Chapter 479: The Unexpected Return

Beneath the dazzling lights, the shadows of roadside trees morphed into jagged paper-cut patterns that danced across the dedicated car as it slowly rolled into the Military Region.

Although it was nighttime, this key command post in the Capital Core was still bustling with survivors coming and going.

As the Capital Command supporting the entire Huaxia Battle Zone and border troops, the area teemed with numerous Awakeners and military officers.

Even though it was past mealtime, many mid-to-high-ranking officers, fresh from meetings, stepped out as the session dispersed.

“Commander Fang, you’re short on troops—and so are we…”

“We know the South Korean Border’s been acting up, with people frequently crossing the river. Compared to the Coastal Defense Line, though, your situation is much less pressured.”

“Alright, here’s the deal: I’ll send a report up the chain and have an extra batch of attack helicopters rerouted to you; they’ll be just about good enough.”

“If you catch any sneaky Koreans trying to smuggle themselves across, just lay a cannon barrage on them—regardless of any risk of infection. Those folks are trouble waiting to happen…”

…

“Old Huang, did your stationed unit run into that phenomenon again? How are things—have you managed to evacuate the personnel?”

“Eh, there’s nothing you can do about evacuating them. By the time we noticed, that entire task force had already turned to stone. Aren’t you applying for Group Seven’s intervention now?”

“We’re worried too. That thing leaves a trail of petrification wherever it goes. If it barrels into Safe Zone 13, we’re in deep trouble…”

…

In small groups, numerous mid-to-high-ranking officers, fresh from meetings or briefing on military affairs, emerged from the Meeting Room with worried expressions.

Although the Huaxia Battle Zone was now relatively peaceful compared to the chaos at the apocalypse’s onset, the constant stream of minor incidents and crises still kept everyone on edge.

Just as a group of officers, having descended the steps while debating a late-night snack at the mess hall before the next meeting, walked along together, a Middle-Aged Man from the Security Forces in the center of the crowd suddenly looked up in surprise at the dedicated car that came to a slow stop.

That license plate…

This is…

“Yenir?!”

He instinctively gasped.

As the head of the Capital Security Office, he had come to the meeting simply to vent his grievances.

Last time Yenir made a scene in the Capital, he neither stepped in nor did anything about it, and as a result, was deliberately denounced by various factions—nearly facing repercussions.

No wonder his impression of Yenir wasn’t exactly positive.

Just minutes ago, he had been gossiping about Yenir, too.

Hearing his voice, those nearby abruptly halted and turned their eyes in his direction.

As soon as the car stopped, a young man dressed in a black Combat Uniform stepped out, calmly holding the hand of a Little Girl.

“This little one… she’s back?!”

“What is he doing here? I thought he had left the Capital?”

“Holy shit, showing up so late—could this be another case of stirring up trouble?!”

Almost simultaneously, once it was clear that the newcomer was indeed Yenir, numerous mid-to-high-ranking officials emerging from the Command Building halted in unison, their eyes fixed squarely on him.

In an instant, the atmosphere turned eerily tense.

“Big brother…”

“It looks like… they’re all watching you…”

Standing behind Yenir, An Xiaoxia instinctively sensed that something was amiss in this strange scene.

Anyone unaware of the background would have found the scene utterly absurd.

Even though Yenir hadn’t uttered a word upon his arrival, his presence sent a chill through the room, as if everyone had seen a ghost.

“Don’t worry.”

“They’re all welcoming you as our big brother…”

With a light laugh, Yenir ignored the uniform stares fixed upon him, as if the onlookers didn’t exist, and strode in briskly with An Xiaoxia by his side.

Of course, he knew exactly why they were watching him and what lay behind their nervous, bewildered expressions.

It didn’t matter—he wasn’t here to cause trouble.

Seeing Yenir disregard those around him while confidently heading for the top brass, the previously halted crowd began to stir once more.

“It really is him!”

“Why is Committee Member Lu here? He never shows up unless there’s trouble!”

“Who the hell knows! But I have a feeling something serious is about to go down—holy shit!”

Almost like a silent salute, the crowd on the steps watched Yenir as he walked straight into the building, their faces a mix of awe and apprehension. In the next moment, several well-informed mid-level officers hurriedly texted their contacts, as if they’d just remembered something.

“I have a feeling something’s about to go wrong! I bet Committee Member Lu is here to complain!”

“You might not know this, but earlier the Army was about to ship out his spirit energy ore—and I heard it even sparked a conflict!”

“You’re all relying on secondhand rumors. I know for a fact it was the unit under Committee Member Lu’s command that did it!”

“Those two have never seen eye-to-eye. I think we’re in for some real entertainment this time!”

“Coming back from out of town in such a hurry, Committee Member Lu is bound to lose his cool again.”

“Lose his cool? What can he even lose it over? Committee Member Lu doesn’t even pay him any mind. If he’s so upset, he should go confront Committee Member Lu!”

“True, I doubt it will change a thing.”

“Committee Member Lu represents the Army, and he’s backed by quite a few big shots. No matter how dissatisfied Yenir might be, there’s no way he’s going to cause a scene this time.”

With a half-smile, a few well-informed mid-level military officers murmured in low tones, their voices carrying a hint of mystery.

Upon hearing the news, many felt a jolt of apprehension and quickly clustered together—clearly, even their midnight snack plans were forgotten.

They might say that, but those who knew Yenir all too well couldn’t help but wonder what might happen next.

Unlike the onlookers who were either content to watch or simply worried, several Awakeners under Lu Tianming’s command immediately fired off messages the moment Yenir entered the building.

“Committee Member Lu, that punk has come to complain!”

…………………..

“Boom-boom—”

Outside the Strategic Command, the sudden knock on the door left everyone in the meeting room momentarily stunned.

Amid swirling smoke, a few high-ranking military officials, still deep in discussion about integrating Awakeners into the armed forces, furrowed their brows and spoke in solemn tones:

“Who is it? Come in.”

“Didn’t I say not to disturb the meeting…”

Before he could finish, several military guards, clearly uneasy, trailed behind Yenir and offered strained smiles as they followed him inside.

“Sir, it’s Yenir…”

The poor guards, having just seen Yenir outside and about to speak, were cut off as he flashed his identification and barged right in.

Armed with A-level clearance, they didn’t dare stop him.

Seeing Yenir suddenly standing at the door with the Little Girl, the seventeen pairs of eyes in the meeting room all went wide in astonishment.

Though Yenir hadn’t been in the Capital long, not a single high-level official was unfamiliar with him.

“Yenir?”

“You’re here?”

“What brings you here? Do you have something to say?”

A square-faced high-ranking officer seated at the head of the meeting table frowned in clear discontent at Yenir’s unexpected interruption.

But bound by his rank, he didn’t dare say much.

As if recalling something, he slightly raised his head to signal the guards to close the door before speaking:

“You’re here about the spirit energy ore, right?”

“Alright then, Yenir. Please have a seat over there.”

“Wait until our meeting concludes—I’ll have a private word with you shortly.”

His tone brooked no argument, laced with both authority and resignation.

In fact, days ago they had already anticipated this moment, roughly guessing that with Yenir’s temperament, he’d surely demand an explanation.

Yet to the man’s surprise, Yenir merely shook his head calmly and spoke in a soft tone:

“I’m not here because of the ore.”

“I’m here to change the Death Duel schedule.”