As Expected

"Our country's Various States Assembly, forty-seven members strong, jointly issued a severe condemnation to Aus and demanded the handover of the murderer involved."

"Thus far, our recorded casualties in this incident have exceeded 3,981."

"This is yet another resurgence of imperialism, further ironclad proof of the neo-colonialism of those decayed Western nations, who wave the banner of so-called democracy and freedom abroad while their hands remain drenched in blood. Seventeen nations, including our own, have simultaneously issued diplomatic notes to Aus."

It was seven in the evening. The familiar program, and the familiar official male anchor's broadcast voice.

"Tsk, never thought we'd live to make Wanjing News."

The small restaurant was packed with Professionals. Lu PingAn's group sat among them, holding bowls of noodle soup and fried snacks.

Not long ago, they had finally completed the "review" and been released, but it was already past five in the afternoon.

At this hour, it would be difficult to find transportation once night fell, so they were in no rush to return to Ancient City. They found a local inn and planned to stay the night before heading back in the morning.

Having just settled in, the group ate noodles and watched television at the Yellow Dragon Noodle Shop beneath the inn.

Then they found themselves at the center of the gossip, watching the news report on what had happened to them.

"Is Eastern Kingdom standing up for us?" someone asked excitedly.

"Will it do any good?" someone else doubted.

"I think it's just a verbal condemnation." Though someone spoke without much hope, they kept staring at the television with clear anticipation.

Besides Lu PingAn's team, several other squads were also in the small noodle shop.

This "launch point" was a high-risk area, deliberately located some distance from the main urban area.