21: The Western Alliance is on high alert; what secrets is the Xia Kingdom hiding?

Just as the heavily guarded underground base in the suburbs of Jinghai City, Xia Country, erupted in celebration over the birth of a groundbreaking technology.

Thousands of miles away from Xia Country, in Langley, Virginia, Western Alliance.

In a basement conference room at the CIA Headquarters, filled with a cold and oppressive atmosphere, the mood was so heavy it felt like water could drip from it.

The thick smoke of cigars, mixed with the bitterness of coffee, permeated the air.

At the head of the conference table, a white-haired man with eyes as sharp as an eagle's was rhythmically tapping his fingers on a gold-stamped, top-secret document in front of him.

He was the current Director of the CIA, William Burns.

A name that struck fear into the hearts of all intelligence agencies worldwide.

"Speak, Jack."

Burns spoke slowly, his voice hoarse but carrying an undeniable sense of oppression.

"What exactly happened over in Xia Country?"

"Why have they had so many, such concentrated... unusual deployments over the past month?"

The man he addressed was a refined and scholarly-looking middle-aged man with blonde hair and blue eyes, sitting at the end of the conference table.

His name was Jack Anderson, the highest-ranking official at the CIA's intelligence station in Xia Country.

At this moment, his face was etched with exhaustion and... confusion.

"Sir, we... are still investigating."

Anderson pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, his voice tinged with frustration.

"But all the clues are like stones sinking into the ocean—without a ripple."

He stood up and walked to the massive holographic screen, pulling up a map of Xia Country marked with countless red warning signs.

"A month ago, the Physics Institute of the Xia Country Academy of Sciences suddenly, and without warning, raised its security level. All core members were prohibited from leaving."

"Twenty-five days ago, Xia Country's top leadership secretly held a closed-door meeting. Attendees included the core leadership, the Military Equipment Department, and almost all Academicians from the Two Academies residing in Jinghai."

"Twenty days ago, a brand-new department codenamed 'Dragon Shield Bureau' was suddenly established. The person in charge is the youngest Major General in the Xia Country military, the one who gave our 'SEALs' a terrible time on the African Battlefield... Long Weiguo!"

"And just fifteen days ago..."

Anderson's finger heavily traced a red circle on the map, over the "Kunlun Mountains" area in the western suburbs of Jinghai City!

"This place has been designated by the Xia Country military as a permanent military restricted zone of the highest level!"

"All our intelligence personnel deployed there lost contact overnight!"

"According to the last intelligence we received, over the past two weeks, countless pieces of top-tier equipment and the rarest materials have been continuously and secretly shipped to this location from across the country, and even the entire world!"

After he finished speaking, the entire conference room fell into a dead silence.

Every face was filled with solemnity.

These seemingly unrelated pieces of intelligence, when connected, outlined a terrifying silhouette that made everyone's heart pound!

Xia Country must be planning a major move!

A super project... capable of changing the world order!

"What is their objective?"

Director Burns' hoarse voice broke the silence.

"Nuclear weapons?"

"Impossible." An intelligence officer responsible for military analysis immediately shook his head in denial.

"Although Xia Country's nuclear arsenal is not as large as ours, it already possesses global second-strike capability. There is no need for them to invest such vast resources in developing new nuclear weapons at this time."

"Sixth-generation fighter jet?"

"That doesn't seem right either." Another Air Force expert frowned. "The development of a sixth-generation fighter is a systematic project. It's impossible to enter the physical manufacturing stage—which requires so many rare materials—in such a short period of time."

"Then what on earth is it?"

Burns' finger slammed heavily onto the table!

"A brand new intelligence department, a permanently sealed underground base, a group of national-treasure level scientists, plus... deep involvement from the military!"

"What secret are they hiding?!"

No one could answer his question.

Because Xia Country's secrecy this time was simply... too perfect!

So perfect that their proudly "omnipresent" intelligence network, which the CIA boasted about, had been rendered... completely blind!

"Jack."

Burns turned his gaze back to Anderson.

"I don't care what method you use!"

"Bribery, defection, or even... dispatching our most elite 'Shadows'!"

His voice became cold and cruel.

"I'm giving you one month!"

"Within one month, I must know what is hidden beneath the Kunlun Mountains!"

"Otherwise..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

But the coldness in his eyes was enough to make Anderson feel like he had fallen into an ice cellar!

"Yes, Sir!"

Anderson snapped to attention, a fine layer of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

He knew he had no retreat... Just as the Western Alliance's intelligence agencies were thrown into panic and speculation due to Xia Country's "anomaly."

Lu Chen, the originator of the incident, was leisurely sitting in a non-public, special-grade private room inside the military compound.

In front of him was a steaming, fragrant serving of... Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

Opposite him, Ye Qingcang and Long Weiguo, two powerful figures who were usually awe-inspiring, were currently acting like two overly enthusiastic "waiters," constantly placing food into his bowl.

"Come, come, Mr. Lu Chen, try this—the finest Liaoshen Sea Cucumber from Liaodong Bay, excellent for your health!"

"And this one, the Yellow-Lipped Fish Maw from the East Sea! You can't buy this outside, even with money!"

"Eat more, eat more! Research is the most mentally demanding work!"

Watching these two big shots, whose combined age was nearly 150, arguing fiercely just to "butter him up," Lu Chen couldn't help but find it slightly amusing.

He knew this meal wouldn't be easy to eat.

Sure enough, after three rounds of drinks and five dishes.

Ye Qingcang finally couldn't hold back anymore.

He put down his chopsticks, rubbed his hands together, and revealed a long-awaited, slightly "sly" smile.

His voice was also extremely low, as if he were discussing some peerless secret.

"Well... Mr. Lu Chen..."

"Look, we've basically settled the battery matter..."

"Then that thing you mentioned before... the real 'trump card'..."

"Could you... perhaps give your old brother a little hint now?"