Mercenary’s War
Chapter 1168 - 1168 One Thousand One Hundred Fifty-One Taking Destiny into Your Own Hands

1168: Chapter One Thousand One Hundred Fifty-One: Taking Destiny into Your Own Hands 1168: Chapter One Thousand One Hundred Fifty-One: Taking Destiny into Your Own Hands Gao Yang thought carefully about Morgan’s question regarding Grand Ivan and nodded, saying, “He’s quite extraordinary.

I suppose we could be considered friends.”

Morgan said gravely, “That explains a lot.

Who is Grand Ivan?

He is the uncrowned king of the Underworld, controlling a vast arms trade network.

He is one of the true power players in this world.

The President of America may come and go with elections, but there are no such turnovers in Grand Ivan’s Empire.”

Gao Yang chuckled and replied, “Indeed, Grand Ivan is very impressive.”

After clinking his glass with Gao Yang’s and taking a sip of his drink, Morgan exhaled slowly and fixed his gaze on Gao Yang, “Who is Grand Ivan?

Does he lack mercenaries like you?

If he wished, he could make mercenaries worldwide work for him, yet why does he consider you a friend?”

Gao Yang spread his hands and said, “Well, I’ve saved his life before.”

Morgan suddenly burst into loud laughter, pointing at Gao Yang with the hand holding his glass, almost struggling to catch his breath.

Confused by the laughter, Gao Yang asked, “What’s so funny?

Is it that amusing?”

“Haha, Gao, isn’t what you said a bit naive?

Because you’ve saved his life, Grand Ivan considers you a friend?

How naive must you be to say that?”

After finally stopping his laughter, Morgan shook his head at Gao Yang and said loudly, “Gao, do you think people like Grand Ivan and I lack individuals who are willing to die for us?”

Gao Yang spread his hands and responded, “Er, that, certainly not.”

Morgan scoffed and said, “Gao, you need to start trying to see things from the perspective of someone superior.

If you keep dealing with people with your current way of thinking, sooner or later, you’ll be sold out.

Let me teach you, first, you need to understand one thing: do you think Grand Ivan lacks bodyguards and security?”

“Of course not.”

“So, if a bodyguard, or let’s say one of his men, takes a fatal bullet for Grand Ivan, do you think Grand Ivan would regard that bodyguard as a true friend?”

After pondering for a long time, Gao Yang replied with a wry smile, “If it were me, I would, but I guess Grand Ivan probably wouldn’t.”

Morgan continued to scoff, “Definitely not.

If that bodyguard didn’t die, Grand Ivan might give him a large sum of money as a reward, and thank him on the surface, but regard a bodyguard as a friend?

What a joke.

People like Grand Ivan and I don’t cheapen friendship.”

Taking a deep breath, Morgan continued, “People like us, to get to where we are today, have done so over the lives of many.

That includes the lives of enemies and our own people.”

Gao Yang nodded without saying anything, knowing Morgan hadn’t finished speaking.

Grand Ivan couldn’t possibly feel any friendship towards those working for him.

Of course, he has friends, just like me.

I have friends, Simon is my friend, but can we regard all our bodyguards as friends?

Don’t be ridiculous.

If I said so, I would clearly be lying to you.

“To earn loyalty from my subordinates, I don’t mind acting like I am their friend, but with so many working for me, how could I possibly consider them as friends?

I pay them, they work for me.

That’s a fair trade, isn’t it?”

Gao Yang smiled and said, “Yes, a fair trade.

As a mercenary, I understand this very well.”

Morgan pointed at Gao Yang and said with a stern voice, “Let’s be honest.

There’s a gap between your status and mine, but I’m willing to consider you a real friend, not just a part of an intersubjective alliance.

Just like with Grand Ivan, I suppose we think alike.

Once you reach our level, a lot of thoughts tend to align.

I can see your qualities, and so can Grand Ivan, which is why you can be friends with him.

This isn’t charity from Grand Ivan and me towards you; it’s because we see you as a friend for whom we can set aside interests, not talk about money, but just emotions.”

Gao Yang nodded and replied solemnly to Morgan, “Thank you for telling me all this.”

Morgan waved his hand and said, “We are friends, and these words are meant for friends only.

Gao, you know I’m not exactly a kind man, right?”

Gao Yang answered with a smile, “Yes, I know.”

Morgan looked at Gao Yang with a somber expression and said, “So now let me ask you, if—I’m just saying if—I didn’t consider you a friend but made you believe we were friends while I actually just saw you as another mercenary, not unlike the others I often hire, and you, trusting me, told me about the diamond mine, then what would happen to you?”

Without waiting for Gao Yang to answer, Morgan said with a menacing face, “I would take you out.

When you were least expecting it, I would take out you and your Satan Mercenary Corps, and then I would take over that diamond mine for myself.

Do you think that’s a possibility?”

With sweat on his back, Gao Yang forced a smile and said, “I trust you a lot and believe you wouldn’t do that.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t have told you.”

Morgan chuckled, then lifted his wine glass and leisurely said, “I indeed wouldn’t do so, but I have thought about it.

Although the idea frightened me the moment it emerged, and then I decided it wasn’t worth killing a friend for money, a friend whom I consider to be a true friend.

So I quickly abandoned that somewhat guilt-inducing thought.”

Gao Yang didn’t know what to say and could only offer a forced, bitter smile.

Glancing at Gao Yang, Morgan said solemnly, “I know that saying these things must make you uncomfortable, but I still have to tell you.

Do you know why?”

Gao Yang shook his head and said in a deep voice, “I don’t know.”

Morgan swirled his wine glass and whispered, “Mercenaries are seen by people like us simply as tools that can be utilized.

We may like a tool that suits our hands well, but we won’t have feelings for a tool.

No, we might have feelings, but a tool is a tool, right?”

“Yes, I know and understand that,” Gao Yang agreed.

“The fate of a tool lies in the hands of its user.

If I want to use it, I’ll continue to do so.

If I don’t want it anymore, I can stop using it, sell it, throw it in the bin, and if I dislike the tool, I’ll destroy it.”

After speaking slowly, Morgan looked intently at Gao Yang and said seriously, “Gao, your current identity is just like a tool.

You may look splendid, but you cannot control your own fate.

You’re strong in combat, but if I wanted to completely annihilate you, do you think I would choose to face you in an upfront battle?

No, I have countless ways to make you die.

Do you understand?”

“I understand,” Gao Yang replied gravely.

Morgan nodded, drained the wine from his glass, then said softly, “Since you understand, then why continue to be a mercenary?

Gao, I think I’ve made myself clear.

Being a mercenary, you can’t even control your own fate; you’re merely a pawn to be manipulated by others.

Does that feel good to you?”

Gao Yang stood up, took the bottle to pour more for Morgan, but Morgan shook his head and said, “I can’t drink anymore.

A person should have self-control, knowing when to stop.

I can do it, can you?”

Gao Yang poured himself another drink, finished it in one gulp, then looking into Morgan’s eyes, said gravely, “Morgan, thank you.

I’m truly grateful that you shared this with me.”

Morgan had said a lot, much of which he could never say to anyone else.

If he hadn’t truly considered Gao Yang a friend, Morgan would never have said those things.

After a long talk and beating around the bush, Morgan had only one goal in mind, which was to persuade Gao Yang to give up the life of a mercenary.

Gao Yang understood Morgan’s painstaking efforts, which is why he was sincerely grateful to Morgan.

Morgan sighed, then said, “Gao, you have great prospects, truly, I’m willing to help you.

I really am willing to do a lot for you, and I think that Grand Ivan would be willing to help you as well.

Just for that reason alone, you have an opportunity to rise up that other mercenaries can’t possibly have.

You have money now, connections, resources, you have many things you could be doing.”

Gao Yang was silent for a long time, then nodded and said solemnly, “Yes, I have many things I could do, and whatever I do, it would be safer than being a mercenary.”

Morgan looked at Gao Yang and asked seriously, “Have you changed your mind now?”

Gao Yang smiled and said, “Something you said earlier touched me — our fate truly isn’t in our control most of the time.

You’ve persuaded me.”

Morgan smiled sincerely and said, “It’s good that you’ve come to understand.”

Gao Yang waved his hand and smiled, “Indeed, from now on, we need to take control of our own destiny.

Morgan, thank you for teaching me this.

Don’t think about what to give me in return for that shotgun anymore; your words are far more valuable than the shotgun.”

Morgan sighed disappointingly, “It seems you still can’t give up on the idea of being a mercenary, can you?

Don’t deny it, I can tell from your words.”

Gao Yang shook his head and said, “No, I’ve truly changed my mind.

We might still fight wars in the future, but it won’t be like before.

We will fight for ourselves.

We’ll go to Ukraine to try and make a big score; once we have enough money, we’ll set up a company.

Then, the kind of work we did before, fighting for others’ pay… well, I can’t guarantee it won’t happen, but I probably won’t take on such jobs just for money.”

Morgan gave a wry smile and said, “Well, at least that’s some progress.

My efforts haven’t been wasted.”

Gao Yang laughed, “Certainly not wasted, rest assured.

I’m already thinking about how to withdraw.

Now it seems that setting up the company as soon as possible is the most effective way for us to get out.”

Morgan said in a serious tone, “Setting up a private military company means you won’t have to go into battle personally all the time.

It’s actually a good idea.

So, do you have any mature thoughts about it now?”

Gao Yang gestured with his hand and laughed, “Isn’t that just what I was about to discuss with you?

Morgan, I still need your help regarding the company’s establishment.”

(To be continued.

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