Volume Two: The Expedition! Chapter Eighty-Six: Farewell

Suzy Kim had always possessed the gentle grace typical of women from Gangnam, and when her fair, beautiful face flushed with shyness, she became even more captivating.

Feeling her soft, delicate hand clasp his, Cong Liu paused for a moment, then intertwined their fingers tightly. He understood her feelings now.

On the plane, Na Wang watched the two of them holding hands, her expression sour as she silently cursed them for being shameless.

“What’s wrong with you? Why do you look so upset? Are you jealous of our esteemed commander?”

“Zhao, stop provoking me! Do you need a lesson—should I loosen up your joints a bit?” Na Wang shot him a fierce glare.

Zhao Tian had only been teasing but was taken aback by her outburst, raising his hands in surrender. “I give up, I give up!”

Seeing him yield, Na Wang finally relented, huffing before turning her gaze back to the couple.

“A wise man doesn’t quarrel with a woman!” Zhao Tian muttered under his breath, shrinking back as he felt the rising ire beside him.

Once the crowd had dispersed, Cong Liu landed the plane, disembarking together with Suzy Kim.

With order restored, Masao Nakamura finally had a chance to enter the airport, approaching Cong Liu with a bitter expression.

“Mr. Nakamura, I do not wish for this to happen a second time,” Cong Liu said coolly.

Suzy Kim was startled, suddenly remembering she was still serving as interpreter. She quickly translated his words.

“I understand. Rest assured, it won’t happen again. The people were simply too eager to leave; they’ve been warned and won’t repeat it,” Masao Nakamura replied, nodding with a sigh.

Cong Liu glanced at him, recognizing he must be overwhelmed by these endless troubles. “Let’s begin the second round of boarding. We’ve already wasted too much time.”

Time—what Japan needed most now was time. With a bitter smile, Masao Nakamura ordered the second round of boarding to begin.

The crowd lined up in long queues, naturally spreading out to thirty check-in gates. Members of the War God Squadron blocked the cabin door, counting the boarding passengers, looking extremely busy.

“You must know I have another reason for coming here,” Cong Liu said, staring straight ahead.

Suzy Kim and the officers accompanying Masao Nakamura were taken aback, unsure who the Sword Immortal was speaking to.

Masao Nakamura nodded. “The documents are ready. Once we reach your country, I’ll hand them personally to Li Yu.”

Cong Liu turned, his gaze icy. “You must realize this place can’t hold out much longer.”

“What?!”

Everyone was shocked. Suzy Kim covered her mouth in surprise, staring at Cong Liu, not understanding why he would say such a thing so suddenly.

“Sword Immortal, the document is safe. I guarantee your country will receive it.”

“And how exactly do you guarantee that? If I don’t make it back in time and this place falls, will you guarantee it with your corpse?”

His words were blunt, even harsh, showing Masao Nakamura no respect at all. The Japanese officers present all looked grim.

But Masao Nakamura seemed unfazed, his voice calm as ever. “If I say you’ll get the document, then you will—dead or alive.”

Cong Liu narrowed his eyes, staring directly at Masao Nakamura. Seeing the man’s unwavering resolve, he suddenly shouted, “General Zhang! Tell all the residents on the plane to disembark! We’re aborting the mission and returning home!”

His voice carried far, and everyone who understood Chinese was stunned. Zhang Yuqiang, sitting in the cockpit, looked down at Cong Liu in confusion.

“Carry out the order!” Cong Liu said, his tone flat yet brooking no argument.

Suzy Kim was so shocked by Cong Liu’s command she forgot to translate. Masao Nakamura, who didn’t have an interpreter with him today, had no idea what had been said.

When he saw Chinese soldiers herding Japanese civilians off the plane, Masao Nakamura realized something was wrong and asked anxiously, “Miss Kim, what did Mr. Cong say? Why are they making everyone get off the plane?”

Suzy Kim took a deep breath, looking at him with pity. “I don’t know the specifics of the document you discussed, but I do know he’s very angry and has decided to abandon the mission and return home.”

“No!”

Masao Nakamura shook his head violently, refusing desperately. “Miss Kim, please tell Mr. Cong not to turn them away! They’re just innocent civilians!”

Cong Liu ignored Suzy Kim’s translation, watching coldly as more and more people were forced off the plane. The Japanese civilians sensed something was amiss, but with the Sword Immortal present, none dared to protest. All they could do was look helplessly at Masao Nakamura.

“I said it! Miss Kim, please tell him—the document is already in China.”

The situation was spiraling out of control. Masao Nakamura finally gave in, his brief sentence seeming to drain the last of his strength.

“It’s with one of the first people who went to China. His name is Yamamoto.”

So the document had already reached China. No wonder Masao Nakamura was so confident. The old fox!

“Allow them to board,” Cong Liu said again.

Although Zhang Yuqiang didn’t understand what his superior was doing, he knew their orders were to give him unconditional support. He called for the War God Squadron to begin boarding, keeping an eye on Cong Liu.

There was no complaint from the squadron; they signaled for people to board, and order was restored.

Seeing that the Chinese were allowing the residents to board again, Masao Nakamura finally relaxed. He had feared that, after what he revealed, the Chinese would simply leave.

“Miss Kim, would you please ask if Mr. Nakamura wishes to board? This place won’t last much longer. Perhaps this is the last group we can take with us. Tell him, if he wishes to go, he should board now. If not, I won’t force him.” After saying this, Cong Liu walked straight toward Zhang Yuqiang’s plane.

Suzy Kim was left standing there, dazed, her mind echoing with his words: this place can’t hold out any longer; this may be the last group we can take.

“Miss Kim, what did Mr. Cong say to you?”

“He said this place won’t last. He asked if you want to board this flight—this may be the last group they can take out.”

Suzy Kim had expected Masao Nakamura to be shocked by this, unable to accept it. But to her surprise, he remained calm, as if he had long known this would be the case.

“Miss Kim, please relay this to Mr. Cong: I’ll stay here and stand with my soldiers to the last moment. I only hope Mr. Cong will return again. If by then this place has not fallen, I ask him to take more people with him.”

“Commander!”

“Commander, please get on the plane! The people over there need you!” Several Japanese officers pleaded tearfully.

His female secretary’s eyes reddened with tears. “Commander, please get on the plane. I can stay behind.”

Looking at his loyal subordinates, Masao Nakamura smiled faintly. “I won’t board. You all go. Live well over there, do your part when you must, and things will be better.”

“Commander!”

“No more persuading. I won’t go,” Masao Nakamura said with a gentle smile, waving his hand. “This may be my last order to you—board the plane.”

The officers wanted to plead further, but Masao Nakamura’s stern face silenced them. “If you still recognize me as your commander, get on the plane now.”

His secretary’s eyes brimmed with tears as she embraced Masao Nakamura, the first to head toward the transport plane. The other officers, sorrowful, hugged their old commander in turn before following her aboard.

Masao Nakamura watched them disappear through the gate, always with a gentle smile. In his eyes, there was remembrance, but not a trace of regret or resentment.

Seeing Suzy Kim still standing in a daze, he said kindly, “Miss Kim, you should board now as well.”