263: Opening

The news that the Hongdu Military Parade and Honors Conferment Grand Ceremony would officially open the next day was like a massive boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up waves of excitement across the entire Xijiang Province.

That night, residents of all major cities were immersed in a festive joy and anticipation.

The Red Alert Legion officially announced that in addition to the local residents of Hongdu who could attend the ceremony in an orderly manner with their identification, they were also releasing 100,000 precious indoor viewing spots to all bases across the province! These spots were generated through an open and fair random drawing and distributed equally to each base to ensure equal opportunity.

Furthermore, all transportation for the winners, as well as their food and lodging expenses during their stay in Hongdu, would be fully covered by the authorities! Not only that, on the day of the ceremony, all factories and units across the province, except for essential stay-behind personnel, would have a unified day off. Public places like theaters and stadiums in various locations would broadcast the grand event in real-time, allowing citizens who couldn't be there in person to witness and celebrate this grand occasion belonging to all people of Xijiang.

That night, countless families talked, and countless people tossed and turned in anticipation, imagining the scene that would surely be recorded in history... The night passed in silence as time slipped away amidst the expectations... Early the next morning, before dawn had even broken, there was only a sliver of white on the eastern horizon.

However, Hero Square in the center of Hongdu and its surrounding vast areas were already bustling with activity and packed with people! It wasn't just the core square area, which was meticulously planned and filled with neat rows of seats, that was full; all available open spaces and streets on the outskirts of the square, and even the windows and balconies of neighboring buildings, had temporary railings installed or viewing areas designated, and they were packed to the brim with people who had rushed from all over Xijiang.

Those lucky enough to win an "entry ticket" followed the instructions and took their seats early, their faces beaming with pride and excitement. Many more citizens who didn't win a ticket gathered spontaneously in the outer areas, standing on their tiptoes and craning their necks, unwilling to miss a single detail.

At a rough estimate, the crowd gathered at the scene had exceeded several hundred thousand! The air was filled with excitement, curiosity, and an indescribable sense of collective honor.

Faced with such an unprecedented gathering, Jiang Xin had already ordered the deployment of a large number of Red Alert Soldiers and volunteers. Dressed in striking uniforms or identification, they efficiently and politely maintained order. Using temporary railings and cordons, they skillfully divided the surging crowd into relatively independent blocks, ensuring safety while also providing most people with a good view.

Only the straight, wide granite main road in the very center of the square was completely cleared, polished like a mirror. It stretched from the square entrance all the way to the foot of the towering Hero Memorial Monument. Right in front of the monument, a solemn rostrum and a slightly lower honors conferment platform were set up, covered with bright red carpets and equipped with microphones, flags, and other facilities.

The crowd was bustling, and despite the efforts to maintain order, the excited whispers and conversations still rose and fell like the tide.

"Hey, man, which base are you from?" In the front row of the viewing seats, a young man, neatly dressed but unable to hide his excitement, nudged the man sitting straight next to him with his elbow and asked in a low voice.

The man being asked turned his head, his face showing obvious pride, and his voice was low but clear: "Me? I'm from Lujiang!"

"Wow! A 'Capital Lord'!" The young man's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but give a thumbs-up. "Who doesn't know now that Lujiang is the economic, cultural, political, and military center of our Xijiang Province! Looking at the whole country, it's top-tier!" He gestured with his thumb.

"You bet!" The man from Lujiang puffed out his chest and whispered with a hint of showing off and a bit of regret, "To tell you the truth, I'm a fellow townsman of General Jiang and General Zhang, from Yongjiang County! Now I've settled down in Longxing City. Sigh, if it hadn't been for my bad luck back then—not awakening a decent Superpower—with my seniority and drive, I'd have made a name for myself by now. It's really a shame..."

"Sigh, tell me about it!" The young man sighed empathetically. "Awakening a Superpower is really down to fate. Last month, I saved up points for a long time and gritted my teeth to exchange for a crystal core. But after absorbing it, I just felt a bit stronger and ran a bit faster. I didn't even catch a shadow of a Superpower... I can't compare to those big shots who can summon fire or ice with a wave of their hand."

"Let me tell you, our Commander-in-Chief Jiang is truly a god-like figure. I heard..." The man from Lujiang was about to share some "insider information" he'd heard from somewhere to show off.

Just then—

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

Amidst steady and rhythmic footsteps, a squad of exceptionally disciplined Red Alert Soldiers, pushing eleven Ceremonial Cannons covered in brand-new covers and gleaming with a dark metallic luster, slowly entered their designated positions at the edge of the square and lined up neatly.

The barrels were held high, pointing towards the sky, carrying a silent majesty.

"Look! Ceremonial Cannons! The Ceremonial Cannons are entering!" someone whispered in surprise.

At this, everyone's attention was drawn over. The original subtle conversations quickly died down significantly. The soldiers on guard duty stood even taller, their eyes sharper and more solemn, as if they, along with the Ceremonial Cannons, had become part of the ritual.

Before long, a solemn welcoming march played over the site's broadcast system.

Under the focus of countless gazes, Jiang Xin and Zhang Lei, dressed in crisp, uniquely designed general's ceremonial uniforms with tassels hanging slightly from their epaulettes, walked with steady and powerful steps. They led a group of high-ranking officers along the central path toward the front row of the viewing seats.

Their appearance immediately caused a wave of suppressed excitement and even more fervent gazes among the crowd.

Following them, the members of the National Government Honors Conferment Group led by Qin Guoqiang Qin Guoqiang, as well as viewing representatives from various military regions and factions such as Yang Zhen, City Mayor Chen Shutong, Bingyuan Canglong, and Top Expert of the Western Military Region Qin Ziyu, also entered in their respective formal attire or military uniforms. They took their seats in the reserved VIP viewing area in the front row with solemn expressions. Their arrival added more weight and a sense of national attention to the ceremony.

Jiang Feifei once again took on the heavy responsibility of hosting. Today, she wore a well-tailored and beautifully designed female military ceremonial uniform, which outlined her slender figure while maintaining the heroic spirit and dignity of a soldier. Her black hair was tied back in an elegant and neat bun, and her face was adorned with exquisite and light makeup, making her bright eyes and white teeth even more striking, appearing beautiful beyond compare. She stepped onto the rostrum with steady steps and a graceful bearing, like a brilliant pearl, instantly attracting the gaze of the entire audience.

"Citizens, colleagues, and friends who have come to watch the ceremony, good morning." Jiang Feifei's voice was slightly amplified by her Superpower and then transmitted to every corner of the square through high-quality speakers—clear, soft, yet powerful.

"I am Jiang Feifei. The Hongdu Military Parade and Honors Conferment Grand Ceremony is about to officially begin. Please remain quiet and witness this historic moment together." She stood on the stage with poise, her calm gaze sweeping over the dense crowd below and the VIPs in the front row.

"My god... she's too beautiful!" The young man in the front row couldn't help but whisper in amazement again, his eyes fixed on her.

"Of course!" The man from Lujiang felt a sense of shared glory, his voice filled with pride. "She is the recognized goddess of our Lujiang, Officer Jiang Feifei, the chief adjutant of the Red Alert Legion! Let me tell you, she's truly as beautiful as a celestial being when she transforms into a Holy Light Angel! During the last Defense of Lujiang, when the Zombie Tide had reached the foot of the city walls, Officer Jiang transformed into an angel, bathed in holy light, and charged into the zombie crowd. That scene... tsk tsk, which man in our Lujiang Base doesn't secretly admire Officer Jiang?" He spoke with great animation, as if he had experienced it personally.

While the two were talking in low voices and more people were still secretly admiring Jiang Feifei's grace—

"Sentries—take—your—positions!"