[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wuxia-shocking-the-empress-at-the-start":3,"chapter-wuxia-shocking-the-empress-at-the-start-wuxia-shocking-the-empress-at-the-start-chapter-1338":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Wuxia: Starting by Shocking the Empress",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1938802,2671,"Chapter 1338","wuxia-shocking-the-empress-at-the-start-chapter-1338",1338,"\u003Cp>\"Haha, Old Chief, I came here specifically to pay you a visit today,\" Holman laughed heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Chief, please,\" Li Yunze also said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three of them walked into the hotel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The decoration style of this hotel was extremely luxurious; as soon as one entered the door, one could see huge floor-to-ceiling windows, and in front of the windows was a banquet table, with a swimming pool nearby, and the air was extremely fresh, as if one were in heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of beautiful female servers carrying red wine, steak, roast duck, and various foods filed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every dish had a great visual impact, making one’s mouth water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yugan looked at the mountain of delicacies on the table, shook his head, and smiled: \"Old Huo, can you still eat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course I can eat,\" Holman smiled: \"Having stayed in Africa for so long, I have already gotten used to coarse tea and plain rice. Although this meal is quite sumptuous, during that time in Africa, I also ate wild vegetables, tree bark, and grass roots.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whether it is wild vegetables, tree bark, or grass roots, they are all guarantees for human survival,\" Zhang Yugan nodded deeply: \"We Chinese must learn to be frugal no matter when.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he pointed to the pile of delicacies on the table: \"I don’t know if you lived well in Africa, but I estimate these things would cost a year or a half of your salary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was indeed the truth, so when Zhang Yugan said this, the mid-level military officers in the army all had a feeling of not knowing whether to laugh or cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, upon hearing this, Holman laughed, then coughed twice to cover it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest heaved, and his breathing was a bit rapid, as if he were trying his best to control himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ximen Wudi watched Zhang Yugan and Holman chatting happily, and couldn’t help but feel a bit envious; at the same time, this also made his impression of Zhang Yugan change a lot more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Chief, how is your health lately?\" Holman asked, his face always wearing a bright smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s alright,\" Zhang Yugan said: \"Work these days has been quite busy, and I’m sleep-deprived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That won’t do,\" Holman said, turning his head to speak in English to Li Yunze on the side: \"Take a box of the medicine I brought and give it to the Old Chief; this is for treating insomnia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing, he said to Zhang Yugan: \"Old Chief, I think I can reduce a lot of your burden by doing this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sentence was filled with a considerate flavor, making one feel warm in their heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yunze quickly agreed: \"I will send someone to get it immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing, he added: \"Professor Holman, you are truly too thoughtful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he said this, a look of mockery appeared at the corner of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Li Yunze was clearly ill-intentioned, deliberately speaking this way; anyone with a discerning eye could understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Holman heard this, he was not angry at all, still smiling; he patted Li Yunze on the shoulder: \"What would you two like to drink? I will have someone prepare it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A look of sinister intent flashed deep in Li Yunze’s eyes, and he said: \"Open a bottle of Wuliangye for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holman said directly: \"This is China; according to Chinese rules, guests drink white liquor, while the host drinks red wine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yunze frowned, then said: \"How about this, just open a bottle of Moutai; it’s not appropriate for the Old Chief to drink red wine, as it’s easy to get drunk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holman’s gaze swept over him and didn’t say anything more, instead turning to another Russian man wearing black clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man was wearing sunglasses, and his specific expression couldn’t be seen clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Apollo, I will toast you on behalf of the Old Chief,\" this guy said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he opened his mouth, he exposed his true identity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t drink,\" Ximen Wudi said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not take off his glasses, but still stared at the delicacies on the dining table, his gaze burning, like a ball of burning fire, as if he wanted to melt the tabletop through this method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My name is Kanalis, my father is...\" this Russian girl looked at Ximen Wudi and said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After she said this, Zhang Yugan immediately understood; it turned out that this young man in front of him was actually the son of the Russian Army Colonel Karagunis, Kanalis!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Russian girl had once participated in the national youth military exercise in Nanjiang City, China, and Ximen Wudi had had a brief intersection with her, but that was all; neither of them left any contact information, and they had only seen each other on TV a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, he could meet an old acquaintance on this foreign land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, I remember now; I was present when you participated in that competition, but... you didn’t perform very well that time,\" Ximen Wudi said indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This remark could be described as hitting the nail on the head. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanalis was not angered by this: \"Yes, your marksmanship was better than mine back then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for the compliment.\" After Ximen Wudi finished speaking, he continued to pick up food, seemingly not noticing at all how much of a shocking effect his words had caused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Zhang Yugan's expression became interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instinctively thought that this Kanalis must have some interest in Ximen Wudi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, in Zhang Yugan's view, Kanalis's beauty and figure were definitely at a top-tier level, and she was tall with long, straight legs, simply a devilish beauty. One couldn't find a second such stunner in all of Africa; which man wouldn't like her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have things to do, excuse me.\" Kanalis did not continue chatting with Ximen Wudi but got up and left. This time, Zhang Yugan did not stop her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Kanalis's slender back disappear outside the private room door, Zhang Yugan said: \"Ximen Wudi, what did you just say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, Chief, I was just telling this Russian brother that our Chinese beer doesn't taste good, and also, his vital capacity is too poor,\" Ximen Wudi shrugged and laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Ximen Wudi's reaction, Zhang Yugan couldn't help but laugh dumbly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old leader, if I'm not mistaken, you came here this time to seek support, right?\" Holman said with a smile, looking kind and approachable, a completely different person from the one who made life-and-death decisions in a fighter jet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You guessed it pretty accurately.\" Zhang Yugan smiled: \"My state of mind is very relaxed right now; otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to come here alone from the capital.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thick sense of gravity appeared on Holman's expression: \"Actually, I am the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's going on?\" Seeing Holman suddenly become serious, Zhang Yugan restrained his smile a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holman looked toward the window: \"The enemy's hand has reached into China, and I don't want China to fall into the quagmire of civil strife.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sentence made all the military and political department members present tense up!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Civil strife in China?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where is the enemy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holman continued: \"I have already received definite news that there are enemies lurking within China, but I don't know who they are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holman's speaking speed was not fast, and every word was spoken very cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world, there were many people he was unwilling to mention or face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it not safe here for you?\" Zhang Yugan asked after a moment of silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or rather...\" Holman paused: \"This will be the core area of the storm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sentence made the atmosphere in the room suddenly become incomparably oppressive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the core area of China; if the enemy lurks in, they must be holding a goal of extreme destruction!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ximen Wudi raised his head, looked at Holman, and asked in a calm voice: \"Is there any way to ensure the safety of the country?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hard to say, the enemy will definitely have a backup plan.\" Holman shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ximen Wudi narrowed his eyes: \"I need a private plane to the capital.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later, the Rolls-Royce Phantom that Ximen Wudi was riding in drove toward the airport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You two, you've worked hard all the way. I'll treat you to dinner tonight,\" Ximen Wudi said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Zhang Yugan and Holman were both there, Ximen Wudi did not wear the Major General's uniform hanging on his military attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\" Holman said happily: \"I've long wanted to taste the craftsmanship of your Chinese chefs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His degree of preference for Chinese food was probably far beyond Ximen Wudi's expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a strong preference for Chinese food.\" Holman chuckled: \"However, this mission is relatively arduous, so I still have to feed myself first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the table full of delicacies, this guy felt his belly rumbling and couldn't help but swallow his saliva.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Set your heart at ease; this time, both you and Li Daibing will be rewarded for your merits,\" Zhang Yugan said with a smile: \"Our Chinese soldiers are all excellent; don't worry about having your rice bowl snatched away by others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ximen Wudi smiled and said to Holman: \"You might not know yet, but the situation in China recently is not too optimistic either; some ambitious people in the Western dark world are also restless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holman nodded and didn't say much more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yugan looked at Ximen Wudi and asked: \"Are you short of people by your side?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mm, him saying this was equivalent to directly announcing—I can send troops to help you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Ximen Wudi laughed: \"That would be great. I am in urgent need of expanding my team, but I am afraid that my own authority is not enough. What if I mess things up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>",1643,"2026-06-15T03:02:23.300Z","2026-06-18T03:52:24.377Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","8c8aa0365743e9e23cc556f74520bed1839744e506a31ef92b7b8e82bc06d6ca","wuxia-shocking-the-empress-at-the-start-chapter-1339","wuxia-shocking-the-empress-at-the-start-chapter-1337",1409,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwuxia-shocking-the-empress-at-the-start-cover.jpg"]