Chapter Twenty: Forging the Line of Defense

“So, you are all far more important than you could ever imagine!” Chu Xiao extended his hand, placing it firmly on Zhang Hua’s shoulder.

“Right now, the challenges may seem overwhelming, but you must believe in yourselves—these obstacles can be overcome. After all, each of you is among the finest cyber experts in all of Jiuzhou!” His words were both an affirmation and an encouragement.

Zhang Hua’s gaze was as steely as iron, shining with determination.

What Chu Xiao said made his resolve even firmer.

What was this, after all? Nothing he couldn’t handle!

“Director Chu Xiao, rest assured! The men of Jiuzhou will not retreat in the face of adversity. We will give everything we have to surmount the difficulties and claim victory!”

“And please, trust in our professional capabilities. If possible, I hope we can bring in even more fresh talent here!”

“Before the war breaks out, we will fortify the anti-Nether King invasion firewall, striving to make it as strong and secure as possible!”

Zhang Hua did not know just how powerful the Nether King’s attacks would be, but this was all he could promise at the moment.

This was precisely what they had been working on these past few days.

Chu Xiao said no more. Before leaving, he went to the canteen—the one responsible for Zhang Hua and his team’s meals.

Stepping inside, he found the place empty.

“Where is everyone?” Chu Xiao called out loudly, but only his own echo answered him.

Suddenly, an aunt hurried out, looking at Chu Xiao with confusion.

“And you are?”

“I am Chu Xiao, chief director of the ‘National Production Initiative’, also in charge of matters concerning the Cyber Alliance.” Chu Xiao’s tone was sharp, his displeasure evident—he couldn’t understand why the canteen was deserted, nor how Zhang Hua and his team would be fed.

Aunt Zhang, seeing the young man before her with an extraordinary bearing and a unique aura in his gestures, didn’t dare slight him, especially since the entrance was heavily guarded and ordinary people couldn’t possibly get in.

“Director Chu, I am Aunt Zhang, in charge of this canteen!” She quickly introduced herself.

Chu Xiao wasted no time on pleasantries, getting straight to the point.

“The cyber experts must have proper nutrition. Prepare balanced diets for them, and pay attention to their personal hygiene. Under no circumstances should they fall ill! Assign someone to clean regularly and thoroughly every day!”

“Aunt Zhang, I hope you understand—what these experts are doing concerns the future safety of Jiuzhou. This is not merely children playing with computers!”

“I hope you won’t let outdated notions jeopardize the interests of the nation!” With that, Chu Xiao said nothing further.

Earlier, when Chu Xiao visited the Cyber Alliance headquarters, he had clearly sensed the lack of respect for their work—garbage everywhere, and no one bothering to clean up.

Aunt Zhang’s expression changed. Indeed, she had thought it was just a bunch of kids playing on computers and hadn’t paid much attention to them.

“I understand!” Aunt Zhang’s face flushed with embarrassment, mingled with relief—thankful she hadn’t caused harm to Jiuzhou through her negligence.

Chu Xiao nodded. “Good. I’m leaving now. The daily needs of the cyber experts are in your hands. I will assign people to inspect regularly, and I’ll check myself as well.”

Night fell. Chu Xiao gazed at the bright moon outside the window, his mind wrestling with the daunting plan.

Where there should have been peace, Chu Xiao now felt the presence of death.

Whenever he closed his eyes, his mind conjured images of mountains of corpses—the young and the old, men and women alike. Wherever the Nether King’s machines passed, nothing was left but ruins and bodies.

Corpses everywhere; not even the sound of birds could be heard, only silence.

That was the last thing Chu Xiao saw in Mingzhu City in his previous life.

In this life, Chu Xiao swore that history would not repeat itself.

If only he could prevent the Nether King’s resurrection before it awakened.

At this thought, Chu Xiao suddenly bolted upright, a spark of inspiration lighting up his mind. He grabbed his phone and dialed the number of the First Commander.

“Commander, I have something to discuss with you!” Chu Xiao’s tone was grave, not a hint of jest.

A rough but commanding voice came from the other end of the line.

“Speak.”

“I want to go to America, see if I can persuade their top leader to destroy the Nether King—or perhaps find a way to destroy it myself. Wouldn’t that be ideal?” Chu Xiao knew the odds of success were low, but he wanted to try, unwilling to give up easily.

The Commander was silent. He understood Chu Xiao’s intentions, but it was too dangerous. If Chu Xiao went, he might never return.

Even if Chu Xiao was a prophet, he could be locked up as a madman, or taken for research.

“Are you certain?” the Commander asked, a note of concern in his voice.

“Yes. Once everything here is arranged, I’ll go!” Chu Xiao also knew that if he left with things unprepared, should something happen to him, Jiuzhou would be left without its backbone.

But if all was settled, even if he fell, the Commander could hold the line.

“Alright. Keep yourself safe. I’ll arrange protection for you when the time comes.”

After hanging up, Chu Xiao lay in bed, staring at the stars outside, unable to calm his thoughts.

This was his life now.

He imagined: if he truly defeated the Nether King, what would he do first?

Lost in thought, he soon drifted into dreams.

The next morning, upon waking, Chu Xiao’s first task was to check the progress of the fortress.

The construction was proceeding as expected; in two months, the fortress would be complete.

Chu Xiao went to the Commander’s office.

“Commander, I need to visit Xishan Province to inspect the construction of a base and the fortress. Afterwards, I’ll go to Nanjing City for a review. Mingzhu City is in your hands now!”

The Commander nodded. “Understood! Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything.”

“Good. I’m off now!” Chu Xiao didn’t stand on ceremony, setting out at once.

There was no time left.

Currently, flights and routes were restricted to the corridors between Nanjing, Mingzhu, and Xishan; all others had been suspended. Some people still remained in abandoned cities, consolidating resources and transporting them to the three provinces.

Chu Xiao boarded a plane, and an hour later, arrived at Xishan.

Xishan Province would be the last base preserved—if the other two fell, Xishan would be Jiuzhou’s final hope.

Therefore, nothing could go wrong with the base and fortress in Xishan Province.

After disembarking, Qin Lihua came to greet him.

“Son, you’re here!” Her voice was still gentle, but fatigue had left dark circles under her eyes.

Chu Xiao hugged Qin Lihua, feeling a pang of sorrow. “Thank you, Mom. You’ve worked so hard.”