[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-mercenary-s-war":3,"chapter-mercenary-s-war-mercenary-s-war-chapter-673":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},1613713,2077,"Chapter 673 - 673 665 The Fog Begins to Lift","mercenary-s-war-chapter-673",673,"\u003Cp>673: Chapter 665 The Fog Begins to Lift 673: Chapter 665 The Fog Begins to Lift Grand Ivan’s manor, or rather his villa, was on the seaside in the western suburbs of Cape Town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, it was definitely no longer safe to go to Grand Ivan’s manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Gao Yang and his group drove into a community within downtown Cape Town, eventually arriving at a detached house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yard appeared empty, but stepping into the house, they found it full of armed guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being led into the grand living room, they saw that in the vast space only Ivan was present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The injuries Ivan had suffered had severely sapped his vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although much time had passed, his body had not fully recovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had become so thin he was barely recognizable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he had long been able to move around, he was still extremely weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already frail, Ivan’s condition worsened with the distress caused by Grand Ivan’s trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon seeing Gao Yang and the others, Ivan still stood up from the sofa and spread his arms toward Gao Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After embracing Gao Yang briefly and greeting the others from the Satan Mercenary Corps, Ivan sat back down on the sofa, though it was more of a collapse than a proper sit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the shaky Ivan, Gao Yang frowned and said, “Ivan, you shouldn’t be too worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I think you should see a doctor; you’re not looking good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan sighed and shook his head, “No, there’s no time for doctors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I know Test Tube is injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it serious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s okay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Test Tube stayed in Dubai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s out of danger now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After nodding, Ivan gestured with his hand, “Everyone, please have a seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s sit down and talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uri, when can your men arrive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uriyangko sat on the sofa, his face ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After shaking his head, he said, “Some should arrive tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to bring over all the people I can use will take at least two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many are in places with no flights available.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their locations are too remote.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many people do we have now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan gave a wry smile, glanced at Gao Yang, and then said sternly, “Including Ram and his people, we have a total of fifty-two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uriyangko’s brow furrowed even more deeply as he took a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a hard drag before spitting out with hatred, “That’s too few.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others, none of them are willing to move?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan shook his head and replied, “All said they would come, but none gave a confirmed time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We can’t count on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for my people, some can come tomorrow, but the situation is the same as yours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only twelve can arrive tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, I’ve prepared a sizable number of men for revenge, over two hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About a hundred could come to South Africa, but they’re currently in the rainforest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would take at least three days for them to get here at the earliest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After making his statement, Ivan began coughing violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Gao Yang frowned and stated, “Uri, Ivan has severe lung injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t smoke in front of him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uriyangko extinguished the cigarette under his foot and said in a deep voice, “Sorry, I forgot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan, now we can only rely on the two of us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan nodded and responded gravely, “Yes, we can only depend on the two of us now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Ivan looked earnestly at Gao Yang and said, “Gao, I’m so glad you could come and I’m grateful for your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang waved his hand and stated, “We may not be able to help much, but we’ll do whatever we can.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now is not the time for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I think the most urgent matter is to find out Grand Ivan’s whereabouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether he’s dead or alive, we need to clarify that first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan sighed and said, “Everyone who can be sent is already out there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we’ve got nothing valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After what happened to Grand Ivan, all those who could have spoken up have gone into hiding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uriyangko tapped his fingers lightly on the table and frowned, “Have you asked in the Cape Town police station?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The police are our people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the police were also involved in the action against Grand Ivan, it wouldn’t have just been the military involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, we might not get information from the top, but we might get something from the lower ranks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan nodded and replied, “That’s what I was thinking, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people are already sent out, but gathering intelligence from the lower ranks takes more time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, we don’t even know who exactly was involved in this operation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We have to…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Ivan could finish, a person rushed out from the next room, holding a phone and urgently said to Ivan, “There’s news from the manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The military came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At noon today, the Reconnaissance Assault Team deployed three hundred men, and four tanks attacked the manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They killed forty-six and captured a hundred and eighty-two people, and even the servants were all taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re being held in the Worcester military base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, someone took away a person with chains around their neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That must be Khailkov.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers who attacked first went looking for Khailkov, it seems he was their main objective for attacking the manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Khailkov was taken out of the manor, some unidentified people took him away immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan’s face went pale as he exclaimed urgently, “Those manor guards, they didn’t manage to kill Khailkov!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uriyangko furrowed his brow, and upon hearing the name Khailkov, Gao Yang immediately remembered who it was – the man shackled like a dog in Grand Ivan’s garden for over a decade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although shocked, Ivan had no time to care about a ruined man, and said urgently, “The bodies?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where are the bodies?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is Grand Ivan among them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person on the phone shook his head, “No, there’s no sign of Grand Ivan, but there is some good news – the bodyguards don’t know where Grand Ivan is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They don’t even know if Grand Ivan was on the estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, one of the maids mentioned in her testimony that Grand Ivan left his estate yesterday with only two bodyguards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This information came from Grand Ivan’s personal maid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uriyangko rose to his feet, his face tensed with urgency, “You should have started with that!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So where is Grand Ivan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any news?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry, we have none.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We only know that Grand Ivan left the estate yesterday, but nobody knows where he went.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan asked softly, “What else?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is there anything more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s all, just this for now, boss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need to deliver two hundred thousand US dollars in cash to the informant right away, as per our agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The informant is a Colonel named Engma Mortlan, a civilian staff with access to the files commanding the Reconnaissance Assault Team.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan nodded and added, “Give it to him, immediately, and take three hundred thousand dollars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The extra is for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And try to get more information from him; whatever he asks for, give it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You have full authority to make the decision without consulting me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the caller left, Uriyangko promptly and firmly said to Ivan, “Grand Ivan isn’t dead; he must be alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it’s the South Africans or the Americans who made a move, unless it was Grand Ivan’s enemies or competitors, they would only want a living Grand Ivan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Grand Ivan were dead, they would gain no advantage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan also spoke with a stern face, “That’s right, Grand Ivan must be alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, they wouldn’t have rushed to attack the estate and took particular care to protect Khailkov.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, merely confirming that Grand Ivan is alive is of no use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We must find out where he is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uriyangko stood up, paced anxiously, and then said urgently, “As long as Grand Ivan is alive, we still have a chance, and must rescue him at any cost, but how do we find him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally as riddled with holes as South Africa is, how come we can’t get any reliable information now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It doesn’t make sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivan sighed and said slowly, “I’m just worried that it’s the Americans behind this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he has fallen into American hands, that’s trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s just hope it’s the South Africans who did this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang knew what Ivan was worried about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A titan of the Underworld, no matter how powerful, is still just a titan of the Underworld, unable to stand against a nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In comparison to a behemoth like America, a underworld giant like Grand Ivan is nothing but an ant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention America, even a regional power like South Africa, if truly resolved to deal with Grand Ivan, would overpower him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a nation can stand against a nation, and Grand Ivan, with a nation as his backing, didn’t have to worry about attacks from other countries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For many years, countless people have wanted Grand Ivan dead, yet he’s alive and well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, once his backing can no longer protect him, Grand Ivan ultimately cannot contend with a great nation, especially a superpower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, if Grand Ivan was taken to America, then everything would be over, but if he is still in South Africa, there is always a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Ivan has deep roots in South Africa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Ivan and Uriyangko can’t mobilize Grand Ivan’s hidden strength on short notice, there is still a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike in America, where Grand Ivan has no foundation, and even if they resort to the most foolish methods like a forceful rescue, acting in South Africa is much easier than in America.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key point is still to find Grand Ivan’s whereabouts quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang felt he wasn’t much help, but that didn’t stop him from trying to think of a solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Uriyangko and Ivan’s worried faces, Gao Yang suddenly thought of something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, “Khailkov’s not in good shape, he looks downright miserable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he really is useful to some people, a key person, then they would have to give Khailkov a physical examination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, ask about hospitals, check wherever you can, perhaps there’s something to be found.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uriyangko and Ivan’s eyes lit up, and they exclaimed in unison, “That’s right, hospitals!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, Ivan immediately yelled to a room, “Sergei, check if there’s anything unusual about the hospitals, tell Faru to get his cops moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They shouldn’t have any problems doing this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Ivan turned to Gao Yang, “Even though we can’t reach the high-level contacts in South Africa right now, there’s no issue dealing with the well-fed low-level ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, there are quite a number of our people, a lot indeed, in Cape Town’s police system.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(To be continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you like this work, please go to qidian.com to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes.\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>",1824,"2026-06-06T10:20:01.533Z",1,"novelbin.me","b5d3036d36236121bad8107c36015d705ba24990584977eb123ff0cd92dd591a","mercenary-s-war-chapter-674","mercenary-s-war-chapter-672",2343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmercenary-s-war-cover.jpg"]