In the backstage channel, Liu Qinmin, nearing seventy, approached with a smile.
As he appeared, both the live and online audiences, whether excited or worried, felt a sudden sense of peace.
All attention was drawn to him, and as he gestured with his hand, the crowd naturally cheered in response.
"Uncle Liu!!"
"Great Liu**!"
Adults and children alike looked with immense respect. Even the usually sharp-tongued reporters and streamers present put away their wit, their eyes showing a rare seriousness.
This scene was beyond the reach of mere popularity or traffic. Even Bai Ye, a super celebrity with unprecedented popularity, could not compare. This was something beyond the level of 'popularity,' called cohesion!
Liu Qinmin took the main seat and began to speak. Reporters from across the country and from foreign nations were constantly taking photos and broadcasting live videos.
"The two spokespeople just now have elaborated on the crisis that our Great Xia, and indeed all of humanity, currently faces. The terrifying extent of this crisis has far surpassed the previous two World Wars. However, we are not without the power to fight. As long as the people of the world stand united and fight together, we have a chance. But before that, we need to put aside our prejudices and arrogance to unite into a destiny community army that can react quickly and strike forcefully…"
Liu Qinmin barely glanced at the script on the table. His thoughts and knowledge had deep foundations. He could be considered a rare synthesizer of history in Great Xia!
Millions of people at the scene, billions online, and an immeasurable number of foreign viewers were all listening intently to his speech.
"Prejudices and arrogance? Is he referring to the Western Alliance?"
"So Great Xia has also been seeking cooperation, but the Western Alliance couldn't save face? As expected of their usual demeanor!"
"Heh! What's so great about that? If they don't cooperate, they don't cooperate, who cares! Our Great Xia is no longer the Great Xia of a hundred years ago, and besides, we are now the core of the Eastern Alliance?"
"Can't say that, can we? The Western world is still very strong, with so many advanced weapons and superheroes! I think Great Xia shouldn't have such a tough attitude!"
"You idiot upstairs, have you been kneeling for so long you can't stand up?"
"This kind of person is obviously not from Great Xia! Could it be from R-country or Han-country?"
"Baka yarou! My Great Xia friend, I can guarantee this idiot is not from our R-country!"
"Aishibe! If such a person were from our Han-country, I'd draw my sword first!"
…
Listening to Liu Qinmin's speech, the public also gleaned much information. Thus, the masses immediately began to discuss heatedly online.
The public in the Western world immediately questioned their respective governments. The East had clearly sought cooperation, so why did the Western Alliance claim they had no contact, or even that the East was unwilling to cooperate?
For a time, immense pressure fell upon the Western Alliance. Bai Deng, Boris, and others were thrown into a frenzy.
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Capital People's Square, after speaking on this matter for a few minutes, Liu Qinmin moved on to the main topic – the commendation of people's heroes.
The two hosts returned to the stage. The expressions of the public became even more excited. Finally, they were about to see those people's heroes who possessed great power.
"For 13 years, in the battles between our Great Xia's over two million soldiers and demonic creatures, there have been a total of 1026 battles, large and small. Victories: 1026. This glorious campaign was won through the sacrifice of countless people's heroes. It is precisely because of them that we have peace in this chaotic world!"
"Today, we have invited representatives from five war zones, five representatives, five people's hero representatives to receive medals and commendations on behalf of the entire army of over two million soldiers!"
The voices of Shuang Ge and Ying Jie were solemn and soaring.
"Please welcome the representative of the Central War Zone, Captain of the Qilin Special Operations Team, Major General, Warrior Cao Ruis."
In the backstage passage, a tall and sturdy young man strode towards the main stage with firm military steps. His uniform was adorned with numerous medals.
"The Qilin treads on auspicious clouds, dispelling all worldly hardships! The Qilin Special Operations Team is the ace unit of our Central War Zone. All soldiers possess super strength; they are super soldiers!"
As the two hosts spoke with high spirits, combat footage was displayed on all the large televisions in the square. These were videos of the Central War Zone annihilating demonic creatures.
In the vast military camps stretching for millions of miles, countless soldiers desperately blocked the charge of demonic creatures from their defense zones. Close-ups focused on the Qilin Special Operations Team, who, with their immense power, shouldered the main offensive.
To hit the demonic creatures, some soldiers carried missiles and fired them at close range, while others even used themselves as bait, carrying explosives to be devoured by the demonic creatures, perishing together…
Scene after scene of tragic battle brought tears to the eyes of millions at the scene and billions online, eliciting cries of grief!
"Warrior Cao Ruis, combat power A+ grade, has killed two disaster-level demonic creatures, and dozens of others. He has played a crucial role in several major battles leading the Qilin Special Operations Team! Therefore, Warrior Cao Ruis is awarded the Republic Medal and the title of 'People's Hero.' The Qilin Special Operations Team is awarded the honor of 'Protectors of the People.'"
Upon hearing Shuang Ge's account of Cao Ruis's personal strength and achievements, almost everyone was stunned.
"A+ grade combat power, killed disaster-level demonic creatures? Two of them! This, isn't this much more impressive than those Western superheroes like Harris?"
"Holy crap! Our Great Xia's super soldiers are this valiant and fierce?"
"Hahaha… Awesome! Awesome! Those Western guys just seemed to be driving them away and blocking them, acting all high and mighty!!!"
"We can finally hold our heads high! What about those who were kneeling and fawning over the West just now? Why aren't they saying anything?"
"Heh~ Hilarious! They're probably busy canceling plane and train tickets!"
"Qilin Special Operations Team! The entire team are super soldiers! If the captain is this awesome, his subordinates surely aren't cowards, right?"
"Never have I felt such strong national pride! Great Xia is awesome, Great Xia forever!"
"Don't rush! This is just the Central War Zone, there are still four other war zones!"
"Awesome-class!"
…
Under the gaze of everyone, Cao Ruis walked up to Liu Qinmin and bowed solemnly.
Liu Qinmin very solemnly pinned the two medals onto his chest, making his already dazzling, medal-laden uniform even brighter.
"You've worked hard!"
"Serving the people!"
Cao Ruis saluted Liu Qinmin, then turned to salute the audience outside the venue before stepping down. He had to rush back to the Central War Zone immediately!
"Next, please welcome the representative of the Eastern Theater Command, Captain of the Azure Dragon Special Operations Team, Major General, Warrior Wang Ge."
…
"Next, please welcome the representative of the Western Theater Command, Captain of the White Tiger Special Operations Team, Major General, Warrior Du Zaihuo."
…
In succession, the captains of the five special operations teams, representing the five war zones, received the Republic Medal and the title of 'People's Hero.' Their unified A+ grade combat power and past glorious achievements made the audience at the scene and online viewers' blood boil.
The national confidence and pride of the Great Xia citizens reached an unprecedented height. Foreign reverence for Great Xia also reached a historical peak.
Even Western leaders such as Bai Deng and Harris were surprised and silenced! All along, they had believed they were world leaders in the new era of 'magic' technology!
However, this display by Great Xia had overturned their understanding.
Great Xia, it had hidden itself so deeply!!!
"Five special operations teams, all super soldiers! Tsk tsk!!"
"How does one become a super soldier? What are the selection criteria?"
"Although it's very dangerous, as a man of Great Xia, who can refuse the words 'bringing glory to one's ancestors'?"
"I'm done for! Stop talking, I can't wait to enlist right now!"
"As a girl, I also cannot refuse the words 'bringing glory to one's ancestors'!"
"Can I cry while 'tut tut tut'-ing?"
…
After the commendations for the five war zones concluded, everyone thought it was over and began to chat freely.
However, the two hosts smiled mysteriously.
"Next, there is one more special hero to be honored. His achievements alone are comparable to the five armies; he is the true God of War of our Great Xia, safeguarding the nation."
"Let us reacquaint ourselves with our People's Hero – Bai Ye!"
What??? Bai Ye??? Ye Ge (brother)?
At this moment, the millions of spectators at the scene, billions online, and viewers from the entire Eastern Alliance were stunned. They thought they had misheard, their faces filled with disbelief!
Ye Ge? The one who performed magic under the guise of magic, suspected of being a demonic creature magician? Is he our People's Hero, the God of War safeguarding the nation?
In the Western world, hearing this unfamiliar name and such high praise, they were surprised and puzzled. Who was this person?
Just as everyone was collectively in shock, in the distant sky outside the square, a golden bird that blotted out the sky flew rapidly, emitting clear and loud cries.
"Screech—Screech—"
And on the bird's head, larger than a house, stood a young man dressed in a casual shirt and jeans…