"Let's hear it, what have you come for?"
Twenty minutes later, in a little cabin on Barrett's Farm, he pushed a cup of coffee towards Song Heping.
"There's a job I have that requires someone who's very familiar with the drug cartels in Mexico and the underground transport networks, someone who can provide related resources. Someone recommended you to me."
Song Heping got straight to the point, with no intention to hide anything.
After all, for a guy who had managed to stay undercover in the Mexican drug network for six years without getting caught and burned alive in a tire fire, it wasn't a good idea to start hiding things now.
"Figures."
Barrett sank into the sofa, holding his coffee mug as he scrutinized the young Chinese man before him. His look was complex, seemingly mocking, admiring, and somewhat impatient.
However, Song Heping's shooting skills had earlier dazzled him.
And under Song Heping's guidance and advice, his subsequent shooting accuracy had reached 80%.
Men always have a bit of a competitive mindset.
Especially someone like Barrett—a professional soldier who had served in the Special Forces and worked as an agent and undercover in the DEA.
In their world, strong individuals were always worthy of respect.
For others, Barrett might have stood up and shown them out, but facing Song Heping, he was curious about what this man intended to do.
"Who recommended me?"
"Kelly," Song Heping did not hide it, "the White-haired Witch."
"Her?" Barrett frowned.
He didn't much care for the folks at the CIA.
The fact that Song Heping had connections with Kelly was clearly no simple matter.
"How so? Are you two close?"
"No," Barrett said, "I was just a regular agent; I didn't have much interaction with people like her, but I know of her."
Song Heping said, "Interested in joining us?"
Barrett replied, "Not interested. I've been out of that game for a long time and I don't dabble in that crap anymore."
"The pay is very lucrative." Song Heping said, "How about $2 million if you join?"
"Hmph!"
Barrett glanced at Song Heping disdainfully, "I'm curious if you have any idea of the risks involved in taking on assignments from the CIA?"
Song Heping calmly replied, "Of course. The drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia are fierce; crossing them could get us chased and killed."
Barrett asked, "And knowing that, you still dare to take the job? You think after eliminating the targets and getting the payment, you can live freely and happily with the money?"
Song Heping countered, "Then why weren't you afraid back then? You were undercover there for six years, and based on your intelligence, whether directly or indirectly, there must've been fifty, if not a hundred, drug dealers who died by your hands. Why weren't you afraid?"
Barrett spread his hands, pointing towards the window with his right hand, "I was scared too. Don't you see why there are so many traps and land mines around the farm and why my house is filled with guns? Honestly, Song, I am scared."
His honesty made Song Heping respect him even more.
"I can make you unafraid." Song Heping said, "Forever unafraid."
"Hahahaha!" Barrett laughed loudly, "You? What makes you say that? Who do you think you are? Do you know how many former agents involved in our line of work end up being killed in retaliation? Just because it's not publicized doesn't mean it doesn't happen! What could your small defense company possibly do?"
"We are not small," Song Heping said, "and we really aren't afraid of any drug cartel. If they want war, we'll give them war; if they want to fight, we'll fight. As for how long it'll last, it's up to them."
Barrett was stunned.
He had never encountered someone so audacious.
And a Chinese at that.
Chinese in America are known for being law-abiding and generally timid.
Such audacity.
Not just rare, but utterly unheard of.
"Kid, you're too audacious."
"I have enough madness to back me up," Song Heping said, "Do you know the AUC forces?"
"Yes, this organization is closely related to drug cartels, one of Colombia's anti-government armed forces, ranked second in strength domestically. However, they've recently fallen into ruin, taken down by the third-ranked ELN forces, and have since disbanded."
Barrett recited as if counting treasures.
"How so? You know them?"
Song Heping said, "It was I who had them disbanded, do you believe me?"
Barrett's jaw dropped.
He thought Song Heping was bragging,
But based on his expression, it didn't appear so…
Song Heping said, "To be precise, the combat backbone of the ELN forces was trained by me, and during the last combined operation of the AUC and government army to eradicate ELN, I was their chief strategist. I commanded that battle."
"You're the head of that 'Falcon' school?" Barrett suddenly realized, facing the legendary Eastern man.