Mercenary’s War
Chapter 1405: One Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Seven: Involuntary

Chapter 1405: Chapter One Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Seven: Involuntary

Eileen looked at Gao Yang in a strange way, as if examining a stranger.

Gao Yang couldn’t help but touch his face and frowned, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Eileen pouted, adding a touch of femininity, then frowned, “Boss, you’re not the same as before.”

“What do you mean?”

Eileen frowned, “The old you, when faced with something like this, would definitely grab a gun and go for it, not considering so many factors. You thought of Grand Ivan as your friend, and you would unconditionally help him, without thinking about the right timing or the greatest benefit.”

Gao Yang fell silent. After a long while, he let out a long sigh of resignation and said in Chinese, “In the world of mercenaries, we’re not free to act as we wish.”

Half with a sense of lament, half with self-mockery, Gao Yang looked at Eileen and said solemnly, “What, you don’t like it?”

After contemplating for a long time, Eileen finally nodded and whispered, “I know I shouldn’t say this, maybe I shouldn’t bring this up, but I have to say I preferred the old you, the simpler, purer you.”

Gao Yang chuckled bitterly, shook his head, and looked out the car window, lost in thought, “Actually, my thoughts haven’t changed. I still want to grab a gun and go. I wish I could be like before, a simple and pure person, a mercenary who doesn’t need to think, but I can’t, Eileen. I can no longer be that simple person because I bear responsibilities.”

Gao Yang turned his head back to Eileen, looking helpless, and said, “If I decided to help Grand Ivan now, what would you do?”

Eileen said without hesitation, “Of course, I would go with you, wherever you go, no matter what you do; is there any need to ask?”

Gao Yang spread his hands, “You see, that’s exactly the problem. I said I would help Grand Ivan alone, not involving anyone else, but is that possible? It’s not. I can’t say that now, I wouldn’t even think about it. Knowing the outcome, pretending to let you all stay out of it is hypocritical. If I were to join the fight regarding Grand Ivan, it means Satan is involved. But Albert, Taylor, Yake, and Jansen, oh, and Number Thirteen, they don’t even know who Grand Ivan is.”

After speaking, Gao Yang sighed heavily and said seriously, “If I were alone, I could be reckless, and by now, I would’ve taken up arms, but not now. I’m the leader of Satan. My decisions affect the lives of everyone in Satan, so naturally, I have to choose the option most beneficial to Satan Mercenary Corps.”

Gao Yang spoke the truth. When alone, he could do whatever he wanted, and no one could control him, but not now, because he’s the leader of Satan Mercenary Corps.

After contemplating for a long time, Eileen finally said quietly, “I understand.”

Seated in the passenger seat, Li Jinfang sighed and turned around to Gao Yang, saying softly, “Brother Yang, our business is booming, but I still prefer the old days, with fewer worries and less stress. Brother Yang, I think you shouldn’t overthink it; do what makes you happy. I actually want to help Grand Ivan too. If doing business means cutting off all ties, then we might as well not do business. We’re born to be mercenaries. No need to wear ourselves out. Fight who we want, help who we want. Satan is just like this: stay if you can bear it, leave if you can’t. Life or death is just about enjoyment! If bigger business brings less joy, why bother!”

What Gao Yang said was heartfelt, what Li Jinfang said was too. The key was that Gao Yang felt Li Jinfang made sense.

Blood rushed to Gao Yang’s head, but he quickly forced down his excitement, waving his hands repeatedly at Li Jinfang, “You, you’re really not cut out for great things!”

Li Jinfang looked serious, “I am indeed not cut out for great things! I just seek joy in life, prefer to be carefree and do whatever I want. Brother Yang, we have more and more people now, your pressure increases and so do your concerns. I think, why bother? If growing bigger means bringing in people with different values, then Satan is better off with just a few of us. You drag us to risk our lives, and no one blames you; we drag you down, and you’re also willing.”

Number Thirteen, who was driving, had been pretending to be deaf, but now he finally couldn’t hold back. He turned his head slowly, glanced at Li Jinfang, and said sternly, “Are you implying those of us who came later should get lost?”

Li Jinfang hurriedly waved his hand, “F**k, you can understand this too? Is there anything you don’t know? I didn’t mean it that way, don’t misunderstand. Now, we’re all united. I’m talking about the future, the future!”

Gao Yang said irritably, “Toad doesn’t mean that, Number Thirteen, don’t exploit the issue. Toad, alright, stop there. I understand what you mean completely, but it’s not feasible this time. What, should we old ones say we’ll help Grand Ivan fight and let the newcomers take a break?”

After speaking, Gao Yang let out another long sigh, looking troubled, “In the world of mercenaries, we’re not free to act as we wish, just not free!”

Mercy cannot command troops, nor can loyalty command wealth. However, Gao Yang was a very loyal person. He could exercise mercy towards his own people, yet he simultaneously commanded troops and wealth, so inevitably, he had to suffer.

The four people in the car stopped talking, and after a long silence, Number Thirteen spoke in a deep voice: “That a person like you is a mercenary, fine, but that you’ve been at it for years and haven’t died, fine, yet you’re so pure and haven’t been screwed over, unbelievable, then managing to expand Satan to this size—I really wonder how someone so pure-hearted and kind like you did it. Seriously, I’m super curious.”

Number Thirteen’s words didn’t sit well with Li Jinfang, who raised an eyebrow and said loudly: “How is Brother Yang too kind and too pure? You know nothing! Brother Yang is righteous! If he were like others, you’d be dead already!”

Gao Yang frowned and said: “Since when did purity and kindness become derogatory? And am I pure? Am I kind? If those I’ve killed could hear this, do you think they’d jump out of hell just to spit on you?”

Number Thirteen shrugged and said with a smile: “Kindness and purity are euphemisms; to put it simply, you’re just dumb. Someone like Shava should be a one-off, a throwaway, meant for cannon fodder, yet you’re in such a hurry to visit in fear he might die. In the world I’m familiar with, you’re as rare as a unicorn.”

Gao Yang smiled wryly and said: “I’ve made it to today probably because there are too many smart people in this world and too few fools like me.”

Number Thirteen laughed loudly and said: “Exactly, I like you because you’re dumb; otherwise, I wouldn’t tag along with you. Hanging with smart folks is stressful, but with you, at least I never have to worry about being used and discarded.”

Eileen immediately nodded with a smile and said: “Exactly, Boss, though sometimes you’re a bit wishy-washy, and sometimes timid. Alright, I know you’re quite brave; your timidity is just because you must be cautious for everyone’s sake. Anyway, it’s okay, you only act dumb with your own people, and your kindness is only for your own people. You’re ruthless to enemies, occasionally even a bit crazy. Hmm, I just wanted to say you’re the best captain. Even if you’re not smart, it doesn’t matter as long as we’re smart enough, right?”

Li Jinfang thought for a moment, then nodded and said: “Alright, what you said makes sense.”

Gao Yang frowned and said: “Hey, you bunch of bastards, are you complimenting me or insulting me! When did calling someone dumb become a compliment?”

Eileen waved a hand and shouted to Li Jinfang: “Turn your head back.”

Li Jinfang asked in confusion: “For what?”

“Turn your head back and watch the road!”

Li Jinfang turned his head back, perplexed, while Eileen suddenly reached out and cupped Gao Yang’s chin with her hands.

Gao Yang sensed something was wrong, so he grabbed Eileen’s hands and tried hard to pry them off, but unfortunately, Eileen’s arm strength far surpassed his.

Gao Yang might have a chance using his legs, but without them, he’d surely be at Eileen’s mercy. Of course, that’s when fighting. Now, Gao Yang was really using force to grab Eileen’s arms, but Eileen was capable of lifting someone and slamming them to the ground for fun, so he really couldn’t budge her arms.

While Eileen’s hands couldn’t crush Gao Yang’s face, neither could Gao Yang pry her arms open. As she fully resisted Gao Yang, Eileen gave a proud smile and said loudly: “If you don’t like it, let me phrase it more delicately, Boss, I just like that you’re pure and kind.”

Speaking as she leaned forward, by the time Eileen finished, her face was already close to Gao Yang’s.

She smiled and pecked him on the lips, then slid her mouth past his face, whispered directly into his ear: “Don’t feel shortchanged, this is my first time, a reward for you. Don’t worry, you don’t say, I won’t say, no one will ever know, right?”

After finishing, the triumphant Eileen laughed heartily and finally released her hands.

Finally free, Gao Yang quickly turned his head. Seeing Li Jinfang looking straight ahead and Number Thirteen focused on driving, his unease calmed as he grumbled: “Don’t do that again, not allowed!”

Eileen gave a salute with a grin: “Yes, sir!”

At this moment, Number Thirteen suddenly said: “We’re at the hospital, want us to go in with you?”

Gao Yang pulled out a hidden earpiece and placed it in his ear while hastily removing his helmet and bulletproof vest, saying urgently: “You stay in the car. Toad and Tyrannosaurus will come with me to see Shava. Dragon Knight, Villain, you two as well. The rest stay outside, stay alert, notify me of any anomalies right away. That’s it.”