Chapter 327: Maybe I’m Just Imagining It?

The first-class lounge at Incheon International Airport.

Chief Secretary Kang Inhan and I passed the time talking while we waited for NIS Director Om Giyeon and the others.

“Department Head, Saho didn’t throw a fit trying to follow you, did he?”

“Of course he did.”

“So my guess was right after all. How did you manage to shake that little leech off?”

“I told him it was time for his preventive vaccination, and he bolted so fast I barely saw his heels.”

“Ha-ha-ha! Why is Saho so terrified of injections?”

Saho understood human speech perfectly, so he knew exactly what the word “injection” meant.

And the moment he heard it, he would flee in terror.

It seemed he had some deep psychological trauma associated with vaccinations.

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

“Saho grew up in the wild, so he probably just doesn’t fully understand what syringes and needles are.”

“Well... now that you mention it, you may be right.”

After some time, the lounge doors opened and two foreigners and one Korean entered.

After looking around, they headed straight toward our table.

Their faces were unfamiliar, but I immediately knew who they were.

Without a doubt, CIA Director Griffin, FBI Director Nevers, and NIS Director Om Giyeon.

I got up from the sofa and greeted them politely.

“Chief Cha, have you been here long?”

“We only arrived a little while ago too. Director Griffin, just how many false identities and aliases do you have?”

Director Griffin had already been to China twice this year alone.

Entering the country under his real name would have caused an international scandal, so he used an advanced realistic mask.

He was wearing one again now, which naturally made me curious.

“Who knows? I change identities depending on the operation, so even I’ve lost count.”

“Ha-ha. Is that so?”

“Should we warn Vice Chairman Tang Guochang that we’re coming to China?”

“The operation could fall apart. Wouldn’t it be better to assess the situation first and contact him afterward?”

“I suppose that would be best. And how is the gold deal between Chairman Zhen Weiliang and Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan progressing?”

“Even faster than we expected.”

I told Director Griffin and the others everything from my conversation with Chairman Zhen Weiliang without holding anything back.

“...We agreed to meet Chairman Zhen somewhere near Daxing Airport on the outskirts of Beijing.”

“What time is the meeting?”

“The cargo plane carrying the gold is supposed to land at Daxing at around seven in the evening. They’ll be verifying the gold’s authenticity near the airport, so we probably won’t be able to meet them before eleven at night.”

“We arrive at four thirty, so we have more than enough time.”

“I think so too.”

At that moment, NIS Director Om Giyeon, who seemed to have a question, joined the conversation.

“You’re sure they won’t find our bug on the special container?”

“All we can do is trust Chairman Zhen.”

“Still, why do I feel so uneasy? Maybe I’m just imagining it?”

“Probably. He’s much more experienced than we think, so don’t worry.”

“If Chief Cha says so, I feel a little better.”

“Tonight, we absolutely have to find out where Deputy Secretary Zhang hid the gold.”

“Why the rush?”

“There’s a chance Deputy Secretary Zhang may try to hand the gold over to Chairman Xi Jinping as early as tomorrow.”

“That soon? What are we going to do if he does it tomorrow?”

The gold owned by Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan absolutely could not fall into the Chairman’s hands.

Politburo member Liu Peiqi had to intercept it.

Only then would my plan work perfectly.

NIS Director Om Giyeon understood that perfectly well, which was why his voice sounded so anxious.

“If it comes to that, we’ll block him by any means necessary.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to strike first and take the shipment ourselves?”

I shook my head and answered Director Om.

“Our objective is to help Vice Chairman Tang Guochang carry out his coup successfully. If we steal Zhang’s gold ourselves, we’ll lose our way of eliminating Politburo member Liu.”

“Hmm... That’s true.”

While NIS Director Om Giyeon nodded thoughtfully, a boarding announcement came over the speakers.

[Dear passengers, boarding is now beginning for the flight bound for Beijing, China...]

***

The plane that departed from Incheon International Airport landed at Beijing Capital International Airport after two hours in the air.

Directors Griffin and Nevers got off first, just to be safe.

We left the cabin at a more leisurely pace and headed toward passport control.

The last time I entered the country through Dalian International Airport, the immigration officer had practically interrogated me.

So I expected the screening to be strict this time as well.

However, the officer only glanced briefly at my face before silently stamping my passport.

Letting out a mental sigh of relief, I took my passport back and headed toward baggage claim.

After collecting our suitcases and entering the arrivals hall, we saw Director Lee Menghong waiting for us.

“Director Lee, good to see you in Beijing.”

“It’s good to see you too, Chief Cha. Did you arrive together with Director Om?”

At that moment, a middle-aged gentleman approached us.

Recognizing him, Director Lee Menghong bowed politely.

“Director Om, welcome to China.”

“This is hardly an official visit. Has everyone else arrived?”

“Not yet. Once they do, the other operatives will take them to the safe house.”

“Then there’s no point waiting for them. Let’s get going.”

Following Director Lee Menghong, we headed to the parking lot, where a luxury sedan was waiting for us.

With the help of Agent Choi Seonghun and Director Lee Menghong, we loaded our suitcases into the trunk.

Director Lee took the front passenger seat, while NIS Director Om Giyeon, Chief Secretary Kang Inhan, and I sat in the back.

As soon as Choi Seonghun smoothly pulled away, Director Om Giyeon asked Lee Menghong,

“Lee, have Directors Griffin and Nevers already gone to the safe house?”

“Vice President Cayman, the CIA undercover operative, picked them up.”

“So they had no problems at passport control.”

“Seems that way.”

“Good. And where is our safe house?”

“In an upscale residential community near Langfang.”

“Hmm... Vice Chairman Wei Chen really prepared everything thoroughly.”

NIS Director Om Giyeon nodded and turned toward the window.

***

Beijing Capital International Airport was located on the northeastern outskirts of the city.

Our destination, Langfang, lay southeast of Beijing.

We had to cross the entire metropolis, so the car repeatedly got trapped in traffic, creeping along bumper to bumper.

Being stuck inside the car was suffocating, and Chief Secretary Kang Inhan decided to strike up a conversation with Director Lee Menghong.

“Director Lee, is the traffic in Beijing always this awful?”

“There are always plenty of cars, but this is peak rush hour, so everything is jammed.”

“I see. And when do you think we’ll reach the safe house?”

“It’s hard to say exactly, but I think it’ll take about an hour.”

It was 6:50 p.m. now, which meant we wouldn’t arrive until around eight.

“Understood. What do you think about dinner?”

“Why don’t we get there first and eat together with Directors Griffin and Nevers?”

Bzzzt—

At that moment, the phone in my hand vibrated.

Chairman Bongard’s name appeared on the screen.

After informing NIS Director Om Giyeon, I answered.

“Chairman Bongard, I’m listening.”

[Chief Cha, I heard you went on a business trip to China?]

Chairman Bongard knew that Vice Chairman Tang Guochang was preparing a coup.

So I could have told him the true purpose of the trip.

But the conversation might drag on, so I decided to avoid giving a direct answer.

“Well, things just worked out that way.”

[Should I take that as you not wanting to reveal the purpose of your visit?]

“I’m in a car with colleagues right now. We’re heading to where we’ll be staying.”

[Ah, so you can’t talk in front of outsiders?]

“I won’t deny it.”

[All right, it’s not that important. Forget it. I’m calling for another reason.]

“I’m listening.”

[I’m curious why you’re holding down gold futures prices.]

Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan had purchased twelve tons of gold from Chairman Zhen Weiliang.

If futures prices suddenly surged, he simply wouldn’t have enough money.

That was why I had frozen the rise.

However, Zhang had already paid Zhen Weiliang in full.

Which meant there was no longer any need to artificially suppress the price.

“I’ll lift the restrictions on gold futures.”

[Ha-ha-ha! Thank you. And what’s our target?]

At that moment, a brilliant idea struck me.

After quickly shaping it into a clear plan, I continued speaking with Chairman Bongard.

“Can we push gold futures prices up by more than ten percent within three or four hours?”

[That’s no problem at all, we could start right now... But...]

I understood perfectly well why Chairman Bongard hesitated.

“Right now, Chairman Zhen Weiliang and Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan are closing the deal.”

[Didn’t you say they had already agreed on everything?]

“There’s one formality left.”

I told Chairman Bongard exactly how the transfer was being carried out.

“...At this very moment, they’re checking the authenticity of the gold at a warehouse near Daxing Airport.”

[I understand. I won’t keep you. I’ve got plenty to do. I’m hanging up.]

Click.

As soon as the call ended, I turned to Chief Secretary Kang Inhan.

“Chief Kang, you heard my conversation with Chairman Bongard?”

“Of course.”

After giving a short answer, Chief Kang Inhan immediately called Executive Director Cho Myeongsu.

After exchanging a few words with him, he hung up.

“Department Head, he promised to drive gold futures prices up by more than ten percent as quickly as possible.”

Bzzzt—

The phone in my hand buzzed again.

Looking at the screen, I saw Vice Chairman Wei Chen’s name.

I had been meaning to contact him anyway, so the timing couldn’t have been better.

After excusing myself to NIS Director Om Giyeon, I answered.

“Vice Chairman Wei, have you landed at Daxing?”

[We just entered the taxiway. Where are you, Chief Cha?]

“We’re heading to the safe house. We should arrive in about an hour.”

[Understood. I’ll text you the coordinates of the warehouse where the gold will be inspected.]

“I’ll be waiting. How’s the beacon on the special container?”

[Working perfectly. The signal is stable.]

“Zhang won’t be able to detect it?”

[You don’t need to worry about that at all. Everything is completely secure.]

Since Vice Chairman Wei Chen sounded so confident, all I could do was take his word for it.

“Then I’m relieved.”

[Good. Chairman Zhen wants to speak with you.]

A couple of seconds later, Chairman Zhen Weiliang’s voice came through.

[Chief Cha, gold futures are suddenly shooting up. Do you know why?]

“That’s because we stopped controlling them.”

[Ah, I see. Why now, though?]

“I want to lift Deputy Secretary Zhang’s spirits for a while.”

[So that’s what this is about...]

Chairman Zhen Weiliang immediately saw through my plan and fell silent in understanding.

“Chairman Zhen, let Deputy Secretary Zhang feel like he’s on top of the world.”

[Ha-ha! I’ll make sure of it. By the way, when should we dump the futures?]

“I’ll let you know separately when it’s time to sell.”

Now it was time to bring up the most important point.

“Chairman Zhen, try to drag out the gold-authentication process as long as possible.”

[I assume you have a good reason?]

“Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan may try to hand the gold over to Chairman Xi Jinping as early as tomorrow.”

[That soon? So I need to stop him from doing that tomorrow?]

“Exactly, Chairman Zhen.”

[I’ll do everything possible and impossible to buy us time.]

“I’m counting on you. And if anything unexpected happens, contact me immediately.”

After finishing my conversation with Chairman Zhen Weiliang, I ended the call.

At that moment, NIS Director Om Giyeon cautiously asked,

“Do you think Chairman Zhen can stop Zhang’s plans?”

“I hope so, but we have to account for the worst-case scenario.”

“And what do we do then?”

“Zhang will try to hand the gold over to Chairman Xi before Politburo member Liu does...”