The Returner

Chapter 424: I shall go and speak to Yi Ji-Hyuk (4)

The Marshal of China’s People’s Liberation Army, Central Military Committee, Xu Cheng, was currently staring at the giant monitor with a hardened expression.

“Is everything ready?” (Xu Cheng)

“Yes sir, everything’s flawless.”

“M-mm...” (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng watched the real-time footage of the demon king army transmitted from the spy satellite and gritted his teeth.

“Stinking sons of b*tches.” (Xu Cheng)

Because of those rotten b*stards, China was about to go down in history as the first nation ever to deploy several nukes in its own territory.

“What did the Comrade President say?” (Xu Cheng)

“He said that the timing and the method of the deployment will be entrusted to you, sir.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is?” (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng powerfully slammed his commander’s baton on the ground.

“Let us show those savages the true power of our glorious nation. Let’s teach them how unwise it was for them to enter this world.” (Xu Cheng)

“Indeed sir, your words are absolutely correct.”

Xu Cheng raised his head to look at the wall-mounted clock to confirm the scheduled launch time.

‘Thirty minutes to go, is it?’ (Xu Cheng)

Although he was evaluated by the higher-ups as a fearless, true dyed-in-the-wool soldier, there was simply no way he’d not tremble a little from what was about to happen. Just how many people in the history of mankind had the opportunity to press the nuclear missile launch button?

Anyone in the same situation would get deeply nervous. Especially more so when the nukes were aimed at one’s own home country, too.

‘Bloody hell.’ (Xu Cheng)

There was one other factor contributing to Xu Cheng’s rage at the moment as well. And that was the small fact that he was originally from Sichuan.

Meaning, he found himself in the position to erase his birthplace off the map all for the sake of his country and its citizens.

‘Yes, this is for my country.’ (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng pounded on his chest a couple of times and nodded gravely.

He didn’t make this decision. No, it was made by the Central Military Committee, which included the President himself, as well. His job was to simply carry out their will. That was all.

Although he too was the member of the Central Military Committee, in all honesty this organisation merely existed to nicely package the President’s will and deliver it to those in the lower rungs of the ladder.

He also had some misgivings with why he needed to take up this role instead of, say, Combined Forces Command’s Chief of Staff or the Commanding Officer of the Missile Command. But since the President said so, Xu Cheng had no choice but to do it.

‘I’m sure he felt uneasy about entrusting so much power to soldiers like us.’ (Xu Cheng)

Judging from how there was still some attempt to control the power dynamics even in these times of national crisis, it seemed that humanity would never be able to let go of their lust for power no matter how much time and history pass them by.

If humanity was allowed to continue on, then even after a thousand years had passed, people would still continue with their hidden feuds and power struggles. Because that was human nature, its truest essence.

“Marshal, sir.”

“What now?” (Xu Cheng)

“A call from the American side has come through the hotline, sir. It’s Director Christopher McLaren.”

“Christopher...” (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng quietly gritted his teeth.

Just how much did America, currently the de facto number one nation on Earth, try to bring down China until now?

From politics, military and even economy – it’d be no exaggeration to say that China had to focus all its might in fighting back against America’s concerted pressure in every front imaginable.

“Connect the call.” (Xu Cheng)

No matter how badly Xu Cheng didn’t want to see that man, he simply had to do it. People were currently whispering that the one man possessing the most influence in the world was not the American president but Christopher McLaren. Indeed, that man could be seen as the one holding the keys to the world in these urgent, troubled times.

Soon, Christopher McLaren’s face appeared on the monitor.

“It’s been a while.” (Xu Cheng)

The American had this somewhat troubled expression as he looked at Xu Cheng.

– “My apologies, but can you put me through to your President directly, please?” (Christopher McLaren)

“Sure, if you were the president of your nation, then I’d only be too happy to recommend it. However, you are certainly not, yet you dare to have a one on one private conversation with China’s President?” (Xu Cheng)

Christopher McLaren heard the reply through an interpreter, then formed a disapproving expression next.

– “I may not be the president, but I am fully authorised to make the necessary decisions. If you’re also in the same position as me, then I’ll gladly have a chat with you, but if you’re just a little puppet then I don’t see any point in wasting my time here.” (Christopher McLaren)

“If the Marshal of People’s Republic of China is a puppet, then everyone in this world must be a puppet, too!” (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng roared out in agitation, but Christopher McLaren merely nodded his head.

– “In that case, I guess it is fine to talk to you. Now listen well, Mister Marshal. What your country is about to do is nothing more than an ineffective tantrum at best. And all those nukes you’re about to deploy in your ill-advised tantrum are the last bastion of mankind as well. I sincerely recommend that you stop this operation immediately.” (Christopher McLaren)

“There was no point in listening to you, after all.” (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng cleanly and ruthlessly cut Christopher McLaren off.

“Stop meddling in our affairs, McLaren.” (Xu Cheng)

– “If our situation was peaceful enough to consider such things, then sure, I’d have accepted your thinly veiled insults no problem. Unfortunately, now isn’t the time to bring up rubbish notions like staying out of your so-called ‘domestic affairs’. No, we’re in a situation where I need to stop your idiotic operation no matter what.” (Christopher McLaren)

Xu Cheng furrowed his brows.

“You can only know whether it’s effective or not after trying.” (Xu Cheng)

– “If only you and I worshipped the same god, then you’d also know it.” (Christopher McLaren)

“God, you say?” (Xu Cheng)

– “Humanity’s god. It’s science, obviously. According to the computer simulation we ran, your method might be enough to get rid of the demon king’s army but still not enough to deal with the demon king itself. And if the latter manages to survive, then it doesn’t matter what happens to the army, now does it? That d*mn creature can always replenish and restock its forces at any time, after all.” (Christopher McLaren)

“And how can you scientifically analyse an unknown existence? Have the Americans chance upon a demon king corpse or some such lately?” (Xu Cheng)

– “No, we haven’t. However, we do possess the data from the battles against the demon kings.” (Christopher McLaren)

“McLaren, why don’t you play your little nerdy games back in your own country? If you know so much about the demon kings, why did you give up LA to one currently busy pillaging your territory?” (Xu Cheng)

McLaren spat out a groan.

– “Knowing when to retreat is a valid strategy especially when there’s a little chance of victory. You should also know that your ‘Ura charge’ tactic is not the right one. Since your country specialises in the material war, are you also planning to rain down a barrage of nukes on the target, as well?” (Christopher McLaren) [1]

“If you wish to be sarcastic with us, I advise you to get smarter about it.” (Xu Cheng)

– “We need a little more time.” (Christopher McLaren)

“How laid-back you are.” (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng replied while gritting his teeth.

“I’m sick and tired of you Westerners busy boasting and showing off when no one asked for it. You lot always talk a big game but here’s the deal, the times have changed. The era of you Westerners being in charge of the world’s destiny is long gone. Today’s event will remain as the reminder of that change. Why? Because we shall destroy the demon king army with our own hands, the very same army none of you could do anything about. So, you just sit back and watch while sucking on your little thumb.” (Xu Cheng)

– “I’m not even remotely interested in the power struggle between the East and the West. What I’m saying right now is that we need to work together to overcome our current reality. Don’t you get that?” (Christopher McLaren)

“No I don’t, but so what?” (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng sneered dismissively, and Christopher McLaren narrowed his eyes.

– “It’s not just me, however. If you wish to bring up the East versus West nonsense, then let me tell you this. Even Yi Ji-Hyuk has judged that the operations like yours will not produce any tangible results. And he’s an Asian, just like you.” (Christopher McLaren)

“Are you seriously suggesting that the great nation of China must change its policy because some random ‘Gaoli bangzi’ b*stard said something? You, do you have any idea what you’re even saying right now?” (Xu Cheng) [2]

– “Surely even you should know who Yi Ji-Hyuk is? I seriously hope that you’re not treating his advice as baseless nonsense because he’s from another country. Does your nation’s standard amount to only that much?” (Christopher McLaren)

“You better shut your mouth, or else you’ll get to learn properly what our standard actually is.” (Xu Cheng)

Christopher McLaren formed a troubled expression and spat out a sigh.

It felt like he was talking to a caveman here. Obviously, no constructive conversation could take place when you were talking to someone who, forget about the arguments of low standard or whatever, had already made up their minds and only proceeded to throw around some inane, shameless remarks like this.

– “Okay, so. Are you still going ahead with this operation?” (Christopher McLaren)

“The nation has decided on it. Of course I shall go through with it. And you know that you don’t have any right to interfere with what we do, I hope?” (Xu Cheng)

Christopher McLaren stared coldly at Xu Cheng.

– “This was why I wanted to speak to someone with the authority to make decisions. Listen to me and listen well, Mister Marshal. You’d do well to think about what will happen later from the ripples created by what you said just now and what you are about to do. From this moment on, the United States of America will not provide any assistance whatsoever to the People’s Republic of China. And you must resolve all of your matters with your own powers.” (Christopher McLaren)

Xu Cheng sneered dismissively.

“You speak as if you’ve helped us in the past. As far as I can remember, all you did so far was to pressure and restrict us. It’ll be so much nicer if you stopped meddling in our affairs, honestly.” (Xu Cheng)

– “I’ve clearly warned you. This transmission will remain as the irrefutable evidence. Again, you’d do well to think carefully on what the history books will say about you in the future. Although, that’s only when our history is allowed to continue, of course.” (Christopher McLaren)

Beep.

The transmission came to an end with a soft beep.

“That stinking Yankee b*stard!” (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng angrily threw the commander’s baton at the large monitor.

“We’ll see for how long you can keep talking big like that.” (Xu Cheng)

Those American b*stards, they just couldn’t be viewed in a nice light. According to the China First plan, China should’ve been exercising an even greater authority than America throughout the world by now. Xu Cheng was confident that had the Black Monday incident not occurred in the first place, China would have been in the driving seats by now.

It was an opportunity to reclaim the title of one true global powerhouse nation, which had been taken away by the West. Yet the sudden, unannounced change caused the flow of the world’s dynamics to freeze up. If only that incident didn’t happen...

“Well, it doesn’t matter now.” (Xu Cheng)

Today’s operation would go on to become the symbol of China reclaiming its rightful title of the hegemon of the world.

Even the Americans couldn’t do anything about the demon king army pillaging and burning down their own territory, so if China managed to drive out the demon king and its minions, then the leadership of the world would instantly revert to China.

Even the President agreed with that view.

“Marshal, sir. It’s time.”

“Fuu-woo.” (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng nodded and slowly pushed his hand inside his inner pocket. The key the Comrade President had handed over to him earlier was sleeping in there – the keys to unlock the launch button.

Even during the times of national crisis, you needed all the keys held by three different individuals to unlock the nuclear missile launch button. However, Xu Cheng currently was in possession of all three keys.

‘Putting up an outward appearance for the others to see is done with this.’ (Xu Cheng)

The world had already entered the age of the strong preying on the weak. Treaties and alliances no longer held any meaning. And now, the only thing that mattered was which country possessed an even greater power.

“Sir, a call came from the Presidential Palace.”

“What did it say?” (Xu Cheng)

“It said to go ahead according to the schedule, sir.”

“Mm.” (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng gravely nodded his head.

‘The Presidential Palace, is it...’

It was somewhat dissatisfying to know that in this critical moment, the President of the nation was making a call not from the launch command centre but from his underground bunker, instead.

Because it implied that the leader of the nation was hiding in the safest space to spectate the unfolding situation.

‘Well, not all generals can be brave warriors, so there.’ (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng told himself that that’s how weighty the role of the president was, then after pulling out the keys from his inner pocket, he slotted them in the key holes below the switch.

Once all three keys were turned, the plastic covering over the red launch button slowly opened up.

“Fuu-woooo...” (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng wiped the cold sweat off his forehead.

All the necessary adjustments related to the launch had been completed by now. With one press of this red button, a dozen-plus nukes should descend upon a target right within China’s borders. Xu Cheng was fully aware of this fact.

His slightly trembling hand moved on top of the button. He merely placed his finger on it yet his heart was pounding away like crazy. But when considering the weight carried by this single, normal-looking button, this was a rather obvious reaction.

“Fuu-wooph!” (Xu Cheng)

Xu Cheng sucked in a deep breath, and roared out.

“Prepare to launch!” (Xu Cheng)

“Preparing!”

The concise repeat report came back to him, and he squeezed his eyes shut.

“Firing!” (Xu Cheng)

He thought he could feel a slight resistance against his fingertip, but then, he couldn’t believe how easily the button sunk down into the recess.

“...All projectiles, successfully launched!”

Xu Cheng’s whole body shuddered.

It was now too late to turn back.

A total of eighteen nuclear missiles began flying towards China’s Sichuan province.

< 424. I shall go and speak to Yi Ji-Hyuk -4 > Fin.

(TL: the ‘Ura charge’ in [1] refers to the Russian armed forces shouting out ‘Ura!’ as they charge forward blindly at their enemies, as popularised (?) in several WW2 movies where Russian soldiers are depicted.)

(TL: the ‘Gaoli bangzi’ in [2] is one of several Chinese derogatory terms they use to refer to Koreans. Kinda like America’s ‘N’ word, except it doesn’t have anything to do with race but nationality.)

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