Chapter 30: Are You Even Greedy for My Own People?

For several days, Min-soo had stubbornly avoided me.

He locked himself in his room, and whenever I tried to approach, he screamed in refusal.

So, I decided to wait until he had sorted out his feelings.

Rather than forcing him, I thought it would be better to give him time to think and accept things on his own.

Besides, I wasn’t leaving immediately, so there was no need to rush.

I ran into Yang Yeong in front of the room. She blocked my path, her face full of anxiety. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked,

“Oppa, is it true? I heard from Min-soo... Are you really sending him to America? You’re not… abandoning him, are you?”

“How could I abandon Min-soo? That’s nonsense.”

I shook my head firmly.

“Do I look like the kind of person who’d ever do that, after everything you’ve seen?”

“No, it’s not that… but still, how could you send him to America alone…? Are you really going to do that?”

Her eyes were still filled with disbelief and worry.

“I’ve already decided. For now, this is the best path for Min-soo. Not only for his treatment, but also so he can study freely, just like he wants…”

“Then I’ll go with him! How can you send him alone?”

Yang Yeong cut me off, shouting in desperation.

“Yang Yeong.”

I gently placed my hand on her shoulder.

“Your situation isn’t something I can decide. That’s something you have to discuss with your grandfather, Master Yang.”

“But if Min-soo goes alone…”

“Yang Yeong, you’re now your grandfather’s only blood relative and family. Do you really think he’d easily let you go to a foreign country?”

Her lips trembled at my words. She had much she wanted to say, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak it aloud.

“If you’re stubborn about it, you might end up stopping Min-soo from going to America at all. Is that what you really want?”

For Min-soo’s treatment, going to America was crucial.

Knowing that, Yang Yeong lowered her head, unable to agree or disagree.

“If you truly want to go with Min-soo, then you’ll have to convince your grandfather yourself. Show him your sincerity and get his permission. That’s the only way.”

“…Alright.”

Her weak reply stirred something in me. I unconsciously reached out to pat her head.

But my hand stopped midair.

She wasn’t the old Kkamang anymore. She was now Yang Sobo’s granddaughter, Yang Yeong. Our relationship had already changed.

In her eyes, I caught a flicker of disappointment as she looked at my halted hand.

I forced a small, awkward smile and slowly lowered it.

“You’re not Kkamang anymore, you’re Yang Yeong now. You’ve grown into a fine young lady.”

I deliberately brightened my tone to ease the mood.

“I’m asking you, Yang Yeong. Please talk to Min-soo for me. No matter what happens, I’m sending him to America—even if he keeps being stubborn.”

After glancing once at the door where Min-soo was, I turned away without hesitation.

I ignored the complex gaze I felt on my back from Yang Yeong.

Deep inside the black market, I faced Han Sang-hoon once again at the place where he stayed.

“Is everything ready?”

Han Sang-hoon raised the corners of his mouth in a relaxed grin.

“Heh, do you even know who I am? Of course everything’s been prepared long ago.”

“In that case, let’s go together. It’ll be more convenient for both sides to make the transaction where the money’s stored.”

I handed a piece of paper with the address of the secret office to one of Han Sang-hoon’s men.

“It’s here. You’ll probably need a truck if you plan to take all the money at once.”

Han Sang-hoon nodded silently. One of his men took the note and quietly disappeared.

“Let’s go. I’ll lead the way.”

I led Han Sang-hoon and one of his remaining men to the secret office in Myeong-dong where the money was stored.

As I opened the door to the old building, Ma Dong-jin was already waiting for us.

“You’ve arrived, boss.”

Without a hint of hesitation, Ma Dong-jin bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle as soon as I entered.

Han Sang-hoon’s eyebrows twitched with interest as he watched.

“That man… isn’t he Ma Dong-jin?”

Since I knew very little about Ma Dong-jin’s past, I asked back,

“You know him?”

“Of course I do. He used to be quite famous as a wrestling champion down in Cheonan. Never thought I’d see him working under you.”

“A wrestler?”

“So you didn’t know. Many of Seoul’s top thugs tried hard to recruit him, but he never showed any interest. Funny how he ended up under your command instead.”

At his words, I found myself looking at Ma Dong-jin.

I could tell his past was more complicated than I’d thought.

“I only won a few local wrestling tournaments as a kid. It’s all in the past.”

Receiving my gaze, Ma Dong-jin replied briefly. Perhaps finding that even more intriguing, Han Sang-hoon’s eyes lit up.

“You there, ever thought about working with me?”

Han Sang-hoon’s greed for people knew no time or place.

I couldn’t help but look at him in disbelief, but he ignored me and continued to speak to Ma Dong-jin.

“Well? I know your value better than anyone.”

“I’ve already chosen whom I’ll serve.”

Ma Dong-jin answered firmly, without the slightest hesitation. His eyes were fixed solely on me.

At that resolute answer, Han Sang-hoon chuckled in mild frustration.

“Heh, what a shame.”

“Are you even greedy for my own people now?”

Though inwardly, I thought it was a good chance to test Ma Dong-jin’s loyalty, outwardly I feigned irritation.

“Haha, just think of it as an old habit. I have this sickness—I can’t pass by talented people. Anyway, let’s move on. Show me the money.”

It seemed he had only said it half-jokingly, because he soon returned to the main topic.

Without another word, I approached the heavy iron door secured with a padlock. Taking out my key ring, I unlocked it.

As the heavy door swung open, rows of black trunks filled the room.

“There’s a total of seven hundred million hwan here. As promised, you’ll take five hundred million. That’s about ten trunks’ worth.”

“Let me check it.”

I nodded.

At Han Sang-hoon’s signal, his subordinate stepped forward and opened one of the trunks.

The musty smell of old bills filled the air as an enormous amount of money came into view.

With gloved hands, the man quickly began inspecting the bundles—checking amounts and verifying authenticity. His movements were deft and experienced.

After a long while, the man gave Han Sang-hoon a nod.

“Good. Once the dollars arrive, we’ll make the trade.”

Just in time, the subordinate who had gone earlier to fetch the money returned, carrying several heavy-looking black bags.

He carefully set the bags down on the floor.

“As promised, they’ve been exchanged at 1,350 hwan per dollar. Altogether, those bags contain 370,000 dollars. Check it. And…”

Han Sang-hoon pulled a small envelope from his inner pocket and held it out.

“This is the remaining 370 dollars. Totaling 370,370 dollars, correct?”

I accepted the envelope and slipped it into my inner pocket, nodding.

This time, Ma Dong-jin stepped forward.

He opened the bags and began inspecting the stacks of dollar bills — all in 100-dollar denominations.

He meticulously checked not only the amount but also the authenticity of the bills, leaving no room for error.

When the inspection was done, Ma Dong-jin gave me a nod.

“That concludes the transaction.”

I extended my hand toward Han Sang-hoon.

“I look forward to more good business between us, sir.”

“Heh, any time, young man. Deals with someone like you are always welcome.”

Han Sang-hoon clasped my hand with a meaningful smile.

“Move it.”

At his brief command, his men entered the vault and began hauling out the ten trunks filled with cash, making several trips.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

It was a clean, swift, and efficient deal.

Only after they had disappeared did Ma Dong-jin speak.

“That went smoothly.”

“Han is not the kind of man to play games when it comes to business. He’s survived in this world by reputation alone.”

“What should we do with the dollar bags?”

“For now, keep them locked in the vault. We won’t need them immediately.”

Without a word, Ma Dong-jin placed the bags inside the vault, closed the iron door, and secured the padlock.

“When you have time, how about we share a drink sometime?”

He probably understood what I meant, but he said nothing. So I spoke plainly.

“I’m just curious about your past.”

“There’s nothing much to tell.”

At his curt reply, I gave a small laugh.

“That’s fine. But now that you’ve decided to be my man, it wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t know anything about you, don’t you think?”

“…Understood.”

“You’ll continue staying here, correct?”

“Yes. Until you give further orders.”

“Good. Then I’ll leave this place in your care.”

To Yang Sobo, I had said I needed dollars for Min-soo’s sake, but in truth, not all of this $370,000 was meant for Min-soo’s study abroad expenses.

It would soon become my most powerful weapon — one that would shake the entire board amid the coming storm.

Leaving the office, I walked through the night streets, sorting out my thoughts.

‘It’s about time Yang Sobo starts looking for me…’

By tomorrow, the new stock allocation list for Daegung stock’s paid-in capital increase would be finalized.

Market madness would reach its peak, and it would be the perfect moment for Yang Sobo to launch his revenge plan against Park Jeong-ho.

‘It’ll be short selling, no doubt.’

No matter how much I thought about it, the only way to deliver a fatal blow to Park Jeong-ho and his group under the current circumstances was through short selling.

‘Originally, in history, after being betrayed by Kim Jin-ho, Yang Sobo must have joined hands with Jeong Tae-soo to take his revenge. That’s how Jeong Tae-soo was able to seize immense wealth and power through this very incident.’

As that thought formed, all the pieces finally fell into place.

‘This whole operation began as a scheme by the KCIA to raise political funds. To overturn it would have required either approval or tacit consent from the highest authority.’

Given that he thrived on driving his subordinates into endless competition to strengthen his own power, it was a plausible scenario.

As long as the political funds were secured, that was all that mattered. Facing Jeong Tae-soo — protected by political power — with my current strength alone would be too much.

‘Still, I won’t quietly play the role of their pawn.’

For now, I had to observe the flow of events carefully and wait for the right opportunity.

As I organized my tangled thoughts while walking, I found myself passing in front of the Korea Securities Exchange.

At that moment, a coarse yet familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

“You son of a bitch!”

When I turned my head, I saw Park Jeong-ho glaring at me, his face twisted in rage.

I quickly scanned the surroundings.

Chief Choi, who was usually by his side, was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, several large men with rough expressions stood behind him like a wall.

Their faces were familiar.

He strode toward me with heavy steps.

I greeted him with a smile.

“President Park, isn’t it? What a surprise to meet you here.”

“Shut up! You damn bastard, you dare stab me in the back?!”

Park Jeong-ho shouted, pointing a trembling finger at me.

Feigning confusion, I tilted my head.

“Stab you in the back? What do you mean by that?”

“I heard you handed over Daegung stock certificates to those worthless bastards!”

“Ah… you mean that?”

You’re slower to hear the news than I thought. I lifted one corner of my mouth, mocking him.

“And how exactly is that stabbing you in the back?”

“What? Are you kidding me, you little punk?!”

“You were the one who first advised me to buy Daegung stock, President Park. So I did, made a good profit, and when buyers appeared offering a great price, I sold. How is that a betrayal?”

“Don’t spew bullshit! Do you have any idea how much you’ve ruined my plans?!”

His face flushed red with fury.

It was one thing for ordinary investors to take part in the paid-in capital increase, but when securities firm presidents like those from Gyeongin Securities, Mando Securities, and DaeRyuk Securities acquired a large amount of physical stock certificates, that was a different level entirely.

The shares they secured now posed a direct threat to Park Jeong-ho himself.

That must have been why even Chief Choi had left his side to come up with countermeasures.

“I don’t see why that should be my concern.”

When I said it casually, Park Jeong-ho’s eyes widened.

The sight made my grin grow even wider.

There was no longer any need to play the naive youngster in front of him.

“Did I do anything illegal? I simply sold my shares at a higher price. A perfectly legitimate transaction.”

“You crazy bastard… Are you trying to die? Do you even know who I am?!”

“You’re President Park Jeong-ho of Hangang Securities, aren’t you?”

“So you’re trying to be funny now? You think I’m easy to mess with, you little brat?!”

Unable to contain his rage, Park Jeong-ho shouted and jerked his chin toward the men behind him, giving a command.

“Hey! Make this bastard kneel before me right now!”

But the thugs didn’t move an inch.

Park Jeong-ho’s expression was full of confusion.

I slowly swept my gaze over the men and let a faint smile curl on my lips. Then, instead of addressing Park Jeong-ho, I spoke quietly to the men standing behind him.

“I’m sure I warned you. Never appear in front of me again. I told you that if I saw you again… I’d kill you, didn’t I?”

At my words, the color drained from their faces.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.