anwhile, at Nagato Port, hundreds of ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) kiloters away from Tokyo.
The sea breeze howled, whipping up towering waves that crashed against the charred rocks.
This port, once the most important port in the land of cherry blossoms, is now flying the bright red dragon flag of the Great Xia Dynasty.
The air was filled with the lingering sll of gunpowder and a faint stench of blood, but more than anything, there was a palpable sense of tense, hectic activity.
"Quick! Where's that earth mage? Repair this gap in the city wall!"
"Formation Master! The core of the defensive formation still needs three high-grade magic crystals. Go to the warehouse and get them!"
"dical team! There are wounded here!"
Countless soldiers of the Great Xia Dynasty perford their duties at high speed.
Earth-based professionals skilled in infrastructure placed their hands on the ground, and thick earthen walls rose up, rapidly repairing the defensive fortifications destroyed by the war.
The array masters, dressed in long robes, hovered in mid-air, their array plates glowing as intricate runes fell, reconstructing a defensive array against the Japanese nation's counterattack.
This is the bridgehead for the Great Xia to invade the Sakura Kingdom, and it is also a lifeline that must not be lost.
In the center of the port, a three-story cent building that was still barely usable was temporarily requisitioned as the front-line command post.
In the dim light, a huge holographic tactical map floated in the center of the long table, densely marked with red and blue dots.
The atmosphere was unusually heavy.
Several generals of the Great Xia Dynasty, each bearing a star on their shoulder, were gathered around the map, arguing heatedly.
I still stand by my opinion!
A burly lieutenant general with a full beard slamd his hand on the table, causing the holographic projection to shake.
He pointed to the prominent red dot on the map representing Tokyo, his voice booming throughout the room:
"According to reports from frontline scouts, an extrely terrifying energy fluctuation has appeared in the direction of Tokyo! It's a sacrifice! That madman, Kujo Hiroharu, has definitely started it!"
"We can't wait any longer! We must imdiately gather all our forces, launch a direct assault, and take Tokyo!"
"Delay will only bring trouble, everyone! If they manage to resurrect that legendary monster, all our previous sacrifices will have been in vain!"
"Old Li, calm down!"
A bespectacled, refined-looking major general next to him frowned and retorted, adjusting his glasses with a calm yet equally forceful tone.
"The situation around Tokyo is unclear, and our intelligence network has been cut off for a full hour!"
"Moreover, there are three important towns along the way from Nagato Port to Tokyo. If we rashly venture deep into the enemy territory alone, and our supply lines are cut off by the remnants of the Sakura Kingdom, we will be trapped like turtles in a jar!"
"I suggest we prioritize attacking Yokohama Castle, which is closest to us. We should proceed cautiously and steadily, step by step. This is the safest course of action!"
"Perfect my ass!"
The bearded lieutenant general's eyes widened, spittle flying everywhere: "What war doesn't kill people? What's there to be 100% certain of victory? What are you thinking? That's an SSS-rank! What good would it do us even if we conquered all of Japan once it's resurrected? One person could wipe us all out!"
"You have a gambler's ntality! Those are the lives of tens of thousands of Chinese n!"
"That's better than sitting here and waiting to die!"
The argunt grew louder and louder, with each side sticking to their own version of events and neither able to convince the other.
The other staff officers and generals also frowned, so nodding and so shaking their heads, clearly struggling internally as well.
However.
No matter how heated the argunt gets.
The old man sitting at the head of the long table remained silent throughout.
Zhao Qingcang.
The supre commander of the Great Xia Kingdom sat quietly, like a stone sculpture that had witnessed the vicissitudes of ti.
He closed his eyes slightly, his hands folded on his cane in front of him, and his crisp marshal's uniform was still stained with so undried blood—the bloodstains left from killing enemy generals during the attack on the port.
He was too quiet.
The quietness was completely out of place in the noisy command center.
Only the occasional trembling of his gray eyelashes indicated that the old man was not asleep.
He was listening.
We're waiting too.
"Marshal! Please say sothing!"
Finally, the bearded lieutenant general couldn't hold back any longer. He turned to Zhao Qingcang and said anxiously, "Should we fight or play it safe? It all depends on your word! As long as you give the order, I, Old Li, will lead my n to charge. I won't hesitate to do anything!"
All eyes were on Zhao Qingcang.
Zhao Qingcang opened his eyes.
Although those eyes were old, they remained as calm as the sea, carrying a detached indifference as if they had seen through the ways of the world.
He didn't answer directly, but turned to look at the night outside the window, his voice low:
"They're here."
Everyone was taken aback, exchanging bewildered glances, wondering why the marshal was bringing this up at this mont.
Just then.
"Bang!"
The door to the command center was violently kicked open.
A communications soldier, drenched in sweat and looking flustered, stumbled in, not even having ti to salute, and shouted hoarsely:
"Report...Report!"
"Enemy detected!"
"Enemy forces spotted towards the main gate of the port!"
This shout brought the argunt in the command room to an abrupt halt.
"What?!"
The bearded lieutenant general was the first to react, his eyes gleaming with excited, bloodthirsty light as he reached for the long sword at his waist.
"Good! These little devils, I haven't even gone after them yet, and they've already delivered themselves to my doorstep!"
"Perfect timing!"
"How many of them ca? Was it one division? Or two divisions?"
"Are our magic cannon positions ready? Bombard them hard!"
The other generals also gathered around, their expressions tense yet filled with fighting spirit.
Since the enemy has taken the initiative to counterattack, it ans they are in a hurry.
Once we defeat their main force here, the rest of the journey will be much easier.
However.
Faced with the generals' interrogation, the communications soldier swallowed hard, his expression turning extrely strange.
It felt like fear, and also like disbelief.
He held up one finger and said tremblingly:
"One...one".
The command room fell silent instantly.
You could hear a pin drop.
The generals froze, unable to believe their ears.
"What did you say?"
The refined-looking major general, doubting whether he had misheard, frowned and asked, "A division?"
The communications soldier shook his head frantically, his voice trembling with tears:
"No...it's not a division..."
"It's... just one person."
"Only one person ca!"
"ha?"
The bearded lieutenant general's eyes widened, then he laughed in exasperation: "What the hell? Is there no one left in Japan? Did they send soone to die? Or to surrender?"
"Damn it, is one person worth you rushing here in such a panic to report? What are the long-range shooters on the front lines doing? Just kill them already!"
"I can't kill him... I can't kill him, General!"
The communications soldier was so anxious he was almost in tears; his legs were shaking.
"That person's strength is terrifying!"
"And he even sent a ssage through his subordinate!"
"What did you say?"
"He said... his na is Qin Zeduoyilang."
"He said... he wanted to see... Marshal Zhao alone!"
Qinze Taichiro??!
These five words were uttered.
The atmosphere in the entire command room froze.
Everyone had a complicated expression.
Even the most hot-tempered lieutenant general with the thick beard fell silent at this mont, unable to utter a sound.
As high-ranking generals of the Great Xia Kingdom, how could they not know this na?
Qinze Taichiro.
The strongest SS-rank professional in the Sakura Country forty years ago.
Yamata no Orochi.
That was a nightmare that once struck fear into the hearts of countless soldiers in the Great Xia Kingdom.
Countless soldiers of the Great Xia died at his hands during the war to defend the country forty years ago.
If it weren't for Marshal Deng and the powerful warriors of the Great Bear Kingdom fighting to the death to kill him back then, the Great Xia Kingdom would probably have suffered even greater losses.
And now.
This demon, which should have died in the dust of history, has actually been resurrected?
Moreover, he brazenly ca to Changn Port, which was occupied by the Great Xia army, all by himself.
"No wonder..."
"No wonder he dared to co alone."
“An SS-level expert... certainly has the confidence to treat thousands of troops as nothing.”
A person's na, a tree's shadow.
The na Qin Zeduo carries imnse weight.
It was heavy enough to break down the psychological defenses of most people present.
Just then.
Zhao Qingcang, who had been sitting in the main seat, stood up.
He straightened his slightly wrinkled collar and adjusted his military cap.
The movents were composed and precise.
"Has it finally arrived...?"
Zhao Qingcang murmured sothing under his breath, his tone devoid of surprise, only conveying a sense of relief that "the shoe has finally dropped."
He raised his head and looked around at the generals of the Great Xia Dynasty present.
His gaze was gentle yet firm, sweeping over each familiar face.
"Gentlen."
"It seems that today's eting will have to end here."
"Lieutenant General Chen Huaishuo will temporarily assu command of the upcoming battle."
As he spoke, he looked at the old man.
"Old Chen, you're a steady person. If I don't co back, rember one thing."
"No matter the cost, we must bring the team to the gates of Tokyo!"
"This is a direct order!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes welled up with tears.
This is hardly a military order.
This is clearly a dying ssage!
After Zhao Qingcang finished speaking, he turned to leave.
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