Chapter 740 - 680: Return to Siria

The Mi-17 helicopter took off again.

This time, however, it carried Song Heping, Jiang Feng, and several others, along with a squad-sized unit of South American mercenaries.

The captain of this squad was Cassia.

He was the new commander, succeeding Gabri.

The atmosphere inside the aircraft was extremely oppressive.

Having just lost so many of their brothers during the previous brutal slaughter, these South American mercenaries hadn't yet shaken off the adrenaline their bodies were producing.

No one wanted to talk; everyone was silently waiting for the next wave of bloodshed.

Jiang Feng glanced at Song Heping, who was sitting next to him. Song was leaning back in his seat, eyes closed, trying to rest.

Jiang Feng had many questions he wanted to ask.

But he hesitated, afraid of disturbing him.

This made him uncomfortable, causing him to shift his position restlessly.

Suddenly, Song Heping opened his eyes and glanced at Jiang Feng, "Do you have a lot of questions you want to ask?"

"N-not really!"

Jiang Feng stammered in his reply.

Song Heping sat up straight, exhaling deeply, "If you have something on your mind, just ask."

Jiang Feng said, "Isn't this move too risky? For example... if we're discovered by Illiguo's patrol forces, it could be very dangerous... And there are Americans there."

Song Heping responded calmly, "You've been stationed in Illiguo for so long—have you ever seen Americans come to a place like Dahuk at night?"

His words were enough to shut Jiang Feng up.

Dahuk is situated in the northwest corner of Illiguo, neighboring Turkey, Persia, and Siria. It's essentially a border region.

Any area adjacent to several countries tends to turn chaotic if the government fails to maintain order.

Just like the Golden Triangle.

Thus, this is a region interwoven with various local forces, with the Madheh Army being the dominant one.

Ever since the "Freedom Force," backed by the Kurds, was crushed by Song Heping, the Madheh Army has become the largest armed faction in the area.

"Relax. First off, we're flying low, so radar can't detect us. Second, the Civilian Military here lacks the capability to shoot down helicopters. Besides, the Madheh Army is the strongest faction in this area."

At this point, Song Heping paused.

"More importantly, right now, the US Army isn't focused on this place—they're watching Badi Town."

"Is there a fight happening over there?" Jiang Feng asked.

Song Heping checked his watch before saying, "If Samir isn't a complete fool, upon hearing my report about the CIA operatives leaving Badi Town, he will seize the opportunity to launch an attack immediately. He will never find a better chance than tonight. I5I5 reinforcements likely won't cross the border to support Badi Town at this time. Their intelligence is shared with the CIA, and if I'm correct, they're currently rushing to deal with the fallout there."

Jiang Feng nodded thoughtfully before asking, after some deliberation, "So when Samir's side starts fighting, the US Army will focus on the developments there?"

"Of course they will." Song Heping said, "Haven't you dealt with the US military enough? They definitely don't want casualties from conflicts between the I5I5 forces and Civilian Military groups. I estimate they'd send reconnaissance units there to observe, stay on the sidelines, and let the local factions tear each other apart."

"Got it..."

Jiang Feng finally let go of his concerns.

Earlier, at a Persian border camp, Song Heping had made a decision that stunned everyone.

He decided to return to Siria.

Yes, that's right.

Despite losing at least half of his elite troops, he intended to go back to Siria.

There was only one goal—to annihilate the CIA's secret action team heading to Badi Town, known as the "Watchers."

Tonight, Song Heping suffered a significant blow.

This debt would not be left unsettled.

"A gentleman may wait ten years for revenge."

But that's only when he lacks the strength to act.

If the capability is there—

A gentleman settles his score without delay.

Song Heping's guess was spot on.

He predicted that after his attack in Gelashuk targeting Baghdadi, the CIA would certainly send reinforcements.

The "Watchers" team came to Illiguo specifically for him.

They weren't here to protect Ahmair and his two or three thousand troops in Badi Town.

To the high-ranking officials in Langley Headquarters, the fate of these terrorists was of no concern.

What mattered was whose hands Baghdadi would fall into—especially ensuring it wouldn't be his.

Killing him—that was their ultimate goal.

Wherever he appeared, the CIA's "Watchers" would swarm like flies drawn to excrement.

Moreover, Badi Town wasn't far from the border, so they were bound to head there.

But what they didn't know was his collaboration with Avanti, which had already flown him into Persia.

If he were the "Watchers" commander, he'd assume that his team would withdraw to Illiguo via land routes. Hence, they'd comb through that path, trying to catch him in his weakened state.

Except their judgment had been outmaneuvered by Song Heping.

The war with the CIA had officially begun.

The "Musician" defense mercenary squad ambushed the "Watchers" outside Baghdad, taking an early lead.

Then the CIA deployed another secret action unit to set a trap in Gelashuk Town, delivering a heavy blow to Song Heping's team.

Now it was Song Heping's turn to strike.

He had to annihilate every last member of the "Watchers" team sent to Illiguo, regaining the upper hand in this battle of wits.

What Song Heping hadn't anticipated was that the attack wasn't actually orchestrated by the CIA's "Watchers" team but rather by the "Satan" organization lurking in the shadows, thirsting for his life.

Of course, unbeknownst as it may be—

The score would still be settled with Kelly and the CIA.

Gelashuk Town lay about five kilometers east of Illiguo's border.

The Mi-17 helicopter landed in the yellow soil valley between two hills, unloading Song Heping and his team before ascending sharply, quickly vanishing into the night sky.

According to the plan, Song Heping would head north after completing the operation, then turn east, leveraging the Madheh Army's territory to enter Illiguo. There, arrangements would be made for them to cross the border back into Persia.

"We are fifteen men, divided into five groups. As per the earlier plan, each group will enter their designated position. Once situated, both key routes in this area will be under our control. Whoever spots the 'Watchers' team first will immediately signal, and the other groups will arrive to provide support. Understand?"

Song Heping pulled out an electronic map, pointing and strategizing on it.

The pre-planned tactical scheme was briefly refreshed in a pre-battle briefing. Everyone had a clear grasp of their positions.

"No problem."

"No problem."

"No problem."

The tactical teams dispersed quickly, blending into the darkness.

Sticking with Song Heping were Disaster Star and Jiang Feng.

The two settled into a sandy spot behind a hill as planned, ensuring they wouldn't expose themselves and established an observation post, setting up a high-powered reconnaissance instrument aimed toward Illiguo.

Disaster Star didn't look too pleased.

Hunter was hospitalized, and Jiang Feng was temporarily substituting as the sniper.

Seeing Disaster Star's bad mood, Jiang Feng cracked a joke to ease the tension, "Disaster Star, let's make a bet."

"Bet on what?"

Disaster Star appeared uninterested.

"Bet whether they'll take this route or the one on the opposite side?"

Disaster Star thought for a moment, then suddenly pulled out a roll of USD bills from his pocket and tossed it in front of Jiang Feng, "Bet!"

Jiang Feng glanced at the bundle—at least five thousand U.S. dollars—and exclaimed, "Do we really need to bet this much?"

On every mission, they carried dollars on them.

After all, dollars were internationally recognized currency. Mercenaries preferred cash—especially in situations like this—as no one would be stupid enough to use their identity to open a bank account.

Moreover, in war zones, cash was king. In certain critical moments, a handful of dollars could save lives.

When Americans invaded Illiguo, CIA operatives brought crates of cash to bribe high-ranking officers in Sadam's army—with astounding success.

"Quit your whining! You brought up the bet; now I'm putting in the money, and you're chickening out?"

Disaster Star sneered mockingly at Jiang Feng.

Jiang Feng, unable to back down, rummaged through his bag for quite a while before finally pulling out three thousand dollars and throwing it onto the ground.

"Here, this is all I've got. If I lose, mark it down—I'll pay you back later."

Disaster Star, still sluggish from the earlier battle, responded nonchalantly, "Mark it down? Let's see if we even survive to settle accounts!"

Jiang Feng rolled his eyes, "How do we settle accounts if we don't survive?"

Disaster Star retorted with irritation, "Fine, fine. Which route do you pick?"

Jiang Feng replied, "I pick our route. Mount your gun and get ready—soon your thirsty machine gun will feast on blood."

Disaster Star seemed invigorated by the prospect of action, "Alright! If they come this way, losing five thousand will be worth it!"

He finished loading his M249 machine gun and adjusted the large 200-round ammo box.

"Tonight, I'll take out extra American dogs!"

"Disaster Star, you've lost."

Song Heping, who had been watching the reconnaissance instrument, suddenly interjected, "They're headed straight for us."

Tuning to the channel, he called out, "Rally to my position—they're advancing along Route 1. We'll intercept first, then you swing around and hit them from the rear. Tear them apart!"