Alchemists do not need self-cultivation

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Inside a family restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

"Balalaika, how's your collaboration with the Eagle Peak Group going lately?"

Isaac and Balalaika met at the restaurant.

She was having breakfast at the time. None of the people from the 'Moscow Hotel' had come with her. The only person accompanying her was a man named Boris who had followed Balalaika since the Afghan War.

Balalaika usually calls him "sergeant," which must have been his rank before he retired.

"That's quite rare. I thought you were spending your weekends playing school games with those little brats," Balalaika laughed. "Your cooperation with the Eagle Peak Group has been going very well lately, and you've managed to disrupt some of the rival organization's financial resources."

"Did you attack the enemy's logistics first? It's a waste of your talents to have your soldiers cooperate with a bunch of low-level gangsters."

“The gangs in this country are really lacking in sophistication, always spouting ‘benevolence and righteousness’ all the time.” Balalaika’s face was full of displeasure. “Roanapur still has a lot of things to take care of, and I really want to go back as soon as possible.”

“Have some patience. I bet you have other things to do here.” Isaac’s eyes were fixed on her. “Like cleaning up the mess for some former KGB member or something.”

"..."

Balalaika silently put down her teacup.

"It seems you've done your investigation."

“A friend I haven’t seen for many years told me this information, and it’s possible that the person you’re helping is related to the matter I’m dealing with.”

"You want me to help you?" Balalaika looked at Isaac with interest. "He's one of our people, after all. So what if you're cooperating with me? Do you want me to side with outsiders?"

Seemingly having anticipated Balalaika's response, Isaac smiled and said:

"You hate the KGB too, don't you? Don't pretend with me."

Chapter 673: Clear Distinction Between Public and Private Matters

“You’re right, I really hate those down-on-their-luck KGB members who can still manage to get a decent position even after their country falls apart.” Balalaika leaned back in her chair and looked at Isaac. “My purpose in coming to Japan this time is to do something for a former KGB coward in the organization.”

"The 'Moscow Hotel' is really something, managing to recruit former KGB members."

"The organization originally planned to send him here to negotiate cooperation with these Japanese gangs, but this guy had no skills at all. Not only did he fail to reach an agreement, he also got himself into trouble. So I traveled all the way to Japan to pick up his job and rescue him."

Isaac laughed and said, "Now that you mention it, he seems to have a pretty high status at the 'Moscow Hotel'."

"I can hardly even remember the name of that piece of trash who climbed to the top by money."

Balalaika scoffed. As someone who had climbed to an important position in the organization through her exceptional skills, she despised this kind of person the most. She would even feel nauseous just sitting at the same table drinking tea with her.

What's more, he's a former KGB officer.

"Since you hate him, why don't you just leave it to me to handle?"

“I may dislike him, but I can’t mix my personal feelings with my work,” Balalaika said. “After all, he’s part of the organization; I can’t just disappear like that.”

"So that means there's no room for negotiation? That's a real shame."

After Isaac finished speaking, he got up and prepared to leave.

Balalaika was somewhat surprised by his actions: "Hmm? I thought you would try to negotiate, like making some terms or something?"

“There’s nothing to talk about. If you want to protect him, there’s nothing I can do. I’m just investigating whether he knows some information I need, not necessarily taking his life,” Isaac smiled. “We’re still partners now, there’s no need to ruin our relationship over the trash you’re talking about.”

"Tch, I thought I could squeeze some benefits out of you."

In fact, Balalaika did want to take this opportunity to get rid of this troublesome guy. However, like Isaac, she was the kind of person who liked to maximize her own interests. Being able to get rid of someone she didn't like and also gain some benefits along the way was the best thing.

"Come on, I've covered all your losses in Japan. Don't even think about getting any more benefits." Isaac left and walked towards the door.

Before taking it away, he added, "If you change your mind, feel free to call me."

"..."

After Isaac left, Balalaika remained calm in her seat.

"Captain, what's your opinion on this matter?"

"What else can we say? Isaac's identity is still very mysterious. No pig from the former KGB is comparable to him, but even if he is a pig, he is still a pig of the organization. If he is handed over to an outsider, he will not be able to report back."

Balalaika sipped her tea.

They weren't just sitting in the restaurant to eat breakfast; it seemed they were waiting for someone.

Not long after, a middle-aged man with a Western appearance walked into the restaurant and sat down at the table with Balalaika.

"It's been a long time, Balalaika," the man greeted with a smile.

"Ah."

Balalaika didn't even glance at him, continuing to sip her tea.

"How is the situation now?"

Seeing that Balalaika was ignoring him, the man was somewhat displeased, but still asked Sergeant Polis next to him.

“Starting last night, my offensive shifted to the underground casino, destroying two locations without any casualties on our side, and the traces have been cleaned up,” the sergeant said. “At 02:30, we attacked the Shaxiang Association office, eliminating twenty enemy personnel without any casualties or injuries on our side, and withdrew from the enemy zone at 02:37.”

During the time the 'Moscow Hotel' was in Japan, it was less like a gang fight and more like a military operation, and a one-sided one at that.

How could a group of gangsters possibly be a match for disciplined former Soviet soldiers who had participated in several wars? The outcome of the encounter was predictable.

Balalaika then asked, "Did the police get involved?"

"Since 0305, all operational zones have been sealed off, and we remain on high alert," the sergeant said. "The Japanese police's document team has recorded it, and now we're just waiting for Locke to come and translate it."

In short, the 'Moscow Hotel's' operations in Japan are going very smoothly.

"As expected of you, Balalaika," the man laughed. "No wonder the organization's leader values ​​you so much."

Although it was a compliment, there was a hint of arrogance in the tone.

"Who do you think I'm here to clean up after? Vasily." Balalaika glanced at him disdainfully. "You're a disgrace to the organization. You can't even do a job like suppressing people."

These barbed words made the Russian man named Vasily's face change.

“I’ll head back to Roanapur after I’ve finished dealing with your business. Things there are much more important than yours,” Balaleka said, standing up. “That’s the gist of it. See you in six hours.”

Seeing Balalaika about to leave, Vasily said with a livid face, "You seem to be getting a little carried away."

"Ok?"

"Even if I am incompetent, I will still be one of the high-ranking officials when I return to Moscow."

Balalaika glanced at him indifferently upon hearing this: "Oh dear, I'm really sorry, I've always had a very weak impression of people who get their positions through money rather than ability. I'd have to write your name on a US dollar bill to remember it."

These words were particularly offensive to Hua Xili, who roared, "How dare you speak to me like that? Don't forget that my position in the organization is higher than yours, you military sow..."

Balalaika's eyes instantly turned cold. Before he could finish speaking, she turned around, grabbed his head, and slammed him to the ground.

Bang!

This left Huaxili completely disoriented.

"you……"

"Let me give you a piece of advice: there are two things I hate most in my life: cold, creamy crepes and down-on-his-luck KGB idiots."

Balalaika's sinister grin and murderous words made Vasily's body tremble.

"To avoid being shot and killed in Japan, you'd better keep your head down and behave yourself."

He let go of her hand and stumbled out of the restaurant.

He was terrified of Balalaika, who had a murderous look on her face, but to be honest, it was impossible for him to swallow his anger after being so belittled and insulted.

"Just wait, you'll get what's coming to you when you get back to your homeland," he roared inwardly.

Balalaika looked through the restaurant's glass at the departing Huaxili, frowned, and took out her phone to dial Isaac's number.

Chapter 674: Straight to the Side

"Is that so? We really do need to get rid of this person?"

In the phone booth on the street corner, Isaac received a call from Balalaika.

“That kind of trash is of no use to the organization. If you want to take it, go ahead,” Balalaika said. “But it’s not really convenient for me to do it.”

"Don't worry, since they came to Japan to do business with the yakuza, it's normal for them to be attacked and killed in the street."

"Alright, this person is in your hands then," Balalaika said with a smile. "By the way, we have a business deal to discuss with Bando of the Washimine Group later. Would you like to come and take a look?"

"I do have time today, but why do you want me to go? Is there some difficulty with the cooperation?"

"As you know, there are some things I have to explain to them in the toughest way possible. It's just that those Japanese thugs are always thinking about 'benevolence and righteousness,' and although our crackdown these past few days has gone smoothly, it has still caused them dissatisfaction several times."

"You should have Locke explain things to them."

“You should know that kid better than I do. He always uses the softest tone when translating, which makes those people think we’re very polite,” Balalaika said, and Locke felt a surge of anger.

In several negotiations, she stated that she would face the enemy with the utmost malice, and that if they stood in her way and blocked her progress, she would eliminate them as well.

However, although they couldn't understand what Locke was translating, they felt something was off about the relaxed expressions on the faces of the Japanese gangsters.

This is only natural. If things were to fall out and a fight broke out on the spot, Locke, as a translator with no fighting ability whatsoever, would certainly not want to see such a situation.

“Okay, I’ll make things clear to them this time.” Isaac sighed. “My mission is at a critical juncture right now, and if things get too out of hand, I won’t be able to handle it.”

"Okay, see you in two hours. It'll be in 2-chome, Kabukicho, Shinjuku, at the nightclub owned by the Washine Group."

The instant Balalaika hung up the phone, Isaac dialed his employee's number, ordering that the target be arrested and interrogated immediately if any issues arose.

"Then, let's make some preparations."

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"We're too late, Fujisawa."

"No, I just arrived too."

Near the station, Ayana Fujisawa, dressed casually, was waiting, with her classmates greeting her in front of her.

Yuko Takishima, and her friend Megumi Kubota.

When Isaac left, she tentatively dialed Yuko Takishima's number, trying to arrange to meet her.

Isaac had told her to try making some friends. Although Ayana didn't think it was necessary, she would do her best to do so since it was Isaac's request.

“That’s really rare, Ayana, it’s been a long time since you’ve asked us out,” Yuko Takishima said with a smile.

She felt sympathy for this former friend and also felt remorse for her past actions.