The withdrawal of the American Seventh Fleet into the Western Pacific Ocean seemed to indicate a change in their policy towards China.

“A fire broke out aboard a secondhand destroyer s.h.i.+p owned by the Philippines after a severe malfunction had occurred mid-cruise. This was presumably due to poor maintenance…”

This was how the Chinese media had reported the incident above the waves of the South China Sea. In fact, most news outlets in the world had reported the same thing. No one reported the truth.

The truth was often hidden behind closed doors and America had doors of iron. If the American government had wished to keep it away from the media, all they needed to do was to pressure the Philippines. The latter wouldn’t dare to go against them for they did not possess that courage and strength.

The chaos that happened in the southern waters was calmly settled by China, America and the Philippines. However, the solution was evidently temporary. It wasn’t difficult for China’s strategists to a.n.a.lyze America’s next step. It was almost certain that the country would be dispatching more intelligence officers to infiltrate the Thunder Horse Organization. There was an urgent need for the Americans to grasp the production status of Thunder Horse’s Phantom drones and Jing Ke drones along with the reserve capacity of the modified Eagle Claw-12 anti-s.h.i.+p missiles.

Thankfully, Xia Lei no longer needed to deal with it personally. The first thing he did as soon as he returned to the Thunder Horse Jingdu Headquarters was to throw himself head-first into the drone workshop. The data obtained from real battle engagements of the Phantom and Jin Ke drone had shown that while its potential was there, it needed to be refined.

Jing Ke and Phantom’s outstanding performances in battle had successfully attracted attention from the higher-ups. Without needing a word from Xia Lei, new raw materials and other resources needed for Alloy X production were already sent to the Thunder Horse’s warehouse in batches. Despite requiring one billion RMB for one Phantom drone unit, the Chinese government did not hesitate to place a two hundred unit order that filled up all production capacity for five whole years.

Xia Lei gladly signed five years worth of orders. Solemnly aware of his fleeting life, Xia Lei was confident that the Thunder Horse Organization would make good use of the Alloy X and drone technology he left behind to fulfil the production demand.

While Xia Lei fine tuned the drones, Thunder Horse Organization went into full action. Every production line was used to birth more Alloy Xs, Phantom and Jing Ke drones.

But of course, there was no way America would draw a line here. Before they could come up with any plan, letting the Chinese Air Force obtain the Phantom and Jing Ke drones would’ve been a bad move. These were the very two things that threatened America’s war strategy!

One week later, Xia Lei was done with tweaking the Jing Ke and Phantom drones. As long as the company adheres to his instructions on the production line, the drone units would be near perfect.

He had planned ahead, making sure to not waste a single bit of his remaining two years. In that time span, he’d launch research projects to incorporate the Alloy X into a new fighter plane model and a bomber plane. That way, the Thunder Horse Organization would develop an ident.i.ty akin to Lockheed Martin. They’d hold reign over the world’s firearms as the very best.

Meanwhile, he set a goal to solve the mysteries of the ancient alloy box. If that wasn’t doable, he’d enter the ancient alloy box’s realm himself before the inevitable deadline. Before that, he would need to consume the last capsule. Within that same period, he’d also need to make future arrangements for people around him, especially his wives and children. He wanted to make sure that they would live, safe and comfortable for the rest of their lives. This was what he needed to accomplish in private.

There was so much to do in just two years, time was precious to him.

Just as his task for the Jing Ke and Phantom drone was done and dusted, Sa’im and Qian Jun had made it back from Israel with new information.

In a secret chamber within the Holy Thunder Church.

“Boss, the Americans had deployed the Seventh Fleet to move the six faceless warrior statues back,” reported Sa’im.

“The Seventh Fleet?” Xia Lei was surprised. But again, some careful thought showed that it shouldn’t have occurred as a shock. He had chased away the fleet and they went to Israel to bring home the statues. It was a completely reasonable course of action.

Qian Jun commented, “We weren’t expecting the scene to be so large-scale. If not, Sa’im and I would’ve already s.n.a.t.c.hed the statues.”

Using the Seventh Fleet certainly diminished any chances for an extraction.

Xia Lei slipped into deep thought. There was a pause before he spoke up again, “It’s just a few stone statues. Why are the Americans putting in so much effort to bring it home?”

Qian Jun shrugged. “I have no idea either. I tortured the Mossad agent to death and he still refused to tell me anything.”

If the agent did not know anything in the first place, what information did he have to offer?

“Boss, this is too weird.” Sa’im knitted his brows. “If the six statues have no value, there’s no way America would use its Seventh Fleet to carry them home. They must know of something we don’t.”

Xia Lei remained silent. He too shared the thought but there was literally nothing to support it. They did not even have the slightest bit of direction for an a.s.sumption.

“Boss, I would like to pay America a visit,” said Sa’im.

That snapped Xia Lei out of his trance. “You wish to pursue this further?”

Sa’im nodded. “Boss, I know it’s dangerous but I understand how important this is to you. You need more information and this is my forte. If I don’t go, who will?”

“I’ll come with you.” Qian Jun offered.

“You want to go too?” Xia Lei looked at Qian Jun.

Qian Jun replied, “There were a few Americans that made my life h.e.l.l back then. While time may have pa.s.sed, I still wish to even the debt.”

“You both should be clear. Since the Americans had deployed the Seventh Fleet to s.h.i.+p the statues back, its value to the country requires no further explanation. What you’re planning to execute is risky. Are you sure you wish to proceed?” asked Xia Lei.

Without the faintest hesitation, Sa’im and Qian Jun nodded in unison.

“Boss, we have already discussed it on our way back. There’s no need to convince us, just let me and Qian Jun do the job for you,” a.s.sured Sa’im.

“Very well then. Since you’ve both made your decision, I will not talk you out of it.” Xia Lei continued, “However, there’s another favour I’d like to ask of you.”

“Boss, you want us to help you locate that woman?” Sa’im raised a brow.

Xia Lei answered, “Yes. Once you arrive in America, try your best to collect as much information on her as possible. I suggest searching for clues in the morgue or police station, pay extra attention to unsolvable death cases like the shrinking of the brain.”

“Jeez, that’s eerie as f.u.c.k. But okay, I got it. I’ll start there.” Sa’im nodded away.

Qian Jun supplied, “Boss, we’re prepared to move as soon as tomorrow night.”

Xia Lei hummed. “Sure, that’s not an issue. I’ll make the relevant arrangements. I’ll hand you two million USD as an operation fund. Spend it however you want and if you’re out, you may ask for more. All balance is yours to keep.”

Qian Jun couldn’t believe his own ears. “Boss, isn’t that too much? How are we supposed to spend that much money?”

Sa’im only laughed in response. “Qian Jun, that’s our boss’s style. He’s very different from his father. Just accept what he gives. People like you and I have no retirement pension. Saving up for life after retirement is best.”

“You mean to save up for more women, right?” Xia Lei teased.

Sa’im could only muster out a sheepish lopsided smile.

“Then… Thank you very much.” It was obvious that Qian Jun had yet to get used to the way the Chinese Zodiac Battle Team’s new leader functioned. Despite that, the man was still filled with grat.i.tude.

Knock knock knock.

Someone was requesting entry.

Sa’im and Qian Jun immediately snapped their heads to glare at the door.

Contrastingly, Xia Lei paced over leisurely to the door. “Don’t worry, it’s just Giovanna and her sisters.”

Both in charge of intelligence, Saim and Qian Jun were easily anxious. It was natural for them to display such behaviour in an unfamiliar environment. After all, this church was only built recently.

The door opened to reveal four women in traditional Italian dresses. They were the owners of this church. The Grey and Russo sisters. The fact that they named the church after Xia Lei was a tell-tale indication of how important Xia Lei was to them.

“Good evening, brothers.” The four female knights offered them a polite smile. “Good evening, boss.”

Four women, two of the same faces, was confusing for Sa’im’s senses. It seemed as if he had taken a second glance at somewhere inappropriate, which immediately caused the knights to roll their eyes. He quickly averted his gaze.

Qian Jun was not the least bit interested in them. He returned them a courteous nod. “Boss, I’ll retire for tonight. Please continue without me.”

“I’ll be taking my leave too,” said Sa’im as he tailed behind Qian Jun to leave the chamber.

All that was left in the secret chamber was Xia Lei and four female knights, the situation felt increasingly inappropriate as time pa.s.sed.

“Uh, I think I should go to bed now. But I must say this place is not bad at all,” commented Xia Lei.

Giovanna was fast to seize his wrist.

Xia Lei was taken aback.

She spoke, “Boss, we have something important to tell you.”

Theresa gestured to a chair. “You should take a seat.”

Inexplicably, Xia Lei was reminded of Tsukino Kyoko. On that fateful night one week ago when they were on their way back, Tsukino Kyoko too started off their rendezvous in this manner. What followed afterwards was a wrecked cabin bed. It was deja vu. Could the Grey and Russo sisters be up to no good?

Before Xia Lei could say anything, Rosa and Stella extended an arm and pressed him onto the chair.

This was a church for crying out loud.

Xia Lei’s heart screamed.

Instead, Giovanna pulled out a black envelope from her opened collar and pa.s.sed it into Xia Lei’s palm.

Xia Lei held the envelope, body abruptly seized by a flood of anxiety. “This…?”

Giovanna elaborated, “We found this on the palms of a Jesus sculpture. It’s really weird. See for yourself.”

Who would’ve used black envelopes to relay messages?

Xia Lei flipped the flap open and brought out the note.

The note was black as well. On it was a mere number.

700

There was no recipient information nor was there anything that could indicate its sender. The only thing visible was the ambiguous number.

Suddenly, it hit him. This was from the black-robed man! The man had paid this place a visit and left the letter here! This was a firm reminder that Xia Lei was now left with only seven hundred days to live. That was less than two years!