The fighter jet broke the sound barrier, flying at one and a half tis the speed of sound. It took less than twenty minutes to get from Modu City to the Imperial Capital. After landing, a specially arranged car, already waiting, brought them to the Forbidden City of Jade Country.
The Forbidden City wasn’t the imperial palace but had been the administration hub for civil and military officials during the Great Jade Dynasty. After the Benevolent Emperor abdicated, it remained the administrative core of Jade Country. Although its layout was quite traditional, every building in the Forbidden City had been renovated in a modern style.
The three were taken to Conference Room One. It was Wang Lan’s first ti eting Number One, who had always held him in high esteem and helped him out of difficulties on several occasions.
Number One was in his pri, having just turned fifty this year. Although Wang Lan had seen him on news dia many tis, this was their first face-to-face eting. Wang Lan, usually unflappable, felt a bit nervous.
"I’m glad you all returned safely!" Number One said, his face wearing a kind smile. "As it happens, we are holding a teleconference with the permanent mbers of the United Nations. You can report to the leaders in person."
"Yes, sir!"
Yu Ruoyun and Prince Moka were taken aside to rest, while Wang Lan followed Number One to the video conference room. In the room, there was a round table, surrounded by holographic projections of various national leaders.
"Ladies and gentlen, this is Major General Wang Lan of Jade Country, who holds the title of Greedy Wolf. He is also the one who discovered this intelligence. Fortunately, he has made it back in ti to report to you all."
The room was filled with internationally renowned figures; they needed no introduction, and Wang Lan recognized them all.
"Wait a mont, wasn’t Major General Wang Lan in South Summon Kingdom just an hour ago? How did he get back so quickly?"
"President Chuan, sir, I am a Star Martial Warrior, so this isn’t particularly hard to accept," Wang Lan explained.
"Alright, you truly are remarkable. If I recall correctly, you were also the one who provided the first intelligence about the Ti-Space Gemstone. Well done, young man. But now, I’d like you to tell us what happened, as concisely as possible."
"Firstly, the recent beast tide incident in Jade Country’s Cloud Sea Pioneer Space was orchestrated by Paradise Bird. Paradise Bird’s objective was to obtain the Ti-Space Gemstone."
"Leaders, you should all be aware that the Demon Clan left not just one, but twelve Space Gems in the Human World. If even one is activated, opening a portal to the Different Dinsional Space, the Demon Clan’s army could descend upon us."
"We discovered a massive mine of Space Stones in the Pioneer Space of South Summon Kingdom. It was located directly northward, overlapping with the Cloud Sea Pioneer Space’s southern defensive frontline. This mine was ford because of a Ti-Space Gemstone."
"When we arrived, we found Star Martial Warriors from South Summon Kingdom heavily mining the Space Stones. After I went deep into the mine, I discovered that the central Ti-Space Gemstone was already missing."
"It appears to have been acquired by Paradise Bird."
"Oh, that is indeed terrible news. So, General Wang Lan, are you saying that Paradise Bird could activate the Ti-Space Gemstone at any mont to summon the Demon Clan’s army?"
"That is indeed the case."
"Then, can we be certain that South Summon Kingdom is an accomplice of Paradise Bird?" Emperor Pu asked, his expression grim, his voice laced with murderous intent.
"That, we cannot be sure of. In the Pioneer Space of South Summon Kingdom, I encountered Great Prince Mocha. Prince Moka assured that South Summon Kingdom couldn’t possibly be working with Paradise Bird. He invited to et the King of South Summon Kingdom to clear their nation’s na."
"So, did you et with him?"
"No. We were attacked shortly after leaving the Different Dinsional Space. Prince Moka’s vehicle was presumably rigged with a bomb and exploded on the spot. Fortunately, Prince Moka and I both survived. He is now in Jade Country."
"Even if the King of South Summon Kingdom hasn’t collaborated with Paradise Bird, soone in South Summon Kingdom has, and that person holds a high position. Is that how we should understand it?" the female Pri Minister of Blue Silver Country inquired somberly.
"This... isn’t sothing a Major General like can comnt on. It’s a matter for the heads of state to discuss and decide."
"Alright, Wang Lan has finished his report. You may step down now."
"Yes, Chief," Wang Lan saluted.
"Wait. I believe Major General Wang Lan is completely trustworthy, and his astuteness is extraordinary. I think he should stay and offer us his perspective. After all, this situation is so severe that I’ve had to keep even my closest allies in the dark to prevent intelligence leaks and the ensuing panic."
"I concur."
"I agree as well."
Number One looked at Wang Lan and nodded silently. "Alright, you stay."
"Yes, sir!"
"Then, I propose that, first, we enter a global state of ergency. All countries with long-range nuclear strike capabilities should have their nuclear weapons on imdiate standby. Wherever the Ti-Space Gemstone is activated, we must be prepared to launch a nuclear strike instantly."
"I second the motion."
"I second the motion."
"I second the motion."
Just then, Number One’s personal mobile phone rang.
At the sa ti, the holographic projections showed the leaders from various countries receiving calls on their personal phones almost simultaneously. Seeing this, everyone’s expression turned grave. Sothing significant had clearly happened, and it seed to concern the sa critical issue.
Number One hurriedly answered the call. The voice on the other end spoke quickly. After a brief exchange lasting only a few dozen seconds, Number One calmly said, "Understood," and hung up.
"Fellow leaders, it seems we’ve all received the sa intelligence. So let’s see together what this General Ma Eiman is up to," Number One said.
Number One then activated a video projection. It showed a press conference where a middle-aged general, bedecked in brilliant dals, was roaring furiously at the dia.
"It is with great regret and imnse fury that I announce our nation has been invaded and subjected to an appalling, infuriating humiliation! This is what happened in Eld City. Our Great Prince Mocha, His Highness, was kidnapped by two Star Martial Warriors from Jade Country!"
"They attempted to control Great Prince Mocha to exert influence over our South Summon Kingdom! But as everyone knows, Prince Moka was a wise and decisive leader, a prince with his own political ideals, who always aspired to lead our nation toward democracy, prosperity, and strength!"
"Yet Jade Country, fearing Prince Moka’s wisdom and insight, kidnapped him! When our brave warriors attempted to encircle and intercept them, the Star Martial Warriors from Jade Country ruthlessly murdered Prince Moka!"
The video included footage and screenshots of Wang Lan gripping Prince Moka’s throat.
"Upon Prince Moka’s murder, our elderly King was so overco by the shock that he fainted on the spot! Although doctors attended to him imdiately, His Majesty could not withstand the devastating blow and passed away half an hour ago."
"Before his death, he passed the throne to Prince Moses and appointed , this humble general, as Pri Minister of Governnt Affairs, to fully assist His Majesty, the new King, in managing all state affairs! I now formally protest Jade Country’s atrocities and will imdiately file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council. I swear to seek justice for South Summon Kingdom..."
The general in the video gesticulated passionately, leaving the watching world leaders utterly bewildered. Had they not known the full story, they might well have been stunned by this sudden announcent.
"It’s a real pity this gentleman isn’t pursuing a career in Hollywood... Is there actually evidence in the video of General Wang Lan killing Prince Moka? Just footage of him gripping his throat? If that’s all, why didn’t any of the nurous Star Martial Warriors nearby intervene?"
"President Chuan, can you truly not see that this is a blatant coup?" Emperor Pu asked with a sneer.
"Of course, I can see that. I was just trying to lighten the mood. Young Wang Lan, you were directly involved; what’s your perspective?"
"I suppose we no longer need to search for the traitor among South Summon Kingdom’s high officials," Wang Lan said. "This one has brazenly stepped into the spotlight, hasn’t he? He probably assud Prince Moka and I were killed in the explosion, that everyone who knew the truth had vanished. That’s likely why he’s acting so recklessly."
"So, can the United Nations classify South Summon Kingdom as a terrorist state?"
"Emperor Pu, please don’t be so hasty. It’s only this... this particular general who is part of a terrorist faction. The people of South Summon Kingdom are innocent. If we follow your logic, we could just as well launch a missile strike now."
"In fact, we can use missile strikes now. General Ma Eiman is the second most powerful figure in South Summon Kingdom, commanding sixty percent of its military forces. In the eyes of his country’s people, he is a pillar of strength."
"His statents make it clear that he has seized control of South Summon Kingdom and could activate the Ti-Space Gemstone at any mont."
"Let’s begin by using conventional ans to counter his moves," Number One stated calmly. "First, we expose his conspiracy, then attempt to persuade him to surrender. If he remains obstinate, then we’ll have no choice but to resolve this through force."
"Alright, your proposal isn’t bad."
"I second that motion!"
"I second that motion!"
After the press conference, General Ma Eiman was quite pleased with himself. Although everything had happened so hastily, forcing him to launch the coup sooner than planned, things had, fortunately, gone very smoothly.
Prince Moka and those two geniuses from Jade Country had been blown to smithereens, and Master Chenghai from Vine Country had also been obliterated. With everyone who knew the truth gone, he thought, no matter what the United Nations suspected or accused him of, they couldn’t touch him without evidence.
Then, acting decisively, he had led his troops to storm the palace, riddling that indecisive, useless King with bullets until he was like a sieve.
Between the two princes, Ma Eiman had initially favored Prince Er. His ascension after Prince Moka’s death would have better aligned with the people’s wishes. Unfortunately, Prince Er had refused to cooperate, even daring to call a rebellious traitor. Well, there was no other way; I had to send him to join his father, the King. The last remaining one, Prince Moses, ultimately couldn’t overco his fear and obediently complied.
Now that I’ve taken control of South Summon Kingdom, the next step is to eliminate all dissidents and firmly secure my grip on the nation. Then, I’ll find a pretext to dispose of Prince Moses as well. Since he has no heirs, my ascension as the King of South Summon Kingdom will be a matter of course. A bit crude, perhaps, but the outco is favorable.
"Senior General—it’s a disaster!" an attendant shouted, bursting into Ma Eiman’s office.
A loud SLAP! landed across the attendant’s face, spinning him around on the spot.
"I am doing perfectly fine! I’ve just seen decades of planning co to fruition! What do you an, ’disaster’? Speak! What has happened?" Ma Eiman demanded.
"Quick, turn on the TV! Jade Country, Jade Country’s foreign affairs channel!" the attendant urged, his voice trembling.
Ma Eiman’s heart suddenly lurched. He quickly grabbed the remote from his desk and flipped to Jade Country’s foreign affairs channel.
When Ma Eiman saw the broadcast on the foreign affairs channel, his eyes widened like saucers, staring in horror at the tearful figure at the press conference.
Impossible... Wasn’t he obliterated in that explosion? How could he possibly still be alive? How...
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