novelhk Chapter 614 Meeting (4000+ words)
Chapter 614 Meeting (4000+ words)
The air in the conference room seemed to be sucked out instantly, and all the whispers stopped at the same time.
A look of relief finally appeared on Raymond's weathered face.
He quickly stood up from his seat, walked to the side, and solemnly saluted Cen Qing, who was not far away.
"Raymond Sators, Supreme Commander of the 59th Army of the Federation, greets the General Staff!"
Raymond's voice was loud and powerful, echoing in the silent conference room.
As soon as he finished speaking, all the high-ranking officers of the Federal 59th Army stood up.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, and they stood solemnly upright, paying the highest level of respect to this General Staff of the People's Liberation Army.
Cen Qing nodded slightly, her emerald eyes calm as still water, as if they could see right through people's hearts.
He strode to the head of the conference table, followed closely by the ultimate shooter.
Along the way, whether it was Midnight with his playful gaze or the ever-arrogant Douglas, everyone unconsciously restrained their aura.
Even a powerful figure like Seranci, from a top-tier family, had to temporarily avoid confrontation when faced with the second-in-command of the Federal military, who wielded immense power.
The atmosphere in the conference room plummeted to freezing point when Cen Qing took the seat of honor; even the sound of the wind rushing past the window seemed to disappear.
The ultimate marksman stood silently behind Cen Qing like a giant steel statue, his arms crossed over his chest and the railgun casually placed at his feet.
But everyone present knew perfectly well that if any of them dared to show the slightest hostility towards the General Staff of the Army, this plant spirit hero would raise his gun, load it, and pull the trigger with lightning speed, allowing the scorching magnetic beam to instantly pierce the "enemy's" head.
Gently pressing down on the back of the chair, Cen Qing did not immediately sit down. Instead, she turned around and scanned the entire room with a gentle yet authoritative gaze.
"Please don't be so formal."
His clear voice broke the suffocating silence: "Please sit down."
After everyone had taken their seats as instructed, Cen Qing leisurely sat down in the main seat, turned her gaze to Raymond beside her, and signaled him to announce that the meeting could begin.
Raymond nodded, his gaze sweeping across the room like a hawk's before finally settling on Seransie's expressionless face.
"The purpose of this meeting is to discuss rescuing the Ice and Snow Princess, who has been abducted by the Redemption Path."
Taking a deep breath, Raymond recounted the whole story: "Three days ago, this young princess was attacked by members of Redemption Road in the Metropolis and then kidnapped and taken to War Zone 59."
Upon hearing this, the conference room erupted in an uproar.
Many attendees never expected that the only son of a top federal noble family would be forcibly abducted by a group of criminals in full view of everyone.
This is not only a blatant provocation against the Ice and Snow Family, but also a blatant trampling on the entire federal law and order.
One of the homeowners, deeply puzzled, couldn't help but ask, "Redemption Road... those despicable human traffickers, what right do they have to forcibly abduct the young princess of the Ice and Snow family under layers of protection?"
"Heh, then we'll have to ask our Frost Vanguard."
A sorcerer standing behind Seranci snorted coldly, making no attempt to hide the mockery and disgust in his eyes, his gaze piercing like an ice pick towards Cathy in the corner.
If this young plant spirit hero hadn't taken it upon himself to leave the highly secure hotel with the little princess, how could those madmen on the Redemption Road have found a breakthrough and committed such heinous crimes?
"To let the little princess be taken away by outlaws on the bustling streets of the metropolis, I really don't know how the British Federation can make someone like you a hero."
The sorcerer's sharp and sarcastic words were like a poisoned ice knife, mercilessly piercing Cathy's heart.
Cathy, who was sitting in the corner, trembled. Her already pale face became even more bloodless.
Her hands were clenched into fists under the table, her nails digging deep into her palms, but this could not relieve the overwhelming self-blame and pain surging within her.
"enough."
A cold rebuke interrupted the sorcerer's incessant chatter. Chi Yuan stood up, her sharp gaze piercing the other man like a sword.
The sorcerer instinctively took a half step back, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.
"Now is not the time for you to pursue responsibility. The most important thing is how to rescue that young princess. Have the members of your Ice and Snow family become so stupid that they can't distinguish between what is important and what is urgent?"
"you!"
The sorcerer blushed and was about to retort when Seranci, standing in front of him, raised her hand to stop her.
Chi Yuan ignored the sorcerer and looked at Seranxi, saying solemnly, "Lady Seranxi, Cathy is indeed to blame for the little princess being abducted by the Path of Redemption, but at this moment, she wants to save the little princess more than anyone else."
Kronos coughed lightly a few times, then continued, "You're right. Instead of making sarcastic remarks and undermining morale, we should focus our energy on how to rescue the little princess."
The sorcerer, rebuked, lowered his head indignantly, and Seranci's expression softened slightly.
She gave Chi Yuan and Kronos a deep look, and finally just gave a faint hum, which was taken as tacit agreement with their statement.
"I also have some information here that I can share with everyone."
Sensing the subtle shift in the atmosphere, Douglas adjusted his monocle and projected his terminal screen onto the crowd.
"Twelve hours ago, the Star Giants received an invitation from Redemption Road, inviting all forces to participate in a grand auction in War Zone 59, which will take place in five days."
Douglas swiped his finger across the screen, zooming in on the gold-embossed electronic invitation so that every word was clearly visible.
"And one of the auction's highlight items..."
His voice deepened, carrying a hint of barely perceptible gravity: "It is indeed the 'Frost Saintess of the Ice and Snow Family'."
These words were like a bombshell, exploding in the already tense meeting room.
A federal general slammed his fist on the table, his voice filled with incredulous rage: "Damn it, what do they take the Ice Princess for? A trophy to flaunt?"
The expressions on the faces of the people in the conference room varied: fear, anger, and even a greedy glint in their eyes.
"Hmm... this is more than just 'trophies'."
Midnight, who had been leaning back in his chair, suddenly sat up straight: "In the slang of the underworld, I'm sure everyone here knows what the word 'saintess' means, so I don't need to elaborate."
In an instant, the expressions of the several Ice and Snow Clan sorcerers turned extremely ugly, especially Seransie, whose surrounding temperature dropped several degrees.
The so-called "saint" symbolizes the supreme glory of her bloodline, but it is also a fig leaf to cover up the dirty deals that are twisted by power and desire.
For the Ice and Snow family, which consists entirely of female members, this is undoubtedly a blatant insult.
Midnight's eyes, which always held a mocking smile, were now as cold as ice shards: "It is said that in certain secret noble circles, there is an almost morbid obsession with this kind of 'unopened' 'saintess.' They don't care about the child's origins or life or death, only whether the halo symbolizing purity is intact."
She seemed to enjoy the nauseating silence, and slowly added, "Since Redemption Road dares to use such a name, I'm afraid the buyers of this auction must include those 'old perverts' who don't even dare to show their faces in the sunlight."
"Shut up, Midnight! The Ice and Snow Family hired you, not to gossip here!"
A piercing scream erupted, accompanied by a chilling aura. The alloy tabletop in front of Seransi froze and shattered, turning into countless ice crystals that dissipated into nothingness.
Her stunningly beautiful face was contorted with extreme anger and shame, and her deep purple eyes no longer held simple murderous intent, but rather a burning madness that wanted to drag the whole world into hell.
"Anyone who dares to make such a move should be prepared to become an enemy of the Ice and Snow Family."
Seransie could no longer maintain her composure; her voice trembled uncontrollably: "If those scum dare to touch a single hair on her head, the Ice Family will rip their souls out and hang them on the bow of the Frostfire to freeze for eternity!"
"Ms. Seranchi, please calm down."
Cen Qing, seated in the main seat, slightly raised her hand, and a pure purifying power spread out like a tide, causing the ice crystals flying all over the sky to melt silently.
“Anger solves nothing; it only exposes our weaknesses.”
The voice of the General Staff of the Army remained clear and calm, with the usual composure of the Wisdom Tree plant spirit: "I'm afraid that the Redemption Path is doing this precisely to provoke us. If the result is as they wish, then it will truly be a case of losing more than they gain."
The temperature is gradually warming up, but that invisible tension is becoming increasingly tight.
Seransie's violently heaving chest gradually calmed down under that irresistible, gentle force. She gritted her teeth and forcibly suppressed the anger in her heart.
"You are absolutely right, but we must get there before the auction..."
“I understand. That’s why we need to devise a comprehensive plan instead of rushing into the ruined city like headless flies.”
Cen Qing interrupted Seranxi before he could finish speaking, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table: "According to the latest intelligence, besides us, many other forces have broken into this ruined city. These include not only the Howling Moon Hunters and the Free Army that appeared early on, but also many other factions that have yet to show up."
The Ultimate Shooter, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke. His voice, processed by electronic synthesis, sounded particularly cold and grating: "Reconnaissance units have reported that the Imperial 59th Army has dispatched at least one battalion to the southwestern district of the ruined city of No. 59."
"Whatever their motives, we cannot sit here and wait to die."
Cen Qing stood up from his seat, his gaze sharp as he swept over every face in the conference room: "I will personally command this rescue operation. We have only one goal: to rescue the young princess of the Ice and Snow family at all costs, and at the same time, to completely eliminate all members of Redemption Road in the war zone."
He channeled his spiritual energy, conjuring a three-dimensional map of War Zone 59 on the conference table. With a light tap of his finger, he began to issue commands methodically: "The Frostfrost will serve as our mobile command center. Ms. Seransie, I need at least five sorcerers to remain on board to maintain 'Frost Vision' and provide us with necessary fire support."
Seranci took a deep breath and nodded very solemnly: "Understood."
“Lieutenant General Raymond, and Chief Kronos.”
Cen Qing looked at the two men: "I need you to send out your respective troops to break in and draw the enemy's attention from the front."
Raymond and Kronos exchanged a glance and replied readily, "Yes, sir."
Cen Qing turned to the executive in the suit: "Mr. Douglas, can Star Group provide additional assistance?"
Douglas smiled slightly: "Of course, Mr. Cen Qing, the intelligence network of Star Corporation and the security team I brought are at your disposal."
"And there's also the S-rank mercenary group 'Nightfall Splendor'..."
Cen Qing's gaze fell on Midnight: "I need you to infiltrate the auction venue, monitor the situation at all times, and be ready to provide backup."
Midnight tilted his head, a playful smile playing on his lips: "General Staff, it's not a good decision to have an S-class mercenary group do this kind of menial work, but... since it's your order, we'll do as you say."
"very good."
After issuing several more instructions, Cen Qing placed his hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and spoke with an unprecedentedly serious tone.
"Gentlemen, this operation cannot afford to fail. The safety of the young princess, the face of the Federation, and even the stability of the entire 59th war zone all rest on our shoulders."
He looked around the room, his gaze finally settling on the figure huddled in the corner, almost burying himself in the shadows.
"Lord Frost Vanguard."
Cen Qing's voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
Cathy, who had been keeping to herself, suddenly trembled, frantically raising her head, her icy blue eyes filled with terror and helplessness.
"For this rescue mission, please join forces with the Ultimate Archer, Enforcer Crimson Kite, and the sorcerer squad led by Lady Seranci."
Cen Qing's tone was completely flat, making it impossible to tell whether he was punishing her or giving her a chance: "Your task is simple: find the little princess and then bring her home safe and sound."
Cathy's lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she bit her lower lip tightly to keep them from falling.
Slowly rising to her feet, Cathy straightened her back. Although her body was still trembling slightly, her eyes gradually became firm.
"Yes, Your Excellency General Staff."
Although her voice was a little hoarse, it conveyed a do-or-die determination.
"Gentlemen, the rescue operation will officially begin tomorrow morning."
Cen Qing turned her head and looked out the window at the war zone that was gradually being shrouded in night: "I have a feeling that the enemy we are about to face may not be just the Redemption Road."
His fingertip traced the southwestern district of the map: "For example, the Imperial 59th Army and the Howling Moon Hunters, they would never attend any auctions, but there must be something they are more interested in there... or people."
The attendees either looked at each other in bewilderment or seemed to be deep in thought, and then unanimously agreed with Cen Qing's deduction.
This General Staff member has always had a keen intuition, so he should prepare in advance.
"General Staff."
Lieutenant General Raymond spoke in a deep voice: "If the objectives of other forces conflict with ours..."
"Then fight."
Cen Qing's answer was concise and cold, completely lacking his usual gentleness: "Although Zone 59 is located on the border, it is still part of the Federation's territory. Any force that dares to act recklessly here will be considered a provocation against the Federation."
The meeting ended in a somber yet resolute atmosphere, with representatives from all sides leaving one after another.
They knew that a massive storm, capable of impacting the world order, was quietly approaching Theater 59.