Chapter 323: Resolution, Conflict, Malice
The shoulder cannon rotated, not aiming at the ready Gu Zi Yun, but turning its muzzle. Three red dots appeared on the indentation in the wall behind Shadow Storm.
Boom! After an explosion, the wall, reinforced with bulletproof steel plate, was blasted open by the Plasma Shoulder Cannon, creating a gap large enough for three people to walk through side-by-side.
Facing the rushing Gu Zi Yun, Shadow Storm pressed a small, inconspicuous button on his shoulder armor.
A micro-injector inside his armor pierced his body. The injector contained an agent derived from a prey hunted by the Dark Iron Blood on a remote Habitable Planet in the Centaurus Galaxy.
When this prey encounters danger, its recessive gene can significantly boost its speed and grant it the ability to fly for a short period.
The Dark Iron Blood used this Habitable Planet as a hunting ground, preying on this creature that closely resembled the deer of the Human World, extracting their genes to create an agent that could temporarily increase speed.
Under the effect of this agent, a gale swept up from the ground around Shadow Storm's feet. He practically flew towards the gap in the wall ahead.
Just as he was about to burst through the gap, Shadow Storm looked back at Gu Zi Yun and Tang Song, who was sitting to the side. His Predator Mask scanned them, recording their life data in the Predator Network's database.
This database center contained all the prey that Predator hunters, both Orthodox Predators and Dark Iron Blood, had failed to hunt.
Once a Predator hunter failed a mission, they would often choose mutual destruction. Predator hunters regarded the prey in the hunting database as the highest honor.
Over millions of years, very few prey had survived the relentless hunting of successive Predator hunters.
Those that managed to persist in the Predator database were truly powerful life forms, some even ancient beings that had existed since time immemorial.
Just like a certain entity that fed on Habitable Planets. There was once a Predator Elder who aimed to challenge the ultimate prey and wanted to hunt the terrifying existence known as Galactus.
He had preemptively planted Antimatter Bombs all over Galactus's food source, a yellowish-brown Habitable Planet, hoping to kill this being, who was called one of the Five Great Cosmic Entities, in one fell swoop.
As a result, that Predator Elder and that Planet both disappeared into Galactus's mouth. Since then, Galactus has consistently ranked at the top of the Predator data network database.
For millions of years, no hunter had ever completed the dying wish of that crazy Cosmic Elder.
After all, beings who courted death like that Predator Elder were considered Others, even within the Predator hunter race.
However, as a powerful hunter who had split from the Predator and founded the Dark Predator Clan, although Shadow Storm was pursued by the Orthodox Predators, his Strength was affirmed by the entire Predator race.
Otherwise, he would have died long ago under the pursuit of countless Predator hunters.
The prey that caused Shadow Storm's hunting failure would represent the highest honor for both the Orthodox Predators and the Dark Iron Blood.
It was imaginable that at this moment, throughout this Universe, the Predators would open their database and see the information on the prey left by Shadow Storm, leading to madness. Perhaps countless Predator spaceships were already rushing towards this Planet's Coordinates.
"Freeze!"
Just as Shadow Storm's figure was about to disappear into the Hole in the wall, Gu Zi Yun's playful voice sounded behind him. A Red Light entered Shadow Storm's body, spreading upwards from his feet. As the Red Light spread, Shadow Storm's body turned into a dark red sculpture inch by inch, rigid as stone.
Gu Zi Yun walked behind Shadow Storm. Facing this Predator Elder, who was stiff as a sculpture and maintained his posture of escape, she curiously took off the Mask on Shadow Storm's face.
"Huh?!" Gu Zi Yun looked at Shadow Storm's ferocious Mouthparts and said with a slightly disgusted tone.
Holding Shadow Storm's Mask in her hand, Gu Zi Yun waved it towards Tang Song: "Uncle, how was it? Am I formidable?"
"The Immobilization Spell was used quite well!" Tang Song rotated his wrist, bringing the roughly refined Eight-faced Han Sword in his hand before his eyes. With a swipe of his finger, a surge of powerful and terrifying Magic Power was injected into the Eight-faced Han Sword.
Then Tang Song casually grabbed a Jade Talisman from his Five Yin Pouch. With a flick, the Jade Talisman turned into Dust. Hundreds of streams of Light flew out from the Jade Talisman.
They transformed into hundreds of blue Giant souls, each charging wildly in the Air, roaring loudly, their Aura shaking the heavens and earth, all wanting to fly out. Tang Song pointed a finger and sealed the surrounding Space, forcefully restraining these Frost Giants' souls.
He injected them into this Eight-faced Han Sword, enhancing its Force.
The Frost Giants, like Giant Dragons, have their Strength increase with Age. Laufey, the King of the Frost Giants, could even contend with King Odin.
The Giant Race does not condense Divinity like Asgard or Olympus, these Divine Pantheons. Their Power comes from the Titan God, originating from the Bloodline souls of Ancient Titan Gods.
In the eyes of some evil cultivators, the Physical Body and Essence Soul of these Giants are simply the most supreme Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.
The Elites of the Frost Giant Race were annihilated by "Lucifer" in the Nine Realms' Waterway, and a portion of their souls ended up in Boss Tang's hands.
Injecting the refined Essence Soul from hundreds of Frost Giant souls into this Ice Soul Cold Light Sword he had just refined, Tang Song casually swung it. A stream of cold, sharp blue Sword Qi was unleashed.
Wherever the Sword Light passed, everything froze. As far as the eye could see, everything in the Reception Hotel was covered in a thick Ice Layer, frozen solid.
"Not bad!" Tang Song flicked the Eight-faced Han Sword in his hand. With thirty-six Ice Attribute Restrictions and the Essence Soul of hundreds of Frost Giants, the Longsword he refined was even comparable to weaker Magic Treasures.
At Leon Base, the defending Military Force within the Base was searching for remaining enemies.
After everything was busy and settled, three Quinjets descended from High Altitude with piercing shrieks.
The entirely blue Quinjets were covered in a layer of fish scale-like outer Armor. There were over a hundred tiny Light Spots on the hull that flickered from time to time, which were the indicator lights for the external probes of the various detection Instruments on the Quinjets.
These Light Spots could also transform into the Energy strike system on the Fighter Jet.
The late-arriving Quinjets were somewhat like the scene in Superhero movies where, after the Matters are resolved, the leaders appear to make their presence known and incidentally distribute the Spoils of War.
In fact, the three S.H.I.E.L.D. Quinjets carried several World Security Council Directors.
The three Quinjets landed steadily on the landing field that had just been cleared by the Base's defending Soldiers. Nearly a thousand fully armed Base Soldiers had completed the Security work, occupying the key positions around the landing field.
General Ross, along with the senior leaders and Legion within the Base, had received the Information in advance and had been waiting at the landing field for a long time.
An Old Man in a Federal General's uniform and several Old Men in Suits descended from the three Quinjets.
Several S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents wearing Earpieces guarded them Wary.
Ross stepped forward and seemed very familiar with the leading General. He went up and exchanged warm pleasantries with this General; the two seemed to have an excellent relationship.
After exchanging pleasantries with this General, General Ross then shook hands with the other World Security Council representatives, expressing his welcome for their arrival.
"Ross, I heard that during this Alien terrorist attack incident, there were outsiders who happened to be in this Base. I suspect they are related to this attack incident. Have you already taken control of them?"
While General Ross was exchanging pleasantries with the World Security Council investigation representatives, the Federal General, who clearly had a redneck Bloodline, couldn't help but speak directly.
Several World Security Council representatives exchanged glances tacitly at this moment, closing their mouths and listening to the two men's conversation.
They were here only to Inspect the damage to Leon Base and, incidentally, represent their Country to distribute some Spoils of War on site.
For example, some Alien Weapons and Corpses within the Base. Of course, this would require a series of consultations and negotiations.
But this Federal representative's sudden attack had not been communicated to them in advance.
The others were happy to watch the show.
Ross looked at his Old Friend in surprise and quickly explained: "Sto, you might have some misunderstanding. The visitor this time is Mr. Tang from Tang Group. He is here to inspect the usage of a batch of Military equipment procured by the Base not long ago!"
"This Terrorist attack launched by the Aliens was thanks to Mr. Tang's reminder. Otherwise, with the Predator Aliens' Invisibility ability, they might have truly infiltrated the core Area of the Base!"
The General narrowed his eyes, seemingly very dissatisfied with his Old Friend's answer: "Ross, no matter what, Tang Song is the most suspicious in this Matter. He appeared at Leon Base at this Time. I have Reason to suspect that he is colluding with these Aliens, and his reminder was just to confuse the public!"
"Ross, I now need your Soldiers to detain Tang Song. I will represent the Federal Department of Defense and the World Security Council to investigate him!"
"What? Sto Fel, have you lost your mind?" Ross looked at his Old Friend in disbelief.
Detain the Boss of Tang Group? Did this Old Friend not know that the current President is a political product pushed forward by Tang Group?
Even a Thug could be nominated for President, which shows the Influence of Tang Group in the Federation.
Although his Old Friend was the Federal Northern Commander and Commander of the Federal North American Air Defense Command, and the Federal representative on the World Security Council, holding a high Position and Authority in the Federal Military.
But why Provoke Tang Group, this Giant? What Benefit would this bring him! "Cough cough! General Fel, your Opinion is just your own idea. Please do not use the name of the Council. Regarding the investigation of Mr. Tang Song, we on the Chinese Side reserve our opinion! After all, we were not informed in advance about the resolution to detain Mr. Tang Song—"
A refined man with Glasses, a middle-aged man from the Chinese Side, had been standing aside watching the show. When he heard the General using the name of the World Security Council to detain and investigate Tang Song, he coughed and stated his Opinion.
The Chinese Side representative knew that the domestic Attitude towards Tang Song and Tang Group was to win them over as much as possible. At such a Time, he certainly had to express his viewpoint.
"And us, Britain! We also didn't know about this resolution," an old lady with the demeanor of an English noblewoman added with a smile, delivering another blow.
"The same goes for us, France!"
The last old man, clearly of Russian Bloodline, spread his hands: "We, Russia, hold a negative view!"
Looking at the people who were undermining him, Sto Fel glared at his "Colleagues" who showed him no face. The World Security Council representatives, on the other hand, had relaxed expressions. (You ask why Wakanda isn't there? Although they got an Alternate Director position by contributing Vibranium Ore and Vibranium Technology, their Authority in the Council is restricted!
It is said to be because a certain Country that applied to join the Council five times and was rejected, seeing Wakanda, a small East African Country, join the World Security Council, became jealous and gathered a group of followers to protest, demanding a review of Wakanda's Council qualification!
This time, the five major powers of the World Security Council did not use their veto power on his proposal. After all, with the decryption of Alien Technology and the development of many high-energy Weapons, Wakanda's Technology and Vibranium no longer seemed so important!
The Federal Pentagon even re-simulated a War with Wakanda using current weapons. It is said there is an 87% Chance of Winning, capable of taking over all of Wakanda within forty hours!
Cough cough, regarding this proposal, the benevolent Directors of the World Security Council did not act too disgracefully. They did not directly kick Wakanda out of the Council, but since there were opponents, and quite a few of them, to appease the public, they temporarily added "Alternate" before Wakanda's Permanent Director status, restricting some of Wakanda's Authority.
As for whether Wakanda would agree, they did not raise any objections at the voting Venue! The Country that successfully pulled Wakanda off the Throne celebrated nationwide. It is said that the Government of that Country plans to prepare for the next step of applying to join the World Security Council and replace Wakanda!)
"Everyone, what are you discussing? So lively!"
At this moment, a Voice sounded from not far from the landing field. The Crowd looked up and saw a handsome Man in a White Suit, holding a silver Cane, walking towards them. Beside the Man was a little girl in a sailor uniform.
The little girl was clutching a beast hide Longsword, unable to put it down. Whether it was an illusion or not, as the two walked towards them, everyone felt as if the Air had dropped a few degrees.
Everyone present recognized the Identity of the newcomers. Among them, the World Security Council representatives tacitly took another step back, revealing Sto Fel.
Sto Fel, the Old Man in a Federal Air Force General's uniform, had a majestic, flared mustache. Beneath his high, prominent brow bones were deep-set eye sockets, and his dark gray eyes flickered with cold, stubborn, and slightly violent fierce Light.
As soon as he saw Tang Song, he let out a heavy shout: "Tang Song, President/CEO of Tang Group?"
Tang Song looked deeply at Sto Fel: "That's me! What is your instruction?"
Sto Fel narrowed his eyes and shouted loudly: "I am Sto Fel, Commander of the Federal Northern Military District, concurrently Commander of the Federal North American Air Defense Command, and the Federal representative on the World Security Council.
Mr. Tang Song, you appeared so coincidentally at the Base during this Leon Base Terrorist attack incident. I have Reason to believe that you are related to this Terrorist attack incident.
Please cooperate with the investigation!"
Hearing Sto Fel's words, Gu Zi Yun, who was standing behind Tang Song, took a step forward and placed her hand directly on the hilt of the Ice Soul Cold Light Sword she had just acquired.
Her bright eyes stared intently at the Old Man in front of her, as if she would chop off his Head and kick it around like an ice puck in the next moment.
Gu Zi Yun had been following Tang Song for several years. From the moment she was captured, she realized the Strength gap between herself and Tang Song's group, knowing she had no room for resistance, so she behaved obediently, hoping to escape Tang Song's control one day.
Later, as Time passed, Gu Zi Yun's perception of Tang Song also underwent subtle changes.
First, her most valued Adoptive Father and Adoptive Mother, under the care of Tang Group, not only saw her Adoptive Mother's body fully recover, but she was now a world-renowned cultural scholar.
They traveled and vacationed everywhere, living extremely happy lives.
Secondly, there was the mentality of admiring the strong. Worshipping powerful ones is a nature ingrained in every woman's bones. Gu Zi Yun's childhood experiences made her acutely aware of the preciousness of Power.
Following Tang Song, the visible ladder leading to supreme Power was right there. It could be said that even if Gu Zi Yun were granted freedom now and asked to leave Tang Song, the first thing she would do is chop off the head of the person who suggested it.
Tang Song reached out and pressed down on the sword hilt in Gu Zi Yun's hand. He looked at Sto Fel and gave a Cold Laugh:
"Investigate me? Is this an Order from the Federal Department of Defense or the White House? General, would you like me to call The Pentagon, or the White House Office? If you don't have the Phone Number, I can give it to you. Do you want the Minister of Defense's number or the President's private number?"
Seeing Tang Song's arrogant Attitude, Sto Fel looked at General Ross beside him: "Ross, have your Soldiers detain him!"
When he saw General Ross remain silent, Sto Fel roared: "General Ross, obey the Order!"
Angered by his Old Comrade-in-arms' words, General Ross, known as the Thunder General for his fiery Temper, roared back in a Voice ten decibels higher than Sto Fel's:
"General Sto Fel, my rank is also Federal General, and due to the special nature of Leon Military Base, I report directly to the White House Office. You have no Authority to order me!"
Sto Fel was left speechless by General Ross's retort. He didn't understand why his Old Friend wasn't standing with him.
One must know that as one of the most senior Generals in the Federal Military, he possessed an extremely vast Network of Connections in various Federal military regions.
Just as General Ross didn't understand why his Old Friend, his Old Superior, was fixated on Tang Song and determined to put him to death.
General Ross had always been a person with a sense of Justice. Although he might have some prejudice against his nominal son-in-law and acted somewhat unfairly, it was undeniable that when faced with major issues of right and wrong, his stance was firm.
In this Predator attack incident, if not for Tang Song's reminder, he couldn't imagine how bad things would have become. Now, being asked to order his Soldiers to detain Tang Song, his honor as a Soldier made it impossible for him to accept such an act of repaying kindness with enmity.
Of course, there was another Reason: General Ross had seen the Mutant bodyguards Tang Song brought. He wasn't sure if the Soldiers in the Base could detain him.
However, with Tang Song's words, General Ross quickly understood the Reason why his Old Superior disliked Tang Song and insisted on putting him to death.
Facing Sto Fel's provocation, Tang Song smiled indifferently, mocking Sto Fel:
"Oh? General, judging by your appearance, you haven't received an Order from The Pentagon and the White House Department of Defense? Could it be that this Order comes from Lockheed Martin? I heard that your youngest son is a Senior Vice President at Lockheed Martin. I do have some Business conflicts with Lockheed Martin. You are a five-star Federal General; surely you wouldn't try to use your Authority to target me, would you?"
Tang Song shrugged, making a fearful Expression: "The Business competition between our Tang Group and Skunk Works is normal. If you think we've encroached on Lockheed Martin's military industry Share, I can give the Business to them. You can't retaliate!"
Lockheed Martin, no wonder! Hearing Tang Song's words, Ross suddenly understood his Old Friend's abnormal Behavior.
Lockheed Martin's core Industries were aerospace, electronics, information Technology, space systems, and Missiles. They were once one of the Federal Military's most important strategic Partners.
Many famous Aircraft products came from this Company, including the U-2 reconnaissance plane, SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance plane, F-117 Nighthawk Fighter Jet, F-35 Lightning II Fighter Jet, F-22 Raptor Fighter Jet, and others that many people are familiar with.
At the same time, its main products included all Federal Navy submarine-launched Ballistic Missiles, Theater High Altitude Area Defense systems, communication Satellite systems, F-16, F-22, and F-35 (JSF) Fighter Jets, C-5 "Galaxy" large Military transport plane series, Land-based anti-submarine aircraft P-3 series, C-130 series Military transport planes, Military electronic systems, Flight training auxiliary equipment, Fire control systems, and Air traffic control equipment, etc.
Lockheed Martin once accounted for 1/3 of the Federal Department of Defense's annual Procurement Budget and controlled 40% of the world defense market. It almost monopolized the production and launch of all Federal Military satellites. It could be said that it was once a world-class military "Giant".
However, the reason it was "once" was because Lockheed Martin had reached the peak of its market after Stark Industries withdrew from the military industry.
But before they could celebrate for long, the Tang Group, which rose unexpectedly, squeezed out Lockheed Martin's Market Share in the Federal Military.
Back when Ross was the Federal Minister of Defense, he had personally witnessed the tense conflict between Lockheed Martin and Tang Group over Arms Procurement Orders.
Inside The Pentagon, many people favored Lockheed Martin, as it was an established Company with a vast Network of Connections in the Military.
However, the White House at the time, with Francis Underwood as President, was determined to support Tang Group.
Due to the State Guest House terrorist attack incident, Francis Underwood's Authority was unchecked, and The Pentagon did not want to antagonize this iron-fisted President too much.
So, they gave Tang Group a portion of the Orders.
Unexpectedly, Tang Group's Arms Business grew larger and larger, and with US Dollars paving the way, it almost squeezed Lockheed Martin directly out of the Federal Market.
The feud between Tang Group and Lockheed Martin was thus formed. However, with the horizontal development of Tang Group, this Giant, in various fields within the Federation, Lockheed Martin was clearly powerless to stop Tang Group.
Ross couldn't understand why his Old Friend, his Old Superior, couldn't grasp such a simple Reason and insisted on wading into this muddy water.
It wasn't that Sto Fel didn't understand this simple Reason. However, as one of the most senior Generals in the Federation, his Status in the Federal political arena had always been very detached.
Even successive Presidents gave him some face, which cultivated his Domineering Personality where his word was law.
Furthermore, his youngest son worked at Lockheed Martin, and Sto Fel, having a son late in life, doted on this son excessively.
So this time, at his youngest son's pleading, he intended to give Tang Song a warning and help Lockheed Martin regain its Market Share in the Federation.
However, when Tang Song exposed this Matter so openly, Sto Fel saw the strange looks from the people around him.
His face twitched violently. He roared almost frantically: "Nonsense! Slandering a Federal senior Military Officer can lead to a Military court!"
"Military court? General, should I call The Pentagon, the White House Office, now and ask them to investigate the truth of this Matter? Oh, by the way, what was the name of your youngest son, that Vice President? Harry, Hally—"
Tang Song's words angered Sto Fel so much that he almost fainted from lack of breath. In the end, General Ross smoothed things over, ordering Soldiers to carry the heatstroke-stricken General onto an Ambulance, thus ending the farce.
"I remember the Dark Council brought up a batch of Succubi from Hell. Tell Lucien, I want to see the front page headline in tomorrow's newspaper reporting that President Harry died of sudden death!"
Tang Song looked at the departing Ambulance, rubbed his chin, and called out to the Bodyguard who was about to make a Phone call: "Hmm, father and son, both dead in scandal, that's a good theme. Have him go do it immediately!"
Gu Zi Yun, watching Tang Song from the side, gasped in fear at his "Malice", and the thought of that Picture sent shivers down her spine.
"That's too malicious, Uncle!"
"For enemies, you have to beat them to death with one blow!" Tang Song patted Gu Zi Yun's Head.
Gu Zi Yun pouted: "Then why not let me Take Action and kill him now!"
"Wouldn't that be letting them off easy?" Tang Song said with a chuckle!
(end of chapter)