Chapter 46: You’re Not Even a Dog...

Li Jiahan apparently wanted an easy death, so he answered my questions with utmost sincerity.

After verifying his testimony, it turned out that most of what he said was true.

Every question I had regarding the hit-and-run case had now been completely resolved.

In other words, once the real culprit, Chen Shao, was caught and properly punished, the matter of the accident would finally come to an end.

However, at that moment, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan and I found ourselves at odds.

I only wanted to capture Chen Shao, but Kang Inhan saw things differently.

“Director, while we're at it, I'd like to completely eliminate the Triad's Korean branch.”

“But isn't dismantling gangs like that the police's job?”

“As the case of the officer who leaked information to Li Jiahan proved, not everyone in law enforcement is clean.”

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan was seriously concerned that the police might leak information about the operation to the Triad.

“I still believe the system hasn't rotted all the way through.”

“Excessive optimism leads nowhere good.”

“Haa... Even so, we're ordinary citizens. We can't wipe them out ourselves.”

“Hm...”

Kang Inhan hesitated vaguely, clearly searching for a solution.

I sat silently, unable to read his thoughts.

After some time, he finally made up his mind and spoke.

“Team Leader Jeong, drag this guy over to that corner.”

“Yes, sir.”

After a brief reply, Security Team Leader Jeong Gwangseok dragged Li Jiahan to the corner of the training hall.

Once they had moved away, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan lowered his voice.

“Director, have you ever wondered why President Cho and I cannot become the CEOs of Korea Investment?”

“Of course I have.”

“Ten years ago, the Chairman was the head of the largest criminal organization in the country.”

“A criminal organization...?”

As though reading my thoughts, Kang Inhan continued immediately.

“Yes. Exactly the kind of organization you're thinking of.”

“...What?!”

“The current debt collection department was once a nationwide mafia syndicate. Back then, President Cho and I stood beside the Chairman and helped him. That's why the stigma of being gangsters is still branded onto our foreheads.”

“But didn't you say you left all that behind?”

“Officially, yes. But the underworld of this country is still under our control.”

In other words, Chairman Park Yeongil ruled a nationwide mafia syndicate.

And that meant that I, as his successor, would soon inherit that underground empire.

How had someone so law-abiding that he could practically live without the criminal code ended up stepping into this dark world?

“...Secretary Kang, I didn't mishear you, did I?”

“You don't need to worry so much.”

“Not worry? What are you talking about?!”

“The age when the night was ruled by violence has already ended. Now we govern the underworld with money.”

“And that's possible?”

“Of course. Money has enough power to raise even the dead from their graves.”

Another thought flashed through my mind.

“Secretary Kang, do the authorities know that the Chairman controls the country's underworld?”

“Of course they do.”

“And they simply turn a blind eye to our company?”

“We have a gentleman's agreement. We guarantee that street gangs won't run wild.”

“Ah, so that's why it feels like gangsters have completely disappeared these days.”

“Exactly, Director. Furthermore, we have the task of preventing foreign criminal organizations from entering our country.”

“But shouldn't that be the job of law enforcement?”

“The authorities are slower than us when it comes to gathering information, and the risk of leaks is too high.”

Only then did I finally understand why Korea Investment had to destroy the Triad's Korean branch.

“Yes, I understand now.”

“In that case, can I take it that the Director also agrees to eliminate the Triad's Korean branch?”

“Do I even have a choice? Well, that actually puts me more at ease.”

“Haha. Excellent. Team Leader Jeong, bring Li Jiahan back.”

A moment later, the guards brought Li Jiahan over from the corner.

As soon as he was seated opposite us, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan addressed him.

“Now let's talk about something else. Where is your hideout?”

“Seongbuk-dong, 1550-3.”

Kang Inhan deliberately turned his head toward Jeong Gwangseok.

As if understanding his intentions, Jeong Gwangseok rushed outside and soon returned with a tablet.

Opening a map and zooming in with his fingers, he found the Triad's Korean headquarters.

“Secretary Kang, their base is very close to the Chairman's estate.”

“Really? Let me see.”

Taking the tablet from Jeong Gwangseok, Kang Inhan carefully examined the map.

“Hm, indeed.”

“I wonder why those bastards settled in Seongbuk-dong instead of Incheon's Chinatown.”

“Probably because the area is full of luxury estates °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° with perfect security systems. Li Jiahan, am I right?”

Li Jiahan nodded vigorously.

“Tell me everything. The size of the base, the state of your security, everything.”

“Our property covers around sixteen hundred square meters, and the building itself is about eight hundred square meters. There are two underground floors and three above ground. Master Chen Shao lives on the third floor, while the six core executives occupy the first and second floors.”

“And the rest of the members?”

“They live on the two basement levels.”

“Go on.”

“The fence around the property is three meters high, and surveillance cameras are installed practically every meter. Two enormous guard dogs patrol the garden.”

“Hm, they certainly didn't skimp on security. What about weapons?”

“The executives carry pistols, and the regular members have assault rifles.”

Our country maintained extremely strict laws regarding firearms.

Yet these Triad bastards casually walked around the middle of the city carrying pistols and assault rifles.

No need to guess where they came from.

Smuggled from China, without question.

With some concern, I asked Kang Inhan:

“If something goes wrong during the operation, couldn't that become a serious problem?”

“You're worried because they have firearms? No need.”

“How is there no need?”

“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

“T-then...”

Once again, Kang Inhan finished my sentence after reading my thoughts.

“Depending on the circumstances, we can also use firearms.”

“How?”

“When dealing with foreign criminal organizations, we can borrow weapons from law enforcement. Of course, afterward we have to undergo an investigation into whether their use was justified.”

“Ah, I see.”

Satisfied with the answer, I stepped back and let Kang Inhan continue questioning Li Jiahan.

Terrified to death, the man obediently continued speaking.

“...The front entrance has fingerprint and iris recognition.”

“Hm, understood. Anything else I should know?”

“Every Sunday morning, Chen Shao presides over a meeting of the executives.”

“And what happens if you fail to show up?”

“If I suddenly disappear, Master Chen Shao will sense something wrong and immediately flee to China.”

In other words, we had only one day left.

Tomorrow.

“Whether your worthless life continues or not will be decided after we see the results of the operation.”

“D-Does that mean... you'll spare me?”

“A murderer, and you still dare hope for mercy? Well, pray hard. Even if things go well for you, you'll still have to pay for killing the witnesses.”

“...That's only natural.”

“As long as you understand. Team Leader Jeong, lock this bastard in the safe house until the operation is over.”

Overwhelmed with gratitude at being allowed to live, Li Jiahan leaped to his feet and repeatedly bowed to both me and Chief Secretary Kang Inhan.

Jeong Gwangseok took him away.

Meanwhile, we moved to the Director's office to continue our interrupted conversation.

Taking the seat at the head of the table, I asked Kang Inhan:

“Eliminating an entire Triad branch must require enormous preparation. Can we really do it in a single day?”

“If we want to, a few hours are enough.”

“How?”

“Our company has around one hundred and fifty former special forces personnel. We'll get weapons from the police as soon as we submit a request. If they're assigned to the operation, they'll need only an hour. The only issue is that we'll inevitably suffer casualties during the assault.”

“Is there a way to minimize those losses?”

“The best option would be to scout the inside of their base, but their security system concerns me.”

At that moment, my eyes fell on Saho, who was lying sprawled on the sofa.

“Right, I can use this guy.”

Quickly organizing my thoughts into a plan, I spoke.

“What if we let Saho conduct reconnaissance inside their base?”

“...What? Director, with all due respect, he's just a mute animal.”

“What if we attach a microcamera to his body?”

“That's right! That could actually work!”

Kang Inhan slapped his thigh, clearly considering the idea brilliant.

Ignoring his excitement, I turned to Saho.

“Can you scout the inside?”

I expected him to accept immediately.

Instead, the furry rascal simply shook his head.

Trying to understand why, I suddenly remembered something.

“Are you upset because Hyeonji scolded you today?”

But Saho shook his head again.

Only then did I realize what he really wanted.

“If you do a perfect job, I'll buy you premium marbled beef.”

As soon as I guessed correctly, Saho nodded furiously.

“But to earn that beef, you'll have to complete three additional tasks.”

“......Meow?”

“The two huge guard dogs are yours. Can you handle them?”

Kang Inhan widened his eyes in surprise.

“Director, how could this little fellow deal with two huge dogs?”

“This guy is strong enough to knock out Li Jiahan with a single strike.”

“Ah, then there won't be any problem. And the second task?”

“You need to shut down the electrical panel so our people can enter the compound unhindered.”

“W-What? That's possible?”

“If we show him what the panel and breaker look like, he'll switch them off without any trouble.”

Saho nodded in agreement.

“Secretary Kang, you see?”

“Yes, I do. I'm dying to hear the third task.”

“He needs to unlock the front door from the inside so our people can enter easily.”

“What?! He can do that?”

“If you saw this little crook opening locks around my house, you'd have no doubts.”

“My goodness!”

Kang Inhan could only click his tongue while staring at Saho in astonishment.

“We only have tonight to infiltrate their base.”

“Oh! Wait a second.”

Kang Inhan called Jeong Gwangseok, exchanged a few brief words, and ended the call.

Moments later, hurried knocking sounded and Jeong Gwangseok entered.

“Secretary Kang, you called?”

“Attach a microcamera to Saho and send him to the Triad base.”

Kang Inhan carefully explained all of the cat's assignments.

“...And show Saho what an electrical panel and breaker look like.”

“But Saho is an animal, not a person. Can he really handle something so complicated?”

Unexpectedly, the atmosphere changed.

Apparently displeased by those words, Saho bared his fangs and growled threateningly at Jeong Gwangseok.

“You little brat, who are you growling at?!”

Without hesitation, I smacked Saho firmly on the back of the head.

The cat turned to me and growled as well, still showing his teeth.

“Do you not want your marbled beef anymore?”

In an instant, Saho acted as though nothing had happened and began wagging his tail affectionately.

“Honestly, you're not even a dog. Why are you wagging your tail?”

“Team Leader Jeong, time is ticking.”

“Yes! Saho, let's hurry!”

Scolding himself for wasting time, Jeong Gwangseok hurriedly left the Director's office with Saho in tow.