Chapter 135: I’m a Citizen of the Republic of Korea Too

As a precaution against any unforeseen circumstances, we chose a restaurant well away from the National Intelligence Service safe house.

As soon as the waiter took our order and left, NIS Director Om Giyeon spoke with curiosity.

"Director Cha, don't we need to recover the money President Go Yeongjun transferred to Politburo Member Liu Peiqi to purchase the gold bars?"

"I already demanded it back."

"Director, I just received a message from Team Leader Jeong Gwangseok. The money was returned about ten minutes ago."

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan chimed in to support me.

NIS Director Om Giyeon let out a sigh of relief before continuing.

"Whew, that's a relief. Still, it's surprising that Politburo Member Liu agreed to return the money so easily."

"President Go made it very clear that he'd cause trouble if the money wasn't returned."

"I see. By the way, what if traces of the break-in were left behind at the villa?"

"President Go questioned Mr. Liu thoroughly, and he insisted that absolutely no traces had been found."

"Then the theft of the gold bars will most likely be quietly swept under the rug."

"I think so too."

Bzzz—

At that moment, the phone lying on the table in front of Chief Secretary Kang Inhan vibrated briefly.

As though he already knew who it was, he quickly checked the message.

After exchanging several short replies, he turned toward me.

"Director, Team Leader Lee reports that, just as expected, the FBI agents are following us. However, one passenger car is still parked near the NIS safe house."

"You mean there are still FBI agents there?"

"I found that suspicious as well, so I told Team Leader Lee to investigate."

Bzzz—

A moment later, Kang Inhan's phone vibrated again.

Knowing exactly who it was, he answered immediately.

"Team Leader Lee, did you find out?"

"[There were two CIA agents inside the vehicle.]"

"How do you know they were CIA?"

"[They were part of Director Griffin's security detail when he came here.]"

NIS Director Om Giyeon already knew the FBI was watching him.

But why had the CIA started watching them as well?

If they failed to shake the CIA agents, Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol's trip to South Korea would fall apart.

While I was considering how to deal with them, Kang Inhan's conversation with Lee Hyeonsol came to an end.

"Stay on standby. I'll call you back once we've worked out a plan."

Click.

After ending the call, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan gave both Director Om and me a detailed report.

"...There weren't any CIA agents nearby until this morning."

"So they only began surveillance this afternoon?"

"I've come to the same conclusion as Director Cha. Why else would they suddenly start watching the NIS safe house?"

"Director Griffin risked his life coming to Macau for one reason—to take Deputy Director Jo back to the United States."

"I see..."

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan trailed off, as though he had realized something.

I understood perfectly well why he had hesitated.

"It seems the CIA suspects Deputy Director Jo is being sheltered by the NIS."

At that moment, NIS Director Om Giyeon joined the conversation.

"Director Cha, why would the CIA come to that conclusion?"

"The CIA mobilized its entire intelligence network to track down Deputy Director Jo, yet they couldn't find a single lead. Naturally, their suspicions shifted to the NIS."

"That's a very plausible scenario. So how do we shake the CIA?"

"I think the best option is to have Saho knock them unconscious."

"I truly can't thank you enough for helping us time and time again, Director Cha."

"I'm a citizen of the Republic of Korea too."

"Well... after hearing that, I don't have anything left to say," Director Om Giyeon replied awkwardly.

Leaving his response behind, I turned to Chief Secretary Kang Inhan.

"We'll need to offer Saho something extraordinary."

"What kind of extraordinary reward do you have in mind?"

"Offer him a bigger incentive. Increase his dates with the wild cat to two."

"Hahaha! Understood, Director."

Chuckling softly, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan stood up and left.

After watching him go, I continued speaking with Director Om.

"To completely deceive the American government, we need to divide the escape operation from Macau into two phases."

"How so?"

"The moment Saho knocks out the CIA agents, Deputy Director Jo's group should leave the NIS safe house. Then they'll head to the rendezvous point and board the submarine."

"And what's the second phase?"

Unable to contain his curiosity, Director Om leaned forward.

"You'll finish dinner at your own pace before returning to the NIS safe house. At the appointed time, you'll leave again together with President Go Yeongjun and Director Qin Hao for the rendezvous point."

"Why move those two later?"

"The American authorities already know you'll eventually have to take both of them back to our country."

"Of course! Why didn't I think of that?"

"It would also be wise to change the rendezvous point in case the worst happens."

"Yes, that would be much safer."

"The NIS agents involved in the first phase must return to the safe house before the second phase begins."

"So the Americans won't become suspicious?"

Director Om Giyeon was remarkably quick-witted—far more so than most people.

"Exactly, Director."

At that moment, Chief Secretary Kang ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) Inhan returned after speaking with Team Leader Jeong Gwangseok.

However, something was clearly wrong. His face looked as though he had just eaten an unripe persimmon.

I immediately asked what had happened.

"Saho refused the offer of two dates with the wild cat."

My first thought was:

This is bad.

If Saho didn't deal with the CIA agents, Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol would never make it safely to our country.

Quickly coming up with another plan, I called Team Leader Jeong Gwangseok.

"[Director.]"

"Offer Saho the chance to live together with the wild cat."

"[Please wait a moment.]"

A short while later, Jeong Gwangseok answered in an excited voice.

"[Director, Saho agreed!]"

"Whew... Thank goodness."

"[Haha, exactly! Saho can hardly wait to get started, so I'll hang up now.]"

Click.

After ending the call, I turned toward Director Om.

"Did you hear the reward I promised Saho?"

"Oh, good grief..."

Director Om Giyeon sighed softly while rolling his eyes toward the ceiling.

***

Team Leader Packerson and CIA Agent Max kept a close watch on the NIS safe house.

"Chief, what exactly is Director Griffin planning?"

Packerson recalled the day's events.

Earlier that afternoon, he and his team had been searching for Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol in Zhuhai, the city bordering Macau.

Then, right in the middle of the operation, Director Eddie Griffin had ordered them to establish surveillance on the NIS safe house.

When Packerson asked why, Griffin merely said he'd explain later before hanging up.

"How should I know?"

"I'm convinced the NIS secretly extracted Deputy Director Jo and is hiding him in that safe house."

Packerson decided the theory made sense.

They had even used reconnaissance satellites to locate Jo Ilcheol's vehicle, yet they hadn't found a thing.

"Let's assume you're right, Max. But when did the NIS manage to intercept him?"

"Director Qin Hao, who's currently being held by the NIS, knows the personal phone number of his subordinate, Major General Jeong Sanhak."

"So you're saying they persuaded him over the phone?"

Bang!

Something suddenly crashed onto the roof of the car.

Agent Max, who was sitting behind the wheel, opened the door and stepped outside to investigate.

Watching him, Packerson almost forgot to breathe.

Max collapsed to the ground like a felled tree.

Thinking they were under sniper attack, Packerson immediately drew his pistol.

But the instant he moved to slam the driver's door shut, a dark shadow flew into the vehicle.

Crack!

A perfectly placed strike to his temple from the dark figure instantly plunged Packerson into unconsciousness.

***

NIS Director Om Giyeon anxiously awaited a call from Team Leader Jeong Gwangseok.

He was so nervous that he hadn't touched a single dish on the table.

Cha Jiham, on the other hand, was enjoying the meal and eating with great enthusiasm.

"Director Cha, aren't you worried at all?"

"I have absolute faith in Jeong Gwangseok's leadership and in Saho's physical abilities."

"Even monkeys fall out of trees."

"That depends on the monkey."

"Well... hearing you say that does make me feel a little better."

Bzzz—

At that very moment, the phone lying on the table began vibrating.

Mindful of the FBI agents following us nearby, I calmly answered it.

"Team Leader Jeong, how did it go?"

"[Saho dealt with the CIA agents perfectly.]"

"Please thank Saho for his excellent work."

Click.

The moment I ended the call, Director Om eagerly asked,

"How did the operation go?"

"We can begin Phase One."

"Hahaha!"

Chuckling with satisfaction, Director Om dialed a number, gave a brief instruction, and ended the call.

"Well then, shall we finally enjoy our dinner?"

While we ate and chatted casually, another thought occurred to me.

"Director, make absolutely certain that President Go Yeongjun never crosses paths with Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol's group."

"Consider it done."

"Haha, understood."

"Director Cha, when do you plan to return to Korea?"

"I'm planning to leave tomorrow afternoon, though the situation may require some flexibility."

"But you've already accomplished every objective of your trip to Macau."

"That's true, but Vice Chairman Wei Chen invited me to lunch."

Bzzz—

At that moment, Director Om Giyeon's phone vibrated across the table.

Remembering the nearby FBI agents, he answered without the slightest haste.

"How did it go?"

"[Deputy Director Jo's group has safely boarded the submarine.]"

"Excellent work. It's time to begin Phase Two, so return to the NIS safe house immediately."

After exchanging a few more words, Director Om ended the call.

He casually set his phone back on the table before turning to me.

"It looks like it's time for me to get going as well. See you back home!"

***

After saying goodbye to NIS Director Om Giyeon, I returned to my room.

The moment I opened the door, Saho leaped gracefully into my arms.

As I stroked his head, I spoke to Team Leader Jeong Gwangseok.

"I'd like to hear exactly how Saho dealt with the CIA agents."

"Saho quietly approached their car, climbed onto the roof, and jumped down with his full weight."

Jeong Gwangseok described in detail how Saho had taken down the CIA agents.

"...About five minutes later, the van carrying Deputy Director Jo's group left the NIS safe house."

"The CIA agents didn't realize Saho was the one who knocked them out, did they?"

"There weren't any streetlights where they had parked, so they never saw what hit them."

"That's good. By the way, where's Team Leader Lee?"

"He's accompanying President Go Yeongjun to the submarine together with the NIS agents."

"Why go to all that trouble?"

"I asked him the same thing, but he insisted it was his duty to personally see President Go safely back to our country."

Bzzz—

At that moment, the phone in Chief Secretary Kang Inhan's hand began vibrating.

After checking the caller ID and confirming it was Team Leader Lee, he answered.

Following a brief conversation, he hung up and reported,

"Director, the submarine carrying Director Om has just departed."

At that very moment, every objective of our Macau mission had been accomplished flawlessly.