Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1078 Resting in Place?

North of Iligo, on the way to the Persian border in the mountains.

The group marched silently along the rugged mountain path.

Song Heping walked in the middle of the group, occasionally observing the surrounding terrain and the group's condition. His satellite phone vibrated.

He walked behind a boulder and gestured for Nassin and the others who had been following him to continue forward, while he stayed behind to take the call.

The call was from Henry.

"Boss, I'm sorry."

Henry's voice sounded somewhat frustrated. "I've done my best with what you asked me to do. A lot of money has been spent, and I've even used my old connections in the Iligo government and military, but all I've gotten are scraps. The CIA's core network in the Northwest is too deeply hidden. Those who are still alive are all real old foxes, or they have only one-way contact and can't get close to the top. To get that list of high-level agents, unless... unless we can get help from someone inside them."

"Okay, just do your best. Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault."

Song Heping listened in silence, not entirely surprised by the result.

If the CIA were so easily infiltrated, it wouldn't be the CIA anymore.

He hung up the phone, his brows furrowed, his mind racing as he weighed his options.

Unable to get the list...

Song Heping's mind raced.

Without the list, the plan stalled.

The original plan was to remove the CIA's mole in the Northwest in one fell swoop, which would kill three birds with one stone—

This would allow them to severely cripple the CIA's intelligence capabilities in the Northwest region through 1515, rendering US airstrikes blind and deaf, and weakening their operational efficiency. This would highlight the value of the 'Liberation Force' in the future, forcing them to come to Samir for help sooner or later.

Secondly, it would also be a powerful retaliation against the CIA's relentless pursuit of me, giving them a clear warning: stop trying to oppose me and kill me. If they can do the first thing, I can do the fifteenth.

If you're playing a confrontation game with yourself in the Middle East or Africa, as long as you're alive, the CIA agents won't have an easy time either.

But now...

This path seems to be blocked.

Thinking of this, Song Heping couldn't help but scratch his head, his brows furrowing.

"Oh shit……"

He couldn't help but swear.

A thought flashed through my mind.

Should we use Simon?

The idea is incredibly tempting.

Given Simon's position, obtaining such a list might not be impossible.

But the next second, Song Heping forcefully suppressed the thought.

No!

Simon was his last trump card, reserved for crucial moments that could determine life or death or the acquisition of strategic intelligence.

Activating a regional intelligence agency list is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, and the risk of exposure increases exponentially.

Once Simon is suspected or even exposed, he will lose an irreplaceable strategic advantage, and it will be extremely difficult to obtain information about the CIA's core leadership in the future.

Don't let the small lose the big.

Just as he was struggling with this decision, another encrypted phone in his pocket vibrated, indicating that he had received a new message.

He took it out and saw that the source of the message was a string of gibberish, but after decryption, it showed the warning sent by Simon.

"The CIA has already located me? They need to confirm my location before carrying out a precise decapitation strike..."

Song Heping's pupils contracted slightly as he looked at the message.

Simon's warning came at the right time, but it also confirmed the urgency of the situation.

However, this sudden crisis was like a lightning bolt that cleaved through the fog in his mind.

Can you confirm my location?

Song Heping's gaze sharpened.

what does this mean?
This means the CIA will proactively activate their intelligence network to verify the findings from the satellite images!

They would send out agents or activate undercover informants to try to observe and confirm their presence up close!

Suddenly, a bold plan took shape in his mind.

The hunters are confirming the bird's nest...

He muttered to himself, a cold smile playing on his lips.

……confirm?
Okay, then I'll 'confirm' it for you!
Now it seems that the static list is no longer needed; all that's needed is a CIA agent to carry out the mission!

Once you catch one of them, you'll have a chance to follow the trail and uncover their network!
This is more direct and effective than aimlessly searching for a list that may not be entirely accurate!

But the risks of doing so are also extremely high.

This is equivalent to using oneself as the most delicious bait to lure the most dangerous hunter close, and then turning the tables at the last second before being sniped.

If you make a mistake, there will be no way out.

But Song Heping's heart was racing with excitement.

This is the territory I know best, dancing on the edge of a knife, battling against the most dangerous opponents. That's what I'll do!
He quickly typed a short text message to Simon, containing only a few words:
"To be aware of. To facilitate action."

He needed Simon to quietly push through this "confirmation" process within the CIA, so that Vincent, that old guy who was going crazy wanting to kill him, would send out their "eyes" faster and more confidently.

Only in this way can his trap wait for its prey.

"Samir!"

Song Heping looked up at the line in front of him and shouted, "Come here!"

"Boss, I'm here!"

Samir quickly ran over.

"What happened?"

"Immediately halt the troops and find a place to set up camp." Song Heping gave the order without further ado: "Find a secluded spot. This is a plateau, so it would be best to find a valley. Spread out the troops in company-sized units."

"We're only a dozen kilometers or so from the border." Samir was completely bewildered. The team wasn't tired yet, and they had already entered the high-altitude region, where the situation was very complicated. However, crossing the border into Persia was not safe.

Song Heping pointed ahead and said, "No need to ask, I will explain to you later. Have the troops stop and set up camp immediately. They should rest here for at least two days."

“This—” Samir was speechless.

He couldn't understand the order.

The retreat into Persian territory was for safety, but staying here now is clearly unsafe and risky.

And we'll have to stay there for two more days.

This is not a repair at all.

But Song Heping's decision must have been based on something.

When they arrived, Samir didn't say anything more. He turned to the messenger and said, "Tell everyone to spend the night in the canyon ahead. Spread out in company-sized units and set up sentries and patrols around the area."

"Yes, chief."

After the messenger left, Samir turned to Song Heping and asked, "Boss, what happened? Did the Persians change their minds?"

Samir couldn't think of any other reason besides this.

"No, we're staying in Iligor to wait for some guests."

"guest?"

"Yes, guest."

The group quickened their pace, and before dusk, they deviated from their original route and ventured into a narrow, secluded valley.

Song Heping personally arranged for both overt and covert sentry posts and patrols, with particular emphasis on controlling several high points and potential observation routes.

He was like a patient spider, beginning to weave his web, waiting for the fly sent to "confirm" to fall into it.

After settling in, Song Heping personally selected a location as his command post.

It was a cave in the rock face.

The northwestern part of Iligo, near Persia, is on the edge of the Persian Plateau. The terrain here is relatively complex, and there are many places to hide and conceal oneself.

Only by hiding yourself can you get the CIA hooked.

He was well aware of the methods and procedures of these Americans; he knew that he had to identify the target before taking action.

If they don't show themselves and aren't photographed by satellites, they will definitely send out ground spies.

As night deepened, the temperature in the valley plummeted.

Apart from the light footsteps of the patrol team and the howling mountain wind, the area around the camp was completely silent.

Song Heping did not sleep. He sat in the cave with a cup of Arabic tea on a stone beside him.

Tea is a great way to refresh yourself.

Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.

He knew the hunt had begun.

However, this time, it remains to be seen who the real hunter is.

……

Langley, USA, CIA Headquarters.

It was already 7 p.m., but many windows in the headquarters building were still lit, including the office of Deputy Director Simon.

The encrypted communication terminal in front of him had just received an updated report from the intelligence coordinator at the front in Iligo.

The report shows that, based on the latest satellite imagery, the "Liberation Forces" troops suddenly stopped advancing about 15 kilometers from the border and set up camp in a narrow valley. The troops were dispersed and had set up a tight security perimeter.

Simon tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

As expected, Song Heping did not leave. He actually stopped and chose a valley that seemed easy to defend but was actually easy to blockade.

He was waiting for the CIA's "confirmation" personnel to come to his door.

"To be aware of. To facilitate action."

Song Heping's reply echoed in his mind.

Simon took a deep breath, picked up the internal secure phone, and connected to Director Vincent.

"Chief, this is Simon. We have an update. The target team has stopped advancing and set up camp in a canyon about 15 kilometers south of the border. These are the satellite images and analysis report, just sent over."

Simon maintained a professionally steady tone.

"Their deployment looks very cautious, as if they are on guard against something, or perhaps... taking some kind of rest or waiting."

A few minutes later, Vincent's voice came through the phone, tinged with impatience at being disturbed in the middle of the night and excitement at spotting prey: "Canyon? Hmph, they certainly know how to pick a spot. Looks like they really intend to spend the night there. Simon, the 'caution' you see might just be exhaustion. Or perhaps Song Heping thinks that being close to the border is safe."

"possible."

Simon agreed without objection, “Chief, this is an opportunity. Their lingering here provides us with a window to confirm our objectives.”

“That’s right!” Vincent’s voice became decisive. “We can’t wait any longer. Immediately activate all the resources we have in the area, contact the local Kold’s forces who are familiar with the terrain, and have them send two guides. Then activate the nearest agent! I need to know if Song Heping is in that camp! Once confirmed, there’s no need to ask for instructions again; directly guide the air strike! Get the air force guys ready; I want to make sure that when the sun rises tomorrow, there’s no living thing in that canyon!”

"Understood, Director. I will coordinate with the Operations Division and the forward intelligence station immediately."

Simon answered crisply, “I suggest using the ‘Shadow’ team, our most elite undercover agent group in the area. Most of them are locals, but some are our agents, all of whom are Middle Eastern. These people are skilled in infiltration and observation. At the same time, contact the Kold’s people and ask them for assistance.”

"Very good! Simon, I need confirmation as soon as possible!"

Vincent emphasized.

"Yes, Director."

After hanging up the phone, Simon immediately began making arrangements.

He issued precise orders and mobilized resources, all seemingly in an effort to quickly "confirm" and eliminate the target.

He even emphasized in the communications: "The target is extremely dangerous and cunning. All personnel must prioritize their own concealment and safety. Confirming the existence of the target is a success. Do not attempt to approach or attack."

This is both a professional reminder to colleagues and a silent warning, hoping they will be more cautious and perhaps notice something amiss.

The order was quickly transmitted via encrypted channel to a CIA covert operations station in northwestern Iligo.

Soon, a special reconnaissance team codenamed "Shadow" set off from a hidden outpost, stealthily making its way towards Black Hawk Canyon under the cover of night.

Meanwhile, two local informants, who were controlled by the CIA through money and threats, were also instructed to find a way to get close to the canyon area and observe whether any "important Eastern leaders" were present.

In the darkness, a large hunting net was being cast towards Song Heping's head.

　Asking for a monthly ticket! Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)