Mercenary’s War

Is Hammer dead?

Logically, yes, Hammer must be dead, otherwise, he would never say ’farewell.’

But Gao Yang doesn’t want to believe Hammer is dead.

There’s no reason, Gao Yang just feels that Hammer won’t die, because Hammer is a Black Demon.

Although Black Demons can die too, as many did in the battle with the Butter Knife, Gao Yang feels this time is different. Hammer didn’t die in the battle with the Butter Knife, so how could he die in the fight with the Shah People?

Gao Yang picked up the radio, first clearing his throat, but when he spoke, he felt like phlegm was still clogging his throat, so he had to clear it again and again before he could speak normally.

"I order all personnel in Aden to drop everything and focus on finding Hammer’s whereabouts and... ascertain his survival status. Respond and repeat the order if received, over."

Tarta was the first to reply, his deep and powerful voice saying: "Tarta received, repeating the order, drop everything and focus on finding Hammer’s whereabouts, ascertain Hammer’s survival status, over."

"Glewatov received, repeating the order, drop everything and focus on finding Hammer’s whereabouts, ascertain Hammer’s survival status, over."

"Vasily received, drop everything and focus on finding Hammer’s whereabouts, ascertain Hammer’s survival status, over."

Gao Yang had never given orders to the Black Demons before; this was his first time formally ordering them to complete a task.

The responses from Tarta and the others were crucial. Receiving and repeating Gao Yang’s order meant they would act according to it.

Gao Yang’s order was to find Hammer’s whereabouts and ascertain his survival status, so Tarta and the others would surely locate Hammer, but regardless of whether he was alive or dead, they would take no further action, even if Hammer was right in front of them, alive, dead, or critically injured, they would just stand by and wait for further orders.

This may seem exaggerated, but Black Demons will strictly adhere to orders, executing them without discount. This is a strict rule, and Black Demons are what they are because they follow this rule.

Gao Yang felt guilty; he regretted not giving the Black Demons orders earlier, not setting boundaries sooner, and instead letting them do as they pleased.

The Black Demons belonged to Yarebin, while Satan was his own. Gao Yang always followed this principle, and although Yarebin said he entrusted the Black Demons to him, as long as Yarebin was alive, Gao Yang would not order the Black Demons.

Gao Yang would ask the Black Demons for help but wouldn’t order them; as of now, this was how he operated.

However, Gao Yang really regretted it.

Black Demons are people too, and people are bound to make mistakes.

Although he found Hammer and the others slightly arrogant, Gao Yang was not dissatisfied with the Black Demon’s pride because they had the qualifications and reasons to be proud.

But when pride turns into arrogance and leads to carelessness, big problems occur, and people can die.

Gao Yang knew that with a single order, the Black Demons, no matter how proud, would act according to it. The Black Demons are proud but not foolish, much less to the point of disregarding orders.

Therefore, Gao Yang felt very guilty, believing that Hammer going on reconnaissance was understandable, but creeping back in to check the damage was crossing the line. Ultimately, he felt Hammer was playing with fire, and he hadn’t ordered them to prevent this possibility in advance, thus, he was at fault.

After issuing orders to the three Black Demons in Aden, Gao Yang calmed himself a bit, then picked up the phone and called Justin.

"Hey, buddy."

"You don’t sound well, what’s happened?"

Gao Yang took a deep breath, then solemnly said: "One of my men has fallen into the hands of the Shah People. Tonight, a military camp in Aden was hit by missile strikes. My guy was exposed while scouting the damage effects, and now, I’m asking you to find out at any cost, by any means, whether he’s alive or dead. No matter his status, tell me where he is, additionally, I demand the intelligence include a plan to rescue him along with details like routes. This is the highest level of request. If there are costs needed, no need to ask, I’ll bear them."

Justin didn’t hesitate, immediately responding: "Living or dead."

"Living or dead."

"Understood, I’ll get right on it."

Justin hung up the phone.

No matter if Hammer is alive or dead, Justin would go all out to find his whereabouts and provide suggestions and plans. Even if Hammer’s already a corpse, Justin would find which morgue he’s in. If Hammer’s buried, Justin would find out where his grave is. If Hammer’s been incinerated, then Justin would inform Gao Yang where Hammer’s ashes were scattered.

Next, it was time to call Yarebin, but Gao Yang didn’t know what to say.

After a few deep breaths, Gao Yang finally made the call.

Waiting for Yarebin to answer, Gao Yang immediately lowered his voice and said: "I’m sorry, teacher, there’s bad news."

Yarebin was silent for a moment, then softly asked: "Who is it? Hammer, or Tarta."

"Hammer."

Yarebin sighed deeply, but his tone barely changed, still remarkably calm: "Dead?"

"There’s a great possibility, but it’s not confirmed yet. I think there’s still hope. I’m trying to figure things out. He has a message for you. His exact words were, I’ve been exposed, deep inside the wolf’s den, I’m finished, whoever’s listening, tell them sorry, they were right, I’m too reckless, I’m not fit for solo action, I admit they were right."

Yarebin remained calm: "Is there more?"

"Yes, he later said, thank you all, I’ll try on my own, farewell. That’s all."

"No need to try anymore, Hammer is dead. He... would not be easily compromised, because he has the basic qualities of a Black Demon, but if he gets into trouble, it will be fatal because his personality will drive him to desperation. Problems he can solve himself, but unsolvable ones... mean death."

Gao Yang gravely stated: "Without seeing his body, I won’t acknowledge it."

Yarebin continued faintly: "Refusing to acknowledge is your choice, but Hammer is dead, that’s a fact. You can locate his body for burial, but don’t incur unnecessary costs."

Listening to Yarebin’s emotionless voice, Gao Yang softly asked: "Teacher, do you believe in miracles?"

"No, I don’t."

"Teacher, I do."

```

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!