"Turn left and turn off the car lights. Enter the alley between the two black buildings in front."
Joong Archen's hand gripped tightly after he finished speaking. He concentrated completely on looking at the empty and dark street in front of him, trying to remember the paths of rats around them. He glanced at his trusted assistant, who was currently behind the wheel, and from the expression of the man beside him Joong knew he didn't agree.
"That would be like committing suicide Joong," he said, his voice full of disapproval. "We will move in complete darkness on a narrow road. Do you want us all to die?"
"I want us all to be safe from this police chase, Pond," snorted Joong, the car shook slightly when he accidentally brushed the road divider. Pond turned his steering wheel forcefully. "Do it now."
"If you want to survive this chase, we'd better find a way along a route we're more familiar with!" Pond shouted in protest as sirens wailed behind them.
"As far as I know, I'm Pond's boss, not you," said Joong, his voice sounding scary. He has never received rejection from his workers, especially in conditions like now. "Do what I say. Now."
It was silent for a few moments before Pond finally gave in and followed his orders.
There was a loud roar as he turned the car forcefully on the narrow road, making a loud screeching sound.
"Damn," Pond cursed back. "We're really going to die."
"Trust me," said Joong, his voice mocking, his hands clasped over his legs. "I've known this place since I couldn't even walk. I know every inch of this city like it's my own body."
There was no answer from Pond other than a chuckle. Joong grinned.
----
They managed to survive the police chase not long after, with Joong continuously giving orders, making Pond and several of his men panic. They spent the next two hours walking slowly in the quiet night, driving calmly back to their original destination.
Joong noticed a pale orange tinge starting to color the sky, giving it a beautiful color in the distance. Joong felt like stopping the car right then and there, just to enjoy the beautiful sky like that moment.
Joong then narrowed his eyes when he saw in the distance, large and dense buildings came into view. The goal is almost there.
It seemed he wasn't the only one who noticed this because his men also cheered happily behind him, some even high fived in relief. They are getting closer. The city appeared increasingly clear, full of magnificent buildings and sparkling lights that had not yet been extinguished, like cities in fairy tales. They were almost at Chiang Mai.
-----
Joong's regular supplier had prepared what he needed when he arrived, as usual. It was only 9 in the morning, and the house he was in, the biggest gambling place in Chiang Mai, was full of noise from various rooms, the sound of cursing from drunk old men, and the smell of alcohol wafting everywhere.
Chiang Mai opens a slave market only once every six months, but it is the largest slave market in Thailand. Even when almost all regions began to ban slavery, Chiang Mai still opened a slave market and legalized the buying and selling of humans. Moreover, when compared with sales from the Bangkok black market, the quality of slaves from Chiang Mai is still the best.
Joong walked steadily, seeing several other mafia gang leaders he knew on his way and nodding briefly at them. He had no interest in joining them, because that was not his purpose in coming here. Joong quickly walked to the back of the building, where a worn wooden door led him into a special room.
