173: Chapter 173 A Game Within a Game: The Game Before Dawn

It was very brief: "Acknowledged. Necessary assistance will be provided. Additionally, it is recommended to strengthen security checks at airports, stations, and major roads."

A list was also attached—twelve names, all of whom were CIA sleeper agents or informants in Myanmar. Some held high positions, and two were even former senior officers of the Myanmar Army.

"Good heavens, they even gave us this." Zhang Cheng smiled. "It seems the Dragon Kingdom is really going all out this time."

He immediately handed the list to Night Owl. "Arrest them according to the list; I want them alive. Interrogate them to dig out their action plans, and then... we'll beat them at their own game."

"Yes, sir."

A secret war quietly broke out seventy-two hours before the meeting began.

On the streets of Naypyidaw, things seemed calm, but in the shadows, Shadow Blade members and CIA agents were playing a game of cat and mouse. There were informants and hidden sentries from both sides everywhere—hotels, restaurants, bars, and even government office buildings.

On the afternoon of the third day, eighteen hours remained before the opening of the conference.

Night Owl entered Zhang Cheng's office and handed him an interrogation report. "We captured nine, but three escaped. According to the confessions, they plan to attack the Parliament Building with explosive-laden drones when the conference opens tomorrow. Simultaneously, they intend to cause explosions and shootings in multiple locations across the city to incite chaos."

"Drones?" Zhang Cheng raised an eyebrow. "Where did they come from?"

"Provided by Thailand. They're modified civilian models equipped with explosives and GPS navigation. Six in total have already been transported into Naypyidaw and are hidden in three different warehouses."

"Find them and take control," Zhang Cheng said. "Then, let's put on a show for our 'guests'."

"A show?"

"Exactly." A cunning light flashed in Zhang Cheng's eyes. "The conference will open as scheduled tomorrow, but those sitting in the Parliament Building won't be the actual delegates; they'll be our soldiers in disguise. Once the drones explode—in a safe zone under our control, of course—we will announce that we have 'thwarted a terrorist attack.' Then, in front of the whole world, we'll display the captured drones and the confessions of the CIA agents."

Night Owl understood. "This way, we ensure the safety of the delegates, expose the USA's conspiracy, and grant you the halo of an 'anti-terrorism hero,' General Zhang... killing three birds with one stone."

"So the act must be convincing," Zhang Cheng said. "The explosions must be real, and the scene must be chaotic, but casualties must be zero. Can you do it?"

"I can."

"Then go and prepare. Remember, this is a live broadcast for the whole world. If we perform well, the USA will never have the face to interfere in Myanmar's affairs again."

As night deepened, the lights of Naypyidaw flickered on one by one.

Tomorrow would be the day that decided the fate of this nation.

It was also the arena where Zhang Cheng and Jin Mao Pu would face off from afar.

The winner takes all, and the loser... might not even have their underwear left.

Naypyidaw, the night before the conference.

A three-kilometer radius around the Parliament Building was designated as a "Special Security Zone." All roads were guarded by armored vehicles and soldiers, and every vehicle entering or leaving had to undergo triple inspections. In the air, Swarm drones patrolled twenty-four hours a day, their thermal imaging sensors scanning the rooftops and windows of every building. Underground, acoustic detectors monitored for any signs of tunnel excavation.

Old K stood in the command center on the top floor of the Parliament Building, watching the data stream across a wall of screens. This was a temporary forward node for the "Sky Canopy" system, where six supercomputers were processing massive amounts of information—communication signals, facial recognition, vehicle trajectories, and even keywords from social media.

"As of 8:00 PM tonight, delegations from eleven provinces have arrived in Naypyidaw, and delegations from seven states will arrive by 6:00 AM tomorrow," a technician reported. "All delegates are staying at three designated hotels with Level A security."

"Any leads on the three CIA agents who escaped?" Old K asked.

"Still tracking them," Night Owl's voice came through the earpiece. "We've locked onto their last communication location—an abandoned printing factory in the north of the city. But by the time we arrived, they had already relocated, leaving behind only some electronic equipment wreckage. They are very professional with strong counter-reconnaissance skills."

Old K frowned. Three veteran agents on the loose were like three buried time bombs. Although Zhang Cheng's plan was to beat them at their own game, it was predicated on maintaining total control of the situation. If these three caused an accident outside of the plan, it would be trouble.

"Mobilize all resources; we must find them before dawn," Old K ordered. "Activate the full-spectrum scan of the Vega system. If they use any electronic device, even a burner phone, find them for me."

"Understood."

The order was issued, and the invisible electronic warfare network began to tighten. The electromagnetic spectrum over Naypyidaw was strictly monitored, with every abnormal signal being flagged, analyzed, and tracked.

Meanwhile, at the "Emerald Palace Hotel" in the east of the city, Zhang Cheng was receiving the first batch of arriving delegations.

A dozen people sat in the conference room: Shan State Sawbwas in traditional ethnic attire, the Governor of Yangon Province in a formal suit, and former Myanmar Army generals in uniform but without weapons. The atmosphere was subtle—everyone sized each other up, and no one spoke first.

When Zhang Cheng pushed open the door and entered, everyone stood up.

"Sit, everyone, please sit." Zhang Cheng waved his hand and took the main seat. "I invited you all here so late because I want to hear your true thoughts before the official conference. Rest assured, there are no recordings or records here; this is just an open and honest chat."

His gaze swept over the crowd. "Who wants to go first?"

After a few seconds of silence, the Governor of Yangon Province, U Win Myint, spoke first. "General Zhang, I'll state my position first. Yangon Province is willing to accept the leadership of the new regime, but we have a few conditions."

"Go on."

"First, Yangon is the economic center of Myanmar, so tax policies must maintain continuity and stability. Second, our provincial official team is largely intact, and we hope there won't be a large-scale overhaul. Third..." U Win Myint paused. "Regarding certain 'historical issues' from the Min Aung Hlaing era, we hope they can be let go."

A typical bureaucratic mindset—protect the position, protect the interests, and everything else is negotiable.

Zhang Cheng nodded without taking a stance and looked at the next person.

Khun Sa, the Grand Sawbwa of Shan State, was already over seventy years old, but he was hale and hearty, speaking with a resonant voice. "We in Shan State don't ask for much, just three things: first, recognize our hereditary status as Sawbwas; second, respect our ethnic customs and religious beliefs; third, autonomy—we want to manage our own military, taxes, and judiciary."

This was a request to be a state within a state.

Zhang Cheng still said nothing.

The third to speak was Saw Win, the former commander of the Myanmar Army's Eastern Military Region (not the Saw Win from Naypyidaw, but someone with the same name). He had surrendered with two divisions under his command, so with troops in hand, he spoke firmly. "General Zhang, my troops can be reorganized, but my men must be properly taken care of. Additionally, I hope the ranks and benefits from the Min Aung Hlaing era can be retained."

Bargaining and haggling—everyone had their own calculations.