Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 329 - 313: Still Need to Practice

Chapter 329: Chapter 313: Still Need to Practice

Luca can’t fight, but he is definitely the most important person in Gao Yi’s team, bar none.

In some ways, Luca is even more important than Gao Yi, although it’s not always obvious, being unobtrusive doesn’t mean he’s not important.

Why? Because Luca is in charge of the money.

Put it this way, Gao Yi is the soul of the Garden, or maybe the soul of the Warhammer, anyway, the name is secondary, the point is Gao Yi is the soul of their gang, there’s no doubt about that.

But Luca is the cerebellum of the Garden.

Not the brain, but the cerebellum, or maybe it would be better understood as the brain stem, which ensures that the untrustworthy collective of the Garden can function properly.

Considering Gao Yi’s attitude towards money, he is good at making money, but he’s a black hole when it comes to spending. If it weren’t for Luca managing his finances and keeping a tight hold on Gao Yi’s purse, Gao Yi would definitely have no funds to throw around or the pedigree to make investments.

Gao Yi understands the importance of Luca, but the problem is, since when did Luca start giving advice to Gao Yi on romantic issues, too?

Exactly, it was just as he wanted to suppress yet highlight; Gao Yi was not happy with Luca suggesting things on such private matters.

"I mean, for a guy who loves to spend money on women, what right do you have to lecture me?"

Gao Yi and Luca had the kind of relationship where they could say anything to each other without hiding anything.

To Gao Yi’s dissatisfaction and questioning, Luca unapologetically said, "I spend money without causing trouble, but you don’t spend and yet you might pay with your life. Although I don’t have a girlfriend, I understand women obviously much better than a rookie like you."

Gao Yi disagreed, he proudly said, "You don’t understand."

"I don’t understand? Okay, let me just ask you one question, if you really slept with Emily, how would you pacify Lucy?"

Luca spread his hands and said seriously, "A berserker who is constantly by your side, mentally unstable, and extremely important to you, how do you plan to resolve that?"

"Uh..."

Gao Yi reluctantly said, "I haven’t done anything, and besides, Lucy won’t blame me."

"Okay, let’s assume Lucy isn’t thinking straight and doesn’t mind you sleeping with another woman, what about Marina?"

Luca held up two fingers and gestured, "Marina or Emily, choosing either means losing the other, then the question arises, what status and role does Marina hold, and what about Emily’s mother? What would be the consequences if they turned against you?"

Gao Yi didn’t want to say anything anymore because he didn’t know what to say.

Luca’s face turned bitter as he said, "Can’t you see, Marina sent Emily on her behalf, isn’t that a subtle move? Why did Marina send Emily?"

"I don’t know... Why?"

"I don’t know either, I’m not familiar with them."

Gao Yi was taken aback and said, "Then why are you saying all these? Why do we even talk about them?"

"Because I feel they have become unstable factors that could endanger us, and are issues that need addressing."

Gao Yi spread his hands again and said, "Great, then how do we address it?"

Luca hesitated for a moment, then he whispered, "If it goes my way, you should let Lucy know she’s the most important woman in your life, but with no official status, Emily could be your girlfriend, while Marina, with her high status and age, could be your lover."

Gao Yi was stunned and said, "I thought you were advising me to stay away from them, and now you’re suggesting I have all of them?"

"As an assassin! Do you still expect to have a grand wedding?"

Luca said excitedly, "As an assassin, the basic principles are not to initiate, refuse, or be responsible. You can’t meet Emily every day like a regular boyfriend, can you? Ignoring the age gap, could you possibly be Marina’s openly acknowledged boyfriend? And then Lucy, please, would you dare let the world know about her existence?"

Gao Yi looked bewildered and said, "Wait, is this the reason you told me not to let small issues turn into big problems?"

"The ladies have come knocking at your door; at this crucial moment of cooperation, if you don’t commit, how can the French fully trust you? Wait, I see what Marina meant now. She doesn’t expect to have you, she’s using Emily as a rope to tie you down, and then she wouldn’t mind having something more with you. That’s the French woman for you—romantic yet realistic, independent yet tough yet scheming!"

After saying all this excitedly, Luca looked eagerly and said, "You see, French men don’t even dare to marry now, why? Because French women are too troublesome. Aren’t you worried that Emily will become your wife, and that Marina will cling to you? Please look at the marriage and dating scene in France, don’t think too much!"

Gao Yi took a deep breath, while Luca placed his hand on Gao Yi’s shoulder and said sternly, "Don’t ignore the last chance Marina gave you. You used to say you practiced the ’Child’s Skill’, but now if you refuse again, that would be your own problem."

Gao Yi was distressed because being a scoundrel was against his traditional values.

No high-minded reasons, not even finding any sanctimonious excuses, purely, after having Lucy, Gao Yi was too filled up already. Although he completely didn’t dislike Emily, it was hard to settle for just a cuter Emily when he had Lucy, who was unbeatable in looks, body, and personality.

Watching Gao Yi struggle to answer, Luca could only urge him, "Make a decision quickly; if it were me, I’d be knocking on Emily’s door by now, don’t let a young girl’s heart down—after all, she isn’t asking to marry you."

Just as Luca was making his final effort, there was a knock at the door.

Joelson came to the rescue.

Although Luca was present, Joelson knew that he was Gao Yi’s confidant, so there was nothing to hide. He urgently said, "Panetta called me, bypassing Crawford to contact me directly."

Did he kick Crawford out so quickly?

Though it was anticipated and indeed planned, the fact that Panetta had contacted Joelson directly within half an hour only showed his strong determination and swift action.

"What did he say?"

"Panetta asked in detail about my role in this plan and carefully inquired about how I plan to use this arms deal to draw CIA’s attention and thereby attract Freedom Wind."

"And then?"

Joelson spread his hands and said, "I said I hadn’t thought it through because I didn’t know what the higher-ups meant, and I had no clear instructions. I am just cooperating with you to the best of my ability, but I lack support from the upper level, so I don’t know how to make Freedom Wind notice this arms trade."

"And then?"

"There’s no ’then.’ Panetta didn’t ask too much."

A partial plan is still a plan. Joelson had limited capabilities, resources, connections, and power, so he only came up with an idea to seize Gao Yi’s arms in a way that would involve the CIA and subsequently attract Freedom Wind.

But the reason this plan was incomplete was that it needed Crawford to perfect it and carry out the completion. After all, it was unrealistic to expect Joelson alone to handle everything from start to finish.

But now Crawford was totally useless. He had become an information black hole, cutting off the contact between Panetta and Joelson, delaying time, and risking the derailing of substantial matters.

Gao Yi and Joelson had almost immediately been effective in giving Crawford a lesson, and from a God’s-eye view, it was clear that Joelson and Gao Yi intended to remove Crawford, the obstacle.

However, from Panetta’s perspective, and even from Crawford’s own viewpoint, there was absolutely nothing wrong with what Joelson said; it was completely genuine.

It was just an arms deal that would benefit everyone, but how it ended up pointing to Crawford’s mistake could only be attributed to the magic of timing differences.

Right after receiving Panetta’s call and ending the conversation, Joelson immediately came to report the news, and just after Joelson had discussed these matters with Gao Yi, Panetta’s call was promptly redirected to Gao Yi’s phone.

Gao Yi had Joelson check the number, and Joelson quickly said, "I said we were in the same hotel, but not in the same room."

Gao Yi nodded and then answered the call.

"Hello, I’ve thought carefully and asked about the situation, and I think your plan is excellent."

Gao Yi paused and said, "Don’t talk about this nonsense; just tell me how you are going to cooperate."

Not knowing Panetta’s identity, it was time to be straightforward.

Panetta said indifferently, "I am Panetta, the Deputy Director of the CIA. It was I who instructed Crawford to connect Joelson and you."

"What!"

Gao Yi exclaimed, and though he was only on a call with Panetta and the two people in front of him were definitely his own, he still stood as if he was in Panetta’s presence, immediately straightening up, bending his upper body slightly, displaying extreme astonishment and respect, "You personally called me? I apologize... I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was you. Joelson didn’t tell me you personally called. This is too... an honor, sorry, I apologize for my earlier rudeness, I really didn’t know it was you!"

Gao Yi’s tone sounded nearly tearful.

Luca turned his head away, feeling embarrassed by Gao Yi’s flattery.

However, Joelson looked utterly surprised as he realized that just through a phone call and using only a voice, one could perform a stance and scene that was immensely satisfying.

Still much to learn, still much to practice.

Unquestionably, Gao Yi’s attitude immensely satisfied Panetta.

Panetta said nonchalantly, "It’s alright, you didn’t know it was me, and indeed, our people have wasted too much time in the early stages; your anger is justified and normal."

"I’m not angry, not angry... How could I dare to be angry?"

Gao Yi continued to be obsequious.

Panetta ignored Gao Yi’s explanation and also disregarded the grievances in Gao Yi’s tone; he merely said indifferently, "It’s alright. From now on, only Joelson will be in direct contact with you, eliminating the middlemen; this will increase efficiency. Also, if you have anything important, you can talk to me directly."

Gao Yi respectfully said, "Okay, thank you. Thank you for your trust!"

Well then, Crawford was set aside, and it seemed that Joelson might be marginalized too. However, that depended on Gao Yi’s handling; as long as he didn’t want to sideline Joelson, Joelson’s role would only become more critical.

Mission accomplished.