Chapter 48: Ah... I See

“Where have you been all night, and why are you only coming back now?”

I had left with Saho around half past ten the previous evening, stayed on my feet the entire night, and only returned home in the morning. My younger sister's concern was perfectly understandable. However, there was no way I could tell her the truth about what had happened. To avoid getting tangled up, I had no choice but to stick to the old lie.

“That man who collapsed on the hill yesterday... he regained consciousness this morning.”

“What?! How is he?”

“Nothing serious, aside from a scrape on his temple.”

“Thank goodness. Did you contact his family?”

“If only...” One lie gave birth to another, but I had no choice.

“He didn't have any identification on him. So after he woke up, I helped him contact his family.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I haven't slept all night and I'm exhausted. Can I finally go get some rest?”

“No matter how tired you are, eat breakfast first before going to bed.”

“I already grabbed something at the hospital.”

After washing up quickly, I entered my room. Saho, apparently just as exhausted, was already sprawled out on the bed, dead asleep.

“You worked hard all night, so I'll make an exception for you today,” I muttered to myself, and, careful not to disturb the cat, lowered my tired body onto the empty edge of the bed.

***

Ring-ring-ring!

A beautiful melody flowed from the phone I'd left near the headboard.

Half asleep, I groped for it and looked at the screen.

It was Chief Secretary Kang Inhan.

My drowsiness vanished instantly.

Something wasn't right.

The meeting regarding the destruction of the Triad's Korean branch had been scheduled for two in the afternoon.

But it was only ten ten.

A call from him at this hour could mean only one thing.

Something unexpected had happened.

I sat up in bed and answered.

“Secretary Kang.”

“Managing Director Cha, my apologies for disturbing your sleep.”

“It's fine. Tell me what happened.”

“We've analyzed the data from the flash drive Saho obtained. Extremely important information was found. The Chairman believes you should know as well.”

“Can you send it to me by email?”

“That would create a risk of hackers intercepting it. I know you're tired, but it would be best if you came to the office.”

“Understood. I'll get ready and leave right away.”

Click.

After ending the call, I lightly patted the fluffy back of Saho, who was sprawled across the bed.

“Stop pretending to sleep and get up.”

***

“Brother, you only slept for three hours and you're going out again?” Cha Hyeonji asked in surprise when I emerged into the living room fully dressed.

“Chairman Park called.”

“Ah, I see. But why are you taking Saho with you?”

Saho was going to play a key role in tonight's operation against the Triad's Korean branch.

That meant his presence at the afternoon meeting was essential.

I knew that if I left him at home, I wouldn't have time to come back for him later.

Naturally, I couldn't tell my sister that, so I came up with another excuse.

“Chairman Park misses him and wants to see him.”

“I see. I have an appointment this afternoon. Can I go out for a while?”

Li Jiahan had already been captured, so there was no longer any danger to her.

Allowing Hyeonji to go about her business, I headed downstairs with Saho.

As expected, a luxury sedan was waiting outside with the engine running.

After briefly greeting Chief Secretary Kang Inhan, I got in.

As soon as the driver pulled away, I turned to him.

“Aren't you tired yourself?”

“I'm used to working through the night, so I don't really feel tired.”

“Hearing that makes me embarrassed to complain about my lack of sleep. So what was on that flash drive?”

“The Chairman wishes to explain it to you personally. Please bear with it a little longer.”

“All right. What about those bastards from the Triad's Korean branch? Any movement?”

“I've received reports that no suspicious activity has been observed.”

I frowned.

Li Jiahan was Chen Shao's right-hand man.

A person of that rank hadn't returned to the Triad headquarters, yet everything was calm?

Curious, I asked what Kang Inhan thought.

“To prepare for the worst, Li Jiahan informed Chen Shao in advance that he was going to Jeju Island to meet with local gangs.”

“As always, you've thought of every detail.”

“Hahaha! I'll take that as a compliment.”

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan's loud laughter filled the interior of the car.

***

Chairman's Office, Korea Investment.

After entering with Kang Inhan, I found myself in a rather strange situation.

A sturdy, fit man in his fifties was staring directly at me.

While I was trying to understand what was happening, CEO Cho Myeongjeong introduced him.

“Allow me to introduce Choi Dongyeong, the man who heads the police of the Republic of Korea—the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency.”

Why was the head of the police visiting Chairman Park?

Deciding to worry about that later, I politely greeted Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

As soon as I sat down, he asked curiously,

“Most people become noticeably nervous when they learn they're facing the head of the police. Yet, Managing Director Cha, you don't seem intimidated at all. What's the secret to your composure?”

There was no way I could admit that the herbal tranquilizer pill had given me nerves of steel.

“To tell you the truth, I'm terribly nervous. I'm just doing my best to hide it.”

Unfortunately, my lie lasted only ten seconds before Chairman Park Yeongil unceremoniously interrupted.

“Managing Director Cha is deceiving you, Commissioner Choi.”

“What do you mean?”

“He personally knows Mr. Clark Bongard, the head of Bongard Group and the man who leads the largest investment group in the world. He is also close to Chairman Yoon Jongu of Hangang Group. Naturally, after dealing with people of that caliber, he's developed immunity to authority.”

“Chairman Yoon is your old friend, so that much I understand. But I can't fathom how Managing Director Cha came to know the head of Bongard Group.”

“Mr. Bongard plans to visit our country soon. Then you'll see for yourself how close they are.”

Bzzzz.

At that moment, Commissioner Choi Dongyeong's phone rang.

Seeing that it was important, he apologized to Chairman Park and stepped outside to answer it.

Taking advantage of the pause, I turned to the old man.

“Chairman, why did you mention Chairman Yoon and the head of Bongard Group in front of Commissioner Choi?”

“I was increasing your value and showing him that you're my official successor.”

“Was that really necessary?”

“You'll soon have to associate closely with people in my world. If you don't have enough weight in society, they might look down on you.”

“Ah... I understand your intentions now.”

As I admired Chairman Park's foresight, Choi Dongyeong returned and sat back down.

“My apologies. The higher-ups called, so I had to answer outside. I hope you'll understand.”

“It's all right. Don't worry about it.”

“Haha, thank you.”

“Now then, let me explain why I urgently asked you to come.”

“I'm listening.”

“At the end of January last year, Managing Director Cha's younger sister was the victim of a hit-and-run accident.”

“My goodness... that's terrible.”

Commissioner Choi looked at me sympathetically and sighed.

Chairman Park glanced at him briefly and continued.

“The police quickly closed the case due to insufficient evidence. Because of that, Managing Director Cha went through hell trying to earn money for his sister's treatment. Later, however, it was discovered that the witnesses emigrated to Canada and New Zealand, where they subsequently disappeared without a trace.”

“Is that true?”

“Exactly. Li Jiahan physically eliminated them, but in essence, it was the police who killed them by neglecting the case.”

“Wait, but what does this have to do with—”

Commissioner Choi stopped mid-sentence, already sensing something terrible.

“The witnesses knew exactly what kind of sports car had struck Cha Hyeonji. I believe you can guess what happened next.”

Choi Dongyeong understood immediately.

Li Jiahan had bribed the police to suppress the case.

The corrupt officers hurriedly closed the investigation, and the Chinese man, wishing to be safe, tracked down and killed the witnesses.

Realizing the disgrace, the Commissioner General didn't know where to look.

“Chairman Park, I am deeply sorry.”

“You should apologize not to me, but to those unfortunate witnesses who lost their lives.”

“I will personally locate their families and offer official apologies.”

“And punish the corrupt officers who accepted Li Jiahan's dirty money.”

“Of course. That goes without saying.”

“And if your people had done their jobs properly back then, we would have destroyed the Triad that took root in our country a year ago.”

“So it really was them...”

As though reading the Commissioner's thoughts, Chairman Park confirmed immediately.

“The hit-and-run was committed by the only son of the Triad vice chairman.”

“My suspicions were correct.”

“Their headquarters are located in Seongbuk-dong, and they have around fifty armed men. To expand their influence in Korea, they secretly imported methamphetamine and supplied local gangs. Now listen carefully, because this is the most important part.”

“I'm listening.”

Commissioner Choi's voice became hard and focused.

“Tonight, we plan to completely eliminate the Triad's Korean branch. However, we have precise information that those gangsters are armed with firearms.”

“You want the police to provide firearms support?”

“We would be very grateful. And now, regarding the role assigned to the police.”

“There's more?”

“Yes. You are to simultaneously arrest every local gang purchasing drugs from them.”

“I would love to help, Chairman Park, but we currently lack up-to-date information on those groups.”

Chairman Park gave a slight nod.

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan immediately stood up, took a thick plastic folder from the desk, and handed it to Commissioner Choi.

Choi Dongyeong hurriedly opened it and began reading.

After several minutes, he looked at Chairman Park with unconcealed astonishment.

“Where did these invaluable materials come from? How did you obtain them?”

“Early this morning, one of our employees infiltrated their hideout and stole these files.”

It took all my self-control not to burst out laughing.

With a single sentence from Chairman Park, Saho had become an employee of Korea Investment.

While I clenched my jaw, the conversation continued.

“I assume you understand why I'm handing these documents directly to you, Commissioner Choi.”

“To prevent information from leaking to the gangsters.”

“Exactly. And I trust I don't need to explain what such a leak would lead to.”

“The operation will be conducted under the strictest secrecy. You have my word.”

“Excellent. To destroy both the Triad and the local gangs in one blow, the raids must happen simultaneously.”

“Without question.”

“Coordinate the exact time with Secretary Kang.”

“We will. Time is short, so may I take my leave?”

Filled with impatience, Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong hurriedly departed.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Kang Inhan remarked with complete composure,

“He ran off as if his heels were on fire.”

“Hahahahaha!”

Chairman Park burst into loud laughter, appreciating the apt comparison.

CEO Cho Myeongjeong and I couldn't help laughing as well.

Once things settled down, Kang Inhan returned to business.

“Chairman, it's time to explain why you summoned Managing Director Cha.”

“Indeed. Managing Director Cha, among the files on the flash drive Saho brought back, we discovered the secret organizational structure of the entire Triad.”

“And that information is so important?”

“The Triad is a colossal international network with tentacles stretching across the world. If this secret structure falls into the hands of intelligence agencies and law enforcement in the major powers, the Triad will suffer a devastating blow from which it may never recover.”

“Ah... I see.”