General Tommy's face turned ashen.
Wilson showed no intention of sparing his feelings.
This was how power struggles at the top unfolded.
Either.
They would fight each other to the death in private, but maintain an outward appearance of harmony… this was essentially a state of struggle without breaking.
Or, they would openly tear each other apart, a situation that was essentially life or death… but, where did Wilson get the guts to confront General Tommy head-on, with such a fierce, do-or-die attitude?
After all.
Although Meng Hao's disappearance occurred during the tenure of Tommy's illegitimate son, Bruce.
However.
If they traced the timeline back.
William could not escape responsibility.
After all.
For the preceding four months, William was the highest-ranking official in charge of the Australian Research Center military base where Meng Hao was held.
"Good, good, good!"
"Whether Meng Hao is found or not, I will pursue accountability."
"Don't even think about pinning all the blame on Bruce and me!"
As the saying goes.
The thief shouts to catch the thief.
This General Tommy was the perfect example.
Under the mediation of the highest-ranking US official.
The two generals temporarily ceased their verbal attacks.
The priority was to find Meng Hao.
At this juncture.
Suddenly calling off the joint military exercises would undoubtedly arouse suspicion from the outside world and all participating allied nations.
However.
Not calling off the exercises and not making every effort to search for Meng Hao.
The problem would be even greater.
They absolutely couldn't let Meng Hao escape and return to the territory of Great Xia.
There was no other way.
They had to adjust their strategy for the military exercises.
The fleet originally scheduled to head towards the sea where Great Xia's dual aircraft carrier fleet was located was recalled. They began a widespread search, casting a wide net to find Meng Hao's whereabouts.
...
While the US internet was abuzz with cheers.
The US's lapdog nations also joined in the jubilant noise.
All of Great Xia and other countries were intently watching as the US fleet of over a thousand ships advanced towards the designated sea area.
Many had already been waiting for the US military to officially announce – the news that they had arrived at the designated sea area and were advising Great Xia's dual aircraft carrier fleet to immediately retreat.
"What's going on? It's been an hour or two, why hasn't the news of Great Xia being told to retreat come yet?"
"The US has always been a decisive nation, why are they being so slow this time?"
"Even drifting with the currents, they should have reached the designated sea area and made contact with Great Xia's ships by now."
"Don't rush, good things take time. Perhaps they are adjusting their encirclement formation. Maybe they are planning to surround Great Xia's ships like dumplings."
"Baka! Our Fusang nation has also dispatched ships this time. Since that global war, this is the first time we have sent a fleet to participate in military exercises."
"Damn it, you Fusang devils, your master, the US, isn't even in a hurry, why are you so anxious?"
"Haven't you heard, 'The Emperor is not anxious, but the eunuchs are'… it's understandable that those baka devils are so impatient."
"..."
Even within the Western Alliance, there were no monolithic blocs.
For example, there was the US in the primary position… and allied nations in the secondary position like Maple Leaf Country and Australia… while lapdogs like Fusang were even ranked below SmiDa Country.
...
On the internet.
Not only were there endless comments, like a boiling pot of noise.
At the same time.
Various streamers also emerged.
They rented yachts and sailed to the target sea area, deploying high-altitude observation drones to livestream every move of the fleet.
After all.
Military exercises and conflicts between the world's first and second largest powers could generate immense traffic.
To not capitalize on this wave of traffic.
Would be a huge loss.
One of the streamers.
This guy seemed to be from Australia.
For this livestream, he had spent a considerable amount of resources.
Not only did he rent a yacht, but he got close enough to clearly see the fleet.
Even in pursuit of firsthand information, his deployed drone had already reached the airspace above the US flagship aircraft carrier.
Since he was in the best vantage point and his picture quality was the best, his livestream naturally had the largest viewership.
His thorough preparation.
Naturally brought him considerable traffic.
With millions of viewers simultaneously watching and sending bullet comments, the entire livestream began to show signs of lag.
"Huh?"
"What's going on?"
"We can vaguely see Great Xia's dual aircraft carrier fleet."
"Why has the US flagship aircraft carrier stopped?"
Soon.
Sharp-eyed viewers in the livestream began to notice that something was amiss.
The fleet, which had been cutting through the waves, suddenly paused.
It seemed to be waiting for some news.
Soon.
Various strange explanations began to circulate.
Some said the sudden halt of the US fleet of over a thousand vessels was due to enormous waves on the sea.
But.
Very quickly.
This explanation was refuted.
According to the current high-altitude meteorological satellite, the area around the designated exercise zone was completely calm.
Therefore.
Another theory emerged about a seabed tsunami.
With strong undercurrents.
Waves tens of meters high were about to sweep in.
Immediately.
This theory was also quickly dismissed.
Let alone.
There was no detection of any underground volcanic activity.
Even if there was an underwater volcanic eruption.
These were large military vessels.
Would a mere few tens of meters of waves bring them down?
That was simply impossible.
Just as everyone was feeling extremely perplexed.
Something even more bizarre happened.
The US and allied fleets, which had been advancing uniformly forward, suddenly began to act independently.
From a bird's-eye view, it was evident.
These thousand-plus vessels were spreading out in completely different directions.
"What is this situation?"
"What kind of strange military exercise is this?"
"The opposing side has an entire Great Xia dual aircraft carrier fleet, why are the US ships scattering in all directions… it gives the impression that they are searching for something?"
Just as everyone was increasingly confused.
Helicopters from the destroyers.
Fighters from the aircraft carriers.
Vertical takeoff aircraft from the frigates all took to the skies.
Instantly.
Dense.
Overwhelming.
Filling the sky and covering the ground.
Everyone was stunned.
What the hell was this strange military exercise?
The warships acted independently, darting around the vast ocean like headless flies.
And the sky filled with airplanes.
There was no sign of any enemy presence, so why did all the fighter jets take off?
This joint fleet exercise, which should have been aesthetically pleasing, had become so chaotic, looking completely like a disoriented group of elementary school students doing drills.