Tony's Self-Rescue Preparation

First the stick, then the carrot.

Using only violence and death threats isn't the best way to get the other party to spill information.

There's never a shortage of stubborn folks in the world. Relying solely on violence and threats might not yield the desired information.

At this moment, appropriate material temptation becomes necessary.

The $60,000 in the bag wasn't an astonishing material temptation for people living in developed countries.

However, for these terrorists living in Afghanistan, this $60,000 was enough to completely change their lives.

With this money, they could easily cross borders to other countries and start a normal life, rather than living in the middle of nowhere in the mountains, constantly fearful.

Many people think that terrorists join terror organizations due to their beliefs. However, apart from those terrorists who aren't particularly money-strapped, most join this twisted path because their lives have become unbearable due to poverty.

People want to live after all!

If they can't even survive, don't expect them to uphold high morals and principles.

After looking at the bodies of his companions and the bag of money, these terrorists quickly made their choice.

Even though they were all freedom fighters against the U.S. military, they weren't members of the Ten Rings.

Only a fool would sacrifice their life to protect the Ten Rings' secrets.

A few minutes later, Russell obtained general information. Although these terrorists weren't sure exactly where Tony was being held, they were well aware of the Ten Rings' strongholds in those areas.

There were three strongholds in total.

At worst, it would mean traveling three times.

Not a big issue.

Russell confirmed the locations mentioned by the terrorists on the map and then carefully stored the map away.

"Thank you for your cooperation. As for the money in the bag..."

He glanced at the more than thirty terrorists kneeling on the ground, as if he was deciding to whom he would give the money.

But that wasn't the case.

At the same time as he spoke, a thick black tentacle emerged from his back.

In the gazes of these terrorists, the black tentacle picked up the Gatling machine gun he had placed nearby.

This is...

Just as these terrorists stared at the black tentacle emerging from his back in disbelief, the Gatling machine gun started firing.

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat...

The intense sound of gunfire erupted, and bullets rained down on the terrorists like a storm.

These terrorists didn't even have a chance to stand up before the Gatling machine gun turned them into pulp.

Once all the terrorists before him were sent to meet their maker by the Gatling machine gun, Russell stood up and picked up the bag from the ground.

Indeed, this $60,000 was meant to tempt these terrorists.

However, he had no intention of giving them the money.

This money was hard-earned blood and sweat money, earned amidst gunfire and bullets!

If he spent this money on Diana, he wouldn't hesitate.

But spending it on these terrorists? He wasn't willing in the slightest.

After picking up the bag, several more black tentacles emerged from his body. One by one, he picked up the rocket launcher, rifles, sniper rifles, and other weapons he had brought.

After walking back to the off-road vehicle parked a few hundred meters away from the village, he started the vehicle and headed towards the nearest Ten Rings stronghold.

Somewhere in the mountains.

One of the Ten Rings strongholds.

Within a dim cave.

Tony, who had just been tasked by the Ten Rings to create the Jericho missile, sat by the fire, gazing forlornly into the flames.

Beside his feet lay a vehicle battery.

The battery was connected to an electromagnetic device on his chest, preventing shrapnel from reaching his heart.

"Stark, your people are definitely looking for you, but in these mountains, they'll have a hard time finding this place."

"You saw it just now—the weapons outside are all your creations. You spent your entire life's effort on those murderers. Do you really want to leave this world like this?"

Wearing a suit and thin-rimmed glasses, Yinsen sat beside Tony and spoke slowly.

"Why waste my energy? They'll kill me sooner or later. Even if they don't kill me, I'll only last a week."

Tony pointed to the electromagnetic device on his chest.

While the device temporarily saved his life, it could only last about a week.

After a week, the battery would be depleted, and shrapnel would pierce his heart, causing him to die in agony.

"Then you should use your time more wisely, shouldn't you?"

Yinsen continued.

Perhaps he was convinced by Yinsen's words, or more likely, Tony's survival instinct kicked in.

No one wanted to die inexplicably. This was especially true for Tony, who had been accustomed to a decadent capitalist life from a young age.

A bright future awaited him outside these mountains. He didn't want to die miserably in an Afghan cave.

Tony's eyes regained their brilliance, and his mind swiftly raced through various self-rescue plans.

Over ten minutes later.

"If this is my workspace, I want ample lighting."

"Welding table, welding equipment, helmet, goggles, crucible, two sets of cutting tools..."

Tony told Yinsen about his requirements, and Yinsen translated his words for the Ten Rings terrorists.

Tony was fervently reorganizing the cave, preparing for his self-rescue.

Meanwhile, Russell was driving toward the first Ten Rings stronghold.

The first stronghold wasn't too far from the village he had been in recently.

If he drove there, it would take just over an hour.

Though not far, the road conditions here were exceptionally poor.

What's worse, the off-road vehicle he was currently driving didn't provide a comfortable experience.

Russell felt like a rally driver, steering an uncomfortable off-road vehicle on primitive mountain roads, sending clouds of dust flying as he drove.

If there were drainage ditches, he'd be tempted to attempt the famous Scandinavian flick.

With a combination of roughness and a touch of finesse in his driving techniques, Russell, who didn't often drive on mountain roads, began drifting on the dusty paths.

If it weren't for the lack of drainage ditches here, he would have tried the well-known ditch technique in corners.

With a mix of enthusiasm and finesse, it took Russell only an hour to reach the first Ten Rings stronghold.

After a stylish slide and a parked car, the off-road vehicle emitted strained noises, accompanied by white smoke billowing from the engine compartment.

He hadn't even gotten out of the car when Ten Rings members about a hundred meters away began firing at him.

Bang bang bang bang bang...

Bullets struck the car like raindrops, producing a continuous clanging sound.

When he was still a kilometer away, the Ten Rings members in the stronghold had already spotted his presence.

It would be hard not to notice.

The dust and drifting caused by the off-road vehicle's speeding were like clear markers, revealing his location.

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