Whoever Stands in the Way Dies!

Municipal Council.

As the word "war" left Qian Yuansen's mouth.

The original clamor vanished completely, replaced by silence and dead stillness.

Most of those present looked at the council chair in disbelief.

Before anyone could speak.

Mayor Qian gave a light cough and continued:

"Before the meeting officially begins, I would like to invite Guardian Xiao to say a few words."

Immediately after.

A figure gradually appeared beside Qian Yuansen.

Unlike the people in Parliament, who wore formal ceremonial attire.

Even in a formal setting like Parliament, the newcomer still wore a simple black martial arts outfit.

Yet.

Even through the holographic projection.

To everyone present, this figure seemed as towering as the heavens themselves!

An invisible pressure spread through the room.

Only a few individuals with Life Development Power exceeding one thousand could look directly at him.

He was Taiyu City's Guardian, the strongest martial artist with Life Development Power reaching 1,652—Xiao Cheng!

Xiao Cheng lowered his gaze and said softly:

"The location for the Hundred Cities Tournament has been decided."

"It will be held in Taiyu City."

Boom!

It was as though a meteorite had fallen into nearly everyone's hearts, stirring monstrous waves and making their souls tremble uncontrollably!

Even the other martial artists present whose Life Development Power also exceeded one thousand suddenly began breathing faster!

"Whoever stands in the way."

"Dies."

There was no emotional fluctuation in Xiao Cheng's voice.

But in an instant.

Everyone could clearly sense a thick, overpowering smell of blood rushing at them.

Many people's expressions changed drastically at his words!

They immediately understood why Mayor Qian had insisted on pushing through the Old District Redevelopment Proposal.

"The timing and the terrain... so that was it!"

After coming to this realization, panic flickered deep within some people's eyes.

As the Sea-Calming Needle, Xiao Cheng set the tone for the meeting before withdrawing.

Inside Parliament.

The silence lasted for roughly five minutes.

Once everyone had recovered somewhat, Qian Yuansen continued presiding over the meeting:

"To ensure that the Hundred Cities Tournament proceeds successfully, and to present Taiyu City's brand-new image before the other 352 allied cities of Shenxiu Star."

"The redevelopment of the Old District must be carried out without delay."

"To that end."

"I hope everyone will work together and stand united."

"Coordinate all of Taiyu City's resources and push forward the redevelopment of the Old District."

What followed was a series of proposal votes.

The Old District Redevelopment Proposal passed unanimously;

The Old District Martial-Law Order passed unanimously;

Taiyu City's entry into Level Two combat readiness passed unanimously.

By the time the meeting ended and the holographic light gradually faded, many people in the Security Bureau's senior conference room had broken out in cold sweat, their hands trembling slightly beneath the table.

"What happened before."

"I will let it go."

Zhang Qifeng leaned back in his chair with his hands folded.

He did not use the pressure of a martial artist with Life Development Power over one thousand to intimidate anyone. He merely said flatly:

"But after today's meeting, if anyone still refuses to stop."

"Then all of you can go die."

That was how a battle-hardened veteran spoke after making up his mind—simple and easy to understand.

The other Security Bureau executives in the conference room did not dare breathe loudly.

After the meeting ended.

Someone returned to his office, and his face immediately darkened like the bottom of a pot.

"The Hundred Cities Tournament?"

"They actually managed to secure this without making a sound?"

No wonder.

Qian Yuansen had dared to make such a big fuss.

"That kid surnamed Qin is really damn lucky!"

"If not for this sudden development, he would have died without a burial ground!"

"And there would have been no consequences at all!"

But now.

Qin Annian had given Qian Yuansen and Zhang Qifeng an excuse to start a war.

If he died.

Then.

People like Qian Yuansen, the "war faction," would have even more reason to carry out a complete internal purge!

They would uproot every last dark thing in Taiyu City!

"Cut ties immediately!"

Even if it meant paying a tremendous price, this was the only way for his entire family to survive.

Do not think Zhang Qifeng's words, "all of you can go die," were merely empty threats.

Huff!

After exhaling a breath of foul air.

The man took out his Personal Terminal with a grim expression.

Throughout the Security Bureau, the City Government, and every municipal department, scenes like this repeated themselves.

"Stand steady."

"Ah!"

A branch lashed the leg of the little boy who had come to deliver the message earlier. It hurt, but left no wound.

Six children stood on the rooftop in the Iron Man Stance, so exhausted that their teeth chattered. Sweat had smeared the grime across their dirty faces.

Bzzz!

Bzzz!

Bzzz!

The Personal Terminal vibrated repeatedly.

"Stand properly. No slacking off."

Qin Annian raised his wrist. It was a message from Miss Ju Zi.

After successfully resolving the Mysterious Person case and getting it officially filed.

Qin Annian returned to the place where those gang members had first traded Contraband.

For parents surviving in the Old District, when a Peace Officer offered to teach their children Standing Posture.

They practically wanted to kneel and kowtow, afraid that the Peace Officer might only be toying with them.

"Hm?"

Qin Annian looked at the contents on his Personal Terminal, and his eyes suddenly narrowed.

"The Old District Martial-Law Order?"

"The entire city has entered Level Two combat readiness?"

[All Peace Officers are requested to cooperate with the Operations Division's Assault Team to impose a regional lockdown on the Old District.]

The situation had developed so quickly that even Qin Annian was somewhat surprised.

Rumble!

His ears twitched.

With his sharp hearing, Qin Annian could hear the roar of engines coming from the sky.

Bzzz!

[Connecting to Sky Net.]

At Miss Ju Zi's prompt, Qin Annian put on a combat earpiece.

"Testing."

"Can you receive the signal?"

After confirming that the communications signal was normal, the voice in the earpiece gave a brief introduction:

"Hello, Peace Officer Qin. I am the 'Supply Ship' from the Operations Division's Intelligence and Technical Support Brigade."

"From this point on."

"I will relay orders from command headquarters to you and provide intelligence support."

"The Assault Team led by Squad Leader Chen Qintao is heading to your jurisdiction. Please have the residents in the area return home as soon as possible."

Qin Annian immediately told the children to go home at once and not wander outside again.

"Peace Officer Qin, we'll be okay, right?"

The oldest boy, who had voluntarily asked to learn Standing Posture, asked Qin Annian uneasily.

From the rooftop, he could already see Drones circling in the sky.

"I'm here."

"Don't worry."

"When you get home, turn on the television or radio immediately. The City Government will soon issue an announcement."

After giving his instructions.

Qin Annian returned to his Police Car and switched on the vehicle loudspeaker:

"I am Peace Officer Qin Annian. The City Government issued a martial-law order ten minutes ago."

"All residents, please return home immediately and keep track of City Government updates at all times."

"Repeating..."

The amplified voice echoed through the streets and alleys of the Southwest District.

In an instant.

Visible panic and chaos spread through the Old District.

Ten minutes later.

At the southwestern edge of his jurisdiction.

Qin Annian saw the fully armed Assault Team advancing toward the district in coordinated infantry-vehicle formation.

The person leading them was Captain Chen, whom Qin Annian had met once before.

"Qin Annian!"

Behind Captain Chen, Lin Xiao waved in greeting.

Just then.

Qin Annian's pupils abruptly contracted, and the hairs on his back stood on end.

Danger!

Boom!

Flames suddenly exploded in front of Qin Annian!