Chapter 597: When Did I Ever Say I Would Let You Evacuate?

"It's too big! Bigger than a house!"

"Heavens! Is the end of the world coming?"

High in the sky, Li Mingyuan was completely immersed in the neural link with Chiyou. This feeling was indescribable—as if he were no longer a creature of flesh and blood, but this very steel giant itself, able to feel the thin air at high altitude, the dampness of the clouds, and the pull of Earth's gravity.

"Chiyou, southeast direction, target: Sakura Mountain in Yinghua Guo, full speed ahead!"

The steel giant adjusted its posture, tearing through the sky like a giant Missile. Soon, its speed broke the sound barrier, leaving a terrifying sonic boom cloud in the stratosphere. The blue tail flame of the propulsion system drew a glaring straight line across the dark sky, leading countless people gazing at the stars to mistake it for a passing comet.

The ground command center was in chaos. Minister Zhang frantically ordered the Radar Station to track Chiyou's movements while urgently contacting coastal anti-aircraft units.

"He must not be allowed to reach Yinghua Guo airspace! Once discovered, an international crisis is inevitable!"

However, all Radars reported the same situation—the target could not be locked. Chiyou's Stealth System completely shielded it from conventional Radar detection; only the naked eye could see that blue tail flame cutting through the night sky.

At this moment, Li Mingyuan had entered a near-mystical state. Through Chiyou's sensor system, he could "see" the Star-Spangled Country's patrol fleet on the distant sea, could "hear" the electromagnetic wave scans of anti-aircraft Radars, and could even "perceive" the distribution of light and heat in the cities below.

"Yinghua Guo Anti-aircraft System detected," he muttered to himself, "activate Active Interference."

The armor on Chiyou's chest parted a narrow slit, releasing a special Electromagnetic Pulse. Almost instantly, snowy interference appeared on the screens of all Radar Stations along the Yinghua Guo coast, and the Anti-aircraft System was completely paralyzed.

The Yinghua Guo Anti-aircraft Command Center was in a panic.

"What happened? All Radars failed at the same time?"

"It could be electromagnetic interference! But we've never seen such a powerful source of interference!"

"Dispatch fighter jets for an emergency takeoff, visual reconnaissance!"

Before the fighter jets could even take off, residents near Sakura Mountain had already sent in the first wave of terrified reports. Countless people saw a huge black shadow appear in the sky, dragging a blue tail flame, hovering over Sakura Mountain like a steel idol overlooking the earth.

"What is that?"

"Like a giant! An iron giant!"

"It has a red eye! Like a demon!"

The chaotic reports quickly reached the Yinghua Guo high command. The President's residence urgently activated the wartime communication system, but all military channels were interfered with by a strange buzzing sound. Only civilian broadcast channels were still usable.

And just at this moment, all radios, televisions, and public broadcast systems suddenly emitted a strange voice at the same time—a male voice speaking fluent Yinghua language but with a distinct Long Country accent:

"Attention, Yinghua Guo government and citizens, this is a notification from Long Country. The object above your heads is named 'Chiyou', and it is Long Country's latest developed Strategic Defense System. Please remain calm; this is only a technical test, not a military action."

Residents near Sakura Mountain looked up at the sky, seeing only that giant humanoid machine hovering in mid-air, like a giant from mythology. It was a full hundred meters tall, pitch black all over, with only deep blue energy patterns flowing through its joints, and a glaring ball of light flickering on its chest like a trapped Micro Sun. Most chilling of all was its huge red single eye, cold and full of intimidation.

The Yinghua Guo high command gathered quickly in the underground command center of the President's residence, in a state of panic.

"What is this monster? When did Long Country get this kind of technology?"

"Its size... it's simply unbelievable! This defies the principles of engineering!"

"Can our anti-aircraft Missiles shoot it down?"

"All Missile Radars have failed! Cannot lock onto the target!"

The Intelligence Department Head wiped cold sweat from his forehead and reported: "According to preliminary analysis, this may be some kind of advanced Mobile Armor System, but its size and hovering capability far exceed our technical understanding. The Star-Spangled Country advisor says they have never seen or heard of a similar weapon system."

"We must contact the Long Country government immediately!" the President said with a trembling voice, "This is a blatant provocation against our national sovereignty!"

The Minister of Foreign Affairs shook his head: "All communication channels with Long Country have been cut off! We can only respond through public channels!"

Just then, that voice sounded again through all broadcast systems:

"Yinghua Guo government, this is an ultimatum. The Long Country Chiyou system will conduct an energy test at Sakura Mountain. This test is purely for technical needs and is not aimed at Yinghua Guo. But I must warn you: any attempt to interfere with or attack Chiyou will be regarded as a declaration of war against Long Country, and you will bear the consequences."

This calm and intimidating voice plunged the command center into dead silence.

"What on earth do they want to do?" the Defense Minister muttered to himself, "Why choose Sakura Mountain?"

The Intelligence Chief suddenly turned pale: "Sir, Sakura Mountain is a dormant volcano! If their 'test' triggers volcanic activity..."

The President almost collapsed into his chair: "God, they are going to create a natural disaster! This is an act of naked terrorism!"

The Communication Officer suddenly reported: "Urgent news! The Star-Spangled Country Pacific Fleet has received the alert and is sending a fighter squadron to provide support!"

"No! Make them stop!" the President said, almost screaming, "If they attack that... that monster, it might provoke Long Country and trigger an even greater disaster!"

He rushed to the microphone and tremblingly pressed the broadcast button: "Long Country friends, this is the Yinghua Guo President. We fully respect your technical test and will never take any action to interfere. I personally assure you that Yinghua Guo wishes to coexist peacefully with Long Country and will never be an enemy of Long Country! If you have any requests, please tell us, and we will certainly cooperate fully!"

The President responded personally, his voice trembling with fear: "Respected Long Country friends, we have done our best, but... but the time is truly too short, and many residents have not yet been able to evacuate. Please... please give us some more time! If necessary, I can personally call your country's President to apologize, and even... even consider resigning to atone for our sins!"

Li Mingyuan's laughter came through the broadcast, cold and bone-chilling: "Evacuate? When did I ever say I would let you evacuate?"

The command center was dead silent; everyone was too shocked by this sudden turn of events to speak.

"Let me give you a history lesson," Li Mingyuan's voice carried not a hint of emotion, "How many civilians died because your army burned, killed, and looted on the Long Country mainland? Twenty million? Thirty million? Did anyone give them time to evacuate back then?"

The President slumped in his chair, his face pale: "But... but that was in the past... we have already..."