Chapter 164: The Decapitation Strike Begins

Back when he was transporting cargo and caught sight of that military unit, the thought of paying a visit to the Sergeant Major had crossed his mind. Not long after, he received a draft notice from the military.

He had expected to meet him, but to this day, there was not even a trace of him to be found. What was most eerie was that the brothers who had stayed behind in the military had also vanished.

The official response from the upper echelons of the military was that they were on a top-secret mission and temporarily unavailable to meet. Now, they had finally crossed paths.

Iron Fist shook his head and said, "Not yet. Wait until your bodies are fully healed first."

"Why..." Zhu Xiong asked reflexively, but before he could finish, Falcon cut him off.

"You do not have the clearance to know. Not a single word."

Hearing Falcon's words, the three of them immediately abandoned any thought of pressing further.

They understood the rules.

The atmosphere in the room grew somewhat silent for a moment. Iron Fist stepped forward to smooth things over, saying, "Let's not talk about that. We came today to check on you, and by the way, to pass along a message from the Sergeant Major."

"Focus on recovering. Once you're back on your feet, we'll think about the rest."

"Understood," the three replied in unison, their voices resonant and powerful. Even after all these years, they had not forgotten that they were soldiers.

A few minutes later, Falcon and Iron Fist walked over to another ward to check on their former comrades just as they had done before.

This was part of their mission.

As evening approached, all the visits concluded, and thirty elite soldiers boarded a specialized aircraft of the First Military Region, flying toward the capital of the Southern Command region, Yongcheng.

***

In the southwestern part of the Eastern Continent, within the subtropical rainforest region, lies Qiangdu, one of the nine nations of the Eastern Continent. Its territory is second only to Xuanlü, making it the leader of the seven southwestern nations.

Within the capital city, golden pagodas stand in forests, and towering skyscrapers pierce the sky. Golden and resplendent manors shine brilliantly, while the filthy and chaotic slums appear utterly insignificant.

Ancient religion is intertwined with this modern forest of steel, and the chains beneath the declaration of democracy are invisible.

"Middle-class" citizens dressed in suits and ties brush shoulders with merciful monks possessing serene expressions and homeless paupers. Steel-framed automobiles travel along asphalt roads while emaciated civilians pull rickshaws.

To the left of the avenue stand luxurious restaurants; to the right lie emaciated "ascetics" resting directly on the ground.

In the city center, towering skyscrapers rise above broad and immaculate roads where only cars are permitted to drive and only the impeccably suited are permitted to walk.

The negotiation venue between Xuanlü and the seven nations was set in the finest hotel in Qiangdu's capital.

The resplendent grand hall featured two rows of desks arranged parallel and opposite each other. The diplomatic teams of both sides sat behind them, surrounded by journalists holding cameras.

The Xuanlü spokesperson stated: "This incident constitutes a grave violation of our national sovereignty. While Xuanlü reserves the right to take further action, we also hope that the seven nations, led by Qiangdu, will actively cooperate with Xuanlü's investigation to avert conflict as much as possible and resolve this matter peacefully."

Following translation and the written expression using traditional Xuanlü characters, it was Qiangdu's turn to speak.

"Regarding this incident, we express our profound regret and sorrow, and we are willing to bear a portion of the responsibility. Concerning Xuanlü's investigation, out of consideration for our own sovereignty and the prevention of unnecessary friction, we reserve our opinion," Qiangdu refused.

Profound regret, willing to bear a portion of the responsibility—offering a meager compensation.

Reserving opinion—refusing the investigation.

As the negotiations dragged on, the two sides failed to reach any consensus. The diplomatic rabbit grew increasingly irritated, while the seven monkeys became progressively more arrogant.

The detailed course of the negotiations was as follows (censored for harmony):

The rabbit abruptly slammed the table and angrily declared, "Monkey, I am very angry right now, and this matter is serious! My gear is all prepared; if you don't start behaving, you'll be nothing more than a turd-covered monkey in a moment!"

"I've already apologized, what else do you want from me?!" the seven monkeys protested with aggrieved expressions.

Fires blazed across the rabbit's entire body: "If apologies were useful, what would we need timber logs for?! Take off your pants right now and let me inspect you thoroughly, or I'll give you a taste of the thrill of a deep-throat timber log."

The flames transformed into a string of bold characters: [Truth is found within the range of artillery fire], weighing heavily upon the seven monkeys.

The monkey spokesperson nearly collapsed from severe internal injuries, their arrogant momentum instantly extinguished.

They were situated close to Xuanlü, and their entire territory lay entirely within the range of the other side's missiles. Once a war broke out, given their missile defense capabilities, they would be utterly incapable of intercepting the enemy's attacks.

"Father, save me!"

An illusory bald eagle soared through the air, and the monkeys spread their arms wide, as if they had grown wings.

"Ah-ta!"

A flying brick sailed through the air, directly beating the bald eagle into a broiler chicken.

"Calling your dad is useless!" With a loud *bang*, the rabbit slammed a brick onto the table, its expression turning fiercely menacing.

"You lot are right at my doorstep; with a stretch of my arm, I can hit any of you with a brick—who among you can dodge it? Quickly now, drop your pants, apologize, and hang from a lamppost!"

"Impossible!"

"Then you just wait for me, you'll get what's coming to you."

"I'll wait then! If you've got the guts, strike back!"

"Come at me then!"

"Just you come over here!"

The meeting proceeded extremely smoothly. Both sides engaged in cordial and friendly talks, fully exchanging their views (failing to reach any agreement and arguing fiercely).

They enhanced mutual understanding (harboring vast divergences).

The seven nations stated that they would continue to maintain their original stance.

Xuanlü stated that it would continue to reserve the right to take further action (we will retaliate), reconsider its position on this matter (we have altered our previous policy), and henceforth ask everyone to wait and see (the final warning).

The seven nations were requested to provide a reply by March 25th (today) (after March 25th, our two countries might enter a state of non-peace).

The fifth meeting concluded, and the Xuanlü diplomatic delegation departed in a towering rage as usual. Because Xuanlü maintained no embassy in Qiangdu, they had no choice but to return to the hotel where the diplomatic delegation resided.

Journalists recorded the proceedings of this meeting and transmitted the reports back to their respective countries, where the information quickly made front-page news headlines.

[Xuanlü, the Eastern Continent's Premier Military Power, Bullies Neighboring Small Nations]

[Impoverished Xuanlü Exhibits Its Usual Barbarism]

[A Backward Nation]

[Xuanlü Intends to Enslave the Seven Nations]

[Ethnic Slaughter Imminent in the Eastern Continent?]

***

*Bang!*

"Damn your mothers!" A diplomat slammed the newspaper heavily onto the table, his face flushed red with fury.

"One day, I'll send every single one of you bastards to the guillotine!"

The diplomatic consuls, secretaries, attachés, and other staff members present were likewise deeply enraged, wishing they could simply storm out and tell those damned monkeys to get ready to eat timber logs.

Unfortunately, they could not afford to do so. They bore responsibility for their country and their people. Xuanlü truly could not afford a war right now. Shouting slogans like "Those who violate Xuanlü shall be executed no matter how far away they are" felt exhilarating, but that was something only the lower ranks could shout.

As the helmsmen, they could not afford to be so reckless, for they held the power of decision, capable of determining the life or death of countless souls. Every single decision had to be made with the utmost caution, casting their gaze far into the future and placing national interests above all else.

The more pressing the situation, the greater the endurance required. The enemy was blatantly trying to provoke them, and they could not foolishly charge right into the trap.

Concession was neither cowardice nor fear; it was pulling back one's fist so as to deliver a more powerful blow.

One of the diplomatic rabbits slammed the table and demanded, "How much longer are we supposed to endure this?! Those monkeys never had any intention of talking to us in the first place!"

From beginning to end, the attitude of the seven nations had been merely that an investigation was ongoing. They only performed superficial gestures, dispensing even with false apologies, while the so-called international community biasedly sided with them as always.

"We talk!" The diplomatic consul bit down so hard his lips bled. "We do not have the right to refuse."

"No, we do," the chief diplomatic consul replied, shaking his head. A chilling gleam flashed in his eyes as he stated coldly, "After midnight, bear all consequences at your own peril!"

The diplomatic team sat in the room, everyone closing their eyes to rest and await the final reply from the seven nations.

This attitude made the seven nations somewhat uneasy. Some officials once again petitioned their superiors to ask whether they should ease up slightly to steady this rabbit. After all, regardless of anything else, the adversary was the Eastern Continent's premier military power, possessing millions of troops right on their doorstep. If a war truly erupted, they stood virtually no chance of victory.

However, these petitions were all rejected. Everything proceeded as usual, telling them not to be frightened by Xuanlü.

Xuanlü was merely putting up a fierce front while being hollow within; their domestic industry was practically stagnating, and they were like a clay bodhisattva crossing a river, barely able to save themselves—how could they possibly have the surplus energy to launch a war?

Amidst this bizarre and tense atmosphere, time slipped away quickly, and midnight arrived.

The diplomat stood up first, took his trench coat from the clothes rack, draped it over his shoulders, put on his hat, and said, "Comrades, let's go home."

The Xuanlü diplomatic delegation boarded vehicles heading for the city airport, boarded their specialized aircraft, and slowly lifted off.

The aircraft roared into the sky, leaving Qiangdu behind.

The higher-ups of Qiangdu felt a lingering sense of unease in their hearts, terrified that Xuanlü might genuinely lose its mind and smash them into dead monkeys with a single brick.

Fear aside, probing was still necessary; small nations had no other choice.

Besides, even if a war truly broke out, they could simply board a plane and leave this place, heading to developed nations to enjoy life. A nation was nothing more than a massive business; you extract as much profit as you possibly can.

***

That night, a hazy drizzle fell over the capital of Qiangdu. On the filthy, uneven streets, puddles accumulated one after another.

The neon lights of the towering skyscrapers cast their glow upon the puddles, reflecting enchanting colors and adding a sense of mystery to the fantastical city.

A slender figure walked within the shadows of the neon lights, clad in pitch-black tactical gear. A black mask concealed the lower half of her face, leaving only a pair of piercing black eyes exposed.

The dark-colored dagger insignia on her shoulder reflected a cold sheen.

This was a mark left behind by a bygone era; this was a band of ghosts wandering through a new age.

The mysterious woman raised her gaze slightly toward the end of the road, where a resplendent skyscraper stood, its golden neon lights exceptionally dazzling.

From her embrace, she produced a photograph depicting a chubby middle-aged man with curly brown hair.

"Singer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qiangdu."

Putting the photograph away, she walked unhurriedly toward the magnificent building, moving through the shadows cast by the neon lights. People brushed past her one after another, yet no one paid any heed to this strangely attired, mysterious woman.

Perhaps, before long, they would realize.

With less than fifty paces remaining, the mysterious woman stepped out from the shadows. The dazzling lights shone upon her form, rendering her presence no longer concealable.

Two security guards stationed at the entrance noticed her, their right hands instantly dropping to their waists, ready at any moment to draw their firearms.

Taking a step forward, one of them barked harshly, "Halt! Who goes there?"

The loud voice immediately drew the attention of those around them. Passersby and the front desk staff inside the hotel turned to look in their direction.

The woman did not answer. Her sharp eyes radiated a freezing glare, and the aura around her shifted entirely, transforming her into an unsheathed blade that emanated an edge too piercing to look upon directly.

The hearts of the two security guards skipped a beat as they reached out to pull their pistols, but everything was already too late.

A thin line split across their throats, and bright red blood spurted forth. Their tall frames collapsed to their knees, clutching at their throats, incapable of uttering a single sound. Only their eyes conveyed the terror within.

"The ones who have come to kill you."