The woman released the binding vines and led the Huaxia team to the safe stronghold.
There were some torches flickering, but upon closer inspection, it became clear that the torch holders were not the agreed-upon allied nations.
Not only was there not a single breakout team, but even more absurdly, there was actually a defending team here.
"Do you believe it now?", the woman said indifferently, "Mobilizing so many countries to break out together does increase the odds of success, but it also means that the chances of your plan being leaked are much higher."
"For example, some country might have exchanged your plan for a slot in the competition."
At this moment, despair flashed across the eyes of Zhu Yuan, Yuan Zhu, Hua Ziyan, Su Nuannuan, and the others.
Even in the previous desperate situation, they had never thought of giving up. Yet now, just fifty meters from the stronghold, they finally understood what despair truly meant.
"Alright, I've said everything that needs to be said. Now it's time to send you on your way," The woman finished speaking and then stepped aside, looking at Hochman and Onoda Juro, "Give them a swift death. They are worthy opponents."
Hochman snorted coldly, "Chris, don't order me around!"
Chris turned away indifferently, "Suit yourself. But remember, the way you treat me now will decide how miserable your death will be in the Global Championship!"
Hochman let out a wild laugh, "The more you say that, the more excited I get. No rush—just a few more days until the tournament starts. I'll make sure you understand true despair in the ring!"
With that, Hochman walked up to Zhu Yuan, sneered, and suddenly stomped down, snapping Zhu Yuan's knee.
"Captain Zhu!"
Hochman chuckled, "Fighting with your life on the line, only to realize that your hope never even existed—how amusing is that?"
"You Huaxia people have lost your chance in the tournament. The gap between us will only widen. I doubt Huaxia can even keep its top-five global ranking now."
"Even in this era, the strong only become stronger, while the weak are eliminated. That is the truth that Ghost Star has taught us!"
Zhu Yuan collapsed to the ground, both legs broken. He closed his eyes in pain, not knowing whether the agony in his body or the despair in his heart hurt more.
But after just a moment, he opened his eyes, now filled with unwavering determination.
He lay on the ground and began crawling toward the stronghold, fifty meters away.
"Completing the mission... is our duty..."
Hochman's rage erupted, "Still not giving up?"
He bent down, placing his large hands on both sides of Zhu Yuan's temples, lifting him into the air. His eyes widened, "Look carefully! You have no hope left!"
Zhu Yuan's arms hung limply. He looked at Hochman and smiled faintly, "Hochman, you're so agitated... are you scared?"
"Scared? What do I have to be scared of? Just the number of Huaxia martial artists I've personally killed exceeds ten!"
Zhu Yuan's smile grew even more triumphant, "So you really are scared. If you weren't, why wouldn't you let Huaxia participate in the championship? If you weren't afraid, why would you go to such lengths to seal off the entrance and prevent other nations from competing fairly?"
"Hochman, I'll tell you this. Even if you kill all of us today, one day, a Huaxia warrior will pass through that teleportation gate, stand before all of you, and personally shatter your despicable, dirty defenses!"
"That is who we are as Huaxia people. Our hope will never be extinguished."
With a loud bang, Hochman, furious, crushed Zhu Yuan's skull, then howled toward the sky, "I, Hochman, will be waiting for that day! Come on, you useless scum!"
"Kill them all!"
Immediately, several people stepped forward and killed three Huaxia players.
Onoda Juro stood before Yuan Zhu, while Yuan Zhu stood in front of Su Nuannuan.
Onoda Juro snorted, "You actually ran away back then. Honestly, I thought you'd fight me properly!"
Yuan Zhu stared at him intensely, his hands beginning to tremble again.
"But that sword strike just now already proved. Yyou are not my opponent!"
"This is really boring. You're supposedly one of the top fighters among Huaxia martial artists, yet the gap between us is so large. Does Huaxia really not have anyone worthy of a fight? So disappointing!"
Yuan Zhu couldn't respond. His mind was a complete mess.
When hope turns to despair, even anger fades away, leaving only fear to take control again.
At that moment, Su Nuannuan gently tugged Yuan Zhu's hand from behind.
"Zhuzi, you were really brave today," Su Nuannuan smiled at the panicked Yuan Zhu.
Then, she stepped in front of him and coldly glared at Onoda Juro, "You ambushed us in advance and ganged up on us, yet you still have the audacity to boast? I've never seen anyone as shameless as you."
"If Captain Zhu, Yue Ling, or Captain Xu were at full strength and fought you one-on-one, the outcome would be uncertain!"
Su Nuannuan looked at Onoda Juro, at Hochman, and at the sorceress. Her voice turned icy, "Zhuzi is braver than all of you. Captain Zhu was right—you are the ones who are truly afraid! You are the real cowards!"
The moment Su Nuannuan finished speaking, Onoda Juro flickered, instantly appearing behind her.
It was that same Piercing Slash again.
At the critical moment, Yuan Zhu blocked Su Nuannuan, and the long blade pierced through his chest.
"Zhuzi...", Su Nuannuan's heart ached as she gently caressed Yuan Zhu's pained face.
But a moment later, a sharp dagger also stabbed through her shoulder.
Hochman suddenly walked over, "Don't kill these two."
Onoda Juro frowned, "Why not?"
Hochman sneered, "Didn't they say Huaxia still has strong warriors? Fine, then. Tie these two up!"
With that, Hochman found the on-site video broadcasting equipment, walked up to the camera, and leaned in, his eyes wide, "A lot of you Huaxia people should be watching, right? That woman said we're afraid? Hahaha! Fine, then. Let's show the whole world—who is really afraid!"
"You claim you still have strong fighters? If you have the guts, come here and save them!"
"I'm very reasonable, too. If you don't even have a single brave soul, then send a high-ranking official instead. At least a major general, begging us. Maybe then we'll let them go!"
"A bunch of cowards, a bunch of weaklings, hahaha!" Finishing his speech, Hochman shouted at his subordinates, "Hang them up! Let everyone watch them bleed out!"
———
In Beijing, at the offline base of the War God Training Camp, Hua Tianchen smashed his fist onto the table, shattering the solid wood into pieces.
Hua Tianchen stood up furiously and ordered his men, "Find out who leaked the intel! Our warriors' blood will not be shed in vain!"
"Yes, sir!"
A fellow officer sighed and, after a moment of silence, said, "The Dawn Operation has failed. There's no time left to organize another large-scale assault of this magnitude. Tianchen, we may have lost our chance."
Hua Tianchen didn't respond. He knew his comrade wasn't just being pessimistic.
The Dawn Plan had been carefully prepared, with multiple nations joining forces, yet it had failed due to a leak. Their forces had been unable to break the enemy's blockade. Sending another team now would just be sending warriors to their deaths.
Hua Tianchen slumped into his chair in defeat, "Our soldiers did their best. This is my fault, my mistake... How can I face our warriors? How can I face the people of Huaxia?"
"And Yuan Zhu and Su Nuannuan. They're still in enemy hands!", He clenched his eyes shut in pain.
———
In Jiangzhong City Military Hospital, in a high-level ward, Jiang Kai quietly pushed open the door.
"Brother, where are you going?", Yingzi immediately noticed him sneaking out and ran after him.
The moment she saw his expression, she was so scared she took half a step back.
Her always gentle older brother now had a face like ice, his eyes bloodshot. He looked nothing like the man who usually doted on her.
"Did you see this morning's video…?", she asked, her voice trembling, "You're not thinking of going… Brother, you can't go! Even if you go, you won't be able to save Zhuzi!"
Tears welled up in her eyes.
She feared for Yuan Zhu's life, but she feared even more for her brother's.
Jiang Kai took a deep breath, his expression becoming even more serious, "Be good. Don't tell our eldest brother. I don't want him to worry."
"Brother!", Yingzi tugged at his sleeve, unwilling to let go.
Jiang Kai grasped her hand. After a brief moment, he gently pried her fingers away, "Yingzi, I'm not going to die."
"I'm going to make them pay."
He turned around without looking back and headed straight for the login hall downstairs.
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