Finally, a blue light flashed on the screen, and a blurred figure appeared.

The background seemed to be a study decorated with intricate Persian-style tapestries, the lighting somewhat dim.

The face of the figure had been technically processed, allowing only a blurry outline, yet those eyes, even through the screen and layers of encryption, were piercing enough to penetrate the heart.

"Song?"

An English voice with a distinct Persian accent, deep and magnetic, sounded, with a touch of perfect surprise and familiarity, "What a rare guest. My dear old friend, you haven't contacted me for a long time. What wind blew you onto this line? Heard that you've got Vincent, that old fox in Libya, a bit ruffled recently?"

The voice's owner was none other than Avanti, Song Heping's high-ranking friend within the Persian Revolutionary Guard.

Song Heping smiled: "Avanti, my old friend. The sandstorms in Libya are too strong, they make one's eyes hurt. I wanted to chat with an old friend and hear a different voice."

His tone was relaxed, but the heavy pressure was subtly conveyed through his voice.

"Haha!"

Avanti let out a deep laugh, full of worldly understanding, "The sandstorm making your eyes hurt is likely not just any ordinary dust storm, is it? Is it the hurricane from Washington or the toxic gas from Tel Aviv?"

His words hit the core directly, clearly well aware of Song Heping's recent situation.

The intelligence network of the Revolutionary Guard is not just for show.

"Both."

Song Heping restrained his smile, his voice turned serious, "Old friend, time is tight, let's skip the pleasantries. I'm cornered here. Vincent and the Daishe Bird, along with an MI6 alliance, want to use Sayif, this blunt knife, to slowly drain my blood."

"Oh?"

Avanti's voice carried a hint of amusement, but his gaze sharpened, "That fits their usual style. Boiling a frog in warm water. Need an old friend to dig you a tunnel in that corner?"

He offered proactively, presenting himself well.

An enemy of an enemy is a natural ally.

"A tunnel isn't big enough."

Song Heping leaned slightly forward, his gaze penetrating the screen, locking onto the blurred figure, "I need an earthquake, to overturn their pot directly!"

He no longer minced words, each syllable was crystal clear, "I need you to use all your most secret and powerful channels to spread a bounty throughout the entire Middle Eastern underworld."

"A bounty?"

Avanti's tone slightly rose, evidently stirred by intense interest.

A bounty proposed so solemnly by Song Heping must not target something small.

"Target: the US Military Sealift Command's 'Marlin Fish' munitions transport ship."

Song Heping's voice iced over as he pronounced the name, "Bounty amount: One billion US Dollars cash, or equivalent military hardware provided by us 'Musician' Defense."

There was a vacuum-like silence on the communication channel.

Even the subtle background noise of the encrypted signal seemed to disappear.

On the screen, Avanti's blurred silhouette seemed to freeze for a moment. Even with his status and knowledge, the shock brought by the number, one billion dollars, and its target—a current military ship flying the Stars and Stripes—was enough to make one's breath pause.

A few seconds later, Avanti's voice resurfaced, raspy with a mix of shock, admiration, and extreme excitement, "One billion dollars... to sink the 'Marlin Fish'... Song, my old friend..."

He seemed to be searching for suitable words, eventually transforming into a low exclamation, "Your boldness... truly earth-shattering! That's not just digging a hole, you want to blow the entire underground palace to the heavens!"

He then let out a suppressed, yet excited, deep laugh, "Hahaha! Good! Very good! An American ship, one less when sunk! This deal, I like it! Very happy to oblige!"

Avanti's attitude was expected by Song Heping.

Persia and the United States are mortal enemies, anything that can make the Americans embarrassed, suffer great losses, and burn out is something the Revolutionary Guard would absolutely promote vigorously, not to mention without needing to take direct action themselves.

"But!"

He became cautious, "The timing to release the bounty is crucial. It must only be spread widely after the 'Marlin Fish' leaves Shuweikh Port in Kuwait and enters international waters. This ship, loaded with its munitions, should be exposed at sea as a moving, billion-dollar sumptuous lure in the sights of every jackal and hyena! Force both it and the Americans into a bind!"

His analysis was precise and ruthless, instantly grasping the essence of the plan.

"Yes, great minds think alike."

Song Heping nodded, "In port, they can easily strengthen defenses or even cancel the voyage. Only by letting it sail into the open ocean, becoming an isolated island at sea, can the bounty's power be maximized. Also..."

A cold gleam flashed in his eyes, "When the ship leaves port, what will the Americans first suspect?"

Avanti immediately understood, responding, "An insider! Leaking secrets! They will go crazy scrutinizing every aspect of Kuwait Port, suspecting an insider leaked ship information and route! This will provoke enormous internal suspicion and chaos, tying up a lot of their effort, providing cover for external forces to act! Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

Once again, he marveled at the ruthlessness and meticulousness of Song Heping's plan.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com