38: A first-class merit award from the highest level!

"A place... that even our own people can't find?"

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow, looking at Long Weiguo's face, which was filled with an unprecedented gravity.

He instantly understood Long Weiguo's meaning.

Although the Kunlun Mountain Underground Base was heavily guarded,

ultimately, its target was too large.

As long as the Western Alliance infiltrated at all costs, there would always be a day when a flaw would be exposed.

And Long Weiguo obviously wanted to solve this problem once and for all!

"What place?" Lu Chen became interested.

Long Weiguo took a deep breath, then slowly uttered four words that even Lu Chen had not anticipated.

"The underwater... 'Dragon Palace'."

...The next day.

A brand new, unmarked "Yun-20" transport aircraft, escorted by four "J-20" fighters loaded with ammunition, silently landed at a secret military airport in the suburbs of Jinghai City.

The aircraft's hatch slowly opened.

The people who walked out were none other than the highest leaders of the Xia Kingdom.

There was no trace of fatigue on their faces.

Only an indescribable gravity and... lingering fear!

Clearly, Long Weiguo had reported the interrogation results of 'Ghost' and the Western Alliance's insane 'genocide' plan in detail.

And the immense shock brought by this report was enough to make any hot-blooded person from Xia Kingdom... furious!

"Comrade Lu Chen."

He tightly clasped Lu Chen's hand!

His wise eyes, which seemed to see through everything, were filled with lingering fear, gratitude, and... a deep trace of apology!

"It was us... we were careless!"

His voice was hoarse and heavy!

"We underestimated the enemy's shamelessness!"

"And we underestimated the immense risk you bore on your shoulders!"

"I, on behalf of the country, on behalf of the people..."

He looked at Lu Chen and said solemnly, word by word:

"I apologize to you!"

After speaking, he actually bowed slightly to Lu Chen, a young man even younger than his grandson!

If this scene were seen by the outside world, it would be enough to cause a super earthquake of magnitude twelve!

Lu Chen helped him up, a helpless bitter smile on his face.

"I merely did what I should have done."

"No," the kind face was filled with unchallengeable authority!

"Merit must be rewarded!"

"Faults must be punished!"

"This is the foundation of our Xia Kingdom!"

He turned around and nodded to the secretary behind him.

The secretary immediately understood.

He held a delicate wooden box made of red sandalwood in both hands and slowly walked to Lu Chen's front.

Then, under the gaze of everyone, filled with awe and envy, he slowly opened the wooden box.

In an instant!

A brilliant golden light illuminated everyone's eyes!

Inside the wooden box lay quietly a medal, crafted from pure gold, shining with supreme glory!

Around the medal was a lifelike five-clawed golden dragon!

And in the center of the golden dragon, three large characters, carved in the most striking blood red, were enough to drive any soldier mad—

[First-Class Merit]!

Moreover, on the back of this medal, a small inscription, yet heavy as Mount Tai, marked its uniqueness!

[Peerless National Scholar]!

"Hiss—"

Everyone present, including Long Weiguo, gasped in unison!

Their faces were filled with incredible shock!

First-Class Merit!

This was the highest honor an individual could receive in the Xia Kingdom during peacetime!

Enough to bring glory to ancestors and leave a name in history!

And the specially approved suffix of "Peerless National Scholar" was unprecedented!

This was no longer a simple commendation!

This was the country, with the highest specifications, announcing to the whole world—

This young man before them was a vital national asset!

Unrivaled in the world!

"Comrade Lu Chen!"

He took the heavy medal, representing supreme glory.

Then, under the gaze of everyone, filled with fervent adoration.

He solemnly pinned it onto Lu Chen's somewhat slender chest!

"Given your irreplaceable and immense contributions to the 'pangu'!

"And the extraordinary achievements made in thwarting the Western Alliance's 'Fire Thief' conspiracy!"

"A special contribution bonus of ten... one billion!"

"And..."

He paused, took a deep breath, and then announced, in an almost dreamlike voice, an appointment that would drive all power institutions in the entire Xia Kingdom mad!

"You are granted permanent... supreme decision-making power over the 'pangu'!"

"From now on, within the 'pangu', your words are... the highest command!"

"No one, no department, has the right to interfere!"

Boom!!!

These words were like a ten-million-ton hydrogen bomb!

Exploding in everyone's minds!

Everyone was completely petrified!

They stared blankly at the young man, who wore a brilliant medal on his chest, yet whose face remained as calm as still water.

Only one thought remained in their hearts—

They've gone mad!

This country, for him, has truly... completely gone mad!

Meanwhile, Lu Chen merely stroked the medal on his chest quietly.

There was not the slightest ripple in his heart.

He even felt a bit like laughing.

Because he knew.

So-called honor, so-called power.

They were just a little, insignificant... lubricant for the country to better let him, this 'perpetual motion machine', run at full throttle and 'produce' wildly.

He slowly raised his head and looked at the highest leader.

Then, he asked a question that almost made everyone present spit out a mouthful of old blood.

"Is that after tax?"