[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-mercenary-s-war":3,"chapter-mercenary-s-war-mercenary-s-war-chapter-646":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},1613486,2077,"Chapter 646 - 646 639 A Chance","mercenary-s-war-chapter-646",646,"\u003Cp>646: Chapter 639: A Chance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>646: Chapter 639: A Chance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As dusk approached, Gao Yang and his companions drove to the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Citing the northwestern edge’s large residential area as a village doesn’t seem quite right; at the southernmost end of the extensive buildings were places that looked more like factory compounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After driving past the two compounds, they came upon house after house, and most of these structures were made of stone blocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The types of houses varied; since they were in the northern suburbs of Aleppo, the village had both urban-style two or three-story buildings and Syrian-style single-story houses with courtyards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they entered the village by car, Gao Yang and his companions did not encounter any obstacles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The road was quite spacious initially, but there were many vehicles in the village, especially SUVs and pickups, congesting the originally wide roads a great deal; however, Gao Yang and his convoy could still pass through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raja already knew where the Free Syrian Command was, but Gao Yang didn’t rush to see the Free Syrian Command’s headquarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As usual, before settling down, they took a turn around the village to familiarize themselves with the terrain and the roads, so if they needed to flee, they would know where to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After memorizing a few of the most convenient exits in the village, Gao Yang directed Raja to slowly drive towards the Free Syrian Command’s headquarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire village was teeming with members of the Rebel Army; it was bustling, like a market town, but the people were not there to trade—they were there to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every single person was carrying a gun, and of course, rocket launchers were also a common sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In comparison to the open areas outside the village, it was clear that there were many foreign fighters in the village; if they did not make up half, they were at least about thirty percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of the foreigners wore camouflage uniforms predominantly in a dark green tone, which hardly served any camouflaging purpose but clearly identified their affiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their gear, still primarily comprising AK family weapons, was much more sophisticated than that of the common Rebel Army members, including numerous side arms and miscellaneous accessories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finding a spot with fewer vehicles, they parked at a distance from the Free Syrian Command’s building but did not get out of their car; instead, they began to survey the situation at the Free Syrian Command from inside their vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Free Syrian Army occupied a three-story building, which was relatively large compared to others in the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The command center isn’t a civilian house, but I’m not familiar with the buildings here, so I’m not sure what that particular building is used for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rooms inside are very large with a staircase that connects to the third floor internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not a spiral staircase but a return staircase that’s quite narrow, only wide enough for two people to pass side-by-side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are many people from the first to the third floor, some even live inside, but commands are also issued from here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s very chaotic, no formal guard is present, and you can just blend in with a simple excuse, no one cares about who you are or what you’re here for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, everyone inside is armed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Free Syrian Command’s headquarters was bustling with people coming and going; as Gao Yang intently observed the scene, Raja, who had previously been inside, described the interior to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the whole, it would be best for Gao Yang to go in himself, but his distinctly Eastern features were too conspicuous, as was his gear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raja could stroll in and browse without raising any eyebrows, but it was not feasible for Gao Yang personally or even for someone else to go in his place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he intently watched people entering and exiting the headquarters, Gao Yang spoke in a deep voice, “It looks like everyone coming and going is Syrian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raja nodded and replied, “Exactly, they’re all civilians who formed what they call the Free Syrian Army in opposition to Bashar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are fools with no experience and no fighting capacity, completely undisciplined greenhorns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Victory Front would never kill or loot for a mere tens of thousands of dollars worth of arms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang nodded and said, “That’s right, experienced people know who they can provoke and who they cannot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only those who know nothing would try to mess with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing his thought, Gao Yang sighed and said, “Buddy, I think we’re in a tough spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Free Syrian Command is right in the center of the village, we’re surrounded by people, and as you’ve seen, many inside are seasoned veterans of war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raja silently nodded and said, “It’s difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s easy to take out the Free Syrians, but I can’t think of any way to easily leave after striking their command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t think we could get out of here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang gave a bitter laugh and said, “So, it’s a simple task, but it would cost us our lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raja didn’t speak, just nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang looked up at the sky in the distance and whispered, “Looks like it’s going to rain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After looking at the sky, Raja said solemnly, “It definitely will rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s the rainy season in Syria now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang, not being British, had no habit of starting a conversation with the weather, and evidently, Raja didn’t either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two fell into silence for a long while before Gao Yang finally said in a grave voice, “We’re here to make money, not to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mission clearly is suicide; I might give up on it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raja nodded and said, “I have six children, I can earn one hundred thousand US dollars a year, but I’m the only breadwinner for my family, so I don’t want to die either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang shrugged and said, “Then it seems we agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you think it’s time to abandon the operation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raja looked at Gao Yang and said, “I just work for Polovich, and I must be worth his salary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I think it’s the right decision to pull out now, but there are some things I can’t say, so you inform my boss about canceling the mission, and I will confirm what you say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang would never engage in clearly suicidal behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No amount of money could make him do so, making it unnecessary to stay here any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang spread his hands in resignation and said, “Alright, we’ll abandon the mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll call your boss and inform him that this operation is canceled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Gao Yang was about to take out his phone, Raja suddenly whispered, “Look, they’re coming out, the Free Syrian commanders, there he is!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang stopped all his actions and focused on the entrance of the headquarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to exit was a man in sand-colored camouflage, followed by thirty-six others consecutively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the headquarters, the group gesticulated while speaking and walked toward the east.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang immediately perked up and said, “They’re leaving, and there’s our chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re too conspicuous, you follow them and see where they’re going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep a distance, and inform us immediately if there’s an opportunity!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1203,"2026-06-06T10:20:01.080Z",1,"novelbin.me","69aca9380071b249087722b4426595bf24e79cb94aa9762e7006852a0a136e72","mercenary-s-war-chapter-647","mercenary-s-war-chapter-645",2343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmercenary-s-war-cover.jpg"]