By the time Diao Da's men suffered heavy casualties, Eagle Lord wouldn't be able to do much to him either, as preserving strength would be the priority.
"By the way, for safety's sake, let's have Old San go with Diao Da. That Zombie is too powerful—an extra person means an extra layer of security!" Long Er suggested.
Eagle Lord nodded and said to a lackey, "Go call your Third Leader back. She's been hunting Zombies in the city all these days. Who knows how many Crystals she's collected? Have her bring them back, then join Diao Da on the mission!"
"Yes, Eagle Lord!" The lackey immediately ran off.
"Speaking of which, Eagle Lord, why are you collecting Zombie Crystals? What are they for?" Diao Da asked curiously.
"I don't know either. But since these Crystals grow inside Zombies, they must have some use. Collecting them now means we'll be ahead of the game once their purpose is discovered," Eagle Lord replied nonchalantly.
"Eagle Lord is truly far-sighted! Then I'll set off now!" Diao Da grinned before turning to leave with his faction.
Long Er also hurriedly excused himself, afraid Eagle Lord might see something in his expression.
"Hmph! Old San, you may swear loyalty to Eagle Lord on the surface, but don't think I don't know about your secret ties to Diao Da! This time, I'll let you two lovebirds meet your end together. When you reach the underworld, don't forget to thank me, hehe..." Long Er chuckled darkly as he returned to his quarters.
Meanwhile, over two hundred men had gathered at the prison gates, all heavily armed with equipment rivaling that of regular military forces. Most importantly, among them were seven or eight Ability Users, all trusted followers of Diao Da's faction.
Just then, several armored off-road vehicles approached from the distance and came to a steady stop before Diao Da.
"Big Brother, what's going on? Why did Eagle Lord summon me back in such a rush?" A woman with a fiery figure jumped out of one of the vehicles, dressed in tight leather like a female spy.
She had long crimson hair, delicate features, and a curvaceous, alluring silhouette that instantly captured everyone's attention.
"Third Sister, you're back!" Diao Da suppressed the heat in his heart and said calmly, "Go see Eagle Lord first. We'll talk details on the way!"
The red-haired woman acknowledged and strode into the prison with a sensual sway.
One of Diao Da's trusted subordinates whispered, "Boss, do you think Long Er specifically suggested bringing her along because he has ulterior motives?"
Diao Da waved it off indifferently. Only he knew the truth—Old San, Ji Zhen, was actually his woman.
Soon, the red-haired Ji Zhen returned and boarded the same vehicle as Diao Da. A convoy of over a dozen cars then rumbled toward the mining site.
Though they encountered many Zombies along the way, including burly Level 3 ones, all were reduced to pulp under the roaring heavy machine guns mounted on the vehicles.
Inside Diao Da's car, he drove while Ji Zhen sat in the passenger seat—the only two in the vehicle.
Diao Da suddenly asked, "Third Sister, how many Crystals did you collect this time?"
Ji Zhen placed her smooth little hands on his thigh, gently rubbing as she giggled softly, "A few hundred, why? Why the sudden interest in those Crystals?"
Diao Da stretched out his hand with a cold laugh, "Since Eagle Lord is so interested, how could I not be? These Crystals can't be eaten or drunk—what exactly is he having you collect them for?"
"You mean... Eagle Lord has already discovered a way to use the Crystals?" Ji Zhen gasped in surprise.
"Can't rule it out! Hmph! That old fox keeps his mouth shut tight—he doesn't treat us as his own. Once you get back, find a way to dig it out!" Diao Da commanded.
"Fine, how could I refuse you? And if I succeed... what's my reward?" Ji Zhen's breathing suddenly grew rapid.
"You little minx. Once this mission's done, I'll find a place to teach you a proper lesson!" Diao Da leered, roughly groping Ji Zhen's slender legs, making her writhe like a snake—utterly seductive.
Meanwhile, neither noticed the slender figure watching them through binoculars from a distant high-rise.
"Damn, they're really making their move. With this many people, I need to warn Bai Wen to hide—fast." Huifei observed the overwhelming firepower and over a dozen armored off-road vehicles. Without delay, she slid down the building via a zip-line, hopped into her car, and sped back to the mining site.
...
At the mining base, Bai Wen stared at the massive military camp before him and the operational Tech Lab, fists clenched.
The Ghost Academy had long been completed, with research on Invisibility and EMP nearing its final stages.
Just then, a hoarse voice rasped, "Ghost reporting for duty~"
The Barracks' gates slowly opened as a Ghost clad head-to-toe in sleek black armor stepped out.
Cradling a long C10 Shotgun Rifle, he saluted Bai Wen. "Commander, cut the crap."
Bai Wen smirked. The guy was blunt, but he knew it was just Ghost lingo. Turning, he eyed the soldiers lining up in formation and grinned.
He pulled up his inventory again:
Control Center ×1
Supply Depot ×7
Barracks ×1 (with Tech Lab)
Engineering Station ×1
Bunker ×6
Sensor Tower ×1
SCV ×7
Marine Corpsmen ×30 (with Riot Shields)
Marauder ×4
Ghost Agent ×1
This was his entire Star Hegemony force.
Suddenly, Huifei's voice crackled through his earpiece: "Bai Wen, get out here—they're coming!!"
Bai Wen gazed at his formidable Terran army and chuckled. "Perfect timing~"
He barked orders: "Ghost One, move out—eliminate their commander when the chance arises. Marauders, man the Bunkers and prepare to engage alongside the Marines!"
"Piece of cake!" Ghost One acknowledged before vanishing from the base.
"Let's make some noise!" That was the Marauders.
Standing three meters tall, clad in heavy armor, and armed with quad-barreled grenade launchers on their arms, the Marauders were like Humanoid Tanks—unstoppable.
Thirty Marine Corpsmen equipped with Riot Shields quickly rushed out of the base and took cover in concealed Bunkers, coordinating with Marauders for fire defense as they quietly awaited the enemy's arrival.
Bai Wen emerged from the mine shaft, pulling out the Holographic Panel his SCV had crafted for him. He studied the map scanned by the Sensor Tower—Ghost One had already ventured far ahead, moving at impressive speed.
Aside from sniping, Ghosts could also fire EMP Rounds. These bullets could drain enemy units' energy reserves, counter Invisibility, and even guide nuclear weapons!
Now that last feature was truly badass.
"Bai Wen, what's wrong?" Yun Fei Wu came running from a distance after noticing the Star Hegemony forces' emergency mobilization from her room. Sensing trouble, she had changed into camouflage gear and a bulletproof vest, clutching a rifle as she dashed out to offer assistance.
"Nothing major," Bai Wen replied. "Just a bunch of rabble. We'll wipe them out, that's all."
Yun Fei Wu nodded solemnly and followed Bai Wen into the Steel Fortress.
Wang Ya held Ai Ke Ke's hand while Huifei stood nearby, both fully armed. Their companions—Lao Wang, Lao Zhou, Li Dan, and Di Yan—each carried firearms as well.
(End of Chapter)