I Became a Black Market Tycoon with an Inventory - Chapter 160

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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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160 – Zhang Tian
160.
Daeyeon Development Chairman’s Office.
With nothing to do and nowhere to be, I’d drifted over to Dae-hoon’s place this morning like some idle aristocrat.
Dae-hoon welcomed me, half-buried in the sofa as he sipped his coffee.
“Welcome.”
“But don’t you ever work? I’ve never seen you actually doing anything.”
Watching Dae-hoon, who looked even more like a layabout than I did, stirred up some mischief in me from the moment I arrived.
I suddenly felt like teasing him.
“Work? This is my work. Lounging around.”
Dae-hoon took a sip of the coffee on the table as he spoke.
He didn’t seem fazed in the slightest.
“Seriously?”
“How would I know? If people start talking about load calculations and construction methods in front of me, do you think I’d understand? I leave that to the people who are good at it, and all I do is reward them and praise their work. Everyone should just do what they’re good at.”
Oh—becoming chairman has made him wise.
Dae-hoon’s right about this.
You have to leave work to the experts.
Then there’s no problem.
Problems arise in exactly two ways.
When amateurs like us meddle and force something that shouldn’t work to work.
Or when experts get greedy, lose focus, and mess things up.
That’s all there is to it.
If it’s neither of those, even if things don’t go perfectly, at least they won’t collapse.
Dae-hoon was skillfully avoiding both pitfalls.
He didn’t force his way in,
and he was strengthening internal discipline to keep his employees from getting distracted.
Being a CEO with a gangster background might make this approach possible,
but it could also make him one of the best CEOs out there.
So I was thinking about making an investment in this best CEO.
“By the way, Dae-hoon. What kind of businesses do you guys have?”
“Our businesses… we have Daeyeon Development, a security company, three small entertainment companies, we manage establishments, we have a liquor distribution company to supply bars, and stuff like that, right? Unofficially, we have a few more.”
There’s more than I expected.
Did he expand like an octopus spreading its arms?
Is he really a conglomerate of the underworld?
“That’s a lot of businesses.”
“There are many in number, but they’re all pretty modest operations…”
Dae-hoon answered with some uncertainty.
“Want to take some investment?”
“Investment?”
At my suggestion to accept investment, he looked at me as if I’d said something completely absurd.
“Yeah.”
“Besides, it’s not like we’re short on money, is it?”
Dae-hoon answered lukewarmly.
He might be worried about me.
I understood the situation.
Dae-hoon knew I was doing well in the Philippines.
He knew I wielded considerable influence there, but he didn’t know exactly what I was doing.
I didn’t even know what I was doing myself—if Dae-hoon knew, that would be even stranger.
He probably just assumed I was doing well since I had bodyguards and a private jet.
“Still, having money is always nice.”
“True, but we don’t really have anywhere to spend it right now.”
This bastard was a gangster, yet he had no greed for money?
“Hmm…”
I paused to think, then spoke honestly.
“There’s something I want to do. If you could help me with that, I’d appreciate it. In exchange, I’d like to make an investment.”
“Something you want to do? I’ll help you with that even without an investment.”
“I want to make an investment while I’m at it.”
“So what is it you want to do?”
I took a moment to gather my thoughts, then told Dae-hoon.
“K-culture is incredibly popular in the Philippines right now.”
“Oh! I’ve heard about that on the news too.”
“What if we established an academy or educational institution to teach it?”
This was something I’d been thinking about for a while.
Many children were growing up in Unity Town.
They were learning new things and challenging themselves with new lives.
I wanted to give them a new option—Korea, K-culture.
“An academy?”
Dae-hoon asked back, sounding completely taken aback.
“You know we built a town for single mothers in the Philippines, right?”
“Yeah, I know. We even collected child support for them.”
“I want those children to come to Korea and receive an education.”
“Hmm… that’s a bit vague.”
Dae-hoon touched his chin and fell into thought.
He was uncertain about how to teach K-culture.
Wasn’t that something you grasped by living it rather than being taught?
Dae-hoon’s mind grew complicated.
“Don’t overthink it. K-culture sounds grand, but when you break it down, it’s K-makeup, K-hair, K-nails, K-food, K-styling, K-culture, K-movies, K-dramas. It’s just divided like that. Think of it as simply opening an academy.”
“Ah~ just an academy?”
Dae-hoon’s voice brightened as if he’d found a clear answer.
“Since we’re teaching it in our country, it’s K-culture.”
“Hahahaha. Is that so?”
Dae-hoon laughs loudly.
Seeing him like that, I find myself in a better mood too.
“Well, the teacher thing and the center—we can handle those slowly later. For now, let’s just find some accommodation where the kids can stay, and we can outsource the education by partnering with existing academies.”
“Oh~ that’s a great idea?”
“Plus, you said you have an entertainment division too. It doesn’t seem like a bad deal at all.”
“That’s a brilliant idea. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it myself.”
Dae-hoon’s eyes changed.
His expression was very intrigued.
“Well, that’s because our circumstances are different. So we’re doing this, right?”
“Of course, I’m in.”
Dae-hoon nods.
“Then we’re getting investment.”
“How much are you thinking?”
Dae-hoon asked.
I held up all ten fingers.
“1 billion won? That much… hmm… I’ll have to put in some money myself.”
Dae-hoon made a calculating expression for a moment before answering.
“1 billion won? What can you do with that?”
“10 trillion. I’m investing 10 trillion won.”
“What? 10 trillion?”
Dae-hoon’s mouth fell open.
Dae-hoon simply stared at me in shock.
*******
Incheon Yeongjong Island Hotel.
The same hotel where I had met Mao Qin.
At the same table, I was now meeting Zhang Tian.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Zhang Tian.”
“It’s my first time meeting you. I’m Alex.”
Zhang Tian greeted me like a good person.
“Thank you for making time despite being busy.”
“But I wonder what business you wanted to see me about?”
I got straight to the point.
No time for beating around the bush or power plays.
Perhaps not expecting my directness, Zhang Tian hesitated slightly.
Why would he be surprised by something like this?
Honestly, it’s obvious even without looking.
He came to ask me to take back the returned goods.
To ask if I could just accept them without returning them.
“Hmm… it seems there was a slight problem with the goods delivered last time. I apologize.”
“Thank you for understanding. We do have rather stringent standards, I’ll admit. Korean consumers have exceptionally high expectations, you see. But knowing you’re willing to accommodate that puts my mind at ease.”
Wait? He’s apologizing?
That’s strange.
This isn’t the Triad Society I know.
Has the world changed so much that even the Triad Society has transformed?
“If there are standards, meeting them is only natural.”
Zhang Tian responded as though he were a man of principle.
But what came next was shocking.
“That’s why I’d like you to adjust those standards a bit. Better yet, revise the entire contract.”
“I’m sorry? What did you say?”
I was taken aback.
As expected of a boss—his scale of thinking is massive.
This isn’t about receiving one shipment that meets the criteria. He’s trying to change the standards altogether.
Truly impressive.
It’s like the exam cutoff is sixty points, but instead of studying to score sixty, he wants to lower the threshold to forty. Or maybe thirty.
A plan worthy of a Triad Society boss.
He’s changing the game itself.
I can’t meet your standards, so you meet mine instead.
Brilliant.
This is suddenly getting interesting.
“How exactly? How are you planning to change it?”
“I brought a new contract with me.”
Zhang Tian pulled out the contract.
I reviewed it carefully, page by page.
The legal team will examine the details, but even at a glance, I can see it’s a mess.
All the toxic clauses we’d hidden and secured—he’d flipped them around and applied them to us instead.
No returns without consent, advance payments required.
Returns must be submitted in writing, and anything exceeding forty-eight hours is deemed inspection-complete. And so on.
It was packed with countless toxic clauses.
After reading through it, I let out a hollow laugh.
“Haha. You actually think I’d agree to this?”
“Wouldn’t it be better if we found common ground?”
“We have no reason whatsoever to modify this contract.”
I made my refusal crystal clear.
“Aren’t we partners? Companions who should walk this path together?”
Zhang Tian remained composed.
He seemed convinced I would sign this contract.
“Then pay the penalty, terminate the contract, and we’ll negotiate a new one. Of course, not with this version.”
I spoke while looking at the contract lying bare on the table.
Zhang Tian’s eyes sharpened.
“Don’t do that. Just proceed with it. Isn’t it good for both of us?”
“But there’s nothing good for us. What’s good about this?”
I felt a slight irritation rising.
If they were going to push something mediocre on me, at least they should push something decent.
But this was outright insulting—bringing a contract and demanding I sign it without any real offer.
Yet Zhang Tian remained composed.
As if he had something to rely on.
“The Dae-hoon Faction can receive quality goods. You can make substantial profits from them. That should be more than enough.”
“That’s the thing. That’s only possible if the goods you send are actually quality. But right now, everything is defective. And you’re asking me to sign a contract accepting all of it without question. Is that how a partner should speak? Even jokes have limits before people stop accepting them.”
My voice rose slightly.
“A joke?”
“Yes, a joke. If you were serious about this, the problem would be far more severe. If you really came here to alter the contract, honestly, I’d be deeply disappointed. But wait—don’t misunderstand. I’m not disappointed in you. I’m disappointed in myself for failing to recognize a supplier of this caliber and making contact with them in the first place.”
I could see anger flashing across Zhang Tian’s face.
“I prefer to resolve matters through dialogue and would like to conclude this conversation peacefully. But if our discussion continues to go nowhere, I may have to resort to more… forceful methods.”
“Forceful methods? Such as?”
“I lack the eloquence to explain such things in detail. Wouldn’t it be faster for you to experience them firsthand?”
Zhang Tian laughed with supreme confidence.
“Hmm… Aren’t you the representative of Zhong Lian Tong Da Trading?”
“That’s correct.”
“Yet your conduct resembles that of a Triad Society chairman.”
“Cough.”
Zhang Tian was taken aback.
“So let’s reach an agreement at a mutually beneficial point, shall we? With smiles and goodwill.”
Did he think he held the upper hand?
Did he believe that in terms of raw force and violence, he possessed the greatest power in this room?
After I mentioned resolving matters through violence, Zhang Tian’s expression became noticeably more relaxed.
It seemed he was determined to extract my signature on the contract by force if necessary.
“I have no intention of altering the contract.”
I stated this clearly.
“That’s precisely why I’m suggesting we negotiate.”
Zhang Tian spoke with an air of absolute confidence.
At that, my irritation erupted.
“What is it with you Chinese bastards? Why can’t you understand simple words?”
“What?”
Veins bulged visibly on Zhang Tian’s forehead.
“We’ve already agreed on everything. The contract is written, signed and sealed. Forty-two lawyers were attached to drafting this thing. And you waltz in here demanding to change the terms out of nowhere. Without even a proper reason. Damn it. At least bring something plausible. What does ‘goodwill’ even mean? You shameless bastards.”
“Watch your tongue. You might regret it.”
“You watch yourself. This isn’t Hong Kong where you can do whatever you please. This isn’t Cambodia where you run the show.”
“What?”
“Did you think I was playing along with you without knowing you’re a Triad Society chairman?”
Zhang Tian’s eyes widened in shock.
“You knew?”
“Then you signed a contract without knowing this? You didn’t even prepare that much?”
Startled by my words, Zhang Tian quickly regained his composure.
“Hahaha. So you know me—this conversation will be easier. Fine, I’m the chairman of the Triad Society. So stamp the contract. That’ll be good for you. Or I could cut off your fingers and use them to stamp it instead.”
“Hehehehe. I’ve heard that line plenty of times before.”
“What??”
“I used to threaten kids with that two years ago. Looks like you’re a bit behind the times? Study up on current trends.”
“This bastard’s getting cocky. Cut off his fingers.”
Zhang Tian barked the order at the bodyguard standing behind him.
At Zhang Tian’s command, his bodyguards moved forward.
As they advanced, Scott, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, rose and stepped in front of me.
“Move.”
I told Scott to get out of the way.
“It’s dangerous, sir.”
Scott answered, trying to look cool.
But it was genuinely inconvenient.
“You’re just making this more awkward. Move.”
At my words, Scott stepped aside with one foot.
But he didn’t retreat fully.
I pulled a gun from my inventory and fired at the thighs of the men rushing to subdue me.
Pfft. Pfft. Pfft.
The silenced gun made barely a sound as it pierced through their thighs.
Aaah.
The bodyguards, letting out brief screams, collapsed to the floor without taking two more steps.
Zhang Tian’s expression was priceless.
He looked like he’d seen something he shouldn’t have.
Well, seeing a gun in South Korea would shock anyone.
“… A gun…”
“Did you really think I’d come here without something like this? You’re unprepared as hell.”
I offered some advice to the bewildered Zhang Tian.
“And you shouldn’t be bickering over a contract right now.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Zhang Tian asked, looking genuinely clueless.
“Your factories have been completely cleaned out.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Why are you asking me about your factories? Call and ask yourself.”
Zhang Tian picked up his phone, eyeing me with suspicion.
As I watched Zhang Tian, I recalled what had happened recently.
.
.
.
“Brother, it’s been a while.”
“Little brother, it has been. How have you been?”
Wei Zhonglin, whom I hadn’t spoken to in some time.
“I’ve been well, thank you. And I’m grateful you took such good care of Geun-su’s honeymoon last time. He was deeply moved. He kept saying Wei Zhonglin is the best!”
“Oh, it was nothing special. I’m just glad he was happy.”
Wei Zhonglin seemed pleased that it was no big deal.
“But the reason I called today is to voice some disappointment.”
“Disappointment? What’s wrong?”
“To be honest, I’m quite disappointed in you, brother.”
“Disappointed?”
Wei Zhonglin expressed confusion at this unexpected word.
“Yes. Disappointed.”
“What do you mean? Explain it to me in detail. I need to understand before I can defend myself.”
I told Wei Zhonglin about Assand.
“You know I’m trusting you and going exclusive with Assand in China, right?”
“Of course I know. I’m grateful for it.”
“I keep receiving inquiries from Japan, Russia, China, and Europe, but we consistently trade only with China. I’ve kept that promise faithfully, yet Assand is being distributed in large quantities throughout South Korea?”
“What? That can’t be right. Do you know how thoroughly I monitor the factory?”
Wei Zhonglin spoke in a tone of disbelief.
“I wouldn’t know about that. I simply trusted you, but now that trust feels like it’s being betrayed, and I’m deeply disappointed.”
My firm tone prompted Wei Zhonglin to continue making excuses.
“No. No. The system couldn’t allow this. This is truly a misunderstanding.”
“Look at this.”
I sent him a photograph.
It was a photo of the Assand that Mao Qin had brought for delivery last time.
It would be difficult to distinguish from just a photo anyway.
“Gasp···”
Wei Zhonglin was startled upon seeing the photograph.
A considerable quantity of Assand was in South Korea.
“For reference, I took this photo myself. This is Incheon. When I saw it, I was shocked and confiscated and destroyed all of it, but I’m truly very disappointed.”
Wei Zhonglin became visibly anxious at this unexpected development.
He seemed worried I might suspend Assand exports out of anger.
Or perhaps he feared I might export not just to China but to other countries as well.
“Little brother, could you give me a little time? I’ll look into this right away and call you back.”
“But brother.”
“Yes?”
“Do you have an Assand Factory in Cambodia as well?”
“Cambodia? We don’t have one there.”
“Wait, this cargo came from Cambodia? Did it circle back to Cambodia?”
“Cambodia?”
Wei Zhonglin spoke urgently, as if something had just occurred to him.
“Brother, wait a moment. Let me get a grasp of the situation and I’ll fill you in.”
“Understood.”
Perfect.
This was enough.
Sure enough, the next day he came to me thanking me profusely after locating the counterfeit factory.
He said the Cambodian military, police, and the Ministry of State Security would jointly raid the factory.
The raid was happening right now.
The factory was likely burning to the ground at this very moment.
All those involved would be arrested and punished under Chinese law.
Technically it shouldn’t happen, but China could make it happen.
No one was better at insisting on their version of events than China.
.
.
.
I watched Zhang Tian on the other end of the line, beyond panic and utterly bewildered.
Everything he was hearing through the phone would be grim news.
The factory burning, his Organization Members being arrested,
the massive Triad Society collapsing—all of it reaching him through that phone line.
To Zhang Tian in that state, I asked quietly.
“Chairman, do you still want to change the contract terms?”
“What?”
Zhang Tian, collecting his thoughts for a moment, asked back.
“From the beginning?”
“Of course.”
“Ha… I fell for it completely.”
“I didn’t expect you to sacrifice even your branch leaders.”
“Hahahahaha. Ahahahahaha. Kahahahahaha.”
Zhang Tian began laughing like a madman.
“Ahahaha. I, Zhang Tian, got played perfectly. I was the one who got played.”
“Now that you’ve had your laugh, let’s settle accounts.”
“Settle accounts?”
“The Triad Society in ruins is such a waste. Hand it over to me. I’ll pay you well for it.”
“The Triad Society isn’t something you sell.”
Zhang Tian clung to his last shred of pride.
“You’re right. The Triad Society isn’t sold—it’s taken.”
At my words, Zhang Tian’s face drained of all color.
Through the Inventory, I had become a power broker in the black market.
160 – Zhang Tian
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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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