The lieutenant colonel of the expeditionary force paled, leaping sideways and rolling on the ground, dodging more than ten meters away. Where he had stood was now engulfed in smoke and dust, and the ground was being shaved layer by layer. Even as a Level 7 combatant, if he had remained, he would have either died or been riddled with bullets.
The lieutenant colonel was furious and shocked, not only because someone dared to fire at him but also due to the sheer firepower of the heavy weapon. A machine gun capable of targeting airships was rare even in the main regiments of the expeditionary force. How could it be here, at the gate of a mercenary camp?
In the blink of an eye, the hundred-round ammunition belt was empty. The officer on the city wall, still hungry for more, wanted to pull the trigger again, but a large hand from the side pushed the gun down.
Turning, the officer saluted, “Sir!”
Next to him stood a towering, dark-skinned man. Glancing down, he declared loudly, “I am Duan Hao. My brother here accidentally fired. It’s all a misunderstanding. Since you are indeed part of the expeditionary force, come in!”
The lieutenant colonel’s face was grim, almost ready to explode with anger. Accidental discharge? Misunderstanding? These excuses had been used countless times by him and his subordinates, but never against him.
Two of the five SUVs had overturned, one was damaged. Gritting his teeth, the lieutenant colonel signaled to his men and headed towards the Dark Flame’s entrance. The soldiers scrambled out of the vehicles, forming a line behind their leader.
Duan Hao leaped off the city wall, standing in the center of the road, arms crossed, smiling as he observed the group.
Approaching Duan Hao, the lieutenant colonel glared, their gazes clashing fiercely.
Coldly, the lieutenant colonel sneered, “You’re the first to treat the expeditionary force like this in Eternaria! I’ll remember you!”
Duan Hao replied lightly, “You’ve only recently arrived in the abandoned lands, haven’t you?” He smiled meaningfully, “It’s only in Eternaria that we didn’t see blood, or else the military would need to send people to collect the bodies.”
The lieutenant colonel’s eyes narrowed, noting the soldier with a missing arm. This was no accident!
Fuming, he laughed, “Collect the bodies? Big talk. I’ll investigate who you are, and see why you spared so many of our lives!”
Duan Hao’s face turned cold, “Honestly, I’m surprised you came without checking us out.”
Duan Hao was one of Song Zining’s key figures. Normally, it was a waste of talent to station him with a special forces company in a small place like Blackstream City. Song Zining had a good reason; Duan Hao was a formally registered external executive of the Song Clan.
Despite the Song Clan’s internal and external troubles, it was still a behemoth in the Empire. A mere lieutenant colonel wanting to act against the Song Clan’s external executive needed solid reasons and would face retaliation. Even the expeditionary force couldn’t avoid this.
The lieutenant colonel, finding no advantage in the verbal exchange, hesitated. But with all the recent preparations completed, Dark Flame was the final piece. There was no backing down.
He stared at Duan Hao, forcing his anger down, “I am Lieutenant Colonel Du Yuanze, with urgent military matters to see your commander.”
“Should have said that earlier!” Duan Hao raised an eyebrow, stepping aside, waving over two soldiers, “Go inform Lord Qian Ye. See if he has time for visitors.”
Du Yuanze’s expression darkened further.
Duan Hao, noting this, smirked. He had made things clear, and if Du insisted, it wasn’t their fault.
Du Yuanze and his men were soon led to Qian Ye without further delay, meeting him in the reception room. The speed impressed Du, recognizing the reality of the situation.
Despite having seen the files, Du was still surprised by the young commander before him.
At the end of the long table sat a boy almost beautiful, with eyes like obsidian, clear and luminous. If not for the respect shown by the veteran soldiers, Du would have doubted his identity.
Suppressing a strange unease, Du stood straight, looking at Qian Ye, “It seems Commander Qian respects the expeditionary force. In Eternaria, we represent the Empire. Did you know what just happened?”
Qian Ye didn’t rise, leaning back, “You mean the sergeant who fired? He’s been punished. Oh, what was the punishment… Song Hu?”
Song Hu stepped forward, whispering loudly, “Three days in confinement, plus three months of special training.”
Qian Ye nodded, “That’s the punishment.”
Clearly, this wasn’t a serious punishment, but Du decided to take it as a sign of goodwill, swallowing his pride. He had more important matters.
Du wasn’t normally so easy to persuade. The sight of the well-equipped base, especially the heavy trucks, was alarming. Mercenaries were usually just better hunters, with no tactical skills, and were less effective than regular troops.
Most mercenaries focused on guns and ammo, not understanding the significance of specialized vehicles. But Dark Flame, from the equipment, was no ordinary mercenary company.
Du was relieved that Dark Flame was the last stop, with all other deployments completed. Otherwise, facing such a powerful group might have been disastrous.
Deciding to complete the mission, Du smiled, “Commander Qian, I appreciate the goodwill. I’ll report to General Dong.”
Qian Ye interrupted, “I think you misunderstood. The sergeant was punished for his poor aim. Not hitting anyone in a convoy attack means he needs more training. Next time, he’ll be demoted. Third time, dismissed.”
Du’s expression froze, his face shifting between green and white, unable to speak for a moment. Finally, he managed, “Qian, you’re on expeditionary land! In Eternaria, we represent the Great Qin Empire!”
Qian Ye changed position, resting his chin in his hand, smiling, “Don’t forget, this is Eternaria. The Empire’s abandoned land.”
Du’s face darkened, “So what? I’m here to take over the Seventh Division. This city belongs to the Seventh Division, and I represent them. Here’s the order and the general’s letter.”
Du tossed the documents onto the table, sliding them towards Qian Ye.
The high-ranking officers of Dark Flame were visibly angry, but Qian Ye remained calm, taking the papers and reading them.
One was the appointment of Dong Qifeng as the new division commander, the other a military announcement signed by Dong.
Qian Ye read both, passing the announcement to Song Hu, who frowned immediately.
Qian Ye looked at Du, “General Dong wants all armed forces in Blackstream City under the Seventh Division, with no unit exceeding two hundred, and always ready for the expeditionary force?”
Du grinned, “Yes! Excess troops must disband, with no heavy weapons or level-two force guns. All unauthorized equipment to the Seventh Division!”
A chilling silence fell, and the officers, surprisingly, did not protest. Most had lost their anger, becoming expressionless.
Satisfied, Du added, “Your reorganization time is… one day!”
Qian Ye smiled, “All armed forces? That’s efficient, indeed.”
Du sensed something was wrong. Before he could think, Qian Ye asked, “If we don’t comply?”
“Then you’re rebels! The expeditionary force will wipe you out, leaving no survivors!”
Qian Ye, smiling, looked even younger, “That’s leaving us no choice.”
Du laughed, slamming the table, “I give you a way out! Reorganize as I say, and complete it within the time, and you’ll live. The commoners in the city obeyed, and so will you. No tricks, or I’ll blast your ass with a force gun!”
Qian Ye stood, calmly, “You and your general misunderstand. In Eternaria, power dictates. You’re on my turf, not the Seventh Division’s.”
Du, shocked, “You… you rebel?”
Qian Ye raised a hand, “Seize this Colonel Du.”
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