Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 130 - 120 Wind Vane

Chapter 130: Chapter 120 Wind Vane

Saibu’s value couldn’t be exhausted overnight, so Gao Yi had time to look for that arms dealer while waiting to interrogate Saibu.

He couldn’t go himself, Grins wasn’t prestigious enough, and even George showing up personally wouldn’t work, simply because the Secret Action Bureau’s presence had been too weak in Baghdad previously.

But while the Secret Action Bureau’s words didn’t carry weight with an arms dealer, they were effective in front of the entire Iraqi government.

Grins’s words wouldn’t work, but with just a word from George, the Iraqi Military would have to send someone influential to accompany Gao Yi.

"This arms dealer is named Sholov, he has been in Baghdad for many years now. He lives in the Green Zone. Although he is Russian, he lacks any Russian background; he is purely a businessman. Anyone can buy weapons from him, so he doesn’t display any obvious biases. Thus, Sholov’s armed force isn’t very strong. If he tries to kill someone at all costs, it only means he has been swindled out of a lot of money."

Grins’s eyes were somewhat red, a consequence of a sleepless night, yet his spirits were highly agitated.

The car stopped, Grins lowered the window and waved, then waited until an Iraqi military vehicle started moving in front of them and he pointed forward, "You don’t need to care about who’s in the car ahead, but they can definitely lead you to Sholov. Once you meet Sholov, ask whatever you want to ask; don’t be polite. As long as your demands aren’t too excessive, Sholov will be sure to accommodate them."

A pure businessman is usually easy to speak with, as long as there aren’t any major conflicts of interest, there shouldn’t be any danger.

But after giving his instructions, Grins suddenly said, "However, if he doesn’t act wisely, you can absolutely force him out of Baghdad, or even let him die in Baghdad. Don’t worry about his connections with the CIA or any relationship with the KGB, just as long as he dares to step out of the Green Zone, we can blast him with missiles."

Grins hadn’t spoken with such confidence before, but after one night, he was now full of it.

Gao Yi spoke softly, "Mm, okay."

Besides Gao Yi being happy about Grins’s newfound assertiveness, Peter was the happiest.

Peter couldn’t help but start to smile.

Grins then took out an ID, a black leather-covered one with a circular emblem on it, depicting an eagle clutching three arrows.

Gao Yi didn’t recognize the emblem, but there were words written around the circular badge, which Gao Yi glanced at, "United States Department of Defense."

The Secret Action Bureau actually used Department of Defense ID cards?

Gao Yi was still curious, but Grins said indifferently, "We don’t have specific IDs yet, we use these for now. Your ID hasn’t been issued yet; this is a blank one, but!"

After saying ’but’, Grins, who was in the passenger seat, addressed Peter, the driver, "This ID represents your identity. Do you know the significance of this ID?"

Grins still displayed some official authority. Peter, both excited and anxious, said, "Sir, I...I don’t know."

Grins spoke softly, "It means you will receive unconditional support from the military. We lack manpower, funds, even our office space is borrowed, but we can call on support from the navy, army, and air force! What CIA! What Department of Homeland Security! Who can match our military might? We don’t have an action team, but the entire US Army is our action team!"

After speaking, Grins patted Peter on the shoulder and said, "Of course, now we have an action team. Kid, you are the first captain of the Defense Clandestine Service’s first action team. Don’t disgrace our Secret Action Bureau, don’t disgrace me, don’t disgrace...Booth!"

"Yes, sir! I...I know what to do!"

They hadn’t traveled very far when the military vehicle in front stopped. A middle-aged man in a short-sleeved shirt alighted from the vehicle, and Grins took a deep breath and said, "You guys go ahead, I’ll wait here in the car."

Grins would become the highest officer of the Secret Action Bureau in Baghdad, so he couldn’t meet Sholov personally as it would be too honorable for Sholov. If Sholov wanted to see him in the future, he’d have to bring significant gifts.

Gao Yi took Peter and Lin Xianghua, and the three of them got out of the car, following the polite Iraqi into a seemingly inconspicuous courtyard in the Green Zone.

There was no communication throughout, the Iraqi simply stood by the door until a burly Russian opened it after which he nodded to Gao Yi and left.

The burly man who opened the door said with a thick tremor, "Please."

Sholov wasn’t very polite, not even coming to the door to welcome them.

Gao Yi didn’t care about such formalities, but since the Secret Action Bureau had involved the Iraqi upper echelons, this arms dealer still acting aloof—did he not want to mix in business anymore?

With doubts, Gao Yi entered a meticulously arranged living room, and as soon as he entered, he understood why Sholov hadn’t come to greet them.

A white-haired old man with an IV bag on his arm, looking feeble, slumped on the sofa.

But while he was old, his face looked relatively young, but from his complexion, the old man seemed like he was about to die.

When he saw Gao Yi enter the room, the old man struggled to stand up, then stood beside the sofa, shivering as he extended his hand and said, "Hello, I’m Sholov. I am very sorry for not coming out to meet you all, it’s just...my health..."

After a long sigh, Sholov squeezed a smile onto his face and said hesitantly, "Welcome, sir."

Gao Yi, feeling pity, shook hands with Sholov, finding his palm ice cold.

Although not versed in Chinese medicine, Gao Yi, a Kung Fu practitioner, was sensitive to body conditions like the circulation of qi and blood,b and could tell Sholov’s condition wasn’t feigned; he was truly ill.

"What happened to Mr. Sholov?"

Gao Yi released his hand and sat down opposite Sholov. When the burly man had helped Sholov back onto the sofa, Sholov said with resignation, "Heart attack, almost died."

"Still, you need to take care of your health. No matter what issues arise, health is most important."

Gao Yi was simply offering a typical Chinese comforting words to an ailing person, but Sholov grimaced and said, "Thank you, but this time, it really has been...ah!"

After another long sigh, Sholov shook his head and then asked Gao Yi, "Please tell me...how may I assist you?"

Without asking about Gao Yi’s background or name, because if Gao Yi wished to disclose that, he would have done so voluntarily, without any direct inquiry, Sholov would not pry.

Gao Yi didn’t see the need to hide his intent; he just calmly said, "I heard there’s a Chinese person here; I’d like to meet him."

Sholov was taken aback because he hadn’t expected this request from Gao Yi, but after a slight pause he asked, "Um, may I ask what it is about? This...I’m sorry, ultimately, he was invited by me, and if..."

Sholov must have received some message because after hesitating for a moment, he finally said, "I’m very sorry about last night; I only wanted to kill Saibu, nothing else was intended."

Gao Yi waved his hand and said, "I’m not here to trouble you. I just want to see if this Chinese person is my...friend. Also, if it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to meet the person who was shooting last night."

There was no point in scaring a seriously ill old man; after speaking gently, Gao Yi smiled and said, "No other intention, and I’m not looking to hold anyone accountable, just curious to meet them. If it’s inconvenient, then never mind."

Sholov breathed a sigh of relief before he told the burly man beside him, "Bring them out; it’s okay."

Gao Yi was excited, though it wasn’t long before four individuals exited from an inner room.

One Asian, two caucasian people.

Unexpected yet expected.

Unexpected in that the Asian definitely wasn’t Li Jie, expected in that the two caucasian people, having been seen yesterday, were the same two spotted on the taxi.

Gao Yi stood up and looked at the Asian, saying, "You, you’re not..."

The Asian looked to be in his thirties, but his appearance clearly differed from Li Jie’s photo.

"Hello hello hello hello, ah, I really didn’t expect to meet a fellow countryman here."

The Chinese man approached Gao Yi enthusiastically, sizing him up before sincerely smiling and saying, "This is truly wonderful."

Sholov, struggling a bit, said, "These are the snipers I hired, this is..."

"Old Feng! We’re all Chinese here, just call me Old Feng."

Sholov hesitated for a moment then gestured towards the two caucasians saying, "These two are also snipers I hired."

The two caucasians looked warily at Gao Yi, merely nodding without speaking or introducing themselves.

Disappointed, quite disappointed, but looking at the Old Feng in front of him, Gao Yi suddenly said, "Are you a sniper? You did well last night."

"Last night...ah! I was saying you looked somewhat familiar from the back. It wasn’t you last night, was it? Ah, amazing! The way you dodged last night was truly divine. In so many years, no one has managed to dodge under that circumstance. I must say, ’I’m sorry,’ I really didn’t mean to shoot you, but you are too incredible, divinely inspired indeed!"

Old Feng was full of admiration and respect, and sincerely said, "I’m convinced, truly convinced, completely convinced!"

Convinced of what?

But it must be said, Old Feng’s words did make Gao Yi feel quite pleased.

Sholov watched Old Feng cautiously but couldn’t say anything to him.

At that moment, Lin Xianghua, who had been silent, suddenly said in Chinese, "Wind Vane!"

When Xianghua said the term "Wind Vane" in Chinese, Peter looked at Old Feng and directly pointed at him saying in English, "You are Wind Vane!"

Peter’s expression was clearly contemptuous.

Looking puzzled at Peter, Xianghua didn’t hide anything and told Gao Yi openly, "This guy is quite well-known in the Mercenary Circle as Wind Vane, best known for escaping in critical moments."

Old Feng smiled awkwardly and said, "That...it’s just a misunderstanding,a a rumor, just a rumor."

A story there, but the Li Jie they were looking for wasn’t found, just a rather infamous Wind Vane.

Gao Yi was quite disappointed, very disappointed.

It seemed pointless to stay any longer.

Seeing Gao Yi’s expression, Sholov spoke softly, "If you have something to say, could we sit down and talk slowly? About last night, put it on me, please don’t trouble them, okay?"

Gao Yi waved his hand, his tone full of resignation, "I was looking for a Chinese person, but not Mr. Feng, so don’t worry, you guys are fine."