Chapter 72

Like a brilliant firework, it exploded in an instant, leaving behind the most beautiful brilliance.

A beam of light suddenly descended from beyond the sky, ignoring parabolic trajectories, ignoring all air and cloud obstructions, vaporizing everything in an instant.

The massive beam struck Jin Gang, triggering a chain of explosions; flames roared up, trees collapsed, and even Ye Nan, dozens of meters away, felt waves of searing heat, as if his face were about to be scorched.

“What is this—Heaven’s Punishment?” Paul stared, stunned. Just now a god appeared, now Heaven’s Punishment— he didn’t know what would come next. What he had seen in this moment surpassed everything he had ever witnessed in his life.

“Satellite railgun?” Kenneth looked at Ye Nan, hoping he would offer an explanation.

Having served in the military, he knew well the United States Federal Government’s secret weapon: the satellite defense system touted to intercept all intercontinental missiles, whose core component was this railgun capable of destroying anything.

The satellite railgun is controlled by Tianwang, suspended in the sky, equipped with twelve massive focusing panels that absorb sunlight and heat, converting them into stored energy.

Moreover, it contains an eternal power reactor—a device that absorbs ubiquitous cosmic rays and converts them into energy; since cosmic rays are infinite, it is dubbed the Eternal Power.

“Correct,” Ye Nan admitted openly. “Ever since I learned of the existence of giant beasts, I applied to Mr. William Douglas for the satellite railgun. I originally intended it as a precaution—but never expected to actually use it.”

“Don’t you trust the Satan Mercenary Group?” Ed’s face darkened. As a former U.S. Marine, how could he not know the weapon called the satellite railgun?

In every aspect except range and radiation, the satellite railgun far surpassed the atomic bomb—in launch speed, accuracy, and destructive power.

It was an American strategic weapon, a vital pillar in America’s global military dominance.

Yet Ye Nan, possessing such a terrifying weapon, had hidden it from Ed, making him feel Ye Nan did not trust him.

For mercenaries, trust is paramount—trust between mercenaries, and trust from employers toward mercenaries.

But Ye Nan showed him not a shred of trust, keeping this ultimate weapon secret, leaving him unable to adjust strategy in time.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you,” Ye Nan said, glancing at Ed with a smirk. “I just received the authorization moments ago. This is a Federal satellite railgun. Do you think I have the power to obtain it?”

Ed froze, then his face flushed with shame. In his moment of anger, he hadn’t even thought basic logic—he’d only blamed others.

Ye Nan was merely the president of a small ICQ company. To influence U.S. government decisions and obtain a satellite railgun tied to national defense? Impossible. The only possibility was that William Douglas had intervened.

Thinking of William Douglas, Ed’s expression changed. Whatever thoughts he harbored, he had to bury them.

Such was the power of the William family—the family that manipulated the entire United States. Omnipresent, terrifying. Even Ed, a mutated being, had no choice but to submit beneath the tyranny of money. Ye Nan realized he was still too young.

“I need to accelerate the next phase of the plan. Originally, I intended to follow the course of my past life—but now, it’s unnecessary. What I hold in my hands is already enough. I no longer need to follow the tide of history.”

Roar! From behind the endless smoke and flames came a furious roar. Jin Gang emerged from the fire, shedding debris as it advanced; as the debris fell, the flames gradually subsided.

“How… how is this possible?” Ye Nan stared, dumbfounded. His carefully prepared trump card had failed.

“Satellite scanning… system analyzing… detected large quantities of unknown substances on the biological surface.”

Hearing the voice from the other end of the phone, Ye Nan snapped back to awareness—but his worry deepened.

“Satellite recharging… completion in ten minutes.”

Roar! The furious Jin Gang let out a sky-shaking bellow and charged toward Ye Nan and the others. Its massive feet pounded the ground, shaking the earth, and as it drew closer, the tremors intensified—clear signs of impending collapse.

“Ed, now it’s your turn to show your strength,” Ye Nan stepped forward. Behind him, mercenaries with submachine guns stood ready; further back, others loaded grenade launchers and shoulder-fired rocket launchers, waiting tensely.

“Mr. Ye Nan, please retreat,” Alice stepped behind him and tugged his sleeve. “Leave this to the professionals.”

Ye Nan turned and saw a face filled with concern—he froze.

A face of concern… how long had it been since he’d seen one? Since he founded his company, since he parted from Andy’s father—he hadn’t seen one since. Whether facing Dr. Ma Xiu or William Douglas, he had to appear calm, arrogant, in total control—only then could he hide his true thoughts. In truth, he lived behind a mask, in a world of his own deceit.

Ye Nan turned away, subtly concealing his emotion. “Why do you care about me?”

“Why can’t I care about you?” Alice pulled out a tissue and wiped his forehead. Unnoticed, sweat had gathered there—he was clearly at his limit.

“Thanks,” Ye Nan muttered stiffly, letting her wipe him.

As she wiped the sweat, Alice smiled. “You’re just a kid. So young, haven’t even finished school. You should be studying properly. Professional work should be left to professionals.”

“Are you caring for him?” Ye Nan’s pupils shrank. Something inside him overturned, a sour ache rising in his chest.

“You’re jealous,” Alice giggled, her face glowing with uncontainable happiness. “I’m not caring for him—I’m caring for you. You’re someone who does big things. You don’t need to do everything yourself. Some things can be left to others.”

Ye Nan froze. He finally understood where he had gone wrong. He was not omniscient—he was merely a transmigrator with advanced knowledge, yet profoundly weak in reality. In military matters, he was no match for true experts. He could only play small tricks.

Yet with these tiny tricks, he had tried to command an entire army—and the results were always mediocre.

“I understand. I need to go study,” Ye Nan murmured, smiling at Kenneth. “You take command. I’ll just watch. An outsider like me shouldn’t show his ignorance.”

Kenneth blinked, then laughed. He didn’t know why the stubborn Ye Nan had suddenly changed—but he knew it was a good thing.

“Everyone, prepare! Rocket launchers and grenade launchers—aim at the right leg. Fire on my command.”