Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 167

167. The Most Splendid Wedding in the World (4)

Jeon Doo-ho glared coldly at Tae-soo.

“That’s going too far with the jokes.”

Tae-soo chuckled and shrugged.

He neither acknowledged it as a joke nor denied it.

Instead, Tae-soo said something else.

“Which side is the insurance?”

Tae-soo’s words pierced Jeon Doo-ho’s heart.

“Cha Gi-beom is trash in many ways, but he has one advantage. He’s loyal to the President. That’s how he snagged the position of Chief of the Security Service.”

“Loyalty, a very admirable word. Isn’t that the word you used to pledge to the President?”

Jeon Doo-ho bit his lip.

Jeon Doo-ho also rose to this position by guaranteeing his loyalty to Park Jeong-hwan.

The position of Chief of the Security Service, whom Park Jeong-hwan trusts most to protect him closely.

And the position of the head of the Oseonghui [a secret society or influential group], whom he trusts to monitor the military, the force Park Jeong-hwan fears most.

All were positions obtained through deep-rooted loyalty to Park Jeong-hwan.

‘But I’ve had a change of heart. There’s no guarantee Cha Gi-beom won’t change his mind too.’

For the first time, doubt sprouted.

Doubt that Cha Gi-beom might be thinking differently.

And if Han Cheong-ho knew that and incited it…

‘With Han Cheong-ho’s skills, Cha Gi-beom might have been swayed.’

Jeon Doo-ho’s mind began to race.

‘Could it be that Cha Gi-beom, like me, harbors great ambitions for Park Jeong-hwan’s position?’

The position of the country’s top leader is only one.

Even if the chairman of the Taeyang Group is young, it’s not a position to be mentioned carelessly.

Tae-soo slyly added a word.

“In the Presidential Security Service, in the Capital Defense Command that Cha Gi-beom can control, why were Oseonghui members singled out in these two places?”

They were picked out very precisely.

“Isn’t it strange? How did Cha Gi-beom manage to pick out only Oseonghui members to deal with?”

Oseonghui members are top secret.

Even within the military, they are managed so that it is impossible to know for sure who is a member of the Oseonghui.

The tight loyalty and oaths forged within them exist openly.

‘Could it be Han Cheong-ho…’

Otherwise, how could they be identified so easily?

Doubt sprouted in Jeon Doo-ho’s heart and took root.

‘Han Cheong-ho, could he have betrayed me?’

Sparks flew from Jeon Doo-ho’s eyes.

‘If Han Cheong-ho discussed the plan with Cha Gi-beom…’

Jeon Doo-ho had bet everything on this plan.

He risked treason, smuggled weapons from the military, and infiltrated.

Moreover, he had gathered the support of Oseonghui members.

-The goal is to secure Park Jeong-hwan’s head and the identities of the ROK Army [Republic of Korea Army] generals.

The military leaders have all left their posts.

Isn’t this an opportunity that will never come again?

Taking advantage of that gap, the other Oseonghui members remaining in the military decided to quickly seize control of the military system.

Then the next regime will be in Jeon Doo-ho’s hands.

‘If Han Cheong-ho joins hands with Cha Gi-beom and informs Park Jeong-hwan of all these plans…’

Only Jeon Doo-ho takes the fall and dies.

He will lose everything without being able to do anything, with the worst charge of treason.

But what about Han Cheong-ho and Cha Gi-beom?

‘In exchange for selling me out, they will be recognized for their contributions and rise to prominence.’

He gritted his teeth.

‘If I succeed in the plan before they sell me out, what can those bastards do then?’

He becomes impatient.

But Jeon Doo-ho squeezed out his patience and tried to appear calm.

“I don’t know why you’re telling me this.”

“After understanding everything.”

Tae-soo only took a sip of champagne.

The wine was very sweet.

“Once I trust someone, I trust them to the end.”

“Once you trust someone, you trust them to the end? That doesn’t sound like something that should come out of the mouth of someone who betrays others.”

Who was it that betrayed the trust of Park Jeong-hwan, who cherished and supported him?

He was stabbed where it hurt.

Jeon Doo-ho clenched his fist tightly.

“I was going to give you a break just because of the Taeyang Group’s signboard, but you’re a hopeless case.”

“I can’t help but feel that just taking off your military uniform isn’t enough for me either.”

Tae-soo’s voice was as cold as his eyes.

“You declared war on me first when I was just minding my own business.”

“Did you think you could say such insolent things to me and still live with all your limbs intact? Get rid of that delusion.”

“Isn’t it greedy to expect to be forgiven after betraying someone?”

Tae-soo placed the champagne glass, which he had completely emptied, on the terrace railing.

“I hope you carry that greed to the end.”

He betrayed trust because of greed.

He declared war because of greed.

He dreamed of the future because of greed.

‘Han Cheong-ho, Cha Gi-beom, Jeon Doo-ho. I’m looking forward to the end of those entangled in betrayal.’

Of course, the end won’t be good.

Tae-soo turned his back.

Jeon Doo-ho said, looking at Tae-soo’s back.

“The reason for sowing discord is obvious. Kang Tae-soo, are you afraid of me?”

“Not at all.”

Tae-soo answered with his back turned.

“You’re the one who’s afraid. Your hands have been shaking since a while ago.”

Jeon Doo-ho clenched his fist tightly.

He gritted his teeth.

‘Kang Tae-soo!’

Tae-soo left.

But Jeon Doo-ho couldn’t leave the terrace.

He pretended to be calm in front of Tae-soo, but inside his heart, a storm was raging.

‘Han Cheong-ho, how dare you have other thoughts behind my back? And with Cha Gi-beom?’

He picked up the wine glass and smashed it to pieces.

But he still couldn’t relieve his anger.

Just then, an Oseonghui member came to look for Jeon Doo-ho.

Jeon Doo-ho growled.

“Gather all the Oseonghui members in one room.”

He couldn’t wait until late at night.

“He’s in a hurry.”

The Oseonghui member’s eyes gleamed.

* * *

The 7th-floor hall of the Cheongil Hotel.

It is a hall for adults where high-ranking figures from the political and business world gather to enjoy food and drinks and have conversations.

Kim Kwang-rok, who was waiting in the hallway of the hall, whispered something.

“The preparations are complete.”

It was a satisfactory answer.

Cha Gi-beom found Tae-soo entering the hall.

“The President is waiting for you. Go in.”

“Is it a private meeting?”

“Yes.”

The political and business figures gathered in the hall paid attention to Tae-soo.

‘After Chairman Han of Cheongil left, he didn’t let anyone in.’

‘Now that I see it, he was waiting for the chairman of the Taeyang Group.’

‘Kang Tae-soo of the Taeyang Group was chosen over Chairman Han of Samcheong, Lucky Seven, and Geumsan?’

‘Is he that important to the President?’

Park Jeong-hwan’s VIP room summons are usually done in order of importance.

Han Cheong-ho of Cheongil was the host of this wedding, so it was natural to call him first.

This was also the first time he had visited Cheongil Hotel since its completion.

‘But to call Kang Tae-soo of the Taeyang Group first.’

This was unexpected.

Kang Tae-soo’s ranking in the business world is only in the 200s.

Unofficially, he is ranked higher than that, but even so, he is not ranked first.

So naturally, their minds turned to other possibilities.

‘Earlier, the young lady seemed to be giving Chairman Kang something as a gift.’

‘Didn’t they say that the young lady only delivered that and then immediately returned to the Blue House?’

‘Could it be that the two of them are in that kind of relationship?’

‘Otherwise, there would be no reason for the President to wait for Chairman Kang and call him.’

Today is the wedding day of Park Jeong-hwan’s two close aides at Cheongil Hotel.

People followed Kang Tae-soo with curious eyes.

While famous figures from the political and business world were having vain dreams, there were people who were pale in one corner.

‘No! What about our Seo-yeon!’

Chairman Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan, and,

‘This is unbelievable! Park Jeong-hwan was aiming for Kang Tae-soo?’

President Jang Mal-dong of Jangsu Bank.

A sense of crisis struck.

* * *

The VIP room was pleasant.

There was no cigarette smoke today.

Park Jeong-hwan, a heavy smoker, was not smoking.

Tae-soo was unfamiliar with the unusual atmosphere.

‘When I came to the VIP room at Geumsan Hotel, it was always like a raccoon den with thick cigarette smoke, but what’s wrong today?’

The question was soon resolved.

Click. Click. Click. Click.

Park Jeong-hwan tapped the table with the corner of the cigarette case and glanced at Tae-soo.

“You’re late.”

“Have you been waiting long?”

“I was wondering why the person who was supposed to light my cigarette wasn’t showing up. Why is it so difficult to smoke a cigarette?”

Park Jeong-hwan smiled as he put a cigarette in his mouth.

“You don’t have a lighter.”

“…….”

The reason why it wasn’t a raccoon den with cigarette smoke was very simple.

Surprisingly, it was because he didn’t have a lighter.

I understand that a powerful person who is always used to having someone light his cigarette wouldn’t carry a lighter.

“Why didn’t you call Chief Cha?”

“He would guess why I’m waiting for you.”

Tae-soo took out a silver lighter from his pocket and lit Park Jeong-hwan’s cigarette.

It was a lighter that Park Jeong-hwan had given to Tae-soo as a gift.

Tae-soo glanced at the lighter and said.

“While we’re on the subject, I think I should ask for a cigarette [favor].”

“Hmm?”

“I’m going to return the lighter.”

Instead, he will make a request.

“Did you finally decide to use it?”

Park Jeong-hwan smiled.

“I thought I wouldn’t get it back.”

“I didn’t want to use it if I could help it.”

To be honest, he didn’t want to give it up.

“There were many people who recognized the treasure you gave me.”

Those who Park Jeong-hwan called to his side and often talked to recognized this.

Then, almost without exception, they understood the meaning well.

So Tae-soo often used it to his advantage.

Because there are things that serve their purpose just by being shown.

“I heard you carried it around like a royal decree?”

“Did you know?”

“How was it, pretending to have power?”

“It was convenient.”

“Hahaha, is that all you have to say about having power behind you?”

“It’s not my power anyway. I don’t have such greed.”

“Good.”

Park Jeong-hwan stroked his chin and smiled.

It was a very satisfactory smile.

Tae-soo sensed that he had passed the test.

“You really know how to use what you have.”

“That’s because I don’t have enough.”

Power, money, people, and strength.

It’s still far from enough.

“Do you know that Gi-beom coveted that lighter?”

He didn’t know until he eavesdropped at Daeungak [likely refers to a specific location or event].

Cha Gi-beom, who guarded Park Jeong-hwan like a stoic and expressionless machine.

That he had such intense jealousy and greed in his heart.

“I know you deliberately gave this to me.”

He realized then that Park Jeong-hwan was aiming for all of this.

“What’s the reason?”

Everything went awry because of this one thing.

The decisive thing that broke the good relationship with Cha Gi-beom was all because of Park Jeong-hwan’s scheme.

Park Jeong-hwan knew from the beginning that this would happen.

“You didn’t trust Gi-beom from the beginning. If I say that, it sounds like I’m the bad guy.”

Park Jeong-hwan exhaled cigarette smoke.

“You should have just trusted him.”

It was a meaningful statement.

“Who should I have trusted? Chief Cha? Or you, Your Excellency?”

Park Jeong-hwan, along with Han Cheong-ho, blocked Tae-soo’s bank loan and tightened his breath.

It was to tame and subdue Tae-soo.

Cha Gi-beom is the one who vowed to retaliate against Tae-soo’s Taeyang Bank after this plan is over.

It was because of jealousy and a sense of crisis.

Trust those people?

“No, you should have trusted the lighter.”

Tae-soo stared at the lighter.

-I’ll trade that for a cigarette.

-I’ll grant you any request.

That’s what they promised.

“You know that my word is heavier than me.”

The words of the country’s top leader must be heavy.

It was the dignity and pride that Park Jeong-hwan was trying to protect.

“Let’s hear what your request is.”