Chapter 1154: Does Your Back Feel Cold?
"Regarding the matter in Y Country, the Special Defense Department will remember your contributions. We've already prepared high-grade advanced items and supplies, which will be delivered to you after New Year's Eve..."
"Last time, when I destroyed the safe zone in Y Country, I used a gentle method that didn't cause many casualties," Xu Huo interrupted him. "But this time is different. I still have over a month until my next instance deadline. Within these thirty days, I can destroy one safe zone a day—every single one your Special Defense Department has established. And I mean truly destroy them."
"Xu Huo!" Minister Fan roared sternly. "What do you think you're doing! X Country is not a place for you to run wild!"
"You exaggerate," Xu Huo said calmly. "I'm merely reminding everyone in the Special Defense Department that if this matter isn't handled properly, there will be a second and third Xu Huo in the future."
The breathing on the other end of the line paused for a moment before Minister Fan spoke again. "The Special Defense Department is aware of the situation you've described, but we don't have the resources to deal with it right now. When the time comes..."
"Two days," Xu Huo interrupted him again. "The Special Defense Department has two days to handle this matter. Those involved must be dealt with, the truth of the incident must be made public, and the guilty parties must be tried openly."
There was a sound of someone slamming a table on the other end of the line, but before Minister Fan's roar could escape, Xu Huo continued, "If there isn't a satisfactory result, I will make this matter public in my own way in two days. It's hard to predict what consequences will follow, but the Special Defense Department, which is implicated, will certainly face a collapse of credibility."
"Minister Fan," his voice deepened, "the internal personnel of the Special Defense Department are aware of this. That alone means you can't escape responsibility."
"Perhaps some people are waiting for others to do the dirty work, waiting for the fruit to ripen before picking it. But I advise the Special Defense Department, or anyone else, not to entertain such thoughts. If you want to reap the rewards, you'd better weigh whether you can survive until that day."
A slightly mocking gaze fell on Bian Ling and the others who were trapped. Xu Huo's voice carried a hint of laughter again. "Speaking of which, the Special Defense Department has really progressed quickly. You already have so many C-level players."
These words, which sounded like a threat to anyone listening, finally broke Minister Fan's composure. He said angrily, "The Special Defense Department always needs time to do things. Two days—I can't even check the entire list!"
But Xu Huo didn't care. "Safe zones can be rebuilt if destroyed. A month is enough to rebuild them. As for players... three months is enough to harvest a new batch."
With that, he hung up the phone, cutting off Minister Fan's furious roar. Still unsatisfied, Xu Huo held his phone and muttered, "With that kind of behavior, I don't know how he became a minister. The Special Defense Department should reconsider its selection methods..."
"Team Leader Lu, don't you think so?"
Bian Ling and the others beside him hadn't yet recovered from the shock of him threatening Minister Fan and the Special Defense Department. They instinctively followed his gaze and realized that the mist was already filled with Special Defense Department personnel. Among them was Lu Fengyi, who had been promoted to team leader just three months ago.
The swift-acting Special Defense Department had deployed nearly fifty players to the residential area within the time of a single phone call. This was just the first wave; more were arriving outside the area.
"Are these all C-level players?"
Xu Huo looked around, showing no sign of fear. His demeanor made Team Leader Lu's eyelids twitch. She said, "The Special Defense Department has spent countless resources to train this batch of C-level players. In Mr. Xu's eyes, are they just a crop of leeks?"
"They can be, or they can not be," Xu Huo said indifferently. "But the Special Defense Department has disappointed me somewhat. Since you've deployed so many people outside, why isn't the safe zone itself secure enough with players?"
"You mean that pregnant woman just now?" Team Leader Lu smiled. "Even if you hadn't intervened, she would have been fine."
"But since the atmosphere has come to this, Mr. Xu, why don't you come back to headquarters with me? We can discuss any issues face-to-face."
Xu Huo looked at her with a half-smile. "I'd love to visit, but does the Special Defense Department dare to have me?"
As he spoke, he precisely locked onto several people in different positions within the crowd. With a flick of his fingers, they were knocked out of formation by a space barrier. The next second, he vanished from his spot and appeared behind Team Leader Lu in a way that was impossible to track with the naked eye.
They maintained a distance of one meter, but Team Leader Lu realized what had happened from the reactions of those around her. She remained still, simultaneously signaling the players not to act rashly.
Xu Huo stood behind her for several seconds before speaking. "Team Leader Lu, does your back feel cold?"
Team Leader Lu, who had always been known for her amiable and approachable demeanor, finally lost her composure. Her face slowly darkened, and her body trembled almost imperceptibly.
"You can take these nine people away. Handle them as you see fit. In two days, I'll be waiting for the Special Defense Department's results."
After saying this, Xu Huo returned upstairs. He stood by the window, waved at the people below, and then pulled the curtains shut.
"Are they gone?" Xu Huo's father, who had been secretly watching, couldn't let out a sigh of relief and immediately pressed for answers. "Have you completely offended the Special Defense Department now?"
Xu Huo nodded, then added, "I can only offend the people in the Special Defense Department. How could I offend the entire department?"
"What's the difference!" his father said. "There are so many of them. How can you be a match? Maybe you should lie low in the game for a while. At worst, our whole family can move out!"
In the living room, the old man and Ms. Yu looked on with concern, but Xu Huo just smiled and said, "They won't do anything to you. But moving is definitely out of the question."
"Don't worry. There are still more good people than bad in this world."
"Even if some don't want to be good, they can be forced into it."
His father's face was full of worry, but he didn't press further. "You've always had your own ideas since you were a child. Since you say so, you must have your reasons. No matter what, stay safe... I... your mother only has you left as her child."
Xu Huo patted his old father on the shoulder and pushed him back into the living room. "Is the variety show good?"
While the Xu family was enjoying the TV program in harmony, the Special Defense Department had already cleaned up the scattered invading players outside. They stopped trying to lure bigger fish and escorted the prisoners directly back to the headquarters building.
Team Leader Lu went straight to the meeting room. None of the participants in this operation had left. Because of the advance planning, the ten newly appointed team leaders and twenty reserve team leaders had all been called in this time. One purpose was to understand the operation's content, and another was to get used to the Special Defense Department's pace. No one expected to receive Xu Huo's call midway.
After that call ended, Minister Fan left the meeting room. The others, except for a few team leaders who made necessary operational contacts, sat in their seats without saying a word.
Just as Team Leader Lu entered the room, Minister Fan returned. His expression was grim, and he asked directly, "You've seen Xu Huo in person. What is his current strength?"
What else could Team Leader Lu say? "The analysis report just came out. Although it's uncertain whether he has undergone another super evolution, his precise control range is at least three hundred meters or more... At this distance, ninety-nine percent of the Special Defense Department's items can't get close to him."
(Chapter End)