Night, March 13, 2011
Liu Tao stared at the phone before him, tormented by conflicting emotions. After contemplating for over an hour, he finally dialed Nie Yun's number.
"Impossible!" Nie Yun's resolute rejection came through the phone.
"I understand the peril, but without this course of action, the troops will be immobilized. Prolonged delay poses a danger to 1 and the others as well..." Liu Tao endeavored to elucidate.
"Impossible remains impossible; the plan is excessively hazardous. Furthermore, 13 is currently injured, and they possess mech forces over there," Nie Yun remained unmoved.
"Let us cease arguing. Shall we inquire about 13's own perspective?" Liu Tao's words abruptly struck Nie Yun.
"Very well, I shall consult him and call you back..." Nie Yun terminated the call. Indeed, Nie Yun had transformed. Previously, his own thoughts mirrored 13's; the notion of asking 13's preference would never have occurred. Gradually, within everyone's consciousness, 13 ceased being merely a weapon, evolving into an individual with thoughts.
13 sat on the bed, perusing informational documents...
Black Dragon: Male, currently 23 years old, leader of the TW Black Dragon Society. Debuted at age 18, unified all TW gangs by 20. Existing TW gangs function as its subsidiaries.
Engages in industries including drug trafficking, smuggling, prostitution, arms dealing, underground banking, casinos...
Characterized as extremely mercenary, despicable, treacherous, ruthless, and deeply calculating...
Possesses no adverse habits. Has not left his residence since the war began. Currently resides in a luxurious 5000-square-meter estate within TB city.
Security personnel comprise elite veterans from various nations' special forces. Total number exceeds five hundred. Equipped with top-tier global weaponry, prohibited firearms...
"Is the mission to assassinate this individual?" 13 inquired serenely.
"No one has issued you an order. This is merely for your assessment. Evaluating your current condition, what level of confidence do you have in safely returning after eliminating him?" Nie Yun emphatically conveyed that participation was not mandatory.
"Disregarding the mechs, seventy percent confidence. Including them, merely twenty percent," 13 analyzed.
"Ah, I perceive. Rest now, I shall depart..." Nie Yun retrieved the documents from 13's hand and turned to leave.
"Are 1 and the others in TB?" 13 halted Nie Yun, who had reached the doorway.
No response.
"They cannot be permitted to go. Unarmed, attacking such a conspicuous target—they will perish," 13 rose from the bed.
"I am aware. Hence, I never intended for them to go initially. However, today's terrorist attacks have left Liu Tao utterly bereft of options, compelling him to consider assassinating the instigator..." Nie Yun turned back.
"Yet, delaying the advancing troops in this manner also places 1 and the others in escalating jeopardy..." 13 approached Nie Yun's side.
"You yourself stated only a twenty percent chance. With such a low survival probability, I absolutely forbid you from going!" Nie Yun's tone carried a hint of agitation.
"Consider it repayment for their previous aid. I will go!" 13 decisively snatched the documents from Nie Yun's hand.
"Impermissible! This is an order!" Nie Yun declared sternly.
"Apologies. Since returning that day, I have resolved..." 13 opened his personal weapons cabinet, beginning to don the White Tiger suit, "I will no longer obey anyone's commands. All actions are undertaken solely by my own volition..." He inserted the combat knife into the sheath on his back. "If you prevent me from going, then kill me."
"You..." Nie Yun intended to reprimand but reconsidered, letting out a profound sigh.
"TB's radar system was destroyed by 1. Aerial insertion via aircraft is feasible. I shall arrange the plane..." Nie Yun conceded.
"Grandfather," 13 suddenly looked directly at Nie Yun, stating calmly, "There is no cause for concern. I haven't factored in the assistance from 1 and the others yet. This time, I will bring their equipment along. We shall return alive..."
Nie Yun closed 13's room door.
High in the sky, a transport plane carried 13 and three sets of equipment towards TB. He touched his chest; the ribs still ached, but movement was possible. The injury on his left hand was also largely inconsequential. The innate rapid recovery function within his genes provided unimaginable aid to battlefield survivability.
The aircraft ramp slowly lowered. Wind snatched the documents from 13's hand, scattering them like snowflakes into the sky beyond. At an altitude of 3500 meters, oxygen grew thin. Fortunately, the White Tiger helmet's efficient respiratory system spared 13 any discomfort.
The green light for parachuting illuminated. Stepping onto the skid plate, carrying three black bags the size of travel luggage, he leaped out.
In mid-air, 13 remained motionless. Surveying the surroundings, TB appeared unchanged, the night still exquisitely beautiful...
The holographic screen before his eyes flashed red. 13 deployed the parachute on his back, decelerating his descent.
"Mr. President! Paratroopers sighted in the city!" A soldier burst frantically into Chen Bian's bedroom.
"How many?" Startled awake, Chen Bian immediately inquired upon grasping the situation.
"The number..." the soldier hesitated before continuing his report, "Only a single parachute was detected..."
"One person?" Chen Bian was bewildered. After careful reflection, he leaped from the bed. "Notify Wang Jian immediately! Commence a city-wide search for suspicious individuals. Pay close attention to the movements of the child and woman leading the group at the entrance..."
"Mr. President..." the soldier stated awkwardly, "They vanished from tracking an hour ago. The intention was to report after you awoke..."
"Imbecile!" Chen Bian grabbed a nearby pillow and hurled it at the soldier's face. "Bring those three foreigners to me at once."
The soldier rapidly fled the bedroom.
By the time Satan arrived, Chen Bian was already impeccably dressed, seated at his desk.
"Someone has infiltrated the city..." Chen Bian strove to maintain a calm tone.
"Without a radar system, this was anticipated. However, it cannot be a large contingent. With the entire city under martial law, a surprise attack is fundamentally impossible," Satan casually selected a chair and sat.
Chen Bian remained silent, his gaze fixed anxiously upon the desktop.
"Is it the same individual from last time?" Angel inquired perceptively.
"Unconfirmed, but only one person infiltrated. Within their ranks, daring to enter alone... besides him, I can conceive of no other," Chen Bian's voice trembled.
"It's him!" Satan sprang up from his chair.
"More amusement awaits," Dove chuckled.
"This time, he must perish in TB!" Satan clenched his fists.
"Do we know his objective?" Angel asked.
"Terrorist attacks occurred in various districts this morning. He arrived tonight. Presumably, it concerns this matter," Chen Bian analyzed.
"Contact Black Dragon immediately, instruct him to bolster defenses. Dispatch troops there, and we shall also proceed at once..." Satan calmly outlined the subsequent tasks. "He has already been contacted..." Chen Bian sighed helplessly, "He stated he requires no assistance whatsoever; he wishes to personally confront this individual who turned TB upside down. He indicated displeasure should troops be dispatched."
"Does his pleasure matter now? All actions prioritize eliminating 13," Satan prepared to turn and leave.
"That is impermissible!" Chen Bian grew flustered. "Not only does he possess formidable connections in TW, but he also controls over ten gangs in M Country. He specifically forbade M Country's mechs from intervening!"
"Who does he think he is?" Satan glanced contemptuously at Chen Bian.
"It is inconsequential..." Angel placed a hand on Satan's shoulder. "Since this esteemed leader enjoys gambling with his own life, let us indulge him. In any case, the time we needed to stall has nearly elapsed. We shall establish an ambush on the periphery. Naturally, it is best if 13 is killed by him. Even if 13 manages to escape alive, I doubt the legendary leader would leave him unscathed. We can simply collect the spoils afterward..."
"Your insight is most astute, Miss!" Her words resonated deeply with Chen Bian; this had been his thought upon hearing of 13's arrival. If 13 genuinely killed Black Dragon, wouldn't his thirty-odd billion in underground funds...
"Handle the remaining arrangements. We are leaving," Angel pulled the still-processing Satan and Dove out of the office.
"Why consent to his demands? The peripheral ambush plan is sound, but you understand the difficulty in intercepting the elusive 13..." Satan voiced his confusion.
"Could you not perceive that the old fellow had no intention of assisting? It's probable Black Dragon wasn't even notified..."
"Chen Bian, that old fox, must covet something of Black Dragon's, intending to use a borrowed blade to kill," Dove finally understood.
"Foolish man. Did 13 not teach him the consequences of underestimating his power last time?" Satan angrily struck the wall.
Suddenly, Satan's communicator chirped...
"13 has arrived, correct? You need not participate in this operation."
"Why, Mother?" Satan could scarcely believe his ears.
"I shall personally resolve everything. There is an upcoming 'performance' requiring 13's assistance..."