started moving. He just didn't know how many assassins were looking for him on this train. However, since they were all so eagerly coming at him, he would satisfy them.
Cui Wenhan, is it? You just wait for me!
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