Chapter 00104: Invasion (Extra Chapter for Alliance Leader Ye Xingchen)
# Invasion (Extra Chapter for Alliance Leader Ye Xingchen)
Chapter 104
Novel: After the Myth
Chapter 104: Invasion (Extra Chapter for Alliance Leader Ye Xingchen)
"Haha, Old Zhong, you have no idea how worried I was about you. Seeing you safe and sound truly puts my heart at ease," Zhu Qinjiang's voice echoed from a distance.
Yan Xia also laughed heartily, stepping forward to embrace Zhong Chi: "Brother Zhong, it's great that you're okay. We can team up again to hunt those beasts."
"Old Director, Deputy Leader Yan. I'm relieved that Zhong Chi is fine. But he’s been slandering me, claiming that I, Shi Changyi, colluded with the beasts to harm him. I, Shi Changyi, have risked my life countless times to protect Earth. I just returned from battling the beasts and barely made it home when Zhong Chi barged in and accused me. Even if I haven’t achieved great merits, I’ve certainly put in the effort. For Zhong Chi to treat me and the Gene Alliance this way upon his return, it truly chills my heart."
Shi Changyi, the villain, struck first, mixing logic with emotion, even making it seem like his eyes were red with grievance.
Though he was of American descent, he had grown up in China and was practically a local.
"Old Zhong, could there be some misunderstanding here?" Zhu Qinjiang asked, puzzled.
As the director of the Puhai Security Bureau, he naturally trusted Zhong Chi.
But given the critical situation, internal strife between the Gene Alliance and Zhong Chi would only hasten the beasts' conquest of Earth.
Hearing Zhu Qinjiang's words, Shi Changyi became even more indignant: "Since the founding of the Gene Alliance, everything we’ve done has been for the survival of Earth and the future of humanity. Even a scoundrel like Ding Huan never dared to smash the doors of our headquarters."
Zhong Chi sneered: "If Brother Ding were here, he wouldn’t be as cowardly as me. He wouldn’t waste time smashing doors—he’d be killing people. Tell me, when has Brother Ding ever left even a single dung beetle alive in your Gene Alliance?"
As Zhong Chi spoke, he recalled Ding Huan’s joke about the black insect ball being a dung beetle.
"You..."
Shi Changyi regretted bringing up Ding Huan.
"Old Zhong, this matter must be thoroughly investigated. The Federation..."
Zhu Qinjiang’s words were cut short by a sharp, piercing sound that exploded in the sky.
Immediately, his phone began ringing frantically, as did the communication devices of Shi Changyi, the leader of the Gene Alliance, and Yan Xia, the deputy leader of the Martial Alliance.
Without even answering the calls, the sharp sound in the sky made it clear that something monumental had happened—something on the scale of a global beast tide.
Zhu Qinjiang answered his phone, and the voice of Dou Qingzhi, the director of the National Security Bureau, came through: "Old Zhu, immediately mobilize all members of the Puhai Security Bureau to support West Asia. Four alien spacecraft have landed there, including two massive warships. They’ve already destroyed several nations and established a base in West Asia... They possess immortal spiders and advanced field weapons. The Federation forces have suffered heavy casualties..."
"Director, what are field weapons?" But Dou Qingzhi had already hung up, and the line was busy.
By now, Shi Changyi and Yan Xia had also put down their phones, their expressions grave.
"A more advanced alien civilization has arrived on Earth, annihilating several nations in West Asia. Mu Tuo, the dean of Eternal City, died in battle. It’s said he had no chance to escape once surrounded by the immortal spiders," Yan Xia said solemnly.
Zhong Chi’s heart skipped a beat.
Mu Tuo wasn’t a natural-born powerhouse, but he was a peak-level expert, infinitely close to that realm.
For such a strong individual to be unable to escape the immortal spiders meant that if Zhong Chi were surrounded, his chances of survival would be slim.
Zhu Qinjiang spoke gravely: "Leader Shi, you should also mobilize the Gene Alliance to head to West Asia. We’ll meet there. The Federation forces stationed in West Asia are too few, and reinforcements are likely already on their way."
Shi Changyi nodded: "Understood. We’ll regroup in West Asia."
Zhong Chi snorted: "Shi Changyi, these alien civilizations were brought here by your Gene Alliance. You sent out all sorts of cosmic signals, and now we’re paying the price. You’ve brought disaster to Earth. You’re the criminals of this planet, unforgivable."
"Zhong Chi, I respect your contributions to Earth’s survival, but you can’t keep slandering me. How can you claim these aliens were brought by the Gene Alliance? I could just as easily say you brought them. Would you accept that?" Shi Changyi retorted angrily.
Zhu Qinjiang quickly intervened: "Now is the time for unity. Internal strife will only hasten humanity’s demise. These alien forces have established a base but haven’t launched a full-scale attack, which suggests they have grand ambitions to enslave Earth. We must stand together."
Originally, Zhong Chi had planned to eliminate Shi Changyi today.
With the Security Bureau and Martial Alliance on his side, he could take on Shi Changyi alone.
But his plans were disrupted by the alien invasion.
Reluctantly, Zhong Chi knew that pursuing Shi Changyi now would only make him look unreasonable.
"Old Zhong, come with the Security Bureau to West Asia," Zhu Qinjiang urged, trying to keep Zhong Chi close.
The strongest member of the Security Bureau was Qu Yi, but she was just a young girl with little combat experience.
Having Zhong Chi around would provide some reassurance.
The Puhai Security Bureau had recently suffered heavy losses, with many dead or injured.
Zong Han was still recovering and couldn’t lead the team.
Zhong Chi shook his head: "Old Zhu, I need to borrow a plane and a pilot. I need to make a trip alone."
Knowing that the alien forces had arrived with several ships and that even Mu Tuo had fallen to the immortal spiders, Zhong Chi realized their chances of success were slim.
He needed to bring Ding Huan into the fold.
Ding Huan was stronger and smarter than him.
Additionally, the girl Xin Yue by Ding Huan’s side would be invaluable.
The aliens were likely from her home planet, and with her help, they could gain crucial insights.
Zhu Qinjiang sighed: "Old Zhong, it’s not that I won’t lend you a plane. But think about it—the aliens have established a base in West Asia, and that airspace is undoubtedly under their control. If your plane passes through there, you won’t even have a chance to escape."
Zhong Chi fell silent.
To reach Bi’ao Island and find Ding Huan, he would indeed have to pass through that airspace.
"Old Zhu, I’ll walk there myself," Zhong Chi decided firmly.
He hadn’t expected to return to Puhai only to head back to Bi’ao Island.
If he’d known, he might not have come back at all.
But if he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have learned about the alien ships and warships in West Asia or their establishment of a base there.
"Old Zhong, why can’t you come with us?" Zhu Qinjiang frowned.
Why was Zhong Chi being so stubborn?
Zhong Chi smiled wryly: "Old Zhu, I know what I’m doing. If I don’t do this, humanity might truly be enslaved. I need to find help. Trust me."
Seeing that Zhong Chi wasn’t just spouting nonsense, Zhu Qinjiang reluctantly nodded.
"Old Zhu, is Qu Yi still with the Security Bureau? Take care of her for me," Zhong Chi said.
He’d heard about Qu Yi, Fang Chong, and Ai Xi’s exploits on the human defense line, which had surprised him.
Were the younger generation really that strong? But when he learned that Qu Yi, Fang Chong, and Ai Xi were all disciples of Ding Huan, it made sense.
Ding Huan was the most extraordinary young man Zhong Chi had ever met, and his disciples were naturally exceptional.
"Don’t worry, she’s now the director of the Puhai Security Bureau. I invited you partly to protect her," Zhu Qinjiang said, somewhat exasperated.
"Good. I’ll be on my way then," Zhong Chi said, waving as he prepared to leave in a hurry.
Zhong Chi only had time to call his daughter before rushing to Nian Jinqing’s residence.
He couldn’t forget his promise to deliver a message for Ding Huan.
...
"Is this Nian Jinqing’s place?" Zhong Chi was surprised to see the overgrown weeds, nearly as tall as a person.
He entered the villa, tossed the wooden board Ding Huan had written on at the doorstep, and turned to leave.
As soon as Zhong Chi left, a monkey rushed over and grabbed the board.
This was Lao Liu, who had been waiting for Ding Huan.
At first, Lao Liu had been patient, but as days passed and Ding Huan didn’t show, he grew restless.
If not for the hope of gaining strength, he would have left long ago.
Frustrated, Lao Liu gritted his teeth and continued waiting.
He knew better than anyone that to significantly increase his power, he needed to stick with Ding Huan.
Since regaining his memories, Lao Liu had met many people, but none had impressed him as much as Ding Huan.
"Lao Liu, I’m too busy to come back for you. If you want to improve, go wait for me at Kunlun Mountain. If not, return to Qianluo Mountain."
Reading the words on the board, Lao Liu screeched in anger.
But in the end, he suppressed his frustration and chased after Zhong Chi.
"You..."
Zhong Chi saw the board in Lao Liu’s hands and realized Ding Huan’s message was meant for a monkey.
Lao Liu chattered incessantly, pointing at Zhong Chi, then at himself, and finally at the road ahead.
Zhong Chi finally understood: "You want to come with me to find Ding Huan?"
Seeing that Zhong Chi got the message, Lao Liu nodded eagerly.
"Not bad, you can understand human speech," Zhong Chi said, somewhat amused.
If not for the fact that Lao Liu wanted to follow him to find Ding Huan, the monkey might have slapped him for that comment.
"Lao Liu, let me tell you, the place I’m going is over ten thousand kilometers away. I walk fast—are you sure you can keep up?" Zhong Chi glanced at the wooden board in Lao Liu’s hand and chuckled.
The monkey’s name was Lao Liu?
As a natural-born powerhouse, Zhong Chi could traverse forests and mountains as if they were flat ground.
Lao Liu’s eyes showed disdain.
Did Zhong Chi really think he could outpace him?
"Alright then, you can come with me," Zhong Chi said, his carefree nature shining through.
He didn’t mind Lao Liu’s attitude.
(End of Chapter)