Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 208 - 196 Good Question

Chapter 208: Chapter 196 Good Question

The process was lengthy, the path tortuous, and the situation perilous.

The CIA had gone mad, but they were angry mad, not kill-crazy just yet.

They wanted to go on a killing spree, but they couldn’t find their targets.

The National Intelligence Bureau’s offensive capabilities were weak, yet they were more than sufficient in self-preservation, the reason being that although the National Intelligence Bureau was nearly on par with CIA’s subordinate units, happily passing intelligence to their Suzerain without charge, when it came to protecting Prince Shaman’s personal safety, their reliability immediately shot up.

Take Abdulla for example, although not the most capable, he was loyal because his entire fortune and life were tied to Prince Shaman, as well as the Guard directly responsible for Shaman’s protection, a mere two hundred or so in number. But these two hundred were carefully handpicked by Shaman, ensuring absolute loyalty, ensuring that if something were to happen to Shaman, these men would be doomed as well.

Thus, the National Intelligence Bureau could largely be divided into two categories: the majority, limited in ability but reasonably loyal, and a minority, limited in ability and completely disloyal, as well as another minority that, despite limited abilities, had exceptionally high loyalty.

The National Intelligence Bureau boasted more than ten thousand members, a sizable force.

Working with ten thousand as the figure, those responsible for Prince Shaman’s safety, who were Shaman’s confidants and their subordinates, amounted to roughly two hundred. That was Shaman’s core support.

Then there were about a thousand or so willing to sell intelligence to the CIA, mainly trained by the CIA and now holding mid and lower leadership positions. While they would leak intelligence, they would probably not dare assassinate Shaman. Yet, these were the very people who turned the National Intelligence Bureau into a sieve.

The rest were just lackluster time-servers, chaff in the wind. If Shaman could firmly control the bureau, they would be valuable core assets; if Shaman could not, they would remain a useless majority.

That was the situation.

Now, Shaman planned a major purge within the bureau, having resolved to do so since Gao Yi held him hostage. After a tour in Iraq and personally escorting Gao Yi and his group back, the purge began immediately.

This so-called purge meant replacing those whose loyalty was lacking with trusted individuals. As for carrying out a large-scale purge like the Soviet Cheka—slaughtering from top to bottom, until the blood flowed like rivers—Shaman was incapable of that.

Gao Yi and the others returned to Riyadh on Shaman’s plane from Baghdad, but only by staying by Shaman’s side could they guarantee their safety. The moment they left, it was uncertain what might happen.

Shaman dared not let the ones he was supposed to protect out of his sight; otherwise, he could not ensure their safety. This reality angered Shaman and left Gao Yi with a sense of helplessness.

The focus was that the capabilities of the National Intelligence Bureau were genuinely limited. Facing off against the CIA wasn’t exactly sending an egg against a rock, but it was certainly an arduous struggle.

Shaman cared about his reputation and now simply wished to safely send Gao Yi and the others away rather than dispatch a plane to send them to some country only to turn a blind eye if the CIA killed them all.

So, the result was that Gao Yi and his companions were stuck in Riyadh, with Shaman desperately seeking a way out—and it had to be soon, to avoid embarrassment.

By the third day of their arrival in Riyadh, Gao Yi and his group were still staying in the presidential suite of a hotel resembling a state guesthouse, closely guarded inside and out by the Royal Guard, completely isolated, ensuring their safety.

"How do we break this stalemate? We can’t stay here forever."

Gao Yi was worried, knowing they could make up and escape on their own, but it was Shaman’s pride that couldn’t bear it.

Harold’s problem was solved, and so was Shaman’s. However, for Gao Yi himself, it was a difficult issue to resolve.

Truly troubled, Gao Yi had nothing better to do than to summon everyone for a meeting.

United in thought, they might just find a way.

Luca’s approach and attitude were always consistent.

"If you ask me, we should split up and escape. Disband the Sky Garden, and we wait quietly for three years, register a shell company, and after those three years, come out and collect the money. From then on, we live a fulfilled, happy, and wealthy life."

Luca had the right mindset, and frankly, so was his strategy.

Gao Yi bitterly laughed, "But His Highness doesn’t wish for us to leave stealthily, so how can we split up and escape?"

It all came down to face, and right now, Gao Yi and his companions were Shaman’s face.

Shaman went to great lengths to preserve his own reputation, but what was it worth if his face itself ran away.

Luca spread his hands, not knowing what to say.

At times like this, it all came down to Wind Vane’s skills.

Being able to detect danger was not anything special; the real skill of the Wind Vane was the ability to escape danger in time.

Gao Yi said to Feng Biao, "Brother Feng, got any ideas?"

Feng Biao responded confidently, "It all depends on what you think, boss. Are you really going to disband the Sky Garden?"

Gao Yi replied casually, "At this point, there is nothing left to hide. The Sky Garden is free to disband. That name was a casual choice anyway. It’s the Garden that’s our foundation. So let the Sky Garden be disbanded."

Feng Biao sighed, "It’s a pity. Such a big name, as long as we don’t die or disband, would have been a golden signboard."

Gao Yi smiled, "The Sky Garden was just a name registered on the Dark Web; it doesn’t matter. As long as the Garden remains, that’s enough. Our main clients are the two big brothers. As long as the big brothers are around, are we afraid of not having business in the future?"

Lu Ke coughed lightly and said, "The Garden used to only deal offline, with a stable and vast clientele. It’s just that the impact of the Dark Web forced us to take on online business. But now, we’ve acquired the most valuable resource a traditional assassin organization could ask for—Royal Family-level big customers. This means a stable flow of business, so switching back to the name Garden and the traditional mission pattern shouldn’t be a problem."

Li Jie waved his hand and said, "Gentlemen, we’re getting off topic. What matters now is how to leave without hurting the Prince’s feelings."

Wind Vane immediately said, "Let’s split up and not regroup. Everyone just go about their business and we can assemble when necessary."

Li Jie said irritably, "That’s the same as saying nothing. That’s the objective, not the process, and certainly not the means to solve our current problem."

"Well, what do you suggest?"

Li Jie scratched his head and whispered, "I don’t know. Right now, the CIA can spot us as soon as we get to the airport. Once we leave Riyadh and land somewhere else, we’ll be killed by the CIA."

Li Jie was a typical engineering guy: methodical and logical. But while he could spot problems, he was not particularly good at coming up with creative solutions.

Feng Biao pondered for a moment and said, "The main issue right now is Prince Shaman’s dignity. As long as the Prince agrees to let us go, it should be easy. Uh..."

Gao Yi said indifferently, "Mend the pen after the sheep are gone, Lat the Prince find a bunch of people to dress up like us to attract attention. Meanwhile, we sneak off to the airport and board a plane to anywhere. As long as we don’t take the National Intelligence Bureau’s route, it might actually be safer, and we should be able to escape."

Feng Biao immediately said, "Right, that saves face and keeps the substance. We can do it that way!"

Gao Yi sighed and said, "But the Prince won’t agree. I’ve suggested this before and he rejected it..."

It was as if nothing had been said.

Again the group fell silent.

Then, Lin Xianghua suddenly said, "Could it be that Prince Shaman has no available talent under his command, which is why he’s reluctant to let us go?"

Li Jie contemptuously said, "That possibility... don’t overestimate yourself. We’re not that valuable."

Feng Biao immediately said, "Don’t say that. Think about it. Aren’t we very capable and valuable? If His Highness has no one to replace us, wouldn’t he be reluctant to let us leave?"

They thought about it and then realized that this might indeed be a possibility.

Luca muttered, "You assassins who don’t look like assassins..."

"I’ve got it! Find suitable subordinates for the Prince, find suitable replacements for us."

Gao Yi thought he had found a great solution, but his words were greeted with several eye rolls.

Feng Biao chuckled and said, "Finding a sniper or an assault rifle is easy, but Boss, try finding another assassin like you."

Li Jie whispered, "And one who is shamelessly sweet-talker."

Lin Xianghua said seriously, "And loyal to the point of not fearing death, and also generous with no love for money."

After speaking, Lin Xianghua couldn’t help but glance at Luca.

Luca snapped, "Why are you looking at me like that! Am I not generous?"

Everyone was speechless.

Gao Yi suddenly said, "Do you think, well, this is what I’m thinking, His Highness is having an easy time purging the National Intelligence Bureau, but he can’t find suitable people to fill the vacancies. That’s why he’s even considering us foreigners. So, if we think about it the other way round, why not recruit mercenaries or assassins with no particular background or connections to hold the fort in the meantime? Wouldn’t that work?"

Feng Biao suddenly slapped his thigh, hitting his injured leg by mistake.

"Ah shit!"

After exclaiming in pain, Feng Biao hurriedly said, "That’s it, we’ve got a solution, Boss. Just say we’ll go our separate ways, spread out across the world to scout talent for His Highness. It’s a perfect excuse!"

Everyone fell silent, each lost in thought.

Gao Yi took a deep breath and said, "Yes! That’s not just a good excuse; it’s a good plan!"

Luca perked up and said, "Speaking of scouting talent, we could actually buy... consumables, and even make a profit out of it."

Luca saw Lucy and meant to say they could buy someone like her, but he changed his words to "consumables" in time, and Gao Yi understood what he meant.

Assassins had plenty of expendables to offer, and those freelance mercenaries who were willing to sell their services would probably love to be part of a structured group. Perhaps Shaman had not considered this option before, but given his urgency to find usable manpower, he might actually be willing to go for it.

Gao Yi immediately said, "Right, buy those half-baked assassins, ready to be used. But we won’t take a cut. We’re only responsible for the introductions. The Royal Family can negotiate how to buy and sell."

After finishing, Gao Yi addressed Luca, "Don’t damage your dignity over a small profit, missing the watermelon while picking up sesame seeds is not worth it."

Luca seriously said, "No, you’re wrong. Adding a reasonable profit, even if we only make one thousand dollars per person, making our earnings transparent is definitely more sustainable than just doing favors, believe me."

Gao Yi considered Luca’s words, then he had to admit that Luca might be right.

At that moment, Lucy, who had been silent all along, suddenly said, "I have a question. Why haven’t any of you considered staying?"

Everyone was speechless again.

Indeed, why hadn’t anyone thought of staying to serve Prince Shaman?

That was a very good question.