Translator: CinderTL
Five minutes later, the smoke cleared, revealing a street riddled with craters.
The bodies of camouflage-clad soldiers lay scattered across the ground, their blood staining the pavement crimson.
The land tank, a monstrous behemoth, had been cleaved in two, its shattered halves sinking into the concrete pits alongside the crushed remains of armored vehicles.
Witnessing this scene, the figures hiding along the street trembled, their bodies stiffening. They swallowed hard, their eyes wide with shock as they peered through window cracks, holding their breath in awe.
The elderly white-haired butler and the imposing trench-coated man moved with godlike ease, each casual strike capable of slicing through tanks and obliterating armored vehicles.
An armed force powerful enough to occupy an entire city had been annihilated. The Security Captain, helped to his feet, couldn't help but swallow hard, his mind reeling.
Inside the car, Wang Dehai sat frozen in his seat, his face a complex mix of wide-eyed shock and barely concealed worry.
Though he had long known of Jadeite Biotech's power, he hadn't anticipated Lin Hao's formidable strength, accompanied by a peak fifth-tier Modified Human.
Even within the Overseas Red Nation Chamber of Commerce, such combat power represented one of its few deterrents and core assets.
But then, he remembered Zhuo Lie, the Warlord general and Flying General-class cyborg.
His gaze shifted between Chen Feng, who remained calmly seated with his eyes closed, and Lin Hao, who took another sip of red wine, his smile unwavering.
Wang Dehai opened his mouth, his voice trembling as he began, "Director Lin, about Zhuo Lie..."
"You needn't worry," Lin Hao interrupted, setting down his red wine before Wang Dehai could finish. "We have this matter well in hand. It won't implicate you in the slightest."
He offered a solemn promise, assuring Wang Dehai that they would expand the scale of cooperation between their respective conglomerates.
Though Wang Dehai was pleasantly surprised, his smile remained strained, haunted by lingering anxieties and contingency plans. He had never heard of Jadeite Biotech possessing Flying General-level capabilities. Moreover, this was Luoyue territory. While their opponents could retreat to the Red Nation if things turned sour, Wang Dehai's entire business empire was rooted here, impossible to relocate and vulnerable to retaliation at any moment.
As his expression shifted rapidly, a suit-clad bodyguard approached, his face grim as he leaned in to whisper through the car window, "Boss..."
Wang Dehai's face contorted into a complex mix of emotions. He instinctively glanced across the car and saw the black-robed youth, who had been slumped in the sofa with his eyes closed the entire time, had suddenly opened them. His calm gaze, as deep as a starry sea, carried a hint of predatory intensity.
"Did they clash with Zhuo Lie before they disappeared?" Chen Feng asked, his gaze cutting past Wang Dehai to fix on the bodyguard.
His Perception had already picked up everything: Zhuo Lie had seized the target area thirty kilometers away several days ago.
Their eyes met, and the bodyguard in the suit felt a tremor run through him. He nodded instinctively, unable to conceal the truth.
Crack.
The crack in the concrete road widened instantly. Liu Bo and Yuan Yueshan, who were about to get into the car, froze in their tracks, their expressions shifting slightly as they turned to look inside.
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy, as if a dormant volcano were slowly awakening.
Trapped within, Wang Dehai felt the temperature skyrocket. Sweat poured down his face, and the oppressive heat made it difficult to breathe.
Lin Hao, who was closest to Chen Feng, straightened up, a hint of surprise crossing his usually relaxed features.
The location and timing matched perfectly.
Could Yang Wudi and Celine have been secretly killed by Zhuo Lie?
As this suspicion arose, he noticed Wang Dehai gasping for air across from him.
The anomalous heat vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. Chen Feng regained his composure and simply said, "Lead the way."
Buzz!!
Thirty kilometers away, within a barbed-wire-fenced armed camp, the wind and sand whipped through the air as a drone descended slowly, its rotors humming.
Upon closer inspection, a deep trench several meters wide surrounded the barbed wire, with eight guard towers positioned at strategic points.
Three-man patrols of armed soldiers patrolled the perimeter, while fully armored vehicles and pickup trucks loaded with troops regularly returned through the main gate.
Dust billowed, and yellow smoke drifted across the landscape.
Tents and unfolded steel RVs clustered at the camp's center, while a circular satellite radar dish rotated nearby, receiving external signals and activating the air defense system.
"So this is General Zhuo Lie's camp," a team of white men remarked as they disembarked from three off-road vehicles, their boots crunching on the flat, brown earth.
The middle-aged man at the center had piercing blue eyes and wore an incongruously dark suit. His lean frame surveyed the camp with a critical gaze.
After briefly praising the camp's formidable defenses, his attention narrowed to a steel barracks resembling a command post. At the entrance stood a Luoyue Nation officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel, flanked by two armed soldiers.
"Mr. Noel, please," the officer said in fluent Platinum Federation Standard, gesturing for them to enter.
The man addressed as Mr. Noel nodded slightly, tightened his suit buttons, and strode forward with a measured gait.
The rhythmic tap of his shoes echoed through the air. Most of his white bodyguards remained outside, with only one burly, middle-aged Modified Human following him inside.
The room was of moderate size, roughly a hundred square meters.
A gray metal floor stretched across the space, with several military tables and chairs arranged in the center, surrounding a three-dimensional projection of a city model.
"Doma City is progressing well, exactly as the General predicted."
"After today, Doma City will be ours."
"We need to teach the Overseas Red Nation Chamber of Commerce a lesson. They need to understand this is Luoyue, not their former homeland, the Red Nation."
Low voices murmured as seven or eight camouflaged figures clustered around the holographic city model.
Their excited chatter revolved around the assault on Doma City, focusing on seizing control, extorting the chamber of commerce, and other such terms.
Noel's gaze swept across the room, and he noticed the guide beside him quickly step forward to report details.
Following the guide's line of sight, Noel looked past the surrounding figures.
He soon spotted General Zhuo Lie standing at the head of the group, his back to the gray wall, surrounded by subordinates who showered him with praise.
Over two meters tall, Zhuo Lie's bulky frame strained against his loose-fitting camouflage uniform.
Zhuo Lie's stern, square face looked as if it had been hammered from iron, his brown eyes burning with a wild, predatory intensity.
"General Zhuo Lie," Noel greeted with a smile, prompting a nod and a wave from the general.
The armed subordinates, who had been engaged in heated discussion, immediately fell silent and dispersed at his command.
The rhythmic clatter of boots faded into the distance, leaving the room feeling suddenly spacious and bright.
"I didn't expect Mr. Noel to come personally. How has Young Master Milan been lately?" Zhuo Lie asked, his voice surprisingly mild despite his imposing appearance. He gestured, and a chair was brought forward.
"Young Master Milan has already assumed the position of Director at Roth Biological Company," Noel replied. "By now, he should have already departed."
"Oh?" Zhuo Lie sat slowly on the metal chair, which groaned under his weight. "Young Master Milan is coming to Luoyue?"
"Indeed," Noel confirmed with a nod, settling into his own chair. His azure eyes met Zhuo Lie's predatory gaze without flinching. "There's been some activity in the Niduo Mountains—we've detected anomalies."
"Young Master Milan wishes to request that you send men to investigate the mountainous region along the Luoyue border."
As the words fell, Zhuo Lie narrowed his eyes.
Though he didn't know exactly what it was that the Roth Family valued so highly, since they were asking for his help...
"Since Young Master Milan has entrusted me with this task, I will naturally cooperate. However, the situation in Luoyue has become delicate recently, and the Military is watching me closely."
"Doma and Arte Cities have also been demanding much of my attention. If a large-scale deployment of personnel is required..."
He left the sentence unfinished, but Noel understood the unspoken meaning.
"General Zhuo Lie, rest assured. Young Master Milan understands your difficulties."
"Roth Biological Company has a batch of weapons and equipment that needs disposal. If you're interested, General, they could help you secure control over Luoyue's eastern region."
Zhuo Lie smiled and nodded.
"Mr. Noel, please assure Young Master Milan that Zhuo Lie remains his loyal friend."
"Well said, well said."
The two men exchanged knowing smiles, each tacitly acknowledging the other's hidden motives.
The atmosphere lightened, and the two men fell into casual conversation.
Buzz! Buzz!
Suddenly, the middle-aged lieutenant colonel who had been leading the way stiffened. His wrist communicator vibrated for several seconds.
As he leaned in to report, Zhuo Lie's brow furrowed, and a chill gradually emanated from him.
"Mr. Noel, please excuse me for the moment."
He abruptly stood and strode out of the room.
Noel, the middle-aged white man, nodded without comment.
In contrast, the middle-aged modified human who had been standing behind them the entire time quietly activated a shielding device, sealing off the interior. He leaned in and whispered, "Zhuo Lie is nothing but a dog kept by Young Master Milan. How dare he demand favors?"
"Mr. Noel, haven't we been too accommodating to him?"
Sensing the man's dissatisfaction and confusion, Noel smiled faintly.
"These are Young Master Milan's instructions."
"Oh?"
"Zhuo Lie is a vicious dog. Whoever feeds him will have him bite for them."
"But it doesn't matter. Everything he possesses will eventually belong to Young Master Milan anyway."
Noel's tone remained calm, but a hint of mockery lurked beneath his smile.
The current support was merely to help Zhuo Lie develop, making him a valuable pawn in Young Master Milan's bid to become his heir.
Once the other party completes their task, they will send someone to replace them.
At that point, this ever-growing warlord force will still belong to the Roth Family.
"I see," the middle-aged modified human behind the guard said, his emotions calming as he understood the plan. He said no more.
The two waited in the steel barracks, anticipating further discussions on the details.
But Zhuo Lie, who had left earlier, failed to return for an unusually long time, raising their suspicions.
"What's going on?" Noel asked, his face puzzled. He immediately rose and led the middle-aged modified human out of the barracks.
The setting sun cast long shadows across the western horizon, painting the evening sky of Luoyue a fiery red.
A group of white-skinned bodyguards swarmed around them, but Noel's expression remained grim, sensing something amiss.
As far as the eye could see, yellow sand filled the air.
The sprawling armed camp buzzed with activity as armored vehicles hastily assembled and roared out of the camp.
The engines roared like rampaging beasts, while nearly a hundred soldiers piled into off-road vehicles and camouflage-painted pickup trucks, following two armed colonels who climbed into their own vehicles and sped away.
"What exactly is happening?" Noel's confusion deepened. Just then, a security guard stationed outside reported the situation.
"It seems something has happened to Zhuo Lie's people. They've lost contact in Doma City."
"Including that Fifth-Tier Cyborg, Colonel Tiehe."
Upon hearing this, Noel's gaze sharpened. He immediately recalled the projection sand table he had seen earlier in the barracks. It displayed detailed defense plans for Doma City, along with other critical intelligence.
"It seems Zhuo Lie's control over the eastern region is slipping."
He shook his head, piecing together the situation.
The eastern region's overlord had been tripped up in a back alley.
This would undoubtedly damage his reputation, explaining Zhuo Lie's hasty mobilization of troops.
"Could the Evil God Cult be behind this?"
The middle-aged Modified Human guarding Noel's rear asked curiously, recalling the recent bloody incidents in Luoyue Capital.
Several high-ranking officials had been assassinated by members of the Evil God Cult, plunging the nation into chaos. It was possible Zhuo Lie's people had suffered a similar fate.
"That's a possibility," Noel conceded.
The Evil God Cult operated without regard for consequences, their actions erratic and unpredictable. No one could truly grasp their motives.
Suddenly, the situation felt more complex, and Noel feared it might spiral out of control.
Concerned for the group's safety, the middle-aged modified human asked in a deep voice, "Mr. Noel, should we evacuate?"
"No."
Contrary to expectations, Noel pondered for a moment before gently shaking his head.
"Luoyue's Sixth-Tier forces are limited. Even within the Evil God Cult, High-Ranking Envoys are exceedingly rare."
"Zhuo Lie is a seasoned Flying General; he won't fall so easily. And let's not forget—"
He glanced at the group, his gaze drifting toward the distant wasteland.
"Young Master Milan has already arrived."
The moment his words landed, the group stiffened, and no one dared to speak further.
The Roth Family was at a critical juncture in selecting its heir. Miss Ouna had been the frontrunner, but recent events in the Red Nation had introduced unexpected complications.
The search for Ancient Creatures had become the key to resolving the succession crisis. Young Master Milan's personal involvement underscored the mission's paramount importance.
In that instant, the Roth Family members, led by Noel, patiently remained in place, awaiting Zhuo Lie's resolution of this unforeseen crisis.
The wind howled as the departing armored vehicles had already advanced over a kilometer, gradually shrinking into black dots on the horizon.
Waves of yellow sand swirled in the wind, constantly settling back onto the Gobi Desert's arid soil.
"Mr. Noel, thank you for your patience."
Zhuo Lie, who had left earlier, reappeared and gestured for them to return to the barracks for further discussion.
Noel nodded with a smile.
But then...
Boom!!!
Suddenly, flames erupted into the sky within their line of sight.
The distant black dots, over a kilometer away, exploded violently, as if struck by missiles, leaving a scene of utter devastation.
The shockwave reverberated across the desert, causing even the camp to tremble briefly.
"What's happening?!"
The middle-aged modified human's expression turned grim, his eyes narrowing like needles as he swiftly activated his long-range scanning module.
General Zhuo Lie, the most powerful among them, immediately sensed the anomaly. His face darkened with suppressed fury and murderous intent as he whirled around to face the distant carnage.
Boom! Boom!!
Explosions continued to erupt, sending shards of shattered metal soaring into the air.
The wreckage of the armored vehicles was hurled skyward by the blast waves, crashing into nearby hills and tumbling dozens of times across the sandy wasteland.
Every eye in the armed camp widened as a sonic boom echoed in the distance, followed by a blurred figure rising from the ground and hurtling toward them at breakneck speed.
"You're courting death!" Zhuo Lie roared, and missile launchers in the camp instantly activated.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Arm-thick gray missiles soared into the sky, their crimson tails tearing through the air as they streaked toward their target.
The desert earth erupted in a storm of dust and sand, whipped up by the shockwaves.
The air burned, and the white contrails hanging in the sky transformed into straight lines, converging on their target.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A deafening barrage of explosions shook the air, the shockwaves piercing eardrums.
The crowd breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"General Zhuo Lie's defenses are truly impenetrable," Noel praised, but his smile froze mid-expression.
Whoosh!
The white smoke and debris from the explosions suddenly dispersed.
The black-robed youth reappeared, his body unscathed and radiating a blinding golden light.
In the blink of an eye, the thunderous sonic boom pierced their ears as the white Mach cone exploded before him.
(End of the Chapter)
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