"The 45th Fleet has news," the soldier's words dropped like a stone into a still lake, instantly sparking a violent reaction among every member of the temporary Operations Command.

The Marshal’s expression visibly jolted; he leaned forward sharply. "Speak."

"We just received an urgent dispatch from the 45th Fleet—they have penetrated deep into the sovereign territory of the Hongxian Federation..." The reporting soldier’s face was flushed scarlet with excitement.

This news shocked everyone, causing a ripple of disorder in the assembly hall. Everyone felt a fierce wave of disbelief: how could the 45th Fleet have entered Hongxian Federation territory within a mere dozen hours? Without a known Jump Point, it was simply impossible.

"And half an hour ago, they launched a surprise attack on the enemy's inhabited world, Mandes Star..." The soldier continued, his voice beginning to tremble. He took a deep breath, struggling to maintain composure.

Every heart in the room tightened. Though they vaguely suspected the outcome, they dared not believe it—not because they couldn't, but because they were afraid to. The hope was too beautiful, too magnificent to bear.

"The 45th Fleet secured the Jump Point near Mandes Star half an hour ago," the soldier managed to finish in one rush, his entire body shaking.

The Marshal slumped back into his chair, his expression momentarily vacant. After a long pause, he finally felt the overwhelming tide of ecstasy wash over his entire being.

Was the war truly over?

He gripped the armrests so tightly that the full-alloy surfaces yielded, leaving an imprint of his hand. A torrent of thoughts flashed through his mind, ultimately coalescing into a single spike of dread.

He forced the thoughts back down. Looking out at the chaotic, clamorous conference room, he barked, "Silence!"

The intense sonic wave caused the cups on the tables to hum in resonance. All conversation ceased. The meeting room returned to stillness.

"Is this information verified?" The Marshal fixed his gaze upon the reporting soldier.

The sheer pressure of his presence instantly drained the color from the soldier’s face. His scalp prickled, and his entire back was slick with sweat. "The Communications Office... verified it repeatedly... It is... the intelligence is confirmed."

Finishing the sentence, he felt nearly depleted. Fortunately, the oppressive aura surrounding him immediately dissipated. Though his legs felt weak, he forced himself to stand straight. Before the highest leadership of the military, he could not afford to falter.

The Marshal’s expression shifted several times, and then, he shot to his feet. "I must speak with Zhong Yun directly."

"Report, Commander-in-Chief, the port is fully secured," the Captain of Ship Three reported to Zhong Yun.

Zhong Yun nodded. "Well done. Now, you, along with the Captains of Ship Four and Ship Five, report here to take over. Monitor this Jump Point with extreme vigilance. I require your main cannons to remain fully charged at all times. If anything emerges from that Jump Point, blast it to smithereens. Do you understand?"

"Understood," the Captain of Ship Three replied, snapping a sharp salute.

"Good." Zhong Yun nodded in satisfaction; the cooperative attitude of the Ship Three Captain was very pleasing.

"Ship One, Ship Two," Zhong Yun connected with the other two warships maintaining the outer perimeter alert.

"Here."

"Here." The two voices answered simultaneously.

"Order all combat personnel to prepare for battle. Target: Mandes Star," Zhong Yun commanded, brimming with confidence.

"Yes." "Yes."

Once Ships Three, Four, and Five arrived to relieve them, the Mars began to power up, followed closely by the two Wushan-class warships, forming a triangle as they advanced toward Mandes Star, one hundred million kilometers away.

Kaelvin, the Planetary Governor of Mandes Star, was jolted awake by an emergency call. Hearing reports of an enemy assault, he experienced a sudden shock that instantly burned away all traces of sleep.

He dressed in the fastest manner possible, ordering his secretary to rouse all officials at the Mayor level or higher while he rushed to the official residence.

"Activate the Emergency Defense Protocol immediately," Kaelvin issued the highest-level command to the Department of National Defense.

As the "Emergency Defense Protocol" engaged, countless departments began to operate frantically.

All military forces entered a state of readiness; all personnel, regardless of rank, had their leave revoked. They began to mobilize, moving into the major cities to establish defensive positions.

Spaceports were sealed, and all starships docked there were requisitioned.

Residents of the large cities were evacuated and moved into bomb shelters prepared for war. Un-evacuated residents were forbidden from leaving their homes, subject to strict material rationing; all food required by the populace was to be centrally allocated by the government.

Mandes Star officially entered Level One Alert status.

All the people of Mandes Star discovered that, overnight, the ruthless reality of war had descended upon them. Their once tranquil and carefree lives were utterly gone.

A profound sense of pessimism settled over their hearts. Some furiously cursed the incompetence of the government and military for driving them into such a tragic situation. Others clung fiercely to the belief that the government would not abandon them and would soon dispatch forces to rescue them.

The once bustling Mandes Star had become a planet of sorrow.

Just as they were about to enter Mandes Star’s orbit, Zhong Yun received a communication request from the temporary Operations Command.

"Major General Zhong Yun, report your coordinates," the Marshal's voice was grave.

"Coordinates..., Excellency," Zhong Yun instinctively rendered a crisp salute. Although the Marshal could not see him, the complex models capable of real-time video communication had been temporarily shelved to prioritize the mass production of "Spatial Remote Sensors." Thus, video conferencing was unavailable.

Through the "Spatial Remote Sensor," Zhong Yun could hear the Marshal's violently beating heart.

"I am alone here," the Marshal’s voice softened. "I am not Marshal Davo now; I am Yunqi's uncle."

"Uncle," Liu Yunqi walked to Zhong Yun's side and called out softly.

"Yunqi, it's good that you are safe." Hearing Liu Yunqi’s voice, the Marshal sounded immensely relieved. "Your father is very worried about you."

"I apologize for causing you concern," Liu Yunqi said apologetically.

"Yunqi, this matter is of utmost importance. Uncle needs to confirm this once more. Have you truly seized the Jump Point on Mandes Star in the Hongxian Federation?" The Marshal’s tone was exceptionally serious.

"Yes," Liu Yunqi replied solemnly.

A long, slow exhale came from the other end. "I understand."

"Major General Zhong Yun," his tone immediately regained its authoritative edge.

"Sir," Zhong Yun saluted again.

"Regardless of the cost, you must hold that Jump Point." His command was absolute.

"Understood, Marshal Excellency," Zhong Yun responded.

"From this moment forward, report the latest situation to me every half hour."

"Yes."

Terminating the communication, the Marshal closed his eyes. "Connect me to the Presidential Office immediately."

The concept of 'attacking the enemy's alliances' held a similar wisdom in Davo. The 45th Fleet securing an enemy inhabited world provided sufficient leverage to force the Hongxian Federation to yield and take a seat at the negotiation table.

Even if they could not force a withdrawal and reparations, they could buy a moment of respite. What Davo needed most now was time. Time to allow their warships and personnel to reach combat readiness so they could be deployed to the front lines to stabilize the defense line, which was close to collapse.

The entire leadership of Davo swiftly reached a consensus, forming a negotiation team and issuing an immediate ultimatum to the Hongxian Federation: cease all hostilities within one hour, or face the consequences.

The leadership of the Hongxian Federation, who had already been informed of the fall of Mandes Star, panicked upon receiving this warning. The entire cabinet descended into near chaos. Some argued for fighting to the end—having come this far, how could they stop now? The Davo Republic was effectively powerless to retaliate; yielding now would only allow the enemy to regroup.

However, the majority advocated for a ceasefire. Whether they could conquer the Davo Republic was secondary; they had already surrendered a planet, a vital industrial base, and, most critically, twelve hundred million Federation citizens. The public’s condemnation alone would drown them.

Ultimately, the proponents of peace outnumbered and suppressed the war faction. They quickly drafted a procedure for negotiation and ordered the Supreme Command to issue a ceasefire order to the expeditionary forces on the front lines, preparing to negotiate with the Davo Republic.

The dawn of peace appeared for the first time over the people of Davo, ravaged by bombardment and fire.

When the media revealed that the Hongxian Federation had agreed to a ceasefire for negotiations, all the citizens of Davo erupted in cheers. The dark clouds overhead seemed to dissipate instantly.

The entire nation was immersed in a sea of joy. Those who had lost loved ones in the war prayed to the heavens that these negotiations would proceed smoothly and bring about the complete end of the conflict. Those with family still on the front lines fervently wished for the war to conclude quickly so their relatives could return safely to their sides.

The 45th Fleet, having accomplished this feat of monumental merit, moved every citizen of Davo to tears of gratitude, becoming the saviors in their collective hearts. Zhong Yun, the seventeen-year-old Major General, drew the most intense scrutiny.

In an instant, Zhong Yun’s fame skyrocketed, rivaling that of the nation-saving hero, Marshal Yang Tianlie, from years past.

Zhong Pingjiang and his wife, who were closely monitoring the news, saw the reports and felt a complex swirl of emotions. On one hand, they felt infinite pride in their son's achievements; on the other, they longed for him to return from the battlefield soon, safe and sound, before their eyes.

Yunrong leaned into her husband's embrace, her voice soft. "Tell me, our Xiao Yun will be alright."

Zhong Pingjiang held her tightly. "Don't worry. He will be fine," his words brimming with conviction.

Just as the temporary Operations Command in Davo waited anxiously for the enemy's ceasefire confirmation, a message arrived that hurled them from paradise into hell.

A communications officer stumbled frantically into the room. "The final defensive line has fallen."

P: One more chapter remains; I will have it finished before midnight.