Mist turned and disappeared into the night.
Willie watched his retreating figure and asked Song Heping, "Who is that guy?"
Song Heping replied, "An old friend. Among these attackers, if it weren't for him, I reckon I'd be dead."
Willie said, "Listening to him talk, it seems like he's also retired."
"Once was..."
Song Heping felt quite emotional inside.
Less than a year ago, Mist was a mber of the US Army Seal Team, yet unexpectedly, he was dishonorably discharged one year later.
This was intolerable for an excellent soldier.
Don't be fooled by Mist's playboy deanor, speaking so flirtatiously and without boundaries.
But when it cos to his military reputation, this guy is uncompromising.
"Let's go, let's get out of here. My people have arrived."
Song Heping leaned against the wall and slowly walked towards the outside.
The wound on his leg was terribly painful, and the hemostatic belt was tied so tightly that his thigh felt sowhat numb.
"By the way, Willie," said Song Heping. "There's sothing I think you should pay attention to."
"What's that?" asked Willie.
Song Heping said, "The people who were after us are connected to an organization called 'Satan', and according to information provided by my old friend, Satan is just a subordinate operational organization. Above it, there's sothing called the 'Elder Council', said to be comprised of so big shots."
"Satan?" Willie said angrily, "I'm God then!"
After venting, he added, "I've never heard of this organization."
Song Heping said, "You could look into it. After all, you've served in the US Army for so many years, and you've worked at the ISA headquarters for no short ti either. Don't you have so connections? You could make use of them."
As he said this, he touched his thigh.
"We didn't take these bullets for nothing."
Willie said, "Don't worry, I'll investigate it when we get back."
Song Heping reminded him, "Be careful. I've heard this organization has considerable influence, with their people inside both the White House and Congress Hill."
Willie paused and then said, "Could it be that Congressman Curtis is one of them? If that's the case, it would make sense."
Song Heping nodded, "It's not surprising..."
In fact, he swallowed back half of what he wanted to say and kept it to himself.
He always felt that this matter was related to the CIA.
As the largest intelligence organization in the world, it's impossible for the CIA not to know about the organization "Satan".
If they know, it's highly likely they would beco allies.
After all, the CIA is directly accountable to the boss in the White House, and if people in the White House have ties with the "Elder Council", they would turn a blind eye to Satan, the subordinate organization of the Elder Council or even possibly be complicit.
As for Congressman Curtis, Song Heping didn't know if there was a connection.
But Mist's words indeed served as a reminder to him.
This military operation clashed with the old n in Congress Hill. If it was the military's own decision to kill Little Curtis, then would his father agree? Would he ask the organization for help in rescuing him after knowing about the military's intentions?
All were possibilities...
"Song!"
Just as he walked out the door, he heard Ferrari's voice not far away.
"You're still alive. That's great!"
"Can't die that easily."
Song Heping limped along and said to the approaching Jiang Feng, "Hurry and help , I've been shot several tis."
"Stretchers! Where are the stretchers? Gabri! Hurry and have soone bring two stretchers over."
Jiang Feng quickly ordered people to bring two folding stretchers, set them up, and then had Song Heping and Willie lie down on them.
Ferrari pointed towards the house, "How many did you guys take down in there?"
Song Heping said, "Three groups of people, twenty-four."
He did not inform Ferrari that two of them were actually killed by Mist.
The less people knew about Mist's current situation, the better.
"That explains why there were only a few people on the hillside."
Ferrari finally understood.
Earlier, when two platoons launched an attack, he thought it would be a tough battle, yet there were only four people on the other side.
"Did you kill all of them on the hillside? Did we suffer any casualties?" asked Song Heping.
"We lost one man," Ferrari said. "He was shot dead by a sniper. Two others got grazed during the exchange of fire, small matters. Their sniper was very skilled. Thankfully, we brought a 60mm mortar. We directly served them shellfire."
"Well done, even bringing that thing along," laughed Song Heping. "Where did you get it?"
"M224 mortars provided by Aricans to the Afghan security forces. Considering we might face a tough battle, and this thing is useful in the mountains, I asked Rabbani to find three and, as it happens, they really ca in handy and scattered them."
"Take good care of the one who died—personally, I will donate 200,000 US Dollars, plus the money from the company and insurance, and send it over."
After all, this person died trying to save him.
Being a rcenary, death in the line of duty is common.
But at least it is to save oneself.
They must be treated generously.
Otherwise, no one would dare to risk their lives with you in the future.
"Alright, I'll take care of this."
"There's another thing."
"You say."
"Utilize all the company's intelligence resources, have Henry put out a reward on the Dark Web, looking for an Arican secret society called 'Elder Council', as well as a paramilitary organization called 'Satan'."
Upon hearing this, Ferrari froze for a mont.
Song Heping noticed his reaction and quickly asked, "Do you know?"
"I've heard of them before, but no one could confirm it," Ferrari said, "They're all rumors."
Song Heping said, "It seems it's not just rumors, it was 'Satan' who attacked us. As for why, it's not clear yet, but you should investigate. There's a high reward, anyone who can provide accurate information will receive a reward of ten million US dollars."
Ferrari exclaid, "Are you sure you want to go that far? It's going to cause a sensation!"
Song Heping said, "I want it to cause a sensation, it's to let the other party know, not to ss with us. If they really are that powerful, then they should look down at their own shoes and see if they're worth risking a fight with us."
Ferrari nodded and said, "Alright, I'll have soone look into it."
A group of people carried Song Heping and Willie towards the Maler River Valley.
Halfway there, Song Heping's satellite phone vibrated.
Song Heping took it out and saw it was from Niki.
"Niki, are you disappointed that I am not dead?"
"Song, what do you an by that?"
Niki was obviously shocked.
Song Heping said, "Our return route was completely exposed. Every move including our intentions was known. Other than you ISA, who else would know these details?"
Even though it's very likely that Niki wasn't involved.
Song Heping still wanted to bluff Niki, maybe it would bring so unexpected good news.
Moreover, at present, it is certain that there are moles within the military.
This is unquestionable.
Whether it's high-level military officials or soone from ISA working with 'Satan'?
That's for Niki to figure out.
She is tough enough.
Her own mission being betrayed is unbearable, she will definitely help with all her might to make it clear.
Maybe this is also a lead to track down the 'Satan' organization.
Anyway, this matter is not over!
Although I didn't die, I almost did.
If it's not clear, there will probably be more trouble in the future.
If it's clear, whether we fight face to face or negotiate, both are fine.
But we can't keep being hit without knowing who is striking from behind.
"You yourselves cut off communication, I have no idea what happened to you! How could I betray you?"
Niki's anger was indeed ignited.
"You might be innocent, but it doesn't an everyone in your operations departnt is, including your superiors. We had two contingency routes for our return to Afghan, yet they used three task forces to set up ambushes on all three routes ahead of ti. Think about it, could it be that precise? If I hadn't detected their tracks beforehand, I probably would have been dead by now, not alive till today,"
Niki was silent on the other end of the phone.
After a while, she finally said, "You make sense, I'm going to investigate."
Song Heping said, "Start by checking who knew about the routes, find a breakthrough from that person. To pass on the information, whether through a phone or the internet, traces must be left. If ISA cannot handle even this, don't bother asking for help in the future!"
"Alright," Niki replied, suppressing her anger, since she was at fault: "I'll handle this matter and give you an explanation."
Song Heping thought to himself, what a load of nonsense, I've even t your old lover Mist, and you're investigating matters involving top-secret level five clearance, you have no authority, and in the end, it will all be for nothing, won't it?
He knew there wouldn't be any results.
But pressuring ISA and pressuring Miles was about saving up bargaining chips for himself.
He still wanted to make money in Afghanistan.
Without the support of the US Army, it wouldn't work.
The angrier and more aggrieved he acts now, the more benefits he would get later.
Moreover, it was Miles who ordered the killing of Little Curtis.
Which ans, if the Elder Council really exists.
Now, Song Heping has gotten a bargaining chip that belongs to Miles.
Once he heals a bit, he will definitely pay a visit to the General and talk about the future in detail.
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