Mercenaries are King

Chapter 1, Car 5

Lu Chen sat in the passenger seat of the truck, a cigarette dangling from his lips, taking a puff every now and then, but his eyes were always fixed on the rearview mirror.

Looking in the rearview mirror, he saw several trucks behind him. The people getting on them were all agile and sharp-eyed, far superior to the security guards. Based on his experience, these people had seen blood and killed people.

At this moment, driver Zhang Lu opened the driver's door, got in, and threw a wad of US dollars at Lu Chen, saying with a smile, "This commission is really good, ten thousand US dollars each."

Lu Chen frowned slightly, looking at the banknotes in his hand. Combining this with what he had just seen, he realized that this escort mission was no simple matter. This was money to save his life, and there was a high possibility that he would not return.

He is 28 years old and works as an ordinary security guard at the Iraq branch of Jinghua Security Company. If it weren't for the huge debts he incurred to pay for his parents' medical treatment and the money he needed for his sister's schooling, he wouldn't have gone to a foreign country to work as a security guard and risk his life. This godforsaken place is a war zone every day, and who knows where the next shell will land.

He worked for half a year and almost paid off his foreign debts. If he could earn the escort commission this time, he could go back to China and live a peaceful life.

"I'll go back to China after this," Lu Chen said with a smile. He didn't pay much attention to the anomaly he had just noticed. After all, he had signed an agreement with the company that he had to go even if there was danger. It was his professional ethics. Besides, he had been safe and sound for the past six months. Even if it was a little dangerous this time, nothing serious should happen.

"Brother Lu, let's go back together. My hometown has arranged a marriage for me, and I'm just waiting to get married when we get back," Zhang Lu said with a smile as he started the truck, preparing to set off.

Lu Chen patted Zhang Lu on the shoulder and said with a smile, "I will definitely come to your wedding."

"It's a promise, you have to come," Zhang Lu said happily, humming a little tune as he spoke.

At this moment, Mike, the security company manager, strode over. He was a retired U.S. soldier in his thirties, tall and imposing, with particularly sharp eyes that seemed to see right through people.

At this moment, Mike was fully armed: a bulletproof helmet, body armor, walkie-talkie, MP5 submachine gun, G17 9mm pistol, and special operations knife. He was armed from head to toe; this equipment was in no way inferior to that of a special forces soldier from a certain country.

Lu Chen's security guards only had bulletproof vests, an AK, and a walkie-talkie.

Mike's equipment was hundreds of times better than that of ordinary security guards like Lu Chen. Lu Chen had also dreamed of owning such equipment and wearing it in a foreign country; just thinking about it made him feel cool.

Lu Chen took a deep drag on his cigarette, exhaled a puff of smoke, and casually said, "Manager Mike, it's just a few truckloads of supplies, why did you personally come?" Of course, this was also a test, since Mike was the manager and knew more about the inside story.

Mike looked at Lu Chen and said in broken Mandarin, "Prioritize the fifth vehicle. Everyone must do whatever it takes, even at the cost of their lives."

Lu Chen appeared calm, but his heart was in turmoil. The fifth vehicle was definitely not ordinary relief supplies. What exactly was it? A big question mark appeared in his mind.

Before Lu Chen could speak, Zhang Lu said loudly, "Yes, Manager Mike."

Mike nodded at Zhang Lu, then looked at Lu Chen again and continued, "You're not simple, you've got some skills. I have high hopes for you."

"So what if I beat you once? You can beat me once in the future." Lu Chen naturally understood Mike's words. He deliberately changed the subject. Don't be ridiculous. Only a fool would risk his life to protect the fifth car. He was just an ordinary security guard.

"If you come back alive this time, we'll fight again," Mike said, pointing at Lu Chen. Then he waved his hand forcefully, signaling to start the car.

Lu Chen was in the first car, the lead car, which was the most dangerous. If there was an ambush, the lead car would be the first to be attacked, but they had managed to get through it safely for the past six months.

Moreover, the first car paid more to both the driver and the security guard than the cars behind. Since Lu Chen was after the money, he naturally chose the first car.

At Mike's command, the truck roared like a beast and sped off, followed by nine other trucks, making a grand procession out of the Jinghua Security Company compound.

Once you leave the compound, you'll reach Gangdi Town, which has only one main street.

Lu Chen looked out the car window. Gangdi Town had been ravaged by war more than once. The streets were full of potholes, and sitting in the car was like riding in a sedan chair. The houses on both sides of the road were dilapidated. Occasionally, he could see some pedestrians, almost all of whom were carrying an AK47, ready to save their lives at any time.

The town was in a state of anarchy, with everyone living in fear and trying to protect themselves. Jinghua Security Company, on the other hand, had more than a hundred armed guards and a Chinese background; otherwise, it would have been looted by the local armed forces long ago.

A few minutes later, the convoy left Gangdi Town and headed north along a dirt road. The route was to pass through Heyate Town and reach Baghdadi Village, where the government army was stationed, a journey of more than 200 kilometers.

While driving, Zhang Lu said, "Brother Lu, why do you think Mike wanted to protect the fifth car? What's inside that car?"

Lu Chen looked out the car window. Ten years of reconnaissance work had made it impossible for him to change his habits. He would observe the surrounding situation at all times and not let go of any suspicious things.

With a serious expression, he didn't answer Zhang Lu's question. Instead, he said directly, "If a battle breaks out, abandon the vehicle and find cover." His years of experience as a reconnaissance soldier had taught him that danger was approaching step by step.

He could see that there were many figures moving in the woods on the west side of the road, about 300 meters away, and they were not visible at all without careful observation.

Zhang Lu laughed and said, "Brother Lu, don't be silly. As long as we wave the flag of the Chinese convoy, who dares to stop us? Besides, there hasn't been a single battle in the past six months."

Lu Chen looked at Zhang Lu and smiled bitterly. The country was in chaos. To survive, who cared what nationality you were? But he didn't explain, since Zhang Lu wouldn't believe him anyway.

He turned on the walkie-talkie and said seriously, "Mike, there's a situation. There's a large number of unidentified armed men in the jungle west of the main road. Their numbers are unknown."

"Roger that, keep going," Mike said.

Lu Chen frowned. Mike wasn't taking it seriously. Damn it, this guy will kill everyone sooner or later.

As the lead car driver, he didn't want to be used as a sitting duck. He wanted to go back to China alive to take care of his parents and sister. He stared wide-eyed at his surroundings. If these people wanted to intercept the convoy, they would definitely set up traps and use heavy firepower to force the convoy to stop.

The thought of a trap made Lu Chen's eyes widen as he looked at the dirt road ahead. The convoy continued to travel on the dirt road, and after traveling for more than ten miles, he finally noticed a patch of fresh soil about a hundred meters ahead, which had obviously been disturbed by someone.

The truck was speeding along, closing the distance rapidly; it was now less than twenty meters away. He frowned and looked at the jungle to the west, as if countless eyes were watching them.

It's definitely a trap. Once the lead vehicle goes in, it will explode. The most dangerous people will be Lu Chen and Zhang Lu, and the militants will definitely launch an attack after the explosion. For their own safety and for the safety of the convoy, they must stop.

Without thinking twice, Lu Chen shouted, "Zhang Lu, stop the car!"

Lu Chen's voice was loud, which startled Zhang Lu, who slammed on the brakes. Because the convoy was following very closely, the cars behind almost crashed into the cars in front. The sound of slamming brakes echoed across the dirt road, followed by a chorus of curses.

An angry voice came through the walkie-talkie: "Lu Chen, what the hell is going on? Why did you stop the car?"