I will now translate and polish the provided Chinese text into natural, flowing, and idiomatic English fiction, strictly maintaining the original paragraph structure.
Luo Tianmin was silent for a moment, then spoke: "So, what you mean is that your 'City of Stars' will not dock in the territorial waters of any nation. You plan to remain permanently on the high seas because, being international waters, no country has jurisdiction over you, meaning you won't have to pay taxes to any government or organization—is that correct?" Liu Hui replied, "Precisely, that is my intention. Elder Luo, given the immense scale and influence of our Starry Sky Group today, staying confined to a small place like Hong Kong is no longer viable, nor is continuing to pay taxes to others. While what I say might be difficult for you to hear, you must recognize this reality." Luo Tianmin frowned, saying, "If you depart like this, I doubt the other major powers in the mainland will agree." Liu Hui chuckled, "Does their agreement matter to me? Elder Luo, do you truly believe I care about their stance now?" Luo Tianmin inquired, "But if your 'City of Stars' is anchored on the high seas, without the military support we provide, how will you ensure the safety of the 'City of Stars' should you encounter pirates?" Liu Hui laughed, "Elder Luo, you've asked me several times about the inside story of our conflict with the US military in the Middle East last year. At the time, for various considerations, I withheld the detailed account. But now I can tell you: in that confrontation between us and the US military, we destroyed two hundred of their latest combat aircraft of various types, and we sank both the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group and the Stennis Carrier Strike Group, creating a massive void in the US military deployment in the Middle East. Furthermore, during this military clash, the Starry Sky Group suffered zero casualties, and afterward, the US dared not cause us further trouble. If I put it this way, you should grasp the extent of our strength, right? The threat posed by mere pirates from the sea isn't even worth the Starry Sky Group's attention." Now that the Starry Sky Group was leaving Hong Kong, the Chinese government stood to lose several hundred billion US dollars in annual tax revenue. Such a huge piece of fortune would not be relinquished easily, so Liu Hui didn't mind showcasing his overwhelming power at this juncture, hoping to temper any impulsive decisions from the decision-makers. Although it was Xiao Hei who sank the Eisenhower and Stennis Carrier Strike Groups, Liu Hui deliberately kept the attribution vague, claiming the Starry Sky Group accomplished it. He was confident that the mainland's top leaders would not confront the US military over the matter. Moreover, since those two US carrier strike groups genuinely lay at the bottom of the Middle Eastern seas, he dared to speak this to Luo Tianmin without fear of being exposed. Luo Tianmin was utterly shocked. Domestically, there had long been suspicion regarding unusual US military movements in the Middle East, and observations had noted a thinning of US military presence there. However, due to a tight news blackout imposed by the Americans, they were completely unaware of what had transpired. Hearing Liu Hui’s explanation, Luo Tianmin immediately believed the majority of it, as only a devastating, catastrophic defeat for the US military in the Middle East could explain their strange behavior. If the US military had indeed suffered such a massive defeat at the hands of the Starry Sky Group in the Middle East, then the Starry Sky Group’s military might was terrifyingly formidable—perhaps even surpassing what the entire Chinese military could achieve in a full-force engagement. Though Luo Tianmin still had no concrete idea about the nature of the Starry Sky Group’s power, he dared not be careless, especially given Liu Hui’s established reputation. Luo Tianmin found it absurd that some of the mainland's top leaders, when debating the Starry Sky Group's departure from Hong Kong, had actually suggested using military coercion. In their view, the Starry Sky Group was merely an oversized, fattened sheep waiting to be culled. If this intelligence was true, then the Starry Sky Group was not a sheep at all, but a colossal tiger capable of devouring them if they weren't careful. Armed with this unexpected intelligence, Luo Tianmin felt an urgent need to return and relay this information to prevent those men from making a fatal error in judgment. Thus, Luo Tianmin stated, "We need to convene a meeting to discuss your Starry Sky Group's departure and determine how to resolve this matter perfectly." Liu Hui said coolly, "If we can resolve this incident without animosity, then the desalination agreements we signed with you will remain in effect. Furthermore, your nation will continue to receive treatment for terminal illnesses from our Starry Sky Terminal Care Hospital without needing to sign that Medical Cooperation Agreement. We can even strengthen our deep cooperation. However, if you harbor any reservations and choose to resort to force, the desalination vessels we provide along your coast will immediately depart, and patients with terminal illnesses in your country will no longer receive treatment. You must consider this carefully." Liu Hui was openly employing a strategy of threats and incentives toward Luo Tianmin. If the mainland handled the departure issue successfully, matters concerning water desalination and terminal illness treatment would proceed without hindrance, along with added benefits. But if the matter was mishandled, the Starry Sky Group would not hesitate to unilaterally tear up the agreements. Not only would they cease freshwater supplies to China, but patients requiring treatment would lose access to their facilities, and any further collaboration would be out of the question. The income from the few projects cooperating with the Chinese side meant little to the Starry Sky Group; they could abandon them easily. However, doing so would create significant turbulence in the domestic political landscape. Even if the Chinese state blocked Starry Sky Group products from the domestic market, consumers accustomed to their goods would protest. This was because no other product in the world offered the same quality and value for money. Moreover, the Starry Sky Group possessed allies within certain interest groups, making Liu Hui unafraid of losing market share. Liu Hui dared to issue such naked threats and inducements because he recognized the current favorable balance of power. Luo Tianmin began to feel a surge of anger. Given his distinguished status, no one had ever dared to openly threaten or cajole him, yet here he was, being intimidated by a man barely thirty years old. Still, he couldn't afford to lose his temper. The situation was clear: the Starry Sky Group held the upper hand, and the mainland had no effective means to control them. If the conflict escalated to the use of force, the Starry Sky Group, capable of routing the US military, would hardly be intimidated. Moreover, he was an ally of the Starry Sky Group; should things reach that final stage, his own future in the mainland would likely be over. After careful consideration, Luo Tianmin realized that not only for the benefit of the Luo family but also for the nation, he must return and persuade those leaders to proceed with extreme caution, lest they precipitate an irreversible crisis. Before leaving, however, Luo Tianmin needed to gather more situational details. He asked, "Xiao Hui, under what official capacity will the Starry Sky Group interact with us from the high seas?" Liu Hui smiled, "Elder Luo, the Starry Sky Group began as a corporate entity, and it will remain a corporate entity. It will not evolve into a nation or an organization; you can rest assured on that front. We will simply become a unique corporation possessing its own territory. Otherwise, nothing else will change from how we operate now." Luo Tianmin finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the Starry Sky Group did not establish a nation upon the "City of Stars," the situation remained acceptable to China. Furthermore, China was at a critical juncture of development, making confrontation with the Starry Sky Group decidedly unwise. Luo Tianmin nodded, saying, "Your assurance puts my mind at ease. I will return to Kyoto immediately and report your company's situation, hoping for a satisfactory outcome." Seeing Luo Tianmin preparing to depart, Liu Hui reached into his pocket and pulled out a USB drive, handing it to him. "This contains some strange material our company accidentally recorded a few days ago. We have no idea what it is, so we're handing it over to you. Perhaps you can study it and uncover something useful." Luo Tianmin accepted the USB drive with suspicion, turning it over repeatedly in his hand. Liu Hui chuckled, "Elder Luo, this item is extremely valuable. You must safeguard it carefully. Losing it would result in a massive loss." Noting Liu Hui’s deliberate emphasis on the drive's importance, Luo Tianmin immediately understood that the contents were priceless, and he began treating it with due reverence. He stated, "Xiao Hui, I must leave now. I will convey your predicament to the top leaders and strive to secure a result satisfactory to both parties." Liu Hui smiled, "I thank you for that, Elder Luo." Just as Luo Tianmin was about to exit, Liu Hui suddenly called him back. "Elder Luo, if you have the time, it would be best if you could look into the physical condition of the Old Superman of the Li family, Macau's Gambling King He, and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia." Luo Tianmin paused, but after delivering this statement, Liu Hui ushered him out, offering no opportunity for questions. Luo Tianmin took a special plane back to Kyoto that very night. He handed the USB drive to his subordinates, instructing them to begin analysis immediately while simultaneously launching an investigation into the physical states of the Old Superman, Gambling King He, and Abdullah. Soon, the contents of the USB drive were deciphered. Upon viewing the information, Luo Tianmin’s complexion turned pale. He declared, "Immediately notify the top leaders; we need to convene an emergency plenary session tonight." Inside the military base in Xishan, Kyoto, a group of high-ranking officials sat comfortably on expansive sofas, listening intently as a general provided a detailed briefing displayed on a large screen before them. "...According to our preliminary analysis, this data likely comprises blueprints for military bases in the United States, Japan, North Korea, and Russia. It meticulously details the exact locations of these military installations, supplemented by numerous aerial photographs, allowing us to easily ascertain the military deployments and weapon distributions of these nations. It even includes the coordinates for missile silos and nuclear stockpiles constructed in mountainous areas. Verification against our existing intelligence confirms a portion of this information as accurate; where we cannot confirm its truthfulness, it is simply because we possess no intelligence on those specific assets. Therefore, the overall analysis strongly suggests this data is authentic..." the general explained. The officials below instantly abandoned their relaxed postures, sitting bolt upright, their faces draining of color. They had not anticipated that the Starry Sky Group would provide them with maps of military bases belonging to these countries. Such information constituted a nation's most guarded secret, yet the Starry Sky Group possessed it all. These leaders immediately began connecting the dots: if the Starry Sky Group could obtain the military intelligence of the US, Russia, Japan, and North Korea, then China's military secrets were unlikely to remain secret from the Starry Sky Group either. If this data were to be leaked, it would pose a severe threat to China's national security. The general continued his report, "This data also includes recent route maps for large warships from these nations over the past few days, even tracking the movements of submarines beneath the surface. We have verified portions of this data as accurate. However, the submarine data remains unverified because locating US and Russian submarines is inherently difficult. Furthermore, the contents include the precise orbital paths of satellites belonging to these countries in space, even the operational data for their long-concealed killer satellites. With this data, we could easily locate these satellites in orbit and destroy them at will." The faces of the leaders changed again; they understood the implications of this data perfectly. It suggested that the Starry Sky Group possessed an unknown form of advanced high technology, enabling them to monitor the military movements of every nation on Earth at any time, including China. Should the Starry Sky Group leak this military intelligence to hostile nations, those countries’ security would face dire challenges. One leader exclaimed loudly, "We must use force and completely destroy this Starry Sky Group! Their capabilities are too terrifying. If they ever leak our military intelligence, it will pose an enormous threat to our nation." The other leaders, however, remained thoughtful, and no one seconded the call for military threats. The general on stage proceeded, "In addition to this data, the USB drive contains a recorded video. I will now play this video for everyone." The television screen then displayed footage of a large formation of US F-15 fighter jets and B-1B Lancer supersonic heavy stealth bombers flying overhead. Suddenly, several streaks of red light flashed from an unseen source. The F-15s and B-1Bs were instantly sliced in half in mid-air and began plummeting to earth. This was followed by another clip, this time showing dozens of US Tomahawk cruise missiles in flight. Suddenly, a flash of red light swept through the air, and the Tomahawk missiles were bisected mid-flight, detonating immediately. One leader asked, "What do these videos signify?" The general replied, "Based on the context, the content of these two videos should be footage from the conflict between the Starry Sky Group's desalination ships and the US military in the Middle East. From this video, we can see that the Starry Sky Group likely fired some kind of mysterious weapon, resulting in massive US casualties and equipment losses. Our analysis suggests that the Starry Sky Group's mysterious weapon is likely a laser weapon." "Laser weapons? They possess laser weapons? Then how should we proceed with matters concerning them?" another leader asked. If they followed the suggestion of the first leader and resorted to force against the Starry Sky Group, they might not achieve victory given the latter's possession of laser weaponry. If a military conflict erupted between them and the Starry Sky Group, any internal instability in the mainland would be an outcome they could not tolerate. Consequently, everyone’s gaze turned toward Luo Tianmin, who had been liaising with Liu Hui. Luo Tianmin coughed, about to speak, when an intelligence officer entered and whispered something in his ear. Luo Tianmin then announced, "We have new intelligence; everyone should review it together." The general saluted and left the room. The intelligence officer connected the documents in his hand to the television screen and announced, "These are comparison photographs from our investigation into the Old Superman of Hong Kong, Gambling King He of Macau, and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, showing their condition then versus now." On the computer screen appeared photographs of the three men. The initial images depicted extreme old age, while the subsequent photos showed them looking significantly younger. The intelligence officer explained, "Through our investigation, we discovered that over the last year or two, these three individuals appear to have undergone rejuvenation. Not only have their physiques become younger, but their internal bodily functions seem greatly improved, as they have experienced no health issues during this period. When they appear in the media, they still look elderly, but upon analyzing their photos, we uncovered a shocking detail: they were all wearing makeup when appearing publicly. We used computer technology to analyze and compare the photos presented to the media, allowing us to deduce their actual appearance." Under the intelligence officer's command, the on-screen images of the Old Superman, Gambling King He, and Abdullah dramatically transformed, ultimately revealing the likeness of men in their early twenties. The leaders gasped. One asked, "Could there be an error in your analysis?" The intelligence officer responded, "Based on the intelligence currently available, the conclusion should be accurate. Our finding is that these three individuals have genuinely reversed their aging for some unknown reason; this is true rejuvenation, not impersonation." Luo Tianmin waved his hand, dismissing the intelligence officer. He addressed the assembled leaders, "When I met Liu Hui for our final farewell, he suddenly advised me to pay attention to the physical condition of the Old Superman, Gambling King He, and King Abdullah. I didn't grasp the significance at the time, but given the current findings, Liu Hui was issuing us a warning." One leader questioned, "What was he warning us about?" Luo Tianmin sighed, "He was warning us that the reason these three individuals experienced rejuvenation is entirely due to the Starry Sky Group." "How is that possible? Has the Starry Sky Group mastered the technology for reversing aging?" one leader exclaimed in astonishment. Another leader offered, "That possibility cannot be ruled out. If this is true, I believe I now understand Liu Hui’s message. He is implying that if we maintain peaceful coexistence with him, we too might be eligible for this anti-aging treatment. If we turn into his sworn enemy, the outcome, as we've seen, is already clear..." Upon hearing this interpretation, the assembled leaders fell into deep contemplation, each calculating their personal gain in how this situation should be handled.
Finally, Luo Tianmin spoke, "Everyone is aware of the situation. What I want to discuss now is that it is a settled matter for the Starry Sky Group to leave Hong Kong.
If we try to forcefully stop them, unforeseen events are sure to occur. Therefore, I suggest we allow the Starry Sky Group to depart peacefully.
Although this will result in serious economic losses for our nation, these are only temporary. If we further strengthen cooperation with the Starry Sky Group, we might be able to recoup those losses elsewhere.
Moreover, they still possess that rejuvenation technology…" Upon hearing Luo Tianmin's words, the other influential figures fell silent for a long time. After a pause, the elder presiding over the meeting said, "In that case, let's settle this with a vote.
Those who agree with Elder Luo's opinion, please raise your hands." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In a valley within Hokkaido, Japan, lay a secret training facility. On the snow-covered training ground stood Maeda Atsuko, previously believed dead by the Japanese public.
She was clad in full combat fatigues, standing ramrod straight. Facing her was a burly, scarred middle-aged instructor.
The instructor bellowed, "Soldier Maeda, are you prepared?" Maeda Atsuko replied loudly, "I am prepared." "Soldier Maeda, remember, before answering my questions, you must preface it with 'Report, Instructor.' Try again. Soldier Maeda, are you prepared?" Maeda Atsuko shouted, "Report, Instructor, I am prepared!" The stout instructor smiled faintly.
"Very well. Since you are prepared, immediately bend down and pick up the wooden club on the ground." Maeda Atsuko instantly bent and grasped the wooden club.
"Now, open the small cage beside you and release what is inside." Maeda Atsuko carried out the instructor's order, opening the small cage next to her and setting free a small, snow-white, adorable rabbit. However, the rabbit’s four limbs were bound tightly together, rendering it completely immobile.
"Soldier Maeda, use the wooden club in your hand immediately to beat this little rabbit into a pulp." The instructor commanded cruelly. "But, Instructor, I can't do this…" Maeda Atsuko flinched internally and blurted out.
"Soldier Maeda, have you forgotten what I just told you?" "Report, Instructor, I cannot bring myself to harm this small rabbit," Maeda Atsuko stated loudly. "Soldier Maeda, watch your tone.
I am in charge here, and you must obey my orders. I command you again: use the wooden club in your hand right now to smash this little rabbit into a bloody mess." Maeda Atsuko's face turned ashen.
She suddenly recalled the agreement she had struck with the nation; she was now left with no choice but to execute this brutal order, lest something terrifying happen. With that, she closed her eyes and gently tapped the bound rabbit with the club in her hand.
The instructor roared in fury, "Soldier Maeda, have you not eaten? Act now and kill this rabbit.
If you fail to execute this order, I will immediately report upward that you are utterly unqualified to participate in the 'Yamata no Orochi' Project, which concerns the future of all Japan." Hearing this threat and inducement from the instructor, Maeda Atsuko's face paled once more. Tears welled in her eyes, and then she brought the club down onto the small rabbit, knocking it violently to the ground.
The instructor encouraged her from the side, "Good! That's it, keep hitting it with force!" Maeda Atsuko suddenly burst into loud sobs.
Weeping hysterically, she swung the wooden club desperately, quickly reducing the poor little rabbit to a mangled mass. The rabbit's blood splashed outwards, starkly conspicuous against the snow.
"Good. Now, bend down and smear the rabbit's blood onto your face and uniform," the instructor issued the next command.
Maeda Atsuko mechanically bent over, her gaze distant, and smeared the blood of the rabbit she had just bludgeoned onto her face and clothing. Suddenly, she dropped to her knees and began to vomit violently.
When Maeda Atsuko had finished retching, the instructor issued another order: "Soldier Maeda, now open the large cage behind you and release what is inside." All light seemed to drain from Maeda Atsuko's eyes. Mechanically obeying the command, she opened a large iron cage behind her and released twenty small, adorable white rabbits.
The instructor looked at the rabbits and then at the blood-splattered Maeda Atsuko, issuing his cruel directive: "Soldier Maeda, use the wooden club in your hand immediately to beat all these rabbits into a pulp." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks to the book friend: Moon Ticket Ambassador for the 588 Qidian coin reward, and to the book friend Great Han Imperial Clan LIU for the 588 Qidian coin reward. Thanks to the book friend: Moon Ticket Ambassador for the review ticket support.
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