"Boom!" A massive explosion echoed, and the entire five-story building collapsed in an instant. The imnse blast shockwave erupted, sending people outside flying backward. No one expected the explosion to be so powerful. Jackson watched the collapsed building with a chilly expression, realizing he had underestimated the explosion's power and the opponent's decisiveness. Under such a massive explosion, both the State Preceptor and Mohan definitely wouldn't be left with anything.
A generation's State Preceptor, a spiritual leader, a symbol of royalty, admired by thousands, humiliated to such an extent before dying, leaving nothing behind. Jackson was unsure what consequences such a death would bring, but a sense of unease surged within him. A reverence towards the enemy, both admiring and fearing, began to erge — a feeling that drove Jackson crazy.
"Chief, what do we do?" The deputy captain approached and spoke in a low voice. The State Preceptor was already dead, and the next stance of Yin Country would decide many things. Should they stay or leave? Jackson was also uncertain. He looked at the deputy captain and said wearily, "Let the brothers return to the command center. I want to be alone."
The death of the State Preceptor had a significant impact on Jackson. All along, Jackson felt that losing to Luo Zheng was not due to his own lack of ability but due to uncooperative partners. His collaboration with Mohan was excellent, but the State Preceptor still died, dying so tragically with nothing left behind. Jackson deeply realized his own shortcomings.
Being a person good at learning and thinking, Jackson didn't get discouraged. Instead, he locked himself in the car, sorting through the whole matter, summarizing his shortcomings, and looking for Luo Zheng's flaws. Gradually, Jackson began to realize that he was still too constrained, lacking wild imagination and the boldness to burn one's bridges.
Thinking of this, Jackson drove away, heading straight for the palace. He found the President in the Council Hall. The President, not expecting Jackson to request a eting, looked at him with a grim expression, controlling his anger as he slowly said, "Mr. Jackson, why are you in such a hurry to et ?"
"According to reliable information, the murderer is in the affluent district. I request the President's approval to search the affluent district," Jackson suggested seriously, his expression solemn.
"Do you know the cost of searching the affluent district?" The President reminded him, slightly displeased.
"This?" Jackson looked at the President, puzzled. What cost could the governnt incur from conducting a search? Coordination should suffice, but he couldn't understand. Noticing the President's displeasure, he continued reluctantly, "Mr. Mohan asked to do sothing before he died — to kill the murderer. I must fulfill my vow. Please, President, think it over carefully."
"It is indeed sothing to think over. Mr. Jackson, please convey a ssage to your father when you return. What benefits has our cooperation with your country brought? Without benefits, I can't convince my country to continue cooperating, especially after the State Preceptor's martyrdom," the President said earnestly, yet displeased. If Jackson were not representing Sam Country, and if he didn't have a powerful father backing him, the President wouldn't entertain Jackson at all.
"Benefits?" Jackson pondered for a mont before hurriedly replying, "Once we find the murderer, I believe my country would gladly seize the opportunity to pressure Huaxia Country. By then, wouldn't we gain benefits?"
"And if we don't find him? If he bombs the affluent district too? Can you bear this risk? Or can I?" The President, dissatisfied, said coldly, watching Jackson, who still wanted to argue, rudely interrupted saying, "Mr. Jackson, there's sothing you should understand."
"What is it?" Jackson asked in shock.
"The State Preceptor's martyrdom, the sha he suffered before dying. If he simply died, the nation's people would unite against the common enemy. Searching the affluent district or even declaring war on Huaxia Country wouldn't be a problem. But now, things are completely different. The State Preceptor was humiliated before dying — why was it so?" the President said coldly, his gaze at Jackson growing colder.
Jackson assud the President was accusing him of failing to protect, and he lowered his head in sha. The President continued coldly, "Mr. Jackson, I'm not blaming you; I'm stating a fact. The State Preceptor was humiliated before dying. The people are starting to question the governnt's capability. How can a governnt that can't protect its State Preceptor possibly declare war? The Peace Faction and Neutral Faction have united as never before, putting pressure on . Do you understand?"
"This?" Jackson realized he had neglected a crucial issue: politics, and couldn't help but feel troubled.
The President looked at Jackson, lowered his voice and continued, "To put it sowhat inappropriately, the State Preceptor could die, but not be humiliated to death. You shouldn't have taken him out of the palace. Had he died within the palace, I'd have enough excuse to classify the incident as Huaxia Country provoking war. But dying outside and being humiliated — why was a great monk humiliated before his death? Have you thought about that? Ten minutes ago, major websites were speculating on this issue. Three minutes before you ca to see , soone leaked that the State Preceptor was raising poisonous snakes and assassinating various international dignitaries. The State Preceptor's image crumbled, his death by humiliation beca self-inflicted. And you still want to search the affluent district?"
"What?" Jackson was stunned by how matters evolved and suddenly realized he underestimated his opponent. With a frosty expression, he muttered to himself, "Such ruthless tactics, such ticulous planning. eting such an enemy is both a blessing and a nightmare in my life."
"I don't care whether it's a blessing or a nightmare. The State Preceptor's past has been uncovered. Though most don't believe it, so do, especially in the face of evidence. The temple was destroyed, hundreds of years of treasured scriptures obliterated. The sect escalates the discord and hatred toward the governnt. The Imperial Family also takes the opportunity to demand explanations from the governnt. I have too much to handle. If there's nothing else, let's leave it at that. Convey my regards when you go back," the President said wearily.
"Thank you, Your Excellency," Jackson exited the Council Hall with a gloomy expression. Without the President's support, there was no more reason to stay. This ti, he lost again, but not unreasonably so. At least he saw his shortcomings clearly.
On the way back to the command center at the palace, Jackson noticed that many guards and soldiers were looking at him with hostility, harboring resentnt, disdain, and anger. If not for intentional restraint, they would have opened fire. Jackson knew he bore primary responsibility for the State Preceptor's death and did not bla these people, instead, he quickened his pace.
Arriving at the command center, Jackson saw his squad waiting at the entrance, holding their gear. The deputy captain approached with a stern face and spoke in a low voice, "Chief, we've been expelled. They've pinned the bla on ."
"Enough, we lost this ti, lost completely. Don't be angry, everyone. Prepare to return ho. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. The humiliation today will be avenged one day," Jackson quickly adjusted his mindset, looking at everyone and comforting them.
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