29: First light the fire before you can put it out

Titan Group Temporary Headquarters Operations Room.

Angela's tactical tablet projected a three-dimensional map, with seven different colored light points representing the major armed forces in the Northern Mountains. Her slender finger traced the holographic projection, pushing the dark blue marker representing the Wa State United Army towards the Ke Qin Independent Army.

"The plan is called 'Blood Kin Revenge'," her gold-rimmed glasses reflected a cold light, "The Wa State boss loved this third son the most, and now his body is in the Ke Qin Independent Army controlled area."

In the command room, holographic images of the captains of twelve codenamed teams stood in neat formation. Gideon, chewing on a toothpick, watched with interest as Angela brought up a surveillance video. In the footage, the Wa State third young master was dragged into a military vehicle by a Ke Qin Independent Army soldier.

"We need three things," Angela held up her fingers, "First, when the Wa State United Army finds the body, they must discover he was tortured; second, there must be a forged Ke Qin Independent Army operational plan in his pocket; third..."

She tapped her tablet, bringing up an encrypted file: "A perfectly timed 'accidental rescue' as the finale."

"Don't worry, this job is simple," Gideon, chewing on a toothpick, waved dismissively at the team captains.

The next night, Wa State Special Region Command.

Sixty-year-old Bao Wuhuo stared at the body on the stretcher, his calloused hand gently stroking his son's bruised face. The young man had several bullet holes in his chest, and his fingers and toes were deformed to varying degrees, but the fatal wound was a gunshot to the back of the head—an execution-style killing.

"Commander..." The Chief of Staff handed over a blood-stained document, "This was found in the young master's underwear."

The document contained a very detailed operational plan for the Ke Qin Independent Army to attack Wa State. It was clear that everyone present believed their young master had sacrificed his life to steal it from the enemy.

"Report!" A soldier in a white lab coat rushed in, "The two captured brothers we rescued just died! Before they passed, they said... they said the young master shouted something before he died..."

Bao Wuhuo slowly raised his head, terrifying rage burning in his eyes: "What did he say?"

"'Father will avenge me'..."

The old warlord's cane struck the ground heavily. At the same time, 3 kilometers away in the jungle, the "Ashes" team was destroying Wa State United Army uniforms and equipment. Team Leader Warrior-44 threw the last uniform into the fire pit: "Mission accomplished."

Three days later, the flames of war spread throughout the Northern Mountains.

The Wa State United Army's sudden frenzy completely broke the balance. Their heavily hired Russian-made T-72 tanks rolled over the Ke Qin Independent Army's defenses, while the Ke Qin Independent Army retaliated furiously against Wa State controlled casinos and brothels. The Taang National Liberation Army took advantage of the chaos to attack both sides' supply lines, and the Sagaing Region militia began to seize disputed areas.

"The situation is evolving 12% faster than expected," Angela looked at the real-time battle map, "The Gray Market Allied Forces just attacked a Northern Dan State Army checkpoint as per our instructions."

Chen Hao (Mu Yan) stood in front of the holographic sandbox, his mechanical finger tapping, pushing the red marker representing the Gray Market towards the battlefield: "Finally, it's somewhat useful."

"Should we wrap it up early?" Ains swirled his whiskey glass, "If this continues, it might attract international attention and affect our plans."

"No, add more fuel to the fire. You must trust the Web Weaver's technology and Bronya's capabilities," Chen Hao (Mu Yan) brought up the Chin State's sphere of influence, "Have the 'Blacksmith' team disguise themselves as Government Army and attack the Chin State's opium warehouses."

Gideon whistled: "Then Chin State will think the Government Army is taking advantage of the chaos to crack down on drugs? Brilliant! But will they believe it? After all, in this region, the Government Army itself has several black hands, and drugs are almost an agricultural product."

Chen Hao (Mu Yan) shook his head: "They don't need to believe it, and whether they believe it or not isn't important. For those self-important ambitious people, they only need excuses and benefits."

"What's more, we may not be the only ones to act."

Chin State, outskirts of Hakha City.

When the opium-filled warehouse suddenly exploded, the Chin State Independence Army Commander was drinking morning tea. He looked at the familiar Government Army uniforms on the surveillance screen, enraged, and smashed his teacup.

"Notify all strongholds!" He roared into the intercom, "Hit those in uniform with all you've got!"

No one noticed that the attackers "accidentally" dropped a few magazines during their retreat—engraved with the Sagaing Region militia's serial numbers. This detail was quickly discovered by Chin State's intelligence officer, and so new players were added to the war.

In the Titan Group headquarters' underground command center, Jeremy was monitoring communications from all sides. Suddenly, he let out a strange cry: "Holy cow! The Wa State United Army blew up the power station built with aid from the Eastern Union!"

The holographic display showed a high-voltage power tower collapsing under artillery fire. This was a critical facility for the Eastern Union and Emerald Ocean economic corridor. As soon as the news broke, the foreign ministries of various Eastern Union countries lit up with red alerts.

"The show has begun," Angela pushed up her glasses, "According to intelligence from our sentinel in the Emerald Principality government, the Eastern Union government just summoned the Emerald Principality ambassador."

Chen Hao (Mu Yan) immediately ordered: "Ya Ya, prepare the complete 'Peacekeeper' project proposal. It's time for the PMC version of Titan Group to make its debut."

"Already prepared!" Bronya responded cheerfully, "I even made three versions of the PPT!"

"How are things progressing with Ains?"

"Don't worry! Comrade Old Ai is very efficient."

Three days ago, Jinta Port Four Seasons Hotel.

Ains was in his suite, looking at the battle report sent by Gideon. Outside the suite window, the Emerald Principality Ministry of Defense building cast a long shadow in the setting sun.

"Confirmed?" he asked the empty room.

Angela's holographic image appeared in the air: "Just received news that Minister of Defense Miao Tunwu's nephew is getting married next week. He's been frequently contacting Northern Steel Federation arms dealers recently, but negotiations have stalled."

Ains's lips curved slightly, and he took out a gilded invitation from his suit pocket.

He had traded three 'rare' blue sapphires for it on the Gray Market.

"Prepare two gifts," He closed the tablet in his hand, "One for the groom's White Dove Convention Area account, deposit five hundred thousand dollars, and the other..." He pointed to the metal box on the coffee table, "Prepare the rare earth samples we mined in Sanu Town."

On the wedding day, Jinta Port Royal Golf Club.

Miao Tunwu narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the white man in front of him who claimed to be a 'mining company representative'. The man had just caught everyone's attention during the toast segment with his fluent Burmese wedding speech.

"Your Excellency, Minister, it's an honor to finally meet you," Ains handed over his business card, "Titan Group, President of the East Pacific Region."

"I haven't heard of your company," Miao Tunwu took the business card, but his gaze was drawn to Ains's wristwatch, a limited edition Patek Philippe.

Ains smiled: "We just acquired exploration rights in Kachin State. Speaking of which..." He lowered his voice, "I hear your country is troubled by the northern war?"

The Minister's pupils contracted imperceptibly.

Two days later, Ministry of Defense reception room.

"This is our security team in Sanu Town," Ains opened the conference room's PPT, displaying images of Titan Group's security team maintaining order in the mining area, "In the past month, the crime rate in our controlled area has decreased by 89%, and production efficiency has increased by 350%."

Miao Tunwu and three senior generals exchanged glances. In the projection, well-equipped soldiers were evacuating civilians from a combat zone, their movements as precise as if they had practiced thousands of times. If not for their unique shoulder patches, with the equipment these soldiers had, they would even suspect they were special forces from one of the major powers.

"Do you have real combat data?" Army Commander Aung Min Lai suddenly asked.

Ains tapped his tablet, bringing up an encrypted video: "This was a test last week in Kachin State."

In the footage, a codenamed team captured a rebel stronghold in just four minutes, with zero casualties throughout. The conference room fell silent. Everyone understood what such efficiency meant.

This company, it seemed, was not an ordinary mining company. Even some PMC companies did not possess such military strength.

Behind this, it was probably the will of the diners at the table.

When news of the rapidly deteriorating war situation arrived, Ains was having tea with the Minister of Military Supplies. Hasty footsteps sounded in the corridor, and the adjutant rushed in:

"Minister, the Chief of General Staff has urgently summoned you! The Eastern Union just closed its border crossings!"

Ains calmly put down his teacup, his wristwatch vibrating slightly. Turning his wrist, a message popped up on the dial—Angela informing him of the "Wa State United Army attack on the power station."

Five minutes later, when Ains entered the smoke-filled emergency meeting room with two androids, sixteen high-ranking Emerald Principality military officials all turned to look.

"Gentlemen," Minister of Defense Miao Tunwu stood up to introduce, "This is Mr. Ains from Titan Group, and I believe he may have a solution."

Chief of General Staff Tin Aung Min stared at the fully armed androids behind Ains: "Can you really control the situation within a week?"

Ains opened the metal box; the rare earth samples gleamed with the luster of money under the lights: "As long as this contract is signed, Titan Group's security team will be stationed in the conflict zone tomorrow." He paused, "Of course, we require special operational authorization."

Negotiations continued until 3 AM. When Ains finally walked out of the Ministry of Defense building, a huge transparent cigar seemed to float in the morning mist. He pressed his earpiece:

"Boss, the contract is signed. The additional clause granted us rare earth export concessions."

"Well done," Chen Hao (Mu Yan)'s voice came through, "Have the teams prepare to close the net. It's time to end this farce."

Above them, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the war-torn city. And on the other side of the horizon, the miners of Sanu Town were queuing for work as usual, oblivious to the impending dramatic changes.