One month prior, in Earth's Su City.
Su City had already established itself as the nominal center of Earth. The daily throngs of people and the constant traffic of vehicles made it feel as if time had rewound to an earlier era.
After Su Chen and others departed from Earth, the city swiftly began reverting to its previous state. Base City still stood, but most of its residents were of the older generation. A majority of the youth preferred to venture out, seeking fortunes and challenges.
The world was in a phase of massive reconstruction. Opportunities were abundant everywhere; if one had the capability, even becoming the City Lord of a newly established city was within reach. It was indeed an era brimming with hope!
Unbeknownst to many, the Red Alert Base continued to vigilantly guard the world in the shadows. Whenever they detected Mutant Beasts or Mutants causing disturbances, they would promptly intervene to nip the problem in the bud. And when humans committed transgressions, the Enforcement Division of the Red Alert Empire would act without mercy, ensuring no criminals went unpunished.
Crime rates on Earth plummeted to an all-time low. With nearly everyone having achieved Transcendent status, their physical constitutions were enhanced, lifespans increased. The struggle for mere survival was a thing of the past, and smiles adorned every face.
"City Lord, there's an important speech scheduled shortly. You have five minutes left," informed a secretary standing nearby.
A middle-aged man of average build, with a stern countenance, responded with a slight nod, "How is Su City's development progressing?"
"After several months of growth, Su City is now the world's largest in terms of scale. Numerous companies have sprung up, and in terms of necessities like clothing, food, housing, and transportation, it rivals pre-Apocalypse top-tier cities, lacking by less than 0%. Furthermore..."
The office door was rapped. The secretary moved to answer.
"Madam Eastern Emperor, have you come to see the City Lord? I must ask, do you have an appointment?" The secretary's face bore an apologetic expression, but she posed the question firmly.
Not just anyone could meet the City Lord of Su City. Apart from a few exceptions like the Lord of Kings and the Emperor, others needed an appointment.
Standing before her was the amiable-looking middle-aged wife of the Eastern Emperor. When Su Chen departed, he took most of the Emperors with him, leaving the Western Emperor in charge of the majority of the Empire's affairs. The Eastern Emperor, however, did not bring his wife, allowing her to rest and recuperate on Earth, especially after she had been in a prolonged coma before awakening.
With the title of the Eastern Emperor's wife, she commanded immense respect in the Red Alert Empire, rivaled only by the current Emperor.
Madam Eastern Emperor smiled gently, "I didn't make an appointment, but I believe the City Lord might have a few moments for me. I just need a brief chat."
The secretary hesitated, but the voice of the City Lord intervened, "Please let Madam Eastern Emperor in, and you may leave us for a while."
With the City Lord's directive, the secretary had no choice but to comply. She ushered the Madam Eastern Emperor in, then exited, gently closing the office door behind her.
Upon settling down on the couch, the first thing Madam Eastern Emperor asked was, "We're alone, right?"
Understanding the gravity behind her words, the City Lord replied nonchalantly, "With my power, not even the Western Emperor would detect anything. Please, speak freely."
"That's good to hear."
As soon as the words were spoken, the once gentle and amiable Lady Eastern Emperor's expression gradually contorted, becoming sinister. Her body trembled, and her quivering hands moved in front of her eyes, "My son is dead! He didn't die at the hands of the Mutant Beasts, nor the Mutants. He died by my husband's hand! Why would he do this? How could he dare? He's lost his mind! He's no longer human, daring to kill his own son!"
The entire office was filled with the despairing and manic cries of Lady Eastern Emperor. The City Lord, having seemingly witnessed such outbursts before, remained expressionless.
The secretary just outside the door didn't hear a sound from within.
After a while, Lady Eastern Emperor slowly regained her composure, her gaze fixed on the City Lord. "When does the plan begin?"
Lady Eastern Emperor slammed her palm on the tea table in front of her, fury burning in her eyes. "You once told me that as long as I helped you become the City Lord of Su City, you would initiate that plan. Every time I ask, you give the same answer. Are you reconsidering? Remember, I was the one who put you in this position, and I can just as easily take you down!"
Unfazed, the City Lord responded, "Lady Eastern Emperor, patience. As they say, 'haste makes waste'. You should know some of my secrets. I chose you because we are cut from the same cloth. Like you, I harbor no love for Earth's inhabitants. You wish to eliminate all of them, to make your husband suffer. I'll help you with that."
The City Lord waved her off, interrupting, "There's a power we can't ignore if we act now."
"The Red Alert Base?" Lady Eastern Emperor instantly thought of this.
The reason the Red Alert Empire exists is due to the Red Alert Base, a force that once shifted the balance of Earth. Without the Red Alert Base, the present wouldn't be as it is.
Everyone knows that the Red Alert Base brought them prosperity.
"Out of curiosity, using the permissions I have, I secretly obtained some data on the Red Alert Base and found something quite interesting," City Lord chuckled. "Want to guess what I discovered?"
Lady Eastern Emperor looked icy, showing no interest in guessing.
"How boring. Let me tell you. The first appearance of the Red Alert Base was near the Level 3 Base City, Wangchang City. I've secretly visited, and from a distance, I spotted a base."
"The Red Alert Base has establishments worldwide. Is one base peculiar?" Lady Eastern Emperor scoffed.
"No, even bases have distinctions. I've seen others, but that particular base... It felt dangerous."
Lady Eastern Emperor's expression changed, "You belong to the ancient civilizations of Earth. What about the Red Alert Base could possibly be a threat to you?"
From this, it was evident that Lady Eastern Emperor knew the identity of the City Lord in front of her. This City Lord was the sole survivor of the Qiluo Civilization, who had stowed away to Earth from Yan Yun Star aboard the Lisa Warship.
"You surely remember the decree issued by the Red Alert Empire's minister, Western Emperor, some time ago?"
"Of course. That was about a fugitive. What does that have to do with you?"
"Everything. If I'm not mistaken, the fugitive they refer to is me." (To be continued...)
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