In a locale somewhere in Hawaii, the emergency alarms shrieked with manic intensity. Dozens of warships hovering in the sky simultaneously retracted the deck coverings before their cannons, hundreds of pitch-black muzzles instantly targeting Gu Xichen and the assembled disciples of the Asian Dao Alliance below. Two massive formations of soldiers surged forth from all directions amidst the piercing sirens, rapidly encircling the entire landing zone. Nearly a hundred fighter jets scrambled urgently from the nearby airbase, screaming overhead. The heavy missiles slung beneath their wings glinted sharply in the sunlight.

The Hawaiian base held a critically important position within the Earth Federation’s defense network, garrisoned by over 150,000 permanent troops—precisely the size of a reinforced Federation Heavy Mechanized Army Group. Beyond mobile forces, the base housed three immensely powerful anti-air emplacements capable of controlling the entire East Pacific region, their largest main cannon barrels boasting a shocking caliber of twelve thousand millimeters. The array of combat vehicles, aircraft, and ordnance deployed at the base was more than three times that found in a standard Federation military district!

In such a crucial military installation, no one had dared to commit murder openly since its construction. Gu Xichen was the first rogue figure in history to kill someone in the open, on the landing field of the Hawaiian Base, in full view of countless eyes—and the victims were not ordinary people, but investigators from the Special Management Committee, individuals possessing immense privilege within the Federation.

Amidst the chaos of the alarms, the Hawaiian Base was virtually mobilized to full alert. The landing zone where Gu Xichen stood was ringed by heavy forces in less than a minute.

Aredia had just regained consciousness. Siren, supporting the weakened Aredia, descended the dark steps and positioned herself beside Gu Xichen. He stated with striking ease, "It’s nothing. Just killing a couple of lackeys. Our legal immunity is quite effective."

Gu Xichen stood firmly in place, hands clasped behind his back. Xian let out a soft sigh, "I’m just curious who is so impatient to move against me!"

His sharp gaze swept over the large man whose right arm he had just shattered. Gu Xichen sensed that the power within this man was familiar, similar to the strength possessed by those Paladin Knights of the Church.

“The Church, perhaps? Is André’s resentment that profound?” Thinking about the nearly half a month of travel time required to return to Earth from Heaven Star, Gu Xichen began to grasp some understanding.

Large groups of gold-armored soldiers advanced timidly onto the landing field. They approached Gu Xichen cautiously, completely surrounding the trio of him, Siren, and Aredia.

A shadow flickered nearby, carrying wisps of chilling, malevolent energy. Peng Hua, chewing gum loudly and clad in his signature great black cloak, burst into the crowd. He casually stood by Gu Xichen with his hands crossed over his chest, sneering dismissively, "What’s going on? What’s going on? Just got back to Earth, expecting cheering beauties, excited reporters, and a passionate crowd, and instead, a bunch of thankless lackeys pop up? What is it? What is it? Looking to die?"

James William scrambled up from the ground, glaring venomously at Gu Xichen.

Gu Xichen smiled faintly, entirely unconcerned by the fierce resentment blazing in James William's eyes.

A Federation Major General pushed through the crowd and stepped forward, barking authoritatively, "What is the meaning of this? Why—who did this?" The General’s face instantly shifted upon seeing the two frozen corpses on the ground. He roared in anger, "Who is killing people here? What do you take Federation law for?"

Gu Xichen advanced a step, his tone even, and stated calmly, "Federation law stipulates that a citizen has the right to self-defense when their personal rights are violently threatened. I merely overstepped in self-defense, accidentally killing two people. Under Federation law, I only need to provide a sum of compensation to the families of these two individuals based on social morality and welfare considerations. If I choose not to pay this compensation, then I assume no legal responsibility, though I might suffer a slight pang of conscience."

Under the furious gazes of the Major General and James William, Gu Xichen produced two egg-sized diamonds from his Qiankun Pouch and gently placed them atop the two bodies.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Xichen sighed with genuine emotion and apology, "These two diamonds are of the same quality as the famous 'Splendor of Honolulu' from three years ago—they are flawless treasures. Their market value is easily above five hundred million Federation Credits. I believe this adequately compensates for my oversight."

James William froze for a moment, then suddenly jumped up, shrieking, "Excessive self-defense? Killing in self-defense? No, this is murder! You—you maliciously murdered federal officials while they were executing their duties!"

The Major General eyed Gu Xichen with intense suspicion, his voice a low command, "Sir, I await your explanation. But regardless of what that explanation may be, I will escort you to the nearest Federal Court for review. If you hold the status of a Federation soldier, the Military Tribunal of the Hawaiian Base would be more than happy to render a fair judgment on your actions today."

Gu Xichen spread his hands, forcing a wry smile. "I believe I have numerous witnesses who can testify that it was Mr. James William’s subordinates who initiated the attack on me using regulated Federation special ordnance. I believe—"

Peng Hua impatiently shoved Gu Xichen aside with an open palm and strode before the Major General. In full view of everyone, he pulled out his communicator and dialed a number.

After three seconds, the call connected. No sound came from the other end. Peng Hua hastily recounted the events that had just transpired.

Immediately, a small light screen illuminated from Peng Hua’s communicator, displaying a stout man wearing the uniform of a Federation General, his head smooth and egg-like, yet adorned with a full red beard. The General roared impatiently, "What the hell is this nonsense! Huh? You need me to deal with such a minor issue? Huh, Commander Dolly of the Hawaiian Base, is it? Tell your men to stand down. This matter does not require your involvement. As for that James William fellow, if you keep nagging, I swear you’ll evaporate in thirty minutes!"

His severe gaze swept across all the surrounding soldiers, who shrank back fearfully. The Red-Bearded General bellowed, "What are you still standing around for? Get back to your posts and do your jobs! The Federation spends vast sums of real money every year to maintain you lot of good-for-nothings, not to meddle in affairs that don't concern you! If you’re unhappy with your current comfortable lives, tomorrow I’ll transfer everyone on this base to Heaven Star as a suicide squad!"

Major General Dolly’s face was ashen as he snapped to attention and saluted the Red-Bearded General on the screen. At Dolly’s command, the alert at the Hawaiian Base instantly ceased. The previously tense officers and soldiers returned to their designated stations.

James William opened his mouth, his face turning the color of dead ash.

Gu Xichen smiled and beckoned toward James William, feeling a rush of emotion: this was the power of authority! Gu Xichen was quite familiar with this Red-Bearded General, though he was unaware that this General was also a member of the Asian Dao Alliance. This General, notorious in the Federation Military Department for his ferocity, crudeness, and bloodlust, was named He Ju. He commanded supreme authority over the entire Pan-Pacific region of the Federation, ranking within the top twenty in the military hierarchy. The Hawaiian Base fell directly under his jurisdiction.

He Ju glared fiercely at James William on the screen and sneered, "Special Management Committee? Which department are you from? What is your rank? Do you possess an arrest warrant from the SMC to detain Gu Xichen? Huh? Do you? Who is your direct superior? I want to have a little chat with him—tell him to wash his backside clean; I have three large grenades waiting for him here!"

Thump. James William’s face went chalk-white, and he promptly fainted onto the ground.

The person who ordered him to arrest and harass Gu Xichen certainly hadn't informed him that the Asian Dao Alliance would support Gu Xichen so completely! General He Ju personally intervening over a matter concerning Gu Xichen—this was the so-called 'newly promoted minor World Master' who supposedly had "no background, no connections."

On the Hawaiian Island, in a seaside bath at a Lan Hua Hotel, a blond young man soaked contentedly in the warm water. Before him, a light screen displayed a live feed of everything happening at the Hawaiian Base. Seeing James William collapse in terror from He Ju’s tirade, the blond youth shook his head, picked up a wine glass from a floating wooden tray, and took a sip of red wine.

"That guy André, how did he provide his intelligence? Good thing I sent a scapegoat to test the waters first. Otherwise… if I had directly provoked that lunatic, He Ju…"

The blond youth shivered suddenly and murmured to himself, "Fifty years ago, when this guy was just a Colonel, he dared to order artillery bombardment on St. Mark’s Cathedral in London. Now he’s a General… But, André is still my own brother; this slight must be answered for."

He tossed the wine glass into the bath, and a patch of crimson spread across the water, resembling a writhing mass of fresh blood.

The blond youth subtly adjusted the light screen, his gaze fixing on Siren, who stood beside Gu Xichen. "Heh heh, I have an idea!"

He snatched up the communicator resting by the bath and dialed a number.

"Esteemed Commander, are you still grieving over your mercenary legion?"

"Oh, no, I don't mean to mock you, Commander. I merely have a tiny piece of information here, just a trivial detail!"

"Do you know Mr. Siren's family background? Heh heh!"

Amidst He Ju’s harsh roar, Gu Xichen and his group departed the Hawaiian Base unharmed and without issue. They left all the naval vessels behind for the Federation’s sanitation, tax, and customs personnel to sort through the now-empty ships. Having kept everything of value, they boarded a high-speed transport vessel dispatched by Major General Dolly and swiftly headed toward the headquarters of the Asian Dao Alliance.

On the way, Gu Xichen received news: Emperor Corpse was highly interested in him and was personally waiting for him at the Shanghai headquarters of the Asian Dao Alliance.