Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 534 - 513: Asking Despite Knowing

Chapter 534: Chapter 513: Asking Despite Knowing

Plevenov arrived as promised.

He didn’t dare choose a meeting place near the forest but instead picked a café far away.

"Hello, I’m the president of the Garden Federation. You can call me the Gardener."

Gao Yi introduced himself politely, while Yuri stood silently behind him, not sitting down immediately, like an attendant.

Plevenov looked at Yuri with some confusion, then shifted his gaze to Gao Yi in front of him.

One of them was a notoriously infamous schemer.

The other was an unknown foreigner, young, and seemingly unworthy even of being Yuri’s attendant.

Yet, now their roles had reversed. Who wouldn’t be caught off guard for a moment?

"The Garden Federation?"

Plevenov looked at Gao Yi with a grave expression and said in a low voice, "I’ve never heard of it. I only know of the Garden."

"It is the Garden, but the Garden is limited to assassin operations, while the Garden Federation does everything."

Gao Yi had to patiently explain this to Plevenov.

"The Garden..."

Plevenov, who had always worked in security, had a personality that was steady and reserved. Even his outward appearance made people feel reliable.

Plevenov would rarely come across as inexperienced, unless he simply couldn’t hold it in.

"Did you really join the Garden?"

Plevenov ignored Gao Yi again and directed his question to Yuri.

Yuri smiled and replied, "Yes."

Plevenov let out a sigh, then looked at Yuri and said, "I never expected Alexander to lower himself to seek your help, and I’m even more surprised that you agreed to assist him."

Yuri shook his head. Gao Yi chimed in from the side, "It’s not about lowering oneself; it’s cooperation. We are all friends, just helping each other out."

Plevenov suddenly said, "If I refuse to help, will you kill me?"

Such is the downside of the assassin profession.

When an assassin seeks someone out, the person will inevitably wonder what their intentions are.

Gao Yi said earnestly, "We don’t do threats or intimidation. Whether you help or not, we won’t kill you. Of course, there’s a condition—don’t go spreading this around."

Plevenov did not show much reaction, so Gao Yi continued, "Also, let me correct you: it’s not about helping; it’s cooperation, mutual benefit. We came to you because there’s something in it for you too."

Plevenov chuckled softly and said in a low voice, "Do you know how many traitors I deal with each year who’ve been turned by foreigners? Do you know how many spies I’ve personally eliminated? Save your rhetoric; it won’t work on me."

Gao Yi was unsure how to proceed because he truly lacked understanding of Plevenov and couldn’t tailor his approach effectively.

Yuri suddenly said, "Don’t use an oppositional or dismissive attitude to discuss things that could benefit you. Why not listen to what the Gardener has to offer?"

"Alright, I’ll listen. But don’t bring up money or making me Director—I’m not interested in those."

A smart man like Plevenov, who had made it to the position of a powerful Deputy Director within the KGB, wouldn’t fall for simple incentives. With one sentence, he blocked Gao Yi’s options.

If money was off the table, and the position of Director couldn’t sway Plevenov, then what else could?

Had Gao Yi known more about the internal workings of the KGB, he wouldn’t be in such an awkward position. But time was too tight—he hadn’t managed to gain any deep insights into the KGB’s personnel network, not even the names of Plevenov’s rival Deputy Directors. Now, he had nothing to say.

It had to be Yuri who took over the negotiations.

Gao Yi nodded slightly, gesturing toward the empty chair next to him, and said to Yuri, "You talk to him."

It’s okay to not know; just don’t let it show.

Yuri pulled out the chair and sat down next to Gao Yi. Then, with a calm demeanor tinged with disdain, he said to Plevenov, "Here’s a question: why are we looking for you instead of someone else? Why did Alexander choose you and not someone else? Don’t rush to answer—think about it carefully before you say anything."

This was a completely shameless tactic.

There was no correct answer. Alexander had chosen Plevenov simply because he seemed likely to become the Director and would be easier to control. Nothing more.

Plevenov likely understood the ploy. He calmly replied, "I don’t want to answer, because I don’t need to know. You came to me, so I shouldn’t have to answer your question."

Yuri gave a faint smile and said, "Because you’re dangerous too. Alexander could only come to you to keep himself safe. Helping him is ultimately helping yourself."

Yuri began to weave a false narrative, but it seemed to land; Plevenov’s expression turned grave.

Yuri said nonchalantly, "The Security Directorate is a very special division. While it’s part of the KGB, it also operates semi-independently. In theory, a change in the KGB Director shouldn’t have much impact on the Security Directorate. But then, why have you also been ordered to remain on standby?"

"I wasn’t put on standby—I stayed voluntarily, just like the other Deputy Directors, to work overtime at the headquarters."

"Overtime? Or trying to show Yelinsay and Ludelins that you have no ambition for the Director position? Staying out of the competition entirely? But some things don’t disappear just because you avoid them."

Yuri placed his hand on the table and began tapping it rhythmically. Smiling, he said, "Ludelins’ scandals were exposed. Most likely, Yelinsay was behind it. Now, Ludelins and Yelinsay are locked in a fierce struggle, dragging others into it. Whose side have you been lumped into?"

Plevenov confidently declared, "I’m not supporting anyone. I have no interest in competing for the Director position."

"Don’t tell me—tell Ludelins and Yelinsay. See if they believe you. Maybe they’ll even believe you won’t be swayed. Or maybe they’ll just leave you alone, as a wildcard who might turn on them at any moment."

Yuri’s words weren’t overtly harsh or directly threatening, but Plevenov’s expression darkened further.

Gao Yi, despite being a novice in political matters, understood the subtext in Yuri’s remarks.

The first targets in any conflict are the fence-sitters—especially ones with significant power, whose allegiance could shift the entire battle.

Plevenov remained silent for a long time.

Yuri pressed on, "This wasn’t originally your problem. But someone broke the equilibrium and used underhanded tactics. Now, all the rules and understandings have been shattered, and it’s a fight to the death. Do you think you can still sit comfortably as Security Director? Either you go down with Ludelins, or you go down with Yelinsay, or perhaps the two of them team up to take you out first. Pick one."

After finishing coldly, Yuri looked as if he was losing patience. He raised his voice slightly and said, "Did you come out here because you genuinely wanted to meet me? Or because you have skeletons in the closet that you’re afraid someone might exploit against you? Look at the current situation—what is there to pretend about? Your little secrets—are there any that your superiors don’t know about? Any your subordinates don’t whisper about? Whether it’s Ludelins or Yelinsay, either of them could use that dirt to end your career in politics immediately. What’s the point of keeping up this act? If you truly had leverage, you wouldn’t even be here. Since you’re here, let’s talk properly!"

Beads of sweat appeared on Plevenov’s forehead.

Gao Yi had no idea what Plevenov’s issue was; Yuri hadn’t shared anything with him beforehand.

What was Yuri planning? If he had real dirt on Plevenov, he should have told Gao Yi beforehand, not left him in the dark like this.

What now?

Pretend to know, but act as if he doesn’t? Or use the approach of feigned ignorance to provoke Plevenov? Gao Yi decided on the latter—it was more aggressive and would seem less courteous to Plevenov, but at least it might reveal some truth.

"Oh, Mr. Plevenov, do you have any dirt in someone else’s hands? What might it be?"

Gao Yi’s tone was deliberately provocative, dripping with malice. It was as if he was slapping Plevenov across the face in retaliation for his earlier refusal.

Yuri’s lips twitched slightly as he muttered under his breath, "What else could it be? What mistakes can a man make? Though in Mr. Plevenov’s case, it might be something... special. Hmm... let’s just leave it at that."

No, something wasn’t right.

It was absolutely not right!

Gao Yi didn’t know Yuri well, but based on their limited interactions so far, he could tell that Yuri wasn’t the type to hold back when the situation called for real action. He preferred decisive, straightforward resolutions.

Which meant Yuri also had no idea!

This was a serious problem.

Gao Yi had never expected that Yuri, too, was bluffing.

Plevenov, however, wasn’t an average person. If there wasn’t something concrete on the table, could he really be rattled?

Judging by his reaction, it seemed possible.

Plevenov lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, and said in a low voice, "She... she’s an American spy. But I can guarantee that she obtained no valuable intelligence. I can even claim it was me who deliberately got close to her."

They actually bluffed him into revealing it!

What mistakes can a man make?

A thousand and one things, obviously!

And when it comes to women, naturally, this is the kind of mistake that most often arises.

Yuri remained composed and said, "Well, you can try explaining that to the President—if you ever get the chance to meet him."

Plevenov sighed lightly and asked, "What do you want me to do? And what can you do for me?"

"Declare your support for Alexander immediately. Propose transferring him to the Security Directorate, a lateral move. Your stance must be clear—you and Alexander should rise or fall together."

Yuri wasted no time stating his demands. Then, his tone shifted as he added, "What we can do is ensure others agree to your proposal. Additionally, we can make you the Director of the KGB."

Plevenov shook his head. "I don’t want to be Director. In this situation, having such intentions would make me an immediate target for elimination by joint efforts."

Yuri said quietly, "Don’t be naïve. It’s not about whether you want it or not. If you can’t become the Director, then you’re finished. Put all your cards on the table—we’ll back you and start making moves."