Chapter 179: An Operation Completed in 10 Seconds

After a brief conversation with Vice Chairman Wei Chen, I hung up.

Vice President Cayman, who had been listening attentively the entire time, immediately turned to me.

“Department Head Cha, can we participate in the operation to capture Politburo member Liu Peiqi?”

“I’m very sorry, but only employees of our company can participate in this operation.”

“I’d like to know why.”

“Have you read the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms?”

“Yes, I have.”

“Then it’ll be easier for you to understand. In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, there’s an episode where the dead Zhuge Liang defeats the living Sima Zhong. This time, I plan to use that exact strategy.”

“By the living Sima Zhong, I assume you mean Liu Peiqi. Then who is the dead Zhuge Liang?”

“Former company head Go Yeongjun, who has close ties to Liu Peiqi.”

To make it easier for Vice President Cayman to understand, I briefly explained the nature of the relationship between Liu Peiqi and Go Yeongjun.

“Liu Peiqi is convinced that Go Yeongjun fled to the Philippines. He plans to send a capture team there soon to apprehend him.”

“Oh, so that’s what happened between them?”

“I plan to make it look as though Liu Peiqi was captured by men sent by Go Yeongjun.”

“But to pull that off, you’ll need a pretext Liu Peiqi can’t help but believe.”

“I already have something in mind.”

“Would you mind telling me what kind of pretext?”

“When the time comes, you’ll find out naturally.”

Disappointment was clearly written across Vice President Cayman’s face, but as an experienced CIA agent, he quickly composed himself and nodded in understanding.

“I see what you mean.”

“Have you figured out why I don’t want CIA agents involved in the operation to capture Liu Peiqi?”

“I assume it’s because of our large builds.”

In truth, I had excluded them simply because I didn’t want to hand the United States the information I expected to obtain while interrogating Liu Peiqi.

Contrary to my expectations, however, Cayman came up with an utterly ridiculous assumption.

Still, I had no desire whatsoever to correct him.

“You’re absolutely right.”

After finishing my conversation with Vice President Cayman, I turned to Team Leader Seo Donghun.

“Team Leader Seo, you’ll take charge of the operation to capture Liu Peiqi.”

“Me?”

As if he hadn’t expected that at all, Seo Donghun pointed at himself in surprise.

“You’re the only one among us who speaks Chinese fluently.”

“Now that I think about it, you’re right.”

“Now listen carefully to the operation plan.”

“Wait a second.”

Not quite understanding what he was doing, I stared intently at him.

He took out his phone, pressed the record button, and said with an embarrassed expression,

“Ah, it’s just that my memory isn’t the best.”

“I understand. Can I explain the plan now?”

“Yes, please.”

“You’ll take air pistols loaded with tranquilizer darts, head to the Crown Hotel, and contact the employees monitoring Liu Peiqi...”

As Seo Donghun listened carefully to Cha Jiham explain the operation plan, goosebumps ran across his skin.

If this plan could be carried out without a hitch, they would be able to obtain evidence of Liu Peiqi’s cryptocurrency transaction with Major General Lee Cheolseung.

Not only that, but if they were lucky, they might even be able to completely empty Liu Peiqi’s pockets.

Of course, that was assuming he executed the plan flawlessly.

While Seo Donghun marveled at Cha Jiham’s astonishing calculation, the explanation came to an end.

“...Once you’ve obtained the information we need from Liu Peiqi, leave the scene without being noticed. If you have any questions about the plan I just explained, ask now.”

At that moment, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan indicated that he had something to add and spoke up.

“Department Head, what if we bring Vice Chairman Tang Guochang into it to get under Liu Peiqi’s skin?”

I immediately understood why Kang Inhan had suggested it.

Liu Peiqi’s greatest rival was none other than Vice Chairman Tang Guochang.

The two were locked in a vicious struggle for a seat on the Politburo Standing Committee.

Therefore, there was a high chance Liu Peiqi would lose control and fly into a rage upon hearing his name.

Understanding Kang Inhan’s idea and then ignoring it would have been a wasted opportunity.

“Team Leader Seo, do you understand what Secretary Kang is getting at?”

“I have absolutely no idea.”

“Liu Peiqi believes Go Yeongjun stole the gold bars with Vice Chairman Tang Guochang’s help. Use that to really get on his nerves.”

“I understand what you mean. Then I’ll head to the Crown Hotel.”

Seo Donghun bowed politely to me and left the room.

After watching him leave, I gave Kang Inhan an instruction.

“Vice Chairman Wei Chen is probably waiting for a call. Explain the operation plan to him in detail.”

“Yes, understood.”

After giving a short reply, Kang Inhan picked up his phone and stepped aside.

At the same time, Vice President Cayman spoke to me.

“Department Head Cha, I have a dinner appointment, so I should get going.”

Cayman’s train of thought was completely transparent.

He was looking for an excuse to report what had happened to Director Griffin.

Since I had already seen through his intentions, there was no point in keeping him here.

“That’s a shame. We could have had dinner together.”

“I’ll try to finish dinner as quickly as possible and come back.”

“There’s really no need.”

“How could I do that?”

“Well, then I suppose it can’t be helped. Enjoy your dinner. I’ll see you later.”

As soon as Cayman hurried out, Team Leader Lee Hyeonsol smirked and cracked a lame joke.

“He ran off so fast you’d think his heels were on fire.”

“Hahaha. Excellent comparison.”

Some time later, Kang Inhan returned after finishing his conversation with Vice Chairman Wei Chen.

“What did Vice Chairman Wei say?”

“He promised to provide every possible form of assistance so there wouldn’t be any problems with the operation.”

“Excellent. We’re hungry too, so why don’t we have dinner?”

“Hahaha. Glad to hear it.”

Just in case, so that we could remain on alert, we ordered a simple meal through room service.

Ring!

After dinner, while we were resting, I received a call from National Intelligence Service Director Om Giyeon.

Guessing why he was calling, I answered without delay.

“Director Om, I’m listening.”

[Department Head Cha, I just finished watching all the footage Saho recorded. I have a couple of questions. May I ask?]

“Of course. Ask me anything.”

[Was there a particular reason the timer had to be installed today?]

“Because of Commander Kwak Taesu’s escape yesterday, Dandong is on high alert. Security is tightened at night, so it had to be installed during the day.”

[I see. And there’s no chance the bomb Saho planted will be discovered?]

“If Saho heard you say that, he’d be offended.”

[Oh! I underestimated Saho’s abilities. Please convey my apologies to him.]

“Haha. All right.”

[At the end of the video, Saho stares intently at a large safe. Do you know what’s inside?]

Covering the phone with my hand, I told Lee Hyeonsol to bring Saho over.

He immediately rose from the sofa and hurried into the bedroom where the cat was sleeping.

“Director, I didn’t watch the video all the way to the end. I’ll ask Saho and call you back.”

[All right. One more thing: the passenger ship carrying Commander Kwak has already entered our territorial waters.]

“That’s good news. If word of his escape to Korea leaks to the U.S. government, I’ll be put in a difficult position.”

[You can rest completely assured on that front.]

“Understood. I’ll call you back shortly.”

Click.

I had barely put down the phone when Lee Hyeonsol returned with Saho in his arms.

Taking the bewildered, half-asleep cat from him, I relayed Director Om Giyeon’s question.

“...Were there drugs in that big safe?”

Saho shook his head from side to side, indicating no.

“Then was there money inside?”

Saho nodded vigorously.

“Good boy. Team Leader Lee, Saho must be hungry too. Treat him to some delicious beef.”

“Haha. Consider it done.”

Lee Hyeonsol carried the cat off to the kitchen.

Kang Inhan looked at me curiously.

“Major General Lee Cheolseung will take the dollars with him when he flees the villa, won’t he?”

“Those dollars are more precious to him than his own life.”

“I’m not quite sure what you mean.”

“Lee Cheolseung is in Dandong to convert the cryptocurrency stolen by the hackers into dollars and smuggle the money into North Korea.”

“Ah, now I understand.”

Bzz, bzz...

Before long, the phone in Kang Inhan’s hand vibrated.

After checking the caller’s name, he reported that it was Seo Donghun and briefly spoke with him.

“Department Head, Liu Peiqi just ordered room service.”

“Phew...”

A sigh of relief involuntarily escaped my chest.

And no wonder. If Liu Peiqi hadn’t ordered room service, the plan I had put together would have gone straight into the trash.

“He ordered dinner for two.”

“So there are two people in his room?”

“That’s what I think as well. To make sure the operation goes smoothly, Seo Donghun booked the room directly across from Liu Peiqi’s. He suggests setting up our command post there. What do you think?”

“Not a bad idea.”

“Haha. Understood. We’ll get ready to leave right now.”

***

“What’s the situation at the moment?” I asked Seo Donghun as I sat down on the sofa.

“Twenty minutes ago, the Triad member delivered food to Liu Peiqi’s room. Liu Peiqi himself and a man in his fifties were inside.”

“Were you able to find out what kind of mood he was in?”

“He gave the Triad member a 100-yuan tip.”

That meant Liu Peiqi was in an excellent mood.

“The cryptocurrency transaction with Major General Lee Cheolseung must have gone well if he’s handing out tips that generous.”

“I think so too.”

“Is there anything else I should know?”

“When Liu Peiqi ordered room service, he also requested two 500-milliliter bottles of Wuliangye.”

“Can he hold his liquor?”

“They say no heavy drinker can resist Wuliangye.”

“Why’s that?”

“The Wuliangye he ordered is a whopping 68 percent alcohol.”

At that moment, a brilliant idea flashed through my mind.

Quickly shaping it into a concrete plan, I addressed Saho, who was sitting in my arms.

“Since you’ve stuffed yourself with beef, isn’t it about time you got some exercise to help with digestion?”

“Meow?”

Saho tilted his head in confusion, not understanding what this was about.

“Listen to what I’m about to say and you’ll understand.”

I explained in detail to Seo Donghun and Saho what they were supposed to do.

“...Wake Liu Peiqi up and begin the interrogation.”

“I understand the assignment, but I’m curious why you changed the plan.”

“I don’t particularly like the idea of shooting the Triad member with a tranquilizer dart.”

“Either way, I understand.”

“Let’s begin the operation before Liu Peiqi gets even drunker.”

“Yes, understood.”

After his brief reply, Seo Donghun picked up Saho and left the room.

He walked over to Liu Peiqi’s room directly across the hall, pressed the doorbell, and stepped aside.

A moment later, the door opened slightly.

At that exact instant, Saho sprang forward with astonishing speed and struck the man in his fifties directly in the temple with his front paw.

“Urgh!”

Thud!

Caught completely off guard, the man toppled helplessly onto his back.

At the same moment, Seo Donghun flung the door wide open and pulled the key card out of the wall slot.

The power went out, plunging Liu Peiqi’s room into pitch-black darkness.

Seizing the moment, Saho darted inside and struck Liu Peiqi, who was sitting at the table, in the temple with his paw, knocking him unconscious.

It had taken Saho barely more than 10 seconds to neutralize both the man in his fifties and Liu Peiqi.

“Department Head, it’s over,” Lee Hyeonsol reported, turning away from the peephole.

“Well then, shall we go meet Politburo member Liu?”