"You go first."
Chen Xiao said, deferring.
"The Grand Commander has arrived."
Xiao Zhan took a deep breath, his tone solemn and his expression even more serious.
"The one from the military?"
Chen Xiao was slightly taken aback. "Because of Song Anbang's matter?"
"Mm."
Xiao Zhan nodded. "Song Anbang is, after all, the commander of the Tian Ce Army. With such a major incident, the Grand Commander cannot remain indifferent."
"Didn't you tell him about Song Anbang colluding with demon cultivators?"
Although his impression of the demon race had improved, Song Anbang's collusion with them, betraying humanity, was a settled fact.
For a soldier, especially the commander of an army like the Tian Ce Army, this was an undeniable major stain.
"Of course, I did. However, this matter is of great importance and cannot be explained in a few words. Moreover, the Song family, as one of the five great families of the imperial city, has joined forces with the other four families to pressure the Commander, which has made things complicated."
Xiao Zhan spoke vaguely and ambiguously, but his last sentence was very clear: "In short, the Grand Commander wishes to meet you. Is that possible?"
This question carried both a probing nature and a request.
After all, given Chen Xiao's temperament, Xiao Zhan didn't know what he might do.
And Chen Xiao's strength could support him in doing whatever he wanted.
He was somewhat beyond the reach of the three realms and outside the five elements... to put it bluntly, no one could control him.
Chen Xiao's mind stirred, and he guessed Xiao Zhan's thoughts.
He shrugged and readily agreed, "Sure, why not?"
"That's great, the Commander is inside!"
Xiao Zhan extended his hand in a gesture of invitation.
Chen Xiao followed Xiao Zhan into the command building and stopped before an office door. "Brother Chen, please wait a moment. I'll go in and announce you."
"Go ahead."
Chen Xiao waved his hand indifferently.
In almost the time it took to yawn, Xiao Zhan returned. "Brother Chen, please."
As Chen Xiao walked inside, he heard Xiao Zhan whisper in his ear, "Brother Chen, don't be too ostentatious once you're inside. Do it as a favor to your brother."
Chen Xiao sneered inwardly. Was he ostentatious? How low-key was he?
The furnishings in the command room were also understated.
It wasn't what Chen Xiao had imagined, filled with high-tech instruments and buttons, but just a larger office.
In the center of the office was a large military sand table, and that was all.
By the sand table stood an old man with silver hair and a ramrod-straight posture.
The old man's face was resolute and familiar, as he had often seen him on television.
"Greetings, Commander."
Chen Xiao instinctively straightened his body and shouted with full vigor.
The Commander looked up, and his stern, rugged face broke into a smile as he walked towards Chen Xiao.
"Heh, Chen Xiao, hello!"
The Commander had already seen photos and video materials of Chen Xiao, and Chen Xiao's name was widely known.
"Greetings, Commander."
Chen Xiao extended his hand and shook the Commander's firmly. His broad palm was dry and strong, covered in calluses.
"You all may leave. I have some matters to discuss with Chen Xiao."
The Commander dismissed his entourage.
"Commander..."
The personal guard was clearly unwilling to leave, casting a sidelong glance at Chen Xiao, his eyes filled with vigilance.
"Heh, don't worry, we'll be fine. Besides... if Chen Xiao truly intended to do something to me, would your presence even make a difference?"
The Commander said with a smile, his words cutting.
But he was speaking the truth.
A mere martial artist of the Huajing realm was no different from an ordinary person in front of Chen Xiao.
In the end, everyone, including Xiao Zhan, left.
In the conference room, only the Commander and Chen Xiao remained.
"Young man, you've been quite the talk of the town lately. That incident before was handled brilliantly, boosting our national prestige! When the news reached us, you couldn't imagine how exhilarating it was for us old folks!"
It was clear that the Commander was referring to Chen Xiao's earlier rampage in the East Ocean.
Chen Xiao smiled.
In fact, when he thought about it, it was probably precisely because of that incident that the Commander was willing to talk to him now, rather than ordering his arrest.
Of course, whether he could be caught was one thing, but whether to issue an arrest order was another.
"It was just a small matter."
Chen Xiao did not deliberately feign modesty. "Besides, those are all past events. I believe the Commander didn't find me here just for that matter."
"Heh, you are indeed a straightforward young man!"
The Commander's gaze was filled with admiration. "Then I'll get straight to the point. Your killing of Song Anbang was too impulsive, and many people, especially some of the older generation, are very displeased with it."
From the words 'older generation,' it was evident that the Commander did not hold much respect for those people.
Then, he changed the subject. "However, we cannot completely disregard the words of those older folks. We are a civilized nation that values respect for elders and teachers."
Chen Xiao nodded. "Commander, you don't need to say more. I understand what you mean, but I also have a few words to say."
"Mm, go ahead."
The Commander's interruption did not seem to cause him any displeasure.
"Song Anbang colluded with the demon race, acting as their inside agent. The evidence for this is conclusive. He was a traitor to humanity."
"Of course, if this were a normal peaceful era, he would naturally need to go through the proper procedures for sentencing. But in times of emergency, we cannot allow any traitors to remain within our ranks."
Hearing Chen Xiao's words, the Commander was suddenly bewildered and confused.
He frowned and asked, "Chen Xiao, what do you mean by that? What do you mean by 'humanity is in a time of crisis and peril'?"
"Some very bad things are about to happen."
Chen Xiao thought for a moment and said, "I can't explain much to you now, but if you are willing to listen to me, I hope you will be prepared."
In just three seconds, the Commander believed Chen Xiao. He asked tentatively, "Where are the enemies from?"
Chen Xiao pointed upwards.
"Are they aliens?"
"..."
Chen Xiao thought for a moment. Saying 'aliens' wasn't entirely wrong. "Sort of."
The Commander pondered for a moment, then asked with a serious expression, "Chen Xiao, when will those people arrive? What do you need us to do?"
Chen Xiao shook his head. "I don't know exactly when they will arrive, only that it will be soon. The only thing I can tell you is that many forces are already preparing for it... If you must ask what you need to do, when the disaster strikes, I hope you can do your utmost to prepare shelters for the common people and protect their lives!"