Chapter 1239 - 1078: Resting in Place?

Northern Illigo, en route to the mountains at the Persian Border.

The team moved silently along the rugged mountain path.

Song Heping walked in the middle of the team, occasionally observing the surrounding terrain and the team's condition. His satellite phone vibrated.

He moved behind a large rock, signaling to Naxin and the others who were following him to continue forward, while he stayed to answer the call.

The call was from Henry.

"Boss, I'm sorry."

Henry's voice sounded somewhat dejected, "I did my best with the task you assigned... We spent a lot of money, even used those old connections within the Illigo Government and military, but all we got were scraps. CIA's core network in the northwest is hidden too well. Those who've survived until now are real cunning foxes. Either they operate on a single-line contact, making it impossible to reach higher levels. To get that high-level agent list, unless... unless we have someone inside their organization to help."

"Alright, you did your best, don't blame yourself, it's not your fault."

Song Heping listened in silence, not entirely surprised by the outcome.

If infiltrating the CIA were that easy, it wouldn't be the CIA anymore.

He hung up the phone, his brow furrowed, his mind rapidly weighing options.

The list couldn't be obtained...

Song Heping's mind raced.

Without the list, the plan was at a standstill.

The original intent was to uproot the CIA's foothold in the northwest in one sweep—

This would not only give 1515 the chance to cripple the CIA's intelligence capabilities in the northwest, turning the US Army's airstrikes into blind and deaf, thereby highlighting the value of the 'Liberation Forces' in the future, making them inevitably come to Samir for help.

Secondly, it would serve as a harsh retaliation for the CIA's relentless hunts against me, delivering a clear warning for them to stop trying to oppose or eliminate me. If they make the first move, I can make the last.

In the Middle East or Africa, as long as I survive, the CIA agents shouldn't even think about having peace.

But now...

That route seems blocked.

Thinking of this, Song Heping couldn't help but scratch his head, his brows knitted tightly.

"Damn it..."

He couldn't help but curse.

A thought flashed in his mind.

Using Simon?

This idea was extremely tempting.

In Simon's position, obtaining such a list might not be impossible.

But in the next second, Song Heping forcibly suppressed this thought.

No!

Simon is my ultimate trump card, reserved for critical moments that determine life and death or securing strategic-level intelligence.

To activate him just for a regional agent list would be overkill, and the risk of exposure would increase geometrically.

Once Simon is suspected or even exposed, I would lose an irreplaceable strategic advantage, making it nearly impossible to gain insights into the CIA's core actions in the future.

One must not lose the larger picture over minor gains.

While he was tangled up in thought, another encrypted phone in his pocket vibrated, receiving a new message.

He took it out and saw the sender was a garbled string, but after decryption, it showed Simon's warning.

"The CIA has found me? They want to confirm my position and then carry out a precise decapitation..."

Song Heping looked at the message, his pupils slightly contracting.

Simon's warning was timely, but it also confirmed the urgency of the situation.

However, this sudden crisis, instead, felt like a bolt of lightning that cleared the fog in his mind.

Confirm my position?

Song Heping's gaze sharpened.

What does that imply?

It implies that the CIA will activate their intelligence network to verify satellite image findings!

They will send agents or activate dormant insiders to attempt close-range observation to confirm my existence!

Suddenly, a bold plan took shape in his mind.

The hunter is checking the nest...

He murmured, a cold smile appearing on his lips.

...Confirm?

Fine, then I'll help you 'confirm'!

Now it seems, there's no need for that stagnant list, what's needed is a CIA agent carrying out a mission!

As long as we capture one, there's a chance to follow the trail and pry open their network!

This is more direct and effective than aimlessly searching for a potentially incomplete list!

But the risk in doing so is equally high.

This would be like using oneself as the most delectable bait, attracting the most dangerous hunter close, and then executing a counterattack at the last moment before being sniped.

If I fail, it would mean total annihilation.

But Song Heping's heartbeat accelerated with excitement.

This is the kind of battlefield I am familiar with, dancing on the blade, grappling with the most dangerous opponents. Let's do it!

He quickly composed a text message to Simon, with only a few simple words:

"Understood. Facilitate action."

He needed Simon to discreetly encourage this "confirmation" procedure within the CIA, making Director Vincent, the old guy hell-bent on killing me, send their "eyes" faster and with more certainty.

Only then can his trap wait for the prey.

"Samir!"

Song Heping shouted towards the front of the team: "Come over!"

"Boss, I'm here!"

Samir quickly ran over.

"What happened?"

"Immediately halt the team, then find a place to camp," Song Heping commanded without explanation. "Find a hidden spot. We're on the highland; it's best to seek a valley and disperse the team, breaking into units."

"There's just over ten kilometers to cross the border," Samir was bewildered. The team wasn't tired, and they had already entered the highland area. The situation here is very complex, especially when crossing into Persia, none of it's safe.

Pointing ahead, Song Heping said, "No need to ask. I'll explain to you later. Have the team stop and camp immediately. Rest here for at least two days."

"This—"

Samir was speechless.

He could not comprehend the order.

Retreating into Persia was for safety, yet staying here was clearly unsafe and risky.

Moreover, they were to camp for two days.

This was clearly not for resting.

But Song Heping's decision must have a basis.

Ultimately, Samir said nothing more, turning to call a messenger: "Notify everyone to spend the night in the canyon up ahead, disperse and camp by units, and ensure caution with sentries and patrols around."

"Yes, leader."

Once the messenger left, Samir turned to Song Heping, "Boss, what happened? Did something change with the Persian side?"

Aside from this reason, Samir couldn't think of any other.

"No, we need to stay inside Illiguo to wait for some guests."

"Guests?"

"Yes, guests."

The team quickened their pace and before nightfall, veered off the original route, entering a narrow and hidden canyon.

Song Heping personally arranged both visible and hidden sentries, prioritizing strategic positions and potential observation directions.

Like a patient spider, he began to weave his web, awaiting the fly sent to "confirm" to fall into the trap.

Once settled, Song Heping personally chose a position for his command post.

It was a cave on the cliff wall.

The Northwest of Illiguo, near Persia, had already stepped into the edge of the Persian Plateau, where the terrain was complicated with many places to hide and take cover.

Only by hiding could he lure the CIA in.

He was keenly aware of these Americans' means and procedures; they must confirm the target before taking action.

By not showing himself and by not letting the satellites capture him, they would inevitably send ground scouts.

As night deepened, temperatures in the canyon dropped sharply.

Apart from the slight footsteps of patrols and the howling mountain wind, the surroundings were silent.

Song Heping stayed awake, seated in the cave with a cup of Arabic tea on a rock beside him.

Tea was a good stimulant.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

He knew that the hunt had already begun.

But this time, who the real hunter was remained uncertain.

...

United States, Langley, CIA Headquarters.

It was already seven in the evening, but many windows at the headquarters building were still lit, including Deputy Director Simon's office.

The encrypted communication terminal before him had just received an updated report from the Illiguo front-line intelligence officer.

The report indicated that based on the latest satellite imagery analysis, the "Liberation Forces" team suddenly stopped moving about fifteen kilometers from the border, choosing a narrow canyon to camp, dispersing and setting up tight sentries.

Simon's fingers lightly tapped the desk.

As expected, Song Heping did not leave. He indeed halted and chose a canyon that seemed easy to defend but also easy to block.

He's waiting, waiting for the CIA "confirmation" personnel to come.

"Understood. Proceed with the operation."

Song Heping's reply echoed in his mind.

Simon took a deep breath and picked up the internal secure phone, connecting to Director Vincent's line.

"Director, this is Simon. There's a new development. The target team has halted approximately fifteen kilometers south of the border in a canyon. Here's the satellite image and analysis report that just came in."

Simon's tone maintained professional composure.

"Their deployment looks cautious, as if they're guarding against something, or possibly... conducting some form of rest or waiting."

A few minutes later, Vincent's voice came through from the other end of the phone, carrying a tinge of irritation from the late-night disruption mixed with excitement at spotting prey: "A canyon? Ha, they sure chose a spot. Looks like they're really planning to spend the night there. Simon, the 'caution' you noticed might just be fatigue. Or maybe, that Song Heping thinks being near the border makes him safe."

"Perhaps."

Simon concurred without objection, "Director, this is an opportunity. Their pause gives us a window to confirm the target."

"Exactly!" Vincent's voice turned decisive, "No more waiting. Activate all resources available in that area, contact the Kurd Armed who are familiar with the terrain, ask them to send two guides, and then deploy agents closest to the spot! I want to know if Song Heping is in that camp! Once confirmed, don't wait for further instructions, directly coordinate an airstrike! Tell the Air Force folks to be ready, I want that canyon empty of any living being when the sun rises tomorrow!"

"Understood, Director. I'll coordinate with the operations department and the forward intelligence post immediately."

Simon responded efficiently, "I recommend deploying the 'Shadow' group—our finest stealth operatives in the area; most of them are locals, some are our agents, but they all have Middle Eastern looks. They're adept at infiltration and observation. Also, liaise with the Kurd people for support."

"Excellent! Simon, I want confirmation information as soon as possible!"

Vincent emphasized.

"Yes, Director."

Hanging up the phone, Simon began his deployments immediately.

He issued precise orders, mobilizing resources, all seemingly intended to promptly "confirm" and eliminate the target.

He specifically stressed in communications, "The target is extremely dangerous and cunning. All operatives must prioritize their own concealment and safety. Confirmation of the target's presence is a success; do not attempt to approach or engage."

— This was not only a professional reminder but also a silent warning, hoping they would be more cautious, maybe even to perceive any anomalies.

Orders quickly relayed through secure channels reached the CIA's covert operation station in Northwest Illiguo.

Soon, a special reconnaissance team code-named "Shadow" set off from a hidden post, silently advancing towards Black Hawk Canyon as stealthily as ghosts under the cover of night.

Meanwhile, two local informants controlled by the CIA through money and threats also received orders to find a way to approach the canyon area, observing whether an "important Eastern figure" was present.

In the darkness, a hunting net was cast over Song Heping's head.