Chapter 534: I Am Threatening You
Translator: Timothy Editor: GlobeGlotter
Ku You had thought a newly established company city would have negligible battle power, but reality proved otherwise. He'd sent only 500 corporate elites, and they were all captured! Their previous greatest loss was just over ten.
Reluctantly, he had to negotiate with Luo Yue; the losses were too great. Indonesia offered no help, instead urging negotiation to recover the fleet and soldiers.
This infuriated Ku You. He resented the Indonesian officials but had no choice. His squadron's combat effectiveness would plummet without his men. Soldiers were easily replaced, but not elite fighters.
Dongfang Tang and Shana looked grim. Ku You saw the outcome in their faces.
“Sit down. Report. Rejected?” Ku You poured them water.
Dongfang Tang noted he hadn't received water from Luo Yue. He relayed Ye Mo's arrogant words and attitude.
Slam! Ku You slammed the table. Ye Mo's rudeness and threat to turn their bay into a bloodbath enraged him.
“Such arrogance!” Ku You's face was murderous. Their corporation had faced countless conflicts and wars. Except for one mission in 2001, they'd never failed. Even small countries didn't dare defy them, yet a pharmaceutical company threatened a bloodbath? They were too cocky!
“Find Edward. I'll turn his Luo Yue into a bloodbath before he tries it with us!” Ku You raged.
“No need, I'm here.” A sturdy white man with curly hair entered. He looked like a typical soldier.
Edward, Blue Ray Corporation's experienced advisor, sat down. After Ku You sat, he said slowly, “General Ku You, I heard Dongfang Tang. While I'm angry, we can't act as you suggest. A Luo Yue bloodbath is uncertain, and our corporation prioritizes profit. Such action would invite international repercussions, offering no benefit.”
Edward looked at Dongfang Tang. “We mercenaries exist for money. Our soldiers won't do unprofitable work. Mr. Dongfang, you're Chinese, as is Luo Yue. How should we proceed?”
Dongfang Tang, though liking Ku You's idea, countered, “Such action would destroy our corporation. If Luo Yue annihilated the Indonesian fleet with our elites aboard, their military strength rivals ours. Fighting offers no advantage.”
Edward nodded. “Our loss was strange. We sank three patrol boats days before the battle, yet our fleet surrendered on day five. The report states Generals Louis and David surrendered, causing the rest to follow. But I know it wasn't that simple.”
“You mean…?” Ku You knew war was impossible, but anger remained.
Edward said cautiously, “I believe Ye Mo wasn't lying—he has the power to massacre us.”
Ku You frowned. “Edward, aren't you exaggerating out of anxiety?” He found Luo Yue's threat unbelievable.
Edward shook his head. “No. We're near the ocean, lacking a navy and air force. We're a strong land force. Luo Yue defeated an entire fleet. Their naval power is strong. They could simply bombard us, regardless of consequences.”
Ku You fell silent. Edward and Dongfang Tang's words made Ye Mo's threat seem plausible.
“Isn't Ye Mo Luo Yue's president?” Ku You asked.
Dongfang Tang nodded. “Yes. He's influential among Chinese higher-ups. Northern Sand negotiated with him. Even they seemed concerned about him.”
“What? Northern Sand is concerned about Ye Mo?” Ku You was shocked, looking at Edward. He knew his mercenary corporation was insignificant compared to Northern Sand.
Edward nodded. “Yes. Ye Mo is unusual, his origins unclear. He was apparently a Beijing young master. For now, further investigation is unnecessary. Knowing his power, we must continue negotiations.”
“But he refuses,” Ku You said frustratedly.
Dongfang Tang shook his head. Ku You was impetuous, unlike his father. Under his father's leadership, Blue Ray Corporation had dominated. His father's death in the 2001 mission left them with Ku You, who was not only impetuous but also leaked secrets to women.
Edward ignored Ku You's reaction. “Ye Mo's refusal stems from unmet needs. It's not just about our men. We need to satisfy him. Mr. Dongfang, what does he want?”
“He wants us to admit Indonesia was the mastermind. We couldn't continue without that,” Dongfang Tang replied.
Edward said casually, “That's fine. We're mercenaries, not assassins. Our safety is at stake. We should renegotiate. Luo Yue's strong naval power differs from other countries. We might even cooperate in the future. Building a good relationship with Ye Mo is crucial.”
“Why would he need us to admit the mastermind?” Shana asked.
Edward glanced at Shana and Ku You. The unspoken answer was evident. Even Ku You understood.
Luo Yue likely didn't consider them a threat. They wanted evidence to deal with Indonesia. Admitting it would provide that evidence. They planned revenge on the Indonesian navy; a small corporation wasn't a threat. Ye Mo wasn't joking about the bloodbath. Non-compliance wouldn't stop the threat.
Ku You understood the gravity of the situation and stood. “Let’s go to Luo Yue immediately. Together.”
…
Ye Mo was delighted. He'd recruited talented military personnel, and Ye Xing designed their first automatic targeting radar system.
Named the Space Shield Defense and Offense System by Ye Xing, it scanned a 30km sea and air area, with target locking and automatic attack capabilities. Each system could track 50 targets simultaneously without target overlap. It also detected missiles within 3km. While not as advanced as US systems, it was just the first generation.