Chapter 2696 - 2670: Independent Thought

Gao Yang and Baskov returned behind Yarebin.

Yarebin was still standing there, leaning on his cane, gazing down at the short, unmarked black tombstone, while Glewatov, upon hearing the sound, turned to glance at Gao Yang.

With a light sigh, Yarebin lifted his head, turned around, and said softly to Gao Yang and Baskov, "You have finished talking."

Gao Yang softly replied, "We have finished talking."

Baskov, however, smiled and said to Yarebin, "Captain, we’ve finished talking. If what he spoke of is what you intended to say, then we have reached a cooperative agreement."

Yarebin expressed slight surprise, "Cooperation?"

Baskov nodded, saying, "Yes, cooperation. Incidentally, the successor you found is quite good."

Yarebin smiled, "Oh, what’s good about him?"

Baskov said very earnestly, "The fact that he can discuss cooperation with me, I consider that very good."

Yarebin nodded, "Cooperation, it’s cooperation indeed, not bad at all. So how will we cooperate?"

Baskov looked to Glewatov, then said expressionlessly, "That will need to be discussed with Glewatov to determine, because I found your successor doesn’t seem too adept in intelligence operations."

Yarebin laughed, "Indeed, the things the Black Demon excels in, he almost knows none of them. But it doesn’t really matter. A driver doesn’t need to know how to manufacture cars, just as someone who uses a refrigerator doesn’t necessarily need to know how to make it cool."

Baskov sighed, "Captain, you still consider the Black Demon as a tool."

Yarebin smiled, "The Black Demon is a tool, to begin with, and can only ever be a tool. Such a dangerous tool becomes too perilous once it develops a mind of its own."

Baskov murmured, "I am very sorry, but I still insist that we should have our own thoughts. Being part of the most intelligent group of people in the world, yet conceding to be tools without any thought, is neither fair nor reasonable."

Yarebin remained indifferent, while Glewatov’s expression changed multiple times, looking at Baskov with sharpened eyes.

Yarebin pointed at Baskov, "Once you developed your own thoughts, you betrayed the Soviet Union. That’s the aftermath when a tool gains thought. I can’t judge whether you’re right or wrong, but from the perspective of the Black Demon’s designers and users, it’s obvious you’re an extremely failed creation."

Yarebin treated his subordinates as tools, using them when needed, maintaining them when used up, but discarding them once any unexpected situation occurred. Yet, you can’t reproach Yarebin for anything because he considers himself a tool too, leading by example. What more can you say?

Gao Yang found that, at this moment, he seemed to have more common ground with Baskov because he was strongly opposed to treating subordinates as tools, let alone seeing oneself that way.

However, Yarebin managed to silence Baskov, as facts were indeed facts. Baskov formed his own thoughts and then betrayed them. What’s there to argue? From a user’s perspective, Baskov was undoubtedly an extremely failed creation.

Yarebin sighed and said to Gao Yang, "Actually, I should remind you that people like us should never try to discuss emotions, because once the decision is made, or an order received, the Black Demon is a weapon devoid of any emotion. You can talk about emotions with the person holding the weapon, but not with the weapon itself. Trying to communicate with something without emotions would be quite foolish, wouldn’t it?"

Gao Yang nodded subconsciously, while Yarebin smiled and pointed at Baskov, "But he is different. He is the most failed creation within the Black Demons, as he is an anomaly among them, because he is a person who speaks of emotions."

Gao Yang was a bit dazed since Yarebin’s topic had jumped too much, making it hard to keep up with his train of thought.

Yarebin looked back at Baskov and said with a smile, "Actually, you had an opportunity to annihilate the Black Demon in one hit, as no one expected you to do it at the time. You could have killed all those who went on missions with you, and before we realized, taken a team to the Crimea Peninsula to wipe out the team I led. In this way, the Black Demon could have been completely destroyed in your hands, though at a great cost, but it was definitely doable."

Baskov replied expressionlessly, "You’re right."

Yarebin smiled, "But you chose the most foolish method, letting your subordinates go, which means you lost the only chance to annihilate the Black Demon forever."

Baskov heaved a deep sigh.

Yarebin still smiling, loudly remarked, "If you decide to betray, then you should go all the way. Keeping the Black Demon around means having numerous swords hanging over your head, yet you chose to betray and still tried to preserve the lives of the Black Demon’s people. Isn’t that foolish?"

Baskov remained silent.

Yarebin laughed heartily, saying, "As a Black Demon, manipulating intrigue and people is a basic skill. If I were in your position, I would ensure everyone was eliminated. Only this way is safe, ensuring success, leaving no aftermath, while every choice you made perfectly avoided the correct course of action. You chose betrayal but didn’t want to harm your former comrades. As a conspirator, you are kind-hearted. Baskov, wouldn’t you say you’re foolish?"

Baskov sighed softly, just shaking his head with a bitter smile.

Yarebin looked at Gao Yang, "Now, do you understand why I said you couldn’t talk emotions with the Black Demon but could with him? Because talk to him about interests, and what personal interest can you offer him? None, besides trouble. Yet he, this person, speaks of emotions, and because he was once part of the Black Demon, he feels guilty towards it, so whatever you ask, he’ll surely agree."

Gao Yang suddenly realized, then he said a bit embarrassed, "Actually, I already discussed this with Baskov just now."

Yarebin propped his hands on his cane, sighing, "As one gets older, one talks a lot more. Some things, I didn’t plan to say, but I couldn’t help but state them. Indeed, getting old, Baskov."

"Captain."

"After I left, you helped the Black Demon a few times, mainly bringing downsides without benefits, so I decided to visit you one last time instead of just coming for Ram’s matter. I guess he believes so, but I hope you don’t misunderstand as well."

Baskov nodded, appearing genuinely touched, and quietly said, "Thank you, thank you, Captain!"

Yarebin smiled, then he said softly, "Of course, I also came indeed to help Ram sort out some troubles incidentally. I guess you won’t refuse, right?"