Standing behind the cook was Vincent.
The cook had just muttered a remark while sitting there, which Vincent, who had just stepped out of the tent, overheard. Today Raul had died, and Vincent was in a terrible mood. When he heard the cook say that inside the tent was like a funeral home, he couldn't restrain himself anymore. Blood rushed to his head and he kicked the chair from under the cook, sweeping him onto the ground.
The cook, naturally explosive in temperament, didn't care who it was when his anger flared. He got up swinging a punch straight at Vincent's face.
The cook had spent several years in prison where he often fought, but that was the brawling style of street thugs. It was much inferior compared to Vincent, a member of the US Navy SEAL, who had undergone extremely rigorous training.
Vincent dodged his head to the side, crouched slightly, and had his right fist cocked, ready to strike. As the cook's punch missed, Vincent countered with a right hook directly to the cook's left jaw.
Just one punch, and the cook fell straight back, immediately passing out.
After throwing the punch, Vincent's hand moved like lightning to draw his pistol, chamber a round, and aim all in one fluid motion, the barrel now pointed directly at the fallen cook.
Grey Wolf and others standing on the cook's side were in a dumbfounded state, completely unable to react.
After all, they hadn't expected Vincent to have such a violent temper to not only strike lethally but also draw his gun!
Raul was one of Vincent's close comrades, having been with him for four years in life-and-death situations, so their bond was incredibly strong.
Having suffered such a loss today, with a man down and "Hunter" not yet found, Vincent was already somewhat irrational from the shock, not caring about the consequences.
Moreover, this was not the regular US Army, but merely mercenaries.
In the regular military's view, mercenaries were hardly worth consideration, so Vincent didn't contemplate the repercussions and was ready to kill the cook outright.
Just when everyone was stunned, a hand reached over and grabbed Vincent's pistol.
The grip was incredibly precise; a finger slipped through the trigger guard and wedged behind the trigger, while the palm firmly clamped onto the slide, Vincent pulled the trigger, but couldn't fire it.
This move alone greatly shocked Vincent.
He was an expert; he knew the strength in that hand was extraordinary.
Vincent turned his head and saw Song Heping.
Song Heping coolly said, "Captain Vincent, you weren't thinking of killing him, were you?"
As he finished speaking, his gaze slightly dropped.
Following Song Heping's gaze, Vincent looked down to see Song Heping's other hand had already drawn his pistol, the barrel aiming at Vincent.
Vincent broke out in a cold sweat instantly.
He was indescribably shocked.
After all, he was an experienced SEAL.
The fact that his opponent could stop his shot and draw to aim at him in an instant was astounding.
If it weren't for the restraint, he would have been lying on the ground meeting his maker by now.
At that moment, he realized that this young man from China was not to be underestimated.
Mist rushed out of the tent with the other SEAL Team members, already armed, all aiming at Song Heping's head.
The "Musician" defense team members who had regained their senses also drew their pistols, aiming at the SEAL Team members.
The situation was deadlocked, the air frozen.
Everyone could hear their own heartbeats.
Mist, as one of the calmest among the SEAL Team members, spoke softly, "Does nobody want to live? Is it necessary?"
Song Heping replied, "It's unnecessary. Ask Captain Vincent if it's necessary, he's the one stirring things up."
Knowing he was in the wrong, Mist slightly turned towards Vincent, "Boss, I think we should just let it go."
Vincent, though internally already overwhelmed, defiantly said, "That Russian just now was mocking Raul."
Song Heping scoffed, "Damn it, you've already knocked him out. What more do you want? Besides, he didn't say much, right, Captain Vincent. If you want to die, I'll accompany you, but think about your wife and kids. I'm just a lone bachelor, I don't care, I'll go down with you."
Song Heping always spoke in a calm and steady tone.
But the edge in his words was as sharp as a blade, pressing hard.
Vincent felt the murderous intent.
He had spent years amidst gunfire and bloodshed, so he could tell at a glance who was bluffing and who meant business.
A single glance at Song Heping, and he knew this man meant business.
But he couldn't step down.
After all, he was a squad leader of the SEAL Team.
Luckily, Mist was slick and understood his boss well. Knowing his temper, he said, "Captain, you've already knocked him out. We're not at a loss here."
Only then did Vincent open his palm and pull his finger from the trigger.
Song Heping released his hand.
"Let's just let this go, shall we?" Mist asked Song Heping.
Song Heping nodded, "Okay, but Vincent should apologize to my friend."
Mist laughed, "You must be kidding, right? A SEAL Team captain apologizing to mercenaries?"
Song Heping said, "So the SEALs have honor, but we mercenaries don't? The cook's knocked out. What's wrong with an apology?"
Mist detected the threat.
He looked at Vincent.
Vincent then looked at Song Heping.
Song Heping's gun was still drawn, held at waist level, the ominous barrel pointed forward, ready for a reflex shot.
At such close range, missing was out of the question.
After much contemplation, Vincent finally grudgingly said, "SORRY!"
Song Heping then holstered his gun.
The tense atmosphere finally eased.
The other SEAL Team members crowded around Vincent as they entered the tent, while the defensive "Musicians" helped the still-unconscious cook.
Mist didn't leave.
He looked at Song Heping, sized him up several times before saying, "A real expert... Were you in some kind of Special Forces before?"
Song Heping said, "I raised pigs."
Mist was stunned for a moment, then blurted out instinctively, "What?"
Song Heping repeated, "PLA caretaker, raised pigs, sometimes killed pigs."
Mist continued to be dumbfounded for a moment, then suddenly laughed, "Are all Chinese people so dishonest?"
Song Heping retorted, "Are all Americans so arrogant?"
Mist was speechless.
Song Heping continued, "If your captain had listened to me today, Mansite wouldn't have died."
Mist remained speechless.
Because what Song Heping said was the truth.
If Vincent had reacted a bit faster today, perhaps Mansite really wouldn't have died.
He suddenly became interested, "How did you know there was another sniper?"
Song Heping said, "If you were the Grim Reaper's teammate, would you leave his modified SVD at the scene? The person your men sniped was probably just another sniper, not him, he is more skilled than that sniper."
Mist was slightly taken aback.
He couldn't help but look at Song Heping differently.
He thought to himself, this Chinese man is not to be underestimated.
It seemed there was a reason why his superiors had them come to assist.
In the past, the SEALs had never considered cooperating with mercenaries.
But at that moment, Mist suddenly had the idea: maybe it was worth considering a proper collaboration with these mercenaries.
"Indeed, we were negligent," he admitted.
Song Heping asked, "That SVD, can I take a look at it?"
Mist hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Come with me."
He led the way, and Song Heping followed.
The two arrived at a nearby parking lot where Mist opened the rear of a Humvee, took out a bundle wrapped in cloth from inside, and unwrapped it on the car's back.
Inside was a SVD sniper rifle.
Song Heping picked it up to test the feel and then carefully examined it from end to end, unloaded the magazine, took out a bullet, and studied it closely in his hand.
Mist said, "Hand-loaded bullets, not using 7N1 standard ammo, but a type of custom bullet, very powerful."
Song Heping tossed the bullet in his hand, "The propellant and charge inside were changed, so the range is greatly increased."
He tapped the rifle barrel, "Such a thick barrel increases stability, it's competition grade. This person is not only skilled in sniping but also in modifying weapons, very demanding that kind."
Mist sighed, "Honestly, it's my first time encountering such a crazy opponent."
Song Heping thought to himself, I have seen such people before, but fortunately, they are not enemies.
Verbally he asked, "What are your plans for capturing him?"
Mist hesitated.
Song Heping said, "I'm not your enemy, are you afraid to tell me?"
Mist seemed to make a decision, "On the way back, we discussed it, using today's method will only lead to more losses. We talked it over with Vincent on the way back, planning to change tactics and move into the city tonight."
"Tonight?"
Song Heping was slightly surprised after hearing this.
But he quickly realized Vincent's tactics.
If they left with the team in the morning, continuing to advance and clear, they would be just delivering targets in front of an expert like the Mosul Reaper.
It simply wouldn't work.
Because the defenders had the initiative in sniping, while the attackers had to keep changing sniping positions, they would eventually expose themselves.
The defenders only needed to lay in ambush at a predetermined spot, waiting for the SEALs to fall into the trap.
The death of Raoul today was the best example.
Entering the city at night, finding a building near tomorrow's advance route to ambush, predicting the probable position of the Mosul Reaper, get ready to lie in wait for him, and once the main US Army force advances tomorrow, the adversary would definitely not resist firing. Once he shoots, the SEAL team could seize the initiative.
This tactical plan sounded good, but it was also very risky.
Heading into the city at night, as a small team, was akin to deep penetration alone, and it was uncertain if they would encounter armed militants.
If discovered, it would be easy to be surrounded.
That would be a big problem then.
But Vincent's decision was clearly well thought out.
"Do you need our help?"
Song Heping asked Mist.
Mist shook his head, "Forget it, not to mention our boss wouldn't agree, under tonight's circumstances, I also worry you guys might fire at us in the dark."
This time, it was Song Heping's turn to laugh, "We do have professional ethics. Of course, I also know you wouldn't agree for us to come into the city together, and I wasn't planning to take that risk with you. Although your night vision equipment is very advanced, much stronger than the militants in the city, I think you still underestimate that Grim Reaper sniper."
Mist frowned, "What do you mean?"
Song Heping didn't avoid giving an answer, "Because I think he might have anticipated your plan as well, so I believe you won't win."
Mist's expression turned a bit ugly, "Sounds like you know more than we do?"
Song Heping held up the SVD in his hand, "If your captain agrees to let me have this rifle, I can design a combat plan for you. The success rate would be very high, might even help you eliminate the 'Hunter' organization."
After thinking for a long time, Mist suddenly snatched the SVD sniper rifle, "Enough with that! Trying to trick us out of our gun? This was brought back with Raoul's life!"