Xiao Feng's proposal had nearly won unanimous approval among the officers; the assault on Black Whale City represented a bold leap forward for the X Corps. Given Xiao Feng's indisputable influence over the corps' strategic decisions in recent days, the meeting concluded with the resolve to target Black Whale City.
By midday, Hebrew had given Xiao Feng his unequivocal commitment.
Though the extent of Brom Company's efforts remained unknown, twenty armored infantry vehicles and twenty armed helicopters had been successfully delivered to Godo City in their entirety.
The entire mercenary corps was electrified by the arrival of this formidable armament.
The X Corps had already begun earnest preparations for the impending campaign against Black Whale City.
…
At noon, inside the northern city's repair factory, K's communicator suddenly lit up, revealing a visage intimately familiar to him.
Frowning, K answered curtly, "Commander, what business do you have this time?"
"Why have you failed to stop the X Mercenary Corps?"
Clad in a pristine white suit, K's expression hardened. "The X Corps now enjoys the full backing of Brom Company and the involvement of Victoria Corporation. Their equipment is exceptionally advanced, and there are mech warriors we've never seen before. We are utterly powerless to halt them!"
"You may be unable to stop them directly, but can you not leverage your unique strengths?"
"Explain, please."
"Assassinate Xiao Feng."
K's brows furrowed deeper. "Xiao Feng? Are we truly to kill him?"
"Yes. Intelligence confirms Xiao Feng is the instigator behind these events. The Alliance has suffered significant losses because of him; he must be eliminated."
K remained resolute. "But Xiao Feng is formidable. Aside from myself, few in Kill could hope to take him down."
"Then you shall do it personally."
After a long hesitation, K confessed, "I don't believe I can."
A sudden, cold smile appeared on the communicator's screen. "Do not waste time debating your capability. Consider your family carefully. Though they are currently well cared for, if you defy us, I cannot guarantee their safety." The screen shifted to reveal a composed woman and a boy. The woman, recently in tears, begged the surrounding Alliance soldiers for their release.
K's voice rose in anguish: "What do you want? Release my lover and child!"
The voice on the screen chuckled mockingly. "We brought them here precisely because you won't listen. If you eliminate Xiao Feng for the Alliance, I assure you, they will remain unharmed. Fail, and I cannot promise their survival."
K's face twisted with torment.
"Very well. I will do whatever you command, but you must not harm my family."
"Good. If you succeed, their safety is guaranteed. Fail, and do not blame me for ruthlessness." The communicator abruptly went dark.
K stared at the blank screen, brow knitted, wrestling with the gravity of the task ahead.
At that moment, Lin entered, observing K's troubled countenance. "Boss, what weighs on your mind?"
After a pause, K confided in Lin the entire predicament.
Lin, hearing this, said gravely, "Boss, you must remember: without Xiao Feng and the X Corps, we would have been trampled flat by the buffalo hordes. They are our shield."
K's expression was conflicted. "I know, but my lover and child are in their hands. If I refuse, their lives will be in jeopardy."
Lin's voice hardened: "Is there no alternative?"
K shook his head. The transformation was stark—from the once invincible, arrogant K to a man shackled by circumstance. His family held hostage by the Alliance's fiends, his defiance meant risking their lives.
K declared solemnly, "Xiao Feng must die. Even if you refuse, I will carry out this mission."
Lin's tone dropped softly, "If that's your resolve, please don't involve me."
K paused. "What do you mean?"
Lin answered with quiet conviction, "I share a deep bond with Xiao Feng. To betray him is beyond my capacity. I'd rather starve or thirst than turn against him."
K nodded slowly. "Lin, I know your loyalty is unwavering, but I have no choice."
Lin lowered his gaze in silence. K's mind was made up; his command immutable.
Without a word, Lin silently left the room, leaving K to brood over his departure.
…
Meanwhile, Xiao Feng meticulously cleaned the Black Angel. A devoted marksman, he cared deeply for his firearms. The weapon lay disassembled in parts, arrayed neatly on a large table, each component polished with a soft cloth.
Suddenly, the watch on his wrist illuminated, displaying Lin's image.
Xiao Feng sneered. "What is it?"
Lin's expression was cold and serious. "There's something you must know."
"Speak."
"Recently, K intends to make a move against you. He is, however, compelled by circumstance." Lin then relayed all he knew of K's predicament in careful detail.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Feng understood K's dilemma. Assembling the Black Angel piece by piece, he mused, "You tell me this… as if asking me to risk my life in exchange for K's lover and child?"
"Not at all. I wonder if there's a way to rescue them both. Wouldn't that be ideal?"
Xiao Feng pondered deeply. "Let me think on this matter…"