The escape of Shijing Kong added a new variable to the situation. Luo Zheng had to consider this variable and reiterated the order that no one was allowed to leave. Everyone obediently stayed inside the Embassy. Yuanfei Zuo and Shijing Kong lived up to Luo Zheng's expectations, as news kept coming in over the next three days with continuous assassination attempts everywhere. Nobody could tell who was killing whom, and even gangs were fighting for territory, keeping the police incredibly busy.
Shijing Kong, however, did not show himself at all, and no one knew where he had gone. The assassination attempts beca increasingly severe, making everyone extra cautious about going out in fear of becoming collateral damage. Following a subway explosion, people avoided taking trains, opting to walk or simply take ti off and stay ho. Social unrest began to spread, exacerbated by the governnt's denial of involvent with the Hook Tribe, causing widespread fear and anxiety.
Luo Zheng realized that the Japan Governnt behaved just as he had predicted, denying involvent in the entire incident. Even after Lan Xing presented evidence of the ransom exchange, the governnt refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing, instead shifting the bla entirely onto the Shijing family while declaring a national manhunt for Shijing Kong. Shijing Kong beca a scapegoat for the nation, branded a public enemy, and subjected to widespread condemnation.
The once-glorious family collapsed overnight, with all its assets seized and sold cheaply to other families. The Pri Minister used this as a tactic to gather support, a fact well understood but unspoken by everyone. However, the assassinations continued, and the continued absence of Shijing Kong made many people uneasy, especially Yuanfei Zuo.
Gaining power is good, but living in constant fear is not. Yuanfei Zuo used his influence to conduct a widespread search for Shijing Kong and Luo Zheng, trying to eliminate these two ticking ti bombs. Luo Zheng stayed hidden within the Embassy, leaving Yuanfei Zuo no way to investigate directly. Even if he suspected, there was nothing he could do but place surveillance around the area.
Upon discovering many suspicious figures near the Embassy, Luo Zheng imdiately thought of Yuanfei Zuo but wasn't bothered by it—after all, it was expected. The Capital City might be large, but for the governnt, it's small and easy to search for soone. Naturally, they would eventually focus on this last unchecked place.
On the morning of the fourth day, the ambassador personally escorted an old friend, Hook, to the Embassy, accompanied by five others who were Hook's personal guards. Hook was reluctant to bring anyone along, but he was no longer just an individual. The tribal elders held a council and chose the five strongest warriors to accompany him.
Luo Zheng warmly embraced Hook, and everyone reunited with heartfelt greetings about events since their separation. Having shared life and death, these brothers had endless topics to talk about, and over two hours passed without notice. By noon, the ambassador organized a lavish lunch to welco Hook.
After the al, Hook's people settled in. Luo Zheng pulled Hook aside for a confidential conversation lasting an hour, during which he laid out his entire plan. Hook listened attentively and expressed his unwavering support and gratitude. The plan included a compensation aspect for Hook, aning he would gain both prestige and tangible benefits—an offer too good to refuse.
With Hook's arrival, the entire plan was ready to be enacted, pending dostic approval. This ti, unlike before, there was no waiting period. Approval ca the day after Hook's arrival. According to Hong ihua, the executive leader made a decisive, swift decision, preventing any delays that might have stretched for days.
With everything in place, Luo Zheng convened with the officers for most of the night, discussing various details and contingency asures for unexpected incidents. The team consisted of specially trained elite forces. Given a general direction, they knew exactly what to do, saving Luo Zheng a considerable amount of worry.
By daybreak, all tasks had been assigned, and everyone understood what needed to be done and how. Even the ambassador was tasked with preparing resources. Each person retreated to their room to rest, as the operation would take place at night. During the day, they would catch up on sleep to be in peak condition. Luo Zheng lay in bed alone, feeling excited and unable to sleep, as tonight's operation was the largest of his career, a do-or-die mission.
Tossing and turning, Luo Zheng felt drowsy yet too stimulated to sleep. As he was about to get up, he heard the door open. Turning his head, he saw Lan Xue entering, slightly surprised. Lan Xue closed the door and approached, whispering, "I knew you couldn't sleep, so I ca to keep you company."
"Mm." Luo Zheng replied and shifted to make space. Lan Xue lay down beside him, still clothed, and wrapped an arm around Luo Zheng's waist, closing her eyes without saying anything. Luo Zheng understood the comfort Lan Xue provided, suppressing his miscellaneous thoughts and reciprocating the embrace, closing his eyes.
With his lover in his arms, Luo Zheng felt a deep sense of tranquility. His excitent gradually subsided, and his heavy eyelids slowly closed until he fell into a deep, restful sleep. When he awoke, Lan Xue was gone, and the clock showed only fifteen minutes till the operation. Surging out of bed, he took a cold shower, dressed, and headed to the living room, finding everyone waiting, abuzz with excitent.
Seeing the readiness of the troops put Luo Zheng's heart at ease. Although this operation's approach was sowhat radical and non-military, Luo Zheng worried about potential dissent among the group. Now, he realized his concerns had been overblown. In this context, particularly against Japan, no one even considered whether this was too radical.
"Is everyone ready?" Luo Zheng asked the group solemnly.
"Yes." Everyone stood in unison, their eyes eagerly set on Luo Zheng, brimming with fighting spirit.
"Brothers, I must tell you that if this operation fails, we will be disgraced forever. If we succeed, we may gain nothing, but as soldiers, for our country, and our people, there are things only we can do, things we must do without hesitation. Because we are soldiers, and we carry the honor stained with the blood of our forebears. Now, I order." Lan Xue proclaid sternly.
Everyone stood to attention, chests out, holding their breath, and watched Luo Zheng with fervent anticipation.
"This operation will be like a thunderbolt, shaking the heavens and awakening the fervent blood and cohesion of our people. The vast void shall echo with thunderous roars. Our people have stayed silent for too long; it's ti to speak out. We shall be that powerful voice, that thunder that reverberates and awakens. The code na for this operation is: Thunder," Luo Zheng declared earnestly.
Everyone was electrified, breathing intensely, eager to plunge into battle imdiately.
"Brothers, we are the nation's blade. Now, I order you to unsheathe your blades and deliver a lethal strike to the enemy. Move out." Luo Zheng commanded solemnly.
"Yes." Everyone responded in unison, turning to leave promptly.
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