Chapter 333: Stir Up A Storm
The incidents that were occurring over in America were incredibly mysterious, like how the inhabitants of the capital were all either losing their consciousness or their sanity en ma.s.se.
A number of secretaries of state have gathered around for a meeting, where they awaited good news from the renowned, Dr. Mark.
However, the person they were looking forward to seeing was nowhere to be found. A group of researchers from various medical inst.i.tutes came forth in his stead.
They all had tears streaming down their cheeks. “Mr. Secretary, I’m afraid Dr. Mark has packed his bags and left for China.”
“China? Why would he want to go there?” One of the state officials shot up angrily from his seat.
The brunette doctor pushed his gla.s.ses up as he replied, “There’s a laboratory in China who claimed to have discovered a way to treat this disease.”
“No, how is that even possible?! Didn’t you guys fail to locate the source of this d.a.m.ned disease?” Another official snapped.
Seeing the look of disbelief on their faces, the doctor shook his head and responded, “Well, the Chinese have Miss Gu on their side.”
The officials were stunned. How could they not be? The Americans should have led the world in the field of medicine, and yet their researchers were still scratching their heads, trying to pinpoint the correct approach in tackling this disease. And now the Chinese were claiming they have found the cure?!
“If they say they have found the cure, then why don’t we fly them over to our country and let them do their job?” questioned an older gentleman.
What he said did make sense. The rule has always been that ‘whatever America says, goes’. Their capability exceeded that of any other country in every aspect one could possibly think of. One statement from the POTUS and whoever that was mentioned would scurry over hastily out of fear of possible reprisals.
The rest of his peers shot the old man weird looks seconds after he made his statement.
“Am I wrong?” The old man asked with a puzzled expression.
The brunette doctor sighed helplessly. “Do keep in mind who’s supporting this Chinese laboratory.”
Everybody knew that it was Gu Xiqiao, who had the back of this lab. Do you seriously think that it’s a good idea to threaten an inst.i.tution directly under her protection?!
Not to mention Nine Heavens, which had established itself as an international corporate ent.i.ty, possessing negotiation powers akin to an actual nation. Only a fool would dare to mess with her or her friends.
They looked at each other in silence. Hopefully, good news would reach their ears after Dr. Mark returned from his trip to China.
***
In the ancient martial arts world, Gu Xiqiao left Zhuge Yan behind with Zhu Yuan in his lab and returned with Jiang Shuxuan to the ancient martial arts world to rendezvous with Yi Bing.
“Miss Gu, the supernatural forces of America have kept pestering us on how to avoid this upcoming calamity. The three other territories were fine with them but the last one, according to them, was unacceptable. After all, it is their capital city we’re talking about. Evacuating such a large number of people is simply unrealistic.” Yi Bing replayed what the leader of the American supernatural organization said to Gu Xiqiao.
She had pointed out five points on the world map. One in j.a.pan and the remaining four in the United States. In the beginning, these two nations refused to accept her advice.
However, at some point, the leader of the American forces started heeding her advice. All of a sudden, he started sending her a ton of rare items and subsequently, made contact with Yi Bing.
Gu Xiqiao deliberated for a moment before responding, “This time, five incidents will occur simultaneously and that point is only a couple of days away. They should be able to deal with the former three locations. As for the capital though, tell them to stand back. I’ll deal with it myself.”
“Very well, I shall relay this message immediately,” said Yi Bing whilst nodding.
Now that her job here was done, she pulled out her phone and booted up a mobile game.
Yi Bing started reporting to Jiang Shuxuan, the recent developments in the ancient martial arts world. While flipping through the doc.u.ment, Jiang Shuxuan said, “Evil aura has started its encroachment on this world of ours. Trouble is brewing. We’ll wait for the children of the Mountain Range of Death to ready themselves. We’ll a.s.sign tasks to them immediately. However, the Peacekeepers will still be responsible for dealing with more complex missions.”
“Big Boss, are you not issuing missions? Yi Bing clicked his tongue at Jiang Shuxuan. He thought that the big boss would care less about the ancient martial arts world following his memory loss. Unfortunately for him, Jiang Shuxuan’s method of managing his men was still the same as before.
In the past, complex missions were handled by Jiang Shuxuan himself and by extension, his personal team of soldiers. He was relying increasingly on Peace Manor to deal with the missions recently.
Still, considering how capable those people were, Yi Bing failed to raise any objection to his decision.
“Those people need to fight more battles,” reminded Jiang Shuxuan. “We only have one requirement for them, that is to be alive after the mission.”
Yi Bing nodded furiously, “I understand.”
Jiang Shuxuan dealt with the remaining matters before leaving with Gu Xiqiao.
Upon sending them off, Yi Bing made a call to the leader of the American supernatural forces, who answered it with unrivaled enthusiasm. “Has Miss Gu dropped by for a visit personally? If that’s so, then I am relieved. Thanks a bunch, Mr. Yi Bing!”
Yi Bing rubbed his nose upon hanging up. Mister Leader, what happened to you recently for you to change your stance so dramatically?
He, of course, had no idea about Cecily’s friends.h.i.+p with Gu Xiqiao. Some of the videos in which Gu Xiqiao appeared were contained in her cellphone. By casually showing these videos to the leaders of the foreign supernatural forces, Gu Xiqiao had earned their respect and reverence. In fact, many of them were rather envious of the ancient martial arts world for possessing such a capable individual. Of course, their level of shock would’ve been greater if they were told about how the younglings of the ancient martial arts world were rising up quickly under her guidance.
Yi Bing contemplated for a moment before deciding to give the j.a.panese supernatural forces a call as well.
“Mr. Yi Bing, we know how capable your side is. However, that is not an excuse for you to show off your prowess. We too have people who can foresee the future. According to our people, the island nation of j.a.pan is in safe hands. I would like to remind you to focus more attention on matters pertaining to the ancient martial arts world.” The j.a.panese forces responded with sarcasm and mockery.
Yi Bing had already expected this to happen, which made him want to laugh out even more. If you do not trust Miss Gu, then prepare to cry a river of tears.
Sigh, why don’t you learn a lesson or two from our American buddy? Look at how obedient they are. We’re receiving a constant inflow of presents by the way. Because of this, Miss Gu has decided to lend a helping hand personally.
***
At the Jiang residence.
Shu Chen, with a dejected expression, put down the cup she was holding. “What? You two are going to America tomorrow? Why leave so soon when you have barely settled in at home?”
“Something’s happened over there,” responded Gu Xiqiao with a smile. “It won’t be long. I’m guessing we’ll be back in a week’s time.”
“When are you leaving tomorrow?” She figured that the situation must’ve been quite dire for them both to leave together. Shu Chen was a little reluctant to see them leave so soon.
“I think we’ll leave tomorrow morning.” Gu Xiqiao answered after a moment of deliberation.
Jiang Han sat opposite Shu Chen. Their home would no longer be as lively as it was if his future daughter-in-law was leaving tomorrow. With pursed lips, he reminded her, “Stay cautious.”
Although he knew that the chances of these two getting into trouble were slim, Jiang Han still felt obliged to give them a reminder or two.
Gu Xiqiao nodded. “Got it.”
Smiling from ear to ear, Shu Chen looked at Jiang Han. Like father like son, as they say. Both Jiang Shuxuan and his father only spoke when spoken to. If it was him from the past though, he would never have said such a thing to someone else.
Jiang Han cleared his throat and proceeded to fiddle with his phone to hide his concern.
Although they had already said their goodbyes, before Gu Xiqiao left, Shu Chen was still clinging onto her arm, nagging at her repeatedly.
It was until the couple left that Shu Chen let out a sigh. “I wonder how long it would be before these occurrences stop.”
Jiang Han patted her shoulder silently.
“We sent them off today. If the day comes where I am no longer here, you must stand in my stead, waiting for their return,” said Shu Chen.
“Oh trust me, you’ll always be here.” Jiang Han shot her a glance. “From here on out, we’ll always be here, waiting for their return.”
Shu Chen smiled. “I was never meant to live this long. Because of that, you had to spend three years of your life there. I’m worried that Qiao Qiao would…”
“You must have faith in our son, and in Qiao Qiao as well.” Jiang Han pointed at the Mountain Range of Death, which was situated nearby. A constant roaring sound could be heard coming from that direction. “You have seen so many miracles happen before you, it is simply impossible for something terrible to happen to you, nor Qiao Qiao.”
Jiang Han would never have uttered such cheesy lines in the past. Today was different. After seeing so many miracles performed by Gu Xiqiao, he suddenly realized that her presence in his life had re-ignited his faith towards life in general!
Mind you, she was barely twenty years old. To be able to invoke such feelings in another, it was hard to imagine just what she’d go on to achieve later on in life!
Shu Chen: “…”
I haven’t seen you for a few days and now you return as a die-hard fan of Qiao Qiao?
***
The Bai gang had spread its influence around the world through Gu Xiqiao’s a.s.sistance. On one hand, it was because Big Boss Bai had always been interested in such matters but apart from that, Gu Xiqiao was using their strength to keep the contagiousness of the evil aura and berserkers in check. Still, only a handful of people were aware of this development.
However, their gang has recently been bogged down in a quagmire. Over in Was.h.i.+ngton D.C., a new gang, who referred to themselves as the Qing triad, had risen up. The one who started this triad was a woman, and initially, they faced little to no opposition from Big Boss Bai. After all, there were already so many well-established mafia families in the US, and Big Boss Bai himself had no intention to start a power monopoly yet. So it didn’t matter to him what they did.
What he did not expect was to hear that this Qing triad had started cannibalizing the smaller gangs in their surrounding turfs. The alarm was raised when they started targeting mid-sized gangs.
The first ones to bear the brunt was the Bai gang!
It would not have been a problem if the Qing triad was just composed of your average street thugs. However, they seemed to have strong connections with the supernatural organizations within the US, which made the Bai gang, who were being targeted, panic. To make matters worse, Big Boss Bai was still in the UK, and the only members left in the US were the brutish ones, who specialized in combating the berserkers.
They weren’t well-versed in strategic planning, which was also why Gu Xiqiao issued the order for them to remain pa.s.sive.
Knowing that they already had the upper hand, seeing the Bai gang stand down surprised the Qing triad even more. In their eyes, the remnant of the Bai gang was like a juicy piece of steak, dripping with fat, something they could not wait to sink their teeth into. The forces once affiliated with them had retreated with their tails between their legs, dooming the Bai gang to h.e.l.l.
No one knew that the Bai gang was welcoming two additional members today.
“Is that Miss Gu?” asked a bald young man in an ecstatic tone when he saw the young lady sitting in the main seat.
His comrade replied excitedly, “That’s her alright!”
The Bai gang knew that someone mysterious and powerful was backing them up. They knew that that person was Miss Gu, but they had never seen her in person before. Though, they had heard about her stories, about how she wiped out multiple gangs in just a single night and how she was commended by the police!
Her powers were unG.o.dly and what’s more, she was the person who single-handedly founded the undefeatable Peacekeepers!
The Bai gang had witnessed firsthand, just how brutally effective the Peacekeepers were in dealing with the berserkers.
Their opinion of themselves changed the moment they saw the Peacekeepers in action! How invincible they were was a clear reflection of how powerful their leader was.
And now, the founder of the Peacekeepers had arrived.
Miss Gu! With her here, there was nothing they were afraid of!
Morale was at an all-time high following Gu Xiqiao’s arrival. Who they initially thought was Big Boss Bai had turned out to be Gu Xiqiao after all!
What a great day to be alive!
Gu Xiqiao’s visit lasted only a short while. There, she asked them a couple of important questions before leaving.
Right after she left, the members swarmed around their leader with eyes filled with antic.i.p.ation. “Boss, has Miss Gu told you what she’s planning to do?”
No, she merely asked me about the location where the Qing triad is based. That, and the name of their founder. She told me to wait for further orders but I have no idea what she’s planning to do.” The leader grinned at them.
The bald young man felt his body go giddy. “I’m so excited to see what Miss Gu has up her sleeve. Knowing how strong she is and what methods she had used previously, I have no doubt that she’ll reshuffle the balance of powers in this territory.”
The Bai gang never once doubted Gu Xiqiao’s words. Ever since she arrived, they knew that she was going to stir up a storm!