Translator: CinderTL
At 2 a.m.
In the war room of the United Coalition headquarters building in the outer city of Yun Port.
Shadows of figures lined both sides of the oval mahogany table, with various nameplates placed on the table.
Outer city councilors, councilor representatives, council speakers...
Many had been notified and rushed over, while others appeared as remote projections, their virtual images converging on their seats.
"Witnessing the greatness of our Utopia is an honor for you all."
"Your Red Nation's augmentation modules are truly weak..."
Cold, synthesized electronic voices rang out one after another. The crowd turned their gaze to the center of the wooden table, where a projection was playing.
A figure in golden armor rampaged, slaughtering everything in its path. Aircraft were sliced in half and plummeted from the sky. A Golden General and a councilor representative were brutally killed.
The circular patterned insignia was particularly conspicuous. A middle-aged councilor couldn't contain his anger.
"Arrogant!"
"Committing three heinous incidents in a row, assassinating our Yun Port councilors—these Utopia people are too arrogant!"
"Red General Lin, Director Zhao, when exactly will the perpetrators be caught?"
Amid the angry questioning, someone from the Red Guard spoke up.
"Councilor Zhou, don't rush. The suspect only escaped through an underground passage."
"We've already sealed off the Yun Port coastline and all major city defense checkpoints. Additionally, Sky Eye has screened all outer city sewer exits. It's only a matter of time before we find the suspect."
As he spoke, the projection on the wooden table subtly changed, switching to over a dozen small square screens displaying scenes from the Yun Port coastline and city defense checkpoints.
Checkpoints were set up, patrols were conducted by air, and a carpet search was underway.
Many of Yun Port's guards, including cyborgs and augmented individuals, were among the teams. The entire outer city was on high alert.
Seeing this, Zhou Zhixiong's furrowed brow relaxed slightly, and he asked curiously, "Red General Lin, do we know which of Utopia's War Generals this augmented individual is?"
"Or is it perhaps that Onit person?"
As soon as he finished speaking, many in the room exchanged glances.
The man named Red General Lin remained silent for a moment. Before he could answer, a councilor representative narrowed his eyes and questioned, "Zhou Zhixiong, why are you so certain it's someone from Utopia?"
His tone was hostile, and everyone turned to look.
Zhou Zhixiong was momentarily stunned, then pointed at the projection and retorted, "Councilor Zhang, do you need a scanner installed in your eyes?"
"Do I need to analyze this obvious Utopia insignia for you again?"
"Zhou Zhixiong, what do you mean!"
"I mean whatever you mean!"
"You!"
"Enough!"
A low, authoritative voice cut through their argument. A virtual projection suddenly appeared in the empty seat at the head of the right side of the table.
The figure wore a dark suit and sat on a black chair.
His face was square-jawed, with a high nose bridge and cold, commanding eyes.
Luo Wantao, Deputy Speaker of the United Coalition.
Instantly, the row of Golden Generals and ordinary councilors standing behind the table fell silent.
The other councilors and representatives seated at the table also exchanged glances, all looking toward him.
"Regardless of who is responsible, I want only one result!"
Luo Wantao scanned the room. The seat at the head of the table remained empty, and he eventually locked eyes with the other Deputy Speaker at the head of the left side.
"Investigate!"
"Get to the bottom of this!"
"Give the people of Yun Port an explanation! Including me! The father of the deceased!"
His stern, cold words hung in the air, and the expressions in the room varied.
The other Deputy Speaker at the head of the left side remained composed and silent. Zhou Zhixiong's face was expressionless, and the other councilor representatives were similarly quiet.
Buzz!
At that moment, a communication came through.
Red General Lin, who had been deploying strategies, focused intently. The projection screens on the table instantly changed, quickly displaying a confrontation scene at the Black Crystal Hotel.
In addition, similar situations were unfolding in other parts of Yun Port.
Almost all the locations were tied to forces that had feuds with Luo Hui, and the Red Guard had already arrived at their doors.
"Red General Wu?"
Red General Lin frowned in confusion, and the others were equally puzzled.
This step hadn't been part of the earlier plan, had it?
"I've ordered Red General Wu to take charge and bring all suspects into custody."
"This vicious attack... From now on, I will personally oversee it."
Luo Wantao spoke with authority. Zhou Zhixiong and the others frowned slightly.
"Deputy Speaker Luo, isn't this a bit irregular?"
A gray-haired councilor representative spoke up in objection. Luo Wantao narrowed his eyes and looked at him.
"Irregular?"
"I am also in charge of Yun Port's public safety. If you're dissatisfied, feel free to report it to the General Council."
His forceful tone left the gray-haired councilor representative speechless.
Just as it seemed the matter was about to be settled—
Buzz!
The seat at the head of the table, marked with the title of General Speaker of the United Coalition, finally flickered to life with a virtual projection.
The man yawned, appearing to be around fifty, with short gray hair.
He was somewhat slender, and a male secretary stood behind him, draping a black wool coat over his shoulders.
Instantly, everyone in the room changed expressions and rose to their feet respectfully.
"Speaker Li!"
"Sit, sit, everyone. Hehe, I didn't expect you all to arrive so early at this late hour."
The man chuckled, waving his hand to indicate no need for formalities. His tone was calm, devoid of any authority.
Everyone complied, except for Deputy Speaker Luo, who remained seated without moving.
"How are things now, Red General Lin?"
The man smiled and spoke again. Red General Lin reported truthfully, "Speaker Li, we are still investigating the identity of the attacker."
"The probability that it's someone from Utopia is 70%, but there are five other individuals worth considering."
"They are: Meng Anran, General Manager of Black Crystal Group; Fang Hai, Director of Aegis Heavy Industries; and Chen Feng, Grandmaster of the Heavenly Flame Tiger Sect, a martial arts sect from Nanjiang."
"These individuals have had conflicts with Councilor Representative Luo and possess the capability to carry out such an act. It's possible they sent someone in disguise..."
"Oh? Councilor Representative Luo seemed quite refined. I didn't realize he had so many enemies."
Speaker Li sounded surprised. The others glanced subtly at Luo Wantao's expression, but his face remained impassive.
"Red General Lin, do we have any records on this newly appeared augmented individual?"
Suddenly, Zhou Zhixiong spoke up. Red General Lin shook his head.
The room fell into thought. Speaker Li frowned slightly.
"Red General Lin, I recall that most Tier 5 augmentation resources are registered with us, correct?"
"Yes!"
Red General Lin quickly nodded. "Speaker Li, I've had people check all the inventory resources in Yun Port. Nothing is missing."
"We've also cross-referenced the records of other corporations, but none match this individual."
"Oh, then it should be fine."
Speaker Li nodded lightly. "Tier 5 augmentation resources are rarely circulated among the public. This person is likely from Utopia or the Platinum Federation."
As soon as he said this, the expressions in the room shifted subtly, and people exchanged glances.
Deputy Speaker Luo, seated at the head of the left side, frowned and looked up, countering, "Speaker Li, isn't this conclusion a bit hasty?"
"These corporations all have their own methods in private. Just take Black Crystal Group, for example. Didn't they privately augment a Tier 5 cyborg not long ago?"
As he spoke, his subordinate quickly switched the projection on the table to display an image of the Holy Shield Colossus appearing at the Huai River.
"Oh?"
Speaker Li seemed surprised, especially after seeing the projected image.
"Red General Lin, was this individual present at the scene?"
"No."
"Ah."
Speaker Li nodded, then turned to Luo Wantao, seemingly to reassure him. "Deputy Speaker Luo."
"I understand your grief, and I sympathize with your desire to capture the perpetrator quickly."
"But are you aware that Speaker Xia is also following this matter?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent.
Speaker Xia was one of the senior representatives of the Red Nation's General Council.
Luo Wantao frowned slightly, and the man continued, "Speaker Xia has strongly demanded that the perpetrator be captured within seven days and has already communicated with the Royal City Flying General to order a large-scale purge of Utopia's remnants."
"Suro is about to launch a special operation, and the rear cannot afford any instability."
"Given the circumstances, we must prioritize the greater good, improve efficiency, concentrate resources, and handle this case collectively."
"Deputy Speaker Luo, what do you think?"
His tone was calm as he asked. Luo Wantao stared at him for several seconds.
He said nothing, gave no answer.
His eyes were icy, but in the end, he could only cut off the communication, disappearing as a virtual blue light.
Speaker Li retracted his gaze and turned to the others.
"In that case... Everyone, let's begin the deployment."
"Let's hope we can capture Utopia's perpetrator as soon as possible!"
Beep!
Inside the Black Crystal Group's hotel building.
Under the watchful eyes of many, Red General Wu, who had been poised to act, hung up the communication, his expression darkening.
"Heh."
"It seems the meeting is over."
Red General Yu Heng chuckled. The others were puzzled.
The room fell silent for a few moments. Red General Wu's eyes lowered, and he hesitated for several seconds.
Finally, he looked up at Chen Feng.
The scanning module couldn't be wrong. The man was just an ordinary martial arts grandmaster—nothing special, no traces of augmentation.
If he really was the one behind this, it would be nothing short of a fantasy.
Even if he had hired someone to do it, it would be too bold for him to remain in Yun Port...
"Let's go!"
He made the decision immediately and left with his team.
The black-haired woman glanced at Meng Anran and Chen Feng, snorted, and followed.
In an instant, the group arrived quickly and left just as fast.
The sound of footsteps faded away as the Red Guard and Safety Bureau personnel in the stairwell all departed.
In the whistling wind, Chen Feng looked out the window.
The aircraft equipped with energy cannons gradually flew away, and the other surrounding flying cars slowly withdrew.
It all took no more than a minute or two. The atmosphere returned to its original calm, and Xie Xiao and the others were still processing what had happened.
"Thank you, Uncle Yu."
Suddenly, Meng Anran spoke with a smile, addressing the Red General who had come to assist.
Chen Feng also turned his gaze away from the window and looked at the man.
"Heh, you little troublemaker. Always stirring up a storm."
"It's a pity you're a woman; otherwise, you'd be something else."
Red General Yu Heng teased her with a smile. Meng Anran pouted.
"What's wrong with being a woman? I could always augment myself someday."
"Enough of that nonsense. Don't come crying to me when your dad gets mad at you again."
Yu Heng sighed, then turned to the others.
His eyes swept over them one by one, finally landing on Chen Feng for a few seconds.
"You're the grandmaster of the Flame Tiger Sect, aren't you?"
"Hmm, indeed impressive. No wonder Speaker Li praised you a couple of days ago."
Chen Feng raised an eyebrow, surprised.
Speaker Li?
The General Speaker of the Provincial United Coalition?
"Tsk, it's just a shame you were born in the wrong era."
"The path of martial arts has reached its end. Why not consider augmenting yourself? Join the Red Guard, and I guarantee you'll have a good chance of becoming a Red General in the future."
Yu Heng spoke with a smile. Chen Feng sensed a hint of admiration in his tone.
But.
"Thank you for the offer, Red General Yu. However, in this life, I only aspire to follow the path of martial arts."
"My apologies."
Chen Feng spoke earnestly. Yu Heng didn't take offense.
"That's to be expected. You martial artists are all quite stubborn."
He nodded, not minding, and even added a few more words.
"But your talent is indeed remarkable. Even if you transitioned to augmentation, you'd likely adapt and break through quickly."
"If you ever change your mind and are willing to augment yourself, feel free to contact me anytime."
With that, he waved at Meng Anran and then left on a single-person aircraft.
Throughout the entire exchange, he didn't speak a word to Xie Xiao or the others, leaving them with complex expressions and a hint of envy and admiration in their gazes toward Chen Feng.
A Tier 5 Red General, a master of augmentation.
That was equivalent to the pinnacle of martial arts.
And yet, Chen Feng had firmly rejected the offer to augment himself.
"You should remember Uncle Yu's words. The path of martial arts is indeed nearing its end for you."
"I can send you his contact information later, or you could join the Black Crystal Group..."
Meng Anran spoke up to remind him, but Chen Feng shook his head.
"No need."
His mind was made up.
With the Limit Breaking Orbs, the end of martial arts in this world applied only to others, not to him.
His gaze calm, he turned to Meng Anran.
"Thank you."
He knew that if it hadn't been for her bringing in another Red General and covering his tracks, today's events wouldn't have ended so simply.
"Tch, just remember this."
Meng Anran's earlier frustration had mostly dissipated. Seeing his expression, she didn't hold back.
"This matter couldn't have been resolved by me alone."
"You were lucky this time—you stood on the right side."
"Stood on the right side?" Chen Feng was puzzled, suddenly recalling the words Red General Yu had mentioned earlier.
Lost in thought, he roughly guessed the key point.
Meng Anran didn't explain further. Noticing that the others were still shaken, she reminded them, "We'll need everyone's efforts at the ancient civilization ruins tomorrow. Get some rest early."
"It's over."
She yawned and waved her hand lightly, then quickly left the area.
Xie Xiao and the others exchanged a few polite words with Chen Feng before returning to their rooms to rest.
In an instant, the hallway was empty. Chen Feng shook his head at Cao Tong.
"Get some rest."
He signaled that there was no need to worry and returned to his room alone.
The night was deep, and the dream had to continue.
By tomorrow, perhaps he would finally understand the relationship between Earth and the secret realm.
(End of the Chapter)
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