Chapter 11 — I Built an Empire in the Wasteland

Black Eagle's reconnaissance team spent nearly two weeks following fragmentary clues before finding what they needed: rumors of a "ruined area leader" possessing strange energy weapons, operating around the area near Tàn Đô. Can, the young officer leading the team, immediately realized that this could be the trail leading to Prototype 07, but instead of directly approaching the area rumored to be the person's hideout — which was clearly heavily defended after a clash with a local bandit — he decided to learn more about the failed bandit itself first.

"If there is anyone who knows more about our opponents than anyone else," can report over the encrypted communication channel to the main base, "it is the group that was just defeated. They are motivated by revenge, and perhaps also have intelligence about the area that we do not yet have."

Ứng Thị Lụa, after receiving the report, decided to personally go to the scene instead of just relying on remote reports. She always believed that important decisions should be made based on direct observation, a principle she maintained throughout her many years of service in Black Eagle intelligence. She disguised herself as a merchant selling medical supplies, accompanied by two bodyguards disguised as porters, and entered the Black Market under the pretense of finding a business partner.

Finding Lôi Quang Việt was not difficult — the Gray Wolf's reputation, although tarnished after the defeat, was still strong enough that anyone in the Black Market could give directions to their headquarters if asked nicely and paid enough. Ứng Thị Lụa appeared in front of the Gray Wolf headquarters late one afternoon, alone, without obvious weapons, clearly showing her willingness to negotiate.

Hạ Tử Kỳ was the first to greet her, his eyes full of caution. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"I represent an organization that shares your interests," Ứng Thị Lụa replied, her voice was calm and professional, showing no signs of fear in the face of Gray Wolf's probing eyes. "I heard you guys just had a bad encounter with an individual possessing high-tech weapons. I'd like to talk to your leader about it."

Hạ Tử Kỳ hesitated for a moment, then led her in to meet Lôi Quang Việt. The meeting took place in the old dark room that used to be the bank director's office, where Lôi Quang Việt sat behind a rotten wooden desk. His eyes immediately became sharp when he realized that this strange guest was not an ordinary businessman.

"What do you want?" He asked directly, without even bothering to be polite.

"I want to help you get back what you lost." Ứng Thị Lụa sat down in the opposite chair without waiting to be invited. Her eyes looked straight at Lôi Quang Việt with the confidence of someone who holds a negotiating advantage. "The person who defeated your gang possesses technology from an ancient military bunker. The organization I represent has major interests related to that bunker, and a girl is with him."

Lôi Quang Việt frowned, a feeling of both curiosity and caution rising in his heart. "What is your organization? Why should I believe your words?"

"The name of the organization is not important to me right now," Ứng Thị Lụa replied, her voice still remaining calm. "The important thing is that we have technology superior to anything you've ever seen, enough to crush any defenses that guy puts up. What we need is an army large enough to provide on-site support, familiar with the terrain, with strong motivation to act. In return, when you complete your objective, you will have full control of the entire bunker and all the weapons and equipment inside — except for the girl, who must be returned to us intact."

Lôi Quang Việt was silent for a moment, his mind reeling with calculations. The entire arsenal in a military bunker — if that's true, then this is an opportunity for him to not only take revenge but also rise to become the strongest force in the whole of the Forsaken Earth region, far exceeding his original ambition when founding the Gray Wolves.

"How do I know you're not lying to me?" He asked, although his voice was less harsh.

"You don't need to believe me right away," Ứng Thị Lụa replied. "We will send a small technical support team here first, carefully reconnaissance with you in that area, confirm all information. If you feel it is not okay, you can withdraw at any time before taking official action. But I believe, when you see the power we can bring, you will not want to miss this opportunity."

Quắc Bá Long, listening from beginning to end, could not contain his excitement. "Big brother, if it's true as she says, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We can't miss it."

Lôi Quang Việt tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes fixed on Ứng Thị Lụa for a long time, trying to find some sign of deception on her calm face but found nothing. Finally, he stood up and held out his hand.

"Okay. I agree to cooperate. But remember, if you trick me, I won't let it go, no matter what organization you're behind."

Ứng Thị Lụa shook his hand, a cold and firm handshake. "I don't have a habit of deceiving useful partners, Lôi Quang Việt. Just keep your job."

After Ứng Thị Lụa left, Hạ Tử Kỳ stood still, his face unable to hide his worry. "Sir, are you sure this is the right decision? Her organization sounds more dangerous than anything we've ever faced."

"It's because it's dangerous that it's worth cooperating," Lôi Quang Việt replied, his eyes flashing with determination mixed with ambition. "I have suffered enough humiliation. This time, I will get back everything I lost, and more."

He turned back to look out the broken window, towards the distance where Camp Dawn quietly existed, completely unaware that a dangerous alliance had just been formed, silently getting closer every day.

On the way back to the rendezvous point with the reconnaissance team, Ứng Thị Lụa passed through the crowded market area of the Black Market, glancing at shabby stalls, skinny children fighting for a piece of hard bread, old people sitting huddled by small fires to warm up in the cold of Phế Thổ. That scene made her suddenly pause for a brief moment, a strange feeling arose in her heart that she did not want to name.

She is used to seeing the people here as tools, chess pieces that can be used and then thrown away when they are no longer valuable, just like the way the Black Eagle has operated for many years. But standing in the middle of this poor market, witnessing the naked misery of people who have never known the concept of "prototype" or "research project", she suddenly wondered whether the ideal of "selection for survival" that Doanh Chính Nam always preached was really correct, or just a beautiful cover for his own cruelty.

She dismissed that thought as soon as it appeared, reminding herself that this was not the time to waver. She contacted the main base via an encrypted channel, giving a brief report about the recent meeting.

"The alliance with the Gray Wolves has been established, Colonel," she spoke through the communicator, her voice returning to its usual cold professionalism. "They will provide reconnaissance support and provide on-site forces. I propose sending a small technical team to provide weapons support, enough to overwhelm any defenses that Prototype 07 and its defenders may mount."

"Good." Doanh Chính Nam's voice rang out through the device, full of satisfaction. "But remember, Silk, those bandits are just temporary tools. Once they get Prototype 07, they no longer have any value to the organization. Don't let them know too much about us."

"Yes, Colonel," Ứng Thị Lụa replied, turned off the communication, stood still for a moment in the middle of the noisy market, her eyes looked far away at the children playing with a few pieces of rusty metal as toys, a vague insecurity rippled in her heart that she had never felt so clearly during her many years serving the Black Eagle.

She put the communication device in her coat pocket, pulled the hood to cover her face, then quietly left the market to return to the rendezvous point with the reconnaissance team waiting at the edge of Tàn Đô. On the way, images of skinny children kept lingering in her mind, mixed with the image of Chúc Vĩnh Khương that she knew many years ago - a man who also believed in the ideal of helping people, before being betrayed and killed by his own comrades. She didn't know whether the path she was on would lead to the same outcome, but she knew one thing clearly: it was too late to turn back.