Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 536 - 515: Gains of a Fisherman

Chapter 536: Chapter 515: Gains of a Fisherman

The name Huaxinfeng was obviously the first time Yuri had heard it. He was somewhat puzzled and asked, "Huaxinfeng? What does it do?"

Xinfeng’s English phrase is "trade wind."

Huaxinfeng’s phrase is "wind in the flower season."

Apart from both names having "wind" in them, the rest is entirely different. Moreover, the code name Huaxinfeng is clearly long in English; it’s not something people would frequently have on their lips as a nickname.

"The most mysterious member of Freedom Wind, a secret operations team established by the CIA European Intelligence Bureau, and later handpicked by CIA headquarters and directly assigned to the White House. They’ve carried out several missions, and while I’ve identified all the members of Freedom Wind, I just don’t know who Huaxinfeng is. Today, when you mentioned Rana Gadot, I suddenly thought of her."

Yuri frowned and said, "From an intelligence standpoint, your association is somewhat far-fetched. However..."

"However what?"

"Many situations are resolved from an unbelievable idea. If you thought of Huaxinfeng first, it means your subconscious has been analyzing this person for a long time. When you heard Rana Gadot’s name, your subconscious connected her to Huaxinfeng, which is why you immediately thought of her."

After speaking calmly, Yuri gestured with his hand and said, "Investigate! Investigate everything about her."

"How should we investigate? Does the KGB have information on her? Or has the KGB ever treated her as a spy?"

"No, definitely not. If the KGB doesn’t believe she’s a spy and Plevenov believes she is, then it means this woman is very deeply hidden."

"Change location."

This place couldn’t be used anymore. Not due to danger, but Gao Yi felt the café couldn’t provide the most secure communication environment.

Leaving the coffee half-drunk, the two exited the café, got into the car, where Dani and Lucy were waiting.

This car was very secure, ensuring there were no listening devices. However, amongst the four people in the car, at least two of them might potentially share what they heard with others.

One was Yuri, and the other Dani. Neither could truly be considered Gao Yi’s people due to their backgrounds.

But it didn’t matter; Panetta was part of this interest group anyway. Saying certain things openly benefited everyone.

"It’s me. A very important matter: Who is Rana Gadot!?"

Panetta was a bit puzzled by Gao Yi’s sudden question. He hesitated for a moment and replied in a low voice, "Uh... well... this..."

Gao Yi continued, "She might be Huaxinfeng!"

"She’s from Mossad, but she seems to have some connection with us. If the European Intelligence Bureau tried to develop her into a double agent, it’s quite possible. When you say she’s Huaxinfeng... do you have any evidence?"

In a low voice, Gao Yi explained, "We’re currently trying to deal with the KGB, and I’ve obtained a key piece of information. Someone has secretly contacted Rana Gadot, possibly leaving some incriminating evidence behind. I can’t confirm 100% yet, but it’s been mentioned before that Freedom Wind carried out missions in Moscow, and Rana Gadot was also in Moscow. I feel there is some connection."

"Freedom Wind, Huaxinfeng, KGB, Mossad—it’s possible! Investigate her!"

What Gao Yi was discussing involved key national secrets for many countries. Yet, he and Panetta casually spoke about it.

For Russia, Plevenov being suspected of being compromised was an enormous piece of intelligence. Even if it was just contact without being enticed, Plevenov still couldn’t be fully trusted. The reason was simple: as the head of a security bureau, he didn’t need to engage with foreign spies. If he violated regulations to engage with a spy and failed to report it, he was doomed. Not only would execution be possible, but his career would also immediately come to an end.

For the United States, Rana Gadot being a double agent was advantageous. Her prior contact with Plano further bolstered these advantages.

But for Panetta, it wasn’t good news, because Freedom Wind must be completely eradicated as an adversary.

For the UK and France, if Plano truly became the KGB Director, this matter would serve as leverage against him.

This piece of information could truly reshape the intelligence landscape of several countries—provided they seized the opportunity.

Panetta quickly gathered some information. Over the phone, he spoke in a low voice, "I now have the highest clearance, but I can’t find any information on Rana Gadot. Based on the records, Rana Gadot joined Mossad in 2004, and later, after arriving in the U.S., the CIA interacted with her briefly but didn’t entice her. Instead, they tacitly allowed her to become a celebrity in America. This is quite unusual, although the records show everything appears normal."

Gao Yi asked quietly, "Is it really normal or isn’t it?"

"Not normal. This file isn’t forged, but it’s definitely meticulously edited. It portrays a cooperative relationship with the CIA. If something happens to Rana Gadot, this file could serve as evidence that she was turned by the CIA. Her actual identity isn’t disclosed in the file—it’s the kind of information only one or two individuals would know."

Gao Yi wasn’t quite able to comprehend, as he didn’t know how the CIA operated. He couldn’t understand how a single file could serve as evidence.

"How does the file serve as evidence?"

"The file number is unique; that’s standard practice. These highly classified relationships are usually single-line contacts. If the contact person dies or encounters other unexpected situations, as long as Rana Gadot can state the file number, it proves she’s with the CIA. It doesn’t verify her achievements, but it certainly indicates her identity!"

"Understood."

"Such public figures can’t completely conceal their spy activities, nor would they hide them deliberately. Once their identity is exposed, everything ends, so maintaining top-level secrecy is normal."

"Alright, shall I handle it or you?"

"You. Her dual identity as a celebrity and Huaxinfeng makes it inconvenient for me to operate. You’ll be better-suited."

"Got it. Additionally, we’re laying out plans in Moscow, hoping to help Plevenov become Director. Currently, we don’t expect to control him, but if successful, at least there’s room for negotiation. Do you have anything that can help?"

Yuri couldn’t help but roll his eyes at Gao Yi, while Dani’s chubby face twitched uncontrollably—a subconscious muscle spasm.

This was because Gao Yi’s request seemed excessive, as if he lacked awareness of the stakes involved.

But Panetta said quietly, "Give him a spy network—Mason left one behind. However, don’t dismantle the entire network. Ensure some people escape Moscow. Let someone named Prince serve as his credit. Then, you have to promise me to establish another covert spy network—entirely undetectable, visible to no one. Also, I’ll select one person to go to Moscow as the intermediary. We can communicate secretly but honestly about certain matters; it’ll benefit everyone."

Competing where needed, cooperating where possible—this was quite common.

Gao Yi pondered and said, "Alright, I’ll try."

"Good. Keep me updated."

Panetta ended the call, then told those in the car, "You heard it—Rana Gadot might be Huaxinfeng. We need to confirm this. Dani, check what Rana is currently up to. If necessary, make contact with her."

Dani nodded.

Gao Yi looked at Yuri and asked, "What do we do next?"

"We... basically... don’t need to do anything."

Yuri gave a bitter smile and said, "The CIA and KGB—after decades—are establishing this link and relationship for the first time. I need to think about the consequences of such high-level direct contact."

"What consequences? It’s just conditional cooperation instead of full-scale confrontation. It also reduces misjudgments—which is a good thing."

"No, this isn’t a good thing; it’s the beginning of mutual infiltration. It’s beneficial for individuals, but absolutely useless to nations."

Yuri believed this wasn’t a positive development, but he wouldn’t interfere. He simply chuckled and said, "If the Garden Federation truly influences CIA and KGB decisions, this organization would become somewhat terrifying. The Garden Federation could move among the Five permanent members as a VIP—or it might become a global enemy."

"Let it be a global enemy. It doesn’t matter. At this point, there’s no turning back."

Being placed in such a high position wasn’t necessarily a good thing because Gao Yi understood the higher one climbed, the harder one fell. Still, it wasn’t fear—it was knowing fear wouldn’t help.

Gao Yi told Yuri, "We have to do something; otherwise, why would Plevenov get the Director’s seat?"

The implication was whether Yuri could influence Qin Pu to decide the Director selection.

Yuri remained silent, falling into deep thought. Then he shook his head and said, "Ludelins and Yelinsay tearing each other apart leaves Bozarsky as the strongest candidate. Plevenov steps forward, declaring his ambition to be Director. Then either Ludelins or Yelinsay drags Bozarsky down. At that point, there are very few viable options left. Qin Pu prefers those with responsibility. So as long as Plevenov dares to step forward and make an extraordinary contribution at this critical moment, his position as Director is almost guaranteed."

Gao Yi found it hard to believe and asked quietly, "That simple?"

"Yes, that simple. Because the rest of the work has already been done by others. We don’t need to do anything."

Gao Yi understood the concept of ’the fisherman profits when the snipe and clam fight,’ but he was brimming with energy to make significant moves to help Alexander ascend. Hearing Yuri made it seem like no action was required.

Reaping the benefits? That sounds good.

"Then how do we let Plevenov bust the CIA’s spy network?"

Yuri thought for a moment and said, "Let Alexander handle it. Plevenov protects Alexander, and Alexander immediately achieves something noteworthy. In this way, both of them have contributions. Qin Pu won’t allow the KGB to be mired in endless internal conflict. At this critical juncture, a remarkable performance can have decisive consequences. Then, everything will be settled."