CHAPTER 1410: CHAPTER 1405 MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO

Ivan sat down again, thought for a long time, and then looked up at Yang Yi and said: "I can make some concessions on my conditions. I don’t demand that you immediately capture those four people, but you must guarantee to deliver them to me once caught, because that’s your responsibility."

Yang Yi frowned in contemplation, while Ivan continued: "We had an agreement, and you failed to watch over those four bastards. That’s your problem, so you must hand them over to me to resolve this issue."

Yang Yi took a breath, shook his head, and said: "No, this condition is unacceptable."

"What?"

Ivan hadn’t even spoken when Walter grew anxious and instinctively blurted out a remark, quickly shutting his mouth afterward.

Ivan just looked at Yang Yi, who spoke with a helpless expression: "Actually, I admit you’re right, but there’s a problem. We can’t be perpetually threatened by nuclear weapons, especially if we can’t capture the people, you might detonate the nuclear bombs at any time, which is something we can’t accept, absolutely can’t accept. If someone decides to take a risky measure to solve this, the consequences will be hard to predict."

"I’d like to hear your terms."

"It’s simple, let this matter end here. We can offer compensations in other areas, but you must ensure not to use those nuclear weapons."

Saying this with a resolute expression, Yang Yi sighed, speaking sincerely to Ivan: "We’re both worried about suffering unbearable damage from each other. Why did you secretly reproduce nuclear weapons, and why must the United States eradicate you? Because you’re worried the United States will eliminate you. The Americans won’t stop until they nullify the threat from you and the nuclear weapons."

Ivan remained silent, as what Yang Yi said was nonsense, and he saw no need to join in on the nonsense.

"We severely fear each other. Yes, we both fear each other. Let me be honest, once we’ve found all the nuclear weapons, you will die immediately, no matter where you hide, you will die. Then, as long as you haven’t used the nuclear bombs and they aren’t discovered, you are safe, absolutely safe. So, why use the nuclear weapons to threaten us? Is there a need for that?"

Just having them is the greatest threat, using them is mutually assured destruction. Ivan understood this logic.

Yang Yi continued: "So why not do this? You stop using those nuclear weapons, and we won’t have to worry about you using them. After this crisis is completely resolved, we both can focus our efforts on finding the real murderer of your uncle. If you seek revenge, this is the most direct method, isn’t it? What good is it to just threaten us? Regardless, we have to find them, even without your threats, we would do so."

Ivan rubbed his chin, then after looking at Yang Yi for a while, said: "What else can I do? Am I supposed to hand over all the nuclear bombs voluntarily? Haha, do you think that’s possible?"

"Of course not, so I never said that. I can’t expect you to make such a foolish mistake. I just hope you end the current crisis, and then we can all get back on track, that’s my condition."

"How can I do that? As long as I don’t hand over the nuclear weapons, can you be assured?"

"No assurance, but nuclear bombs stored in a warehouse are much less threatening than those on a launch pad. Once the current crisis is resolved, in the future, we’ll find, you’ll hide, and we’ll see who is more competent. Perhaps the bigger possibility is that we’re forced to accept reality and maintain the status quo if we can’t find the nuclear bombs."

After saying this, Yang Yi nodded and said: "My proposal is to maintain the status quo, the same as when Big Ivan was alive, and it will remain that way after. We can even help you stabilize the situation quickly after Big Ivan’s death, without requiring you to live under surveillance. Are these terms acceptable enough?"

"I can’t trust you all."

"You have nuclear weapons; do you need to trust us?"

At this point, Yang Yi smiled, and Ivan didn’t get angry. He just paused for a moment, then nodded.

"I won’t use the nuclear weapons, though I can’t give you a guarantee, but I’m sure I won’t use them. That’s all I can say. I can’t prove it if you ask me to."

Yang Yi raised a finger and said: "Even if I owe you a favor, and so that we can maintain a line of communication in the future, and to establish a personal friendship with you, could you give me a nuclear bomb? Tell me the location of one so that I can find it, as a sign of your sincerity, and then I could get promoted."

Ivan looked at Yang Yi with intrigue and said: "Your straightforward words leave me nothing to say. If I gift you a nuclear bomb as a favor—haha, do you know the immense cost that implies?

"I know. First, you must remove the guards and those responsible for detonating the bomb, but no matter how well-hidden, there will be traces left that we can trace. In this way, the concealment mode of your other nuclear bombs might be discovered by us, and we could even track down those responsible for detonating the nuclear bombs. It’s just one nuclear bomb, but the risk is significant. I’m aware of that, but you have to show some sincerity."

Ivan frowned and said: "You’ve practically said everything for me already, what’s left for me to say?"

"You have to demonstrate some sincerity, after all. We have made a significant effort, so you also have to bear some cost. I believe you can withstand the loss of one nuclear bomb. Why not present it to defuse this crisis and give me a favor, buddy? On major issues, like those concerning the security of the United States, I can’t help you, but with other matters, please believe in me, I won’t make you feel that giving me a favor is for nothing, I promise."

Ivan pondered, and Uli Yangke spoke in a deep voice: "Sea God’s reputation has always been good, I believe he knows what to do."

After Uli Yangke finished speaking, Ivan waved his hand, exhaled, and said: "I know, alright, I’ll do you a favor!"

Pointing at Yang Yi with his finger, Ivan said once again: "I’ll give you a big favor!"

"Thanks, buddy, trust me, you won’t regret it."

Ivan seemed much more relaxed, speaking in a deep voice: "In forty-eight hours, I’ll notify you of the location of one nuclear bomb, can I?"

"Forty-eight hours is a bit long, not that I’m being excessive, but I really can’t wait that long, twenty-four hours, okay? Please, tell me in twenty-four hours."

With a sincere face, Yang Yi pleaded, and indeed Ivan wasn’t angry. He nodded and said: "Alright, I’ll give you enough of a favor once. I promise not to use the nuclear weapons, this matter ends here, and I’ll tell you the location of one nuclear bomb in twenty-four hours."

"Thank you very much."

"Find those four people and hand them over to me."

"Of course, we’ll do our best, just can’t promise you a timeframe."

Ivan exhaled and stood up again, saying with a stern face: "It’s settled then, now have them leave, the negotiation is over."