Chapter 2693 - 2667: Once a Traitor Is Enough

Yarebin is under soft imprisonment...

Gao Yang finally understood why Yarebin stayed in the retirement home for so many years.

Actually, it’s easy to comprehend when you think about it. For someone like Yarebin, even if he isn’t dead, how could he not be under strict supervision? It’s actually a miracle that Yarebin isn’t dead.

Baskov went silent again for a long time, as Glewatov’s accusations made it hard for him to refute.

Finally, Baskov slowly said, "The coup failed. At that time, I didn’t hold any official position, but I volunteered to go and retrieve Gerbachov, because he was being held by the captain. I feared the captain and the comrades might die."

Glewatov wanted to speak but glanced at Yarebin, then angrily bowed his head without saying a word.

Baskov also hung his head, saying quietly, "I was the first to arrive in Crimea. The captain didn’t know about my defection. I met him, spoke for a long time, and then the events unfolded as you all know. The captain left with me, and the Black Demon members disbanded on site, each finding their own way."

Yarebin smiled and said, "Actually, I knew your choice at the time. Given your identity, a mistake was impossible. But you convinced me that not going to war was a better choice."

Baskov let out a breath, saying, "Yeltsin insisted on dealing with all Black Demon members because leaving them posed too great a threat to the newborn Russia. Under my advice and threats, he agreed to my proposal: the captain was under soft imprisonment, the Black Demon disbanded entirely. In a large sense, the captain was a hostage."

Glewatov said coldly, "So, should we be grateful to you for surviving?"

Baskov shook his head, saying, "I won’t claim credit for this because Black Demon isn’t foolish enough to gather and wait to be wiped out completely. As long as Black Demon wasn’t destroyed in one stroke, its retaliation was something Russia couldn’t bear. But..."

Baskov looked at Glewatov, coldly saying, "Tarta followed my actions. Before I reported, I dispersed all Black Demon members. After the captain returned with me and you all hid, there was no Russian pursuit. That’s the result of my protection, which you cannot deny."

Glewatov said coldly, "You really have great merit. I almost wish someone would hunt me down because then I wouldn’t have to spend decades in boredom. You should thank the peace between us. I really want to know who would break first if Black Demon retaliated against Russia. Do you think our agreements and signals were meaningless chatter? Would Black Demon fear being hunted? Haha, what a funny joke this is."

Baskov remained silent, while Yarebin sighed, saying, "Ensuring peace between Black Demon and the New Zhengfu is a decent result."

Baskov respectfully said, "That’s your accomplishment, captain."

Yarebin sighed, "The people secretly watching over me withdrew long ago. Living in the retirement home was my own choice because I know the Soviet Union isn’t coming back. Going out has no purpose, no meaning."

Baskov said quietly, "I feel guilt in my heart, dare not face you. I only watched from afar during your surgery, captain. I’m truly sorry, I... I feel so helpless..."

Yarebin smiled and said, "I know. With my identity and at this age, being able to have surgery in Moscow’s best hospital must be your arrangement. But the initial director you arranged was decent. The one who followed was quite detestable, even skimping on the elderly’s meals. Such greed for money, Baskov, you’ve really failed your duty."

Baskov shouted with a face full of alarm, hurriedly saying, "Sorry, captain. I later stopped handling this matter. My identity is very sensitive. After so many years, many things have gradually been forgotten, and Black Demon is no longer being..."

Yarebin laughed and said, "Yes, we’ve all grown old."

Glewatov spat bitterly, "Black Demon doesn’t have shirkers! Can’t handle such matters, useless!"

Baskov confessed, "It’s my fault, I’m sorry."

Yarebin waved his hand and said, "It’s all right. I’ve reprimanded him when I left the retirement home. Okay, let’s not bring up past events. Let’s discuss the future."

Yarebin looked at Baskov, pondered for a moment, then nodded, saying, "You betrayed the Soviet Union."

Baskov remained silent.

Yarebin sighed, saying, "But you didn’t betray Black Demon. You didn’t stain your hands with Black Demon’s blood. You also protected Black Demon, although protecting Black Demon means protecting yourself and Russia. Still, you protected Black Demon, at least prevented any disturbances."

Baskov still remained silent, while Yarebin stated calmly, "I still regard you as a traitor to the Soviet Union. But when I left the retirement home, you didn’t stop me, allowing me to acknowledge you as a member of Black Demon."

Baskov’s expression was complex as he stared blankly at Yarebin, his throat emitting a rattling sound, his body trembling intensely.

Yarebin sighed, saying, "The Soviet Union is gone, Black Demon doesn’t belong to Russia. That’s why I say we must look forward. Now Black Demon fights for itself, and Ram is the captain."

Baskov looked at Gao Yang and then said with a trembling voice, "I... still... regard myself as a member of Black Demon! But... I maintain that if anyone causes trouble in Russia, damaging Russia, no matter who they are—even Black Demon—I will wield the executioner’s blade!"

After speaking with great difficulty, Baskov took a long breath, swallowed hard, then said with a trembling voice, "I regard myself as a member of Black Demon as an emotion, like a soldier’s affection for an old unit. But if it means betraying Russia, I’m sorry, one experience of being a traitor is enough."

Yarebin laughed, patted Baskov’s shoulder, and said, "All right, by saying that, you’ve dissolved the last trace of disdain I harbored against you."

Glewatov let out a heavy grunt, but at least refrained from mocking Baskov further.

Yarebin looked intently at Baskov, saying solemnly, "What has passed is past. I forgive your betrayal of the Soviet Union. In the future, we’ll fight for ourselves. I brought him here to meet you to clarify some matters. We won’t act against Russia’s interests. You understand the rest."

Baskov responded earnestly, "I understand what you mean, and I’ve done my best to assist Ram, haven’t I?"

Yarebin nodded, saying, "That’s good. And in the future?"

Baskov quickly replied, "As long as Russia’s interests aren’t harmed, I’ll pretend to know nothing. If it’s beneficial to Russia, we can cooperate, and I’ll do my utmost!"

Yarebin laughed, saying, "Based on what you said, I have matters to discuss with you."