Lin Beichen immediately realized these two must be members of the Zaka Organization, as skull masks were one of their symbols.
"I am William." He calmly announced his name, "I have an appointment with your leader today."
On this perilous land, many had their eyes set on the life of the Zaka Organization's leader.
Lin Beichen and Xia Luyao exchanged a glance, tacitly remaining silent while obediently raising their arms for the skull-masked Zaka members to scan them with high-precision metal detectors.
When the detector passed over Lin Beichen's suit pocket, it suddenly beeped with an alert sound.
The faces beneath the masks immediately tensed as they warily asked, "What are you carrying?"
Lin Beichen calmly reached into his pocket, a gesture that put the two on edge, their hands already moving toward their guns.
However, to their surprise, what Lin Beichen retrieved was a mirror.
He smiled as he explained, "It's my secretary's mirror. You know how girls always care about their appearance."
As he spoke, he turned to Xia Luyao, a teasing smile on his lips, "You left your thing at my place last night."
Xia Luyao took the mirror, subtly moving closer to Lin Beichen, recalling he had mentioned this mirror should always stay close to him.
The two Zaka members exchanged a look, a trace of understanding flashing in their eyes.
After scanning them again with the detector and confirming it, they let them pass.
In the dimly lit room, they met the leader of the Zaka Organization, an elder dressed in a black robe with graying hair.
Lin Beichen silently speculated that this must be Zaka himself.
The elder eyed them through his gold-rimmed glasses, relaxing only after seeing "William."
But his gaze lingered a little longer on Xia Luyao.
"William, who is this beautiful lady? I haven't seen her before," the elder inquired.
Lin Beichen smiled nonchalantly, "She's my new secretary. It's normal you haven't met her."
The elder frowned slightly, "For such an important matter, you're bringing a new secretary to discuss it?"
At this moment, a guard approached the elder and whispered a few words.
After listening, the elder scrutinized the two and chuckled, "William, you're still the same, always fond of young and pretty girls."
Lin Beichen smiled indifferently, "What kind of woman I like doesn't matter; what's important is the matter we're about to discuss."
The elder nodded, "Indeed, please sit."
They were meeting with Zaka, the leader of the organization, to discuss the matter of Yellow Cake.
To him, everything else was secondary.
Once seated, Zaka directly asked, "William, what about the matter I mentioned last time, have you thought it over?"
Lin Beichen and Xia Luyao's hearts tightened as they didn't know what Zaka and William had discussed before.
But Lin Beichen quickly responded, unhurriedly saying, "That depends on Mr. Zaka's sincerity."
Zaka, maintaining his usual composure, said, "I've already shown you my utmost sincerity, a billion USD and the land in Eastern Ivya."
Lin Beichen chuckled, "Mr. Zaka, do you really think those can match what I have?"
He paused, "Just the 27 tons of Yellow Cake I have is worth far more."
Xia Luyao secretly let out a sigh of relief at Lin Beichen's quick reaction.
Zaka's expression darkened, pondering for a moment, he said, "William, you must know, I'm the only one who can afford that price."
Lin Beichen scoffed, "Zaka, do you really think I'm that easy to fool? There are countless people who want the Yellow Cake I hold; you're not my only option."
Zaka was momentarily speechless, knowing William spoke the truth.
But he had limited bargaining chips, and the conditions presented before were his bottom line.
He contemplated for a while before slowly saying, "William, I hope you reconsider carefully. You must understand, I also have plenty of ways to ensure you don't leave here."
Lin Beichen was undaunted by his threat, "So, are you threatening me? But do you really think I'd come here without any preparation?"
His gaze coldly swept over the guards, "If I don't leave here smoothly today, then the Yellow Cake and my dirty bomb technology will end up in someone else's hands. They already promised me, their first target will be your Zaka Organization. You know the power of what I hold, and at that time, your Zaka Organization might completely vanish from this land."
Zaka was jolted by William's words, seeing from his serious expression that he wasn't bluffing.
Knowing the potential truth behind William's words meant consequences he couldn't bear.
Hence, Zaka had to seriously consider, deciding to first stabilize William.
"William, please forgive my previous rudeness. We can further negotiate the price issue." Zaka's attitude noticeably softened.
Lin Beichen exchanged a glance with Xia Luyao, then, with a half-smiling tone, said to Zaka, "Of course, we can continue talking. But, Zaka, I have another question for you."
"What question?" Zaka asked warily.
"I heard you've captured a female special forces soldier from Huaxia, is that true?" Lin Beichen asked bluntly.
Panic flickered in Zaka's eyes, but he quickly masked it, shaking his head in denial, "A Huaxia female special forces soldier? William, where did you hear such news? That's impossible."
Lin Beichen was not surprised by Zaka's denial and calmly said, "Zaka, do you know, when a person answers a question with a question, it often means they're hiding the truth."
Zaka was taken aback by Lin Beichen's words, and after a moment, he slowly spoke, "William, why are you asking this question? Who told you?"
"Zaka, don't try to brush this off. As far as I know, you are indeed involved in this." Lin Beichen looked Zaka in the eye, his tone firm.
Zaka, prodded further, grew somewhat annoyed, coldly staring at Lin Beichen, "William, what's your relationship with the Huaxia special forces? Why are you asking so much?"
Lin Beichen chuckled lightly, leaning forward to look Zaka in the eye, "Zaka, you don't need to know how I got this information. Just understand that Huaxia is not someone to be trifled with."
Hearing this, Zaka couldn't help but be alarmed.
He clearly understood the implication of William's words.
Their current main target was the military forces of Ivya, and Huaxia was indeed not to be antagonized lightly.
So, Zaka put on a smile, spreading his hands, "William, I think you might be mistaken. That Huaxia special forces soldier is not currently with us; we only temporarily held her for a while."
"Where is she now?" Lin Beichen pressed, wondering if Long Chuzhi was no longer in the hands of the Zaka Organization.
Xia Luyao also frowned, wondering where Long Chuzhi might be if not here.
Zaka shook his head, dismissively saying, "That I don't know. Why, are you very concerned about this Huaxia special forces soldier?"
Saying this, he scrutinized Lin Beichen carefully, a hint of doubt rising in his heart.
Why was William so concerned about this Huaxia special forces soldier?
Facing Zaka's suspicion, Lin Beichen laughed casually, "Concern for her? I just don't want to get entangled with the Huaxia Military."
Zaka felt relieved at this, knowing that William was not one to court trouble.
If collaborating with them would provoke Huaxia, William would indeed have reservations.
"Don't worry, 'William,' that Huaxia special forces soldier is no longer in our hands. You can cooperate with us without worrying about these issues." Zaka tried to dispel Lin Beichen's concerns.