Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1100 The Mysterious "Big Client"

We're safe for now.

Song Heping slowed down slightly and blended into the traffic, while cautiously checking his rearview mirror to see if any vehicles were following him.

Zayed slumped in the passenger seat, panting heavily, his face as pale as paper, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it would jump out of his throat.

It took him a while to recover. Looking at Song Heping, who was focused on driving, his eyes were filled with complex emotions, including lingering fear, gratitude, and deep awe.

“Mr. Song…”

Zayed's voice was still hoarse, "This time... it's all thanks to you again... I really didn't know..."

"Enough with the nonsense." Song Heping interrupted him, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable force. "Check yourself. Are you injured?"

Zayed then realized what was happening and hurriedly searched his body. Apart from some scratches and bruises from collisions, and being covered in filth, he didn't seem to have any fatal injuries.

"No...it's okay..."

"Hmm." Song Heping responded, his sharp gaze still scanning the surroundings. After confirming that they had shaken off the assassins, he picked up his phone and tossed it to him: "Call your people and tell them to come pick you up."

Zayed took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his still-shaken emotions. Looking at Song Heping's calm and resolute profile, he couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Song, how...how exactly did you...I mean, your skills..."

"It's just a skill for making a living."

Song Heping replied indifferently, clearly not wanting to discuss this further.

Zayed wisely refrained from asking further questions, but the sense of superiority he felt due to his royal status and wealth vanished in the face of the other party's absolute strength and composure.

"So……"

A question suddenly popped into his mind.

What a coincidence that you're here today!

Do you remember the day we first met?

Song Heping glanced at Zayed.

"the first time……"

Zayed recalled his previous arrogance and rudeness, and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

"terribly sorry……"

“No need to apologize,” Song Heping interrupted. “Do you remember I went to the restroom once in the middle of the session?”

"Remember……"

Zayed asked with surprise and uncertainty, "Could it be..."

“That’s right, I noticed someone was watching us,” Song Heping said. “At first, I thought it was someone from the CIA, so I made an excuse to go to the restroom to check. But the other person was very alert and got into his car and slipped away before I could stop him.”

On the big picture, Song Heping was not lying.

But Song Heping fooled people in the details.

Of course, Zayed couldn't know that he had deliberately let the stalker escape, which actually led to the assassination.

“At the time, I didn’t think the other party was a professionally trained agent, so I suspected it wasn’t targeting me, but you. After I went back, I did some investigation. Your business makes money through shady means, so of course some people are envious. I guess they’re watching you.”

He paused for a moment and then continued, "Usually, when you're tailing someone, you're trying to learn their activity patterns, which means you're about to take action. I think you're in danger recently, since I still need your help with my business, and I can't just watch you die. So I've been following you these past two days, and sure enough, tonight I discovered that an assassin followed you into the nightclub and then came to the hotel with you."

"I see……"

The perfect explanation put Zayed at ease.

"By the way, who did you offend?" Song Heping sneered, changing the subject: "Who wants to kill you?"

Zayed paused for a moment, his face gradually darkening with anger: "These damned assassins must have been sent by the Narendra family! Only they have the guts and the motive to attack me! If they can't win business, they resort to such underhanded tactics!"

Song Heping glanced at him, not expecting that this guy had guessed it himself, so he pretended to be confused and said, "Oh? The Narendra family?"

"It must be them!" Zayed gritted his teeth, his fists clenched. "In India, who else but them would have such a deep grudge against me and dare to act so lawlessly? These mad dogs deserve to go to hell!"

Song Heping did not respond, tacitly acknowledging his judgment.

This is consistent with the intelligence he had previously obtained.

What he needs is for Zayed to face reality.

Under Song Heping's control, the car seemed to casually weave through the streets of Goa, but in reality, it constantly changed routes to avoid any possible tracking.

Finally, they drove away from the bustling area and headed towards a relatively secluded safe house by the sea, which had been prepared in advance by Song Heping's men.

"I'll make a call first."

Zayed seemed to slowly calm down from his extreme fear and anger. He took Song Heping's phone and made a call to his men.

After finishing, he leaned back in his chair, his eyes darting around, clearly thinking quickly about what to do next.

Today's sudden assassination attempt completely disrupted his plans and made him realize the seriousness of the situation.

The Narendra family is determined to fight to the death!

He looked at Song Heping again, his eyes becoming unusually serious and eager.

Now, this ridiculously powerful Eastern man is not only his business partner in a $100 million deal, but also his savior.

Moreover, he now seems to have realized Song Heping's value.

Perhaps I will need their help in the future.

For example, the conflict with the Narendra family...

"Please pull over up ahead."

After passing an intersection, as the car entered the suburbs, Zayed pointed to the roadside.

“We’re waiting for my people here; they’ll be here soon.”

"Row."

Song Heping parked the car on the side of the road and then took advantage of the time while waiting for the others to start organizing his weapons and changing his ammunition.

Fifteen minutes later, several black, bulletproof Mercedes-Benz GLS SUVs stopped precisely in front of them.

"Mr. Song, please get in the car!"

Without a word, Zayed pulled Song Heping into the back seat of the middle car. The convoy sped away from the chaotic neighborhood, leaving sirens, smoke, and ruins far behind.

The scenery outside the car window changed rapidly, from chaotic streets to clean and wide avenues, and then to heavily guarded private areas.

Finally, the convoy drove into a luxurious, modern palace-style complex located on the seaside.

The towering white walls, the meticulously manicured tropical gardens, the armed guards everywhere, and the main house that gleams in the sunlight as if it were built of pure gold and marble all demonstrate the owner's immense wealth and power.

This is one of Zayed's many residences in Goa.

Upon entering the palace, even Song Heping, with his extensive experience, couldn't help but be astonished by its extravagant luxury.

The hall, with a ceiling over ten meters high, is adorned with enormous, crystal chandeliers hanging from the dome. The walls are inlaid with intricate ancient gold patterns, and the floor is covered with soft Persian handmade carpets that are so soft they almost sink into your ankles.

Valuable antiques and works of art are everywhere, and the air is filled with a subtle yet expensive fragrance.

It seems this smuggling boss really does have some power.

Zayed seems to have fully recovered from the previous attack, or rather, returned to his familiar and safe environment, allowing him to regain his former style and confidence.

He personally led Song Heping through a wide corridor to an open-air restaurant facing the azure Persian Gulf.

On a long dining table that could comfortably seat twenty people, only two sets of exquisite gold-rimmed cutlery were set out.

The waiter, dressed in a crisp white uniform and wearing white gloves, stood quietly to one side, his movements elegant and silent.

"Please sit down, my dear friend!"

Zayed greeted them warmly and sat down in the seat of honor.

Soon, one exquisite dish after another was served. The roasted lamb was tender and juicy, the pilaf was fragrant, and there was a dazzling array of seafood that Song Heping couldn't name.

Zayed raised his glass, which was filled with expensive amber-colored liquor.

"For your health, Song! For your bravery! And for our friendship and future cooperation!"

Zayed's voice was loud and clear, full of enthusiasm, "I salute you!"

Song Heping raised his glass and responded calmly, "Thank you."

He only scratched the surface, remaining vigilant and clear-headed.

Beneath the feast and enthusiasm before him lay immense risks and a recent bloody assassination attempt; he dared not relax for a moment.

Setting down his glass, Zayed wiped his mouth with a napkin, his smile fading slightly. He leaned forward a little and began to get down to business.

"Song, about that business deal we discussed before."

He said, lowering his voice but becoming more serious, “That’s the equivalent of one hundred million US dollars in Persian Gulf crude oil.”

Song Heping calmly met Zayed's gaze: "I remember, the commission you proposed before was twenty percent."

"That was before!"

Zayed waved his hand dismissively, his tone resolute, "Now, you've saved my life! I, Zayed, am not an ungrateful person! Commission, ten percent! This is the lowest price I can offer, you could even say it's at a loss, just to express my gratitude and sincerity!"

The percentage dropped directly from 20% to 10%, which means that the forces behind Song Heping, or rather Song Heping himself, can gain an extra ten million US dollars in profit from this huge transaction!
This is a huge concession that would tempt anyone.

Song Heping's face remained expressionless.

He hesitated for a moment, not immediately expressing his gratitude, but instead raising the most crucial question: "First of all, I want to thank you for your generosity. Such a huge concession truly reflects your sincerity. So, if I may be frank, to whom do you intend to sell such a large quantity of special goods? We need to ensure the absolute security and confidentiality of the transaction chain."

This is the core issue.

Against the backdrop of international sanctions, the $100 million worth of Persian crude oil is no ordinary commodity. The identity of its ultimate buyer is crucial, directly affecting the risk level and feasibility of the entire transaction.

Zayed revealed a mysterious smile.

He picked up a pure gold hookah mouthpiece from the table, took a deep drag, and exhaled a rich, fruity-sweet smoke.

“My dear Song.”

Amidst the swirling smoke, his voice carried a hint of smugness and an air of profound mystery.

"Please forgive me for not being able to disclose the buyer's specific information at this time. This is not because I don't trust you, but precisely to protect you and to protect this deal. The more you know, the more dangerous it can be. As you just saw, the person who wants me dead has considerable power."

He paused, observing Song Heping's reaction. Seeing that the other party remained calm, he continued, "You just need to know that I have... or rather, we have a very stable, extremely greedy, and absolutely top-tier paying client. Their demand is enormous; your $100 million worth of goods might just be a routine supplement for them. No matter how much you can obtain through your channels, as long as the quality meets our standards, I can accept it immediately, without any delay! Payment can be made in cash, cryptocurrency, or any other method you specify, and settlement can be completed within 24 hours of confirmation of receipt of the goods."

"You can eat any amount?"

Song Heping repeated, his eyes sharpening, "Are you sure? I mean, what if the amount were larger? Like, two hundred million US dollars?"

Zayed burst into laughter, as if he had heard a very interesting question.

He put down his hookah, leaned back in his chair, and exuded an air of absolute confidence.

"Song, my friend. Believe me, even if you manage to procure five hundred million dollars worth of strategic crude oil reserves, my clients can 'drink' it as easily as a cup of morning coffee. Their demand is continuous, enormous, and far exceeds your imagination. You don't need to worry about sales at all. What you need to consider is how to safely and continuously transport the goods from the source to the coordinates I designate on the high seas. The rest—handover, transportation, payment—I'll handle it all. You just need to sit at home and wait for the numbers in your account to grow. Ten percent—this is what you deserve, and it's a testament to our deep friendship."

His words were enticing, painting a rosy picture.

And it reiterated the buyer's mystery and powerful influence.

Song Heping remained silent, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the table.

He was quickly analyzing the information in Zayed's words.

A major client who can easily consume hundreds of millions of dollars worth of sanctioned crude oil, pay promptly, and whom Zayed keeps so secret?

The scope is actually not very large.

It could be a country that is also under sanctions and desperately needs energy, a super-giant with state backing that makes secret purchases, or a huge, deeply hidden international gray trade network.

Either way, it means extremely high profits, but also extremely high risks.

Today's gunfights and explosions are perhaps the most direct manifestation of this risk.

But the allure of a 10% commission, over ten million dollars in additional profits, and a seemingly stable and reliable super-channel for selling stolen goods is immense.

“I understand.” Song Heping finally spoke, raising his head and looking at Zayed with a firm gaze. “Then I leave everything to you to arrange. I can return to Persia and wait for your news.”

“Excellent!” Zayed smiled with satisfaction and raised his glass again. “I believe we will have a pleasant working relationship! This will be the beginning of a long-term collaboration!”

"For the sake of cooperation." Song Heping also raised his glass.

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

　　
　
(End of this chapter)