Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 54 - 54 51 Boarding the Ship

54: Chapter 51: Boarding the Ship 54: Chapter 51: Boarding the Ship Having agreed to cooperate, their relationship had become tighter.

Gao Yi no longer needed to worry about Sean incessantly trying to recruit him, and Sean no longer had to worry that Gao Yi would fly the coop as soon as he was let go.

The atmosphere had become a lot more relaxed.

Since they’d agreed to cooperate, it was necessary for both parties to gain a deeper understanding of each other.

Sean needed to reveal some essential details to Gao Yi, while Gao Yi of course had to let Sean know what he was really capable of.

The car started moving, and Sean, with a relaxed expression, asked, “Why are you in such a hurry to buy guns and practice shooting?

Do you think that, as an assassin, you’ll have the opportunity to use a gun?”

It was both a probing question and a piece of advice.

Gao Yi casually replied, “Consider it a fixation.

As a man, I’m definitely interested in guns.

Hmm, how’s Luca doing these days?”

Luca said he wasn’t a man of the Garden, but the next thing Gao Yi knew, he had turned around and handed Gao Yi over to the Garden.

Perhaps “handed over” wasn’t the right term—more like recommended, but, in any case, Gao Yi had entered the Garden’s field of vision because of Luca.

It was uncertain whether cooperating with the Garden was a blessing or a curse.

Gao Yi’s current question about Luca came not from a desire for revenge, but from a genuine concern for Luca’s recent situation.

“Luca’s the same as ever.

He made a good chunk of change with you, enough for him to rest for quite a long time,” Sean replied.

Since Sean’s answer was devoid of any substantial information, Gao Yi realized it was best to ask more directly.

Gao Yi immediately asked, “Is he with the Garden?”

“He’s not.”

Sean hesitated for a moment but eventually decided to come clean.

He wanted to win Gao Yi over with sincerity.

“To be honest, Luca doesn’t have what it takes to join the Garden.

His abilities are limited.

As an assassin, he definitely lacks the skills; as an assistant…

there are no assassins for him to serve at the moment, so he’s merely a former associate related to the Garden,” Sean explained.

An associate, moreover, a former one.

Gao Yi smiled, nodded, and asked, “So, what’s going on between you and the Andic Group?”

“It’s a competitive relationship; we’re attacking each other and now it’s developed into a death feud.”

Sean didn’t seem too keen to talk about the Andic Group.

He hastily asked, “You’ve got your cover identity set up here, right?

What’s the name?”

“Gao Busi.”

Sean paused for a moment and said, “Gao Busi?

That name…

is memorable.”

Foreigners can’t understand the pun in a Chinese name.

Gao Yi’s alias was Busan, his English name was Booth, so what did that add up to?

It wasn’t “Busan Busi” but “Busan But Not Dead.”

What do you get when you combine the surname Gao with “not dead”?

It’s Gao But Not Dead.

If it hadn’t been for this auspicious play on words, Gao Yi would not have needed the original owner’s name, Booth.

Unfortunately, Sean’s pronunciation made what was a lucky pun sound a bit off—it sounded more like “Dog But Not Dead.”

“It’s not ‘Dog Busi,’ it’s Gao, ‘Bro Ow Gao,’ say it with me, Gao~~Busi.”

“Dog~~Busi.”

Gao Yi waved his hand helplessly and said, “Practice more, and only call me by my name once you’ve got it down.

Otherwise, don’t bother.”

“The fingerprints you submitted aren’t real, right?”

Gao Yi smiled and replied, “Fake.

You provided them.

I wanted to talk to you about that fingerprint film…”

“I’ll make lots of spares for you.”

Sean seemed more relaxed and said with a laugh, “It’s good you didn’t give away your real biometrics.

The Red and Blue Group is ultimately an FBI business, and giving them your real details would be unwise.”

After some thought, Gao Yi said, “The agent handling the arrangements just now, he’s from the Department of Homeland Security’s intelligence division.

We exchanged contact details.”

Sean scoffed disdainfully, “The intelligence division?

Ha, the trash among trash.

Their job is to subvert foreigners inside the United States and to gather foreign intelligence.

Think about it—in the U.S., what’s the point of doing that?

To put it this way, there are a total of eighteen intelligence agencies in the U.S., and the FBI’s intelligence division is just one of them—and the lowest in terms of authority.”

“Isn’t the FBI quite powerful?”

“Thirty years ago, it was.

Before 2001, it was also okay, but after 9/11, the FBI is basically left with only significant weight in criminal investigations.

Its foreign intelligence and homeland security divisions are pretty much for show.

Overall, the FBI is now useless.

Otherwise, why do you think they’re selling identities to make money?”

So the famed FBI is in such a sorry state now, and Martin is just warming a bench in a government office without much power,

“I see.”

Sean continued to sneer, “The FBI’s power now is just to work cases, and even then, they have to compete with the police.

Both the intelligence work and homeland security tasks have been taken over by the Department of Homeland Security.

Anyone capable of intelligence work has either been transferred to the Department of Homeland Security or gone to the CIA.

The intelligence division is nothing now, just a low-level functionary responsible for handling paperwork.

Why bother with him?

It’s a waste of time.”

Now it all made sense.

If Martin held a high position with great authority, he wouldn’t have risked deceiving Gao Yi for ten thousand dollars, let alone happily accept a one thousand dollar tip.

Gao Yi had thought he was latching on to a powerful benefactor, but it wasn’t clear who was really in the stronger position.

Although Gao Yi felt somewhat frustrated, he didn’t regret it.

Sean didn’t know, but Gao Yi understood that even those involved in petty theft could be of great use, and how much more so could someone from the FBI be, like Martin?

It was a contact worth keeping, just in case it came in handy in the future.

Seeing Gao Yi silent, Sean continued, “I think what matters now isn’t buying guns and practicing shooting.

First, you should craft a hammer that fits well in your hand.

What do you think?”

Gao Yi thought for a moment and replied, “I’m not insisting on using a hammer, but crafting one is also a possibility.”

“Excellent.

There are many weaponsmiths in the United States, and plenty can craft axes and hammers.

I’ll find someone to forge the best hammer for you.”

Gao Yi had an idea of what he wanted, “I know what kind of hammer to make, but I’m not sure if people here can make it.”

“They definitely can.

What kind are you thinking of?”

With the experience of hammering people twice and drawing from his martial arts knowledge, Gao Yi certainly knew what the most suitable hammer would be.

Gao Yi found a picture of a Golden Gourd Hammer on the internet and showed it to Sean, who was driving.

Sean barely glanced at it before responding, “Simple, I’ll find someone to make it for you.

We’ll craft the finest Warhammer.”

“Okay, thanks.

But about the gun…”

“Buy whatever you like, but there’s no need to focus solely on practicing gun skills, right?”

Sean tried to talk Gao Yi out of his plan, speaking in a negotiable tone, “I think what you need right now is to learn some very basic but important assassin skills, such as makeup, techniques for approaching and escaping targets, some experience.

You need to learn how to shake off a tail.

What do you think?”

Gao Yi wasn’t naive; he knew Sean was making sense.

Guns were just a hobby, a matter of personal interest, but assassin skills were a professional necessity and vital for survival; Gao Yi clearly knew which needed practice.

“Will you teach me?” he asked.

Sean nodded but then shook his head, explaining, “I can only teach you a part of it, but after all, I’m an assistant, not an assassin.

So, some assassin skills will have to be taught by an assassin.

Don’t worry about these things, I will definitely find the right person to teach you.”

“Okay, thank you,” Gao Yi said, sincerely expressing his gratitude, while Sean appeared quite relieved, as if Gao Yi willing to learn from him was a bargain he’d found.

Then, Sean suddenly said, “You don’t need to thank me.

I’m a Gardener; it’s my job to fertilize and water the flowers.

Even though you’re not one of the Garden’s blooms, since we’re cooperating, I’ll still do my best to help you.”

Sean was indeed a Gardener, and it wasn’t too surprising.

There was just one thing—Gao Yi cautiously asked, “Since you’re the Gardener, and you’re so intent on keeping this newcomer, that means…”

Some things were difficult to say, but Sean took the initiative, “Yes, the Garden is in a very bad state.

Right now, I’m the only official member left.”

Gao Yi took a sharp breath.

He knew the Garden was a sinking ship, but he had no idea it was already capsized, with only the bow sticking out above the water.

Sean seriously said, “Since we’re cooperating, we should be honest.

I can’t lie to you about the Garden being powerful to convince you to work with us, but I need to say that the Garden has passed the most dangerous phase.

Well, as long as we get new assassins to join, we can quickly restore the Garden’s former size.

I believe it will happen soon.”

Did Gao Yi regret it?

A little, but not much.

The reasoning was too simple.

If the Garden weren’t desperate, they wouldn’t have valued a newbie like Gao Yi so highly.

Join the Andic Group at its peak?

It could be possible for Gao Yi, but to have the boss of Andic Group plead for his membership like Sean did—that would be delusional.

So, there are advantages and disadvantages.

If you want to be pampered like a king, you can’t complain about the shrine being too small.

If you want to be clung to as a lifeline, you can’t fault the ship for being too broken.

Sean was already beginning to act like a busybody, taking care of Gao Yi’s needs.

“I can’t move around freely in the United States; this is the Andic Group’s stronghold, so I must be cautious.

We’ll stay separately.

I’ll send you to the best hotel to stay, but I’ll have to find some safe place myself,” Sean said, quickly showing his attentiveness and consideration, which made him seem somewhat nagging.

“In the next two days, I will find a suitable weaponsmith for you.

If you really want to buy a gun, I’ll find a good gunsmith.

Then, I’ll contact the right people to teach you some assassin skills.

You just rest well.

Oh, and do you have any personal items you need to purchase?

Give me a list, and I’ll shop for you.”

Gao Yi was a bit embarrassed.

He responded politely, “You shouldn’t expose yourself.

I can handle these things myself.

Also, I feel bad about you spending money, um…”

“The last thing I lack right now is money.

These are just small gifts for you; don’t worry about it,” Sean said confidently.

Then he looked at Gao Yi with a hint of regret, “If you joined the Garden, I’d be able to pay you a salary.”

Cooperation meant Gao Yi was on the Garden’s broken ship, but free to jump ship at any time.

Getting a salary meant being tied to the Garden’s broken vessel, unable to leave even if he wanted to.

That was the difference, so Gao Yi didn’t ask how much the salary was, and in the end, Sean didn’t bring it up either.