Chapter 303: Care to Get Some Fresh Air?

The cave door that had caused us so much trouble had finally been forced open, but we were in no hurry to go inside.

The entire interior was filled with sleeping gas.

Team Leader Seo Donghun rushed deep into the cave and threw open the secret exit on the opposite side.

Only then did a cross-draft form between the main entrance and the secret passage, allowing the gas to begin escaping.

To speed up the process, we switched on powerful fans, and after a while, the concentration of sleeping gas inside the cave decreased.

As though they had been waiting for precisely this moment, the NBI operatives and Triad members rushed inside.

With lightning speed, they captured Carlos, Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui, and their men alive.

After watching them carry out their operation, I approached the stack of cardboard boxes.

"Let's check what's inside."

As though he had been waiting for the order, Team Leader Jeong Gwangseok grabbed one of the boxes and turned it upside down.

Bundles of hundred-dollar bills rained down onto the ground.

Korea Investment employees immediately hurried over and began counting the money.

After a while, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan reported,

"Chairman Cha, the box contained five hundred bundles of hundred-dollar bills."

"That's a million dollars more than we expected."

At that moment, Defense Minister Fernando approached us with quick strides.

"Chairman Cha, how much was in the box?"

"Exactly five million dollars."

"There are fifty boxes in total, so that means there's two hundred and fifty million dollars here?"

"If the other boxes contain the same amount, that's correct."

"Chairman Cha, thank you so much!"

I had more than earned his gratitude.

Without my help, the Philippine government would never have been able to destroy Abu Sayyaf, capture its leader Carlos alive, much less get its hands on a windfall of two hundred and fifty million dollars.

Nevertheless, I had no intention of letting it go to my head.

"Abu Sayyaf was defeated under your leadership and Director Santiago's. Our country and the United States merely assisted in the successful operation."

"You're certainly a modest man, Chairman Cha."

"Haha, I'll take that as a compliment."

While we were exchanging pleasantries, Team Leader Daniel approached.

"Chairman Cha, all the criminals have been captured."

"Excellent work. Shall we return to the base?"

By the time we finished our work at the scene and emerged from the cave, dawn was already breaking in the east.

***

After returning to our quarters, the first thing I did was rush into the bathroom to wash off the sweat and dust.

When I emerged from the shower, I found Saho curled up comfortably on the bed.

Sitting on the edge, I stroked his belly out of curiosity.

'Ha, I knew it.'

Under normal circumstances, I would have given him a smack on the back of the head.

But Saho had flawlessly completed three extremely difficult tasks over the course of the night.

How could I possibly be harsh with him?

I gave his thigh a light pat.

"Wash up and go to sleep."

Opening one eye, Saho waddled off toward the bathroom.

After watching him go, I collapsed onto the bed.

Bzzzz—

Just as I was about to close my eyes, the phone on the bedside table began to vibrate.

I glanced at the screen and saw Defense Minister Fernando's name.

Quickly sitting up, I answered the call.

"I'm listening, Minister Fernando."

"Chairman Cha, care to get some fresh air?"

The words 'What do you mean, get some fresh air? I'm dead on my feet!' nearly escaped my mouth, but I held them back.

"What do you mean?"

"I think we should personally oversee the operation to capture the three North Korean submarines."

"I understand, but is my presence really necessary?"

"Well, you're the one who devised the operation, Chairman Cha."

In other words, there was no getting out of it.

"Haah, I dug my own grave."

"Hahaha! We're taking off in thirty minutes. See you soon."

Click.

As soon as I hung up, I changed into my outdoor clothes and left the bedroom.

The moment I stepped outside, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan rose from the sofa.

"Chairman Cha, are you going somewhere?"

"Yes... I need to oversee the capture of the North Korean submarines."

Kang Inhan blinked in confusion.

The submarine interception operation was supposed to take place at sea near Iligan.

It took about five hours to drive from the airbase where we were staying to Iligan.

If we left now, we wouldn't arrive until noon, long after the operation had ended.

Why bother going?

He voiced his doubts directly.

"It's only a thirty-minute flight to Iligan."

"Ah, I see."

"If you're tired, you can stay here and rest."

"How could I stay behind when you're going, Chairman!"

Kang Inhan answered firmly and hurried to his room to change.

Outside, NIS Director Om Giyeon and Director Griffin were already waiting for us.

However, Vice Chairman Wei Chen and Director Pan Kai were also there.

A little surprised, I approached them, exchanged greetings, and asked Wei Chen,

"Vice Chairman Wei, aren't you returning to Macau?"

"Director Santiago invited me to observe Carlos's interrogation, so I decided to join him."

"I see."

Nodding, I climbed into the waiting minibus, and we headed toward the runway.

Director Griffin's private jet was standing there with its engines running.

We quickly climbed the boarding stairs, and before long, the aircraft was soaring into the morning sky.

Once the plane reached a safe altitude and the seat belt sign went off, we moved to the conference room at the rear.

Director Griffin took a sip of water and, as the host aboard the aircraft, opened the conversation.

"Director Santiago, what's the situation with Carlos and his captured men?"

"They're still fast asleep."

"I see. When are you planning to interrogate them?"

"We'll start questioning them once they wake up."

However, I had a different opinion on the matter.

"Director Santiago, Carlos needs to be interrogated as quickly as possible."

"Is there a reason for the urgency?"

"The NBI captured Carlos at dawn today. News of his arrest will soon leak to the media and spread throughout the Philippines."

"That's inevitable."

"And he supplies drugs to gangs all across the country."

A look of realization crossed Director Santiago's face.

Once the drug dealers learned that Carlos had been captured, they would immediately go into hiding, making it several times harder to dismantle their network.

How could he have overlooked that?

"Chairman Cha, I'll interrogate Carlos immediately after the submarine operation is complete."

"That would be best."

"Now, on another matter. What should we do with the money confiscated from Carlos?"

"Shouldn't it go into the Philippine treasury?"

"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have been able to destroy Abu Sayyaf's base, capture Carlos, or obtain those two hundred and fifty million dollars. President Gonzalez has ordered that the money be given to you, Chairman Cha."

I immediately recalled my conversation with General Maracao, who had mentioned that he wanted to purchase FA-50PH light attack aircraft if the budget allowed.

'Hmm... If I bring up this idea, Minister Fernando will be delighted.'

Having quickly organized my thoughts, I continued my conversation with Director Santiago.

"How about using those two hundred and fifty million dollars to purchase FA-50PH light attack aircraft for the Philippines?"

"I wholeheartedly support Chairman Cha's proposal!"

As expected, Defense Minister Fernando was the first to respond.

"Director Santiago, you heard the minister's opinion, didn't you?"

"I'll convey Chairman Cha's proposal to President Gonzalez."

"Then I'll take it that the Philippine government has agreed to purchase the FA-50PH aircraft."

At that moment, NIS Director Om Giyeon asked to speak.

"Minister Fernando, a single FA-50PH light attack aircraft costs approximately fifty million dollars."

In other words, two hundred and fifty million dollars would only buy five aircraft.

"We'd like to purchase more FA-50PHs, but we don't have enough money in the allocated budget..."

"But Carlos has an enormous fortune!"

"Hahahaha!"

Minister Fernando burst into hearty laughter, having immediately understood Om Giyeon's intentions.

After waiting for him to finish laughing, the NIS Director continued.

"For the Philippine Air Force to operate effectively, it needs at least three squadrons, twelve aircraft."

"I completely agree with you, Director Om."

"In that case, I expect the Philippine Air Force to purchase twelve FA-50PH light attack aircraft."

"Agreed."

Having achieved his objective, Om Giyeon stepped back, and I rejoined the conversation.

"Minister Fernando, what were the results of the airstrike on Abu Sayyaf's base?"

"Mopping-up operations are underway there now. There are practically no survivors."

The operation to eliminate the militants had been carried out at my direction, and although I felt a momentary pang of pity for them, that wasn't my problem.

"Can we take this as proof of the exceptional effectiveness of the KGGB bombs?"

"There's no other way to explain their complete destruction."

"I see. When will the footage of the airstrike be released to the media?"

The Philippine military had deployed drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras, which had recorded the FA-50PH attack aircraft bombing the base.

"We can't release the footage until the NBI has dismantled the drug networks."

"But the public will soon learn that the base has been destroyed. That's a problem..."

"It won't take long to eliminate the gangs," I reassured him.

"Why are you so confident?"

"Carlos must have a laptop containing a complete database of his customers."

"That's right! We confiscated his laptop!"

Minister Fernando turned his gaze toward Director Santiago, who immediately understood the implication.

"I'll do everything I can to crack the password on Carlos's laptop as quickly as possible."

"I'm counting on you, Director Santiago."

Rrrrr—

My phone rang on the table.

Glancing at the screen, I saw Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol's name.

Perfect timing. I had been meaning to contact him myself.

After telling everyone who was calling, I answered.

"Deputy Director Jo, I'm listening."

"Chairman Cha, did you manage to capture Carlos and Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui alive?"

"With a little help from heaven, we captured both of them unharmed."

"What a relief! What are you doing now?"

"We're flying to Iligan to oversee the capture of the North Korean submarines."

"You haven't slept a wink all night. Aren't you tired?"

I cast a brief glance at Minister Fernando and answered truthfully.

"I won't lie. I'm tired."

"Haha, I appreciate your honesty."

"What's happening with the North Korean submarines?"

"About thirty minutes ago, their speed dropped sharply."

"Does that mean their batteries have finally run out?"

"That's exactly right."

"We'll be arriving at the scene very shortly."