Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 920 Unavoidable
Utkin, standing nearby, frowned and immediately proposed the most realistic solution: "Song, the enemy has a company! We only have thirteen men and two beat-up vehicles! A head-on confrontation would be suicide! Let's detour and avoid them! Let's go from the north or south!"

Utkin's suggestion was accepted by many people.

Even Jiang Feng said, "I think what Da Maozi said makes sense. Fighting against hundreds of 1515 terrorists head-on would probably result in huge losses and would also waste our time."

Song Heping did not answer immediately.

He remained silent, then turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping across the dilapidated streets towards the town's eastern entrance.

In the field of vision, the civilians who had just taken refuge due to the fierce fighting seemed to have confirmed that the battle was over, and began to emerge in twos and threes from the ruins and houses where they had been hiding.

Carrying simple bags, dragging crying children, and supporting the elderly, their faces were filled with numbness and fear, like a migrating swarm of ants, continuing their desperate journey to escape Islamiyah.

This realization stirred a deep sense of emotion within him.

A strategically important town with a population of at least 100,000 showed no signs of organized resistance.

To say that this nation is inferior is not necessarily true.

But the complete collapse of public morale and the will to resist was like a flood breaking through a dam, unstoppable.

Ultimately, it's because people's hearts have fallen apart.

Such a country, such an army...

The Russian authorities sent Vakna here, weren't they essentially using him as cannon fodder?
Using the flesh and blood of mercenaries to slow down the offensive of the opposition forces and buy time for a political solution?

Even those high-ranking figures in Moscow probably don't have much faith that mercenaries can truly "stabilize" such a chaotic situation.
Otherwise, how could that bastard Zhao Yigu dare to attack the cook so recklessly?
Knowing that mercenaries are 'lossable assets,' pawns that can be sacrificed at any time on the chessboard, he dared to so blatantly settle personal scores.

A chilling coldness spread down my spine.

Song Heping immediately had the idea of ​​retreating, wanting to quickly rescue the cook and leave this filthy, godforsaken place.

Getting involved in this kind of war is not worth any amount of money.

As the moment approached, Song Heping abruptly withdrew his gaze, his eyes hardening once more.

He quickly pulled out a folded military map and spread it out on the dusty hood.

My finger swipes across the map quickly.

"Detour?"

His voice was deep, carrying an undeniable analytical quality.

"Take a detour to the north..."

His finger pointed to the north side of the map.

"Given the current situation on the northern front, we are very likely to run into the 'Free Army' or the 'Kold's forces. The Free Army has the support of those old Europeans, both overt and covert, and is well-equipped. The Kold's forces are 'allies' personally fostered by the Americans, and their equipment and training are not bad either. Our small force, bearing the name of Vackner, is seen by them as 'Russian lackeys.' If we encounter them, these guys will definitely pounce on us like mad dogs and tear us to pieces."

His finger jabbed heavily towards the south of the map again.

"Heading south, there are only continuous mountain ranges! The road conditions are extremely poor, and they are quite suitable for ambushes. Although the chances of encountering opposition forces are relatively low, it's better to be safe than sorry."

He then pointed to the BPM-97 troop carriers next to him.

"They can't get through the mountain paths at all! Abandon the car and walk? By the time we get to Asala Town, the cook's body will probably be rotting."

He sighed heavily, raised his hand to look at his watch, and saw a dark red bloodstain on the dial.

“The sandstorm will arrive in about ten minutes. That little bit of time won’t delay us much.”

His gaze swept over everyone around him.

“We may be outnumbered, but the 1515 militant group is a terrorist organization wanted worldwide! Even the Americans have fallen out with them. Here, they have no air support, no heavy artillery cover, no reliable intelligence network—just a bunch of haphazardly equipped, crudely tactically prepared desperados driven only by fanaticism! Dealing with these scum is actually…the safest option among all our current choices!” Utkin's eyes widened in disbelief: “Song, you mean…we stay? With just thirteen of us, we're going to wipe out an entire 1515 company here before leaving?!”

His tone was full of skepticism; it sounded like a complete fantasy.

"Ah."

Song Heping's answer was only one word.

He frowned and said, “We have no other choice. Considering the time, the route, and the enemy situation, avoiding them is not the best option. Rather than encountering a stronger enemy on the way, we should fight them right here in Islay, using the buildings and existing fortifications!”

Utkin glanced at the surrounding buildings and thought Song Heping must have gone mad: "You're planning to fight a company of 1515 terrorists in urban warfare?! With just a dozen or so of us? Even if we hold one building, even if they can't take it, they can still surround us and kill us! Then they'll call for more reinforcements, and we won't be able to escape!"

"No! Who told you we were going to fight them in urban warfare?"

Song Heping glanced at Utkin sideways. It wasn't that he looked down on the GRU's fighting strength, but the Russians were indeed not very bright.

"Urban warfare? That's a last resort. Utkin, you're also a GRU veteran with a special operations background, you should understand what I'm talking about."

He stared into Utkin's eyes and said, enunciating each word clearly, "To capture the thief, first capture the king!"

Utkin looked completely bewildered.

He was an expert in Russian-style raids and sabotage, but a complete novice when it came to the strategic and cunning military culture of the East.

He spread his hands, indicating that he didn't understand at all.

Song Heping had neither the time nor the inclination to explain in detail the essence of Chinese military strategy.

He spoke faster and more decisively: "There's no time! From now on, everyone will follow my instructions! If my plan succeeds, there's at least an 80% chance of taking down these extremists."

Looking at the undeniable confidence in Song Heping's eyes, Utkin recalled everything he had seen along the way...

This Chinese man possesses an indescribable strength.

Although reason told him that the plan was still crazy, Song Heping's command skills and battlefield judgment had made him somewhat convinced.

Moreover, as Song said, taking a detour is extremely risky, and holding out is tantamount to waiting for death.

"All right!"

Utkin gritted his teeth, and the hesitation on his face was instantly replaced by a ruthlessness unique to veterans.

He nodded vigorously, which meant he accepted this crazy plan.

"You're the boss now, so we'll do whatever you say! Since you've made up your mind, let's get started!"

Utkin was a typical Russian veteran who had long since become indifferent to life and death.

He pulled a grenade from the side pocket of his tactical vest and solemnly hung it on the most conspicuous spot on his chest—the cold metallic touch brought a strange sense of calm.

If it really comes to the final moment, this thing can not only end its own suffering quickly, but also definitely drag a few terrorists down with it to hell.

He grinned, revealing an almost ferocious smile.

Song Heping watched Utkin's actions but did not stop him. He knew that this was the veteran's resolve.

He took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Feng, Eames, and the other "Death Squad" soldiers who had surrounded him, and began to quickly deploy his "capture the king" plan.

Three minutes later, the dozen or so people dispersed and disappeared in different directions.

(End of this chapter)