Chapter 79: One Dollar! One Hundred Years: Hawaii Lease!
Medard's face instantly turned pale as paper, his body trembling uncontrollably. How could this be considered cooperation? This was clearly forcing him to sign a humiliating treaty that would forever be infamous!
If he really put pen to paper on this treaty, the word "Medal" would be listed alongside "traitor" in America's history textbooks, and he would be cursed for generations to come!
A surge of humiliation and anger rushed to his head, and he stood up almost immediately, his movements stiff and resolute.
Dignity overwhelmed greed, and he had to leave.
"Your Excellency the White King," his voice was as cold as ice, "I cannot bear this eternal infamy."
After saying that, he straightened his back, turned around and walked towards the door.
He is not one of those shameless people who would rather bear eternal infamy for power. He still has a bit of backbone in his heart.
Chen Nan looked at his stiff back, a playful smile on his lips, as if he was enjoying an interesting performance.
He spoke slowly, his voice low, but like an icy awl, it accurately pierced Medal's courage:
"Apocalypse... is still alive."
"click"
With a slight sound, Medal's hand just touched the door handle, but his whole body was like being hit by an invisible hammer, and he froze in place in an instant!
"Apocalypse... is alive..."
These words were like a magic spell, instantly bringing him back to the apocalyptic scene of yesterday: the prosperous Washington turned into an endless sea of sand in the dazzling blue light, and the cries of despair were still ringing in his ears!
The devastating power, the feeling of being crushed like an ant, and the fear like an icy tide instantly drowned all his "guts" and "dignity".
Time seemed to freeze. After an unknown amount of time, Medal shuddered and came to his senses.
The chill of late autumn was biting, yet he felt himself drenched in cold sweat, his heavy suit clinging to his back....
He turned around in a daze, the color draining from his face. He walked back to the negotiation table with unsteady steps, slumped down on the sofa, and said in a dry and helpless voice:
"Your Excellency, the White King, I... I don't understand why you need such a vast territory. With your wealth and influence, running for governor would be a piece of cake. I will support you with all my might." He practically begged, "For the sake of our past cooperation, please rescind your decision. I can't... I can't be a sinner in history..."
Chen Nan glanced at him calmly, his eyes calm but with an unquestionable tone: "Now, we are still partners, right? Then I will show you another way."
"You should also resign now and let someone else take over the position. You can come back after he signs the contract."
Chen Nan's tone was understated, but it determined the fate of countless people.
Medal was struck by lightning, and sat there in a daze, his mind blank. He would rather die than let his friend die...
This is a naked sacrifice of others to save oneself!
He seemed to be able to see the tragic scene of his colleagues being crushed by the wheel of history.
A huge sense of sadness gripped him - for this unstoppable decline and for this once powerful empire.
America!
He cried silently in his heart.
final....
All the struggles turned into a heavy sigh.
He seemed to have lost all his strength and stood up with difficulty and extremely slowly. He looked ten years older.
He didn't look at Chen Nan again, and moved out of the office mechanically, like a puppet, in a daze.
Chen Nan looked at the closed door expressionlessly.
The strong prey on the weak, the victors take all, this is the cold law of the world. It has nothing to do with right or wrong, it only matters strength.
He is not being soft-hearted, but simply harboring the enemy to protect himself.
He has no grudge against Tianqi, and they are even of the same kind.
Leaving behind the "time bomb" of Apocalypse has its own profound meaning.
A living threat that is powerful enough to destroy the world is the sharpest bargaining chip in his hand, which can make those high-ranking politicians unable to sleep at night and sit down at the negotiating table obediently.
If Apocalypse dies, who will take on the notoriety of "the devil of world destruction" for him and complete this "impossible mission" for him?
In a sense, Apocalypse is his indispensable "strategic partner".
...
The next day.
As promised, Medal announced that he refused to take over the presidency because of his "inadequate personal ability to lead the country in times of crisis" and "impassionately" announced his resignation, saying that he needed to "reflect deeply and calm himself down."
Since he cannot change the outcome, he can only choose the method that is most beneficial to himself. He must not be the sinner of history.
After Vice President Medal suddenly gave up the presidential throne that was within his grasp, this huge "pie" fell squarely on the head of the second in line of succession.
House Speaker Michael Vitter!
What is a surprise? This is a fucking surprise!
He almost laughed out loud. All these disasters were the former president's own fault, due to his arrogance!
And he, Michael Witt, is the chosen one who stands up in times of crisis!
He then couldn't wait to hold a grand succession ceremony in New York, with spotlights flashing, celebrities from all walks of life gathering, and waves of cheers from the people.
Michael stood at the podium, full of pride, preparing to deliver an ambitious speech, describing how America would be reborn under his leadership...
boom!
A dazzling blue beam of light tore through the sky without warning and accurately struck the front of the ceremony site!
The violent energy shock wave overturned the flower baskets and flags, and shook everyone to the ground.
Amidst the smoke and dust, the nightmare-like figure wearing ancient armor and with gray-blue skin—Apocalypse—was suspended in mid-air!
The global live broadcast camera instantly focused on this uninvited guest.
The smile on Michael Witt's face froze instantly.
My brain went blank and my blood seemed to freeze instantly.
He...wasn't he beaten away by that mysterious strong man?
Why is he back again?!
Within a thousandth of a second, a bone-chilling thought split his confusion like lightning!
Medal! Damn Medal!
He wasn't resigning because he was taking the blame. He saw through the fact that this position was a volcanic hole! It was a scapegoat position! He had been completely screwed by him!
A huge fear swept over him, but the global live camera was staring at him. As the new president, he could not show weakness or run away!
He suppressed his heart, which was about to burst out of his chest, took a deep breath, and forced himself to take a step forward. He tried to make his voice sound steady and powerful, with a hint of fear:
"Your Excellency Tianqi! The tragedy in Washington is still fresh in our memory. Are you still not satisfied? Do you want to reduce New York to ruins as well?"
He deliberately raised his voice. "I remind you that the mighty one who expelled you must not be challenged again! Have you forgotten the lesson from last time? Can you afford the consequences of angering him again?"
This speech, which was neither humble nor arrogant, soft but firm, and even had a bit of "the fox borrows the tiger's power to bully others", was transmitted to the world through live broadcast signals and instantly won cheers and applause from countless people in front of the TV!
Well done! This is the tough president we need!
"Apocalypse" suspended in the air let out a low and oppressive laugh, the sound waves making the air tremble.
"Hahaha, what a great speaker, what a great president! Your eloquence is much better than that idiot predecessor of yours!"
The voice of "Apocalypse" was like rumbling thunder. "But you guessed wrong. I didn't come here to fight today."
He looked around at the terrified crowd and the flashing cameras below, and his voice suddenly turned cold, with an unquestionable command tone:
"I'm here to seek a safe home for my fellow displaced mutants!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience fell into silence!
Michael's heart sank suddenly, and his worst guess seemed to be coming true.
The global audience in front of the TV was even more excited!
"God! He's going to take America?"
"Damn mutant monster! Get out!"
"Defend our homeland! Never surrender!"
"Brother, shout the slogan loudly, if you can do it, go for it!"
The officials on the scene turned pale and whispered to each other. Panic quickly spread. Michael forced himself to remain calm and said:
"Sir, there are only a limited number of mutants! We can set aside a dedicated community, or even a town, to accommodate you!"
"As President, I can approve it right now!"
"Town? Community?"
"Tianqi seemed to have heard a huge joke, his tone full of contempt, "You old foxes have been discussing this for so long, do you really think I'm a beggar on the street?"
"So what exactly do you want?!" Michael almost squeezed out these words from between his teeth, with veins bulging on his forehead.
Tianqi slowly raised a finger and pointed towards the distant Pacific Ocean. His voice was clearly heard in every corner:
"I want—the Hawaiian Islands! I'll offer one dollar for a hundred-year lease! I'm sure this small request won't be too much of a hassle for you, right?"
"One dollar? One hundred years? Hawaii?!"
"Fuck! This is robbery!"
"Shameless! Robber!"
The scolding at the scene and around the world instantly reached a peak!
Michael Witt was so angry that he was shaking all over. He pointed at Apocalypse in the sky and roared angrily: "Apocalypse! This is naked robbery! It's invasion!"
"Congratulations," Tianqi's voice suddenly became extremely cold, like a polar wind blowing through. "You are right. You stole this land from the indigenous people back then, right?"
"Haha! You can grab it, but I can't?"
The terrifying blue energy began to gather around him frantically, forming a heart-pounding energy storm, and the sky instantly became gloomy.
He looked down at these old foxes and issued an ultimatum:
"I'll only give you three minutes to think about it."
"Sign or not?"
His gaze was like a tangible ice blade, piercing the group of old foxes: "Of course, you can choose to refuse. I am happy to turn the entire North American continent into an eternal desert with no human habitation, just like Washington!"