Fatal Strike: Mercenary Road of Gunfire Ranger-Chapter 17 - Middleman

Daqili, a border city in Myanmar, presents the unique spectacle of one city straddling two countries.

Just a few kilometers east along the Mekong River bank brings one to Laos.

From a high vantage point in Daqili, one can overlook the Mekong River and see the borders of three countries, a true strategic point on the frontier and a vital trade city with Thailand for Myanmar.

Since the major Mekong River incident, the drug trade in the Golden Triangle has shrunk somewhat, but the slack has been taken up by even more thriving online gambling and telecommunications fraud industries.

Common folk wouldn't imagine that, in a time such as 2014, in a place where even eating was a problem, there was relatively decent electricity and telecommunications infrastructure compared to similarly undeveloped regions.

Neither Myanmar nor the Thai Government would invest money in these; it was all built by the local de facto powers in a bid to make money.

Mountain Eagle, with a rudimentary splint on his right leg, lay in a room of an inn, looking exceedingly bedraggled.

Sharing the room with him was Killing Bee...

This androgynous marvel was seated in a chair with legs crossed on the bed edge, peeling an apple and saying, "I advise you to eat something; the next few days probably won't be easy for you."

Mountain Eagle waved his hand in response, "No need, eating more won't help me..."

As he said this, Mountain Eagle glanced at Killing Bee's indifferent expression, thought for a moment, and asked, "Are you familiar with Daqili?"

Killing Bee shook their head, "Not really. My hometown is in Chiang Rai, and I've come here a few times to take care of some business for a local middleman.

That guy happens to be the middleman for this current deal, so later I'll be taking you somewhere you'll be kept for a while, then you'll be handed over to Naokan."

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Mountain Eagle, puzzled, said, "I don't quite understand. Blood Fox previously said that Naokan has a secret hideout here. Since the deal is already done, why the runaround?"

Killing Bee looked at Mountain Eagle with a snicker, "You think you can just easily get a million US Dollar?

Daqili isn't Naokan's territory; he's not a fool...

Moreover, any sane person would be extremely cautious about trying to get money from a drug lord. Directly contacting Naokan for the transaction, he'd first suspect a trap.

Mountain Eagle, in a place like this, you must have a reliable middleman otherwise you'll find you can't get anything done because no one will trust you!

In such a chaotic place, without a middleman's assistance, even going out to find a prostitute can lead to a 'celestial surprise'."

Mountain Eagle nodded and asked, "So, is your friend reliable?"

Killing Bee gave Mountain Eagle an enigmatic look and shook their head, "This guy is called 'Old Jin,' a well-known middleman in Daqili. I've just worked for him before; he's not my friend.

Mountain Eagle, you're someone Blood Fox has his eye on, and you're not too bad of a person, but this is the Golden Triangle region. If you can't adapt, I advise against taking any risks."

Then Killing Bee glanced at their watch, "We leave in an hour; you still have time to back out if you want."

Mountain Eagle didn't seem afraid at all...

He had rested for nearly half a month in Su Village; though his right leg hadn't fully recovered, he could walk on it with effort.

Originally, he wanted to rest a bit longer, but Blood Fox used Luo Mai's information to contact the Thai Military. The process went smoother than their expectations of Thai efficiency...

Now the Thai Military was ready, but they couldn't wait forever, so the plan was expedited.

The entire transaction process had been rehearsed many times. There were many issues with the details, but no matter what, he certainly had to make it out alive to meet Naokan...

After all, this big drug lord had spent a million US Dollars; he couldn't just let anyone kill him and leave it at that.

Eating a bit of hardship was already in Mountain Eagle's expectations, but as long as he could take out Naokan, then everything would definitely be worth it.

Seeing Killing Bee, who didn't seem to be nervous at all, Mountain Eagle hesitated and said, "Since this Old Jin is a famous middleman, isn't there a problem with us using him like this?"

Killing Bee paused, looked surprised, and said, "Us using him? What kind of joke is that?

I deliver you to him, he's responsible for verifying your identity, then gives us the money, hands you over to Naokan. In this process, he takes a 30% cut...

He's only responsible for the safety during the transaction stage. After the people and money leave his territory, what does our fight with Naokan have to do with him?"

After listening, Mountain Eagle took a moment to digest the logic...

He looked at Killing Bee, who took it for granted, and shook his head, "To dare to call himself a famous middleman with just that?

Is the cost of 'reputation' in this shabby Golden Triangle too high!"

Killing Bee chuckled and shook his head, "Unless you're a long-term cooperator, what else do you want?

It's just like that with temporary middlemen. They're not nannies, isn't it enough that they prevent you from risks of double-crosses in transactions?"

Mountain Eagle sat up, poured himself a glass of water, drank it, and said somewhat awkwardly, "I just feel that for just one transaction, the middleman takes away 30%, yet both parties end up with no guarantees in the end... it seems somewhat improper..."

Hearing this, Killing Bee snorted with laughter and said, "We get the money, Naokan gets the person, isn't that enough?

And is 30% a lot?

Killing a presidential candidate in the Philippines is only 40,000 US Dollars, but what ends up in the assassin's hands might just be 2000 US Dollars.

The International Intermediary Company, where Blood Fox works as an investigator, is already known as the best platform for newcomers, taking 40% from each transaction.

Mountain Eagle, the money circulating in the Underworld is different from that of normal society. Sometimes the more money you have, the more it devalues...

We're willing to work for Blood Fox not because the old guy is generous, but because although the commission he offers is not the highest, the money he gives us is laundered and legal income, and working with him seldom leads to mistakes.

Old Jin seems to do nothing yet takes a 30% is the same principle; he has to ensure the deal is completed while laundering the money.

Moreover, this is a necessary process. Without it, Naokan wouldn't show up at all."

Saying this, Killing Bee licked their seductive lips and said with a smile, "There's a lot for a rookie like you to learn, but sister can teach you..."

Mountain Eagle rubbed the goosebumps on his arm and sat at the far end of the bed, saying, "I don't think that's necessary..."

As they talked, Mountain Eagle's gaze collided with Killing Bee's playful eyes. After he subconsciously avoided further eye contact, he said, "Why haven't Big Mouth and the rest arrived yet? I'm already prepared..."

Killing Bee gave a disdainful glance at Mountain Eagle, who was desperately avoiding any enthusiasm from them, then stood up and took off their clothes to reveal an androgynous body...

They deliberately swayed in front of Mountain Eagle and after Mountain Eagle helplessly turned his gaze away with a raised middle finger, they laughed heartily and changed into a lady's suit...

Red pencil pants, white shirt, blazer...

They drew on eyebrows, applied lipstick, added hair wax - a mercenary who lacked a masculine essence instantly transformed into a charismatic and dominant female executive.

Once everything was prepared, Killing Bee checked their watch, then walked up to Mountain Eagle and said with a teasing tone, "Today Old Jin is hosting a gathering with some local big shots. Blood Fox has also blended in, with his identity being the boss of Russian gang...

However, Blood Fox can't always look after you...

Are you ready to eat hardship, boy?"