Toscano’s expression was grave as he addressed the others, “I hope you will all give your all, lest you become unfortunate souls dragged down with Chen Jin Zhao as a scapegoat.”
Joanna nodded.
Copelle sneered, “Don’t worry, that person will definitely not be me.”
“Nor will it be me,” Miles stated.
Miyamoto Heiyang, with a faint smile, said, “I am determined to reclaim the heirloom national treasure belonging to our Eastern Country, so I cannot die here.”
Only one person did not speak.
More accurately, they were unable to speak.
The gazes of the five fell upon Su Xiao. At this moment, they were mentally prepared: if one person had to die here, that sacrifice would be Su Xiao.
After all, Su Xiao had lost his self-awareness and was merely a puppet.
Toscano smiled, “Mr. Miles, if we truly fall into dire straits, I hope you can have Su Xiao shield us. I’d appreciate it!”
Miles chuckled lightly, “Rest assured, Su Xiao’s purpose is to be a scapegoat. Besides, we are all in this together, and I won’t stand by and watch someone die.”
With these words, everyone felt slightly relieved.
Miyamoto Heiyang’s eyes were fixed on the Tai Sui in Chen Jin Zhao’s hand. He was determined to reclaim what belonged to the Eastern Country.
Chen Jin Zhao, holding the Tai Sui, also had many questions.
He had once inquired about this blade’s origins from Xu Han Chen, who claimed to know nothing about it, shrouding the blade in mystery.
Alas.
He no longer had the chance to unravel the mystery.
As if struck by a sudden thought, Chen Jin Zhao’s gaze turned sharp, and a terrifying killing intent emanated from him. He roared at the six surrounding him, “I’ll stand right here, come at me!”
Miles patted Su Xiao’s shoulder, “Go!”
Upon hearing this, Su Xiao immediately moved.
Chen Jin Zhao sighed inwardly, never expecting that the first person he would face would be Su Xiao. All he could do now was send Su Xiao on his way.
“My apologies!” Chen Jin Zhao thought to himself.
Su Xiao’s fists were embedded with five long metal blades, making them resemble the sharp claws of a wolf. Chen Jin Zhao had to keep his distance to avoid being cut by these metal shards. Simultaneously, Chen Jin Zhao wielded his own sharp blade, clashing with the metal blades embedded in Su Xiao’s fists, sending sparks flying.
Miles sighed, “Even after being modified, Su Xiao couldn't overwhelm Chen Jin Zhao. Chen Jin Zhao’s strength is beyond my expectations.”
“Everyone, let’s attack together!”
Toscano immediately moved, joining the fray and putting pressure on Chen Jin Zhao.
Joanna, Miyamoto Heiyang, Copelle, and Miles also entered the battlefield, causing the situation to change dramatically.
Half an hour earlier, in the capital of Hua Guo.
Yu Meng Zhi suddenly felt a wave of unease, which made her heart race.
*Knock, knock, knock!*
The sound of knocking startled Yu Meng Zhi.
After calming herself slightly, she went to open the door, only to see Li Qiu Tao standing at the entrance, his face filled with anxiety.
“Uncle?” Yu Meng Zhi’s voice was weak, clearly lacking confidence.
Li Qiu Tao glanced behind Yu Meng Zhi, not seeing Chen Jin Zhao’s figure. This caused Li Qiu Tao’s heart to sink, and he subconsciously asked, “Where is he?”
“He…”
Yu Meng Zhi’s tone was low, unsure how to begin.
Li Qiu Tao’s expression immediately turned desperate, “Did he face them alone?”
Yu Meng Zhi did not answer.
Seeing this, Li Qiu Tao clasped his forehead. “You don’t need to say anything more. I understand everything. How many days has it been since he left?”
“The day after we returned from the hospital, he left,” Yu Meng Zhi replied.
“Uncle, can he still come back?”
Li Qiu Tao ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, his voice turning agitated, “Didn’t I tell you to keep an eye on him? Why did he still go!”
“Forget it.”
“It was likely his own decision, and you couldn’t stop him. Actually, I should have expected this long ago.”
“It’s too late to say anything now!”
Yu Meng Zhi’s eyes reddened. Li Qiu Tao sighed, gently comforting her, “Chen Jin Zhao is blessed by fortune and should return safely. You shouldn’t stay here anymore; go back to the Li family’s residence to stay, lest you also encounter an accident.”
There was no one born yet who dared to make a move against the Li family.
“I will handle the remaining matters,” Li Qiu Tao said.
At this point.
Yu Meng Zhi could only agree.
After Li Qiu Tao left, Xu Jin Song appeared and escorted Yu Meng Zhi back to the Li family.
Meanwhile, Li Qiu Tao was already on his way to the Xu family's residence, speeding the entire way and not once easing up on the accelerator, running red lights.
Ten minutes later.
Li Qiu Tao arrived at the grand residence of the Xu family.
He was stopped by Xu Han Chen’s guards at the entrance. In his urgency, he directly shouted into the courtyard, “Elder Xu, I am Li Qiu Tao. I have urgent matters to see you about!”
A moment later.
Xu Shao An appeared at the entrance and instructed the two guards to let Li Qiu Tao pass.
Li Qiu Tao immediately asked, “Where is Elder Xu?”
“My father is reading in the courtyard. May I ask if you have urgent matters?” Xu Shao An inquired.
Li Qiu Tao said rapidly, “Chen Jin Zhao is in mortal danger. I must see him immediately.”
Without waiting for Xu Shao An’s reply, Li Qiu Tao walked directly towards the backyard.
Xu Shao An had no time to stop him and could only quickly follow Li Qiu Tao’s footsteps. As they reached the backyard, Xu Han Chen had already stood up and said sternly, “I heard you talking from a distance. What about Chen Jin Zhao?”
“What is going on?”
Father and son looked at Li Qiu Tao.
Xu Shao An realized something and immediately dragged a chair for Li Qiu Tao to sit down. Li Qiu Tao waved his hand, “Not for now. I came to tell Elder Xu about one thing: Chen Jin Zhao is currently in mortal danger.”
“Explain in detail what the situation is,” Xu Han Chen’s heart sank.
Li Qiu Tao looked at Xu Shao An beside him. Xu Han Chen said, “Speak freely!”
Li Qiu Tao immediately recounted the events of the past few days. After listening, Xu Shao An said, “That’s terrible. The Mitre Army must have set a deadly trap. Chen Jin Zhao is truly foolish; why would he be so headstrong and go do something like this?”
“How is your girl doing?” Xu Han Chen asked.
Li Qiu Tao didn’t understand why Xu Han Chen still had the presence of mind to ask about Wu Ling Yun’s safety but truthfully replied, “She has already received the antidote and is temporarily out of mortal danger. Elder Xu, what about Chen Jin Zhao’s situation…”
Xu Han Chen nodded, then said, “Li Qiu Tao, come with me to the Joint Operations Command Center. I need to see Li Bu Yan and Qin Jian Guo and discuss how to rescue Chen Jin Zhao.”
“Alright!”
Li Qiu Tao dared not delay and immediately followed Xu Han Chen into a car.
The Joint Operations Command Center was located in the western suburbs of the capital, not far from Xu Han Chen’s residence. By the time Xu Han Chen and Li Qiu Tao arrived, Qin Jian Guo and Li Bu Yan had also arrived.
A sense of oppressive atmosphere permeated the command center.
The calm before the storm.