Mercenary’s War
Chapter 1254: One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-Seven: Deception

Chapter 1254: Chapter One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-Seven: Deception

Amsterdam International Airport was only fifteen kilometers from Amsterdam City Center, and since the airport served as a train station, it took just twenty minutes on the metro to reach Gao Yang and his team’s destination.

Amsterdam’s famous Red Light District was near the central train station—within walking distance. Along a narrow canal, any location with a red-lit door marked a workplace for the window girls.

They arrived in Amsterdam at night, the busiest time for the Red Light District. The narrow river reflected pink lighting, and the windows displayed scantily clad women working tirelessly to attract attention. Gao Yang felt like he was suffocating.

Gao Yang kept his gaze straight ahead. Taylor, though looking somewhat unnatural, was darting glances all over the place. After all, looking didn’t cost money—taking in the scenery here was quite the experience for him.

Eileen, however, seemed particularly excited. She kept looking around and made occasional comments about some of the women.

“Wow! This one’s stunning. I’m intrigued! Hey, no one’s tempted here?”

Albert kept his head completely down, staring at his toes as he walked. Ever since Eileen had clobbered him, he had been in low spirits, but seeing him keep his head so utterly bowed surprised Gao Yang.

“Hey, Villain, are you planning to pick up loose change on the ground?”

At Gao Yang’s comment, Albert didn’t look up but responded in a low tone, “We’re on duty right now. I don’t want to ruin my focus. If I start looking around, I won’t be able to control myself, so it’s better not to look at all.”

Gao Yang couldn’t help but chuckle and then waved his hand. “Let’s hurry and find who we’re looking for and leave. This place can make people degenerate.”

After walking down a small street by the canal for a while, Eileen suddenly said, “This is it. But the person we’re looking for seems to be busy right now.”

Gao Yang looked up. The house with the window they sought had the correct number, but the window, which should have displayed a woman, was instead covered by curtains.

Gao Yang snapped his fingers and said in a low voice, “I’ll go across the street for coffee with Villain. Postman, Tyrannosaurus, you two stay here and keep watch.”

After a brief hesitation, Gao Yang added quietly, “Although it’s unlikely, if the person inside turns out to be Krulney, take him out when he comes out!”

Eileen nodded and replied softly, “Understood!”

Gao Yang grabbed Albert and whispered, “Let’s move.”

Restaurants and cafes were abundant in the Red Light District, and wherever the canal widened a bit, riverside coffee tables were set up. Gao Yang and Albert didn’t go far; they found a table diagonally across the street and sat down.

They ordered two cups of coffee. Gao Yang, wearing a baseball cap, pulled the brim lower and kept his gaze on their target with a tilted glance.

Eileen and Taylor stood together, leaning against the riverside railing like a couple. However, their conversation was undoubtedly not about love and romance.

After more than twenty minutes, Gao Yang had refilled his coffee twice, yet the curtains on that window remained closed.

Just then, Albert said softly, “Boss, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

Gao Yang motioned lightly with his hand and replied in a low voice, “Go ahead.”

After hesitating briefly, Albert said softly, “Let me make one thing clear first—I’m not a coward. I need to state that I’m willing to do anything right now. But regarding the operation we’re carrying out, I feel like this might be a trap. Something doesn’t feel right about this situation.”

Gao Yang froze for a moment, then responded calmly, “Tell me your reasoning.”

Albert frowned and said, “I’m new; I don’t know much about past events, but based on the things I do know, Krulney is no amateur. He’s a veteran in the Underworld. I was a cop for many years, and from a policeman’s point of view, individuals like Krulney are the most difficult to deal with. You can almost never find solid evidence against them. People like him are extremely cautious about everything, and the idea of him exposing his identity by using his credit card doesn’t make sense to me.”

Gao Yang frowned and remarked, “He used a fake identity. It was only exposed because an insider betrayed him. That’s why someone was able to track him down through his credit card usage records.”

Albert shook his head and said, “That makes it even stranger, Boss. Here’s a simple question: Could you activate an unused fake identity at any time?”

Gao Yang stifled the urge to abort the mission immediately and nodded. “I could.”

“And could you, upon activating a fake identity, immediately use financial tools tied to that identity, like credit cards and checks?”

Though it wasn’t especially hot, Gao Yang wiped his forehead and replied softly, “It might be a bit of a hassle, but there’d be no problem.”

Albert said quietly, “Here’s the issue. If you were anticipating someone coming after you for revenge and decided to lie low, would you use a fake identity that’s already been around for a while? Or would you immediately activate a completely unused identity with a credit card no one knows about, guaranteeing no traceable clues?”

Gao Yang swallowed hard and replied with difficulty, “The latter, of course.”

“Exactly. While Krulney could have made a mistake or been careless for some other reason, I find it highly unlikely. Krulney is a mercenary broker! Others might slip up, but someone as acutely secretive as a mercenary broker? I just don’t believe he’d make that kind of mistake.”

Everyone got overly excited when Krulney’s trail was discovered, especially Satan’s team. Albert’s argument made perfect sense—it was an obvious issue, yet no one had been alert to it.

In fact, Gao Yang had already realized Albert was correct the moment he raised the doubts. Scanning the surroundings quickly, Gao Yang said in a hushed tone, “Abort mission. Leave immediately. Also, why didn’t you warn me earlier?”

Albert took a sip of his coffee and remarked indignantly, “Boss, you’ve got to understand—being publicly beaten up by a woman in front of so many people was a first for me. Do you think I’d be in the right state of mind to consider other things? Frankly, that sort of humiliation leaves a lifelong psychological scar. The fact that I can now focus on analyzing anything is proof of my exceptional mental fortitude—surely deserving of praise!”

Gao Yang couldn’t help but quip, “More like proof of your thick skin! Alright, this situation feels too bizarre; there might be danger. Go warn Tyrannosaurus and Postman to be alert and to leave immediately if anything unusual happens.”

Albert nodded. Just as he stood, he suddenly exclaimed, “It’s done—someone came out from inside. Postman and Tyrannosaurus are about to go in! Boss, should we have them leave immediately or enter to check things out?” (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian.com to cast your votes and support the author. Mobile users can visit m.qidian.com for reading.)