Mercenary’s War

Chapter 2310 - 2286: Scenery

Talking about cleaners isn’t forbidden, it’s just that it can’t be discussed here.

Gao Yang was well aware that the cleaners had been acting quite unusually lately. As a secret organization, their name gave it away—cleaners, as the name suggests, are meant to clean up traces. When Gao Yang first got in touch with them, the only service they provided was cleaning up the aftermath.

In simple terms, cleaners are those who sweep the battlefield and erase evidence. But after Gao Yang’s level increased, and after encountering Murphy, cleaners were no longer just about cleaning services.

When Tomler was eliminated, the cleaners didn’t directly send people to participate in the operation, but they were prepared in advance, and it was Murphy who recommended Number Thirteen to Gao Yang.

Later on, no matter what Gao Yang needed, the cleaners maintained an attitude of not directly getting involved. But ever since Gao Yang became an S-level client of the cleaners, their attitude changed drastically, turning from an organization that sweeps traces and erases evidence into one that escorts Gao Yang, directly deploying personnel for various activities.

But when Krulney was captured, possibly endangering Gao Yang’s safety, the cleaners didn’t hesitate to send people to engage directly in combat.

All of this started after Gao Yang’s status with the cleaners rose. The only reason for Gao Yang’s elevated status with the cleaners was that he alone could provide what the cleaners needed.

That batch of arms, that batch of outdated old-style arms.

If that batch of arms was crucial to the cleaners, then as the most critical person in the arms deal, Gao Yang naturally became very important to them. Although Grand Ivan has now returned to the scene, Gao Yang still holds an extremely important and special position in cooperation with the cleaners.

Therefore, linking Gao Yang with the arms needed by the cleaners, it becomes clear why the cleaners are going to such great lengths to protect Gao Yang.

However, although the cleaners have reasons to protect Gao Yang, the methods they have employed are extremely unusual.

Leaving aside what happened in the past, just taking the recent events into account, the cleaners mercilessly attacked the CIA, even when it wasn’t strictly necessary. This is definitely not something a secret organization should do.

In agreement with Taylor’s viewpoint, Gao Yang also felt that the cleaners had indeed become somewhat reckless recently, but why they behaved so was something Gao Yang couldn’t fathom.

Taylor seldom interacted with Murphy, but Gao Yang had frequent dealings with him, so Gao Yang saw a side that Taylor couldn’t.

That is, Murphy’s attitude towards the cleaners.

Murphy’s attitude towards the cleaners was akin to that of an employee towards a company. He would comply with all of the company’s rules and diligently work for it, but how strong his sense of identification and loyalty to the company truly was, was hard to say.

Of course, this was all just Gao Yang’s feeling, perhaps he was overthinking it, but nonetheless, Gao Yang indeed had those feelings.

Stopping Taylor from continuing the conversation about cleaners, Gao Yang couldn’t help but reflect over his interactions with them, and then he involuntarily frowned, staying silent for a long while.

Noticing Gao Yang’s expression, Taylor also knew what he was thinking, after a moment of silence he said softly, "Boss, we’ve had quite a lot on our plate recently, and a fair share of troubles too. No matter what, just be careful."

Gao Yang nodded, then exhaled deeply, saying, "What do you plan to do?"

Taylor shrugged and said, "What else can I do? Not much really, honestly, I don’t know what I should do."

Gao Yang said softly, "Your family is still around, and once you are targeted by the CIA, your family will inevitably come under surveillance. If nothing unexpected happens, you won’t be able to go home henceforth. Moreover, this time several CIA agents were killed, I’m worried it might interfere with your family’s normal life. So, perhaps, we could find a way to get them out of America."

At this point, Taylor suddenly wore a confused and pained expression, placing his hand on top of his head, saying in a tone of bewilderment, "Boss, I’m a patriot. I never thought I’d one day find myself at odds with my own country, I dedicated the best years of my life to my nation, yet now, I’ve become America’s enemy, I..."

Taylor took a deep breath, shook his head with an expression full of agony, and Gao Yang said softly, "I’m sorry, brother."

Taylor sighed and said, "There’s nothing to say sorry about, Boss. I don’t want to betray my country, but nor can I send you guys to your deaths. I’ve been meticulously avoiding direct confrontation with my country, yet I also don’t want to leave you brothers, who have been with me through life and death. Standing with one foot on each boat always leads to capsizing, eventually, I fell off. It’s either my country or you guys, I have to take a stand on one side. No matter how you look at it, this isn’t what I wanted, but I have no regrets."

Finishing what he had to say, Taylor added softly, "I didn’t get a chance to say anything to my family before leaving. They don’t even know what I’ve done. If the CIA is just silently investigating them, no need for them to leave, but if they really can’t continue their normal lives anymore, then I entrust you to send them to a safe place. But if they are alright, let them remain in a place they are most familiar with."

Gao Yang nodded and said, "If you haven’t been captured by the CIA, they might actually not disturb your family but rather place secret surveillance hoping to nab you. Let’s see how it unfolds, I certainly won’t disregard them."

After saying that, Gao Yang patted Taylor on the shoulder, saying softly, "You need to hurry and leave, it’s still not safe here, the CIA has a big presence in Mexico, you should get to a safe place before heading to Somalia. We’ll meet there, the cleaners will make arrangements. Take care along the way."

Back at the small hotel, seeing Murphy again, naturally, someone escorted Taylor away. Once everyone else had left, Murphy didn’t seem in a hurry to leave, and slowly said to Gao Yang, "Finished the talk?"

"Finished, honestly, we didn’t talk much, mainly considering how to arrange for his family."

Murphy chuckled and said, "You’re considering quite a bit. Since everything’s sorted, let’s head back. If we leave soon, we can be home before dark today."

Murphy stood up, grabbing his coat, looking somewhat weary and said, "Let’s split up as we leave. Someone will come with your plane ticket later. Oh, let me ask you this, have you ever stopped to take in the scenery around you?"

Gao Yang frowned and said, "Are you speaking in riddles?"

Murphy smiled and shook his head, saying, "No, it’s just a somewhat poetic question. I mean to say, you’re still young, but if you get the chance, spend time with those around you, take in some sights, enjoy life a bit. No other meaning, it’s just that you are already a successful person, no need to make things so tiring."