Chapter 288: So That’s What Happened?

Saho and I left the house under the watchful eyes of my family. Once we stepped through the gate, I saw Chief Secretary Kang Inhan and the driver waiting for us as usual. With the driver’s help, I loaded my suitcase into the trunk and took my usual seat of honor in the passenger compartment.

Once the car started moving, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan glanced at Saho, who was comfortably nestled in my arms, and spoke.

— Chief, does Saho even know what kind of task he’ll be carrying out in the Philippines?

— Of course.

— And he’s genuinely this happy even though he knows?

— Hyeonji has been running him ragged, so he’s built up a lot of stress. In a situation like this, getting away from home for a while is much better.

— Miss Hyeonji was tormenting Saho? Did she have some reason for doing that?

If I told him the whole truth, Saho was guaranteed to sulk. And if he got into that kind of mood, entrusting him with a mission would be extremely difficult.

Deciding that keeping the peace was more important, I chose to bend the truth slightly. ℯ

— Apparently, Hyeonji was pestering him a little too persistently to play with her.

The words, ‘Yeah, right. More like the other way around!’ practically begged to come out, but Kang Inhan kept quiet out of consideration for the cat’s feelings.

— Isn’t Miss Hyeonji busy preparing for employment?

— She is, but apparently she still found time to pester Saho.

— Oh, poor thing. Saho, make sure you have plenty of fun in the Philippines and blow off all that pent-up stress.

Saho grinned knowingly and nodded.

After chatting for a while, I happened to glance out the window.

Something was wrong.

To reach Seoul Airport, we needed to cross Dongho Bridge. Yet our car was heading toward Hannam Bridge.

Scratching my head in confusion, I asked Kang Inhan,

— Where are we going right now?

— To the U.S. Air Force base in Seongnam.

— Why aren’t we departing from Seoul Airport?

— President Cho Seokchin is leaving for an official visit to Europe at ten this morning.

The CIA Director’s itinerary and movements were top secret. If the CIA Director’s private jet landed at Seoul Airport to pick us up, there was a very high chance it would attract the attention of the people preparing for President Cho Seokchin’s overseas trip.

Director Griffin had taken that into account and chosen the U.S. Air Force base as our departure point.

— Now I understand.

— The personnel accompanying you have already left for the U.S. Air Force base.

— How many people are coming with me this time?

— Twenty, including Team Leader Jeong Gwansok and Team Leader Seo Donghun.

— Isn’t that too large an escort?

— The region we’re heading to is extremely dangerous. Terrorist attacks by Philippine gangs and insurgents occur there constantly. Considering the circumstances, even twenty people is on the small side.

— If you put it that way, Mr. Kang, I can’t argue.

As we talked, our car entered the Gyeongbu Expressway. Although it was barely past seven in the morning, the highway had already turned into one enormous traffic jam.

At this rate, there was no way in the world we would reach the U.S. Air Force base by eight.

— If I’d known there would be this much traffic, we would’ve left earlier.

— Don’t worry. We’ll get you there right on time, or even earlier.

— Don’t tell me...

As though reading my thoughts, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan immediately explained.

— We’ll legally use the bus-only lane.

— How?

— Hehehe. You’ll see soon enough.

Chuckling, Kang Inhan dialed someone’s number. After exchanging a few brief words with the person on the other end, he ended the call.

A short while later, a police car came racing down the bus-only lane with its emergency lights flashing.

It pulled in front of our vehicle, switched on its hazard lights, and signaled us to pull over.

As soon as we stopped, a uniformed police officer got out of the patrol car and headed toward us. Watching him approach, the driver lowered the window on my side.

The officer walked up, saluted me, and introduced himself.

— Good morning. I’m Captain Oh Hyeonseong from the Traffic Police. We’ll escort you to your destination.

— Thank you for your kindness, but...

I deliberately trailed off, trying to make sense of the situation.

— Police Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong contacted me and briefed me on the nature of your mission.

— Ah, so that’s what happened.

— If we stay stopped here for too long, we’ll obstruct traffic.

— Oh! My apologies. Driver Kim, quickly follow the police car.

— Yes, sir! — the driver answered loudly and crisply.

After all that commotion, we raced toward the U.S. Air Force base under police escort.

— Mr. Kang, won’t this cause problems?

Kang Inhan understood perfectly well what Cha Jiham was worried about.

Passenger vehicles were strictly prohibited from entering the bus-only lane between seven in the morning and nine at night. Violators received a fine and penalty points.

— High-ranking government officials are permitted to use the bus-only lane in emergencies.

— But I’m not a government official. I’m only an honorary NIS operative.

— Chief, you’re traveling to the Philippines as President Cho Seokchin’s special envoy.

— Ah, right.

About half an hour later, our car safely arrived at the U.S. Air Force base in Seongnam.

They had clearly been notified in advance. The barrier at the main entrance had been moved aside, and the gates themselves were wide open.

The police car ahead of us came to a smooth stop, and Captain Oh Hyeonseong stepped out.

Kang Inhan and I quickly got out of our car to thank him.

— Thanks to your escort, Captain Oh, we got here without the slightest inconvenience. Thank you very much.

— There’s no need to thank me. Well, we should be heading back now.

No sooner had he driven away than an American military jeep with a flashing beacon pulled up beside us.

A serviceman who appeared to be an officer stepped out, marched over to me, and saluted.

— Good morning. I’m Major Harrison of the U.S. Air Force.

— Good morning. I’m Cha Jiham, Chief of KBH Investment.

— The VIPs are already waiting for you.

— Understood. Lead the way.

Our driver followed Major Harrison’s jeep.

Before long, we drove directly onto the runway, where the CIA Director’s private jet was waiting.

The people waiting for us gradually came into view.

However, something struck me as strange.

Among them, I could clearly make out Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol and Major General Jeong Sancheol.

‘Why are they here?’

While I was still wondering, the driver gently applied the brakes and brought the car to a stop.

At that very moment, Team Leader Seo Donghun hurried over and opened the door for us.

As though he had been waiting for exactly that, Saho jumped out first.

The moment I stepped onto the pavement, everyone gathered there politely bowed.

— Welcome, Chief.

— Team Leader Seo, I’m leaving Saho in your care.

— You have nothing to worry about.

After exchanging a few words with Seo Donghun, I quickly walked over to Jo Ilcheol.

— Deputy Director Jo, Major General Jeong, what brings you here?

As it turned out, NIS Director Om Giyeon had called Jo Ilcheol late last night. He informed him that President Cho Seokchin had appointed him as a special envoy and ordered him to prepare for a business trip.

When Jo asked why, the Director merely replied that everything would be explained tomorrow and instructed him to report to the U.S. Air Force base in Seongnam with Major General Jeong Sancheol by eight in the morning.

Jo Ilcheol openly told me everything that had happened the previous evening.

— Ah, so that’s what happened. I didn’t realize there were circumstances like that.

— Chief Cha, do you know why President Cho appointed me as a special envoy?

Among the objectives of our visit to the Philippines were matters involving North Korea.

Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol knew far more about the situation in North Korea than the NIS and CIA combined. That was probably why President Cho Seokchin had appointed him as a special envoy.

Still, my assumption could easily be wrong, so it was better to keep my mouth shut.

— I have no idea either.

At that moment, Kang Inhan, who had been listening to our conversation, spoke in a low voice.

— Deputy Director Jo, the U.S. government doesn’t know that Commander Kwak Taesu defected to our country.

— I’ll keep my mouth shut, so don’t worry.

— Haha. Excellent.

While Kang Inhan was chuckling, a private limousine pulled up and stopped beside us.

The CIA agent standing by immediately opened the rear door.

Director Griffin, NIS Director Om Giyeon, and FBI Director Nevers stepped out.

After warmly greeting one another, we boarded the plane using a mobile boarding stairway.

The moment we entered the cabin, a flight attendant offered us welcome drinks. After enjoying the refreshing beverages, we took our assigned seats.

Director Griffin, who seemed to have been waiting for this very moment, addressed Jo Ilcheol.

— Deputy Director Jo, have you ever been to the Philippines?

— I visited once unofficially, about five years ago.

In other words, it had been a covert visit.

Director Griffin was clearly dying to know what kind of business Jo had been conducting there, but the circumstances weren’t suitable for unnecessary questions.

— I see. Do you know why President Cho Seokchin appointed you as a special envoy?

— I have no idea.

— Actually, I was the one who asked the President to appoint you.

— Oh? Naturally, there must be a good reason for that.

— Philippine President Gonzalez has no idea what kind of ties exist between North Korea and Abu Sayyaf.

— You mean I’m supposed to open President Gonzalez’s eyes to Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui’s sinister schemes?

— Exactly, Deputy Director Jo.

At that moment, a flight attendant approached and informed us that everything was ready for departure.

— Well then, shall we head to the Philippines?

A few minutes later, the CIA Director’s private jet taxied onto the runway and soared powerfully into the sky.

As soon as the aircraft reached a safe altitude and the Fasten Seat Belt sign went out, Director Griffin spoke.

— Let’s discuss what we’re going to talk about with President Gonzalez.

We moved to the conference room at the rear of the plane and took our seats.

Director Griffin moistened his throat with mineral water before beginning in a calm tone.

— Chief Cha, before we move on to the emergency meeting, I’d like to hear what’s currently happening in Hong Kong.

— Director Griffin, you already know everything.

— I do, but Director Nevers doesn’t.

— Haaa...

I let out a heavy sigh and continued.

— Fine. I sold the diamonds Gabriel had hidden to Chairman Zhen Weiliang for $7 billion. Chairman Zhen then resold them to Politburo member Liu for $15 billion.

— So Chairman Zhen made a net profit of $8 billion? — Director Nevers asked, his eyes widening.

I shook my head.

— Chairman Zhen gave $5 billion to Vice Chairman Tang Guochang as military funds.

— He loaned him such an enormous sum?

— Chairman Zhen genuinely hates Chairman Xi Jinping.

— I see. Continue.

— Chairman Zhen paid Vice Chairman Wei Chen and me $1.5 billion each as commission for helping him fleece Politburo member Liu.

In other words, Chairman Zhen Weiliang’s own net profit amounted to $1.5 billion.

— Now I understand. And what happened afterward?

— Politburo member Liu presented those diamonds to Chairman Xi Jinping. And to screw him over, I leaked information about lab-grown diamonds to Vice Chairman Tang Guochang.

Without hiding anything, I told Director Nevers and the others the story of how relations between Chairman Xi Jinping and Politburo member Liu Peiqi had soured.

— ...In the end, Chairman Xi tore Politburo member Liu to shreds.

— Hahaha! — Director Nevers laughed delightedly, proving once again that there was nothing quite as entertaining as someone else’s misfortune.

I waited for his laughter to die down before continuing.

— The furious Politburo member Liu Peiqi rushed to Hong Kong to confront Chairman Zhen Weiliang. But thanks to Chairman Zhen’s skillful handling of the situation, he got nowhere.

— And what happened next?

— To knock Politburo member Liu down a peg and placate him, Chairman Zhen...