Chapter Thirteen: The Official Formation of the Red Hackers Alliance

"Well said!" A voice, aged yet full of vigor, echoed from the doorway.

Everyone turned to look, only to see an elderly man with silver hair and a robust build standing at the entrance.

A closer look revealed he was none other than the First Leader himself!

Who in the Nine Provinces did not know of him, or understand his stature? The First Leader—what a position he held! And now, he stood here before them.

"Greetings, Leader!" the crowd shouted in unison.

The First Leader entered, smiling warmly. "Hello, everyone! No need for such formalities!"

"Now is a moment of life and death for our nation! That you are all willing to step forward and contribute fills me with pride!"

"Here and now, I, the First Leader, offer my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for standing up in this critical hour!"

"I have but one request: that henceforth, you join forces without reservation, and give all your talents to this cause!"

"Will you do this?" His voice rang out like a great bell, shaking everyone present to their core.

The conviction that had built up during Chu Xiao's earlier speech now surged forth with unstoppable force.

"We will! We will! We will!" the crowd roared, waving their arms.

Chu Xiao raised his hand. "Enough! There is more I must say!"

At once, all fell silent.

Satisfied, Chu Xiao nodded, then organized his thoughts. "I've already told you the general direction: we must reinforce and heighten our nation's firewall!"

"This firewall shall be named the Anti-Hades Invasion Firewall!"

"I hope, just as the First Leader said, you will hold nothing back! Give your all to the development of this Anti-Hades Firewall!"

"Today, you may return home and bid your families a final farewell. From tomorrow onward, you will be separated from your loved ones and friends, confined here to work on the firewall."

"This may seem cruel to you, but truly, we have very little time left! I thank you all for your sacrifice!"

Tears shone in Chu Xiao's eyes. These men and women before him were the nation's hope against Hades. The hardship was undeniable, but their sacrifice was for the countless millions of the Nine Provinces.

"It's nothing! I have no wife or children—just myself at home," Zhang Hua shrugged, but a tear slipped from the corner of his eye.

A tall man shouted, "Why go home? Just call and tell them! A true man stands tall—who..."

He couldn't finish. His voice broke as he tried to stifle his sobs.

"He's right!" many echoed.

And so, these stalwart men wept like children.

Chu Xiao could hardly bear to witness it; he understood their pain all too well.

Yet, with the fate of the Nine Provinces hanging in the balance, he could only ask more of them.

"I, Chu Xiao, thank you all! The Nine Provinces will never forget you!" Chu Xiao bowed deeply, and the gravity of that gesture was understood only by those present.

The First Leader, too, looked on with a trace of sorrow in his eyes.

Once emotions had settled, Chu Xiao made a bold announcement.

"I, Chu Xiao, hereby declare the official founding of the Red Alliance!"

"We are no longer hackers—we are Red Hackers! Red Hackers who serve the Nine Provinces!" Zhang Hua shouted.

"Red Hackers! Red Hackers! Red Hackers!" the crowd chanted as one.

At last, under the witness of Chu Xiao and the First Leader, the Red Alliance was formally established.

After its founding, the First Leader assigned an entire building exclusively to the Red Hackers, stationing heavy guards to ensure no one could approach.

Meanwhile, in America.

Louis locked the laboratory door, determined to find the Number One Decision-Maker before Auden did.

"What are you here for?" Mucus didn't even bother to raise his eyelids.

Clearly, he didn't like Louis.

Mucus only tolerated Louis because the latter controlled Hades. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered with him at all.

Louis, of course, understood this, but he felt the same way. If Mucus weren't the Number One, who would seek him out?

"Hades has encountered a minor problem—not serious! But I don't want Auden involved, since two people always end up clashing. It's clearly better and more convenient for me to handle it alone. Otherwise, who knows when Hades might be ready for testing?"

Mucus nodded. "That actually makes sense. Very well, but if anything goes wrong with Hades, I will hold you solely responsible."

A flash of menace appeared in Mucus' eyes, and Louis knew—this was a threat of death.

"Understood! Please trust me—I will make it work!" Louis hurriedly pledged his resolve.

Mucus waved him off. "Go on, then."

As Louis left, he ran into Auden.

Auden's face was pale as he exited. Seeing the smug look on Louis' face, his anger flared uncontrollably. He grabbed Louis by the collar and growled in a low, furious voice, like a lion provoked.

"Was it you scheming behind my back? Was it?"

Louis could only spread his hands in helplessness. "Come on, don't be mad! Your name will be on the project when it's announced anyway. Why get so worked up?"

"Relax!" Louis pried Auden's hands from his collar and tidied his clothes.

"I'm off," he said, leaving in triumph.

Auden glared daggers at Louis' retreating back, as if trying to burn a hole through him.

"How are the overseas students? Have they returned yet?" Chu Xiao asked quietly. In truth, if not for the fact that there were talents and patriots among the overseas students, he wouldn't have bothered with them at all.

The First Leader pondered for a moment. "I'm not entirely sure. Wait a moment—I'll ask Foreign Minister Li Hai to come and brief you."

"Alright," Chu Xiao thought to take the chance for a short rest—he hadn't slept for two days and nights.

The First Leader called Li Hai and asked him to come over.

An hour later, there was a knock at the door.

Chu Xiao awoke with a start.

Knowing how exhausted Chu Xiao was, the First Leader had made sure he wasn't disturbed.

"Awake? Good timing—Li Hai is here."

"Yes," Chu Xiao replied, slapping his face to clear his head.

"Come in!"

Li Hai entered, his long, straight legs stepping through the door first.

"Greetings, Leader! Director Chu!" Li Hai saluted.

The First Leader nodded. "Alright, have a seat. Chu Xiao has a question for you."

Li Hai looked at Chu Xiao, his eyes sharp as a hawk's. "Director Chu, whatever you wish to ask, please do."

Chu Xiao nodded. "It's nothing major—just wanted to know how the repatriation of the overseas students is going."

"Well..." Li Hai hesitated, looking troubled. Frankly, he had spent the past few days expelling foreigners and hadn't paid much attention to the students.

"Not so well?" Chu Xiao raised an eyebrow.