Chapter 1177: Chapter 39 Starry Wishes_3

“However, the routine communication from Du Yao’s team is still regular; they send a brief message on the first day of every month.”

The first day of every month…

Lin Xian squinted his eyes.

That would be too late.

Moreover, the matter he needed to discuss with Du Yao likely couldn’t be explained over a single phone call. It would be best to go see her in person.

“Understood. Thank you, Director Liu,” Lin Xian said.

Lin Xian continued to ask:

“Can you help me find a way to safely reach South Sudan?”

“What?”

Liu An sounded utterly incredulous at Lin Xian’s words:

“You want to go to South Sudan too?”

He shook his head:

“Forget it, Lin Xian. Don’t take this risk. The situation in South Sudan is completely chaotic right now; don’t add to the disorder.”

“If you really have something urgent to communicate with Du Yao, I can arrange for my friends to relay a message during the routine contact on the first of the month. You need to understand, the United Nations peacekeeping forces operate as an independent system, and we can’t interfere.”

“Furthermore… it is our nation’s principle not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. In matters like this, our official identity cannot be involved; we’re unable to provide protection for you.”

“But, if you truly wish to go, I can also offer another method to ensure your safety.”

“What method?” Lin Xian asked.

Director Liu An chuckled:

“There are certain things that are illegal domestically but are not a problem internationally. In fact, they are widely utilized–”

“Mercenaries.”

Liu An cautioned:

“I can provide you with a contact. This particular group of mercenaries is relatively reliable and can ensure your safety effectively.”

“Moreover, since you don’t have any official status, this is entirely a private endeavor. If you truly must venture into South Sudan, I think this is the most prudent method.”

“Of course, given the chaos of war, nothing can be guaranteed one hundred percent. My advice to you would be to go quickly and return swiftly; don’t linger in South Sudan for too long.”

Lin Xian nodded:

“Alright, understood. Leave it to me.”

…

Mid-September.

Africa, South Sudan, a small village in the war-torn zone.

Bang Bang Bang!!

Explosions rang out continuously, bullets fired from all directions.

Adults scrambled desperately, children wailed and screamed.

“Come over here! Quickly, hide over here!”

A young woman, covered in mud, shouted at the top of her lungs in the local language, frantically grabbing children running about and ushering them behind the shelter:

“Don’t run around! Everyone, stay hidden here!”

In the distance.

The deafening rumble of approaching vehicles, accompanied by the relentless sound of gunfire, drew closer.

The young woman used her frail body to shield the terrified children, huddling them behind the shelter.

She closed her eyes.

How many times had it been this month?

The battle lines kept drawing nearer, forcing more and more people to leave their homes. But the elderly, the sickly, and the children couldn’t flee as swiftly as the able-bodied; they were entirely outmatched by the pace of the advancing front.

The cacophony of sounds grew louder and nearer…

Clenching her teeth, she whispered to the sobbing children huddled beneath her:

“Don’t be afraid… don’t be scared… it will pass.”

Suddenly!

Whoosh whoosh whoosh–

Several RPG rockets streaked across the sky, trailing white smoke as they hurtled over the village and slammed into the frontlines ahead, instantly raising a cloud of thick smoke.

The young woman’s eyes widened.

This… can’t be.

Behind her.

Which faction was this now?

Amidst her shock, stark black-painted vehicles surged from all directions around the village, speeding into the battlefront.

The soldiers riding them were armed to the teeth with advanced weapons, intermittently firing rockets.

“This is…”

“Reinforcements?”

But she couldn’t figure out where these reinforcements were coming from.

Screech–

The piercing sound of brakes echoed.

A heavily armed vehicle stopped directly behind the shelter, and a tall figure wearing a full-cover helmet and body armor jumped off the truck, striding purposefully toward her.

The man removed his helmet, casually ruffling his hair flattened by the headgear.

He crouched beside her, extending his right hand:

“Hello, Lady Du Yao.”

The man stood silhouetted against the sunlight:

“Though this is our first meeting, you shouldn’t find me unfamiliar.”

Du Yao grasped his hand, letting him pull her from the ground before staring perplexedly at the Chinese man before her.

She finally got a clear look at his face.

Yet she had no recollection of knowing this man, nor could she recall ever meeting him anywhere:

“You are…?”

The man looked at her and blinked:

“My name… is Lin Xian.”