Chapter 64 (New Generation 2): To Hope

December 21, 2037, Rocket City, Sa State, Liang Country

Today is the winter solstice, and also Daphne’s thirty-eighth birthday. Little Vito, now seven years old, darted about the yard, sometimes grabbing hold of Michael’s strong arm, dangling himself mid-air, playful and endearing.

Michael and Daphne’s prefabricated house faced the bay, with the launch pads on the coastal mudflats clearly visible. The Firebird 13 heavy rocket towered on its launch platform, VESS emblazoned along its length.

The national leader had dispatched troops three times to attack, only for his forces to be utterly destroyed each time, while Huang Xiaotian’s side suffered not a single casualty. If word of this were to spread, it would surely cause a great sensation.

Slowly, a golden, shimmering arm extended outward, five fingers splayed as they grasped at the empty air before Xu Mo. In that instant, it was as if the laws of heaven and earth were held within his palm—a most wondrous feeling.

The middle-aged man regarded him with surprise. In his eyes, Xu Mo was nothing but an ordinary person, showing no signs of martial cultivation, yet his courage was truly remarkable.

To the ordinary disciples, Ning Fangmu explained that Mount Earthlung was preparing in full for the year-end sect competition, leaving no choice but to act thus. However, the more astute among them sensed something amiss; such grandiose maneuvers hardly resembled preparations for a sect competition. It was more like the restless mustering of troops before a war.

“Chief, someone is asking to see you outside. It’s Wendy from Black Dog’s side,” a subordinate suddenly hurried in and reported to Jiang Deming.

Everyone gaped, curious how Huang Xiaotian would handle this. To their surprise, Huang Xiaotian merely nodded gently.

“Judging from our intelligence, it’s likely a legion with formidable combat power. We…” Before Grey could finish, Locke’s fist had already landed on him. Weeks of exhaustion and a body frailer than most left Grey unconscious the moment the blow struck.

Yang Ming, unfamiliar with the patient’s condition, turned to the side where Pierce, eyes shining with admiration, stood. “Hello, could you tell me the patient’s current status?” Yang Ming asked, his expression solemn.

Before Old Li could say another word, Qin Yuan was already twisting facts, muddying the waters. Having climbed up from a humble background, he knew all too well how to handle such bullies who preyed on the weak.

Because she was known to be engaged to Nangong Yixuan, the guards protecting the city center did not hinder her further and allowed her passage.

“Wretched servant, why are you in my way? How dare you block this young master’s view! Get out of here at once!” Fang Ling slammed the door, feigning rage as he shouted.

Yet in the end, they couldn’t get their way; the man’s status was too high, and they could only be chased off by Xun Luo, who wore a stern expression.

Just last night she had been lost in the sweet fantasy of love, and now today, Zeng Ni, the legitimate wife, had come in person, demanding she leave the frontier of her own accord. How could she bear it?

There is even a news story from 1948 about this: as the Nationalist forces’ control over the mainland teetered on collapse, our soldiers concealed poison within coffins, transporting them across the land and sea. To keep playing such games while the great edifice was crumbling—truly, no one else could match them.

Jiang Xue looked at him, speechless. After a long moment, she withdrew her gaze and headed toward the dining hall.

The Lord of the Dark Abyss was the head of the Black Tortoise branch of the Palace of Illusory Dust, his strength and reputation beyond compare. Now that she had become his puppet, subsequent matters would become much easier.

The Nine-Headed Phoenix was first to arrive at an observation post. The position had endured prolonged bombardment, and the only hope was to outlast the Japanese artillery’s shells. The enemy’s mountain guns had such range that their positions were invisible; shells rained down unseen from afar.

Suddenly, a whistling sound pierced the sky. The sailors on deck looked up in horror as the very air seemed to ripple in waves, compressed and refracted before their eyes.