Volume Two: The Expedition! Chapter Seventy-Five: Waiting

In the conference room, Li Yu and Zhang Quanyou sat facing each other, surrounded by rows of seats filled with military and government officials of Huaxia. Both the solemn atmosphere and the distinguished assembly underscored the extraordinary gravity of this emergency meeting.

Many had already caught wind of certain rumors before arriving, suspecting that something had gone wrong with the rescue team dispatched to Japan. All present were well aware of the team's capabilities; if trouble had occurred, the only likely source was the sword immortal Liu Cong.

Though they had guessed at the central figure, none could fathom what exactly had transpired. With minds abuzz, they waited for the meeting to begin.

When it did, Li Yu and Zhang Quanyou spoke at length for over an hour, addressing only minor issues within the safety zones and instructing the officials to make improvements upon their return. Even as the meeting concluded, the attendees remained utterly baffled, unable to discern the true purpose of this gathering.

What they did not know was that, during the course of the meeting, more than a dozen winged cruise missiles streaked across the sky, trailing long plumes of vapor as they vanished over the horizon.

“Old Li, shouldn’t we at least inform the Japanese authorities? We still have fifty people over there,” Zhang Quanyou said with evident concern.

“Whether we notify them or not, the initiative is now in our hands. Besides, we’re bombing their Devil’s Forest—we’re helping them by clearing a dangerous area,” Li Yu replied.

“Ah! That child Liu Cong, I wonder how he’s faring.”

“Let’s hope our guess is right. If he’s truly trapped by danger, these missiles are the only assistance we can give.”

“What if something really goes wrong?” Zhang Quanyou pressed.

Li Yu did not answer. He gripped the arm of his chair and slowly sat down, his expression dark and inscrutable, betraying nothing of his thoughts.

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Outside Zhao Tian’s door stood several Japanese soldiers, led by one of last night’s meeting attendees—Nakamura Masao’s trusted aide, whom Zhao Tian remembered as Kuma River Taichi. Another familiar face was present as well: the interpreter from the day before.

At that moment, all of them regarded Zhao Tian with unfriendly expressions, even Kuma River Taichi’s face was clouded.

Could it be that the truth had come to light?

Sensing trouble, Zhao Tian braced himself for the worst and asked, “Gentlemen, what brings you here so early in the morning?”

“That’s right, there’s something we need you to explain personally. Please come with us,” Kuma River Taichi said, gesturing for Zhao Tian to go ahead.

“What’s so urgent?” Zhao Tian frowned, still dressed in his pajamas.

“Please, Mr. Zhao,” Kuma River Taichi insisted, making it clear that Zhao Tian was to accompany them immediately, with not even a moment allowed to change clothes.

Annoyed by their attitude but recognizing his disadvantage, Zhao Tian could do nothing but follow. On the way, he happened to see the formidable Wang Chuan heading to the restroom. Taking the chance, he shouted, “Wang Chuan! The Japanese need me for something. Please organize the morning meeting in my absence!”

Wang Chuan paused in confusion. Morning meeting? There was no such meeting, and why was he to organize it?

“Makes no sense for a meeting with the Japanese this early. Do they all wake up at dawn?” Wang Chuan muttered. Back in his room, as he reclined on his bed, a sudden realization struck him.

Clothes!

With a start, Wang Chuan sat bolt upright. Who would go to a meeting in pajamas? Moreover, the demeanor of those Japanese had been anything but cordial—it resembled an escort of a prisoner.

Wang Chuan hurried to wake the members of the War God Squad, knocking on each door. Only then did he fully understand: Zhao Tian’s mention of a nonexistent morning meeting was a clear signal for him to rally the team.

When the fully armed War God Squad assembled downstairs, they all stopped in their tracks—outside were more than a dozen armored vehicles, surrounded by Japanese soldiers bristling with rifles and submachine guns, all aimed squarely at the squad. Judging by the sheer number of heads, there were at least three hundred troops.

Meanwhile, Kuma River Taichi escorted Zhao Tian to Japan’s Defense Ministry, where alarms blared and monitors large and small crowded every wall and surface. Staff members, all equipped with headsets, moved briskly about. Every glance cast Zhao Tian’s way was laced with hostility.

Amidst the crowd, Zhao Tian spotted Nakamura Masao standing beneath a massive screen, hands clasped behind his back, listening to a steady stream of reports from his subordinates.

As Kuma River Taichi led Zhao Tian to Nakamura’s side, Zhao took advantage of a lull to glance at the enormous screen—and broke out in a cold sweat at the sight.

Displayed was a map of Asia crisscrossed with white dashed lines linking Huaxia and Japan, each line ending in a moving icon Zhao recognized all too well.

Over a dozen launched at once! The realization sent chills down Zhao Tian’s spine. He now understood the Japanese attitude towards him, and had a fair idea of the missiles’ purpose. The only question was whether the Japanese would believe his explanation.

“Mr. Zhao, please explain why your country has taken such an unfriendly action,” Nakamura Masao said coldly.

Had he not predicted the missiles’ target lay elsewhere, Nakamura would likely have taken far more drastic measures. As it was, he still demanded an explanation—no one would respond kindly to the unannounced deployment of heavy weaponry over their territory.

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“If I can’t provide a clear answer, would you believe me?” Zhao Tian, after his initial panic, regained his composure.

“Whatever your country’s intentions, your actions have placed us in grave danger. I have called you here for one reason only: to wait with us,” Nakamura replied.

“To wait for what?” Zhao Tian asked, puzzled.

“To wait for a result.”

Zhao Tian understood instantly—they would wait to see if, after the missiles obliterated the Devil’s Forest, the sword immortal would emerge alive.

If he did, the Japanese might pretend nothing had happened, and all would be well. But if not, things could spiral into a desperate and bloody conflict.

Zhao Tian had to admit he had underestimated the Japanese. In fact, from the start, he and his team had never truly taken them seriously. The reputation of the sword immortal had bred arrogance, making them believe themselves saviors. Their attitude towards the Japanese had become unconsciously condescending.

Now, with their own confidence shattered, it was no wonder the Japanese no longer treated them with courtesy.

As Zhao Tian was forced to wait with Nakamura Masao, the War God Squad members stood in an armed standoff with Japanese soldiers. Meanwhile, in Huaxia, Li Yu and Zhang Quanyou also waited anxiously for news, their satellite feed focused intently on the dark forest.

An hour later, the cruise missiles rained down upon the Devil’s Forest. A tremendous chain of explosions swept through the silent woods; searing heat and powerful shockwaves bloomed like brilliant flowers above the black clouds.

Zhao Tian stood unmoving, ignoring the distant rumble of detonations, his gaze fixed on the screen, hoping that when the flames and smoke cleared, a different color might appear. Nakamura Masao was equally intent, his heart filled with fervent hope—not for battle, but yearning for the sword immortal’s safe return.

Minute by minute, time crawled by. The explosions in the black forest had long since ceased, even the blazing fires gradually dying away, until the monitor once more displayed only a static image.

Fifteen minutes later, under the worried eyes of the communications team, Li Yu finally spoke, his voice hoarse: “Still no signal from him?”

“Chief, let’s wait a bit longer. Perhaps there’ll be news soon,” the female staffer replied softly, unable to bear the sight of this elderly man, his temples now streaked with white, so lost in despair.

“Yes, Chief, let’s wait—wait, what’s that?” another staff member suddenly cried out, pointing at the display in alarm.