"Are you truly alright?"
Xu Nianqing remained worried.
She had a premonition that the Changbai Mountain Range was destined to be stained with blood today.
A howling gale blew from the direction of Siberia, carrying a faint scent of blood, which sent a shiver down Xu Nianqing's spine.
"Is there anything I can do to help you?" Xu Nianqing asked again.
Chen Jinzhao opened his eyes and looked at the empty doorway, saying, "You don't need to do anything. However, I think you could make me a pot of tea. When the tea is ready, I estimate I'll have finished my business."
Xu Nianqing gave Chen Jinzhao a meaningful look.
Her rational mind told her that Chen Jinzhao, in his current state, was invincible. Very few people could match him.
Yet, she couldn't help but worry about him.
"Alright, I'll go make you tea. My tea is always here for you," Xu Nianqing turned and left, entering the living room to prepare the tea.
Jingle!
The noisy telephone rang. Yu Mengzhi, far away in Beijing, was calling.
Xu Nianqing answered, "Xiao Yu, what's wrong?"
"Professor Xu, I want to know the current situation. Qian Sui and I are very worried about him. Can you give us a live broadcast?" Yu Mengzhi stated her request. Xu Nianqing smiled and said, "Wait a moment. I've already installed 360° all-around surveillance in the yard. I'll give you a website later, and you can see the live feed."
After hanging up the phone.
Xu Nianqing continued to make tea.
In the yard.
Chen Jinzhao still saw no one.
So he said softly, "Since you're here, why not show yourselves and meet me?"
"Are you afraid of me?"
Dada dada!
Footsteps echoed from the entrance.
A burly figure appeared at the doorway. The man was dressed in a white samurai outfit, with a katana at his waist.
The burly man's eyes, sharp and piercing, fixed on Chen Jinzhao. Their gazes clashed in the air, like red-hot iron thrown into ice-cold water, creating a violent reaction.
After a moment.
The burly man averted his gaze, as his eyes hurt from looking at Chen Jinzhao, feeling as if they had been stabbed.
This feeling was extremely unpleasant.
"Chen Jinzhao, you knew we were coming long ago." The burly man spoke, his tone impossible to discern.
Chen Jinzhao smiled without answering.
The burly man stood at the entrance, unmoving.
Under Chen Jinzhao's gaze, two more strong individuals appeared on his left and right. Judging by their auras, all five were considered top-tier S-class individuals, not much weaker than Chen Jinzhao at his peak.
These were the hidden forces of Dongying, who had never revealed themselves to the world.
The five men entered the yard together.
The burly man at the forefront had a cold expression and a stern, unapproachable tone, "Chen Jinzhao, I don't know whether to call you overly confident or arrogant. You knew we were coming, yet you made no defensive preparations."
"Whatever you think it is, it is," Chen Jinzhao did not want to argue, considering it childish to try and make others believe his words.
At least Chen Jinzhao wouldn't do that.
The burly man snorted, "I hear you. You deliberately waited for us here, what is called 'luring the tiger into its lair.' Allow me to introduce myself, I am Kono Osei, an imperial assassin of Dongying."
Chen Jinzhao suddenly realized.
So it was him.
Kono Osei was an imperial assassin of Dongying, responsible for the close protection of the royal leader.
Now that Dongying had sent him to Huaguo, it meant they had committed all their resources.
After this battle, their fate would be sealed.
"The four people standing beside me are all ambitious individuals from various parts of Dongying. They will fight to the last drop of blood for the great Dongying. The five of us are enough to kill you," Kono Osei introduced the four beside him one by one.
However.
Chen Jinzhao heard not a single word.
To him, the five before him were all doomed. Remembering their names was of no use.
Kono Osei seemed to sense Chen Jinzhao's thoughts and became somewhat angry.
But he quickly realized that no matter what he said, Chen Jinzhao wouldn't listen.
"I'm looking forward to it. Will there be an upheaval on Huaguo's front lines after your death? You hold too high a position in the hearts of those in Huaguo. Beheading you directly will surely have a miraculous effect," Kono Osei chuckled, and added, "You are the culprit who has caused Dongying so much suffering. If it weren't for you, this process would have been greatly delayed."
Perhaps ten years later, perhaps twenty years later.
But not now!
Chen Jinzhao smiled and said, "You are wrong. The only ones influencing this process are yourselves. Just like a hundred years ago, you are still indulging in gambling with national destiny, trying to carve up Huaguo to become a truly powerful nation. But you overlooked one point: even if you kill me, you will never affect the front line. You might even ignite their fighting spirit, bringing this war, which should not have happened, to a swift conclusion."
Kono Osei's pupils contracted sharply.
Two months ago, Dongying, instigated by Mitterley, had initiated hostilities, only to be crushed.
This was unacceptable to them.
Hence, the current situation, attempting to enter Huaguo and muddy the waters.
Chen Jinzhao's words struck them like a heavy blow, making them suddenly realize that their supposed perfect plan was futile.
Nothing they did could reverse the tide of the war.
Frustration, depression, disappointment, and anger surged within their chests, contorting their faces.
"Silence!" Kono Osei shouted.
"The truth is not what you say at all. If we kill you and hang your head on the Changbai Mountains, the courage of the Huaguo people will be shattered. It will greatly demoralize you and lead to your failure, forcing you to retreat to Dongying!"
Chen Jinzhao replied out of context with a sigh, "I have been to Kyoto in Dongying, and to your sacred mountain. The scenery there is beautiful."
Kono Osei's pupils contracted sharply. Realizing that Chen Jinzhao regarded him as nothing, Kono Osei drew his katana, "Words are useless. Let us fight to the death! I will use your blood to dye the Changbai Mountain Range red and feed my precious blade!"
The five Dongying warriors stood side by side, exuding an extremely oppressive aura.
Chen Jinzhao stood like an ancient pine, unmoving, in the snow.
The more he was like this, the more pressure Kono Osei and the others felt, daring not to act rashly.
Despite being in the icy snow, beads of cold sweat appeared on the foreheads of the five, dripping onto the snow beneath their feet.
After a while longer.
Chen Jinzhao asked, "Are you still not going to show yourselves, hoping to reap the benefits without lifting a finger?"
Kono Osei's brow furrowed. He instinctively thought Chen Jinzhao was bluffing, but after a moment, he was surprised to feel several more powerful auras rising around them. The weakest was at least S-class, and among them were individuals stronger than himself.
Their voices arrived before their presence was seen.
A hearty laugh echoed, and four more figures appeared at the entrance. They appeared to be from Mitterley's side.
The white-haired middle-aged man at the front walked into the yard, glanced at Kono Osei, then looked at Chen Jinzhao, "You were able to detect our presence, which truly surprises our family. But facing so many strong individuals simultaneously, aren't you afraid?"
Chen Jinzhao looked directly into the white-haired middle-aged man's blue eyes. His handsome face showed no hint of fear or unease.
Instead, it held the tenacity of the Changbai Mountain Range over millions of years.
"Afraid?"
"Why should I be afraid of a few doomed individuals? Even if ten more came, I would still use your heads to sacrifice to the spirit of Changbai Mountain."