Genius Grandson Of The Loan Shark King

Ban Jangwoo’s story was long.

“When I was serving as ambassador to China, something happened. As usual...”

I said nothing and simply listened.

“There was no other way. I... I...”

After hearing everything, I had no choice but to let out a slow breath.

“That was the best option?”

“I... I...”

“No. What’s the point of saying that now?”

Ban Jangwoo’s rambling explanation was this:

One evening, like any other, he had been entertained by high-ranking Chinese officials at a drinking party.

When he woke up in the hotel the next morning, there was a dead woman lying beside him.

He had no idea what had happened, what method had been used, or what he had done.

There were clear handprints around her neck. He had no memory of the previous night.

Panicking, he contacted a close high-level official for help. With that man’s assistance, the incident was buried.

From that moment on, however, China had him on a leash.

“Didn’t you have diplomatic immunity? You could have used it to leave China first.”

“That...”

“Of course immunity isn’t absolute. And diplomatic ties with China hadn’t been established that long at the time. Even if you had left China, you would’ve had to face charges in Korea. So was that it? For your own safety, you chose to become China’s dog?”

“I had to live. I... I...”

Diplomats are granted immunity. But it is not absolute.

Ban Jangwoo had stood at the center of power since the military regime. After taking off his uniform, he had oddly chosen the path of diplomacy.

Perhaps that made it even harder for him to give up what he had accumulated.

“Have ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ you been spying for China ever since?”

He shook his head.

“No. After that, nothing happened for a long time. But the moment I became National Security Advisor, they threatened me. If I didn’t do as they instructed...”

His voice trailed off.

China had not used him immediately after acquiring leverage.

If he had begun passing information right away, traces would inevitably have remained.

He might never have risen to the position of National Security Advisor.

‘They fished well.’

They waited until he occupied a position that could provide critical intelligence, then exploited his weakness.

“Please don’t tell the President. I’ll simply... resign.”

I narrowed my eyes at the sight of Ban Jangwoo thinking only of his own safety until the very end.

“Advisor Ban. Stop talking nonsense and answer the questions.”

“I’ll tell you everything. So...”

Chief Ma suddenly kicked him in the chest.

It wasn’t a powerful kick, but Ban Jangwoo’s aging body couldn’t withstand it.

Chief Ma pressed his foot against Ban Jangwoo’s chest and said calmly,

“Answer the question.”

Ban Jangwoo gasped.

“A–All right.”

Chief Ma lifted his foot and stepped back behind me.

Ban Jangwoo staggered upright.

“How did you pass the information? You met the Chinese ambassador frequently. Did you use him?”

He shook his head.

“No. The ambassador knows nothing. Those meetings were to ease diplomatic tensions this time.”

I nodded.

“Then how?”

“There’s a restaurant in Yeouido called Dongmyeongju.”

“Dongmyeongju? The Chinese restaurant in Yeouido?”

“Yes. It’s an organization under China’s Ministry of State Security.”

I checked his file again.

He had met there periodically. But the individuals listed were lawmakers or government officials.

“Are they all accomplices then?”

“No. I met the staff separately and handed over the information. The people I scheduled official meetings with knew nothing. Those meetings were just trees to hide the forest.”

I had used Dongmyeongju several times myself.

Never once had I imagined it was tied to China’s Ministry of State Security.

“Insane.”

Dongmyeongju was a famous high-end restaurant in Yeouido. Politicians and business elites frequented it.

I turned to Chief Ma.

“Investigate Dongmyeongju immediately. I want a list of all employees and their movements.”

“Yes. I’ll contact them now.”

Chief Ma stepped out with his phone.

“Since when?”

“Since I became National Security Advisor. From that point on, I passed them information regularly.”

“...So that’s how the Chinese government knew everything our government was doing. Because of you.”

It meant he had been leaking information for over a year.

Intelligence agencies everywhere send spies into foreign nations.

Our own country deploys black agents from the National Intelligence Service across the globe.

“You won’t be stepping down quietly. You’ll lose your honor, your position—everything.”

“President Kim Muhyuk. Please bury this quietly. I’ll extract information from China in return.”

“On what basis? With your weakness in their hands, what could you possibly do?”

“No. That’s precisely why they trust me more.”

I looked down coldly at the groveling man.

“Who holds your leash?”

“Xu Yongyue. He’s currently Minister of State Security.”

I knew who Xu Yongyue was. A loyal subordinate of Luo Gan.

So Luo Gan was involved in this as well.

“No. Even if you pass false information, Xu Yongyue won’t trust you. It would be better to make this incident public and pressure China.”

“President Kim, I...”

“When you betrayed us, did you not imagine this day would come? You served as China’s dog for your own survival. And now you expect anyone to believe you can become a double agent? The President will decide your fate.”

“...”

I continued questioning him.

Ban Jangwoo, desperate to live, told me everything he knew.

He did not know why China had escalated this situation.

There was nothing more to extract from him.

I took out my phone and made a call.

It rang only a few times.

— President Kim. What is it at this hour?

“Mr. President. The Senior Secretary for Public Relations, the National Security Advisor, and the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs are currently detained.”

— What? What are you saying?

Yoon Changho raised his voice in shock.

— You detained three senior secretaries? President Kim, how could you escalate things like this? Were they Chinese spies?

“There’s a high probability that they are. We don’t have conclusive evidence yet. Time was pressing. I had no choice.”

— You...

“China has already begun attacking Joongwoo Group and the Chinese companies I invested in.”

— I received the report. All of Joongwoo Group’s operations have halted.

“Yes. I have no intention of waiting any longer. I regret having to use such harsh measures.”

— ...Was it truly necessary?

“We don’t have the luxury of time. This was the best option. None of the three will be reporting to work tomorrow. I wanted you to hear it from me first.”

Silence followed.

— ...Are you saying all three are spies? Even Woo Youngsik?

“Not confirmed yet. But he is suspicious. Ban Jangwoo’s guilt, however, is confirmed.” ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

— The National Security Advisor... a spy? Is that true?

“Yes. He confessed. He’s been passing information to China since taking office.”

— ...It seems I have poor judgment in people.

His voice lost strength.

— Is he there?

“Yes.”

— Let me speak to him.

“Are you certain?”

— I am.

His voice was heavy.

I handed the phone to Ban Jangwoo. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

“Mr. President.”

“...Mr. President.”

— Hearing your voice makes it even more absurd.

Ban Jangwoo trembled.

“I–I’m sorry. I lost my mind...”

— Yes, you must have. Otherwise you wouldn’t have done this. Spare me the obvious. No—don’t speak at all.

“...”

— You’ve worked hard all these years. Make sure you live long enough to watch everything you built collapse.

I took the phone back.

“It’s me again, Mr. President.”

— Thank you, President Kim.

“There’s nothing to thank me for. This is retaliation against those who attacked me. I intend to respond fully.”

— Of course you do. What about Ban Jangwoo?

“I leave him to you. I’ve extracted all useful information.”

— Will you brief me in person?

“I’ll meet you separately. We should have a clearer picture within a day or two.”

— I’ll handle the secretaries. Woo Youngsik... he and I are close.

“I know.”

— ...Thank you.

“I’ll end the call.”

I glanced at the hollow-eyed Ban Jangwoo and turned to Chief Ma.

“Lock him in another room. Verify everything he stated. Can you do it within a day?”

“Yes.”

“Take him.”

Subordinates entered and dragged Ban Jangwoo away.

His eyes were already those of a man who had lost everything.

I stood.

“Let’s see Woo Youngsik.”

He was being held on the second floor.

When I opened the door, he was sitting on the bed facing the wall.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“No. The alcohol’s finally wearing off.”

“I see.”

I brought a chair and sat across from him.

“Ban Jangwoo was indeed a Chinese spy.”

“I never would have guessed.”

“That doesn’t clear you. There may be more than one spy.”

“...I understand what you’re implying. But it’s not me.”

“Then explain.”

He let out a long sigh.

“Does the President know about this?”

“I just informed him. I told him the three of you wouldn’t be reporting to work tomorrow. I told him Ban Jangwoo was a Chinese spy.”

Woo Youngsik nodded darkly.

“He must have been shocked that I’m here at all.”

“He was more shaken by your suspicious actions than by Ban Jangwoo’s betrayal.”

“...Yoon Changho trusted me deeply.”

He muttered the President’s name quietly.

“Now speak.”

He hesitated.

“Can you keep a secret?”

“If it’s the truth. If you lie, I won’t forgive you.”

After a pause, he spoke.

“I have a daughter in China.”

“A daughter? As far as I know, you have two sons.”

“She’s an illegitimate child. The Chinese government knows.”

“...So you served as China’s dog to protect her?”

“No. They made an offer. I refused.”

“Then she could be in danger. You refused knowing that?”

He shook his head.

The next words were shocking.

“My daughter’s mother is a member of the highest leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. She won’t be in danger.”