Chen Gu couldn't help but ask, "Then... what did you do at that time?"
Chen Jixian looked out the window. "I did what every leader must do: decide.
"At that moment, I truly understood what a leader must shoulder. My decision could sway the outcome of a major battle and determine the life or death of hundreds, thousands, or even more living beings!
"I personally called the commander of the fourth highland, telling him to hold on no matter what! Then I left the orbital cannon behind."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Next, I ordered my aide to pull up the live feed of the battle at the fourth highland. I watched with my own eyes as my boys were killed one by one by the frenzied attacks of the Insect Race.
"Each honorable death was like a giant hand gripping my heart and squeezing it violently!
"Thirty minutes later, the Alien Insect Race launched a fierce attack on our artillery position. Their true forces emerged, far more numerous than we had anticipated.
"I issued the command to the orbital cannon to strike, which broke the Alien Insect Race's fierce offensive. With the artillery's cover, we held out. Four hours later, reinforcements arrived and utterly defeated the Alien Insect Race's attack. We had held the position and tenaciously survived."
Chen Gu had never before spoken so deeply with his adult son. He only knew that this fellow had once been the likeliest candidate to become a general on Empire River Star.
Only now, listening to him describe such a battle in straightforward, simple language, did Chen Gu truly understand what this child of his had endured.
Chen Jixian pointed at the space below him with his index finger. "Even though I'm now the head of a local Bureau of Mystic Security division, in my heart, I will always be a leader.
"That night, I understood what the most important ability of a leader is: decision-making.
"With a correct decision, you don't need to fight personally, yet most of the credit for a battle's victory is yours.
"One wrong decision, and the fourth highland falls, then my troops are entirely annihilated—not just a cold number in the military reports, but thousands of precious lives!
"Even if you survive, you can only live a life filled with unbearable guilt and self-reproach.
"That is what being a leader entails. We must bear these responsibilities.
"I will not act like a coward and throw this responsibility to Aviloya!"
A nondescript maglev car dropped Chen Gu back at "Poison of the Gods." Marcus casually asked, "What happened?"
Chen Gu casually replied, "Some personal matters."
Marcus did not press further. At that moment, he received another command from Chen Jixian, "Continue with the mission!"
Data from the gorilla was transmitted to Chen Gu's retinas. Through electronic devices, he and the gorilla shared each other's perspectives.
The gorilla had already snuck Man Suling into "Poison of the Gods" without anyone noticing. Chapters first released on NoveI~Fire.net
Suddenly, Chen Gu asked Marcus, who was in front of him, "Boss, that box has six password locks. Who holds the passwords?"
"Of course, they're in the hands of the 'Five Peaks Society,'" Marcus answered. "I don't know exactly who has them, though it should be one of the Five Peaks. What we can be sure of is that the lackeys involved in the entire transportation process have no clue about the passwords. If they try to break the codes by force or open the box by other means, the entire box will self-destruct. Hidden inside that thing is an Antimatter Bomb, extremely powerful—truly potent!"
Chen Gu breathed a sigh of relief. This would make things even more secure.
Marcus continued to assign tasks. "I'm taking Joseph to the building. I heard Chen Gu and Boluo worked well together last time, so you two will team up and go to the bar. Succubus and Puppet will head to Slode's house.
"Silver Eagle, you take Rabbit for mid-support—stay closer to Succubus and Puppet, as the terrain there is more complicated."
Before he could finish, Boluo started shouting in the communications channel, "Who said I worked well with him? I don't agree with this plan! I don't ever want to work with this guy again in my life!"
Chen Gu said, "Stop messing around!"
Marcus yelled, "Follow orders!"
Being the team leader, he was naturally furious when opposed by a newly recruited member.
Boluo, seeing the sinister gaze of Silver Eagle in the car, finally realized his reaction had been inappropriate.
He shut off the communication but kept muttering to himself, complaining that Chen Gu was a jinx, and anyone teamed up with him would surely be done in by his flashy tactics.
The two cars stopped at an inconspicuous location, and then everyone split up according to their groups.
Chen Gu and Boluo walked in silence. Once everyone had scattered out of sight, Chen Gu turned around and gave Boluo a hard flick to his forehead!
Boluo cried out in pain, "What the hell! Can't a person speak the truth anymore?"
Chen Gu, feeling pleased at seeing the quickly swelling bump on Boluo's forehead, didn't argue and said, "Hurry up. We need to reach the designated location as quickly as possible."
A name like "Dirty Rat" would have been a recipe for financial disaster for any establishment in Wuzhaoyin City other than "Poison of the Gods."
But here, it was incredibly popular. Even though it was daytime, many people were already gathered inside.
The two had changed into some worn-out clothes in advance to fit the "style" of the place.
As they pushed the door open and entered, the bustling bar fell quiet instantly. Every pair of eyes sized up the two unfamiliar faces with ill intent.
Chen Gu would bet that at least half the people there were already scheming to drag him and Boluo into the back alley later to squeeze them dry.
The bartender, a red-bearded brawny man with a height of 1.9 meters, blatantly took out a modified wide-bore plasma gun from beneath the bar with his coarse mechanical right arm. He then jerked his chin at them, "Hey, newcomers, what'll you have?"
Chen Gu was discreetly searching for their target, while Boluo had already walked over, confidently ordering two "drinks" that couldn't be found in any ordinary bar outside.
The bartender seemed pleased with this and put away the over-limit weapon. "Nice taste."
He went to prepare their drinks.
Chen Gu quickly ascertained that Sidro wasn't there, but they couldn't just leave, as Sidro might show up at any time.
Boluo adapted to this environment quite well, quickly hitting it off with the surrounding rogues, chatting and laughing with them.
Chen Gu was glad he'd brought this guy along; it had been a wise decision.
In the comms channel, everyone communicated in low voices. Chen Gu and Boluo were the first group to arrive at the target location, followed by Marcus and Joseph, and then Puppet and Succubus.
As soon as Puppet arrived, he requested support, "It's too chaotic here! Two people are not enough!"