Chapter Seventeen: Hiding the Head, Exposing the Tail

At this moment, Captain Hui Ju Jian was walking down a deserted corridor; the lighting was dim, and her expression was grave. She had personally made a solemn promise to everyone, yet in truth, she was uncertain whether the Victory Team would be able to resolve the matter. The opponent's actions were too bizarre—a whole building had been mysteriously destroyed, leaving them utterly at a loss.

Just as she entered a corner, she stopped abruptly. Before her, a figure formed of blue light swiftly floated past, seemingly glancing at her deliberately before drifting ahead. Captain Hui Ju Jian had no time to think and hurried after it, but when she arrived, the blue figure had vanished without a trace.

"Was it an illusion?" She looked around for a while, then sighed helplessly and headed toward her room. Perhaps she truly needed some rest—the sudden incident had put her under tremendous pressure.

"What use is it for us to come here?" Da Gu looked around; this was the Victory Team's residential area. He had never expected Zhe Ye to bring him here, especially since, according to Zhe Ye, they had come to deal with the incident involving the Kirielodians.

"Shh..." Zhe Ye turned back, an ambiguous smile on his face, raising a finger to his lips to signal silence. The two of them then arrived at Captain Hui Ju Jian's door.

Inside the modest lounge, a small table held a child's photograph; Captain Hui Ju Jian picked it up and smiled at it. This was her child. Whenever she saw this photo, her heart became serene.

A sudden crackling sound of electricity echoed, making Captain Hui Ju Jian turn alertly: "Who is it?"

"Shh... not so loud!" A middle-aged man, dressed in an odd brown outfit, sat in a chair nearby. Hearing her, he raised his hand in response.

"I'm here... to say a few words to you."

Hui Ju Jian stared at him warily; she was certain that when she entered, the room was empty. The man's sudden appearance could only mean one thing.

"You are... a Kirielodian?"

"I am... a prophet..." The man tilted his head slightly, pride and disdain in his gaze. "My task is to deliver messages..."

Captain Hui Ju Jian slowly moved to the right side of the table, her hand reaching for the device beneath it. Through it, the room's scene could be transmitted live to the central computer.

A small blue light shot out, forcing Hui Ju Jian to withdraw her hand sharply; the table's corner exploded.

Hearing the commotion inside, Da Gu panicked and was about to rush in, but Zhe Ye held him back firmly.

"Wait for the right moment," Zhe Ye whispered.

Inside the room, when Hui Ju Jian looked up, that man was watching her with a strange smile.

"Why play tricks with me? As I've said, I am a prophet..." The man withdrew his finger, his face twisted with an uncanny smile.

Hui Ju Jian paused and asked, "Where did the Kirielodians come from? You ought to introduce yourself first, shouldn't you?"

"As expected of the Victory Team's captain, you do have a sense of humor..." The man stood and walked toward her. "First, show your respect for the Kirielodians, starting with me..."

"Why did you target me?" Hui Ju Jian sidestepped him, psychologically unwilling to interact so closely with an alien.

"There's not much time left... If you do not, right now, as Earth's representative, pay your respects to the Kirielodians... Next will be K1..."

Bang! Da Gu kicked open the door, a black gun barrel fired a blue laser, striking the man.

The laser gun did not deal lethal damage, but it wounded him, preventing him from transforming into blue light to escape.

Captain Hui Ju Jian stood behind the man; the sudden shot startled her so much she nearly dodged, but when she saw who had fired, she restrained herself.

"Swift Wind..."

Zhe Ye smiled as he put away his gun, leaning against the wall with a grin. Da Gu shook his head, stepped forward and demanded, "What is your Kirielodian plot!?"

"Filthy Earthlings... the sacred flames will burn everything!"

At that moment, Captain Hui Ju Jian suddenly realized something, hurriedly running toward the command room, calling out as she went, "K1 district! Da Gu, notify security to detain this man!"

"Eh?" Da Gu turned, but Captain Hui Ju Jian's figure had already disappeared, leaving him to call security himself.

"Member Ye Rui! Right now..." The command room door opened, and Captain Hui Ju Jian hurried in, about to speak, but Ye Rui interrupted, "Captain, Swift Wind's proposal has been approved by Director Ze Jing, and we have issued Alert Level Four. Also, New City and Ju Jing have piloted Victory Swallow One toward K1 district!"

Captain Hui Ju Jian sighed, a hint of loneliness on her face. "Swift Wind... you really are as brilliant as ever..."

She paused, then turned to Lina. "Bring up the K1 district footage!"

The screen gradually locked onto K1 district, a residential area. As everyone watched, a certain building suddenly flashed with white light, then instantly turned red, followed by a terrifying explosion. Flames burst from the building, glass shards flew everywhere, thick smoke and debris filled the air, and the fire engulfed the parked cars and pedestrians in the street. Though only one building exploded, the blast and flames spread to four or five surrounding buildings, plunging the entire street corner of K1 district into a scene straight from hell.

"My god..." Ju Jing stared in shock at the immense explosion. "It's so powerful..."

New City piloted Victory Swallow One above the blast area. The building that exploded had been completely destroyed; raging flames swept outward, causing massive devastation.

"Ye Rui, check which direction the attack came from using the surveillance satellites!" Captain Hui Ju Jian, furious, ordered Ye Rui, her eyes fixed on the screen.

"What caused the explosion!?" The door opened, and Director Ji Gang, in gray uniform, entered alongside Chief of Staff Nan Yuan in blue.

Director Ji Gang snapped open his folding fan, his cold gaze sweeping over everyone present. "Have you found out yet?!"

"We're currently investigating the enemy's attack method," Vice Captain Zong Fang replied before Captain Hui Ju Jian could speak.

"You still have time to investigate attack methods?!" Director Ji Gang waved his fan angrily, his sharp gaze fixed on Vice Captain Zong Fang. "If we don’t counterattack now, more victims will appear!"

"But... if we can't determine the enemy's attack method, how can we resolve this crisis?" Not wanting Zong Fang to bear all the blame, Captain Hui Ju Jian retorted. She paused, then said, "We’ve captured a Kirielodian. I believe we’ll have a resolution soon..."

"Soon?!" Director Ji Gang glared at her. "How soon is soon? Do you realize the consequences of this explosion? Hundreds dead! And the number may rise! Who is accountable for this?!"

"I have contacted the Space Development Bureau..." Ye Rui braced himself to speak.

"And did you get an answer?!" Director Ji Gang unleashed his frustration with no mercy for Ye Rui.

"We're almost there..." A voice sounded from behind; Zhe Ye entered, his face calm, looking at Ye Rui. "If you can't find it from space, why not try another approach?"

Zhe Ye walked to the table, picked up a six-sided Rubik’s Cube and rotated it as he spoke. "For example, underground..."

"Underground?!" Ye Rui seemed to understand, operating the computer while quickly dialing the Space Development Bureau. "Space Development Bureau? Please restore the satellite channel immediately—possibly underground!"

Soon, Ye Rui confirmed it, exclaiming in delight, "It is underground!"

Hearing this, Captain Hui Ju Jian smiled in relief, her gaze lingering deeply on Zhe Ye before settling on Director Ji Gang. "Next time! Next time we’ll catch this guy!"

Chief of Staff Nan Yuan asked, "Next time? Where will the next attack occur?"

Captain Hui Ju Jian hesitated, unable to answer. Zhe Ye set down the Rubik's Cube, feeling a trace of boredom; his body and intellect seemed enhanced by the giant's genes, and even the seemingly difficult puzzle was completed with ease.

"Interrogate that Kirielodian. These self-proclaimed saviors hide in the shadows, which only proves that beneath their arrogant facade, they are nothing but cowards."