All eyes fell on Chen Juntian.
Although Uncle Chen's methods were indeed despicable, disgusting, and without bottom,
However!
Uncle Chen was truly adept at making money, amassing wealth, and profiting from others' misfortune.
"Mobilize public relations to buy trending topics on Weibo, Toutiao, and other social platforms."
"Declare that our little platform resolutely fights against all UP masters who use military equipment as a gimmick and spread harmful guidance!"
"Furthermore, we have decided to permanently ban the Mecha-Girl livestream channel within ten working days!"
Good heavens.
It was another shameless, underhanded tactic.
This maneuver effectively framed Huarong Industries' actions as a "gimmick using military equipment," ensuring that even if relevant authorities investigated, there would be no evidence of arms sales on the little platform, thus clearing themselves completely and transparently.
Moreover, the Mecha-Girl's name was already well-known among military enthusiasts on various social media platforms. By taking down her channel, they would incite a chorus of condemnation from fans, which would, in turn, serve as a powerful form of reverse publicity. These criticisms would spread the little platform's name across the internet once more. After all, being infamous was also a form of fame, and they could slowly clear their name later.
Finally, by freezing the Mecha-Girl's account, they could transfer the remaining tens of millions to the little platform's account. As for where this inexplicably gained money would ultimately end up, everyone understood perfectly well.
It had to be said.
Uncle Chen's shameless, three-birds-with-one-stone maneuver was truly a masterclass in profiting.
Indeed.
Only Uncle Chen was so skilled at pulling off such incredibly shady dealings.
...
J Province.
Above JN City.
Three J-20s roared out like true dragons soaring through the nine heavens.
One lead fighter and two wingmen, forming a defensive formation, appeared before the flying mech that countless citizens had photographed, bearing inscriptions like Huarong Industries.
Following Li Chenghao's instructions.
The three J-20s began attempting communication.
The lead fighter of the squadron tuned the radio channel to 34.15!
This was the internationally recognized encrypted communication frequency for fighter jets.
"Hello, this is the J Province Air Force Base of the Great Xia Kingdom. Please respond..."
"Hello, please state your identity, intentions, and purpose..."
"Hello, please respond as soon as possible..."
After repeated calls,
The powered armor remained unresponsive, as if it were deaf, and continued to fly forward at high speed!
Ground Command Center.
Li Chenghao's brow furrowed deeply.
What was going on?
Why was there no response from the other party?
Such an advanced aircraft should have no problem receiving the international common communication channel.
Could it be that his earlier prediction was wrong?
This unidentified flying powered armor, was it an intruder... and the Great Xia characters on it were merely a disguise?
Li Chenghao's heart leaped into his throat again!
"Issue another order, requesting the lead J-20 squadron to communicate on encrypted channels 34.65, 34.75, and 41.50..."
"Other fighter jets from the airbase are to enter a pre-flight state..."
"If there is no response after three calls, immediately launch missiles to destroy it. Other aircraft are also to ascend simultaneously to prevent any subsequent enemy flight formations..."
34.65, 34.75, and 41.50 were the dedicated encrypted channels for military helicopters, civilian airliners, and military ground control towers, respectively.
As expected.
There was still no feedback.
This was bad.
Could it truly be an enemy attack?
After repeatedly attempting to communicate and ascertain the other party's identity without success,
The fighter squadron, composed of three J-20s, assumed an attack formation.
On the fire control feedback systems of the three aircraft, three green boxes had locked onto the flying mech, which was only about the size of a small civilian propeller-driven fixed-wing aircraft.
All it took was for Li Chenghao to give the final command,
And all the air-to-air missiles carried by the three J-20s would be unleashed at once.
Concurrently, dozens of various types of fighter jets on the ground would simultaneously ascend for a concentrated attack!
The firepower of dozens of fighter jets would far surpass that of the multi-national military robots during the former Bear Country's military exercises.
Furthermore, it remained a mystery whether the defense of the Phantom powered armor could match that of the ten-meter-tall Huarong Type I mech!
"T-minus thirty seconds..."
"In fifty seconds, the unidentified mech will enter the airspace near the outskirts of JN City..."
"If there is no response within thirty seconds and its identity is not revealed, for the safety of JN citizens, it must be shot down..."
Li Chenghao muttered softly,
His brow furrowed into a knot.
"27... 22... 19..."
The countdown on the command center's large screen ticked down.
Just as everyone held their breath,
The feed from the JN Air Force Base ground control tower came in.
"Sir."
"We have received a communication request."
"Strangely, the communication frequency is a civilian aviation frequency, and it's in clear text!"
Huh?
A civilian clear-text frequency?
Why would it send a communication request to a military airport tower?
After all.
This was strictly prohibited.
The communication frequencies and codes for military and civilian aircraft were rigorously separated.
Even a novice pilot who had undergone a basic flight training course knew this rule... and a pilot capable of flying a civilian airliner would never make such a common, basic mistake!
Just as the exasperated Li Chenghao was about to reject it,
A strange thought suddenly popped into his mind.
Could this communication request on a civilian clear-text frequency have been sent by that mech?
With the countdown nearing its final ten seconds!
On the principle of trying anything, Li Chenghao immediately ordered the tower to accept the communication request and route the signal directly into the command center hall.
*Screech.*
A stream of turbulent noise.
The civilian clear-text frequency did not seem to be perfectly compatible with the military receiver, and static interference was normal.
The next second.
A perfectly clear image appeared.
Huh?
Is that Air Force Colonel Zhang Weimin?
From the image, this battle-hardened ace pilot with over twenty years of fighter jet piloting experience appeared to be inside the cockpit of a strange, never-before-seen aircraft.
"Sir!"
"Cease combat operations."
"It's me, Zhang Weimin!"
Zhang Weimin, as an ace pilot with years of fighter jet piloting experience,
Naturally understood what the change in the J-20 squadron's formation meant.
Clearly.
They were preparing to launch a missile attack on him.
He did not want to test whether the Phantom powered armor of Huarong Industries could withstand the air-to-air missiles carried by the Great Xia Kingdom's top fighter jets, the J-20, or whether the mech's shell was more durable than the missiles' lethality.
"Zhang Weimin?"
"Are you piloting that strange powered armor?"
"Oh no, the attack is about to begin!"
Li Chenghao was stunned for only a few seconds before reacting.
Damn it.
The combat operation was still ongoing.
The countdown had not ended yet!