Chapter 18
The generals' shouts echoed with rage as they glimpsed the dawn of victory. Hope was within reach, and retreat was not an option—they had to hold their ground. Amidst the tension, Lu Yu's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Father, what's wrong?" Situ Mei Tang suddenly collapsed into his chair. Xue Jiao（escaped）Wu Yi's embrace and rushed to her father's side. "Umbrella Corporation, today marks the official rise of my Li Yu's Protection Umbrella Group. Wait and see—if my parents' deaths are linked to you, I will reduce your empire to rubble!" Li Yu's gaze was cold and menacing.
Jiu—! The golden-crowned blood eagle's blood seemed to burn, its feathers igniting as it spread its wings and soared into the sky. "I didn't say that! You must have misheard," Situ Xue Jiao denied immediately. Li Dong Yang wiped tears from his eyes, unable to stop them. "I know where it is," Wang Zhao Qian replied, retrieving a metal box from a cabinet. His reluctance to return to the Fourth Division likely stemmed from both external pressure and a desire to take leave from military duties. After being captured twice, whether he had betrayed or not, he knew he no longer belonged in the bureaucracy. Corpses of internal organs and red-eyed rabbits rained down, splattering the remaining creatures. Yet instead of fear, the barbaric beasts were provoked further. "Your Majesty, I have urgent matters to report," Lan Yi said, recalling the new rule Emperor Chen had established: courtiers were no longer to refer to themselves as "slaves" in his presence.
The atmosphere was eerily silent as the four travelers journeyed on, none daring to break the silence. "Don't pry, or Fan Ge will think I'm leaking military secrets," Huang Chang Sheng said, smiling at Lao Hu. "Why don't you ask him to join the special ops team? I guarantee you'll become much stronger." Huang remembered the month of training under Liao Fan and couldn't help but grin. Xiao Feng sighed helplessly. Though he'd never experienced heartbreak, seeing Wu Ming's pale, bloodless face, he knew the pain must be excruciating. Gu Ling Ge hadn't heard from Chu Zhao Nan in a while, nor had anyone else. She was completely in the dark about what had transpired. She had assumed Chu Zhao Nan, being so cautious, would keep her safe, but it seemed something unforeseen had occurred.
The Second Battalion, tasked with setting up an ambush east of Qiaokou, was discovered by Japanese planes due to poor aerial concealment. The ensuing artillery strike caught them off guard. Lin Mei Wan touched her forehead, recalling the first time she had run away from home—because a cough had disturbed her father's sleep. Now, with her child nearly three months old, her life was growing increasingly desperate. After their conversation, the palace fell into a suffocating silence. Chen Lin hadn't seen Xiao Ruo Yao in a long time and seized the opportunity to contact her now that she had updated her social media. For instance, Chen Lin preferred locations with better views—the（sense of control）of overlooking everything below was most appealing. The receptionist was astonished by Chen Lin's identity—how could Yuan Shu grant him unlimited free access here? Shen Si Yu was clearly startled by Yun Chen's evasive（movements）, then stared at her blankly, a hint of grievance on her face.
One type of fire-and-water staff had an iron-plated tip that could shatter bones with a single strike. Before Bai could respond, the Primordial Heavenly Venerable and the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable approached to catch up with Bai. I quickly pretended to stroll away. "Is that so? I understand," Ling Mei nodded awkwardly, unsure of what to say to Chou Zeng Wu Bu Na, who showed no signs of leaving. Perhaps no longer fearing magma, if a fight broke out, even if Liu Ding Tian hid beneath the lava, he would surely perish once his spiritual energy was exhausted. Deng Shichang was the most shocked by this revelation—little did he know that while the court had been urging mediation, the foreign powers had already aligned with Japan. "It would be best to hold it at the Mountain of Monsters. That way, I won't have to work!" The Tenma Dog God grabbed Chou Zeng Wu Bu Na's hand. "How about I lend you the whole mountain? Goddess of Tits!" The wind swept through the void, extinguishing the flickering lights until only a soft glow shone down from above, holding back the encroaching darkness. Dawn had begun to break, casting a dim light that banished the total darkness. Though still giants compared to humans, the towering figures looked more pleasing to the eye. Upon seeing the short knife in his hand, Yi Bo Nuo Bi flew into a rage and charged with his blade raised. Li Yan smiled confidently, neither blocking nor retreating, but lunging forward and smashing his elbow into Yi Bo Nuo Bi's chest. The force sent the attacker staggering back several steps, the blade missing its mark entirely.