Something Strange

The straight-line distance between H City and Belgrade is more than 8,000 kilometers.

The flight path is not exactly straight, but it won't be too far off. At the Gulfstream G650's maximum speed of Mach 0.925, it will take about nine hours to reach Belgrade.

The pilot said the same thing.

Belgrade is in the Eastern Time Zone 1, meaning that when Kang De arrives there, it will be around 9 PM local time. He will then take off as quickly as possible to Africa...

Leaving that aside for now, even including the time spent in H City, two hours had already passed in the other world by the time we arrived in Belgrade...

"That definitely won't work."

In the White Mist World, Kang De inspected the mountain of gun cases and ammunition. The several truckloads of weapons he had bought from Myanmar had not yet been sold. He picked up a Golden Triangle assault rifle, removed the magazine, glanced at the bright orange bullets, put them back in, and tossed the gun aside.

"Father?"

The Autobots have already heard about what happened... about both sides.

It stood up, its mechanical parts emitting a harmonious and pleasant chirping. "Ready to be deployed at any time."

Kang De placed the three Type 81 replica Golden Triangle squad automatic weapons aside, moved two boxes of 7.62x39mm ammunition, took five Golden Triangle grenade launchers, and three boxes of multi-purpose grenades. Looking at the remaining weapons and ammunition piled up like a small mountain, he said, "I'll keep these for myself; dismantle the rest."

He looked up at his son, Iron Son: "Barrel, firing mechanism, piston, recoil spring... disassemble them into parts, and temporarily integrate these weapon parts into your combat system for arming and backup. All ammunition, reload and expand its capacity, and enchant it appropriately according to your ideas. In other words, I want you to transform yourself into an armored train that's constantly firing, and all the weapons and ammunition..."

Kang De held up one finger. "Twenty minutes, half an hour at most, that's just a reference for the intensity of your battle. You need to use up all your ammunition within that time!"

"Clear!"

No need to know who the enemy is, to spray out all those weapons and ammunition with water in twenty minutes—what an exciting battle! Horus's violent instincts were activated.

He said in a deep voice, "Understood. Let's turn Africa upside down!"

"Wrong!"

Kang De sneered, "These aren't for Africa. They lack heavy firepower, the soldiers' combat quality is questionable, and they don't form a proper combat system. We don't need to worry about howitzers dozens of kilometers away or missiles hundreds of kilometers away, we don't need to worry about military satellites in the sky, we don't need to worry about supersonic fighters. The opponent we're facing is just a battalion-level rookie, and it's just an infiltration rescue... Why make such a big fuss?"

His gaze was cold and sharp, revealing a murderous intent. "These are all prepared for the elves!"

Horus seemed to understand. "Father, are you planning to act on both sides simultaneously?"

"Yes." Kang De took a deep breath. "Both sides are urgent, and both must advance simultaneously. Earth's time flow is currently one-seventh that of the other world, but the elves may launch a large-scale attack today. Therefore, both sides must proceed in tandem. We'll head to Africa to begin the rescue. Meanwhile, in the other world, have A Xing and the Sword Saint Cascading Snow take the spatial beacon to Danfeng Lucerne..."

"Hong San is right. Since the elves are already prepared, there will inevitably be ambushes and interceptions along the way. The elves' successful decapitation strike will surely be met with attacks from all sides. If we are intercepted by the elven army, we must break through as quickly as possible, and if necessary, scatter and rout them!"

He looked at Horus: "Although A Xing and Sword Saint Cascading Snow are very powerful, it's up to us to conserve our strength and combat power and be responsible for breaking through the main force of the elven defense line!"

Iron Son replied crisply, "I understand. Let's begin the enchanting and weapon setup."

"I've ordered new munitions from Serbia. After we finish these, we'll have even more powerful, high-powered weapons. Africa is in complete chaos, and there's a French military base in Comora. Through Xie Liqian, we can even place expedited orders to order new weapons from arms dealers all over the world! After all, this is Africa; anything is possible here!"

Kang De's gaze turned icy. "Rescue my father, and give the elven army of Danfeng Lucerne a huge surprise!"

"I understand completely... but Father," Horus said. "We're advancing along two fronts. We'll mainly stay on Earth, while A Xing will take the spatial beacon to the capital, Danfeng Lucerne. Along the way, we'll encounter elven armies that will intercept us, summoning us to cleanse the land—but this crosses two realms. How will we communicate?"

"Before this, there was no way, but I just considered it and happened to acquire a wondrous power that can exist across these three worlds and resonate with them because they share the same origin."

Kang De raised his right hand in a grasping motion, and an invisible wind gathered in his hand.

The divine power extracted from the Sword Saint Cascading Snow by an enemy from beyond the heavens.

"You go about your business, I'll figure out how to make two signal devices."

A slight smile appeared on Kang De's lips. Telling a joke when tense and worried helps to relax the mind and improve efficiency, "Following the tricks of unscrupulous manufacturers at home and abroad who deceive ignorant middle-aged and elderly women, any high-tech health and wellness device with miraculous effects must follow a naming rule, therefore..."

He said, "I will name this signaling device the Quantum Signal Generator."

Two hours later, having successfully completed his task and with some enchanting work done, Kang De took the two "Quantum Signal Generator," reversed the flow of time, and returned to the other world.

The sky in the other world was already beginning to brighten. When A Xing saw him return, he was taken aback for a moment. "... What's wrong?"

Is it that obvious?

Kang De shook his head and smiled wryly, "It's nothing... Let's do an experiment first."

He placed a watch on the table, checked the time, handed the "Quantum Signal Generator" to A Xing, and said, "When this thing lights up, remember the time. I'll press it twice."

He checked the watch in his hand, then activated his ability to leave, returning to Earth and pressing the button.

Then they travel back to another world.

When did it turn on?

A Xing gave a number—she'd known how to read a watch for a long time.

"Very good." Kang De did some mental calculations, clenched his fist, and realized that it was almost perfectly simultaneous—meaning unaffected by the seven-to-one time flow ratio—ignoring the difference in time flow rates, achieving perfect resonance across the two realms. Could this principle be used to accomplish even more?

But now is not the time to think about that.

This means the plan can proceed smoothly.

"We need to get moving."

He took A Xing's hand and left the room, heading towards where the Sword Saint Cascading Snow was resting. Hilmeria, who was pacing back and forth in the room, turned around abruptly upon hearing the sound, "Can we set off now?"

Kang De said, "Wait a moment Hong San."

A few minutes later, Hong San arrived in a hurry, carrying a large bag on his back. He handed it to Kang De: "Your Highness, stealth, lethality, life detection, shadow movement... many non-lethal spells, as well as offensive spell scrolls, various buff and healing potions, and a lot of enchanted equipment are all here. You should find them useful."

Kang De looked at him, but Hong San simply smiled.

He took the package, then handed the "Quantum Signal Generator" and the gold necklace to A Xing.

"Keep the necklace close to your body and don't let it get damaged. Listen, what I'm about to say is very important. Sword Saint, please assist her. Next, you and A Xing, while maintaining your combat strength, should head towards the capital as quickly as possible. If you encounter large-scale battles along the way, or are intercepted by the enemy and must fight back, press this button beforehand and throw the necklace into an open area. Then I will appear..."

After hearing this, A Xing repeated, "When you spot an enemy, don't alert them. Keep your distance, press the button, and after it lights up, throw out the necklace and wait for you to come out."

Kang De nodded and said, "Yes, that's exactly it!"

A Xing thought about it in his mind several times, then nodded vigorously. "I understand!"

"Wait a minute, I don't quite understand."

Compared to A Xing's complete trust in Kang De and her unwavering acceptance of his advice, the Sword Saint Cascading Snow was clearly much more bewildered. She asked, "What do you mean? You're not coming with us, but will appear via teleportation? Then..."

Hong San glanced at Kang De and explained, "After all, His Highness is inferior to the two of you in terms of individual combat strength and physical fitness. He is not good at traveling, and the journey is dangerous..."

"So he stayed in Valentan? While she and I were both gone? The elves..."

"... Alright, that's enough!"

Kang De suddenly shouted, startling everyone. Hilmeria raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when Kang De said in a deep voice, "Sword Saint, I am safe. For various reasons, I cannot tell you what happened or what I plan to do, but I must say that if we follow my plan, we have a very high chance of saving Tina, the Taidariel Family, and even this country! Do you understand?"

That look sent a chill down the spine of the Sword Saint Cascading Snow.

For a moment, I forgot to pursue the matter of "talking back to my elders".

She turned her head to the side. "... It doesn't matter anymore, it can't get any worse anyway."

"Then it's settled."

Kang De looked at Hong San: "You'll miss out on something this exciting."

Hong San smiled and said, "Of course, would I be a burden?"

"So, you should bring..."

"No need, I will remain in Valentan."

Upon hearing this, Kang De frowned. "This isn't safe..."

Hong San changed the subject. "So, Your Highness doesn't intend to inform Tagelise?"

The image of the elves flashed through his mind, but Kang De shook his head without hesitation. If before returning to Earth he was still hesitant about whether to take a gamble, betting that it was the expeditionary force or the council acting unilaterally, betting that Tagelise was unaware, now he dared not gamble anymore.

In the worst-case scenario, if war breaks out immediately, it will not only affect the inability to rescue Danfeng Lucerne in time, but also the rescue operation on Earth.

It wasn't just Tina.

And my father.

Therefore, I don't gamble.

Not gambling is the most correct and responsible choice.

I'm sorry, but I can't trust you this time.

"That's why I'm staying, gambling on hope... After hearing the conversation about the powerful enemy from beyond the heavens that day, I felt that getting into a life-or-death war with the elves was ultimately not a good thing. If that lord is completely unaware of this, we still have a chance to avoid the worst outcome."

Hong San said, "This risk is worth taking. I'll delay for a while before making a decision."

Kang De remained silent for a moment before saying, "But you yourself said that this means danger."

"After all, it's that lord. Normally, he wouldn't do something as simple as slaughtering Valentan in a fit of rage. At most, he'd be taken hostage in exchange. I know this, and Your Highness knows it too, right?"

The Cathayan revealed a fearless smile, "Even in the worst-case scenario, if I happen to be there, then when Hong San's soul returns to the underworld, countless, endless spirits and souls will surely come to keep me company. If my mere life can be exchanged for so many spirits, then it doesn't matter whether it's a waste or not."

"You said it yourself."

Kang De was silent for a moment, then said calmly, "Don't complain about it being too crowded then."

Hong San remained smiling.

"We'll leave in ten minutes," Kang De said. "I'm going to find Leona."

Hong San raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is this necessary?"

"Yes," Kang De said, turning around. "I can't just distrust everyone... She has the right to know."

As dawn broke, the vast land was awakened by the rising sun. Most people were unaware of most of what was happening in the world. At the appointed time, the massive expeditionary force of the Dusk Moon Dynasty began to operate again, and the war horns sounded mournfully once more. Today would surely shock the world.

Together with the Sword Saint Cascading Snow, A Xing left the city through the underground passages of Valentan.

A dazzling light shone as Kang De, having traversed the White Mist World from another realm, returned to Earth and sat on the leather toilet seat—his spatial coordinates were anchored there.

He remained in that posture, deep in thought, though the posture seemed somewhat familiar.

The bathroom door was locked from the inside. He picked up his phone, which was fixed to the side, and quickly listened to the recording. There was no knocking, but there were several missed calls from WeChat —the private jet had WiFi.

It's Xie Liqian.

Reverse it.

"I've already spoken with them. With the money in place, everything is fine. They've agreed to postpone this order and resell it to you. It's just that time is short, so they can only use the nearest available unit. As for the details, I'll send you a WeChat contact in a bit. Add him and we can have a video call; he'll explain everything to you."

Kang De smiled calmly, "Pretty advanced, huh? They even know how to use WeChat."

"A deal worth at least several million dollars, you could have him send a message by carrier pigeon."

Xie Liqian said, "Also, there's a problem with landing. Planes can't land in remote areas. Even the slightest unevenness in the ground can cause an accident, and no amount of extra money will help. They had a plan beforehand because the seller is a highly respected and powerful local chief. Everything was arranged; once the plane landed at the airport, someone would take over the transport. I can't help with that, you..."

Kang De said, "You tell them that after landing, each pilot will get five thousand dollars, lock the plane, go find a hotel to have some fun, and avoid everyone's attention. I have my own way of handling things."

"OK."

"So, everything's alright?"

"Actually, there's something... I asked my friends about this war; they're in this business, they have their own channels."

Xie Liqian lowered his voice and said calmly, "Be careful, they say this war is a bit eerie."

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PS1: Damn, it's really hard to break my typing habits... Time for bed.