Chapter 310: Thunderous Measures

Chapter 310: Thunderous Measures

Inside the cabin, the Swordsmen lay scattered and injured. Ji Xinghuo quickly checked and found that three of them were still alive.

The three deceased Swordsmen and one pilot had been impacted by the rock spikes that pierced the fighter jet. The survivors had minor physical injuries but were mainly suffering from poisoning.

However, aside from the team leader, the other two had lost consciousness.

"Can you hold on?" Ji Xinghuo asked.

This team leader was a Chi Xiao Swordsman and a super abnormal, with a certain resistance to toxins. The poison in the cabin had already dissipated, and even without treatment, he would slowly recover, but he was temporarily unable to move.

Seeing that it was Ji Xinghuo who had entered, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and said with difficulty, "Save my teammates first."

Ji Xinghuo nodded and found a medical kit inside the cabin. He took out a needle containing a special neural toxin antidote and injected it into the two Swordsmen. Their faces soon relaxed, and their lives were saved.

As he injected the Chi Xiao Swordsman, the latter asked, "What about Director Ye and the two Xuanyuan Swordsmen?"

Lying in the cabin, he couldn't see the situation outside.

The fact that a deputy director had betrayed the Sword Bureau was shocking, and even without knowing the reason, he understood the seriousness of the matter.

"They're all outside," Ji Xinghuo replied.

The Chi Xiao Swordsman's eyes widened. Three legendary powerhouses had been defeated? He had heard of Ji Xinghuo's fame—Zhao Manying's boyfriend and 49th on the global ladder. But he didn't know that Ji Xinghuo was also a Swordsman, and he found it hard to believe.

At this time, most of the toxins had left his body, and he slowly stood up. When he stepped out of the cabin, he saw Ye Tongjun lying on the ground and the Sandstorm Lord, who was left with only half of his body.

In the distance, there was also a headless body.

"Hu..."

The Chi Xiao Swordsman took a deep breath. The facts before him were hard to accept, but he had to face them. He said solemnly, "My codename is 'Ging Feng,' a Chi Xiao Swordsman from the Heavenly Water base. We must report this to the director immediately."

"Not yet," Ji Xinghuo shook his head. "We can't use any communication methods for now. We can only wait for our superiors to arrive."

Their phones had been located and were already turned off.

He looked at Ye Tongjun on the ground. Her wounds had stopped bleeding, but she had lost both her legs. The electric sword pinning her to the ground continued to discharge electricity, causing her body to convulse uncontrollably, leaving her completely helpless.

"Director Ye..."

Ging Feng's eyes showed a hint of pity as he looked at her dire state.

Ye Tongjun was his direct superior, and he had always admired her in the past. He had received a lot of help from her, and he never expected that she would betray the Sword Bureau.

"Do you know those two?" Ji Xinghuo pointed to the two Xuanyuan Swordsmen.

"No," Ging Feng shook his head and explained, "My squad received an urgent mission from Director Ye and set off from the Tianshui base. We picked up these two on the way. Director Ye said they were Xuanyuan Swordsmen who were to escort a Swordsman carrying important items."

Ji Xinghuo was not surprised.

In fact, when he received the message on his phone, he had already sensed that something was amiss.

Although the message came from the Sword Bureau's client backend and was sent using an encrypted channel in the name of Director Li Hui, sending people to escort him was clearly overkill.

The fewer people who knew about the super-gravity bomb, the safer it would be.

Li Hui wouldn't have made such an obvious mistake.

Therefore, it could be inferred that someone highly placed within the Sword Bureau had discovered the situation and sent him a message from the backend, setting a trap.

And this person's level must be very high.

So, Ji Xinghuo first handed the super-gravity bomb to Qinghong and then took a risk to turn the tables on the enemy.

But he never expected it to be Ye Tongjun!

Among the three deputy directors of the Sword Bureau, Ye Tongjun was the youngest and had the least experience. However, as a figure with high authority and a bright future, she was a member of the Qing Yuan Association. Not only did she take action herself, but she also brought two legendary powerhouses, showing that the Qing Yuan Association was desperate and willing to expose Ye Tongjun's heavyweight trump card.

Suddenly, Ji Xinghuo sensed something and looked up into the sky.

Ging Feng also looked up, but he only saw the dark night sky. There was no moon, and everything was shrouded in darkness.

Before long, a low rumble came from above, as if a mountain was pressing down from the sky. The enormous weight generated a gravitational effect, sucking up the sand on the ground and causing dust to swirl.

Lights suddenly illuminated the darkness, revealing the silhouette of a behemoth.

It was a warship.

The shuttle-shaped hull was over 400 meters long, painted in silver-gray. From the ground, they could only see its bottom armor as it hovered about a hundred meters above the ground.

A hatch opened on the side of the warship, and dozens of warriors clad in powered armor flew out.

Seeing these warriors, a joyful expression appeared on Ging Feng's face.

They were all titanium-cobalt dragonmen!

Ji Xinghuo scanned with electromagnetic induction and found that it was a "Dragon-class" battleship, the most powerful main battle warship of the Asia-Pacific community. Its size and cost were second only to the "Kunpeng-class" aerospace mothership.

One of them was the leader, Ji Daosheng.

These three individuals were the backbone of the Asia-Pacific community, and if even they had betrayers among their ranks, the Qing Yuan Association wouldn't need to go through so much trouble with their schemes.

Nevertheless, Ji Xinghuo remained vigilant.

The group of titanium-cobalt dragonmen flew over, landing around them. Their leader stood at an imposing height of two meters and eight, clad in a specially designed powered armor that made him seem like a giant.

Ji Xinghuo stood his ground, his electromagnetic induction ability instantly gauging his opponent's strength.

A legendary Tier 2 titanium-cobalt dragonman, enhanced by his powered armor, was a force strong enough to rival an average Heavenly King.

"I am Pei Zonggang, battalion commander of the First Battalion of the Great Xia Summer Army." The voice boomed from beneath the helmet. "What is the situation here?"

The world's strongest legion, the 'Great Xia Summer Army,' had a total strength of just three thousand, organized into five battalions. For one to be a battalion commander among the titanium-cobalt dragonmen, their strength and position within the legion were undoubtedly part of its absolute core.

"I am Ji Xinghuo," Ji Xinghuo introduced himself.

He then briefly recounted the events that had just transpired.

Despite the surrounding titanium-cobalt dragonmen wearing helmets that obscured their faces, they couldn't help but turn their heads upon hearing how Ji Xinghuo had emerged unscathed from a three-on-one battle against legendary foes, while the enemies lay dead or injured.

Ji Xinghuo sensed the intense gazes directed at him but remained unfazed. He asked, "Battalion Commander Pei, what are your orders?"

"To protect you and the important items," Pei Zonggang replied. After a brief pause, he added, "The regiment commander ordered that you board the ship." He gestured to the other titanium-cobalt dragonmen, "Take away everyone here, dead or alive."

The dragonmen sprang into action, carrying the bodies and the injured. Ye Tongjun and the Sandstorm Lord were also restrained and brought aboard the battleship.

"Please come with me," Pei Zonggang said to Ji Xinghuo.

Ji Xinghuo followed him through a side hatch into the battleship.

The battleship immediately took off, ascending into the sky. After a few minutes of acceleration, it broke the first cosmic velocity and continued its ascent towards a low-orbit.

"The Haidong warship is the flagship of the First Battalion. Normally, two companies, totaling 240 titanium-cobalt dragonmen, are stationed here," Pei Zonggang explained as he led Ji Xinghuo through the vessel. "Since you are not a military personnel, and this involves confidential matters, I won't go into further details."

"It's fine," Ji Xinghuo indicated his understanding.

His electromagnetic induction ability had already scanned the structure of this battleship, providing him with a clearer understanding than even the ship's crew.

Apart from the titanium-cobalt dragonmen, the Haidong warship also accommodated more than three thousand professional soldiers. Regardless of their roles in combat or logistics, they were all extraordinary individuals. The warship was equipped with cultivation chambers, hospitals, martial arts arenas, and various other comprehensive facilities, resembling a self-contained community.

Pei Zonggang led Ji Xinghuo to a secret room.

Located in the upper core of the warship, the room had floors and walls made of alloy, each several meters thick and reinforced with layer upon layer of protective measures. Outside, an entire squad of titanium-cobalt dragonmen stood guard. Pei Zonggang personally escorted Ji Xinghuo inside, accompanied by several other dragonmen.

One by one, the hatches closed, sealing the room from the outside.

Pei Zonggang lifted the faceplate of his helmet, revealing a layer of transparent glass that allowed a clear view of his face—handsome features, a resolute expression, and sharp eyes.

"Per the regiment commander's orders, you are to remain here until we receive new instructions," he stated.

"Alright," Ji Xinghuo nodded.

"You can rest. Let me know if you have any requests," Pei Zonggang said, his tone conveying a hint of curiosity as he studied Ji Xinghuo. Without further ado, he explained the functions of the secret room and then stood motionless by the wall.

A control panel materialized before Ji Xinghuo, and with a few taps, a resting bed slid out from the wall. He lay down on it and closed his eyes, appearing to be resting.

At that moment, the battleship had already ascended to a low-orbit, keeping pace with the Earth's rotation. Artificial gravity onboard simulated the feeling of being on Earth.

Qinghong was still in the mountainous area west of Chang'an, carrying the super-gravity bomb, and there were no abnormalities.

A moment later.

Ji Xinghuo's electromagnetic induction ability detected that Ye Tongjun and the Sandstorm Lord had been taken aboard a spacecraft by the titanium-cobalt dragonmen and were now heading towards Chang'an.

They were likely being taken for interrogation.

"Unless..." A thought flashed through Ji Xinghuo's mind, but he quickly dismissed it. If the Qing Yuan Association's influence had infiltrated even the Great Xia Summer Army, then the military and the country's higher-ups were hopelessly incompetent, and he himself would be powerless as well.

"Director Zhou." Ji Xinghuo sat up straight and asked, "What's the situation now?" Since Zhou Yishang could contact him, then there shouldn't be any problems.

"The Fuhrer has completed the interrogation of Ye Tongjun and the two Xuanyuan Swordsmen." Zhou Yishang's expression was solemn. "The purge of the Qing Yuan Association's domestic forces has commenced. You stay put on the Haidong warship and await further instructions."

Ji Xinghuo nodded. "That's good."

The Fuhrer was the most powerful psychic hacker on Earth, and interrogating two legendary powerhouses was a simple task for him.

From Zhou Yishang's expression, it seemed that the information obtained from the interrogation was grave.

Otherwise, the Fuhrer wouldn't have initiated the purge so swiftly.

"The Sword Bureau will also conduct another internal investigation, especially the Tianshui base, and all Swordsmen associated with Ye Tongjun will undergo psychic interrogation." Zhou Yishang's face was grim, his anger mixed with frustration.

After he finished speaking, he ended the communication.

A thoughtful look appeared on Ji Xinghuo's face. The influence of the Qing Yuan Association spread across the globe, and they even had the backing of the Winged People.

Even with the Fuhrer's orders, they could only eradicate the association's forces within the Asia-Pacific community and the small countries and regions under its control. As for the powerful nations like the United States of America, the New Roman Empire, and the Western Alliance, it would be difficult to eliminate the enemies within their borders.

Even if they were to notify these countries, it would arouse suspicion, and by the time their governments took action, it would be too late.

However, with this heavy blow, the Qing Yuan Association would have to lie low for many years.

"A long and arduous journey lies ahead..."

Ji Xinghuo sighed. The Qing Yuan Association was merely a surface-level problem; the real root cause was the Winged People.

If the threat of the Winged People wasn't thoroughly eliminated, then it would be impossible to uproot these treacherous forces.

Even if they destroyed the Qing Yuan Association today, other factions would emerge in the future, infiltrating and causing chaos on Earth.

"Since I'm not in a position of power, I shouldn't concern myself with such matters. Let those high-ranking officials worry about it."

Ji Xinghuo lay back down on the bed and fell into a peaceful sleep.

When he woke up, he remained in the warship's secret room for a few more hours. It wasn't until noon that someone contacted him again.

This time, it was Li Hui.

There was a hint of fatigue in his eyes, but they still shone brightly as he said, "It's over. Hand over the super-gravity bomb to the Great Xia Summer Army, then return to Chang'an."

"That fast?"

Ji Xinghuo was a little surprised. He had thought that this operation would take a couple more days.

"When the Fuhrer takes action, he does so with overwhelming force and efficiency." Li Hui smiled contemptuously. "We've had peace for too long, and these treacherous rebels have forgotten our strength. They thought we were easy to bully."

"Enough said, go home and prepare. The Fuhrer will be seeing you tonight." With that, he ended the call.

Ji Xinghuo looked at Pei Zonggang and said, "I didn't bring it with me. Send someone with me to retrieve it."

A surprised look appeared on Pei Zonggang's face.

He had always thought that Ji Xinghuo was carrying the super-gravity bomb, and it was only now that he learned the truth. Nodding, he said, "I'll go with you."

A spacecraft took off from the battleship.

As soon as it left the battleship's gravity field, Ji Xinghuo felt his body lighten. Outside the porthole, one side was the boundless darkness of space, while the other side offered a breathtaking view of a blue planet that filled the entire field of vision.

This was Ji Xinghuo's first time in space, and it was also the first time he had observed his home planet from outside its atmosphere.

He was momentarily lost in awe.

Soon, the spacecraft began its descent, and Ji Xinghuo felt the pull of gravity once more. He took out his phone and accessed the internet, only to find that everything seemed calm online. The top headline was still about his forceful entry through the stargate the day before, but the fervor surrounding it had died down significantly.

"The official announcement is probably still being prepared." Ji Xinghuo guessed that it would take at least until tomorrow for an official statement to be released.

Guided by Ji Xinghuo, the spacecraft flew into the mountainous region.

Ji Xinghuo landed on an ordinary-looking peak, and Qinghong jumped out from the grass, opening her mouth to spit out a metal ball.

"Catch it."

He handed over the super-gravity bomb.

Pei Zonggang already knew what it was, so he carefully took it and boarded the spacecraft to leave.

Ji Xinghuo didn't concern himself with what they would do with it afterward, whether they would destroy it or study it.

In any case, this hot potato was now out of his hands.

He took off with Qinghong and soon returned to Chang'an. Slowing down, he flew at subsonic speed to the Qin Capital's Tianwu Center, directly landing on the balcony of the 137th floor. After identity verification, he pushed open the door and entered his home.

As soon as Ji Xinghuo stepped into the living room, he saw a tall and graceful figure. Her exquisite face was filled with joy as she looked at him with captivating eyes.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end