Chapter 1 The News

On the deserted island, Su Tianyu informed everyone of Wang Changli's death.

The members of the delegation were silent. The trip had been too costly, and some even harbored resentment towards the Hua District, as they suspected that the information leak had come from their own side.

Wang Changli's body was temporarily placed on the beach. Su Tianyu found Liu Sheng, and the two were discussing plans to return to the Hua District.

Hou Guoyu and the others, wrapped in bandages, sat by the shore, checking their weapons and loading ammunition.

The weather was cold, and everyone felt chilled from the seawater. Many shivered and even developed slight fevers.

The medic approached Su Tianyu and whispered, "Bureau Chief Su, everyone is cold... Can we start a bonfire to warm them up?"

Su Tianyu waved his hand. "No, we don't know who the enemy is. A bonfire will expose our position."

"But if this continues, people will suffer from severe hypothermia and may not be able to hold on," the medic warned Su Tianyu.

"Alright, have everyone huddle together. Send some security brothers to scout inland for any natural caves where we can start a fire," Su Tianyu instructed.

"Okay," the medic nodded and left.

Su Tianyu frowned and turned to Liu Sheng. "Which department in the Hua District did you contact?"

"The military intelligence department!"

Liu Sheng replied immediately, "They are responsible for my line! The message should have reached the higher-ups by now!"

Hearing this, Su Tianyu felt extremely anxious. Even satellite phones were malfunctioning in this forsaken place, and the only two communication devices had been submerged and rendered useless during the escape.

Although Liu Sheng had contacted the Hua District, Su Tianyu knew that this sea area was not their territory, and a rescue operation would not be easy.

They had to find a way to hide first.

...

In the Five Districts' Allied League waters, a speedboat approached a private port.

The port was quiet, with only a few cars parked silently.

An underling put down his phone and leaned down to Xiaoke, saying, "The contact has arrived."

"Mm."

Xiaoke sat on the boat, removed his heavy military gear, took out a satellite phone, and called his superiors.

Soon, the call connected, and Kang Dinghuang's voice came through: "Did you take care of it?"

Xiaoke's expression was grim. He shook his head and said, "We failed to kill them in the first wave, but we've cornered them in the Allied League's waters. We don't know their exact location now. To find them on the vast ocean, we need to enlist official assistance."

Kang Dinghuang was silent for a moment. "You're telling me you still haven't finished them off?"

Xiaoke suppressed his frustration and explained, "You gave me too little time. It's a miracle I even made it here."

Kang Dinghuang thought for a moment and said, "Alright, you guys stay hidden for now. I'll find out their location."

"Understood." Xiaoke hung up and led the remaining men ashore.

...

Meanwhile, in Washington, District One.

It was evening. The setting sun cast a blood-red hue over The Dragon City.

Several Qingyi Bureau vehicles arrived at the Hua Clan General Corps' base. Kang Dinghuang and several guards stepped out of the cars.

He quickly entered the headquarters building and arrived at an office door, where he knocked.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Is that Xiaokang? Come in."

A voice, old and steady, came from inside the door.

Kang Dinghuang opened the office door and strode inside. The Commander-in-Chief, wearing a clean white shirt, sat in his chair, watching him calmly.

Kang Dinghuang didn't mince words and said directly, "Commander-in-Chief, we may need some help from the Allied League of the Five Districts. We just need their tacit consent for some of our operations, and the matter will be settled."

The Commander-in-Chief glanced at him, his expression unchanged, and asked calmly, "Are you confident?"

Kang Dinghuang nodded emphatically. "Yes! He's already cornered in the outer sea, and his ship is gone!"

The Commander-in-Chief nodded and said after a moment of thought, "Go to the Joint Staff Office. I'll have Lao Li help you coordinate the various relationships."

Kang Dinghuang's expression lightened. "Yes, sir!"

With that, he left the office without lingering.

...

Three hours later, a plane arrived at Yanbei Military Airport.

Jiangzhou was picked up by a military vehicle as soon as he landed and driven to a quaint mansion in the city.

The mansion was a traditional courtyard with four layers, an old house from before the Era, simple and understated.

This quaint mansion was the residence of Qin Yu, the former governor of Chuan Prefecture and three-time Commander-in-Chief of the People's Army.

This person also had a special relationship with Jiangzhou.

Jiangzhou's car stopped outside, and he got out in a hurry, walking through the corridors and courtyards to a beautiful building at the back.

The building had red walls and green tiles, showcasing the ancient charm of the Hua District.

Two guards saluted him and opened the door.

The room was a meticulously decorated study, with bookshelves all around, filled with various exquisite ancient books.

An elderly man, somewhat stout, wearing a robe, sat behind a sandalwood table, wearing reading glasses, looking at the phone in his hand.

Seeing Jiangzhou enter, Qin Yu put down his phone and nodded to him, saying, "Sit down."

Jiangzhou sat down on a grand armchair opposite him, looking at Qin Yu with some anxiety. "The Dragon City delegation is in trouble! They are cornered in the outer sea of the Allied League of the Five Districts, and the situation is very dangerous, but our rescue forces can't get through..."

Qin Yu interrupted him, "I know, Fu Zhen called me. Let's handle it through diplomatic channels first. Go find your Uncle Meng and have him order the Foreign Affairs Department to send you to communicate directly with the Allied League. Tell them, they have one hour! To open the relevant sea borders and allow our people to enter for rescue."

Jiangzhou pondered for a moment and said with some concern, "Is it possible to only rely on diplomacy... I'm afraid that District One and the Allied League are in contact..."

Hearing this, Qin Yu raised his eyebrows slightly and said in a calm tone, "A mere small place, separated by our land and territorial waters, what can they do even if they are in contact? If they cooperate, we will give them some economic benefits in the Salt Island waters. If they don't, we'll just clean them up!"

"I understand," Jiangzhou nodded.

The two looked at each other and fell silent.

After a while, Jiangzhou thought for a moment and said with some guilt, "Dad, I didn't handle this well."

"I've said, I allow you to make mistakes. But I won't allow you to fall twice on the same mistake." Qin Yu waved his hand gently, "Maybe it's not your problem, but a legacy issue. You can't just trust people; you have to judge for yourself. Go!"