184: Chapter 184

Once the USA Congress reached a resolution, the punitive action against Japan immediately unfolded with thunderous force.

Previously, the USA Navy in Japanese waters had shown restraint, only striking coastal military facilities; but once this military order was issued, the Navy went all out with full firepower. Missiles poured down on Japanese territory like a rainstorm, and the military no longer had time to worry about civilian casualties. Every whistling projectile announced a ruthless retaliation.

Simultaneously, the Air Force from other USA bases in Asia launched attacks in sync, ruthlessly dropping tons of bombs onto the Japanese interior. The once-prosperous island nation was instantly enveloped in a sea of fire and thick smoke.

In normal times, other countries would have mediated or intervened in a conflict between two nations. But this time, countries around the world chose silence with surprising unanimity, coldly watching Japan suffer such a heavy blow, with no shortage of those secretly rejoicing. No one was willing to step forward and provoke the USA's wrath, nor did any country want to be associated with Japan.

Qin Yang, meanwhile, stayed at home, scrolling through the news every day. Seeing Japan's miserable state under the USA's strikes, he felt immensely refreshed and satisfied.

Furthermore, the USA's retaliation was far from over. In addition to the bombings, their official spokesperson held a press conference to coldly announce the freezing of all Japanese assets in the USA and the complete severance of all trade between the two countries.

Afterward, the Great East—perhaps not minding the spectacle or fueled by old grievances—followed suit and also announced the termination of all trade with Japan.

The stance of the world's two superpowers triggered a chain reaction like falling dominoes. Many other countries followed suit, which was undoubtedly another heavy blow to the already collapsing Japanese economy.

Half a month passed, and the bombings continued.

This time, Japan had thoroughly offended the USA. Judging by the situation, it seemed Japan would be forcibly beaten back into a third-rate nation before the USA's hatred could be appeased.

Within Japan, wails of grief were heard everywhere.

Japan was already a resource-poor island nation. The trade blockade caused prices to skyrocket exponentially every day, leading to an extreme shortage of supplies. In a while, countless civilians would likely struggle even to stay fed and warm. If this state continued, the prospect of people starving to death everywhere would no longer be an exaggeration.

Of course, no one would sympathize. In the eyes of all countries, a crippled Japan was the most perfect outcome for the USA and its many enemies.

While the world watched coldly, the crisis and struggle of another "Inner World" on the surface of Blue Star were also quietly escalating.

The Inner World was a hidden realm unknown to ordinary people, involving the Great Lizard invasion incidents. For some reason, the frequency of the Great Lizards' arrivals had climbed sharply over the past year.

Previously, it happened only four or five times a year, but in the last six months, it had averaged six to seven times per month. If this continued, the Blue Star Defense Department would be unable to conceal the truth of the alien arrivals.

The high-ranking officials of the Defense Department were also overwhelmed, secretly discussing how to first contact various countries to reveal the existence of the Great Lizards, and then choose an opportune moment to make it public to address the survival crisis of all humanity.

However, plans could not keep up with changes.

In H City, early this morning, Qin Yang took a car to his entertainment company to "slack off" as usual.

But halfway through the journey, a deafening explosion suddenly erupted from the next street, as if the earth itself were being torn apart.

Qin Yang, who had been dozing in the car, was instantly jolted awake. He sat up straight and asked in a low voice, "What's going on?"

"Boss, it's a Great Lizard!" Before his bodyguard Wang Chao could respond, the artificial intelligence "Xiao Jiu" on his wrist had already issued an alert.

Qin Yang's brow furrowed, his gaze sharp as an eagle's as he pressed urgently, "A Great Lizard has descended upon the city? Didn't the Blue Star Defense Department have a contingency plan?"