Chen Jinzhao felt a weight lifted from his shoulders.
Yamanashi Chiho and Yamanashi Toru were filled with emotion, witnessing the most thrilling scene they had ever seen.
Without exception.
"Does this mean we can leave safely?" Yamanashi Chiho asked.
Chen Jinzhao nodded. "Barring any unforeseen circumstances, yes. However, China's fighter jets shot down Mitri's helicopter, which is likely to trigger a new round of military conflict. If Mitri is pushed too far, the consequences could be dire."
All they could do was see a glimmer of hope.
While waiting anxiously, a helicopter from the Chinese military landed on the yacht's deck.
Chen Jinzhao said to the group, "Come on, let's go take a look."
Yamanashi Chiho and the others immediately followed.
Two soldiers disembarked from the helicopter. Upon seeing Chen Jinzhao, their faces could not conceal their excitement. They saluted and called out, "General Chen!"
Chen Jinzhao returned their salute.
However, he added, "From now on, please don't call me General Chen. I am just a civilian now."
The soldiers disagreed.
From the day they enlisted, they had heard of Chen Jinzhao's great name, and many considered him a role model.
Chen Jinzhao had even become a symbol within the military.
"General Chen, this is an urgent matter, please board and leave quickly to avoid pursuit!" the young soldier said.
Chen Jinzhao nodded. "I appreciate your trouble."
"However, I need to bring two people with me. As for the two pilots, you can handle them as you see fit."
The two pilots immediately knelt on the ground, pleading with Chen Jinzhao to take them along, as their fate would otherwise be death.
The soldiers waved them off. "Hurry up and get on board. We'll deal with you later."
The two pilots, feeling pardoned, quickly boarded the helicopter.
As the helicopter ascended, Yamanashi Chiho finally relaxed. But Chen Jinzhao knew the danger had not passed; in other words, the real crisis had not yet arrived.
As the helicopter climbed, four fighter jets escorted it.
Just as Yamanashi Chiho was about to speak, the helicopter suddenly ascended sharply, almost at a ninety-degree angle to the ground.
Fortunately, Yamanashi Chiho had fastened her seatbelt, otherwise, she would have been thrown out.
Chen Jinzhao immediately grabbed Yamanashi Chiho's hand to prevent her from being flung out. Before anyone could react, they heard the sound of missiles tearing through the air, which sent a chill down Chen Jinzhao's spine. If they hadn't reacted in time, everyone on the helicopter would have died.
"What's happening?" Yamanashi Chiho's face turned pale.
Chen Jinzhao feigned composure. "It's nothing, you don't need to worry too much."
Rumble!
Four fighter jets streaked past the helicopter, clearly visible through the windows, leaving everyone deeply impressed.
At the edge of the horizon, several more fighter jets appeared – Mitri's armed forces had been deployed.
In terms of numbers, China's side was no match.
Chen Jinzhao also felt a pang of worry for the four escorting fighter jets. A soldier in the attack helicopter said, "You don't need to worry too much. This is international waters, and our reinforcements are on their way."
"We will head back to the super warship first."
Chen Jinzhao nodded, hoping there would be no casualties from this operation.
On their way back to the super warship, Chen Jinzhao and the others saw fighter jets flying towards the combat zone, with explosions echoing behind them.
This made Chen Jinzhao's heart ache.
However, their journey was smooth, as a continuous stream of advanced fighter jets flew towards the battlefield, providing them with an escort.
After a journey of about fifteen minutes, the helicopter landed steadily on the carrier deck.
The captain and others were there to greet them.
Chen Jinzhao had met this captain before; he was a former subordinate of Xu Hanchen, named Hu Sandao.
Upon seeing Chen Jinzhao, Hu Sandao could not help but exclaim with excitement, "Chen Jinzhao, you're finally back! You've truly put our minds at ease."
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
"By the way, who are these two..."
Hu Sandao gestured towards Yamanashi Chiho and Yamanashi Toru.
Chen Jinzhao replied, "Captain Hu, these two are very close to me. Let's not discuss that for now. How is the front line?"
"Are there any casualties?"
Hu Sandao's gaze gradually became calm as he sighed. "From what I know, both sides have disengaged. In addition to the three helicopters, four enemy fighter jets were shot down. As for us, we lost one fighter jet, but the pilot ejected and escaped before the crash."
Chen Jinzhao nodded. "Under these circumstances, won't Mitri be driven to madness?"
"I'll have someone escort these two to the lounge first, then I'll discuss matters with you in detail," Hu Sandao said. Chen Jinzhao nodded in agreement.
After sending Yamanashi Chiho away, the two proceeded to the command center.
The fighter jets that had been on a mission were now returning to the deck, leaving Chen Jinzhao in awe.
Hu Sandao stood beside him, looking down at the deck below. "Since the incident three years ago, our relationship with Mitri has rapidly deteriorated. Apart from some economic exchanges, we have been in a state of near-hostility in all other aspects."
"Small-scale conflicts like the one today have become commonplace over the past three years, a new normal."
"During the numerous conflicts of varying scales over the past three years, both sides have suffered heavy casualties. However, this news has never appeared in any media, as both sides are waiting for an opportunity – either to make peace or to completely break ties."
Chen Jinzhao's mood grew heavier upon hearing this.
"Is all of this because of me?" he asked.
Hu Sandao shook his head. "Not entirely. The incident three years ago was merely a trigger. As a general in the military, you should know that we had already fallen out with Mitri around that time. What happened later was an inevitability of history."
Chen Jinzhao sighed.
If the two sides were to erupt into war, it would be the most intense and far-reaching war in human history.
Unless absolutely necessary, he did not wish to see war break out.
"The general trend cannot be reversed, unless a new opportunity can be found," Hu Sandao said, which Chen Jinzhao agreed with.
"By the way," Chen Jinzhao remembered something.
Meeting Hu Sandao's questioning gaze, Chen Jinzhao asked in a low voice, "How is Old General Xu doing?"
Xu Hanchen was Chen Jinzhao's mentor, and Chen Jinzhao thought of the elder constantly.
Hu Sandao's eyes dimmed as he shook his head slightly. "Since winter began, Old General Xu's condition has worsened. Sometimes he doesn't even remember his own granddaughter. Even if you appeared before him now, he might not recognize you."
Chen Jinzhao's heart ached upon hearing this.
"What did the doctors say?" Chen Jinzhao was not giving up.
Hu Sandao shook his head again.
Silence was more eloquent than words.
After a brief silence, Hu Sandao spoke again. "Actually, I suspect Old General Xu was framed. You should remember Xu's son, Xu Shao'an, right? Xu Shao'an and his wife died in a cliff fall in the southwestern mountains two years ago."
"I have reason to believe that Old Xu has also been persecuted."