The Mi-17 helicopter took off again.
This time, however, it carried Song Heping, Jiang Feng, and several others, along with a squad-sized unit of South American mercenaries.
The captain of this squad was Cassia.
He was the new commander, succeeding Gabri.
The atmosphere inside the aircraft was extremely oppressive.
Having just lost so many of their brothers during the previous brutal slaughter, these South American mercenaries hadn't yet shaken off the adrenaline their bodies were producing.
No one wanted to talk; everyone was silently waiting for the next wave of bloodshed.
Jiang Feng glanced at Song Heping, who was sitting next to him. Song was leaning back in his seat, eyes closed, trying to rest.
Jiang Feng had many questions he wanted to ask.
But he hesitated, afraid of disturbing him.
This made him uncomfortable, causing him to shift his position restlessly.
Suddenly, Song Heping opened his eyes and glanced at Jiang Feng, "Do you have a lot of questions you want to ask?"
"N-not really!"
Jiang Feng stammered in his reply.
Song Heping sat up straight, exhaling deeply, "If you have something on your mind, just ask."
Jiang Feng said, "Isn't this move too risky? For example... if we're discovered by Illiguo's patrol forces, it could be very dangerous... And there are Americans there."
Song Heping responded calmly, "You've been stationed in Illiguo for so long—have you ever seen Americans come to a place like Dahuk at night?"
His words were enough to shut Jiang Feng up.
Dahuk is situated in the northwest corner of Illiguo, neighboring Turkey, Persia, and Siria. It's essentially a border region.
Any area adjacent to several countries tends to turn chaotic if the government fails to maintain order.
Just like the Golden Triangle.
Thus, this is a region interwoven with various local forces, with the Madheh Army being the dominant one.
Ever since the "Freedom Force," backed by the Kurds, was crushed by Song Heping, the Madheh Army has become the largest armed faction in the area.
"Relax. First off, we're flying low, so radar can't detect us. Second, the Civilian Military here lacks the capability to shoot down helicopters. Besides, the Madheh Army is the strongest faction in this area."
At this point, Song Heping paused.
"More importantly, right now, the US Army isn't focused on this place—they're watching Badi Town."
"Is there a fight happening over there?" Jiang Feng asked.
Song Heping checked his watch before saying, "If Samir isn't a complete fool, upon hearing my report about the CIA operatives leaving Badi Town, he will seize the opportunity to launch an attack immediately. He will never find a better chance than tonight. I5I5 reinforcements likely won't cross the border to support Badi Town at this time. Their intelligence is shared with the CIA, and if I'm correct, they're currently rushing to deal with the fallout there."
Jiang Feng nodded thoughtfully before asking, after some deliberation, "So when Samir's side starts fighting, the US Army will focus on the developments there?"
"Of course they will." Song Heping said, "Haven't you dealt with the US military enough? They definitely don't want casualties from conflicts between the I5I5 forces and Civilian Military groups. I estimate they'd send reconnaissance units there to observe, stay on the sidelines, and let the local factions tear each other apart."
"Got it..."
Jiang Feng finally let go of his concerns.
Earlier, at a Persian border camp, Song Heping had made a decision that stunned everyone.
He decided to return to Siria.
Yes, that's right.
Despite losing at least half of his elite troops, he intended to go back to Siria.
There was only one goal—to annihilate the CIA's secret action team heading to Badi Town, known as the "Watchers."
Tonight, Song Heping suffered a significant blow.
This debt would not be left unsettled.
"A gentleman may wait ten years for revenge."
But that's only when he lacks the strength to act.
If the capability is there—
A gentleman settles his score without delay.
Song Heping's guess was spot on.
He predicted that after his attack in Gelashuk targeting Baghdadi, the CIA would certainly send reinforcements.
The "Watchers" team came to Illiguo specifically for him.
They weren't here to protect Ahmair and his two or three thousand troops in Badi Town.
To the high-ranking officials in Langley Headquarters, the fate of these terrorists was of no concern.
What mattered was whose hands Baghdadi would fall into—especially ensuring it wouldn't be his.
Killing him—that was their ultimate goal.