At this point, they had no choice but to bite the bullet and accept the task. Judging from Liu Yun's performance, he probably had the same idea as Zhang Lei. The two of them could only agree with great resentment.
But these voices seemed to excite Li Yang even more. "Good, good, I knew everyone put the country and the nation first. As long as you complete this mission, you will all be national heroes, especially Liu Yun and Zhang Lei. Hehe, I still have to assign tasks to others, so I won't see you off. Hahahaha!"
He walked out of the cabin laughing wildly, leaving behind a group of people who wished they could tear him apart with their eyes.
"Who is this guy? What's wrong with him!" The Silver Sword men were the first to surround him. Although they hadn't been assigned the suicidal mission of covering the rear, Li Yang's attitude just now had made him their public enemy, and no one liked this guy.
"I don't know either. This guy used to be just like me, a squad leader in an action group. I don't know how he climbed up so quickly and became so arrogant. Are the people above blind? How could they appoint him as the commander-in-chief of the front and give him so much authority!" Liu Yun slammed his fist on the table angrily, leaving a clear fist mark.
“Sigh, this kid is different from us. At most, we have a powerful family in the martial arts world behind us, but Li Yang’s grandfather is a real figure of real power, and a very reputable one at that!” Linghu sighed and said slowly in a low voice.
"This was originally a secret of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs. Everyone who knew about it was put on a gag order. So, Liu Yun, although you have heard some of Xiao Bailang's deeds, you probably don't know why he left the Bureau of Foreign Affairs to become someone else's bodyguard!"
Seeing the eager looks in their eyes, Linghu looked troubled. "You don't need to look at me. Even now, I can't tell you anything definitively. I can only say things outside the gag order. Fifteen years ago, I was just a kid who had just joined the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, not much older than Zhang Lei and the others!"
Episode 3: The Bloody Path to Growth, Chapter 60: The Secrets of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs (Part 1)
As if eager to hear the secrets of the past of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs, everyone gathered around, seemingly waiting for Linghu to tell his story, including Yue Jing, who had just joined them.
This kid was hiding with the Silver Swordsmen the whole time and didn't come over at all. He probably knows that this new Commander Li Yang is not someone to mess with. This kid is quite good at reading people, at least much better than Zhang Lei.
Linghu glanced at the crowd that had gathered around him and continued, "Back then, this kid had just joined the organization, but he had connections, and after just a few missions, he climbed up the ranks and quickly became our squadron leader!"
"Back then, things weren't like they are now. We can't be picky about missions anymore. We were all wholeheartedly dedicated to the country and its people. It was as if not taking money was an honor. The supernatural beings in the civilian population trusted the country, and the martial arts families were very supportive of it. The National Bureau of Supernatural Abilities was also much stronger back then than it is now. It was on the verge of establishing its own bureau, until one thing happened." Linghu left everyone in suspense.
"Don't look at me, even if you do, I can't say it. This gag order is the strictest kind. You might find out through other channels, but it will absolutely not come from my mouth. Anyway, you just need to understand that this whole thing was caused by Li Yang. But because of his identity, the National Bureau of Foreign Affairs had to protect him. After that, the National Bureau of Foreign Affairs experienced a turning point. At that time, many experts left the National Bureau of Foreign Affairs in anger, including this fat man. And the support of the major families for the National Bureau of Foreign Affairs also plummeted!"
Everyone around him stared at Linghu with eager eyes, wishing they could fast-forward him and remove the mosaic from his face. These people would never be this attentive in class.
Linghu shook his head, lost in memories. "However, because he had caused such a big mess, even if they protected him, they couldn't go too far, so they dismissed him and put him on hold. Later, as fewer people knew about it and things faded away, they gradually promoted him. I thought that was the end for him as a squad leader, but I never expected that he would become a deputy captain in the blink of an eye!"
"If it weren't for my family, I wouldn't have done it either!" Linghu rarely swore, but the things Li Yang had done still made him curse even after so long.
"Well, Linghu Jun, I heard a little about his story back then!" It was Yue Jing who spoke. China's gag order only applies to domestic matters, and it didn't have much effect on Yue Jing, who was in Japan at the time. However, the information they received might not have been accurate or detailed.
"Sigh, I know you shouldn't say anything more. You'll be working at the Bureau of Foreign Affairs soon. If you offend him, your future won't be easy, especially for someone of your status!" Linghu waved his hand to stop him. Since this kid had already come to his side, and was essentially brought in as a bargaining chip, it was better to be lenient with him.
"Brother Linghu, is this Li Yang guy really that petty? I just called him Fatty Brother once, and he hates me for it?" Zhang Lei was still very upset when he thought about it. Liu Yun couldn't bear the crime of treason, and he couldn't bear it either. Even if he died, he could only stay behind to cover the retreat.
"It might not be just that one thing. When I recruited you, I had a conflict with him because of you. He didn't dare to make a move against me for the time being. After all, I have many brothers outside. I might have started to hate you. Sigh..." Linghu sighed a lot today. In fact, how many people can help but sigh when they encounter Li Yang, especially when Li Yang becomes arrogant again?
"Zhang Lei, it's nothing. Covering the rear doesn't necessarily mean anything will happen. Besides, neither of us is pushovers!" Liu Yun could only pretend to be calm. Nobody wants to die, and he was no exception, especially not for such an unnecessary sacrifice. Even if it's for the country and the people, it should have some value, right? Now, he's just being framed and killed by an incompetent scoundrel.
"Liu Yun, don't underestimate him. You might think he doesn't have any special abilities, but you know what? When he doesn't have any abilities, it proves he doesn't use them to harm people. The fact that he has abilities is definitely because he harms others; his superpower is the most despicable kind, the kind that harms others for personal gain!" Linghu's face showed disgust. "He's even more disgusting and hateful than that Japanese bitch!"
“Although that Japanese woman stole someone else’s superpower, and the process was a bit disgusting, at least it didn’t harm the original owner. But this Li Yang!” Linghu’s face showed hatred. “His superpower requires him to rape and kill young girls to gain energy. If he doesn’t have any prey for a long time, the effect of his superpower will gradually weaken. After the last incident, because we have been closely monitoring him, which is one of the conditions for us to stay in the Bureau of Extraordinary Abilities, he hasn’t dared to do anything evil. But looking at him now, sigh, I wonder which girl will suffer this time!”
"Also, Tianxiao and Zuoying, I have to remind you two to be careful of this person. Once he attacks a girl with superpowers, the improvement he gains will be permanent, and he can also steal superpowers. Judging from Li Yang's character, attacking his own people is definitely not an obstacle!" Linghu turned to Tianxiao and Zuoying. Of course, the "attack" he was referring to was not a martial arts competition.
The two girls turned deathly pale with fright. Although there was a gag order, there were always rumors circulating in these families. At most, they didn't know that the person in the rumors was actually right next to them. But recalling what they had heard before, it would be abnormal for their faces not to change.
In fact, Li Yang, along with the two Japanese users of food-type superpowers, can all be considered to belong to a large category. The "stealing" superpower involves specifically stealing the energy or abilities of other superpowered individuals to enhance one's own power. In the past, such people were often targeted and attacked by groups, especially in China, where they were considered demons.
However, since this demon had a powerful backer, others could only look on with envy.
The atmosphere inside the cabin was unusually heavy. At this moment, no one cared about the number of Japanese soldiers or their fighting strength. An enemy from within is always more terrifying than an opponent, even if that enemy is right in front of you.
"I'll head back to my cabin first. We still have five days until we reach South Africa, so I'll practice as much as I can these few days!" Zhang Lei turned and walked towards his room. He planned to focus on strengthening certain parts of his body in the next few days. Even if there was only a sliver of hope, Zhang Lei had no intention of giving up.
Episode 3: The Bloody Path to Growth, Chapter 60: The Secrets of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs (Part 2)
Isabelle's cabins are quite unique. Their suites can be made large or small, and there are doors between the rooms. When more rooms are needed, the hanging panel in front of the door will be raised, and the number of rooms in the suite will increase. When fewer rooms are needed, the hanging panel will be lowered, making it blend in with the wall.
So Zhang Lei and his group of so many people can live in one large suite, and each person can still have their own room.
"I thought joining the Bureau of Foreign Affairs was a good thing, but I never expected that I would die young. It's a pity I'm still a virgin. Knowing this, I should go and rape someone..." Zhang Lei thought to himself, but he clearly had the desire but not the courage.
It's one thing to die for one's country; many people would have the courage to do so if they were in that situation and their blood was boiling. But to be framed and killed by one's own people is something that few people could accept.
"Damn it, Li Yang, right? If I survive this time, I won't let you go!" Zhang Lei knew that even if he did survive, he probably wouldn't be able to do much against Li Yang. Even if he disregarded his family and his reputation, he probably still couldn't defeat Li Yang. Because judging from Linghu's tone, he seemed quite wary of Li Yang's strength.
Whether you feel anxious or relaxed, time will pass anyway, and there is no superpower that can stop or reverse time yet.
South Africa is located at the southernmost tip of the African continent, bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland to the north, and the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean to the east, south, and west. The HMS Isabel will dock at its legislative capital, Cape Town, and stay there for three days.
In fact, South Africa was politically quite close to Japan and the United States, so it was not the best place to return home. Moreover, South Africa had not yet established formal diplomatic relations with China at that time, and there were no direct flights between them.
However, the situation does not allow them to continue to delay. In the next few stops, Australia, Canada, and then the United States, the enemy's power will grow stronger. More importantly, as time goes on, the possibility of the United States directly intervening will also increase.
In reality, Japan is like a dog, a dog that the US keeps to contain China. But it's also a dog that can't be tamed. The Japanese people's own character determines this. At this time, the US had just forced the yen to appreciate, breaking Japan's economic myth. The Japanese people actually had a lot of resentment towards their American masters, so they wouldn't actively report this news to their superiors.
However, no secret can be kept for long, and even if the Japanese are not actively reporting, the United States will eventually find out, and as time goes on, the possibility of direct intervention will increase.
China's special forces have no problem dealing with Japan, but they would struggle against the United States. Although the United States has a smaller population than China, the number of people with superpowers they possess is definitely no less than that of China, and may even be more.
One reason is the difference in personality and culture between Westerners and Chinese. Westerners are less likely to hide their superpowers like the Chinese do. Another reason is the influence of the US dollar. Although it's hard to admit, the dollar can indeed buy off many superpowered individuals who don't belong to the US, and even many Chinese superpowered individuals work for the US. Moreover, the US has substantial control over many territories and countries outside its own territory, and the people in those places will likely end up serving the US as well.
Therefore, China is very reluctant to confront American supernatural organizations head-on, especially in areas where the US already holds a dominant position.
In contrast, although the United States held an absolute advantage in South Africa, the country had just abolished apartheid, and most Black people still did not have a good impression of White people. Relatively speaking, South Africa's friendliness towards the United States was more official at this time, which is why Zhang Lei and his group chose this place as their disembarkation point.
Li Yang is a bastard and a villain, but not an idiot. He wanted to take the opportunity to get rid of two people, but he definitely didn't want to get himself involved.
Therefore, he tried to keep a low profile in front of the Japanese, hoping to give them the illusion that he could deal with the Chinese on his own without having to ask the Americans for help. Whether he succeeded or not was another matter.
For this reason, he even ordered the Silver Swords to withdraw their surveillance personnel. However, while this kept a low profile, it also resulted in the loss of most of the intelligence on the enemy.
Zhang Lei has lost that sense of ownership and participation. Aside from meals, he spends his days training in the cabin. The amount of internal energy drawn from his lower dantian is now negligible. Although his brain constantly needs him to mobilize internal energy to compensate for its losses, the amount required is small, and the small vortex within his brain hasn't gained much traction.
This gave Zhang Lei a significant amount of internal energy to strengthen himself. He had tested this using self-assessment; if he strengthened his entire body, including internal organs, in one session, the internal energy he absorbed each day could strengthen his body by about 0.5 per thousand. This was only the strengthening of internal energy; in reality, Zhang Lei could improve even more through direct training. However, based on Linghu's experience, even with self-assessment, physical training still has its limits, and improvement would slow down over time. At that point, strengthening internal energy would become even more crucial.