Chapter 152: Insignia-Bestowing Ceremony

Yang Yi's three suggestions did not affect the holding of the insignia-bestowing ceremony two days later.

The main content of this ceremony was to commend individuals from all sectors who had made great achievements during the disaster, but in the eyes of other nations, it was merely Xia Kingdom's attempt to proclaim ownership over Yang Yi and demonstrate power to the world.

"It is a demonstration, so what?" Such a comment floated by during the online live stream, but was instantly drowned out by other bullet comments.

However, Li Li Zihan was not discouraged; his eyes were fixed on the news broadcast on the screen: on Chang'an Avenue, usually bustling with people, it was now quiet and empty. Gradually, nine motorcycle escorts drove over from the distance, their formation triangular, with motorcycle escorts on both sides guarding a row of solemn black Hongqi cars in the middle, with bright red national flags fluttering at the front of the cars.

Today was Saturday; Li Li Zihan was a freshman at Chang'an University. His parents had gone to work overtime, and he was curled up in his own room watching the news live broadcast.

Li Li Zihan was certain that the person sitting in the first car was Yang Yi.

"Ahhh, the brothers riding motorcycles are so handsome!"

"I'm so excited; if only I were the one riding a motorcycle to escort Yang Yi!" someone commented under the video.

"Tch, you're dreaming. The motorcycle riders are the National Guest Escort Team; if you could become one, you could brag about it for a lifetime!"

Someone explained: "Motorcycle escorting is a highly technical job. During the convoy's movement, all sorts of complex situations could be encountered... Moreover, because of this unprecedented insignia-bestowing ceremony, to prevent awakened terrorist organizations from sabotaging the ceremony, they must undergo special training..."

"Let's not talk about training first; escort team members have height and weight requirements. The height is 185-189, with a dignified appearance. See if you can meet the requirements first!"

"Is it just that they look handsome? They must also be warriors who can move freely amidst a hail of bullets and shells. Do you think everyone can be Yang Yi's escort..."

Li Li Zihan posted a comment: "I am certain that the person sitting in the first Hongqi car is definitely Yang Yi!"

Someone immediately replied to him: "Confirmed. Foreign reporters on the press platform used telephoto lenses to capture Yang Yi's profile! Link address."

Li Li Zihan immediately clicked the link; the address redirected to a foreign news forum, which was also live-streaming Xia Kingdom's insignia-bestowing ceremony, and the number of international simultaneous online viewers reached several million.

People in various languages were all sending comments; in a short while, nearly a million comments were scrolled up.

"Sang Yang is such a great woman; Xia Kingdom is indeed our suzerain state since ancient times. Whenever there is danger, heroes appear!"

Li Li Zihan was translating comments in various languages with a translator, and upon seeing this one, he couldn't help but pout.

"Two months ago, you were still a lapdog of Ark Kingdom; two months later, you've become a simp for Xia Kingdom. Your Fusang people's skin is really thick!" a person from the Korean Kingdom mocked.

"What do you know? Previously, those who simped for Ark Kingdom domestically were the Democratic Party; now it is our Red Party, which is most supported by the general public, that is in power. Only the Red Party can prove the will of our ordinary people!"

"Nonsense! Your Democratic Party was elected by your ordinary people with a high vote back then, and the Yasukuni Shrine was also built with the unanimous consent of your ordinary people! Do you think Xia Kingdom would forget this? On Xia Kingdom's internet, people voted to sink your Fusang Island with Yang Yi!" the Korean started to stir up trouble.

"Sang Yang is a great and kind woman; she has never killed a single person! You, a villain who deliberately tries to sow discord between our two countries!"

Li Li Zihan watched the two arguing with a smile, finding it very interesting, but his attention was immediately drawn to the live broadcast on another screen.

At this moment, the convoy had arrived at Tianmen Square. On both sides of the square, the honor guard stood arranged like javelins.

The capital had entered July, the hottest month of the year. Although it was only 8:40 in the morning, the sun was already blazing down. These honor guards, dressed in uniforms and wearing military boots, had sweat flowing down their cheeks into their necks.

"Oh my god, it looks so hot and so hard. Was it really necessary to hold the insignia-bestowing ceremony? It wastes the people's money and energy, and we have just lost nearly one hundred million compatriots. What does this do for those who died in the disaster?" someone said.

"The person above is an idiot; case closed!"

"The OP is an idiot!"

Li Li Zihan immediately joined the army condemning this comment: "You know nothing. At a time when the nation is in danger, such commendation is first to boost national confidence and unite against alien creatures! Second, to proclaim Yang Yi's achievements and declare Yang Yi's nationality and ownership. He who has Yang Yi has the world; do you understand?"

Immediately after posting this comment, two rows of aircraft carrying colored smoke flew low across the sky, leaving seven-colored ribbons in the air.

The convoy stopped outside the Great Hall. Honor guards in uniform stepped forward to open the doors of the Hongqi cars. Indeed, the person who got out of the first car was Yang Yi.

She wore a white shirt and a black suit, her shoulder-length hair neatly tied back, not a single strand out of place.

She wore light makeup, making her look much more energetic than usual, and her expression remained as calm and composed as always.

When the people on the car got off, the salutes on both sides fired simultaneously, totaling twenty-eight rounds.

"Ahhh, it's actually twenty-eight rounds; that's truly impressive!"

"What's going on? Is there any significance to it?"

"In diplomatic occasions, twenty-one rounds of salutes are fired for welcoming or bidding farewell to a head of state; nineteen rounds for a head of government; seventeen rounds for a deputy head of government. You can imagine what significance these twenty-eight rounds have!"

"That is Yang Yi; she saved the entire Earth! Firing salutes for a day would also be appropriate!"

Outside the fence, countless spectators had started screaming loudly as soon as they saw Yang Yi's figure, the sound reaching the clouds.

"Yang Yi! Yang Yi!"

"God of the Human World!"

"Guardian Deity of the Republic!"

"My Yiyi..."

"Deity Yi... look at me!"

Some even fainted because it was too hot and they were too excited.

Yang Yi looked at the commotion over there with some surprise, but immediately regained her composed expression and walked towards the Great Hall together with the other recipients of medals.

Suddenly, everyone in Tianmen Square felt the air seemed much cooler. Although the sun was still blazing and there was no wind, the temperature inexplicably dropped.

"Wuwuwu, it must be Yang Yi..."

"Yes, I watched with a telescope. She just looked over at us, and then suddenly it became cool..."

"Why is she so good, so considerate..."

Not only did the crowd outside the fence feel it, but the honor guards on the press platform and below also felt this coolness and simultaneously felt Yang Yi's small kindness.

When they reached the outside of the Great Hall, two groups of elementary school students wearing school uniform skirts and shorts were already waiting with fresh flowers. Seeing Yang Yi and the others arrive, they immediately happily swayed the flowers in a unified rhythm to express welcome and congratulations.

"On such a hot day, making the children suffer; don't the parents feel heartache? What if they get heatstroke? Is this face-saving project really that important?" A comment appeared under the news live broadcast comments.