The Middle East: From War Correspondent to Middle Eastern Influencer

"This is an abandoned chemical plant located on the eastern edge of Benghazi." White Wolf's voice was calm, as if he were discussing the weather. "I can tell you the truth: behind us is an international conglomerate whose name I cannot disclose. You don't need to know who they are; it's the rule in this business not to ask the employer. You just need to know that they need to establish a stable logistics and transit base in Libya, in Benghazi, and our Gray Wolf Mercenary Group is their pioneer."

Wu Hen listened quietly without interrupting. He knew very well that wars in the mercenary world were often just an extension of the power struggle between capital.

White Wolf continued, "However, we've encountered some resistance. The Raven Tribe militia is entrenched on our planned core transportation route. There are about three hundred of them. Although most of them are just a mob wielding AKs and shooting randomly, intelligence indicates that a few days ago they took advantage of the chaos to rob a government army transport convoy and seized a batch of heavy weapons."

White Wolf looked at Wu Hen: "The whereabouts of this batch of heavy weapons are unknown. We suspect they are hidden in this chemical plant. If our Gray Wolf assault team rashly launches a strong attack and runs into several ZPU-23-2 twin-barreled anti-aircraft machine guns positioned on high ground, or RPG-7 rocket launcher positions hidden in bunkers, my lads will become a pile of expensive minced meat."

"So, you need someone to gather information." Wu Hen clearly understood Bai Lang's intentions.

"Smart." White Wolf snapped his fingers. "A white face infiltrating Raven's territory during this period is like a searchlight in the dark, easily spotted. Before you even get close, you'll be riddled with bullets by those neurotic militants. But you're different. You're Asian, and you're a reporter for Arab television. I don't care if that identity is real or fake, at least you can legitimately take your camera to the east of the city to interview war refugees, and you can even spend a little money to bribe Raven's outer guards."

"Your mission is simple: go in, find out the cement plant's firepower, the location of the sentries, and the storage location of those heavy weapons," White Wolf offered his terms. "In return, after it's done, you'll receive $50,000 in cash, or have it deposited into your designated account, plus a standard set of American individual equipment."

Fifty thousand dollars.

Even in peacetime, this is a considerable sum, let alone in war-torn Libya.

However, if you try to investigate the lair of an armed tribe and are exposed, the Ravens will bury you alive.

This job is too dangerous; it's a near-death experience.

"Mr. White Wolf, I appreciate your high regard, but I'm just a journalist. I think you're overestimating the capabilities of this kind of professional military reconnaissance mission..."

Before Wu Hen could finish speaking, the system voice rang out.

[Check-in location announced: (Abandoned chemical plant)]

This area has been marked as a critical check-in point by the system; current threat rating: Special!

"Damn it," Wu Hen cursed inwardly.

Since the system has issued a sign-in task, he has to go to this chemical plant whether he wants to or not, especially since this is the first time he has done this special sign-in!

But it would be too much of a loss to just agree to White Wolf's offer. Since we are destined to take the risk, we must maximize our immediate benefits.

He glanced at the white wolf in front of him, then changed the subject, "Mr. White Wolf, what I mean is, it has to be more money, fifty thousand US dollars. Do you think Asian lives are worth less?"

The two mercenaries standing at the door frowned, their hands already reaching for the trigger. In the Gray Wolf Mercenary Group, no one had ever dared to bargain with their leader like this.

White Wolf narrowed his eyes slightly: "This is just a reconnaissance mission, not a task to take down a stronghold. Fifty thousand dollars is enough on the black market to buy ten elite local veterans to work for you."

"Since it's so cheap, why don't you just hire those ten local veterans?" Wu Hen retorted without backing down. "Because you know very well that locals are completely unreliable. They'll take the money and then sell your information to Crow. In this mess, you can't find a better candidate than me, can you?"

Wu Hen extended his right hand and gestured a number: "Eighty thousand US dollars, in cash, plus three sets of individual night vision goggles, the standard of which cannot be lower than the US military's current AN/PVS-14, and the set of American equipment you promised."

White Wolf stared at Wu Hen, then suddenly let out a cold laugh, leaning forward slightly, exuding an oppressive aura befitting a top predator.

"Kid, don't be too greedy. Greedy people are usually the first to die on this battlefield. You believe me, I can make sure you never leave this power distribution room right now?"

"You can kill me," Wu Hen shrugged. "And then what? Your mercenary group only has fifty people at most. Every one of your assault team members is trained with huge amounts of dollars and time. If you take these fifty people and launch a full-scale attack on a stronghold hiding heavy weapons without accurate intelligence, that's not combat, that's suicide."

Wu Hen and Bai Lang locked eyes: "Even if you manage to take it down in the end, how many of you will die? Five? Ten? Or twenty? How much is the death compensation for a Gray Wolf Commando member? I'm trading one of my lives for the guarantee of ten of yours. This intelligence fee is practically a charity."

There was silence in the room.

a long time.

"Hahahahaha!"

White Wolf suddenly burst into a hearty laugh, the murderous intent in his eyes fading, replaced by a sense of appreciation.

"Alright!" White Wolf slammed his hand on the table. "Deal! $80,000, three sets of PVS-14 night vision goggles, plus a set of American equipment. But remember, Wu, if the intelligence you bring back is perfunctory and causes my men to lose their lives, I will hunt you down to the ends of the earth."

"Mr. White Wolf, please rest assured, I haven't lived enough yet."

"Victor!" White Wolf shouted into the walkie-talkie.

The heavy iron door was pushed open, and Viktor walked in.

"Take our reporter friend to the armory, pick out a few useful gadgets for him as a down payment, and also bring him those three spare night vision goggles," White Wolf instructed.

"Yes, sir." Viktor tilted his head. "Come with me, kid. You're lucky. You're the first non-combatant to get into our Grey Wolf Armory."

After navigating through a maze of underground passages, Victor led Wu Hen to a blast-proof door at the deepest part of the cement plant.

Viktor entered a complex string of numbers into the combination lock and then performed an iris scan. With the sound of air pressure being released, the explosion-proof door slowly slid open to both sides.

When he saw the scene inside, Wu Hen couldn't help but gasp.

This is not some cheap, low-quality goods from the underground black market; it is a truly modern, miniature arsenal.

The air had a distinct chemical scent characteristic of Break-Free CLP gun oil.

Under the cool light of the moisture-proof lamp, rows of weapons were neatly placed on custom-made gun racks.

On the left wall, there are SCAR series assault rifles produced by the Belgian company FN, including the SCAR-L which fires 5.56mm bullets and the SCAR-H which uses 7.62mm bullets. Each gun is well maintained and has various tactical accessories hanging on it.

On the right was a section dedicated to light machine guns and sniper rifles. Wu Hen saw an M249 machine gun and several well-disguised M24 sniper weapon systems.

In the center of the room, several large, dark green ammunition boxes were neatly stacked with M67 fragmentation grenades, stun grenades, and smoke grenades.

"This is true heritage," Wu Hen thought to himself.

Compared to the Grey Wolves, those armed militants outside, wielding rusty AKs and firing indiscriminately, were practically like cavemen.

"Take whatever you want, but don't go too far. You can't take much by yourself." Victor leaned against the door.