A rumble rolled through the sky. More than a dozen armed helicopters swept in from the nearest garrison, flying in an aggressive formation.
Less than half an hour had passed between the start of the fight and the arrival of these reinforcements. Even so, they were too late.
By the time Tang Changsheng and his party drove back to Jinghong Temple, the battlefield had long since been cleared.
Apart from a few shattered trees and scorched rocks and soil, almost nothing remained to show that a battle had taken place.
Surveillance cameras had recorded most of the fight, however, and Tang Changsheng watched the footage.
"It's him!" The moment Tang Changsheng saw the white figure, his heart jolted, and he cried out.
"Who?" demanded the general sent to handle the incident, his eyes bloodshot and his voice brimming with killing intent.
At least twenty elite soldiers had died in the battle just a short while ago.
Two years earlier, Great Chu's most recent military operation—its invasion of Mogadishu—had cost fewer than ten soldiers' lives. Yet it had achieved its strategic objectives, securing control of the vital canal and coastline.
Now so many soldiers had died on home soil, and they were Brocade Guard soldiers assigned specifically to protect the imperial family. Once word spread, the impact might be even more terrifying than that of the hijacking!
No wonder the general in command had lost his composure. If he could not resolve this affair and explain what had happened, he might well be impeached by the Five Watches Council or hauled before a military court.
Tang Changsheng understood the burden on his shoulders and did not take offense. After a moment's thought, he said, "I don't know this man, but..."
"If you don't know him, why are you butting in?" General