I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 159

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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159 – Hwang On-yu
159.
‘This isn’t how it was supposed to go.’
The moment Zhang Tian received word that all 10 million units of Disand sent from the factory had been returned in full.
His breath caught.
A chill ran through him.
This was more than a simple loss.
There was something deeper at play here.
An inexplicable dread seemed to coil around his entire body.
It was a sensation difficult to articulate.
Less anxiety than a warning.
Something had gone terribly wrong—that much was certain.
Honestly, he could have made a hundred excuses.
A factory hastily contracted.
Inexperienced personnel.
Manufacturing processes recklessly altered to cut costs.
It wouldn’t have been unusual for problems to emerge from any of these sources.
But the unease Zhang Tian felt was of a different nature entirely.
He unfolded the contract copy Mao Qin had sent once more.
The main contract was merely two pages.
Yet the supplementary agreements attached to it spanned 138 pages.
Zhang Tian flipped through several pages before setting the contract down.
‘What was I thinking, signing such a contract so carelessly?’
The legal terminology appeared deliberately obfuscated,
and the clauses on inspection, returns, delays, and liability were cunningly repetitive, shifting direction with each iteration.
The more he read, the clearer one conclusion became.
This was no ordinary commercial agreement.
It wasn’t a contract to receive goods—it was a contract meticulously designed for returns.
He’d been played.
The money wasn’t the real problem.
Money could be earned again.
It would be difficult for a time, but he could endure it somehow.
If only this damned contract didn’t exist.
Failure to deliver goods by the specified date meant additional damages and penalties.
He’d already made a choice that couldn’t be undone.
The Triad Society—Zhang Tian had wagered everything on Disand sales.
Capital, distribution networks, connections—he’d invested it all.
The figures had briefly clouded his judgment: 10 million units monthly, 80 million yuan—1.7 billion won.
Blinded by the prospect of rebuilding the Triad Society with those numbers, he’d failed to conduct proper due diligence.
Pressed by deadlines, his mind had been consumed by urgency.
But that wasn’t the only problem.
… The greater issue was that I had already set Black Incense in motion.
Trusting in the Disand sale,
trusting in the 80 million yuan that would flow in each month, I eliminated each branch leader.
I thought that if this deal went through, the existing structure would be unnecessary.
So the moment I signed the contract, I ordered the operation.
Now that’s strangling my neck.
Black Incense had already completed the mission and was returning.
There was no way to cancel it, no way to undo it.
Zhang Tian slowly exhaled the breath he’d been holding.
The situation was clear.
The goods I’d sent had been returned,
the existing pipeline had vanished,
and even the regional lines had been destroyed.
It felt as though my opponent had calculated all of this.
As if they were giving me a test problem and watching how I’d solve it.
As if they were observing how far the Triad Society could crumble.
Zhang Tian leaned back in his chair.
For the first time, I considered that the Triad Society could actually collapse.
This wasn’t merely a crisis.
It was the terror of potential annihilation.
The very action I’d taken to secure my position had instead jeopardized it.
But I couldn’t falter here.
I had to stop it.
No matter what, I had to reverse this.
I had to find a solution by any means.
It was too late to sit here and devise a plan.
I had to meet them in person and talk.
Zhang Tian boarded a flight to Incheon.
*******
Hwang On-yu, Assistant Manager.
Or rather, Hwang On-yu, Team Leader, had just arrived home after work.
The atmosphere at the National Intelligence Service these days couldn’t be called good by any stretch.
Following the recent news coverage, the Special Investigation Unit was formed, and a comprehensive audit of the entire National Intelligence Service began.
Not only the corporate card records of all employees, but also special activity funds,
and even personal and family accounts were all laid bare.
Since the founding of the National Intelligence Service, such a complete investigation had never been conducted.
The atmosphere at the National Intelligence Service hit rock bottom.
Through the media, people voiced complaints, calling it “an action that strangles the organization,”
but once the investigation actually began, it became harder to find anyone who was clean.
Removal from position.
Reassignment to standby duty.
Transfer.
Pay cuts and reprimands as well.
Many people faced disciplinary action, leaving the National Intelligence Service or changing positions.
On top of that, my former Team Leader Park Do-jin disappeared without a word in just one day.
Hwang On-yu took his place.
Hwang On-yu’s feelings were equally complicated.
He had wanted to become Team Leader, but not at the expense of his colleagues’ misfortune.
The atmosphere in the office wasn’t good either.
Still, he had to come to work and do his job.
It was the fate of a salaryman.
After leaving work, I entered my home without turning on the lights and opened the Refrigerator.
A beer or two seemed like it would ease my mind a bit.
But there was no beer.
The Refrigerator was completely empty.
‘Ah, the beer I drank yesterday must have been the last one.’
I was debating whether to buy some beer.
A voice came from where the sofa was.
“Looking for beer? I’ve got some here.”
Huh?
I was shocked at first, but since this was the second time, I wasn’t quite as startled.
“I’m not the type to drink cheap liquor, so I brought some beer.”
A Convenience Store bag sat on the table.
A four-pack of beer for 12,000 won was inside a plastic bag.
Hwang On-yu looked at me with a bewildered expression.
“Isn’t this too much—just barging into someone’s home like this?”
Hwang On-yu grumbled as he sat on the sofa.
“Then at least tell me when you’re off duty. I didn’t come here because I wanted to see you either.”
“Then why did you come?”
“I told you. I’m not the type to drink cheap liquor. I came to repay the beer. And I have things to talk about.”
“Things to talk about?”
“Mind if I have a beer?”
I naturally reached for one of the beers.
Seeing me do that, Hwang On-yu grumbled again.
“You bought it and you’re drinking it, so what do you mean repay…”
“Last time I only drank one. But you brought four. One is fine, isn’t it?”
At my shameless logic, Hwang On-yu spoke as if annoyed.
“Go ahead and drink.”
“But don’t you have something to snack on? I need some side dishes when I drink beer.”
At my words, Hwang On-yu appeared slightly irritated.
“No need for that. Just tell me straight.”
“Heh heh. So becoming Team Leader has made you impatient? Should I have left you as deputy instead?”
Hwang On-yu responded to that remark with a tone suggesting it was absurd.
“Ha ha. The way you’re talking, it sounds like you’re the one who made me Team Leader.”
“I thought I helped a bit, didn’t I?”
Hwang On-yu looked at me as if I were being ridiculous.
“You wouldn’t know, but… this was based on the Special Investigation Unit’s findings. Wait…”
Hwang On-yu suddenly looked startled and stared at me.
“The National Intelligence Service is slower than before. They’re not what they used to be.”
I leaned back slightly and took a sip of beer.
“Really?”
“I only meant to expose Park Do-jin, but I never realized the entire National Intelligence Service was so thoroughly corrupt.”
It was the truth.
I really had only intended to give him a bit of trouble.
I’d hoped Park Do-jin would become a nuisance.
But I never imagined it would shake the entire National Intelligence Service.
“Heh heh. Well, it’s my workplace after all, so it’s a bit much. Anyway, what did you want to tell me?”
“Well…”
I paused for a moment before continuing.
“Both of us have been wasting too much energy on pointless things. I came to suggest we stop.”
“Say it clearly.”
“I have no intention of making the National Intelligence Service my enemy. I’ve done nothing wrong. I’ve only helped the National Intelligence Service, never harmed it, so I don’t understand why you keep tracking me. So stop the surveillance now.”
I spoke quietly.
“We already stopped that. Once Team Leader Park Do-jin disappeared.”
“I know. But the files you created are still there. Delete those too.”
“That… that’s…”
“We’re even doing your work for you… surely you can do that much?”
“Doing our work for us?”
Team Leader Hwang On-yu asked as if he didn’t understand.
“Do you know the Triad Society is coming in?”
“The Triad Society?”
Hwang On-yu’s eyes lit up.
It was the Triad Society that the Overseas Division 2 had been pursuing for a long time.
But there were no leads.
No specific activities to pinpoint.
We were in the middle of suspecting whether the tip about them entering the country was even true.
“You know the Triad Society’s situation is a mess right now, right? So they’ve targeted our country as a new market and are pushing drugs hard. We’re stopping them right now, but if the National Intelligence Service tries to catch me instead of helping, that’s not right, is it? That’s basically it.”
“How am I supposed to believe that?”
Hwang On-yu couldn’t hide his suspicious gaze.
“Hey. If the National Intelligence Service can’t even figure that out, you might as well quit. You’re served a meal and can’t even chew it properly.”
“That’s not quite it…”
Hwang On-yu waved his hand dismissively, looking embarrassed.
“Anyway, we’re doing a ton of work too. You know Dae-hoon and I are pulling out all the stops to block the drugs, right?”
“I… I heard that from the Police.”
One of the reasons Dae-hoon had become a major player was precisely that.
Blocking the drugs.
That fact had been acknowledged by the Police, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the Government.
They couldn’t officially recognize it, but everyone involved knew.
That the Dae-hoon Faction was blocking it on the ground.
That’s why they left the Dae-hoon Faction alone.
In fact, when problems arose, they actively helped.
To resolve them smoothly.
There was only one reason.
If the Dae-hoon Faction disappeared, far larger, more complex, and numerous problems would emerge.
Right now, the Dae-hoon Faction manages and controls South Korea’s underworld.
Without the Dae-hoon Faction, dozens or hundreds of organizations would fight and rampage against each other.
The Government would have to stop it and control it.
It’s impossible to predict how much manpower, time, and capital would be required.
But if you leave it to the Dae-hoon Faction, it gets resolved on its own.
I don’t know what they do or how, but it stays quiet.
I don’t know what happens inside, but at least it doesn’t become a problem.
Government officials found that sufficient.
That’s why they leave it to the Dae-hoon Faction.
They delegate certain authority.
The Dae-hoon Faction became the executive, prosecutor, and judiciary to other gangsters.
A dictator of the underworld.
“Anyway, that’s why when the Triad Society tried to mess around coming into our country, I threw some counterattacks their way.”
“Counterattacks?”
“Yeah. The Triad Society is probably on the verge of collapse right now. Our dilemma is whether to take them over or just destroy them.”
Hwang On-yu’s eyes widened.
“Take over the Triad Society or destroy them? You can actually do that?”
“Yeah. They’re probably going insane right about now.”
“H-how? How is that possible?”
“What? You want me to write you a report?”
I stared at Hwang On-yu, who still hadn’t grasped the situation properly.
“No… but still, how can you…”
Hwang On-yu remained astonished.
“Nothing special, really. For now, I’m leaning toward eliminating the Triad Society. Even if we wanted to take them over, they’re just ridiculously large but hollow inside.”
At my words, Hwang On-yu urgently cut in.
“No. Don’t eliminate them.”
“What?”
“Don’t eliminate them, if possible.”
“Why?”
“The Triad Society is an information goldmine. If I control the Triad Society, gathering intelligence on Southeast Asia becomes far easier. It would be such a waste to eliminate them.”
“Just like that? Empty-handed? After I did all the work?”
Hwang On-yu answered my question with some hesitation.
“Well… I’ll delete all the files on you. Deal?”
“That’s nowhere near enough. It won’t even cover maintenance costs.”
After a moment’s thought, I offered Team Leader Hwang On-yu a different condition.
“Let’s share all National Intelligence Service information going forward. In exchange, I’ll share intelligence from the Triad Society with you.”
“Haha. That won’t work.”
“You drive a hard bargain. Fine—I’ll also give you information about the Philippines and China.”
“China?”
“I have quite a few close contacts over there.”
“······”
Hwang On-yu’s eyes gleamed at those words.
“Do you happen to know anything about the Bae Jung-hun case?”
Hwang On-yu asked urgently.
“Who is Bae Jung-hun?”
“He… seems to have been detained by the Chinese side recently, but we have no information. The Foreign Ministry says they don’t know either, and the Public Security Bureau claims it’s not their jurisdiction. We have absolutely no idea where he went or what happened to him.”
“Is that so? Something like that happened?”
“Mm…”
Hwang On-yu answered with some embarrassment.
I picked up my phone and called the MSS director.
“It’s been a while.”
“I’m doing well. How have you been, Director?”
“Haha. I had something I wanted to ask about.”
“Do you know someone named Bae Jung-hun? A South Korean citizen who was supposedly detained in China?”
“Not detained? Just called in for questioning?”
“You were planning to let him return home tomorrow?”
“Ah, I see? No big deal then?”
“Oh, it’s nothing—just a friend from the National Intelligence Service was curious.”
“Right. Yes. Let’s grab a meal together with Chairman Xi next time.”
“Yes. Take care.”
After hanging up, I looked at Hwang On-yu.
Hwang On-yu’s face had turned pale with shock and astonishment as he listened to the conversation.
“Um… would it be okay if I asked who you are?”
“Who was it? Guo Qingtao, I think? The MSS director, though the position changes so often these days. I keep forgetting the name.”
“Gasp. You’re talking directly with the MSS director right now?”
“Why are you making such a fuss over a phone call? And you heard the conversation, didn’t you? They’re sending him back tomorrow. They said it was just an investigation inquiry.”
“Is that really true?”
“How would I know? At least that’s what the MSS director said.”
“Hmm…”
“So should we consider our deal sealed?”
I asked.
“For now, we cooperate.”
Hwang On-yu extended his hand.
.
.
.
Hwang On-yu hurriedly finished his remaining beer and watched the man’s retreating figure as he left slowly.
Hwang On-yu contemplated as he observed him.
Who exactly was that man?
No matter how much he thought about it, no answer came.
It was truly incomprehensible.
Hwang On-yu knew one thing.
The MSS was not an organization that operated with such courtesy.
Investigation? Return? The MSS didn’t use such words.
That man had orchestrated this outcome.
His identity became a matter of curiosity once more.
A guide?
Hah. Was he supposed to believe such a lie?
A guide who calls the MSS director?
A guide with a security team?
A guide backed by the Dae-hoon Faction?
A guide who dismantles the Triad Society?
It was a disguise, a deception.
But his true nature remained unknown.
What he actually did was incomprehensible.
Only one thing was certain.
This man was far more remarkable than Hwang On-yu had imagined.
There was something palpable about him, even without him demonstrating it.
Hwang On-yu reached a conclusion.
This person was not someone to be suspected, but someone who must be secured at all costs.
Not someone to manage, but someone to cooperate with.
He could not afford to lose him.
He had to hold onto him.
Hwang On-yu reaffirmed his resolve.
.
.
.
As I stepped out of the one-room apartment, Scott was waiting for me.
Leaning against the wall, Scott handed me a bottle of mineral water.
“You’ve worked hard.”
I rinsed my mouth, still bitter from the beer, with the mineral water.
There was a reason I’d visited Hwang On-yu today.
It had to look like a transaction.
I’d offered to hand over information about China and the Philippines in exchange for National Intelligence Service intelligence.
It was clearly a sucker’s deal.
But that wasn’t what I really wanted.
First was the deletion of records.
My name existed somewhere in the National Intelligence Service’s database,
tagged with labels like “person of interest” and “requires monitoring.” I hated that.
I didn’t want to become a key figure,
and I didn’t want to leave evidence of it.
Records become weapons.
I didn’t want to hand them the hilt of that blade.
Second, I needed continuous surveillance of the National Intelligence Service.
Would they reach out to me, Dae-hun, or Shin Jung-gi in the Philippines? I needed to keep watching.
I had to continuously monitor what the National Intelligence Service was doing.
What information they were gathering,
how much they already knew,
and where they were reaching out to.
I offered my information to confirm theirs.
That’s why I needed a connection.
Someone who knew my face and could share assessments with me.
I needed someone like that.
That person was Hwang On-yu.
He was clean enough to survive a full-staff audit,
and he seemed like someone who still had justice alive in him rather than ambition.
Not perfect, but at least predictable.
This didn’t solve all my problems,
but at least I’d wrapped up what I set out to do well.
That’s enough for today.
I had become a major player in the black market through the inventory.
159-Hwang On-yu
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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