The Bigger Picture Comes First!

The bridge was narrow, and Big Bob had nowhere to run.

His body was trembling.

Faced with Kang De's gradual approach, he even lost the courage to resist.

However, at that moment, the folding LCD screen on top of the bridge automatically unfolded and fell down, as if someone had done so remotely with higher command authority.

The screen automatically lit up, revealing a person sitting at a table with a serious expression.

He's the guy I saw on TV and online... the president of the Fifth Republic of Fr*nce.

Behind him was a bright white expanse.

Kang De.

The ruler of this long-established Europe military power has spoken out.

With a politician's gentle and friendly smile, he said, "It's good to meet you now. I am..."

As he spoke, simultaneous interpretation began.

Kang De interrupted his self-introduction, "Hello, Mr. President, it's a pleasure to meet you."

He knew who the other person was and what their name was, so there was really no need to say it.

The other person nodded and said, "Yes, me too..."

Kang De smiled, "Is it true? Or just empty politeness? I said I was happy to see you because I slapped you in the face twice, and you couldn't do anything about it, you had to shamelessly come to my door to embarrass yourselves again. Seeing you hate me to death but have no choice but to beg for peace makes me very happy, so I'm very pleased—so I want to ask, why are you pleased, and how pleased are you?"

"..."

"..."

The president was listening to the translation; he could even hear the stuttering, low voices of the translator coming through the screen's audio system. Kang De was certain that his words had been conveyed well.

Because the president's expression grew increasingly stiff.

As expected of the ruler of a world power, the most unacceptable thing in politics is shamelessness.

He forced a change of tone and said sincerely, "I know you harbor hostility towards us, which is normal. For the sake of Fr*nce's national interests, we have indeed done many inappropriate things that have hurt you. If the sweetness of victory can calm you down, you can continue to vent your anger until you can speak to me calmly."

After hearing this, Kang De showed a look of mixed surprise and delight.

He asked, "Really? Can I insult anything?"

"..." The president's face twitched almost imperceptibly. "Okay."

Kang De picked up his phone and searched for "Zaun Eight-legged Essays".

I'm ashamed to say that the fragrance he described wasn't enough; he needed external help to enhance the experience.

He then asked, "Can I film the whole process?"

After all, Weibo, Twitter, and Facebook, as ambitious, principled United States companies, would not block the video of the France president being verbally abused.

The president seems to be aware of this.

He made a face as if he'd eaten shit.

The politician, still shamelessly using his social skills, tried to break the ice, saying, "Well, let's get straight to the point, Kang De. There have been many conflicts and unpleasantness between us, and I formally apologize for that. Fr*nce will do everything in my power to make amends, and there will definitely be a result that satisfies you. But now, I want to discuss another issue with you... another more pressing issue."

The camera above the screen allows the president to overlook the view from the bridge.

He ignored the crew members who were being held aside and fixed his gaze on Big Bob.

"Regarding this person's life or death... Bob Buruo."

Kang De's gaze shifted to Big Bob, or more precisely, to the hand hidden behind his back; this guy had probably notified the France government via cell phone as Big Bob stepped through the hatch...

And that's not all.

Even our esteemed leader is tempted.

It seems this time it's not limited to just one country.

The translator's voice continued, "Without a doubt, he was a war criminal who committed crimes against humanity. His evil deeds are known to all, and even the cruelest execution would be justified for him. But sometimes, Kang De, we cannot be too one-sided in our thinking. Death alone cannot atone for his sins."

The president said sincerely, "I know about your grudges, and I know that no one can stop you from killing him, not now, not even in the future. But I still have to fulfill my duty and my responsibility to appear before you and face your ridicule and insults..."

Kang De said, "You damned, stinking, filthy thing."

"..."

Sergeant Luo, a Chinese-American soldier at the hatch, was choking badly.

The translator on the other end of the television remained silent for a long time.

Kang De politely replied, "I was merely responding to your statement. After all, I didn't ridicule or insult you, but since you said I did, I would be at a disadvantage if I didn't make amends."

He leaned against a control panel and said, "Please continue."

The France president took his first deep breath.

He truly is a top-notch politician.

He abruptly resumed the conversation, which Kang De had interrupted, his emotions still running high and not losing control in the slightest. "I did this not for myself, nor for Fr*nce, but for all mankind... I plead with you, hoping you can spare him for now."

The president spoke with great emotion, "This is not only my plea, but also the plea of other countries, United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, and even your own country, the heads of state of the world's major countries, the officials fighting for their respective countries, businessmen, ordinary people, everyone..."

"We beg you, do not rush to kill him, please consider this carefully."

Kang De glanced at Big Bob.

"What's the reason?"

The president replied, "Now, not only me, but heads of state from other countries are watching us, watching our conversation. Before this, Big Bob had already given us, and all the heads of state qualified to participate in international affairs, details of the site, including photos, videos, and documents."

"We all saw that lair, those people he kidnapped, that massive and terrifying structure, the mechanism that doesn't need to eat and extracts mysterious energy from the living..."

At this point, a look of shock and horror appeared on his face.

This should be the president's most genuine emotional reaction to date.

Treating humans as energy farms, feeding, harvesting, and continuously utilizing them in ways incomprehensible to modern technology, would naturally terrify people with their powerful empathy and associative abilities.

The plot, which should have appeared in movies and novels, actually happened in reality.

This extraordinary quality is not a supernatural power that transcends the mundane.

Rather, it is an unknown technology that transcends the modern Mortal World.

"It's terrifying, isn't it, Kang De? We are not alone in this cold universe."

Kang De remained silent.

Certainly.

Not lonely at all.

His silence was used as a breakthrough, and the president pressed his advantage, saying, "Even though my university major wasn't in this field, the moment I saw that photo, I knew for sure that this insect was neither a naturally evolved species nor something with magical powers."

"It is a technological creation, a complete technological creation. The organisms or populations that designed, manufactured, and controlled this thing possess bioengineering and genetic engineering capabilities beyond our comprehension... We have absolutely no clue about it, we have no idea how it was created, nor what kind of potential our bodies contain that could even supply energy to this terrifying insect..."

"You think so too, don't you, Kang De?"

The president's tone grew somber. "The world is changing, changing for the worse. I believe this disaster is not the end, but the beginning... Sooner or later we will face even greater challenges."

"There are some things you may not know... but I understand them very well."

Your leader understands this very well.

"Do you know what I saw in those photos and videos?"

The simultaneous interpreter also accurately conveyed the president's feelings and tone.

"Terrification, horror, bewilderment, despair, shock."

The voice deepened to a profound level, then shifted.

"Besides..."

The next moment, his tone gradually became more assertive.

"Hope, opportunity, learning, innovation, leap forward!"

He leaned slightly forward, an aggressive speaking posture that displayed determination and will.

"Yes, that scene was so terrifying that I still can't calm down. But just as most of the technological progress of the past few decades stemmed from the Cold War competition, just as atomic energy and nuclear weapons are two sides of the same coin, I saw terror and the unknown in the image of that nest, but I also saw hope."

"That's not some biological catastrophe, but a completely new, advanced, and terrifying technological weapon—so this is also our opportunity, humanity's opportunity!"

"That's the only reason you should ask him to live."

"He is the controller, discoverer, and inheritor of that insect hive. He can provide a wealth of intelligence as valuable research material, helping us to quickly study and absorb this unknown and advanced technological power. The world is changing rapidly; terrible things can happen every second. We must master greater power so that we can protect our country, our people, our freedom, our loved ones... and our lives!"

He gazed at Kang De.

Kang De was also watching him.

Big Bob held his breath nervously.

"In my experience, this terrible thing is destined for utter destruction..." Kang De said. "The unknown is what's frightening; don't explore things you can't understand."

Hearing his softened tone, the president hurriedly said, "With the tightest security and the most advanced laboratories, we can launch a joint research operation to keep everything under control..."

Kang De said sarcastically, "When lines like that appear in a movie, things are bound to go wrong very quickly."

"But this isn't a movie," the president said. "We have enough vigilance and urgency, Kang De. It's not just me; heads of state from other countries are watching remotely, watching you, watching us, Kang De. This is our shared view, and such an opportunity cannot be missed."

Kang De raised an eyebrow and asked, "Heads of state... including the King of Comora?"

The president was initially taken aback, then calmly said, "You want to invite him? No problem, I..."

Kang De sighed, "No need."

"We will provide Comora with ample support and rewards. Believe me, for the permanent members of the Security Council, supporting a country of just over 800,000 people to achieve a leap forward is far too easy."

The president pleaded, "If you agree, if you agree to spare his life, you will be my friend, a friend of Fr*nce, and even a friend of all mankind... We will remember your contribution and your kindness."

"--What if I don't agree?"

"... Don't do this, Kang De. It won't do you any good. We can guarantee he won't cause you any trouble. If you promise us, all nations will be grateful. We hope you can temporarily put aside your personal hatred and think from the perspective of all humanity. Besides killing him immediately, do we have any better solutions or ideas—for the future, for humanity?"

The president said sincerely, "Just as you China often say... the big picture comes first."

He uttered those four awkward words directly in Chinese.

"You need to consider the bigger picture and broaden your horizons. You've already proven your value and strength to us. From now on, you'll be dealing with me, not just your ordinary friends and neighbors. You understand, right?" the president said. "Regardless of the country, era, or Civilization, making more friends is never a bad thing. That's an indisputable Truth, isn't it?"

Consider the overall situation.

Kang De glanced at Big Bob: "What do you mean by those who died because of him, the Gambia, the Comora People, those who died today, those who died in the past, and those who died because of this event?"

The president frowned and said, "I've said it before, we will make amends. The people are already dead. Making Big Bob pay with his life won't undo anything. We can compensate the living in another way, to make up for the harm Big Bob caused to the people of these two countries— Kang De, an eye for an eye is not the best way to solve problems. The role of the law is not to preside over revenge. Our laws are different from yours."

The Frenchman instinctively began to criticize.

It's almost like an instinct etched into our DNA.

He immediately realized his words were inappropriate and added, "We are also saddened by the casualties caused by Big Bob, but the intelligence and research assistance he provided can advance human technological progress, and the results can benefit the Comora People and defend all of humanity, including them. Therefore, the sacrifices of the people are worthwhile—killing Big Bob here would be the worst choice."

"Don't you think so?"

"Sometimes, we need to be calmer, more macro-level, and consider the bigger picture."

Kang De listened in silence.

The Sound of Doomsday.

A terrifying whisper.

The secrets of the White Mist World.

The Grewind Swarm is just the beginning.

Studying it can enhance human strength.

Consider the overall situation...

He slowly exhaled. "Consider the bigger picture... Okay, consider the bigger picture."

Big Bob let out a soft breath; cold sweat had covered his entire body.

The president relaxed, let out a breath, and smiled.

Then he heard Kang De speak.

"Mr. President, do you know what I just thought of?"

The President of Fr*nce smiled and said, "What?"

Kang De said softly, "I am reminded of the great war that took place decades ago, where a group of Japan war criminals submitted all their experimental results to the biggest victorious power in exchange for immunity from military trials and even had their crimes covered up. It is said that these research materials greatly helped the US military and even the United States, and even promoted medical progress to some extent. MacArthur's thinking at the time may have been the same as yours: the big picture was important, and such results would benefit his country, so we should take a broader perspective."

"As for the horrific methods by which those research findings were obtained, and the immense suffering and despair endured by the innocent victims forced to participate in the experiments, none of that mattered to him. After all, the people were dead, and it was just an insignificant, weak nation—yes, how can the weak be expected to raise their voices?"

Big Bob's expression changed drastically.

"But I'm not United States, I'm different from him."

"Mr. President, it wasn't a France who died, so you can be so relaxed and at ease. It's a pity that we China have experienced the same pain, and I understand that feeling."

The former king of mercenaries let out a scream, and his body suddenly disintegrated into countless locusts.

It flew wildly out of the cabin.

"The United States president is listening too, right? Listen up, don't give me the chance to go to United States, or I'll dig up his grave—now, you just wait and see!"

A brilliant golden light shone in Kang De's eyes. He shook his hands, and a blazing holy light surged from the depths of his soul, appearing all around him. Two blades of light extended from his arms, Power of the Fire Thief penetrated to the very source!

Take a step forward and dash ahead.

The hatch was just a step away.

The light blade thrusts forward in a twisting motion.

The locusts that swarmed through the sky dissipated, and Big Bob's illusory yet real soul was imprisoned by holy light. Two beams of light pierced through his chest, and the bridge was enveloped in divine light, blurring the boundaries between matter and spirit.

In the void, Kang De raised the light blade and lifted Big Bob's body.

Look me in the eyes.

A deep, authoritative voice resounded.

Unable to resist the will of the voice, Big Bob in agony. He instinctively looked up and met Kang De's gaze. He saw destruction, nothingness, and an unknown thing that terrified and defied his comprehension. He let out a bloodcurdling scream as intense light shot from Kang De's eyes into his own. Their souls were connected, the Power of the Fire Thief activated, and his will and spirit shattered.

In the storm of the soul, Big Bob's perfect body and soul were annihilated one after another, from the inside out.

Until the light and mist dissipated.

Kang De retracted the light blade and turned to look at the screen.

His gaze was calm as still water.

The president of Fr*nce witnessed all of this and seemed not yet to recover from the shock and unease. Then he finally understood what had happened, and his face turned ashen.

He endured the humiliation, condescended to speak with this Asian man, and was ultimately mocked by him!

He shouted angrily, "Kang De! What are you doing! What did I say to you! Why are you killing him!"

"I'm playing this game according to your rules and suggestions, Mr. President."

Kang De stared at the screen, knowing that other heads of state were probably watching as well.

He said, "The bigger picture is what you all said."

The president was still furious. "But you killed him! Do you know what that means!?"

"This means all his value has vanished. Now he's a completely useless, dead Big Bob. In contrast, the world's most powerful superhuman is still standing in front of you, and the Zerg hive is still underground in Zhuerban. If I wanted, I could bury it completely in seconds. With human drilling capabilities, it won't be able to dig it out for at least ten years. Don't you understand what I'm saying, Fr*nce's ruler? Do you only understand the situation if I stick this ridiculous, broken-down ship on the Eiffel Tower?"

Kang De declared sternly, "The situation is this: from beginning to end, it has always been this way—I am the master of the whole!"

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PS1: Update... Time for bed. Sigh, I could have been counting down the days until 2077, ah, delayed, delayed, delayed...