Half an hour later.
Chen Jinzhao arrived at the West Suburb headquarters.
The troop deployment here was more than three times the usual, as Li Buyan and Qin Jianguo were being held captive.
They were titans of the military, figures who once commanded immense power.
Now, they were prisoners.
As for Qin Fengwu and Li Tiannan, they were imprisoned elsewhere, diversifying the risk.
Li Buyan and Qin Jianguo were held in the same room.
Their expressions were complex upon seeing each other, both falling silent, likely unsure how to face one another.
In their prime, they had considered each other their greatest rival.
Later, they united against their common enemy, Xu Hanchen. After eliminating Xu Hanchen, both believed victory was assured, only to be apprehended by those they had once defeated.
Ultimately, it all amounted to bitter tears.
At that time.
Xu Hanchen, clad in military uniform, constantly monitored the border movements.
If Meteri dared to initiate war, he, as the sole remaining titan of the military, would retaliate without hesitation.
He had always been a proponent of war, hoping a single conflict would solidify China's dominance.
Fortunately.
Meteri's military maneuvers were small-scale, confined to the border area, and never crossed the line.
This was because Meteri deeply feared China.
In their eyes, China was a pressure cooker, and no one knew if igniting it would lead to their own demise.
Xu Hanchen breathed a sigh of relief.
However, he muttered, "These foreigners are truly cowardly. They fail to seize such an excellent opportunity. If it were me, I would have certainly pulled the trigger, igniting the fuse for the third great war."
As Xu Hanchen was deploying troops, Xu Yaoyao quickly approached him.
"Grandpa."
"Brother Jinzhao has arrived."
Xu Hanchen grunted, "Let him in."
Xu Yaoyao obediently acknowledged, and shortly after, led Chen Jinzhao in.
Seeing Xu Hanchen healthy once more, Chen Jinzhao felt a surge of emotion. "Elder Xu, it seems my initial suspicion was correct; you were indeed alright."
Chen Jinzhao had previously suspected Xu Hanchen was faking his illness.
However, Xu Hanchen's continued silence had gradually led Chen Jinzhao to accept the reality of his illness.
After a brief exchange, they returned to the matter at hand.
Chen Jinzhao voiced his concerns, believing Xu Hanchen's actions were too drastic and might disrupt social order.
Xu Hanchen sighed, hands behind his back, "Do you think we have a second path?"
"Yes!"
Chen Jinzhao's gaze was resolute. Meeting Xu Hanchen's questioning look, he said, "Sacrifice me, and continue to divert their attention. Once you've completed your arrangements, you can then round up these families."
Xu Hanchen slightly shook his head at this.
"Do you know what is the greatest asset I have in launching this operation?"
Chen Jinzhao shook his head.
"It's not my subordinates, nor the meticulousness of my plan, but you, yourself." Xu Hanchen's gaze was intense, his tone exceptionally firm.
"Me?" Chen Jinzhao appeared lost.
Xu Hanchen nodded, "Indeed, it is you."
"Your body is very special, allowing you to surpass human limits. Therefore, I believe you can live longer and, upon gaining power, unswervingly implement your policies."
Hearing these words, Chen Jinzhao couldn't help but offer a wry smile. "Elder Xu, you don't know my current condition. I might die very soon. Surviving that conflict three to four years ago was already a rare miracle for humanity..."
Xu Hanchen interrupted Chen Jinzhao.
In Chen Jinzhao's confused gaze, Xu Hanchen stated firmly, "Your survival was not a miracle."
"I don't understand what you mean," Chen Jinzhao retorted.
Xu Hanchen turned away, looking up at the vast map of China. "Your survival was an inevitable event. Do you remember the pendant Yu Mengzhi gifted you? She claimed to have obtained it from a Buddhist temple, but in reality, I had Yaoyao give it to her."
Chen Jinzhao gradually grasped the crux of the matter.
However, that pendant had been destroyed in the conflict. If Xu Hanchen hadn't mentioned it, Chen Jinzhao might have forgotten its existence.
"That pendant..." Chen Jinzhao hesitated.
Xu Hanchen then recounted an event to Chen Jinzhao. "Do you remember the Wu family? When the Shen Guo Pharmaceutical Industry was raided, we also wiped out the Wu family."
"I remember." Chen Jinzhao's expression betrayed his confusion.
However, he remained patient, waiting for Xu Hanchen to explain.
"In truth, the Wu family was not eradicated. They reached an agreement with the three of us, allowing us to spare the Wu family. The Li and Qin families took over half of the Wu family's wealth and influence, while I obtained two items from the Wu family before letting their main members go," Xu Hanchen's words caused Chen Jinzhao's expression to change drastically. In his impression, Xu Hanchen was an upright old general; how could he have done such a thing?
Xu Hanchen seemed to understand Chen Jinzhao's thoughts and offered a wry smile. "This is the first time in my life I've done something like this."
"Was... it for me?" Chen Jinzhao finally spoke.
Xu Hanchen nodded.
One of those two items was the pendant, forged from an extraterrestrial meteorite, the very one you once sought.
"Life Crystal?!" Chen Jinzhao was truly astonished.
Upon receiving Xu Hanchen's affirmative response, he was so shocked he couldn't speak.
This was also the reason why.
When Xu Hanchen could have forcefully kept Chen Jinzhao, he didn't.
Because he knew Chen Jinzhao would undoubtedly survive!
"Then, what was the other item?" Chen Jinzhao asked after his shock subsided.
Xu Hanchen opened his palm, revealing a crystal-clear pendant. Chen Jinzhao immediately recognized it as identical to the one Yu Mengzhi had given him.
Meaning—
Xu Hanchen had obtained two Life Crystals from the Wu family.
"Take it. I want you to live," Xu Hanchen said with firm conviction.
Chen Jinzhao hastily shook his head, urging Xu Hanchen to use the crystal himself. However, Xu Hanchen sternly ordered Chen Jinzhao to take it, otherwise, it would be a violation of military orders.
Chen Jinzhao found it truly difficult to accept such a valuable item.
He felt deeply indebted.
"Elder Xu, please keep it for yourself. You need it more than I do," Chen Jinzhao said.
Xu Hanchen frowned. "Jinzhao, why have you become so indecisive? I'm telling you to take it, and you will take it, understand? I naturally know this crystal can extend my lifespan, but I believe extending my life is beneficial for me. However, for the nation, it might not be."
"I am old."
"My thinking has become somewhat muddled. After using military force to suppress the two families, I tasted the sweetness of wielding great power. This is a terrifying thought; once I begin to harbor thoughts of clinging to power, my continued existence would be a disaster for this nation."
"This process is not subject to personal will; it is an objective reality that will inevitably occur."
Chen Jinzhao looked at Xu Hanchen before him.
For a moment, he felt as though Xu Hanchen had changed. His gaze lacked its former gentleness, instead carrying a certain sharpness.
Under Xu Hanchen's insistent demand, Chen Jinzhao had no choice but to accept.
Chen Jinzhao thought he could keep the crystal for now and use it in a more critical situation later.
After discussing these past events, they returned to the present.
"Elder Xu, how do you plan to deal with the main members of these two families?" Chen Jinzhao asked. He actually had some ideas already but still wished to discuss them with Xu Hanchen.
Xu Hanchen smiled faintly.
"How else can they be dealt with?"
"Naturally, they will all be executed. Not a single one will be left alive."