Please don't question multi-week players

Chapter 222. Counterattack
"boom--"

A piercing explosion tore through the sky, and another white wind blade pierced through the clouds.

A purple light suddenly illuminated the sky above Dawn Base, and the talent barrier rippled violently, barely neutralizing the attack that was powerful enough to flatten mountains.

Inside the central command room, a dangerous red light flashed continuously on the holographic projection. Qin Xuan's fingertips hovered over the control panel, and an emergency communication suddenly popped up on the tactical screen in front of him.

The image shows a young female military officer with a wheatish complexion, whose almond-shaped eyes beneath thick eyebrows are radiating a resolute light.

She crossed her arms in front of her chest, her palms pulsating with a dazzling purple talent.

"Commander!"

The female officer's voice was accompanied by electromagnetic interference noise.

"Mist Mountain Lord... was instantly killed! I can't hold out much longer. Requesting immediate activation of the base's defense system!"

Qin Xuan's breathing suddenly tightened. She slapped the scarlet start button again, but the control panel suddenly emitted a piercing alarm.

Layer upon layer of warning windows flooded the entire screen like a crimson tide, with a new system notification flashing prominently at the top:

[Highest alert: Artificial intelligence has forcibly suspended your operation commands!]

The female officer in the communications window saw the red alarm window suddenly appear in front of Qin Xuan's portrait. She was slightly stunned and said in disbelief:

Why...why is this happening?

Qin Xuan gritted her teeth and said:
"There's a mole in the league."

When she heard that there were signs of unrest in the southwest, she ordered Liu Yiguan to be transferred south to the Dawn Base. Even before the Rongjun uprising broke out, she issued a notice asking Fu Yunhui to come to the Dawn Base to provide support.

The command was issued smoothly, and there was even timely feedback from the super artificial intelligence regarding the itinerary. However, after waiting for half a month, the person still hadn't arrived.

Qin Xuan sensed something was wrong at that time, but as the commander-in-chief, she was in charge of the people of the entire base. When she sensed a hint of danger, she rashly fled, which was no different from a general who surrendered in the face of battle.

Qin Xuan did not expect the situation to change so quickly. Before she could take any action, the Furong Army suddenly pressed forward. Moreover, the eight thousand genius potions airdropped by Hei Tong Pharmaceuticals actually awakened a genius who killed Wushan Jun in one blow.

"General, I have a way to perform [Blood Sacrifice]."

In the communication video, the female officer's voice suddenly calmed down.

She slowly raised her right hand, her five fingers together, and placed it next to her temple, giving a standard, almost rigid, military salute.

"Back when I was in the reserves, you were the one who picked me up from the garbage dump."

A bloodstained smile tugged at the corners of her lips, but her eyes gleamed with a strange light:
"I can finally repay this kindness today."

The communication screen suddenly flickered violently, and the female officer's figure began to distort.

In the last frame before the image disappeared, Qin Xuan saw her lips slightly part and silently utter two words—"Take care."

"boom------"

A bright, dazzling purple light shot into the sky, and the previously precarious protective shield suddenly expanded, transforming into a purple dome of light with a diameter of one kilometer.

The giant wind blade that Fu Rongjun slashed at it disappeared without a trace as if it had vanished into thin air.

Qin Xuan's pupils reflected the purple glow of the sky. She gritted her teeth and turned to walk towards the exit of the command room without hesitation.

The command room was equipped with an electronic door. She quickly entered the password on the keypad display, but a red warning popped up again:
[Failure! Your permissions have been forcibly blocked by artificial intelligence!]

"Buzzing——"

The projector in the command room turned on automatically. Qin turned around and saw the image of the super artificial intelligence A Yu appear on the projection wall.

"Hello, I'm Ayu, it's a pleasure to serve you."

The artificial intelligence stared at her with its emotionless, sky-blue eyes, and slowly spoke:

Good morning, General Manager Qin!

Qin Xuan's face darkened as he asked:

"When we first introduced artificial intelligence, I remember we made a three-point agreement with Dream Pavilion."

Ayu smiled slightly:

"Yes, you did sign an alliance with the Dream Pavilion, dividing my authority among the two deputy directors and you."

"But the two deputy directors have already granted me access and asked me to block your access."

Ayu's expression calmed down, and it said politely:

"So I'm sorry, Commander Qin Xuan, I have taken full control of the central control system of the entire War Alliance." "In addition, Deputy Director Zhu Yan would like to speak with you."

Artificial intelligence has disappeared from the projection screen, replaced by pop-up communication windows.

A woman in a military uniform with a high ponytail appeared before Qin Xuan, smiling as she said:

"Good morning, Chief Commander Qin. Has this series of changes given you any surprises?"

Qin Xuan's expression darkened completely, and she asked, puzzled:
"Zhu Yan... I don't understand why you would collude with the Dream Pavilion? Do you know that by fully opening the central control system to A Yu, the War Alliance will be completely devoured by the Dream Pavilion!"

The woman with the high ponytail was still all smiles.
“I know—but I was originally a member of the Dream Pavilion, and my ultimate goal is for the Dream Pavilion to devour the War Alliance.”

Qin Xuan's pupils constricted slightly, and he said in disbelief:

"Impossible! How could you possibly be from the Dream Pavilion! The previous commander personally trained you, and all your backgrounds have been investigated and found to be clean."

Zhu Yan smiled calmly:
"There are many impossible things in the world. General Qin is still too inexperienced."

"The War Alliance was coveted by the three major powers. I just wanted the Dream Pavilion, which arrived last, to reap the greatest benefits."

Qin Xuan pursed her lips and stared at her, then suddenly said:
"When did your scheme begin? Was it when Jiang Jianxin disappeared and Liu Yiguan was transferred north to the dawn?"

During that time, Zhu Yan kept sending people to the Hope Base, and she was sending all her own people, so Qin Xuan didn't pay much attention.

Little did they expect that Zhu Yan was transferring his trusted confidants to prevent his own reputation from being harmed.

"No, if we had only started planning then, it would have been too late. There wouldn't have been enough time to create a complete scheme."

Zhu Yan smiled and said:

"Chief Commander Qin, a person who is about to die shouldn't know too many details."

She waved her hand and said:

"Ayu, seal off the central control room of Dawn Base, cut off the network connection, and turn on all cameras to start real-time monitoring. I want to see Qin Xuan die with my own eyes."

Qin Xuan calmed down and looked at her, saying:

"Why do you want me dead so badly?"

Zhu Yan was still all smiles:
"Because of your talent, the Dream Pavilion has no use for you, but it will be of great use to other forces."

"So, this is ultimately your grave."

The communication screen suddenly went dark, the last frame freezing on Qin Xuan's pale face—her pupils contracted sharply, and her lips trembled slightly.

Zhu Yan turned off the holographic projection, tapped the control panel lightly with her fingertip, and the chair automatically rotated back to its original position. Just as she was about to get up—

"laugh!"

A gleaming silver blade suddenly pierced through her chest, the sound of tearing fabric in her uniform particularly jarring in the silent command room.

Blood dripped down the grooves, blooming into dark red flowers on the metal floor.

Rui Changming slowly turned the knife handle, the cuffs of his artificial skin sleeves rolling up slightly with the movement, revealing the cold-gleaming mechanical joints underneath.

"Deputy Director Zhu Yan."

His voice was cold yet tinged with laughter.

"farewell."

When the blood-stained blade was pulled out, the expected thud of a body falling to the ground did not come.

Zhu Yan slowly turned around, and strangely, no blood flowed from her pierced heart. She reached out to smooth the tear in her uniform, a chilling smile playing on her lips:

"This clone personality is used really well."

Her eyes had a deep, lake-green hue.

"Another big fish has taken the bait."

As for why Zhu Yan isn't called Xia Qi something, well... I don't think I wrote that Xia Qizhen's alternate personality had to have the surname Xia.

She simply puts the two personalities with the surname Xia in the open, while keeping the one without the surname Xia hidden in the shadows. This way, conventional thinking would assume that her alter ego is named Xia Qi, making her abilities seem more harmless. Therefore, she loudly proclaims that Xia Qi is indeed her alter ego, without keeping it a secret at all (normally, someone using alter egos would be extremely secretive about who their alter ego is; her lack of secrecy speaks volumes). This is her strategy (because keeping her alter ego secret would arouse suspicion and fear from the outside world, making it harder for her to orchestrate her plans; this is the best strategy). When encountering a strategist of light, one needs to use their brain; they don't act without thinking. If they do act without thinking, it's definitely because there's a conspiracy waiting for the world to fall into it.

As for which personality "Xia Qizhen" is the main character, we will answer that later. I actually hinted at it before: the strategist of light does not reveal his true form, and this strategist is very cautious.

As for why they did this, and what happened to Jiang Jianxin, that will be analyzed in the next chapter.