Chapter 115: The Sniper King (Please Add This to Your Bookshelf)

Ever since reuniting with Lin Fan, this was the first time Lin Fan had brought him along for an errand. Initially, Xu Qiang had simply assumed that after four years apart, anyone would change—he had certainly changed himself, let alone Lin Fan, who had spent those four years in the Dragon Soul.

However, after coming to meet Jin Zhengyang with Lin Fan this time, Xu Qiang realized that his boss’s manner of speaking and behavior revealed an underlying dominance and the aura of a king. His entire temperament and presence were completely different from how they had been four years ago.

"What is there to regret? It’s wonderful to be free in the outside world," Lin Fan said with a smile, a hint of liberation clearly etched into his expression. Lin Fan had pondered this question from Xu Qiang long ago. Being a man of the state offered no freedom; one was restricted by countless rules and regulations. It was nothing like now, where he could do whatever he wanted and deal with whomever he chose.

"Boss, Jin Zhengyang’s attitude toward us has made a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. It seems that even without being part of the state, the treatment we receive is far better than before," Xu Qiang remarked, reflecting on the day's events after hearing Lin Fan’s answer.

"Even after leaving the military, our future days will be full of passion." Having been a mercenary for four years, compared to his time in Falcon, Lin Fan preferred his current life—surrounded by so many brothers, and the woman who loved him so devotedly...

"Yes," Xu Qiang nodded heavily.

"Qiangzi, fame is not important. Profit is also essentially nothing, and the outcome is even more illusory. What does it matter if you gain it or lose it? What I care about is the process, not success. To be able to enjoy the joy within the pursuit of success—that is what life is meant to be. Looking back at the footprints you left in the darkness, that is what true pride is." After saying this, Lin Fan did not look at Xu Qiang again but turned to his side, trusting that his brother understood the meaning behind his words.

In the darkness, watching Lin Fan’s back by the moonlight, Xu Qiang whispered, "Boss, no matter when or what you do, I will always support you. If the sky falls, I will hold it up for you. If anyone wants to harm you, they must step over my corpse first."

Although his voice was soft, they were on the same bed, so how could Lin Fan not hear? His body trembled slightly. He was not one to express his feelings toward his brothers in words, but he had so many of them by his side precisely because he always expressed his loyalty through his actions.

Lin Fan silently closed his eyes, though he did not fall asleep. Before coming to the Golden Triangle, he had called his uncle, attempting to retrieve the Purple Sword. However, he was immediately refused by Lin Haotian, who argued that if word leaked out that the sword was in Lin Fan’s possession, it would surely draw out those who had coveted it years ago.

Lin Haotian knew Lin Fan wanted to avenge his parents, but he also knew that while his nephew was now the formidable leader of the Dragon Soul mercenaries, he might not yet be a match for the people who had seized the Purple Sword back then. Utilizing his own influence, Lin Haotian had been unable to find a single clue regarding the identities of those men in black. That was why he would not give the sword to Lin Fan; he did not want to keep him in constant danger.

Seeing his uncle’s firm stance, Lin Fan said no more and hung up, as he had to catch a flight to the Golden Triangle.

The people of Dragon Soul were not soft-hearted individuals to be bullied. Lin Fan would absolutely not let Li Nanxing’s sudden disappearance slide. Anyone who dared to lay a hand on his brothers in the Death God organization would face only one outcome: they would have to face the judgment of Death, and their own blood would be required to wash away the sins they had committed.

The next morning, Lin Fan and Xu Qiang rose early. Being guests, they were not about to oversleep, nor did Lin Fan have the habit of doing so. Jin Zhengyang had already dispatched his Blue Flag Army to scout, and Lin Fan believed news would arrive soon. For now, all they could do was wait.

After breakfast and a glass of "Immortal Drunk," Jin Zhengyang took Lin Fan and Xu Qiang to tour the nearby mountains, showing them the vast expanse of poppies under his control.

To be honest, while Lin Fan had guessed that Jin Zhengyang held a significant amount of stock, seeing it in person was a different matter entirely. If all those poppies were processed into drugs and split fifty-fifty, Lin Fan could never spend all that money in several lifetimes, even if he did nothing else.

But that was fine; the more drugs there were, the more it would facilitate his plan, making it easier to corrupt the "hearts" of the people of Wa and use the drugs to open a channel for the Dragon Soul in that country.

In the afternoon, Lin Fan visited the training grounds of the Blue Flag Army. Most of the soldiers were Chinese. China was a nation of passion, home to countless hot-blooded men. Lin Fan believed that any soldier who could persist in a foreign land like the Golden Triangle was undoubtedly a qualified warrior.

Watching the soldiers spar and practice sniping at targets... this was an army. Seeing these scenes, the thoughts of Lin Fan and Xu Qiang were clearly stirred, and they couldn't help but recall their days in the Falcon unit.

"Brother Lin, last time you and Brother Han were here, I asked you to show us a trick or two, but you refused. Would you be willing to grant me the favor this time?" Jin Zhengyang chuckled. "Recently, to maintain a balance, the surrounding three countries have eased their strikes on the Golden Triangle, but that is merely superficial. Just treat it as giving them a lesson, so these boys don't think they are invincible."

"Qiangzi, do you want to go down and try?" Lin Fan smiled and asked.

Xu Qiang was stunned, clearly not expecting Lin Fan to ask him. Lin Fan had spent the last four years in the Dragon Soul, which was essentially living life as a mercenary, but Xu Qiang was different. He often missed his time in Falcon, and seeing the training ground, a flash of anticipation appeared in his eyes.

Lin Fan naturally noticed what his brother was thinking. Seeing the expectant look on Xu Qiang’s face, he said, "Go ahead, but keep it friendly."

Xu Qiang revealed a faint smile. "I understand, Boss." With that, he walked straight toward the field. In the military, sparring between teammates was a common occurrence; pressure was the source of motivation. Back in Falcon, Xu Qiang would fight Lin Fan every few days. As he used to say, only by sparring with the strong could one become stronger and braver with every battle.

Jin Zhengyang scanned the field and waved his hand, causing everyone to stop. He then said, "This brother is from the Chinese Falcon Special Forces. His specialty is the sniper rifle, and he has a famous nickname: 'The King of Snipers.' This is a great opportunity for you all to learn. Seize it well, and do not miss this chance..."