[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-mercenary-s-war":3,"chapter-mercenary-s-war-mercenary-s-war-chapter-1168":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Mercenary’s War",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1613958,2077,"Chapter 1168 - 1168 One Thousand One Hundred Fifty-One Taking Destiny into Your Own Hands","mercenary-s-war-chapter-1168",1168,"\u003Cp>1168: Chapter One Thousand One Hundred Fifty-One: Taking Destiny into Your Own Hands 1168: Chapter One Thousand One Hundred Fifty-One: Taking Destiny into Your Own Hands Gao Yang thought carefully about Morgan’s question regarding Grand Ivan and nodded, saying, “He’s quite extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suppose we could be considered friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan said gravely, “That explains a lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who is Grand Ivan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is the uncrowned king of the Underworld, controlling a vast arms trade network.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is one of the true power players in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The President of America may come and go with elections, but there are no such turnovers in Grand Ivan’s Empire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang chuckled and replied, “Indeed, Grand Ivan is very impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After clinking his glass with Gao Yang’s and taking a sip of his drink, Morgan exhaled slowly and fixed his gaze on Gao Yang, “Who is Grand Ivan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does he lack mercenaries like you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he wished, he could make mercenaries worldwide work for him, yet why does he consider you a friend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang spread his hands and said, “Well, I’ve saved his life before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan suddenly burst into loud laughter, pointing at Gao Yang with the hand holding his glass, almost struggling to catch his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confused by the laughter, Gao Yang asked, “What’s so funny?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it that amusing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, Gao, isn’t what you said a bit naive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because you’ve saved his life, Grand Ivan considers you a friend?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How naive must you be to say that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finally stopping his laughter, Morgan shook his head at Gao Yang and said loudly, “Gao, do you think people like Grand Ivan and I lack individuals who are willing to die for us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang spread his hands and responded, “Er, that, certainly not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan scoffed and said, “Gao, you need to start trying to see things from the perspective of someone superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you keep dealing with people with your current way of thinking, sooner or later, you’ll be sold out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let me teach you, first, you need to understand one thing: do you think Grand Ivan lacks bodyguards and security?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, if a bodyguard, or let’s say one of his men, takes a fatal bullet for Grand Ivan, do you think Grand Ivan would regard that bodyguard as a true friend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pondering for a long time, Gao Yang replied with a wry smile, “If it were me, I would, but I guess Grand Ivan probably wouldn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan continued to scoff, “Definitely not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that bodyguard didn’t die, Grand Ivan might give him a large sum of money as a reward, and thank him on the surface, but regard a bodyguard as a friend?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People like Grand Ivan and I don’t cheapen friendship.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a deep breath, Morgan continued, “People like us, to get to where we are today, have done so over the lives of many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That includes the lives of enemies and our own people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang nodded without saying anything, knowing Morgan hadn’t finished speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Ivan couldn’t possibly feel any friendship towards those working for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he has friends, just like me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have friends, Simon is my friend, but can we regard all our bodyguards as friends?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t be ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I said so, I would clearly be lying to you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To earn loyalty from my subordinates, I don’t mind acting like I am their friend, but with so many working for me, how could I possibly consider them as friends?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pay them, they work for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s a fair trade, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang smiled and said, “Yes, a fair trade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a mercenary, I understand this very well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan pointed at Gao Yang and said with a stern voice, “Let’s be honest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a gap between your status and mine, but I’m willing to consider you a real friend, not just a part of an intersubjective alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like with Grand Ivan, I suppose we think alike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once you reach our level, a lot of thoughts tend to align.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can see your qualities, and so can Grand Ivan, which is why you can be friends with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t charity from Grand Ivan and me towards you; it’s because we see you as a friend for whom we can set aside interests, not talk about money, but just emotions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang nodded and replied solemnly to Morgan, “Thank you for telling me all this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan waved his hand and said, “We are friends, and these words are meant for friends only.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao, you know I’m not exactly a kind man, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang answered with a smile, “Yes, I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan looked at Gao Yang with a somber expression and said, “So now let me ask you, if—I’m just saying if—I didn’t consider you a friend but made you believe we were friends while I actually just saw you as another mercenary, not unlike the others I often hire, and you, trusting me, told me about the diamond mine, then what would happen to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for Gao Yang to answer, Morgan said with a menacing face, “I would take you out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you were least expecting it, I would take out you and your Satan Mercenary Corps, and then I would take over that diamond mine for myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you think that’s a possibility?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With sweat on his back, Gao Yang forced a smile and said, “I trust you a lot and believe you wouldn’t do that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, I wouldn’t have told you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan chuckled, then lifted his wine glass and leisurely said, “I indeed wouldn’t do so, but I have thought about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the idea frightened me the moment it emerged, and then I decided it wasn’t worth killing a friend for money, a friend whom I consider to be a true friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I quickly abandoned that somewhat guilt-inducing thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang didn’t know what to say and could only offer a forced, bitter smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing at Gao Yang, Morgan said solemnly, “I know that saying these things must make you uncomfortable, but I still have to tell you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you know why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang shook his head and said in a deep voice, “I don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan swirled his wine glass and whispered, “Mercenaries are seen by people like us simply as tools that can be utilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We may like a tool that suits our hands well, but we won’t have feelings for a tool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, we might have feelings, but a tool is a tool, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I know and understand that,” Gao Yang agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The fate of a tool lies in the hands of its user.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I want to use it, I’ll continue to do so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I don’t want it anymore, I can stop using it, sell it, throw it in the bin, and if I dislike the tool, I’ll destroy it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking slowly, Morgan looked intently at Gao Yang and said seriously, “Gao, your current identity is just like a tool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You may look splendid, but you cannot control your own fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re strong in combat, but if I wanted to completely annihilate you, do you think I would choose to face you in an upfront battle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, I have countless ways to make you die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand,” Gao Yang replied gravely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan nodded, drained the wine from his glass, then said softly, “Since you understand, then why continue to be a mercenary?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao, I think I’ve made myself clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being a mercenary, you can’t even control your own fate; you’re merely a pawn to be manipulated by others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does that feel good to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang stood up, took the bottle to pour more for Morgan, but Morgan shook his head and said, “I can’t drink anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A person should have self-control, knowing when to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can do it, can you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang poured himself another drink, finished it in one gulp, then looking into Morgan’s eyes, said gravely, “Morgan, thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m truly grateful that you shared this with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan had said a lot, much of which he could never say to anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he hadn’t truly considered Gao Yang a friend, Morgan would never have said those things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long talk and beating around the bush, Morgan had only one goal in mind, which was to persuade Gao Yang to give up the life of a mercenary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang understood Morgan’s painstaking efforts, which is why he was sincerely grateful to Morgan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan sighed, then said, “Gao, you have great prospects, truly, I’m willing to help you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really am willing to do a lot for you, and I think that Grand Ivan would be willing to help you as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just for that reason alone, you have an opportunity to rise up that other mercenaries can’t possibly have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You have money now, connections, resources, you have many things you could be doing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang was silent for a long time, then nodded and said solemnly, “Yes, I have many things I could do, and whatever I do, it would be safer than being a mercenary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan looked at Gao Yang and asked seriously, “Have you changed your mind now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang smiled and said, “Something you said earlier touched me — our fate truly isn’t in our control most of the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ve persuaded me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan smiled sincerely and said, “It’s good that you’ve come to understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang waved his hand and smiled, “Indeed, from now on, we need to take control of our own destiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan, thank you for teaching me this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t think about what to give me in return for that shotgun anymore; your words are far more valuable than the shotgun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan sighed disappointingly, “It seems you still can’t give up on the idea of being a mercenary, can you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t deny it, I can tell from your words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang shook his head and said, “No, I’ve truly changed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We might still fight wars in the future, but it won’t be like before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We will fight for ourselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ll go to Ukraine to try and make a big score; once we have enough money, we’ll set up a company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the kind of work we did before, fighting for others’ pay… well, I can’t guarantee it won’t happen, but I probably won’t take on such jobs just for money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan gave a wry smile and said, “Well, at least that’s some progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My efforts haven’t been wasted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang laughed, “Certainly not wasted, rest assured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m already thinking about how to withdraw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it seems that setting up the company as soon as possible is the most effective way for us to get out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan said in a serious tone, “Setting up a private military company means you won’t have to go into battle personally all the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s actually a good idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, do you have any mature thoughts about it now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang gestured with his hand and laughed, “Isn’t that just what I was about to discuss with you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgan, I still need your help regarding the company’s establishment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(To be continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) by recommending tickets and monthly passes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your support is my greatest motivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)\u003C\u002Fp>",1896,"2026-06-06T10:20:24.801Z",1,"novelbin.me","e639aad52c118caf865fb24802d0102c857b4513295a169c21f67e73942e0416","mercenary-s-war-chapter-1169","mercenary-s-war-chapter-1167",2343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmercenary-s-war-cover.jpg"]