261: Qin Ziyu

The woman walked straight toward where Jiang Xin and the others were, her aura powerful and unique.

As she approached and everyone saw her face clearly, they all praised her in their hearts. The woman was beautiful, but by no means soft; her eyebrows were like sharp swords slanting into her temples, and when her brow arched slightly, she carried a sharp authority that commanded respect without anger.

Her phoenix-like eyes were bright and spirited, naturally exuding majesty as she looked around. Her heroic military bearing was similar to Nangong Yu's, yet different. Nangong Yu was fiery and direct, whereas she possessed a more restrained elegance and an innate nobility. This nobility wasn't overbearing, but a refined grace settled in her bones, cultivated through long-term immersion, which was unique among all the peers Jiang Xin had seen before and after the apocalypse. In terms of personal bearing, perhaps only a tycoon who had long resided at the pinnacle could compare. Zhang Lei was also quite surprised; the contours of this woman's face actually bore a slight resemblance to Qin Guoqiang.

"Uncle Yang, Xiaoyu, you're here too." The woman walked closer and first greeted the familiar Yang Zhen and Nangong Yu with a smile; her smile was appropriate and her voice was clear and melodious.

Immediately after, her gaze fell upon Jiang Xin and Zhang Lei.

With just one glance, her heart tightened. The young man standing in the middle, with a steady bearing and calm eyes that seemed to contain a boundless ocean, must be the Commander-in-Chief of the Red Alert Legion, Jiang Xin.

And the one beside him, standing tall as a pine with an aura as deep as an abyss and as solid as a mountain, possessing the air of a grandmaster yet with the sharp edge of youth, was undoubtedly the world-renowned "ice fire divine lord" Zhang Lei. The momentum of the two was even more staggering than she had anticipated.

She composed herself, took a step forward, and gracefully and naturally performed a cupped-fist salute toward Jiang Xin and Zhang Lei, her posture generous and poised. "I am the representative of the Western Military Region, Top Expert of the Western Military Region. Greetings, General Jiang, General Zhang."

"Qin?" Hearing this surname and connecting it to the slight resemblance in her features, Zhang Lei's suspicion was almost confirmed, and he couldn't help but repeat it softly.

Top Expert of the Western Military Region seemed to know what he was wondering. She smiled slightly, her smile like melting ice and snow, with just the right amount of frankness and distance. "Is this General Zhang Lei before me? I come from the Qin Family, and my grandfather is General Qin Guoqiang. Before I left, my grandfather specifically instructed me to greet General Zhang, saying that after their parting in Kyoto, he still vividly remembers the General's elegance." Her words both answered Zhang Lei's doubt and clarified her identity and origins, with her sense of propriety handled perfectly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lei understood. She was indeed the direct daughter of the family standing at the pinnacle of power in China, and the most outstanding one at that. He politely returned the salute with cupped fists. "So it is Miss Qin, my apologies. Is Commander-in-Chief Qin still in good health? I have always kept the Commander-in-Chief's teachings in mind." His attitude was polite and respectful, showing both respect for an elder and for the old general who commanded the national war situation.

"To think Miss Qin is the direct granddaughter of Commander-in-Chief Qin; no wonder her bearing is so extraordinary." Jiang Xin spoke as well, his tone calm and carrying the expected politeness of a host, but he did not show extra deference like Zhang Lei.

Jiang Xin's posture remained composed, even carrying a hint of the indifferent majesty of a host and a regional warlord.

To him, no matter how illustrious the other party's status or how deep their background, they were currently a visiting guest and a representative of a faction that might need cooperation or even face opposition in the future. His confidence came from the hundred thousand elite soldiers under his command, his own strength, and most importantly, the red alert system. Not to mention the direct daughter of the Qin Family, even if Wang Dingbian, the leader of a top-tier family who controlled the Eastern Military Region, were to arrive in person, he would naturally treat him as an equal.

"I am Jiang Xin. Welcome to Hongdu, Miss Qin," Jiang Xin said indifferently.

"Ziyu! You're the one leading the team this time? Why didn't you tell me in advance!" Seeing an old friend, Nangong Yu showed genuine joy and stepped forward to take Top Expert of the Western Military Region's hand.

The two actually had no interaction before the apocalypse; one was a female officer from an ordinary family, while the other was the pride of a top-tier family. After the apocalypse, because Nangong Yu was ranked among the "Top Ten Experts of China," she had traveled to Kyoto many times to report for duty, which allowed her to interact with this top-tier family daughter. They gradually became familiar and appreciated each other's strength and character.

"It was a last-minute assignment, and time was tight, so I didn't know you would come with Uncle Yang," Top Expert of the Western Military Region explained with a smile, holding Nangong Yu's hand back affectionately.

The group exchanged a few more pleasantries and compliments before entering the base.

These figures standing at the pinnacle of power in China gathered together for the first time at this Hongdu Base airport.

The sunlight spilled over them wantonly. Beneath the seemingly peaceful surface, various thoughts and potential future cooperation or maneuvering might have quietly sown their seeds during this meeting.