Chapter 142: What Is Their Secret?

The next morning.

As soon as I arrived at the office and was about to start working, the office door opened and Yun Sola walked in. After waiting for her to take her seat, I asked what had been on my mind.

“I've heard rumors that you're planning to resign. Is it true?”

“What suddenly made you so interested?”

“We joined the company at the same time, didn't we, Specialist Yun?”

“If you knew that, then why have you been so cold toward me all this time?”

“If you hadn't been personally interested in me, I wouldn't have been so wary.”

“Don't you think that's a rather pathetic excuse for treating me so coldly?”

“Haha, don't you?”

“You've probably already guessed, but yes, I've decided to resign at the end of next month.”

“So the rumors were true. May I ask what you plan to do afterward?”

“I plan to join the new investment company that Hangang Group, Korea Investment, and Bongard Investment Group are establishing together as an ordinary employee.”

“What? What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Wouldn't the conditions at Hangang Group's new investment company be much better?”

“Of course they would. But if I don't resign, I won't be able to see you anymore, Specialist Cha.”

“I knew it!”

“By the way, how did you even find out that the investment company was recruiting?”

In reality, Yun Sola had heard about it from Chairman Yoon Jongu himself last Sunday. But if she answered honestly, it might expose her true background, so she gave a different explanation.

“I happened to hear about it while talking to your younger sister on the phone.”

“You keep in touch with my sister?”

“Naturally. If you want to shoot the general, you kill his horse first.”

Just then, Support Team Leader Heo Yeongjin walked into the office, dissolving the awkward atmosphere. Even so, an uneasy feeling settled over me. Unlike usual, his footsteps felt incredibly heavy.

After acknowledging our greetings with a silent nod, he walked heavily to his desk, sat down, and let out a quiet sigh. Realizing something must have happened, I immediately turned to Yun Sola.

“Did something happen in Team Leader Heo's personal life?”

“Well... I'm not really sure.”

As the heavy silence dragged on, the greatest source of news in our Support Team, Woo Changhun, arrived at work. I immediately offered him a morning coffee and led him to the break area. Once we sat down, I carefully told him everything I had just seen.

“...Team Leader Heo looks like the sky is about to fall. Did something happen?”

“I only overheard bits and pieces myself, so don't take it too seriously.”

“I won't. Just tell me.”

“There are going to be special executive personnel appointments next month, and Team Leader Heo was on the promotion list. Judging by his expression, it looks like he didn't make the cut.”

I didn't quite understand what Woo Changhun meant. As far as I knew, executive appointments at Hangang Group normally took place at the end of the year. I cautiously asked what he thought.

“They say a lot of executives are moving to the new joint venture being established by Hangang Electronics, Endivia, Bongard Investment Group, and Korea Investment. They're making these special appointments to prepare for it.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Specialist Cha, couldn't you put in a good word for our Team Leader and help him get promoted?”

“Me?”

Completely caught off guard, I pointed at myself in surprise.

“You see Chairman Park regularly, don't you?”

“I do, but how could an ordinary employee ask him for something like that?”

“I've never once thought of you as an ordinary rookie!”

“Oh! Hearing you say that leaves me speechless.”

“By the way, when are you going to buy me that coffee?”

“Ah, right!”

Bzzz!

Just as I was about to stand up, the phone in my hand vibrated. I glanced at the screen and saw Kang Inhan, Chief Secretary, calling.

There was no doubt he was calling about the video I'd sent last night. After apologizing to Woo Changhun, I hurried out of the break area and answered.

“Hello, Secretary Kang.”

“[I've tried not to disturb you unnecessarily, but this matter is too important.]”

“How serious is it?”

“[The Chairman wants to hear the report with you present, so please come to Korea Investment as quickly as possible.]”

Yesterday Chairman Yoon Jongu had also summoned me first thing in the morning. Because of that, I'd had to leave the office without even seeing Team Leader Heo Yeongjin. If I left again today, there was no chance I'd make it back to work.

“I'll hurry, but I may end up being delayed.”

Click.

After hanging up, I hurried back to the office and asked Team Leader Heo Yeongjin for permission.

“Something urgent has come up. I need to step out.”

“Before you go, let's talk in the meeting room for a moment.”

***

Meeting Room.

Team Leader Heo Yeongjin sat down in one of the empty chairs and calmly began.

“Do you know what everyone's talking about in the company?”

“If you mean the special executive promotions, Woo Changhun just told me.”

“Good. Then you've probably already guessed what I wanted to ask you.”

“Of course. But I don't have either the authority or the ability to interfere in executive personnel appointments.”

“...I see.”

His voice sounded utterly drained. I decided to give him at least a little hope.

“But if you're willing to lower your expectations a bit, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° I can arrange for you to be promoted into a management position.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Next month, Hangang Group, Korea Investment, and Bongard Investment Group will jointly establish an investment company. The company's approved capital is fifty billion dollars, and I've already been appointed as its CEO.”

“You want to recruit me into that investment company?”

“Exactly, Team Leader.”

Heo Yeongjin's heart pounded wildly.

After all, the most influential and talked-about person throughout both Hangang Group and Korea Investment was none other than Cha Jiham. When someone like that personally invited him into a newly established company, how could he not be thrilled?

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he continued.

“Specialist Cha, thank you very much for thinking so highly of me.”

“No need to thank me. But you understand this has to remain confidential for now, don't you?”

“Of course!”

“Then may I go?”

***

Chairman's Office, Korea Investment.

After receiving permission to enter, I stepped inside and was greeted by a rather interesting sight. Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong of the National Police Agency was seated on one of the sofas.

Deciding to ask about the reason for his visit later, I gave Chairman Park Yeongil a slight bow before taking a seat.

Chairman Park spoke immediately.

“I invited Commissioner Choi because of the video you sent, Director Cha.”

“I understand.”

“We'll discuss the video later. First, what do you think of Politburo member Liu Peiqi's actions after Commissioner Choi's press conference?”

“Just as we expected, Liu Peiqi believes the gold bars were stolen by former CEO Go Yeongjun.”

I reported my entire conversation with Vice Chairman Wei Chen without hiding anything. However, Chairman Park kept interrupting with questions, making the report considerably longer.

“And who exactly is Tang Guochang?”

“The man who effectively controls the Chinese military.”

“You're saying Go Yeongjun established connections with him while hiding in China?”

“That's only our assumption. We have no concrete proof. But Liu Peiqi is convinced Go Yeongjun obtained the gold with Tang's help.”

“Hm. That works out quite well for us. Go on.”

“Liu Peiqi believes Go escaped to the Philippines with Vice Chairman Tang's assistance and plans to dispatch a pursuit team there shortly.”

“Hahaha! I can already imagine how miserable they're going to be in the Philippines.”

Chairman Park chuckled with satisfaction.

Leaving his laughter behind, I turned to Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

“Do you have any connections within the Philippine government?”

“You want me to leak information about Liu Peiqi's pursuit team to the Philippine authorities?”

There was a reason Commissioner General Choi commanded a police force of 130,000 officers. With only the slightest hint, he had already figured out several steps ahead.

“Exactly right, Commissioner.”

“I do have contacts, but we don't have any information on the pursuit team itself, do we?”

“Vice Chairman Wei Chen will provide everything.”

“Ah, in that case, it can be done.”

Commissioner General Choi nodded, showing he fully understood my plan.

At that moment, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan spoke up.

“Just to be safe, wouldn't it be better to pass the information to the Philippine government through an intermediary?”

But I had no intention of agreeing.

“Anti-government and anti-China sentiment in the Philippines is already gradually heating up. If we use Liu Peiqi's pursuit team as fuel and pour gasoline on the fire, the explosion will be enormous.”

“That makes sense.”

“Besides, Commissioner Choi certainly isn't going to hand over such valuable intelligence for free.”

“Of course not. Director Cha is absolutely right.”

Commissioner General Choi readily agreed.

I inclined my head slightly in thanks before continuing.

“Commissioner Choi will pass the information discreetly enough that we don't need to worry 'just in case.' Isn't that right, Commissioner?”

“Without a doubt.”

“And also tell the Philippine government that Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui supplied North Korean weapons to the insurgents.”

“Of course. We'll make sure they know.”

Leaving behind the Commissioner's confident reply, I turned back to Secretary Kang.

“Vice Chairman Wei Chen will monitor the pursuit team Liu Peiqi sends to the Philippines. As soon as I receive the information, I'll forward it to Commissioner Choi.”

“Agreed.”

“Chairman, if there are no further questions on that matter, I suggest we watch the video Wei Chen sent.”

Instead of answering, Chairman Park simply nodded.

Secretary Kang inserted the flash drive into the television and started the video with the remote. The screen showed several men seated around a poker table in a casino.

A moment later, Secretary Kang paused the footage on one of the men and began speaking.

“This bastard is Park Kicheol, the man who led the Leech Gang in Busan eleven years ago. He built a criminal organization that ran illegal gambling dens and distributed drugs until the police finally took it down. He was sentenced to ten years for numerous crimes and completed his sentence at the beginning of last year.”

“You're saying Park Kicheol rebuilt the Leech Gang?”

“Exactly, Chairman.”

“I see. And the people sitting with him?”

“The man to Park Kicheol's right is Cho Insu, his right-hand man and deputy boss of the Leech Gang. When the police moved in to arrest Park Kicheol, that bastard fled overseas.”

“So Cho Insu has been hiding in Macau ever since?”

“That's only our assumption for now. We'll need a more thorough investigation.”

“Do it. What about the other three?”

“They've been identified as businessmen from Busan and Seoul.”

“I see. Let's continue.”

As the video played, one detail immediately caught my attention.

I asked Secretary Kang to pause the recording again before speaking.

“Secretary Kang, about how many chips are in front of the players?”

“I didn't count exactly, but it looks like around ten million patacas' worth. Roughly 1.7 billion won.”

Leaving Secretary Kang's answer behind, I turned to Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

“What is the limit for taking foreign currency out of the country?”

“Amounts under ten thousand U.S. dollars don't have to be declared. Anything above that must be reported to customs.”

“In that case, did these players declare such enormous sums before leaving the country?”

“One moment.”

Commissioner General Choi asked Secretary Kang for the identities of the people in the video before making a phone call.

After a fairly lengthy conversation, he hung up and spoke.

“Director Cha, none of those four individuals declared large amounts of currency when leaving the country.”

“But is it really possible to smuggle that much money overseas without anyone noticing?”

“To board an international flight, everyone must pass through customs inspection.”

“Then what was their secret? How did they manage to take that much money out of the country?”