533: Chapter 529: Barrel vs Toad 533: Chapter 529: Barrel vs Toad Ivan had the power to call the wind and summon the rain in Colombia, but his foundation was in Brazil.
Brazil has more than seven hundred civil airports, most of which are small.
A small number of these airports are managed by the Brazilian Airport Infrastructure Management Company, the rest by their respective state or municipality.
However, very few airports, after being authorized by the Brazilian Civil Aviation Authority, are managed by private enterprises, and the airport that Gao Yang and his team landed at was one such private airport.
Most crucially, this airport belonged to Ivan.
The airport was in the suburbs of Saint Paul.
Despite being a private airport, it was not small at all.
Although there was only one runway, it adhered to the 4C standard and was capable of accommodating large cargo planes for take-off and landing.
Most importantly, with an airport completely under his control, Ivan would find it far more convenient to transport anything.
For an arms dealer to own an airport, even if only the rights to operate it, was quite an achievement.
Moreover, this wasn’t the handiwork of Grand Ivan but was something Ivan, who didn’t seem very reliable, had managed to secure on his own.
When Ivan casually informed Gao Yang that the airport they were about to land at was his, Gao Yang was so surprised he was speechless, of course, Ivan had whispered this to Gao Yang alone.
It was better if not too many people knew about this kind of thing.
Having their own airport made everything much easier.
However, upon arrival in Saint Paul, it was time to part ways.
Although Ivan usually didn’t handle the airport’s operations personally, delegating all affairs to a professional manager, he still had his own office in the airport.
Additionally, since the airport often received some rather special cargo, Ivan had plenty of rooms to accommodate everyone.
Initially, they were supposed to go straight to the rest area after disembarking, but the members of the Angel Mercenary Corps, as they got off the plane one after another, did not leave but gathered beside the aircraft.
Waiting for Gao Yang to disembark, Nate, standing to one side, waved to him and said solemnly, “We’ve left Colombia and arrived in Brazil.
I have fulfilled my promise.
Now, I declare this mission officially over.
I assume you have no objections?”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “Of course, I have no objections.
I am very satisfied with your service.
Um, to praise you a bit, you did a very, very good job.”
Nate nodded calmly and said, “Very well, our journey together ends here.
Thank you for taking care of the Prince and Flying Squirrel.
If you’re looking to hire us, feel free to call.
Goodbye.”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “You’re leaving just like that?
You sure you can leave on your own?”
Nate shrugged without answering Gao Yang’s obviously foolish question.
After giving his subordinates a snap of his fingers, Nate turned and walked away.
Gao Yang called out loudly, “Hey, not even a goodbye?”
Nate stopped, looked at Gao Yang, and said seriously, “Welcome to call, but it’s better not to meet.
Right now, I find you guys to be quite interesting.
Personally, I’ve changed my mind; I don’t think it’s a good idea to wipe you all out anymore.
So, unless we’re sure our next meeting will be peaceful rather than hostile, it’s better not to reunite.
Because if our respective missions put us at odds, I’ll have no choice but to eliminate you.”
Gao Yang could only helplessly wave back at Nate, saying, “Then let’s not meet.
If you have time, call to have coffee together.
But it’s best not to meet on the battlefield; we’re on good terms, and I wouldn’t want to accidentally encounter you and end up killing a few of you.
That wouldn’t be nice.”
Gao Yang found himself increasingly liking the minor verbal victories when talking to Nate.
It couldn’t be helped; Nate was a man who, to put it nicely, had principles or, to put it bluntly, was stubborn, the kind of stubborn that was foolish.
The problem was that Nate followed principles that Gao Yang found unacceptable, so not taking digs at him felt almost remiss to Gao Yang.
Nate didn’t mind Gao Yang’s verbal jibes and, with a faint smile, turned and left resolutely.
Some of his men, like Sirte and Eric, who had spent some time with Gao Yang and his team, did wave their hands in farewell as they left, offering a final greeting.
Watching Nate and his group walk away, Uriyangko smacked his lips and remarked, “What a strange person.
However, a very capable one.
The Angel Mercenary Corps, tsk tsk, I have to admit, they’re indeed formidable.”
Gao Yang gave a wry smile and said, “I only hope this guy doesn’t consider us as opponents that must be taken out.
They are lunatics; I’m not.
To fight for the sake of fighting, what kind of behavior is that?
It’s the foolish act that only lunatics could commit.”
After saying this bitterly, Gao Yang gestured and said, “Let’s not talk about him.
Let’s get Ivan inside first, and then discuss how we’ll leave.”
Safely arriving at Ivan’s headquarters, although several people were injured, a big celebration was inevitable.
The party venue was arranged even before the plane landed, right in the office building of the airport.
They chose a room—not the best environment, but the preparations were all top-notch.
Ivan had to thank his life-savers, and it couldn’t be anything less than exceptional.
Ivan, who couldn’t drink or even eat much, was also present, along with Frey, Lucica, and Sergei.
They were just there to make an appearance, a mere formality.
Once everyone had taken their seats, Ivan, looking frail and sitting in a wheelchair, waved his hand weakly and said softly, “Everyone, thank you for everything you have done recently.
Now, please enjoy your drinks to the fullest.
I promise, once I am recovered, I will join all of you for a proper drink.”
Ivan, who became tired from just saying a few words and who found it difficult to sit in a wheelchair, gave a brief toast as the host, then turned to Gao Yang and said, “Brother, being here is just like being home, safety is the least of your worries, I assure you of your absolute safety.”
After speaking a few words, Uriyangko took charge of sending Ivan away, then immediately picked up a glass of vodka, exuding enthusiasm, and declared, “Grand Ivan has entrusted me to properly thank everyone present.
He is very grateful for everything you have done for Ivan.
Also, Ivan can’t drink, so I’ll drink in his stead.
Come, let’s finish this drink!
Today, we must drink to our hearts’ content.”
“To Ivan, cheers!”
A chorus of old Russians raised their glasses and shouted in unison, while Gao Yang looked at his glass, which held over three shots of vodka, and exchanged helpless glances with Cui Bo.
The glass specifically used for drinking vodka, called a Lao cup, can hold 180 to 200 milliliters of alcohol, which is almost four shots’ worth.
With one of these glasses, Gao Yang would already be pushing his limits with just one drink, and two would surely knock him over.
Seeing everyone still waiting for him, Gao Yang had no choice but to raise his glass as well.
It was at that moment Li Jinfang, with a burst of hearty vigor, announced, “Ram is injured and hasn’t fully recovered; he can’t drink too much.
Rabbit has a rib injury and can’t drink much either.
Come, those who are injured should drink less, but those who can, drink more.
Let’s do this!”
Li Jinfang’s words were spirited, matching his enthusiastic drinking as he downed a large glass of vodka in one go.
A Russian did the same, but while Russians love to drink, not all are great drinkers; some have high tolerance, but others do not.
With one drink down, faces were already turning red.
After finishing the first round, Samuel quickly grabbed the bottle and poured another for himself, then, with a loud voice, declared, “To the Satan Mercenary Corps, cheers!”
After the shout, they downed another glass, poured a new one, and Uriyangko, coughing lightly, said, “To the memory of Antonov, cheers!”
“To all those injured, cheers, guys, and here’s to a quick recovery!”
At each suggestion, a full glass of vodka was consumed.
After four continuous drinks, Uriyangko’s face had turned red, and he was beginning to slur his words.
Standing up again, he exclaimed loudly, “I propose a toast to the Ram, the best friend I’ve ever had, the best sniper, um, and also the best leader of a mercenary group.”
After a thunderous anticipation reply, everyone had another full drink.
This time, even Cui Bo and Tommy, who had been cautious about finishing their drinks, emptied their glasses completely.
A round of collective drinking followed, and then Brejinsky stood up.
He was faring relatively well and seemed capable of going on, though he had become more talkative.
Excitedly, he loudly said, “Come on, to the Russian Federation hero, to the best machine gunner I have known, to our Big Dog, a hero from the 45th Independent Guards Airborne Brigade—alive and a hero.
Brothers, let’s pay our respects to the hero.”
A loud cheer followed, and another round went down.
But by this time, not many of Ivan’s men who had been through the entire ordeal could still stand.
Uriyangko, his face beet red and unsteady on his feet, slurred his words as he raised his glass to Bruce, “I propose, let’s thank Test Tube.
Without him, all our efforts would have been in vain.
He saved Ivan’s life; he’s the best military doctor, and also, and Andy He, you are the best, the best surgeon.
Let’s have a drink.”
While shouting to have a drink, Uriyangko managed to slip and tumble under the table.
Those who echoed him and drank another round were soon joined by several more who faltered.
Without having eaten anything and starting off with continuous hard drinks, in less than five minutes, at least two pounds of vodka had gone down.
Not many were able to hold their ground.
Excluding Gao Yang and a few others, who were just drinking to make up the numbers and were still drinking but appeared to have no issues, the only ones left standing now were Li Jinfang and Samuel.
Just then, Gao Yang suddenly remembered that Samuel’s nickname was “Barrel.”
At that moment, Glolov, who hadn’t skimped on his drinking, unsteadily took hold of Li Jinfang beside him and whispered fiercely, “Toad, I’m giving you a serious task.
It’s okay to admit defeat in any situation when you’re with Russians, but never on the drinking field.
Drink Samuel under the table.
Let them see that even in drinking, we from the Satan are the toughest.
Take down Barrel!
It’s up to you now!” (To be continued.
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