Chapter 10: The Dragon Begets Nine Sons, the Phoenix Raises Nine Chicks

Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, occupying the central region of the former Yugoslavia. It borders Serbia to the east, Montenegro to the southeast, and is flanked by Croatia to the west and north. In the tumultuous 1990s, Bosnia and Herzegovina, newly independent, was plunged into a civil war that shocked the world, with lingering tensions among Bosniaks, Croats, Serbs, and Muslims that persist even today.

Its capital, Sarajevo, is famously regarded as the spark that ignited the First World War, the site of the infamous Sarajevo Incident.

“Let’s go. We’ll head to the safe house provided by the European Overseas Unit first.”

Zhang Liang and his companions left the airport, located the prearranged vehicle as planned, and drove straight toward the new city district. Their equipment, delivered through special channels, arrived three hours later, brought over by colleagues from the European Unit.

“Honestly, couldn’t they have provided a fully set-up temporary base?” Zhang Liang muttered as he hung the monitor on the wall. They wouldn’t be staying long, yet still had to exert all this effort…

“It’s fine. The European Unit’s presence in the Balkans is weak. These safe houses were only gradually established in recent years. Having any at all is already fortunate,” Zhen Ye replied, drilling holes in the wall. Hearing Zhang Liang’s complaint, he spoke casually.

Had they been elsewhere, it wouldn’t have been like this. Most temporary bases were equipped with everything they needed, and they only brought weapons and specialized gear. Here, though, those conditions were simply not available.

“So, who’s cooking today?” Rong Aiyu asked while calibrating equipment, a hint of hunger in her voice.

“I am. How about noodles?” Wan Xiaoling responded, passing by with a box. She’d checked earlier and found some dried noodles left.

Apart from occasionally ordering takeout to improve their meals, they mostly cooked for themselves. It was safer and also reduced their visibility in the public eye. Well, sneaking out for a treat or enjoying a snack during missions didn’t count!

“With meat sauce!” Zhang Liang immediately raised his hand, and the other men nodded in agreement.

“There’s no meat, only a few eggs left,” Wan Xiaoling shrugged, setting the box down. No one knew who had put those eggs in there. Most of their supplies had been left at the base in Pakistan…

“Ah…” The group groaned. Had they been back home, the New Year festivities wouldn’t even be over, yet their meals had already deteriorated so much!

“Hurry up and finish. We have a meeting soon,” Madam Tong entered with fresh intelligence, urging the group, who were still dragging their feet.

“Oh, by the way, I accidentally saw a large red sausage among Snow Falcon’s personal belongings.”

“That’s my snack!” Rong Aiyu shouted and sprang up, but Wan Xiaoling swiftly pulled her back.

“Ha, it’s been requisitioned!”

—

The seven of them quickly arranged the temporary base and began reviewing the specifics of their mission.

“In recent years, our country has been increasing its investment in the Balkans, particularly in the energy sector. These countries are essentially our gateway into the European market,” Tong Wanxin explained. “However, some parties do not wish to see us progress so quickly and constantly obstruct us by deploying proxies to secretly hinder our efforts, even inciting local forces to attack our diplomatic personnel.”

“We certainly don’t want another Albania or Vietnam, so investments in the region have been cautious. The next phase includes plans to invest in Bosnia’s energy and railway sectors.”

“But this seems to have struck a nerve. At dawn yesterday, an armed group attacked our delegation in Bosnia.”

At this point, Tong Wanxin projected images and a video of the attack onto the large screen.

“Thanks to advance warning from the European Overseas Unit, our delegation escaped unharmed. However, our only team in Sarajevo lost two members, and an intelligence officer was wounded and then captured.”

“The European Unit’s colleagues have been focused on Western Europe, deploying all their mobile teams. So, the responsibility falls on our special response team this time.”

“Rescue the hostage?” Wan Xiaoling asked, needing to know the mission’s nature to begin her planning.

“Not just rescue. Blood must be repaid with blood!” Tong Wanxin declared, his gaze sweeping over the group.

“In addition to rescuing the captured intelligence officer, we must eliminate all senior leaders of this regional armed group!”

“An assassination mission?” Zhen Ye squinted. They rarely undertook such tasks; these were usually assigned to the auxiliary unit—the ‘temps.’

“More accurately, it’s revenge and deterrence,” Tong Wanxin corrected. Zhang Liang and Zhen Ye exchanged a glance, resigned to Madam Tong’s penchant for wordplay.

Elegant, truly elegant…

“See, the boss still has that ‘gentlemanly’ demeanor…” Zhang Liang muttered quietly. Tong Wanxin raised an eyebrow, pretending not to hear.

“Which comes first, revenge or rescue?” Wan Xiaoling pressed, lest the two overeager members get their priorities mixed up.

“Rescue first, then ‘elegant’ revenge.”

Tong Wanxin replied coolly, glancing at the two innocent faces.

Damn, mind-reading!

“Where is the hostage? Any detailed intel?” Zhang Liang coughed and quickly asked.

“According to the intelligence team’s investigation, the hostage is likely held somewhere in the mountains between Sarajevo and Pale. The exact location is still being determined, but we should receive news soon,” Tong Wanxin circled a spot on the electronic map, narrowing down the area.

The Balkan Peninsula is mountainous—seventy percent of the region is rugged terrain. It’s all too easy to hide a person. Otherwise, the intelligence team wouldn’t still be searching for the enemy’s base.

“Now, let’s assign tasks!”

At these words, everyone straightened, faces solemn.

“Wind Mockery, I need you to infiltrate the city’s network, especially the surveillance cameras. Keep track of those senior leaders in real time.”

“Yes!” Cong Xuefei replied; technical matters were his domain.

“Hundred Calls, there’s no need to draft a rescue plan—improvise as needed. Prepare the revenge operation, especially the sequence and route.”

Tong Wanxin looked to Wan Xiaoling. Once she nodded, he turned to Wang Xu and Rong Aiyu.

“Baxia, be ready to provide medical support at any time. The intelligence officer is wounded, so you’ll have to follow the action team. Snow Falcon, oversee communications between the action group and the intelligence team.”

“Yes!”

Finally, he looked at Zhang Liang and Zhen Ye.

“Bie’an and Suanni, stand by. Once the intelligence team sends word, head out immediately to bring our man back!”

“We guarantee the mission will be accomplished!” the two replied gravely. At this moment, joking with Madam Tong was out of the question.

“That’s it. Meeting adjourned.”

Tong Wanxin waved his hand, and everyone began preparing according to their assignments.

Zhang Liang and Zhen Ye strode over to the unopened weapon crates and quickly armed themselves.

An hour and a half later, the intelligence team sent detailed information. Zhang Liang, Zhen Ye, and Wang Xu—carrying the medical kit—set out at once, heading straight for the eastern forests.