Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 175

Betrayal’s End (5)

“Weren’t you barely holding onto your lieutenant colonel position because of Jeon Doo-ho? And now you’re the Chief of the Presidential Security Service, a position Jeon Doo-ho couldn’t even dream of. Isn’t that a meteoric rise?”

Park Jeong-hwan didn’t miss the opportunity.

“The time for indulgences is over. I think you know what will happen to Kang Tae-soo and the Taeyang Group from now on.”

Park Jeong-hwan’s gaze towards Tae-soo was cold.

From the moment Han Cheong-ho was ousted, Tae-soo’s fate was already sealed.

However, he had been left alone because dealing with the traitorous bastards right in front of him was the priority.

That was why he was surprised that Tae-soo hadn’t run away.

“Will you stay on a sinking ship, or will you transfer to the strongest fleet in the world?”

Park Jeong-hwan took out another cigarette and put it in his mouth.

Then, he tossed a lighter towards Kim Kwang-rok.

“Light it.”

It was a clear demand to light his cigarette with that lighter.

Submission, and obedience.

In other words, betrayal.

“From now on, you’ll be in charge of that lighter. It’s a lighter that Cha Ki-beom couldn’t obtain even with a lifetime of effort.”

Kim Kwang-rok’s expression hardened as he received the lighter.

The more he pushed, the more relaxed Park Jeong-hwan became.

“A life and a promotion for the price of a cigarette, what an unprecedented opportunity.”

“Are you telling me to betray him now?”

“Think carefully. On a small scale, it’s saving your life, and on a large scale, it’s a decision to walk the road to guaranteed success. The price is just the insignificant life of your superior. It’s quite a bargain.”

Tae-soo was still sitting in his chair, watching everything without moving.

Even in this situation, he was smiling, beyond composure.

Kim Kwang-rok looked at Tae-soo and grinned, revealing his gums.

“You’re still laughing even after hearing this?”

“It’s just ridiculous.”

“Is that so?”

Kim Kwang-rok threw the lighter behind him.

“Fuck you. You’re underestimating people.”

Kim Kwang-rok raised his middle finger.

“You, who used to be disgusted by those who betrayed, are telling me to betray? What kind of bastard are you?”

Park Jeong-hwan frowned.

Kim Kwang-rok added the other middle finger and raised both hands.

“The most precious thing in the world is life. Anyone who doesn’t value life properly is trash.”

Tae-soo smiled even more contentedly.

The more he did, the more twisted Park Jeong-hwan’s smile became.

“You’re refusing the position of Chief of the Presidential Security Service?”

“Do I look like a kid who would follow you just because you give me candy?”

It was a lighter he wouldn’t even give to his loyal subordinates.

How could he trust someone who would give it to him on their first meeting?

How could he follow someone who doesn’t take care of his own people and tries to seduce others?

Didn’t he know the fate of Cha Ki-beom, who had been loyal?

“Look. See who’s left by your side now. No one.”

The First Lady was dead.

Chief of Staff Kim Jeong-rim had left.

Chief of Security Cha Ki-beom was dead.

Jeon Doo-ho, who had been his eyes and ears in the military, had also been dealt with.

Wasn’t Park Jeong-hwan left alone here?

Tap, tap.

Tae-soo organized the Korea-Japan agreement documents containing the secret deal.

“I’m going to reveal this to the world.”

“Kang Tae-soo!”

“Wrongs must be righted. And Korea will become an oil-producing country. I will make it happen.”

“There’s no oil!”

“That’s what you think.”

Wasn’t it oil and natural gas that China had been successfully extracting in the 21st century? [This refers to modern-day China’s efforts to extract resources from disputed territories.]

It was just that the technology was lacking, so they couldn’t extract the oil, but Tae-soo was different.

“I’ll get technical cooperation from Saudi Arabia.”

Wasn’t Saudi Arabia the world’s largest oil-producing country?

King Khalid of Saudi Arabia, and his son Rahman, were Tae-soo’s allies and friends.

He would use this oil to overcome the upcoming Second World Oil Shock [a period of major oil price increases in the late 1970s].

“What will happen if this secret deal is revealed to the world? What will the Japanese Prime Minister claim about this?”

It was a negotiation between Korea and Japan, concluded on behalf of the country.

Even if he made a secret deal with the Japanese Prime Minister on the back of a napkin, it was a personal matter.

Nothing can take precedence over a national treaty.

Even if it was a decision by the head of state.

“The Japanese Prime Minister will deny it outright. That’s the only way he can maintain his power. Park Jeong-hwan, you’ll have to take all the blame and carry the burden alone.”

“Kang Tae-soo!”

“This will be recorded in history forever. You’ll be remembered as a traitor worse than Lee Wan-yong [a Korean official who signed the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty, widely considered a national traitor].”

“No!”

No matter how much he looked down on them, the will of the people was divine.

Individuals may be insignificant, but when the people unite, no one can stop them.

That was why Park Jeong-hwan, after gaining power, risked his life for honor and face.

“I can’t let that happen even if I die! Absolutely not!”

How could he maintain this position if he was called a traitor?

He would rather die than see that.

Park Jeong-hwan lunged at Tae-soo.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Kim Kwang-rok easily subdued Park Jeong-hwan.

Park Jeong-hwan struggled with his arm twisted behind his back.

“There’s no greater disgrace to the country! If that’s revealed, Korea won’t be able to hold its head up in the world!”

“You brought disgrace to the country. Pay the price for selling off the 7th mining zone, which Korea had the rights to.”

“Kang Tae-soo, I can cover it up with power! No media or broadcaster will air your words!”

It would be buried if it wasn’t broadcasted.

And Park Jeong-hwan was an absolute power holder who could do that very easily.

But Tae-soo scoffed.

“Is that so? Go ahead and try. I’m curious to see how far you can silence the people’s mouths.”

That was impossible even for Park Jeong-hwan.

He couldn’t handle the flood of public anger.

But Park Jeong-hwan had to shout.

Because he didn’t want to give in.

“I’m warning you for the last time! Kang Tae-soo, put down that document and leave. Then I’ll spare your life!”

“I told you from the beginning. If I was going to give in to threats, I wouldn’t have brought it in the first place.”

Tae-soo got up from his chair and turned his back.

“Those who betrayed you paid the price with their lives. Then what price will a traitor who betrayed his country and people pay?”

Tae-soo drove the wedge.

“Even if it’s not me, you won’t die peacefully. You’ll die disgracefully, and then you’ll be recorded as a traitor in history forever. Your descendants will live without being able to hold their heads up high.”

“Stop!”

Thud.

Park Jeong-hwan knelt down.

Kim Kwang-rok couldn’t stop him from kneeling even with his arm twisted behind his back.

“I promise. There will be no further disadvantages to you and the Taeyang Group.”

Park Jeong-hwan quickly added.

“I was wrong. Yes, I may have prematurely misjudged that there was no oil. But all of that was for the sake of the country!”

Tae-soo’s footsteps stopped abruptly.

But he didn’t turn around.

“I will nullify the Korea-Japan agreement and ensure that Korea has the rights to the 7th mining zone. And I will extract the oil. I’ll leave that to the Taeyang Group. So please, that document……!”

Park Jeong-hwan took a long, deep breath because he was suffocating.

“Just let me off the hook this once. I will never forget this favor.”

“Favor?”

Would anyone not press charges and offer to repay a favor after their vault was robbed?

Park Jeong-hwan wasn’t an idiot.

And Tae-soo wasn’t naive enough to believe all of that.

“If you overcome this crisis, will you eliminate me, the Japanese Prime Minister, or will you keep your word as the supreme leader? One thing is clear.”

Tae-soo took out the document from his pocket and waved it.

Still with his back turned, only the document waved over Tae-soo’s shoulder.

“You’ll get rid of this document first to destroy the evidence. It’s a shame that things have turned out this way.”

How could Tae-soo not know his shallow intentions?

He had crossed the point of no return with Park Jeong-hwan.

Nothing could stop Tae-soo’s steps.

“Goodbye.”

“Kang Tae-soo!”

Park Jeong-hwan hurriedly tried to follow, but Kim Kwang-rok didn’t let him go.

Taeyang Group security guards surrounded Tae-soo.

Instead of focusing on the defense line that had occupied the 7th floor hall of the Cheongil Hotel, they focused on Tae-soo’s personal defense.

“We’ll clear the way for the Chairman.”

“Everyone stick close.”

“Defend thoroughly.”

Watching that, Park Jeong-hwan remained in the VIP room and wailed.

“Come back! Kang Tae-soo, didn’t I promise! I said I was wrong! Come back right now!”

Kim Kwang-rok looked down at that scene with cold eyes.

Park Jeong-hwan couldn’t overcome Kim Kwang-rok’s strength and was just struggling.

It was then.

“Chairman Kang!”

Kim Jae-guk ran over.

Taeyang Group security guards didn’t stop Kim Jae-guk.

Kim Jae-guk reported to Tae-soo.

“The Capital Defense Command is coming with tanks. Military transport vehicles are lined up behind them. They’re expected to arrive in 10 minutes at the earliest.”

Hearing those words, Park Jeong-hwan rejoiced greatly and laughed.

“Did you see? The rebellion will soon be quelled. Kang Tae-soo, I said it was your last chance! Kim Jae-guk!”

Kim Jae-guk, called by Park Jeong-hwan, smiled.

“Are you looking for me now? You always refused my reports, but you only desperately call for me when you need me.”

Kim Jae-guk strode towards Park Jeong-hwan.

Kim Jae-guk gestured to Kim Kwang-rok.

“You’ve done well. But can’t you yield to me?”

“Hmm?”

Kim Jae-guk looked straight at Kim Kwang-rok.

“Please. I’ll take responsibility for this. You can think of it as atonement for not properly assisting my superior.”

Kim Jae-guk pushed past Kim Kwang-rok and stood in front of Park Jeong-hwan.

“Don’t you think it’s strange? Why are the National Intelligence Service agents so quiet even though the situation is unfolding like this?”

Kim Jae-guk pointed to the decoration on the corner wall of the VIP room and said.

“The National Intelligence Service temporary situation room has been eavesdropping and recording everything that happened here. All the agents have learned about your Excellency’s treasonous acts.”

“No! Destroy all the recorded data!”

“All the recorded data has already been taken away. I’ve come to announce the end.”

Kim Jae-guk smiled.

“That’s why I was late. When I told them to take the recorded data, they all drew their guns and said they had to kill your Excellency. Is it easy to dissuade patriotic youths?”

Kim Jae-guk took out a gun from his pocket.

“I’ve come to this place representing my subordinates.”

“Kim Jae-guk, is this also betrayal?”

“Betrayal? Punishing a traitor who sold out the country is patriotism.”

Park Jeong-hwan’s face hardened.

Kim Jae-guk aimed his gun.

It was a firm gaze filled with determination.

It was a determination that no one could stop.

“If you die, the terms of the secret deal will be nullified, right? Japan agreed to claim ownership of the 7th mining zone in exchange for paying 5 billion dollars to Park Jeong-hwan personally, not to Korea.”

When Tae-soo showed him this document in the hotel room that day, Kim Jae-guk made a decision.

He would definitely deal with this traitor with his own hands.

“Kim Jae-guk!”

“There are five reasons why I have to shoot you.”

Bang-

Kim Jae-guk fired his gun.

A bullet hit Park Jeong-hwan’s chest.

But he was wearing a bulletproof vest.

Then Kim Jae-guk pointed his gun elsewhere.

To a place that the bulletproof vest couldn’t cover.

“The first is to restore liberal democracy.”

Bang-

“The second is to prevent more sacrifices from the people of this country.”

Bang-

“The third is to prevent our country from being communized.”

Bang-

“The fourth is to restore relations with foreign countries that you have ruined and promote national interests.”

The last bullet was for the head.

Bang-

“The fifth is to wash away the image of a dictatorial country and restore the honor of this country.”

Click, click.

“Ah, and lastly. This is a personal feeling.”

Park Jeong-hwan slumped down with a hole in his head.

His appearance of kneeling and falling forward was like a sinner begging for forgiveness.

“You’re a hopeless piece of trash. You were the worst fucking boss. That’s all.”

That was reason enough for Park Jeong-hwan to die.

Kim Jae-guk stretched out with a light heart.

He threw the empty gun behind him and looked for a cigarette in his pocket.

“Chief Kim.”

Tae-soo turned around and stood in front of Kim Jae-guk.