You were told to search and attack, but you're supporting Asara?

At the entrance of the Special Operations Unit, three off-road vehicles were already loaded with supplies. The tactical department's ammunition boxes were neatly stacked, the medical department's syringes and blood bags were packed in incubators, and the logistics department's trunks were filled with bulletproof plates and repair kits.

Chen Xiao patted the last box of supplies, nodded in satisfaction, and turned to Lina: "You stay at the Special Operations Department and familiarize yourself with the production process. Luna, come with me to deliver the supplies."

Lina opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end she just nodded. She knew that Chen Xiao didn't take her because the Zero Dam area wasn't completely safe yet. Although Said's guards had cooperated with him, there was no guarantee that some stubborn soldier wouldn't take a liking to the GTI members.

"Be careful," Lina whispered.

"Don't worry." Chen Xiao jumped into the passenger seat, Luna got into the driver's seat, and several vehicles loaded with supplies drove out of the Special Operations Unit in a row.

Dam Zero wasn't far from the Special Operations Unit, but the road was rough. The off-road vehicle bumped along the potholed dirt road for nearly an hour before the outline of the dam came into view.

Saeed personally led Farid, Hakim, and Karim to wait at the dam entrance.

"Wow, I get this treatment too?" Chen Xiao jumped out of the car and walked over with a smile.

"Enough talk." Said glanced at the supply truck behind them. "Did you bring the supplies?"

"I brought it. Enough to keep your guards going for a while." Chen Xiao patted him on the shoulder. "But you don't look too good. Haven't slept for days?"

Saeed didn't answer, but simply waved his hand, signaling the people following behind him to unload the cargo.

"You've come at just the right time." Said's eyes, hidden behind his mask, looked at Chen Xiao. "That bastard Reis has given in."

"He promised to return Fareed's family and offered a substantial sum in compensation; we are on our way to pick them up."

"I knew it." Chen Xiao glanced at Farid, who looked anxious. "How could I receive this treatment?"

"Enough talk, let's go." Said's hoarse voice carried a hint of relief: "It'll be a good opportunity for you to see what this 'Hellish Black Shark' is all about."

"I couldn't be happier," Chen Xiao shrugged. "But you can't completely trust Reis. He might back down today, but he could turn on you tomorrow."

······

In the evening, in the abandoned town at the junction of Zero Dam and Chang Gong Valley.

Three Assara Guard pickup trucks were parked on the east side of the checkpoint, facing the road, ready to leave at any time. Saeed led Chen Xiao, Farid, Hakim, and Karim into the checkpoint, while the remaining guards spread out to maintain order.

Reis has arrived.

He brought a dozen or so men, all dressed in black tactical uniforms, armed with high-end weapons like G36s, M4s, and even two SCAR-Hs. But all of them had dark circles under their eyes and looked exhausted, clearly having suffered a lot recently.

Reis himself stood in the middle of the checkpoint, wearing a flashy shirt and a thick gold chain around his neck; his belly was even bigger than the last time we met. When he saw Said, his face immediately lit up with a smile, and he opened his arms to greet him.

"Old Sai! Long time no see! I've missed you so much!"

Saeed wasn't having any of it and shoved him away: "Where are Fareed's family?"

Reese awkwardly lowered his arm and chuckled dryly, "You're still the same cold-hearted person you always were."

Reis waved behind him. Two guards led two people out of a van: a middle-aged woman and a teenage girl. Both were pale, but their clothes were relatively clean, and they had no obvious injuries.

"Faried, look, isn't that your wife and kids?" Reese said with a grin. "I haven't touched a single hair on their heads, and I've been treating them to the best food and drink."

Farid's eyes instantly welled up with tears. He strode over, and when the middle-aged woman saw him, tears streamed down her face as she threw herself into his arms. The girl timidly called out "Daddy," and Farid knelt down, holding his daughter tightly in his embrace.

Said glanced at him, made sure he was alright, and then turned his gaze back to Reis.

"Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you."

With that, he waved his hand and was about to lead his men away.

"Hey, don't rush, old Sai." Reese took two quick steps and blocked Said's way.

Hakim and Karim immediately raised their weapons and pointed them at him.

"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous." Reese raised his hand to indicate that he meant no harm. "Brother, there's something else I'd like to discuss with you."

"Hmph, I have nothing to discuss with you!" Said showed him no respect whatsoever.

Reese rubbed his hands together and chuckled twice: "Old Reese, we're brothers, don't be so cold-hearted. I'm here today for two reasons: first, to see someone off, and second... to talk to you about the cooperation with GTI."

Reis pulled a cigar from his pocket, lit it, and took a deep drag. "We're all Assara people, blood is thicker than water. You've already partnered with GTI, right? I'll join you, we can all make money together, what's wrong with that?"

Said didn't speak, but turned around and glanced at Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao stepped out from behind Said, stood in front of Reis, and looked him up and down.

"You're Rhys?"

Reis narrowed his eyes, sizing up the young man in front of him. He wasn't wearing a military uniform and had no insignia.

"Where did you come from?"

"GTI operator, codename 'Prophet'," Chen said with a sly smile. "I heard you want to cooperate with us?"

"Where did you come from?"

"GTI operator, codename 'Prophet'," Chen said with a sly smile. "I heard you want to cooperate with us?"

Reese paused for a moment, then immediately adopted a warm expression, grasping Chen Xiao's hands and shaking them vigorously: "Oh, so you're a GTI officer! I've heard so much about you! I've wanted to connect with GTI for a long time, but never had the chance. This time, thanks to Old Sai's introduction!"

"Don't rush to get close to me." Chen Xiao pulled her hand back, grabbed a broken chair next to her, and sat down. He crossed his legs. "Cooperation is possible, but the terms need to be clearly agreed upon."

Reis's eyes darted around, and he sat down opposite him, putting a cigar in his mouth: "Sir, please speak."

"GTI can withdraw its troop deployment in Longbow Valley, but I need to apply to my superiors, which will take time." Chen Xiao's smile was harmless, but his words made Reis a little uneasy: "And GTI is willing to support the Asara people's frontline operations in the Baksh region."

"However—you will be responsible for the equipment and supplies. Secondly, you need to capture the Superstar Station occupied by Hafk as our troop transport route to the Baksh region."

Reese's smile froze.

Chaoxing Station is an important transportation hub in the Bakshi region. Hafk has stationed troops there for countless years. Although it is not difficult to take it, it is not easy to hold it.

Before Reese could even think of a way to refuse, Chen Xiao smacked him on the forehead with a jujube: "But the GTI isn't exactly a demon."

"I charge 550,000 haf for each person I transport to Bakshi."

"You take 20% as military spending."

Reis's eyes lit up immediately.

He doesn't want to fight, but being paid is another matter entirely.

"Sir, I have an idea." Reese's eyes darted around behind his sunglasses. "How about this?"

"Go ahead," Chen Xiao said, raising his chin in a bureaucratic manner.

"I'll take the money from those soldiers for you, I won't take a single penny," Reis said, patting his chest with an air of righteous indignation.

"Is there really such a good thing?" Chen Xiao asked, somewhat surprised.

"But we'll make a slight change to the route we take to Bakshi." Reis's face crinkled with a smile: "The Diamond Queen Hotel will serve as their transit point, allowing the soldiers to rest briefly along the way."

"Oh?" Chen Xiao looked at Reis with a half-smile. "I didn't realize you were so considerate."

"Hehe, of course, I'll charge a small service fee for staying at the hotel." Reis revealed a hint of greed.