Translator: CinderTL
Buzz!
The cloud layer high above churned as the suppression warship, a colossal beast of the starry sky, slowly retreated.
Waves of wind pressure swept outward, dispersing the water stains on Black Harbor City's skyscrapers and dissipating the lingering mist.
The citizens of Black Harbor City stared in disbelief, while Yang Wudi and his companions, hidden in the crowd, were momentarily stunned.
"The Federation is backing down?"
The Platinum Federation, known for its domineering and uncompromising stance, had chosen to yield at the last moment?
This wasn't just shocking to outsiders like them; even the local Federation citizens, action bureau personnel, and Military officials were incredulous.
"I never imagined it would end like this," Andrei muttered, his damaged mechanical body hissing as coolant sprayed to mitigate the strain on its overheated modules.
Sensing his dissatisfaction and simmering anger, Helena frowned slightly and instinctively glanced upward.
A fleeting golden light seemed to flash across the sky, and the ringing in her ears confirmed that the earlier commotion had been no illusion.
Why would the Master order a retreat? she wondered, her expression puzzled. Could something unexpected have occurred?
As these thoughts raced through her mind, orders echoed through the vast carrier warship's interior. The vessel began to turn, its massive hull pivoting away from the city.
Waves churned in its wake, the sea foam surging with the lingering bitterness of unfulfilled ambitions.
After a moment of silence, the two Legendary-grade federal officials finally dared not disobey the Sacred Being's command.
Until the very end.
The military forces retreated, and the figures vanished.
The port's gray-black ground was riddled with scorch marks, the molten residue cooling and gradually solidifying.
The Celestial Dome Lockdown and the Martial Dao Momentum of volcanic magma gradually dissipated. Chen Feng watched as the sea mist rose again, completely concealing the carrier group and the two Legendary-grade figures.
"Did a Divine General intervene?"
His gaze flickered as he glanced at the azure sky.
The earlier earth-shattering roar had scattered the nearby cloud layers, which lingered in disarray, unable to reform.
That was a power far surpassing Legendary-grade, making such a conclusion inevitable.
"Perhaps," Wang Cheng replied, his expression uncertain. He hadn't received any specific orders, but before departing, he had been informed that a Divine General would provide protection in case of emergency.
Though he didn't know the exact details, the fact that the federal forces had retreated and obeyed orders clearly indicated the intervention of one of the five supreme beings who ruled the federal council.
These platinum five-star figures possessed near-divine power, rivaling the Divine Generals of the Red Nation.
Chen Feng's thoughts drifted as he pondered Wang Cheng's words for a moment, ultimately deciding not to delve further.
Regardless of the circumstances, this confirmed that the Red Nation's high command had indeed prepared a force capable of restraining Divine General-level threats.
It was precisely because of this.
Chen Feng withdrew his gaze and surveyed his surroundings.
The action bureau personnel had long since lost consciousness, huddled in corners. Director Lyle and his group were pale-faced, their bodies trembling slightly.
Though the heat had dissipated from the cracked port earth, beads of sweat still glistened on the faces of the foreign affairs bureau negotiators, soaking their backs.
Looking around further, the white Peacekeepers who had participated in the arrests wore ashen expressions, a mix of anger, resentment, and fear.
One by one, the Red Nation compatriots who had been detained were freed, their handcuffs removed. The baseless restrictions and investigations now seemed like a cruel joke.
In that instant, Chen Feng's gaze sharpened.
He turned to the delegation behind him.
No one flinched, no one wavered.
Instead, their eyes met, and they nodded, their resolve growing stronger.
"The negotiations must continue."
"At least, we must show the world that the Red Nation fears no enemy."
Whoosh!
A summer breeze swept through, the carved windows reflecting the scorching sunlight.
The potted plants beside the red-lacquered wooden table trembled slightly. Within the room, several figures stood in silent stillness, their gazes fixed rigidly on the sky.
The warship had retreated, and the clouds struggled to reform.
Even two second-stage legendary figures had failed to deter the intruder. The New Covenant Faction's attempt at intimidation had ended in humiliating defeat.
"Why did it turn out like this?"
A Roth Family Security Captain asked in disbelief, the situation feeling surreal, almost like a hallucination.
According to the original plan, this show of force should have been enough to make the Red Nation delegation yield and retreat, allowing the federation to secure more favorable terms in subsequent negotiations.
But now...
"The Red Kingdom Military is applying pressure," a deep voice echoed. Mr. Longjia, a middle-aged man and legendary-grade mech warrior, had received firsthand intelligence.
A light screen hovered, displaying text messages from the Roth Family's informants within the Military and high-ranking officials, providing the latest updates.
Ouna, standing nearby, opened her mouth to speak, her face etched with frustration.
But before she could ask again, Longjia shook his head gently, letting out a low sigh.
"And most importantly," he added, "this is the Master's order."
His amber-like eyes, usually bright, were now clouded with shadows, swirling with complex emotions.
Ouna's pupils contracted slightly, completely unprepared for this outcome.
Could it be true? Had one of the platinum five-star Sacred Beings—the supreme, divine ruler of the council—actually intervened in this matter?
Shock, confusion, fear...
She instantly grasped the crucial question:
"Why would the Master choose to back down?"
Even if the Red Nation's Divine General was secretly involved, it shouldn't have caused such fear in the federation.
After all, the federation's divine forces far outnumbered those of the Red Nation!
"There are rumors that the Red Nation's Divine General took action with extreme aggression, vowing to fight to the death."
"Another report claims a massive Black Tide erupted in a Secret Realm, with Evil God Angels descending. Overwhelming force is needed to suppress them."
Longjia shook his head, uncertain of the true reason.
However, the latter report had already been confirmed. Military forces were mobilizing, commanding warships and using the Star Ring Device to travel to a Secret Realm Space to suppress the Black Tide.
Ouna's expression darkened with disappointment, her gaze complex and unusually sinister.
She had hoped to witness a spectacle, personally witnessing the Martial Artist's humiliation.
But the unexpected turn of events had ruined everything, leaving her efforts in vain.
Moreover...
"Uncle Longjia, did you get a clear read on his strength?"
A flicker of unease crossed Ouna's face, as if concealing a hint of fear.
That overwhelming power had severely injured even second-stage legendaries.
She couldn't help but wonder if Lord Andrei had only been using a temporary vessel.
"The distance was too great. The Magnetic Field fluctuations couldn't be accurately measured."
Longjia shook his head.
The legendary modified human frowned deeply, equally uncertain about the outcome.
That was the second stage of Legendary-grade, a level of power that would serve as a cornerstone of the Roth Family's foundation and place them among the absolute elite even within the federation.
The fact that both of them had been severely wounded in a joint attack was something neither could easily accept.
"Lord Andrei previously used consciousness descent elsewhere, so perhaps he wasn't at his peak condition. Or perhaps he was momentarily careless, neglecting his defenses."
"And that Legendary Flying General from the Red Nation, Wang Cheng, might also have hidden some tricks up his sleeve."
He offered multiple explanations, desperately trying to deny Chen Feng's true strength.
But deep down, he knew there was likely only one real explanation:
This monstrous Martial Artist had achieved another breakthrough, now rivaling any second-stage legendary.
Yet...
His gaze flickered to Ouna, observing her fluctuating expression, the growing fear in her eyes, and her increasingly wavering composure.
He knew that even if he voiced these truths, she would likely reject them, and might even react negatively.
The negotiations were far from over.
Whether she could secure her position as the Roth Family's primary heir while gaining the New Covenant Faction's favor hinged entirely on the final outcome of this matter. There was no room for deviation from the plan.
I hope Master Velatu and the family's other hidden forces can stop him.
A shadow darkened Longjia's amber-brown eyes, his heart heavy with foreboding.
Ouna's expression shifted as Longjia's words finally calmed her fear, forcing her to regain her composure.
"Let's go. We'll move to another location," she ordered in a low voice, leading Longjia and the security personnel away.
Since the Martial Artist was too dangerous to provoke, they would bide their time.
Once the Han Mingchuan matter was resolved, she would have not only the full support of her family but also the backing of the New Covenant Faction and other high-ranking officials in the federation, enabling her to avenge this humiliation.
Tap, tap!
The security personnel, fully armed, hurried through the corridors of the estate, their footsteps echoing as they fell into formation.
The convoy parked by the fountain garden came to life with the sounds of doors opening and closing, followed by the rumble of engines as the vehicles slowly pulled away.
The estate gradually fell silent, with only the butler and servants remaining to attend to their duties.
For a moment, no one noticed.
On a distant rooftop, a black Raven lurked in the shadows, its crimson vertical pupils cold and impassive as it silently watched their departure.
Only after the convoy had vanished from sight did the Raven's pupils flicker briefly. With a rustle of wings, it vanished from its perch.
Whirr!
At the same moment, a convoy of black vehicles sped away from the port, entering Black Harbor City.
Neon lights flickered brightly on both sides of the street, while illusory projections floated overhead like surging waves.
As they took in the scene—the floating staircases crisscrossing between skyscrapers and the silver Flying Cars taking off and landing—Chen Feng and the others at the center of the motorcade wore deep, calm expressions.
"Gentlemen, this is the South Ring District of Black Harbor City," Director Lyle said, forcing a smile despite his discomfort. His face was pale as he introduced the surroundings, trying to ease the tension. "It's the city center, where many mega-corporations have their branch offices."
They were riding in an extended Lailaus Sedan, equipped with leather sofas, reclining seats, a mini-fridge, and a wine cabinet.
Chen Feng, Chairman Li Yun, and the others glanced at Lyle but remained silent, their expressions impassive.
One of the accompanying security personnel secretly marveled at how Director Lyle had risen to such a high position in the foreign affairs bureau. His ability to pretend nothing was amiss, his sheer audacity, surpassed that of most people.
"If you'd prefer not to tour and are feeling tired, you can rest at Parliament Hall. We've already arranged accommodations," Lyle continued. "There's a welcome banquet tonight as well. At that time..."
"That won't be necessary, Director Lyle," Chairman Li Yun said calmly, cutting him off with a glance. "We'll rest at the embassy tonight. As for the negotiations, we expect to meet Commissioner Moke promptly tomorrow."
His cold tone made it clear he saw through Lyle's charade and had no patience for further pretense. Most of these officials belonged to the New Covenant Faction, known for their hawkish stance, making genuine peaceful dialogue unlikely. In contrast, the Old Covenant Faction, while still hostile toward the Red Nation, tended to be more cautious, leaving some room for compromise.
Director Lyle forced an awkward smile, suppressing his displeasure. Especially under Chen Feng's indifferent gaze, he shrank back, fighting the urge to shiver as goosebumps prickled his skin. He maintained a respectful, smiling facade.
The motorcade fell into an unnatural silence. Neither the congressional liaison nor the Black Harbor City Council Speaker dared utter a word, their caution palpable.
The black sedans veered off course, escorted by flashing red and blue federation police cars and foreign affairs bureau security personnel, heading toward the embassy.
Through the windows, they could see the neon-lit streets outside, where crowds of people of various skin tones milled about, kept at bay by Peacekeepers maintaining order.
White and Black residents alike stared with curiosity, clustering in small groups outside supermarkets and taverns, or sitting inside shops and restaurants, peering through display windows with furrowed brows.
Their expressions ranged from suspicion and confusion to outright hostility.
Most people were unaware of the true situation at the port, having only heard vague rumors about the negotiation schedule.
In stark contrast to this indifference, sporadic red banners unfurled along the roadside, held by enthusiastic groups.
These were overseas compatriots from the Red Nation and some international students who had voluntarily gathered near the embassy to welcome the delegation.
Clutching banners and wearing small red badges on their faces, they squeezed into the crowd, chanting greetings to the delegation from their homeland.
The cacophony of voices, filled with fervent excitement and pride, reverberated through the air.
Witnessing this scene, Chairman Li Yun and the senior members of the delegation felt a warmth in their hearts and smiled.
The car windows rolled down, and they ignored the complex expressions on Director Lyle's face and the others, nodding and waving to the overseas compatriots and students in the distance.
"They're all Red Nation people," Chairman Li Yun murmured, his voice tinged with regret. He could see the Federation citizens casting disdainful glances at the overseas compatriots around them.
In this foreign land, regardless of the reasons that had brought them here, their bloodline remained the same. Though some might have lost interest in the Red Nation, or even harbored hostility, most still retained a sense of kinship and longing for their homeland.
Chen Feng didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the world outside.
Every choice carries its consequences, and no one can judge whether it was right or wrong. All they could do was make the name "Red Nation" shine brighter, hoping its light would reach more corners of Earth.
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, his gaze suddenly sharpened.
In a corner of the street, amidst the crowded throng and beneath the neon projections of advertisements, a man in a brown trench coat stood in the shadows of an alley entrance, a cigarette clenched between his teeth. He met Chen Feng's eyes from afar.
The familiar disheveled hair and the faint wisp of smoke drifting in the wind confirmed his identity. Chen Feng recognized him instantly.
He wasn't surprised. When they had parted ways in Luoyue, he had instructed the man to come here.
With a barely perceptible nod, Chen Feng acknowledged him.
None of the other occupants of the convoy noticed, nor did the white-uniformed Peacekeepers maintaining order.
The convoy slowly pulled away from the street and entered the embassy grounds.
In the alley corner, only a lingering wisp of smoke remained, the man having vanished without a trace.
(End of the Chapter)
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