248: standoff

Xijiang Provincial University of Industry

On the open ground in front of a certain dormitory building at Xijiang Provincial University of Industry, the air seemed to have frozen into blocks of ice, filled with a suffocating sense of oppression. Two groups of people stood in a clear confrontation, tightly clutching a variety of weapons such as machetes, iron rods, and homemade spears. Their eyes were filled with hatred, and the tension was so high that a major battle was on the verge of breaking out at any moment.

One side consisted of over fifty black monkeys led by Booker, plus the spineless cowards they had coerced or who had joined them voluntarily, totaling over four hundred people. Booker stood at the very front with an unbridled, sinister smile on his face. Above his right palm, a deep blue water ball spun at high speed, emitting a strong energy fluctuation. The water flowed nimbly between his fingers, carrying an obvious air of provocation.

The other side consisted of over four hundred surviving students centered around Wang Hua. Most were in rags and looked emaciated, but their eyes were exceptionally firm as they stood united around Wang Hua. Wang Hua stood tall and straight like a pine tree, showing no fear even when facing a powerful enemy. Standing beside him were over twenty classmates who had also awakened Superpowers, providing them with the courage to resist.

“Wang Hua, I'll give you one last chance!” Booker clamored, his tone full of superiority and threat. “Hand over Liu Yiran obediently! Otherwise, I'll make sure not a single soul in this building complex survives today!” The water ball in his hand suddenly expanded, making a splashing sound.

“Booker! In your dreams!” Wang Hua's voice was sonorous, carrying the distinct resonance of a soldier. “You stupid pig! The Red Alert Legion's steel torrent is about to flatten Hongdu! Your end is here! Wash your neck and wait for death!” Faint crimson fire energy began to circulate around his body.

“Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit! Attack! Kill them all!” Thoroughly enraged, Booker gave a sinister wave of his hand. Behind him, the four hundred-odd people of various sorts rushed toward the student camp like a murky flood bursting through a dam, roaring as they went! Among the crowd, over twenty Evolvers also lit up with various colored lights, charging at the front. Ordinary people also brandished their weapons with ferocious expressions. For a time, the sounds of killing, roaring, clashing weapons, and exploding Superpowers blended into one, and the scene became extremely chaotic and out of control!

Wang Hua let out a roar and instantly completed his Flame Werewolf transformation! His stature grew, he was covered in crimson energy fur, and his claws burned with flames as he boldly met Booker! Both were at the peak of the Second-Tier, and they were instantly locked in combat! Fire and water collided violently, sending up large clouds of white mist. However, Booker's water-type Superpower was indeed a natural counter to Wang Hua's flames, and since his Superpower's quality seemed to be a notch higher, Wang Hua gradually fell into a disadvantage during the exchange, only managing to hold on through his rich fighting experience and sheer bravery.

Just at this critical moment—

“Swoosh—woo—!”

A low and powerful engine roar approached from afar, piercing the sky! Following that, a loud electronic broadcast descended from high above like heavenly music: “This is the Red Alert Legion! This is the Red Alert Legion! The Hongdu liberation operation is underway! All trapped citizens, please find an open and conspicuous rescue point nearby, maintain a survival signal, and wait for rescue! Repeat! All trapped citizens please...”

A hind attack helicopter swept across the sky from several kilometers away like a majestic eagle. The massive noise and broadcast instantly drowned out the sounds of the slaughter on the ground.

Both sides of the conflict involuntarily slowed their movements, looking up at the sky with uncertainty and alarm.

The two pilots on the hind helicopter also immediately noticed the mass of over a thousand people fighting in the university campus below.

“Command! Command! This is Recon Unit hind 7! Located in the airspace of Xijiang Provincial University of Industry! Large-scale survivor gathering discovered, numbering in the thousands! A fierce armed brawl is taking place! Observed numerous Evolver energy signatures, including several Second-Tiers! Also... reporting, discovered a large number of black monkeys, repeat, a large number involved in the brawl! Requesting instructions!” the pilot reported quickly and clearly, his tone carrying shock and a hint of indescribable disgust.

There was a second of silence on the other end of the communicator, followed by a steady and calm voice. It was Su Jin, an early member of the elite squad who had now been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and possessed the Green Giant ability: “Foreign nationals?... Understood. Fire a warning shot first to control the situation! I'll bring men over to handle it immediately!”

“Roger!” The hind pilot didn't hesitate. With a move of the control stick, the 30mm chain autocannon turret under the nose of the aircraft quickly rotated, aiming at the already dilapidated main gate lintel of Xijiang Provincial University of Industry.

“Boom, boom, boom, boom—!” A series of deafening autocannon roars suddenly exploded! The shells accurately struck the stone structure of the lintel, instantly blowing it into flying debris and filling the air with dust!

“Armed personnel below, listen up! Cease fighting immediately! Drop your weapons! Put your hands on your heads and squat down! Repeat! Cease fighting immediately, drop your weapons!” The loudspeaker on the helicopter issued a stern warning.

This sudden military intervention and the terrifying sound of the autocannon were like cold water poured into boiling oil, instantly quieting the chaotic battlefield. Everyone was awed by this true engine of war.

“Everyone stop! Fall back! It's the army! Our army is here!” Wang Hua took the opportunity to roar. His surrounding flames retracted, and he was the first to leap back. Upon hearing this, the students felt as if they had found their pillar of support. They quickly disengaged from the battle and retreated behind Wang Hua, supporting each other and forming a defensive formation. Although they looked wretched, their eyes were filled with the joy and expectation of surviving a disaster.

Booker also stopped with a grim expression. He stared fixedly at the armed helicopter in the sky that exuded the breath of death, his eyes filled with resentment and a trace of imperceptible fear. “Damn it! How did they get here so fast!” He cursed under his breath but didn't dare to make any further moves.

Under the military deterrence of the attack helicopter, both sides froze in place, not daring to move. Wang Hua took the opportunity to whisper comfort to the students around him: “Everyone maintain formation, stay alert for those bastards doing something desperate! Hold on, once the main army arrives, these scumbags are finished!”

Not long after, an even denser engine roar approached from afar! A formation of over ten hind attack helicopters and two chinook transport planes arrived like heavenly soldiers descending from the sky, the powerful airflow kicking up countless clouds of dust from the ground. They quickly spread out over the campus, forming an encirclement. Some hinds lowered their altitude, their autocannons pointing undisguisedly at Booker's side.

The chinook transport planes landed on the open ground and the hatches opened. Over a hundred elite soldiers of the Red Alert Legion, dressed in starry sky camouflage, well-equipped, and with sharp eyes, descended like gods from heaven. They quickly rappelled down and deployed with skillful tactical movements, taking control of key positions.

Leading them was a man with a build as sturdy as a mountain, wearing a crisp Lieutenant Colonel's uniform. It was Su Jin! Just by standing there, he exuded a heart-palpitating, majestic aura—the pressure belonging to a Third-Tier Expert!

Su Jin's gaze, sharp as a blade, swept across the field. He completely ignored Booker and the group of panicked black monkeys huddled together, and strode toward Wang Hua and his group, who were standing straight despite their disheveled appearance.

Seeing a high-ranking officer walking toward him, Wang Hua's military memories, etched into his bones, were instantly activated. He subconsciously snapped his feet together, straightened his back, and raised his right hand in a standard military salute, shouting loudly: “Sir!”

Hearing this powerful greeting filled with the familiar atmosphere of a military camp, and seeing Wang Hua's upright military posture maintained even in hardship, a flash of surprise and appreciation crossed Su Jin's eyes. He sized Wang Hua up for a good while before slowly speaking in a steady voice: “Were you a soldier?”

“Yes, Sir!” Wang Hua's voice was even louder, filled with pride. “Private First Class Wang Hua, formerly of Xijiang Armed Police Mobile Detachment, reporting to you!” His report was clear and forceful, as if he had returned to his former barracks.

“Hello, Comrade!” Su Jin withdrew his appraising gaze, his expression becoming solemn. He raised his right hand and returned an extremely standard military salute. The address of “Comrade” instantly bridged the distance between the two.

“Tell me, what exactly is the situation here? What's the deal with that group of people?” Su Jin turned his head, his gaze once again falling on Booker's group, his eyes showing cold disgust without any attempt to hide it.

“Reporting, Sir!” Wang Hua took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement. He gave a clear and concise report of how Booker and the other black monkeys had bullied the students, how the spineless cowards had sycophantically aided them, how they had seized supplies, coerced girls, and how the students had struggled to resist. As he narrated, Su Jin's brows furrowed tighter and tighter, the coldness on his face deepened, and his fists clenched unconsciously, his knuckles letting out slight cracking sounds.

Su Jin's gaze, as sharp as if it were physical, swept over the black monkeys again, finally locking onto the leader, Booker. When Booker was swept by this gaze containing the pressure of a Third-Tier Expert, he felt as if he were being stared at by a prehistoric beast. A chill rushed from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, and his legs began to tremble uncontrollably. His previous arrogance had long since vanished without a trace.

“Which one is Principal Liu? Get the hell out here yourself!” Su Jin suddenly let out a thunderous roar. The sound was like a clap of thunder on level ground, and the terrifying sound waves made the ears of the thousand people present ring. Some with weaker constitutions even slumped to the ground.

That pot-bellied Principal Liu, who had been trying to shrink behind the crowd, shuddered at this roar. His face instantly turned pale as paper, and his legs shook like sieves, making him almost unable to stand.

Seeing this, Wang Hua strode forward and unceremoniously grabbed him from the crowd, pushing and shoving him in front of Su Jin.

“You are Principal Liu?” Su Jin looked down at this fat, wretched man, his gaze as cold as if he were looking at a pile of trash.

“Soldier... Comrade... I... I know Governor Wu... Governor Wu Changming... We've eaten together... You... Look...” Principal Liu spoke incoherently, trying to bring up his last networking connection to save himself. The smile squeezed onto his face was uglier than crying.

“Slap—!!!” An extremely loud slap, like a firecracker exploding, suddenly rang out! Su Jin struck out in anger with such force that he sent Principal Liu spinning in place. A clear five-finger print instantly appeared on his fat face, which swelled up high. This slap not only dazed Principal Liu but also scared everyone with ulterior motives into a collective shudder!

“You have the face to mention Governor Wu?!” Su Jin's eyes were wide with rage, the veins on his temples bulging, his anger erupting like a volcano. “A role model for teachers! A principal of a whole school! The country gave you a position, and the people gave you their trust, and this is how you educate people?! Shameless, aiding the enemy, helping a group of monkeys bully your own students! You are simply a disgrace to the Xijiang education sector! A degenerate of the nation!” His roar echoed across the open ground, every word piercing the heart!

“Sir... Sir... I was wrong... I...” Principal Liu was slapped until he saw stars. He couldn't even speak clearly but still wanted to beg for mercy.

Su Jin couldn't be bothered to listen to any more of his nonsense and simply kicked him hard in the stomach! Principal Liu let out a pig-like wail, and his fat body flew backward two or three meters like a broken sack, slamming heavily onto the ground. He curled into a ball, left with only painful groans.