Translator: CinderTL
Boom!!
In the underground base of Black Harbor City, a deafening, muffled explosion reverberated as the cobalt-blue cyborg's metallic body shuddered violently.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
A series of piercing cracks echoed as the metal mask on his face retracted like a receding tide, revealing wide, trembling brown eyes.
He glanced down to see that his Stellar Titanium armor, once impenetrable, was now riddled with cracks. A massive gash had been torn through his chest, exposing shattered mechanical components. Sparks flickered into view, and he felt his vital functions rapidly draining away.
"You..."
He opened his mouth to speak, watching a flesh-and-blood hand withdraw from the gaping wound in his chest.
Across from him stood a masked stranger, surrounded by the corpses of other cyborg security personnel.
"What exactly are you—"
Roar!!
A fierce brown energy erupted, accompanied by a deafening, lion-like roar that reverberated through the chamber.
The Flying General-level cyborg security chief's body exploded into fragments. Yang Wudi, still masked, stared with profound intensity.
"Hah..."
Exhaling a breath of stale air, he surveyed the carnage around him.
The alloy walls were riddled with jagged dents and fist marks, while the floor was pockmarked with bullet craters.
With all security personnel neutralized, the metal base now stood eerily empty and silent.
"How are you holding up?" Celine's concerned voice crackled through the comms earpiece. Yang Wudi forced himself to take a deep breath, suppressing the surging turbulence of his Qi and Blood.
"No problem," he replied softly, his gaze sweeping over the scattered mechanical wreckage and charred components on the floor.
A Flying General-level Cyborg leader, numerous security personnel, and the base's infrared and laser energy weapons defenses—this level of security was undeniably formidable.
Even though he had already reached the peak of Flying General-level strength, breaking through this fortress had still required considerable effort and drained his resources.
After a brief moment of meditation to regulate his breathing and suppress the lingering discomfort, Yang Wudi strode forward and opened the final sealed chamber in the base.
Empty and devoid of any signs of human presence.
"No one here?" Celine, monitoring the situation through the comms, felt a pang of disappointment despite having anticipated this outcome.
"The Roth Family really knows how to hide."
Sighing, Celine immediately discussed the next steps with Yang Wudi.
They needed to find Han Mingchuan as quickly as possible. Now that this base had been cleared, they needed to move on to another target.
"Hmm?"
Her gaze suddenly shifted.
Celine's voice froze mid-sentence.
Standing on the rooftop of a high-rise in the city center, she looked toward the northern district of Black Harbor City—the area Iphia was currently searching.
Layer upon layer of floating staircases stretched into the sky, and Flying Cars descended into the city-within-a-city.
At first, everything seemed calm. But then...
Buzz!!
Smoke billowed, and a blinding flash of light vanished as quickly as it appeared.
The rapidly surging magnetic field energy materialized as invisible ripples, obliterating floating advertising projections without a trace.
For a fleeting moment, a figure seemed to streak across the sky like a rocket, its tail blazing with exhaust, moving with desperate urgency.
Within mere breaths, a massive explosion shook the northern district of Black Harbor City, plunging the area into brief chaos.
"What's happening?" Celine asked, her voice filled with alarm and suspicion. She immediately tried to contact Iphia.
Soon, a trembling voice replied, "It seems... something has happened!"
"Since both sides have reservations about these terms, let's discuss them further at a later date."
"The day is growing late. Perhaps everyone should rest for now."
At the same moment, negotiations at the congress palace broke down in discord.
Under a gloomy sky thick with dark clouds, the Red Nation delegation strode out, politely declining the Old Covenant Faction's invitation to dinner. They departed from the white jade pillars and palace gates.
Suited white men stood in rows on either side of the building complex, stretching from the castle corridors to the plaza.
The golden Flying Eagle and the crimson two-pole flags still fluttered in the wind. Chairman Li Yun once again politely declined Commissioner Moke's attempts to detain him.
"We appreciate Commissioner Moke's kindness," Chairman Li Yun said, his aged face retaining its composed smile. "However, we must report today's negotiations to Red City without delay. Please forgive us."
Hearing this, Commissioner Moke ceased his attempts to detain them. A member of parliament waved his hand, instructing Director Lyle and others to escort the delegation along their route.
Clack! Clack!
The sound of footsteps echoed as the Red Nation delegation emerged in succession.
They descended the White Jade Steps, one after another, just as they had when they arrived.
Military personnel and Red Guard security personnel flanked the delegation, escorting Chairman Li Yun and the core members of the delegation into the motorcade.
"It seems the situation isn't good," Chairman Li Yun said gravely, his smile vanishing the moment he settled into the car.
The negotiations had stalled, with the Old Covenant Faction clearly having made a secret agreement with the New Covenant Faction, determined to prolong the Han Mingchuan matter indefinitely.
And yet, even now—
Hours after Wang Cheng's departure from the capital, the reported sighting of Han Mingchuan remained unverified.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Chairman Li Yun repeated, glancing out the window.
Director Lyle and the foreign affairs bureau staff had already boarded the lead vehicles, escorting the motorcade.
White-suited security personnel surrounded the members of parliament, watching them depart without incident or obstruction.
Even Wang Cheng's departure had gone unchallenged.
"Do you think it's a feint to draw us away?" Chen Feng asked, his voice unusually calm.
A faint malice lingered in his Perception. He turned his head to see the New Covenant Faction members at the congress palace restraining their emotions, their fists clenched as they watched the delegation leave.
Mockery, cold smiles, anticipation—
He sensed their dark intentions, as if they were certain something was about to happen to the delegation.
Andrei's face was particularly grim, his cold eyes filled with mockery, just as they had been during their first encounter at the harbor. He seemed convinced he had the situation under control, victory assured.
"That's a possibility," Chairman Li Yun murmured, nodding gravely as the motorcade finally pulled away from Congress Square.
A Second-Tier Legendary, possessing individual combat power at this level, was considered a top-tier asset even within the Platinum Federation, exceedingly rare and highly valued.
Wang Cheng's absence at this critical moment made this the most plausible explanation.
However.
A flicker of confusion crossed the Chairman's aged face. He found himself puzzling over the Federation's true motives.
Second-Tier Legendaries were notoriously difficult to eliminate. Their indestructible Source Consciousness could instantly return to Red City at any moment.
Moreover, as members of the Red Nation delegation, they were unlikely to face overt threats, at least in the short term, following the harbor incident.
So, what exactly was the Federation planning?
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Chairman Li Yun glanced sideways at Chen Feng, about to speak when—
Boom!!
A deafening explosion erupted from the northern district of Black Harbor City, sending a blinding pillar of fire soaring into the sky.
Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, peering into the distance.
Beside him, Chairman Li Yuan received an urgent communication, his expression darkening.
Boom!!
"No!!"
The simultaneous roar of the explosion and a cry of anguish filled the air. In the neon-lit streets, the faces of the white residents twisted in terror as they looked skyward.
A black-clad figure, his clothes torn and tattered, was blasted into the air, caught in the shockwave and flying shards of glass, about to plummet from a hundred-meter height.
His eyes were bloodshot, fully aware that his fall meant certain death.
Yet he couldn't spare a thought for his own safety. Instead, even as he plummeted, he stared fixedly at the source of the explosion.
It was a glass skyscraper, seemingly intact and bustling with activity moments before, now engulfed in flames.
The walls and windows of multiple floors shattered simultaneously, sending debris raining down as thick smoke billowed skyward.
His comrades inside, along with crucial clues and evidence, were being forcibly destroyed.
"Ahhh!!"
He roared in anguish and fury, not just for the mission's failure, but for the gut-wrenching loss of his comrades.
With death in his heart, he watched the asphalt road rushing closer.
Abandoning any attempt to break his fall, consumed by self-blame, he resolved to end his life.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind swept past.
The tumbling figure was caught mid-air, the force of the hundred-meter fall absorbed without a tremor.
The roaring heat of the jet's afterburners vibrated the air, shaking the very atmosphere.
The masked man, his heart set on death, shuddered violently and whirled around, instantly recognizing the familiar and trusted face of the young man.
"Master!!"
His voice was filled with sorrow, trembling uncontrollably.
The masked man's body went limp, nearly collapsing to his knees.
He had come to find traces of Han Mingchuan and had even discovered irrefutable evidence, on the verge of a successful capture.
But why had it come to this?
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap!
Footsteps scattered frantically through the surrounding streets, and panicked screams pierced the air.
Wang Cheng stood frozen, unsure how to face his subordinate, especially the piercing question in his eyes.
"I was too late," he said after a brief silence, his left fist clenching tightly at his side.
Unable to bear the sight of his subordinate's trembling gaze, Wang Cheng looked up at the thick smoke and charred floors high above.
Though the multicolored crystal badge on his chest continued to gleam brightly, a lingering shadow had settled in his heart, one he couldn't shake off.
He could have been faster, could have prevented this.
But...
Buzz!
Moisture condensed in the cloud layer above, swirling into a vortex.
A tall, black-clad woman materialized in mid-air, her long brown hair billowing in the wind like a goddess commanding the rain.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... how tragic," she mocked, her voice dripping with sarcasm and even pity.
Helena appeared suddenly, her expression indifferent as she casually glanced at the exploding skyscraper before shifting her gaze downward.
The atmosphere grew heavy. Wang Cheng, standing on the street below, felt his eyes turn cold.
The fluorescent patterns on his face glowed brighter, inch by inch, as if charging up. He glared at her, a bone-deep killing intent surging through him.
Ever since leaving the congress palace, Helena had been tracking him, repeatedly hindering and harassing him.
Because of her interference, he had arrived too late to prevent the tragedy that befell his subordinate team after Han Mingchuan's position kept shifting.
"Oh, right," Helena said, as if oblivious to Wang Cheng's murderous intent.
Against the backdrop of dark storm clouds, she spoke casually, once again summoning the drizzling rain.
"I forgot to mention, this building housed members of parliament from our Federal Old Covenant Faction."
"And now..."
Her mocking tone turned icy, her scornful gaze sweeping across the earth.
Helena waved her hand slightly, and a swarm of buzzing aircraft rapidly approached.
"Your people are suspected of plotting urban riots, destroying private property, and assassinating members of the federal council."
"The situation is dire, and the consequences are severe."
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Figures on single-person aircraft descended swiftly, their silhouettes cutting through the rain-soaked sky.
There were mech warriors and cyborgs everywhere, swarming like locusts. Ion light shields and blue light Force Fields activated simultaneously, isolating the crowd and sealing off the surrounding blocks.
"Considering all factors and in accordance with the laws of our federation..."
A faint smirk played on Helena's lips as a legendary-grade mech warrior materialized behind her.
Helena stood fearless, her pupils reflecting the rain-streaked sky and the Red Nation Flying General's cold, grim face.
"We have the right to execute you on the spot!"
Buzz!
The communication link suddenly cut off, and the faces of Li Yun and the other members of the Red Nation delegation in their armored vehicles paled.
The sudden explosion in Black Harbor City's northern district sent a chill of foreboding through them.
"It seems our suspicions were correct," Chairman Li Yun said gravely, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice.
Worry flickered across his aged face. If not for his plans and calculations, Wang Cheng would never have left so abruptly.
Chen Feng remained silent.
The Star Spirit's voice echoed in his mind, the AI frantically trying to reestablish the distant communication signal.
Celine had likely transmitted critical information, but the transmission was abruptly cut off by abnormal electromagnetic interference.
"The Platinum Federation is likely behind this," the Star Spirit concluded.
The Star Spirit spoke with unwavering conviction, but Chen Feng's expression remained unchanged, though a cold glint gradually sharpened in his eyes.
Wang Cheng's departure had been a prearranged plan by the delegation. Chairman Li Yun had quietly informed Chen Feng of this strategy before their arrival today.
The Platinum Federation held a strategic advantage, concealing much of its power in the shadows. To guard against unforeseen contingencies, they needed someone to provoke the federation into revealing its hidden tactics, forcing a direct confrontation to expedite negotiations.
Therefore, regardless of whether the Han Mingchuan incident had been a trap or not, either Chen Feng or Wang Cheng had to take the bait.
If it were genuine, everything would proceed smoothly.
If it were a ruse, the federation would believe their diversionary tactic had succeeded, forcing them to expose their true strength.
"My only concern now is that their methods might be far more aggressive than we anticipated," Chairman Li Yun said again, his weathered voice tinged with weariness.
As the highest representative of the delegation, he bore a weight of responsibility beyond ordinary comprehension. Every decision he made carried far-reaching consequences, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of each course of action had been debated countless times.
For a moment, Chen Feng's gaze wavered as he looked at the man's graying hair and aged face, sensing his weariness.
He was about to speak when...
"Hmm?"
Frowning slightly, he suddenly felt a shift in his Perception and glanced around.
The motorcade had entered a district where neon projections still hovered on both sides of the street.
Everything seemed normal, but...
"Get out of here!!"
"Red Nation people, you're not welcome here!!"
"Your people killed Member of Parliament Monger!!"
Buzz!
A sudden uproar erupted outside the motorcade, surging toward them like a tidal wave.
From supermarkets, shopping malls, and restaurants...
Federal citizens of all skin tones—white, black, and everything in between—poured out from both sides of the street, blocking their path in an instant.
Forced to slow down, the motorcade's pace dwindled to a crawl. Chairman Li Yun and the other members of the delegation paled as they saw the insulting banners the crowd was waving.
"What's going on?"
"Something happened to Member of Parliament Monger?"
Amidst the growing confusion and alarm, the delegation members sensed something was amiss.
The motorcade's speed continued to decrease, nearly grinding to a halt.
The Federal vehicles that had been leading the way, along with the foreign affairs bureau personnel, had somehow been isolated by the crowd, their communications cut off, leaving them powerless.
"Stop them!!"
"These bastards! Damn Red Nation bastards!"
"They dared to provoke us at the border! These ignorant fanatics of the empire!"
"Smash them!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Someone, hidden in the crowd, roared in fury, leading the charge.
Eggs, stools, stones—all sorts of debris rained down on the Red Nation delegation's motorcade, a barrage of insults meant to drive them away.
Seeing this, the delegation's security personnel's faces darkened. They immediately activated force fields to shield the vehicles, forcibly halting the crowd.
For a brief moment, the world fell silent as the debris hovered outside the force fields.
But this action proved to be a spark. In an instant, it ignited the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of federal citizens surrounding them.
The jeers and curses erupted anew, growing into a frenzied roar.
The situation spiraled out of control. The entire Red Nation delegation's motorcade was now trapped in the center of the mob, like a swarm of locusts had descended upon them, leaving no escape.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (MF) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - 💠FINISHED💠
🔑Read full story for 100% FREE, VISIT PA. TREON pinned post to learn how!
💥Translated (6) Series, (4.6K+) Chapters, (6.7M+) Words.