When Ryan Ling heard the news, his face darkened. China was at a critical moment—internal chaos had just ended, and there was no way it could survive another catastrophe.
But he also knew perfectly well: he’d basically wiped out every South Asia head of the Kunlun League, just killed the Century Witch in Imperial City, and then took out the Living Yama, Earthly Demon, Soul-Reaper Ghost, and other core Kunlun League enforcers. He’d also wrecked their plot to swallow China whole. With all that, there’s no way the Kunlun League would just let it go!
And the United States is obviously a power center for the Kunlun League. Back in Japan, when Ryan faced off against the US forces and the Seventh Fleet jumped in to help Grandmother Long, he already knew he’d have to fight America head-on sooner or later.
As the world’s strongest military superpower, America’s strength easily dwarfs Japan, Niyama, and pretty much all of Southeast Asia put together. It’s the global leader, and its ambition to dominate is crystal clear—you see their shadow everywhere: the Middle East, North Africa, South America, South Asia, you name it.
And now, the Seventh Fleet that’s been operating in East Asia just sailed right into the Bohai Gulf—openly.
Are they trying to say there’s no one left in China who can stand up to them?!
"Take me to see Commander Deng Xiao, right now!" Ryan didn’t hesitate. Then he glanced at Kenneth Li and added, "Don’t tell the brothers about this yet—let them have fun and relax, they’ve worked way too hard lately!"
"You got it, go on!" Kenneth Li nodded.
As night fell, Ryan hopped into Commander Lu’s car. The car sped into the ancient city of Imperial City. The smoke of war hadn’t cleared yet—ruins everywhere—but through the window, you could see the tough Imperial City locals slowly regaining their confidence, rebuilding their homes. They were still shaken, but everyone just wanted peace. No one wanted more civil war—and definitely not an invasion.
Xiangshan Mansion, Daniel Deng’s temporary residence. Right now, all of Imperial City was under martial law, but Deng still controlled the Jiangnorth area—his reputation in the military was sky-high. Even Kenneth Li was his junior, and even Ryan had to show some respect.
As soon as Ryan walked into the mansion, an elderly, short man was already waiting outside. Even after prison time, he was still sharp and full of energy, his eyes bright. Several high-ranking generals stood beside him—obviously all top brass who’d been soft-locked by Chairman Victor Hua.
As Ryan’s car pulled up, Daniel Deng and the others all hurried over to greet him.
"Master Ling, you’re finally here!" Daniel Deng rushed up and grabbed Ryan’s hand.
"Commander Deng, you’re way too formal—come on, don’t do that!" Ryan protested, quickly steadying Daniel Deng. He was the junior here, whether by age or rank.
"Don’t call me commander, just call me Old Deng—it’s friendlier. You’re China’s hero! If you hadn’t stepped up, the whole country would’ve become a Kunlun League colony. Guys like us wouldn’t have a single good day left!" Daniel Deng said, already pulling Ryan to sit down.
"Alright, let’s keep it casual. And you don’t have to call me Master Ling—just call me Little Ling, Old Deng!" Ryan replied with a grin, his tone easygoing and friendly.
"That’s the spirit! Smoke?" Daniel Deng offered Ryan a Zhonghua cigarette.
Ryan hadn’t smoked in ages, but right now, he couldn’t turn it down.
Smoke curled around them as every door inside and outside the mansion was shut tight.
"Little Ling, check it out—here’s the current US force deployment in the Bohai Gulf. Thirty warships, and even more outside. They all came through Niyama, and in total there’s seventy or eighty thousand troops!" Daniel Deng pointed at some wrecked fishing boats nearby. "These American bastards took advantage of our civil war and started live-fire drills right in Shandong and Liaoning—over a hundred fishermen dead, and they wrecked our Bohai Gulf base. Right now, they’ve basically seized our entire Imperial City region sea defense. If they really attack, this place will be wiped off the map in seconds!"
"Have they made any demands yet?" Ryan asked immediately.
Ryan knew the score: after the Jiangnorth battle, Kenneth Li, Gabriel Xue, and the others had blindsided Chairman Victor Hua and smashed all his defenses. That left a huge power vacuum, which basically handed America a golden opportunity. China still had missile forces, elite air force units, and nuclear subs, but all the heavy gear was up for reorganization and wouldn’t be ready for days. America had already made its move—they weren’t going to give China any time to prep. There might be a thousand missiles locked onto China’s major cities right now. No joke—even someone as strong as Ryan could only shield a hundred kilometers, tops.
"Yeah, they’ve made demands already. Their people are coming tonight for negotiations—that’s why I rushed to get you here. Honestly, with things this bad, I think we’ll have to swallow some losses." Even a seasoned pro like Daniel Deng knew how dire things were.
"Let’s hear them out first." Ryan flexed his knuckles. America really knew how to kick you when you’re down—China was totally on the back foot.
Right then, someone outside quietly reported, "Commander, they’re here…"
The messenger barely finished before the door was rudely shoved open. In seconds, a dozen burly Americans barged in, guns drawn, looking seriously cocky. Daniel Deng’s people raised their weapons too.
But those American muscleheads weren’t the main act. In the middle stood a tall, blonde, blue-eyed American beauty—legs for days, lips painted fire-engine red, eyes scanning the room like a hawk. She even licked her lips before locking onto Ryan.
"You’re way out of line! This is China’s central HQ—even if your president showed up, he’d better be polite, got it?" One of the Chinese generals couldn’t hold back and shouted.
The other senior generals all started yelling too—everyone was seriously pissed.
"Heh, do you really think you’ve got the guts to mouth off to us right now?" The blonde beauty sneered, shooting Ryan a few glances before turning to Daniel Deng. "Commander Deng, let me introduce myself: I’m Jessica, Deputy Director of US Intelligence and chief liaison for the Seventh Fleet. I’m authorized to speak for Admiral Kane, commander of the Seventh Fleet. You don’t have to say a word, but every single thing I say—you’d better listen up, or none of you will be able to handle the consequences!"
"Alright, Miss Jessica, you’ve got my full attention!" Daniel Deng said, his face turning to stone as he gritted his teeth.
"Great, then I’ll keep it short. I’ve got a detonator right here. One press of this button, and every major city in Jiangnorth will get bombed to hell. I’m guessing at least ten million dead in a few minutes. I’m sure none of you want me to press it, so here are the terms for not pressing: America’s not asking for much—just pull back from Liaoning, Shandong, Min-Zhe, Pearl River, Hong Kong, Macau, and so on. Move all your forces inland…" Jessica smiled, pulling out a map of China.
"What did you just say? No way!" One of the older generals couldn’t take it and shouted.
He barely finished before an American pointed a submachine gun at his head. "Fuck off! Listen to Miss Jessica. Say one more word and I’ll blow your brains out!"
Daniel Deng quickly pulled the senior general back, and the room calmed down a bit.
"That’s our goal. And right now, Commander Deng, I want you to order every unit to destroy all nuclear bombs, stockpiled missiles, every J-10 fighter jet, and every nuclear sub. You’ve got two days. If you don’t do it, we’ll do it for you!" Jessica snapped.
"What—what did you just say?" Even Daniel Deng, with all his self-control, couldn’t hold back. That was like asking a top cultivator to cripple himself. Even if China’s entire military was wiped out, he’d never be remembered as a coward who sold out the country!
"Obey, or die!" Jessica said, shooting Ryan a cold look. "And one more thing—the handsome guy over there, he’s leaving with me tonight."
With that, Jessica swayed her hips and hooked a finger under Ryan’s chin…