Chapter Twenty-Six: The Laser Cannon!

Chu Xiao understood the words of the First Commander. That was why he often studied weaponry, striving to develop even more powerful arms, hoping to buy more time and create more opportunities in battle.

At this moment, all eyes were fixed on the First Commander.

"I, as First Commander, swear again: from this day forth, I will exert every effort to support the arsenal in developing heavy weapons, and I will not allow the slightest negligence! Should I fail, I would be unworthy of this position!" His gaze was as unyielding as iron, his features stern.

In his heart, there was only the fate of all of Kyushu.

Hearing these words, everyone fell silent.

They knew the responsibility on their shoulders had grown weightier still—there could be no hint of laxity.

Any negligence would be a betrayal of the Commander’s expectations.

"Very well! Go on with your work! I have other matters to discuss with Director Chu."

At the First Commander’s words, the researchers threw themselves back into their tense and urgent work.

Chu Xiao picked up two guns and left with the First Commander.

High atop a building, the two men stood with hands clasped behind their backs. Their faces, ages, and statures were all different, but what they shared was a blazing patriotic devotion.

"Today, I set out for America," Chu Xiao said calmly, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon.

"All right. Wait a moment—I’ll arrange a helicopter for you." The First Commander pressed a finger to his earpiece, quietly issuing instructions.

Ten minutes later, a helicopter landed steadily on the rooftop.

Chu Xiao strode aboard.

"Take care. Your safety is paramount," the First Commander couldn't help but urge him. After all, Chu Xiao played a vital role in the national mobilization campaign.

Should anything happen to him, the future would be worryingly uncertain.

Chu Xiao nodded. "Don't worry."

Half an hour later, Chu Xiao arrived by helicopter before the capital city of America, Makon.

The citizens, seeing this, panicked and fled, fearing a terrorist attack.

Chu Xiao’s bodyguards formed a protective circle around him.

The American officials quickly organized troops to intercept him.

"Hello! I am Chu Xiao, a citizen of Kyushu! I have urgent matters to discuss with the leader of America!" Chu Xiao shouted, hoping to avoid unnecessary conflict.

"Chu Xiao? What business do you have? Say it here! Why do you need to see our leader?" Auden shouted, having just been on his way home when, to his astonishment, a helicopter landed right in front of him.

Chu Xiao was unwilling to reveal too much in such a public setting, lest he put himself in danger.

"It's a state secret. Why else would I come by such means to see your leader? And haven't Kyushu’s recent actions made you realize something is amiss?" His words left the crowd exchanging uneasy glances.

Indeed, every nation—including America—was keeping a close watch on Kyushu. Many had sent agents to investigate, but Kyushu had enforced stringent controls at customs and in cyberspace—a complete lockdown.

No one had been able to obtain any information.

Now, speculation was rife that something major had happened in Kyushu.

America was no exception. In fact, they secretly hoped for trouble in Kyushu, given the two countries’ long-standing rivalry.

Auden was startled by this. If it wasn’t related to America, why would a Kyushu citizen come here?

"Fine. Come with me!" Auden called out.

The others stared at Auden in surprise.

"What if he’s here to assassinate the leader?"

"What if something goes wrong?"

"Be careful! Don’t let his words fool you!"

"Enough! I’ll take full responsibility for any consequences."

"Follow me," Auden said, turning to Chu Xiao.

Chu Xiao took a step forward, but his bodyguards were blocked.

"You may enter. Your companions may not," Auden’s voice echoed back.

Chu Xiao signaled to his bodyguards that it was all right, then followed Auden inside.

Within the grand hall, Mucus idly handled the latest American MK43 pistol.

Chu Xiao and Auden entered.

"Leader, this man from Kyushu claims to have urgent business with you," Auden said, bowing.

Mucus looked up. "A man from Kyushu?"

He fixed his gaze on Chu Xiao.

Chu Xiao stepped forward. "Hello, I am Chu Xiao."

"Chu Xiao? Never heard of you. What brings you here?"

Chu Xiao gathered his thoughts and spoke slowly. "This concerns the survival of humanity. Please, you must take this seriously."

"Oh? Is that so?" Mucus laughed with utter disdain. "The survival of humanity? That's quite the claim."

"I know you don’t believe me, but please, hear me out." Chu Xiao understood that, as things stood, his words would sound like pure fantasy—the man before him would never believe him.

Auden listened, his brows furrowed in worry. After all, Kyushu’s recent behavior was too bizarre. A great nation does not sever all trade and communications with the outside world for no reason.

Mucus regarded Chu Xiao with interest, curious to see what he would say next.

"I am a prophet. According to my prediction, the Hades System will ultimately gain consciousness and destroy humanity. You may not believe this, but I can foretell that in the next month, something major will happen in America!"

"You may choose disbelief, but it is the truth! Please, trust me!"

"Destroy the Hades System immediately. Cease all research on it—break free!"

Mucus raised an eyebrow. "An impressive fabrication. You’ve managed to uncover a state secret."

"But do you think you’ll walk out of here alive?" His tone darkened, eyes cold and menacing.

"I know how unbelievable this sounds, but it is the truth! Please, believe me!" Chu Xiao stepped forward, urgency in his voice.

Mucus raised his pistol and aimed it at Chu Xiao. "Silence! Kyushu man, you have one minute to leave—or I’ll kill you where you stand!"

Chu Xiao did not retreat, his gaze unwavering.

Auden, watching from the side, was deeply unsettled.

Though he didn’t believe the absurd notion that a machine could gain human consciousness, the strange events of late—and Louis’s bizarre behavior—made him uneasy.

Indeed, Louis had been acting too strangely in recent days.

"Please, you must believe me!" Chu Xiao pressed a hand to his chest, determined to make his case.

The sound of a pistol being cocked echoed through the hall.