Chapter 360: Even a Monkey Falls from a Tree Sometimes

National Intelligence Service safe house.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Hong Seonggeun sat down on an empty sofa and asked Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Jihun,

“Lee Jihun, I’m curious. Why are we having lunch at an NIS safe house instead of a normal restaurant?”

“Minister Hong, I wasn’t the one who invited you to lunch.”

At once, Hong Seonggeun turned his head toward NIS Director Om Giyeon.

Understanding what he meant, Director Om did not waste any time and immediately explained,

“The person who invited you to lunch is the CEO of KBH Investment and Department Director Cha Jiham.”

“The CEO of some investment company dragged me out here when I’m up to my neck in work?”

Open sarcasm rang in Minister Hong Seonggeun’s voice.

NIS Director Om Giyeon needed to bring him to his senses immediately.

“Minister Hong, KBH Investment was established only recently, but it is far from being ‘some investment company.’”

“Then what kind of company is it, if you’re putting it that way?”

“KBH Investment is a joint venture established through the combined efforts of Korea Investment, Hangang Group, and Bongard Investment Group.”

“What?! Bongard Group was involved too?”

“Exactly. And Department Director Cha is such an important figure that even Chairman Bongard himself is cautious around him.”

“Director Om is absolutely right,” Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Jihun cut in to support Om Giyeon’s words.

Giving him a slight nod of thanks, the NIS Director continued,

“Chief Cha provides enormous assistance to our country, both openly and behind the scenes. Thanks to him, Korea’s international standing has risen so much that you can feel the difference everywhere.”

“Ah, I see...”

Director Om realized it was time to drive the point home.

“Even President Cho Seokchin and President Douglas listen carefully to Chief Cha. Neither of them would casually disregard his opinion.”

“Can I really trust what you’re telling me, Director Om?”

“What reason would I have to lie to you, Minister Hong?”

Cold sweat immediately broke out across Minister Hong Seonggeun’s body.

If even U.S. President Douglas could not ignore what Cha Jiham said, then what did that make him? All this man had to do was say a few words to President Cho Seokchin, and the minister could find himself forced into retirement, sitting at home and looking after his grandchildren.

And yet he had taken such a powerful man for the head of some ordinary investment company!

Instinctively rubbing his neck, the minister continued his conversation with the NIS Director.

“Director Om, I had no idea Chief Cha was such an extraordinary figure.”

“What matters is that you know now.”

“But why does the public know nothing about someone so influential?”

“Chief Cha doesn’t like drawing attention to his name.”

“Ah, so that’s why...”

“The reason Chief Cha invited you to lunch is most likely related to the nuclear power plant.”

“I don’t understand what you mean at all, Director Om.”

“KBH Investment recently acquired Westinghouse.”

“That’s true?!” Minister Hong Seonggeun exclaimed.

The NIS Director looked at him with pity and continued,

“Minister Hong, who is in charge of the Team Korea consortium?”

“...I am,” the minister muttered almost inaudibly, feeling guilty.

“Even the President knows that KBH Investment acquired Westinghouse. How is it that the head of Team Korea is unaware of information this critical?”

“I apologize for that.”

“As I already said, even the President feels somewhat awkward around Chief Cha. If Chief Cha expresses dissatisfaction with you, you may very well lose your position.”

“I’ll remember your words well, Director Om.”

“And one more thing. Under no circumstances can the contents of your conversations with Chief Cha leak outside.”

“I’ll take the secret to my grave!”

Knock, knock, knock.

There was a knock, the door opened, and Cha Jiham and Vice President Jeong Sunho entered the room.

Watching them, Minister Hong Seonggeun felt something strange.

According to etiquette, an aide was supposed to follow behind his superior. Yet the very young man had entered ahead of the fifty-year-old man.

‘Wait... Don’t tell me... that young guy is Chief Cha Jiham?’

While he stood there confused, Presidential Chief of Staff Lee Jihun greeted the young man warmly.

“Chief Cha, come in.”

“Sorry I’m late. There was a lot going on at the company.”

“It’s fine. We’re the ones who arrived early. Will you introduce your companion?”

“This is our company’s Vice President...”

After a brief round of introductions, everyone sat down on the sofas.

“Lee Jihun, the atmosphere feels rather heavy. Did something serious happen?”

“I was just explaining to Minister Hong who you are.”

I see.

Minister Hong Seonggeun had not known who I was, and Lee Jihun and the NIS Director had warned him in advance so that he would not make some kind of blunder.

“I hope you didn’t describe me as some horned monster.”

“Haha, of course not! Before lunch is served, shall we discuss our business?”

“I fully support that suggestion.”

“Haha, good. And can Vice President Jeong keep his mouth shut?”

Lee Jihun’s question carried the implication that what they were about to discuss was classified.

“I’ll vouch for him,” I replied.

At that moment, Vice President Jeong Sunho, as though he had instantly grasped the situation, asked to speak.

“Lee Jihun, allow me to wait outside until you finish your conversation with Chief Cha.”

“That isn’t strictly necessary.”

“The fewer people who know a secret, the longer it remains a secret. Please let me step outside.”

Vice President Jeong rose from the sofa, opened the door, and left.

Watching him go, Lee Jihun turned toward me.

“Chief Cha, Vice President Jeong doesn’t know about what happened in China and elsewhere?”

“He knows only the broad strokes, not the details.”

“I see. Then let’s get down to business. About destroying North Korea’s nuclear weapons storage facility...”

“Whaaat?!” Minister Hong Seonggeun interrupted in astonishment.

Lee Jihun gave him a harsh, displeased glare.

Noticing it, the minister hurriedly apologized.

“I’m sorry! I was so shocked that it slipped out! My mistake.”

“If you interrupt again without permission, I’ll send you outside to keep Vice President Jeong company.”

“I won’t say another word!”

“I’ll take you at your word, Minister Hong,” Lee Jihun said sternly before turning back to me. “Chief Cha, how is the matter of destroying North Korea’s nuclear weapons storage facility progressing?”

“Vice Chairman Tang Guochang contacted me just before I left to come here.”

“Really? What did you discuss?”

“Last night, MSS operatives successfully infiltrated the nuclear weapons storage facility. This morning, Minister He Lifen reported it to Chairman Xi Jinping and received high praise.”

“Phew... Thank God,” Lee Jihun sighed in relief, placing a hand over his chest.

“As for the second stage of the operation, Vice Chairman Tang asked me for help.”

“What kind of help does he need?”

“He wants information on the high-ranking officers currently serving at that facility.”

“But can’t the MSS find that out on its own?”

“It would take too long.”

“Ah, now I understand. Director Om, can we obtain that information?”

Hearing Lee Jihun’s question, NIS Director Om Giyeon answered calmly,

“I’ll ask Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol and Commander Kwak Taesu for help.”

“Please do,” Lee Jihun said with a nod before turning back to me. “Assuming we fulfill Vice Chairman Tang’s request, when do you think the facility can be destroyed?”

“Rather than giving you a direct answer, I’ll tell you this: Chairman Xi ordered Minister He to complete its destruction before the end of the year.”

“Will the MSS be able to carry out the operation successfully?”

“Chairman Xi’s desire for revenge against North Korea is so strong that I believe they’ll manage it.”

Lee Jihun finally let go of all his worries.

After all, until now, not a single thing Cha Jiham had said had failed to come true.

“Haha, now I understand everything.”

“For the MSS operation to succeed, our full support is absolutely essential.”

“Director Om, you heard Chief Cha?”

“Of course,” NIS Director Om Giyeon replied confidently.

A moment later, as though remembering something, Lee Jihun asked,

“By the way, Chief Cha, who is spreading the rumors about Chairman Xi Jinping?”

“This morning, I activated my information network and found out that Vice Chairman Wei Chen is behind it, acting on Chairman Zhen Weiliang’s orders.”

“And what is Chairman Zhen’s objective?”

“Vice Chairman Tang has to carry out his coup before the end of this year, no matter what.”

“Lee Jihun, I have a question,” Minister Hong Seonggeun spoke up before anyone else could.

Lee Jihun grimaced but asked,

“What do you want to know?”

“Who is this Vice Chairman Tang Guochang that Chief Cha mentioned?”

“The man who effectively holds the entire Chinese military in his hands.”

“I see... And he really plans to stage a coup?”

“At the moment, yes.”

“And will he really succeed?”

Lee Jihun was absolutely convinced that he would.

After all, Tang Guochang had Cha Jiham himself actively helping him.

Still, given the uncertainty involved, it was better not to make any grand declarations.

“If Vice Chairman Tang fails, he’s dead.”

“Ah, I understand. Please continue your conversation with Chief Cha.”

Having satisfied his curiosity, Minister Hong Seonggeun faded into the background again.

“Chief Cha, continue.”

“For Vice Chairman Tang’s coup to succeed, protests against Chairman Xi Jinping need to erupt all across the country. But there are only about a hundred days left until the end of the year.”

“So they started adding fuel to the fire by spreading rumors about Chairman Xi?”

“Exactly. The problem is, the fire may go out before it ever really catches.”

“Why is that?”

“The MSS and Public Security have completely blocked the internet to stop the rumors from spreading.”

“Hmm...”

Lee Jihun fell into thought.

However, his contemplation did not last long.

“Director Om, perhaps the NIS should step in and help those rumors spread?”

“I’ll discuss with the NIS leadership how exactly we can assist.”

But I had a different opinion from both Lee Jihun and Om Giyeon.

“Director Om, may I offer a thought?”

“Of course! Go ahead.”

“If the rumors about Chairman Xi begin spreading aggressively again, the MSS and the police will throw all their resources into catching those responsible.”

I was worried that NIS operatives ? NоvеIight ? (Original source) might fall into the hands of China’s MSS.

“Chief Cha, our intelligence officers are true professionals. They won’t be caught that easily.”

“I know that perfectly well, Director Om, but even a monkey falls from a tree sometimes.”

“But if we don’t intervene, the rumors won’t spread on the scale we need.”

“We can spread the rumors without the NIS getting directly involved.”

“Don’t tell me... you want to assign the task to the CIA?”

I shook my head at Director Om’s question.

“Why would I? China and North Korea have become sworn enemies now.”

“Don’t tell me...”

I knew exactly why Director Om had trailed off.

“It’s exactly what you’re thinking.”

“But if not North Korea itself, then who do you plan to assign the job to?”

“I want to use the North Korean hacker group that fled to our country.”

“That’s right! We have them!” Director Om slapped his knee, clearly thinking the idea was brilliant.

“Director Om, could you personally ask Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol to arrange it?”

“I was just about to.”

At that moment, the chef approached and informed the NIS Director that lunch was ready.

“Chief Cha, shall we go eat?”