Chapter 9: Heading to the Azure Dragon Military Region

Comrade Xiao Qin, your decision today is of extraordinary significance, and we are also very grateful for your trust in the nation.

Cheng Haitang looked at Qin Hao and expressed his thanks in a solemn tone.

Afterwards he turned to Zhou Wei and the two assistants, his expression turning serious: "From now on, everything concerning Comrade Qin Hao and what he has demonstrated shall be classified as top-secret."

Zhou Wei, Xiao Li, Xiao Zhang, the three of you, including me, must sign the confidentiality agreement.

Not a single word or image of what happened here today may be leaked to the outside world in the slightest, not even to your families; anyone who leaks it will be charged with treason. Understood?

Understood!

Zhou Wei and the two others replied in unison, their expressions solemn.

They of course understood the gravity; should what they witnessed today leak out, it would stir up tremendous waves across the world.

Oh! Right, we also need to physically destroy the surveillance footage and equipment here to ensure absolute safety.

Cheng Haitang added another sentence after thinking of something.

He then picked up his phone and dialed a number……

After the call connected, he did not directly explain the situation, but spoke in a low voice:

"Senior leader, I am Cheng Haitang of the Zhou Cheng Branch. A special incident has occurred here, its importance bearing on the nation's future fate! I suggest we immediately activate the top-level emergency plan."

The other end fell silent for a few seconds,

It was obvious that the term "top-level emergency plan" signified something of great consequence.

Soon a vigorous voice came through the phone.

"Haitang, do you know what activating the 'top-level plan' entails? If the situation isn't as important as you claim, the consequences are not something we can bear!"

Cheng Haitang naturally knew what the top-level plan meant; it is a scheme that can be launched only when the very survival of the entire nation is at stake.

"Rest assured, senior leader; I can guarantee the truth of this matter with my Party loyalty and my life."

Cheng Haitang replied firmly.

"Given the special circumstances, to ensure security, the specific details should not be discussed over the phone."

"I suggest we quickly dispatch a dedicated team to escort the target to the capital."

"Good! Since you say so, I trust you."

The voice on the other end was decisive, and then gave further orders:

"Take the target and all informed personnel to the Azure Dragon Military Region in the western suburbs of Zhou Cheng; I will immediately notify the military region to ensure absolute safety."

"The personnel coming to make contact will arrive no later than noon today."

"Yes! I guarantee mission accomplished!" Cheng Haitang hung up the phone, turned to look at Qin Hao, his eyes full of expectation.

From this moment on, Qin Hao's fate, and the "system" he commands, will be tightly linked to the nation's destiny.

"Comrade Xiao Qin, you've also heard just now how important this is, so I won't say more."

Cheng Haitang tried to make his tone sound a bit more relaxed,

"The headquarters leadership has already approved; we will set off right away, first taking you to the Azure Dragon Military Region, which is relatively safer. The journey may be a bit bumpy, so please endure it."

Qin Hao nodded, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

From the anxiety of copying gold in the rental house, to the joy of buying a villa, then to the frustration after seeing the news, and finally to the heroic spirit when he made up his mind,

now everything has settled, yet instead he feels a sense of unreality.

He glanced at Cheng Haitang; the Director Cheng's decisive vigor from just now on the phone was even more impressive than a movie character.

"Director Cheng, I… I don't have anything to prepare, do I?"

Qin Hao rubbed his nose; he now owns nothing but the villa he just bought and the little money in his card.

Cheng Haitang's mouth twitched slightly; this kid, he's actually quite calm at the critical moment, just this question is a bit… foolish.

He waved his hand,

"Don't call me Director Cheng; just call me Lao Cheng. As long as you show up, that's enough; the state will arrange everything else. You are now our most important 'national treasure'."

These words aroused jealousy in the three beside him; the nickname 'Lao Cheng' is used only by those on good terms with the director.

However, Qin Hao now indeed has the qualifications for that.

Who let him have a system?

"National treasure?" Qin Hao blinked; the title made him feel a bit light-headed.

Back in the orphanage, what he envied most were the pandas in the zoo that were carefully cared for; he never imagined he would one day enjoy the treatment of a 'national treasure'.

As for calling him Lao Cheng, it's merely an attempt to draw closer; Qin Hao certainly understands and doesn't mind.

Soon, the confidentiality agreement was signed.

Cheng Haitang personally escorted Qin Hao, with Zhou Wei, Xiao Li, and Xiao Wang providing protection, as they left the State Security Bureau branch.

Without sirens or fanfare, an ordinary-looking black SUV drove off silently, merging into traffic.

The atmosphere in the car was somewhat heavy; Qin Hao watched the street scenery rush past outside the window, his mind filled with myriad thoughts.

His life had already been completely changed from the moment he stepped out of the rental house and entered the State Security Bureau.

He could not foresee what the future would hold, but at least he had contributed everything he could to the nation.

"Director Cheng…"

Qin Hao suddenly spoke up: "My system's upgrade requires one hundred billion kilowatt-hours of electricity; can the nation manage that?"

He was still worried; if the nation poured in huge resources only for the system to fall short, he would become a sinner through the ages.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Haitang turned his head, glanced at him, and a faint smile appeared on his face:

"Xiao Qin, rest easy; one hundred billion kilowatt-hours is nothing for today's Yanhuang Guo; the energy demand will certainly be met."

After a pause, Cheng Haitang added with some anticipation:

"Actually, I'm more curious about what new functions your system will gain after the upgrade."

"I don't know either; the system hasn't given any hints, so we'll find out when the time comes."

Qin Hao shook his head and replied helplessly.

"Alright then! It's still too early to talk about this," Cheng Haitang said, and didn't ask further.

The vehicle headed west, gradually leaving the bustling city center; the surrounding buildings grew scarcer, replaced by rolling hills and dense forests.

Before long, barbed wire and signs warning of a "Military Management Zone" began to appear along the road.

The off‑road vehicle stopped before a heavily guarded gate, and several armed sentries stepped forward to inspect.

Cheng Haitang presented his credentials and whispered a few words to the sentry in charge.

Soon, the massive electric gate slowly opened, and the vehicle entered a military zone.

Through the window, Qin Hao saw rows of orderly barracks, a spacious training field, and the faint outlines of armored vehicles in the distance.

The air seemed to be suffused with the scent of iron and blood.

This was the "Azure Dragon" Military Zone on the western outskirts of Zhou Cheng.

It was also one of Yanhuang Guo's nine major military zones, with roughly over two hundred thousand troops stationed there.

The zone's commander was Liu Zhijun, holding the rank of General, and this information was semi‑public, searchable online.