The following morning, the rain was still falling.
Enshrouded within the curtain of rain, the city had yet to awaken, with magnetic rail trains weaving between the buildings, a teal projection of a giant dragon intermittently visible amidst the grey clouds.
A large military helicopter slowly descended onto the Jade Pavilion’s helipad, the swirling winds kicking up a water curtain.
A dozen Inner Guards, holding umbrellas, escorted Zhao Ling and Wei Tianyang to the steps of the helipad.
Wei Tianyang carried a black travel bag, dressed in a thick, light green pilot’s jacket with brown cargo pants and brown mountain boots. On his wrist, he wore an expensive custom smartwatch that kept him in touch with Zhao Ling at all tis.
Zhao Ling wore a black satin cheongsam, covered by a casual overcoat, and had her hair tied back in a ponytail. Just like their first eting three years ago, she stood with her hands behind her back, quietly watching him.
"Let’s go," Wei Tianyang said.
"We’ll et again in a few days. Steijie and the others will be there too," Zhao Ling said.
"I knew it, you guys wouldn’t let off so easily," Wei Tianyang said.
"Helena Mina does not have the authority to decide on your deploynt alone. All your actions must be voted on by the United Council," Zhao Ling said.
"So I can’t even decide for myself?" Wei Tianyang asked with a smile.
"In theory, that’s correct," Zhao Ling nodded.
A Sethiyan man got off the helicopter, a mber of the United Council sent to accompany him and handle all formalities en route.
"Mistway! The flight to Georgetown in the Sethiyan Federation departs in an hour," the man said.
"Go," Zhao Ling said.
Wei Tianyang took one final look at her, then turned to board the helicopter.
The wind howled as Zhao Ling looked up, watching Wei Tianyang depart, a faint worry stirring inside her.
"Emperor, we should head back, the wind is strong here," the confidential secretary at her side said.
Zhao Ling remained silent, watching the helicopter shrink to a re dot in the sky, her lips curving into a slight smile.
Wei Tianyang first traveled by helicopter for half an hour to the airport. From there, he took a 12-hour long-haul flight directly to Moha Ke, a border city of the Sethiyan Federation. Afterwards, he took a military helicopter straight to the capital, Georgetown.
After several transfers, at 1:10 a.m., Wei Tianyang finally arrived above Georgetown.
This was the capital of the Sethiyan Federation, a brilliant city of freedom, where glittering streets and soaring skyscrapers painted a thriving picture. They seed like the lifeblood of the earth, like a scroll unfolding toward the horizon, the dark Sky Curtain above lit bright by Georgetown’s luminescence.
The accompanying man had been rather quiet along the way, but Wei Tianyang could tell he was curious about him and eager to communicate; now, in familiar territory, he had beco more proactive.
"Is this your first ti in Sethiyan?" the man asked.
Wei Tianyang nodded, his earpiece automatically translating from Spanish; he couldn’t speak it but could understand.
"It’s a nice place. Look, Central Park!" the man said with a laugh, gesturing towards the long strip of greenery they flew past below.
"Sir! Governor Steijie wishes to connect with you," the pilot relayed.
"Now?" the man asked for him.
"Right now," the pilot replied.
From the co-pilot’s seat, the pilot handed over a military laptop. Wei Tianyang took it and saw that a black dialogue window was displayed. The accompanying man helped connect the laptop to Wei Tianyang’s earpiece. Through the earpiece ca sparse, low static.
"Are we connected? Okay..." With the static cleared, a strange male voice emanated from the headset. Subsequently, the black window began to display content.
Half of Steijie’s torso appeared on the screen. He waved at Wei Tianyang and laughed in the familiar language, "Long ti no see, Wei!"
"I’m about to reach United Council Headquarters, why not talk there?" Wei Tianyang asked.
"You’re visiting Sethiyan for the first ti, and I didn’t want Helena Mina to welco you on my behalf. We’ve arranged a villa for you on Hawaii Mountain. You can move in anyti, and all the neighbors around are good people," Steijie said.
"Thank you for arranging that, but I may not stay for long this ti," Wei Tianyang replied with a smile.
"Can’t wait to start your mission? Don’t you consider enjoying life a bit first?" Steijie also smiled.
"There are more pressing matters," Wei Tianyang said.
Steijie grew a bit more serious, nodding in strong agreent. "I’m glad you think so, my boy. You’re sure to beco a great man."
"You’re sure to make a great governor too, Mr. Steijie," Wei Tianyang said.
"My cabinet has a proposal..." Steijie started.
Just then, the screen went black and the sound in the earphones disappeared.
"Hmm?" Wei Tianyang, puzzled, looked at the man beside him.
The man was also surprised, picking up the computer to check the network protocols.
anwhile, at the White House in Georgetown, in the Governor’s eting room, Steijie too noticed the disconnection.
His surroundings were filled with people, including the head of the Intelligence Agency, the Chief of Staff of the military, technology experts, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Pelosi, among others.
"The connection is lost?! Impossible! Soone is interfering with us!" a technology expert exclaid.
"Then fix it quickly!" Steijie urged.
At the sa ti, in Wei Tianyang’s earphones, Zhao Ling’s voice ca through: "Don’t speak, don’t let others know."
He chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair.
"Mom knew that old man would contact you secretly. We’re using your watch to disrupt their signals. Don’t make any private agreents with Steijie during this ti. Wait until the united eting," Zhao Ling said.
"Cough cough... Is the signal back?" Wei Tianyang asked.
The man shook his head, saying, "It’s heavily interfered with, can’t connect at all now."
Mid-sentence, the United Council Headquarters building ca into view. The towering white building was lit by its own staircase lights, shimring in the night like a white monunt.
"We’ve arrived, preparing to land," the pilot said.
Wei Tianyang raised his wrist to check the ti, 1:45 AM.
The helicopter slowly landed on the rooftop helipad. He grabbed his bag and the handrail, and moved to the cabin door, seeing people already gathered below, Helena Mina waving up at him.
As soon as the helicopter’s skids touched down, Wei Tianyang jumped out, and Helena Mina reached out her hand, clasping his.
"You’re finally here, Wei," she said, visibly relieved.
The three-year wait had been filled with fear of changes, her long golden hair now streaked with white.
"I can’t wait to return to the battlefield," Wei Tianyang declared.
Helena Mina didn’t respond but just smiled, accompanying him, as several n in suits ca running to shake his hand, all apparently very high-ranking.
"Mistway! I am..."
"Hey! Wei, honored to et you!"
...
Surrounded by a crowd, Wei Tianyang entered the United Council building.
He was ready to face this world.
With a brand-new identity.
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