Chapter 316: Secret Talk in the Coffee Shop

As Chen Qingdi listened to Thomas's story, a plan began to form in his mind. He decided to first investigate the specific location of the gym, then arrange for the Mercenary Corps to carry out the assassination.

'I will assign this mission to my most capable men,' Chen Qingdi thought. 'They will ensure the mission is completed successfully.'

Chen Qingdi sat in the coffee shop, a hot coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He took a deep drag from the cigarette, then slowly exhaled the smoke, as if lost in thought.

Thomas sat across from him, a hint of awkwardness and helplessness on his face. He watched Chen Qingdi for a long moment before finally speaking.

"Mr. Chen, I know you're unhappy with me, but I hope you can understand. I've found out about what happened between my father and my wife. Although I'm furious, I still want to ask for your help in resolving this problem."

Chen Qingdi smiled. "Thomas, you're a smart man. You should know our Mercenary Corps isn't here to help you commit patricide. If you really want to solve the problem, you can do it yourself or find someone else to help."

Thomas shook his head. "I can't. I already tried to do it myself, and I failed. I don't want to ask anyone else for help, because I'm afraid they'll leak my secret. That's why your Mercenary Corps is my only option."

Chen Qingdi took a deep drag from his cigarette. "Fine. Since you've made up your mind, I'll say no more. But I have to give you a word of advice. Our Mercenary Corps may take any job, but this is something you could handle internally. If you regret this down the line, you might just bring more trouble to our doorstep."

Thomas smiled. "I just want you to kill him. I want to sign the contract with you now and pay you a two-million-US-Dollar deposit."

But Chen Qingdi took a sip of his coffee, shook his head, and said, "A two-million-US-Dollar deposit is too little. I want five million."

Thomas was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "Fine, five million it is. As long as you solve this problem for me, I can give you even more money."

Chen Qingdi smiled. "Very well, let's sign the contract then."

The two began to discuss the details of the contract, while Chen Qingdi started thinking about his next move.

He knew this mission would be his most difficult yet, but he decided to take it anyway. Because he was a mercenary, and he had his own professional ethics and beliefs.

Soon after, the contract was signed. Chen Qingdi received the five-million-US-Dollar deposit from Thomas, and he began preparing for the next phase of the mission.

He knew this mission would be difficult, but he had already made all the necessary plans and preparations. He believed in his own abilities, and he believed in his convictions.

After Thomas left the coffee shop, Chen Qingdi also began to prepare for his operation.

Chen Qingdi sat in the leather chair in his office, staring at the scenery outside the window and contemplating his next move. He knew he had to maintain a calm and clear head to stay sharp amidst the ever-changing situation.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Chen Qingdi frowned slightly and said, "Come in."

The door was pushed open, and two figures walked in. One was Qian Laoliu, and the other was Li Feng. Both were Chen Qingdi's most capable subordinates and his most trusted men.

"Boss, you were looking for us?" Qian Laoliu asked.

Chen Qingdi nodded and tossed a photograph onto the table. It showed a middle-aged man who looked somewhat haggard, but his eyes held an unyielding resolve.

"This is our next assassination target."

Chen Qingdi said, "He might be a key figure in the 'Defense Dignity Plan'. The client is willing to pay thirty million US Dollars to have him killed, which means he must have secrets we don't know about."

"Boss, what's our move?" Li Feng asked.

"We need to get a clear picture of his situation," Chen Qingdi said. "But we can't act rashly. This man might be a central figure in the Defense Dignity Plan. If we move recklessly, we could alert the enemy."

"I understand," Qian Laoliu said with a nod. "Boss, don't worry. I'll take care of the arrangements."

"Good." Chen Qingdi nodded. "I need you to investigate this man's background and movements as quickly as possible. At the same time, be careful not to let them detect our presence."

"Yes, sir," Qian Laoliu and Li Feng replied in unison.

"Also, if anyone on the Outer Island team takes casualties, report to me immediately," Chen Qingdi added. "We may be a Mercenary Corps, but I won't stand by and watch my own men go to their deaths."

"Understood," Qian Laoliu and Li Feng said, nodding again.

"Alright, you can go now," Chen Qingdi said with a wave of his hand. "Remember, be careful."

"Yes, sir." Qian Laoliu and Li Feng turned and left the office.

Watching them leave, Chen Qingdi thought, 'This operation might be even more complicated than I imagined.'

「Five days later.」

Qian Laoliu led the Mercenary Corps to their secret base on the Outer Island. Their elite twenty-man team had already begun the investigation and obtained a detailed file on the target.

Their target's name was Thompson. He was a major local tycoon on the Outer Island, the chairman of the Tom Group, and his movements were always under heavy security.

"Old Li, look at this situation. What's the play?" Qian Laoliu said, sitting in a room at the secret base. He tossed the file to Li Feng, who was seated across from him.

Li Feng took the file and read it carefully. His brow furrowed deeper and deeper. When he finished, he looked up at Qian Laoliu. "This guy's security is too tight. A frontal assault is definitely out of the question."

"My thoughts exactly," Qian Laoliu agreed with a nod. "We have to lure him out and then snipe him."

"But he's protected whenever he comes and goes. It'll be hard for us to get close to him," Li Feng said, frowning. "This mission is not going to be easy."

"We'll find a way," Qian Laoliu said. "Let's start with his daily routine. See if there are any openings."

Over the next few days, the Mercenary Corps began an in-depth investigation into Thompson's daily routine.

They discovered that Thompson took a walk in his private garden every morning, while his security personnel were positioned in every corner of the garden.

"This guy really knows how to live," Qian Laoliu said with a laugh, watching Thompson on the monitor.

"So, what's our plan?" Li Feng asked.

"We pose as maintenance workers to get into his garden," Qian Laoliu said. "Then we snipe him while he's on his walk."

"There's a flaw in that plan," Li Feng said. "He has too many security guards. If we're exposed, they'll definitely fight back."