Courtyard Houses: Longevity Since the War of Resistance

The day after the statement was issued, the weather was fine.

The designated launch window was set deep in the northwestern Gobi Desert, where the atmosphere at the launch site was solemn and orderly. There was no unnecessary noise, only the subtle hum of the instruments and the concise, powerful voices of commands. The massive, milky-white missile stood on the launch pad, the morning light giving it a cold, metallic sheen, and the fairing reflected a sharp gleam in the sunlight.

"One minute to prepare."

Thirty seconds.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven..."

The countdown was transmitted via an encrypted channel, seemingly echoing silently in countless eyes that were "watching" this place through satellites and radar.

"Three, two, one, ignition!"

The instruction has been issued.

boom!!!

The deafening roar shook the Gobi Desert. Orange-red flames spewed from the bottom of the launch pad, and a massive blast of air instantly pushed aside the sand and gravel on the ground, forming a spectacular ring of smoke and dust.

The missile detached from the launch pad, accelerating faster and faster, leaving a long trail of flame as it pierced the azure sky.

Ascending, rising continuously, breaking through the clouds, leaving a lingering white trail in the sky.

Almost simultaneously with the missile launch, on the other side of the Earth, piercing alarms blared across the Black House Strategic Command Center, the Hills Military Intelligence Room, the NATO Joint Monitoring Station, and the early warning radar screens of certain neighboring countries.

"Target confirmed, launch complete!"

"Trajectory calculation in progress... veering southeast!"

"Extremely fast, exceeding known models!"

"Entering mid-course flight... trajectory change maneuver! It has performed a trajectory change maneuver!"

"Ballistics cannot be completely predicted!"

"Repeating trajectories cannot be fully predicted! Trajectories cannot be fully predicted! Impact point being recalculated!"

The urgent reports echoed in the room. They stared intently at the dot on the screen representing the missile, watching it streak across the calculated intercontinental ballistic trajectory with unexpected speed and agility, flying over the vast territory and hurtling toward the expansive Pacific Ocean.

The pre-planned protests and countermeasures seemed to have struck an invisible wall. Any attempt at interception appeared futile and laughable in the face of the penetration capabilities and trajectory-changing techniques displayed by the other side. They could only watch.

The missile eventually breaks out of the atmosphere, enters a brief space flight phase, and then re-enters the atmosphere.

Pacific Ocean, designated sea area.

The area had already been cleared, with only a few ocean-going survey vessels belonging to Party Z anchored at a safe distance, like silent reefs. All monitoring equipment on board was activated, recording all the data.

A tiny bright spot in the sky, accompanied by a whooshing sound, tore through the clouds and plummeted at an astonishing speed.

"Hit!"

The monitoring footage from the survey vessel clearly showed that the missile warheads seemed to have eyes, accurately hitting the designated sea area!

The enormous water column that erupts upon impact with the seabed, captured by underwater sonar, is enough to demonstrate its terrifying kinetic energy and impeccable precision.

The water column fell, and the waves slowly spread out.

That stretch of sea seemed as if nothing had ever happened, yet it also seemed as if everything had already occurred.

The global monitoring signals have gradually subsided, but countless hearts are still restless.

Shortly after the hit, Xinhua News Agency released a second report: "Today's live-fire test of the long-range strategic missile was a complete success, with the missile accurately hitting its designated target. This test was a routine scientific research and training exercise and was not directed against any specific country or target."

Strength needs no roaring.

When it appears before your eyes, all the clamorous words will instantly lose their weight.

Black Palace and Hui Guoshan fell into an awkward silence. The previously prepared follow-up pressure measures seemed to have hit a cotton ball, no, it was like hitting a titanium alloy plate.

At the emergency high-level meeting, the debate was heated but the voices were subdued. In the end, the statement reserving to take all necessary measures seemed so hollow and powerless in the face of the enemy's missile that had traveled halfway around the world and accurately hit its target.

They ultimately did not issue a new, stronger statement.

Yesterday's tough stance seemed like nothing more than a passing breeze. In its place came a statement to diplomats on the front lines, the core of which was to seek dialogue.

At the North Korean headquarters, senior officers stared at the shared data, their expressions grave. A complex mix of emotions swirled among them as they privately exchanged glances.

While wary of the Eastern dragon having acquired another unsettling fang, there is also a sense of satisfaction that this fang has caused their transatlantic allies to suffer a setback and divert some of their strategic attention.

In his office in the Klingam, in Country S, Breyennev listened to a report from the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff, his thick fingers tapping on the table.

The report emphasized the missile's range, trajectory change capability, and accuracy.

"Our little brother showed off some interesting new toys," he finally commented, his tone unreadable. He then turned to the Foreign Minister: "Send a congratulatory telegram to Beijing, congratulating them on their new achievements in defense technology. Keep the tone formal, but not overly enthusiastic. Also, the Far East Military District's troop reinforcement plan needs to be brought forward and reassessed." He keenly realized that the existing strategy needed to be adjusted for a neighbor with such a reliable strategic deterrent.

LD, 10 Ning Street. The Prime Minister read through telegrams and intelligence summaries from the Far East, his brow furrowed. The pressure over the Hong Kong issue had instantly intensified. Any lingering illusions of using international influence as bargaining chips had been shattered by the missile that had fallen from the sky.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly received clear instructions: "On the Hong Kong issue, we must be more cautious in our public statements. The primary goal is to ensure a smooth transition and to protect our economic interests and the safety of our citizens in the country to the greatest extent possible, rather than unrealistic political demands."

In F State, TSNY, President Neil smiled at his aides upon hearing the news: "See? Imperialism and their puppets are always obsessed with the threat of force. But when real power is demonstrated, they remember dialogue and respect. This proves that our path of upholding independence and developing friendships with all countries that truly respect us is the right one." Soon, voices advocating cooperation with Country Z grew stronger within several countries striving for independence.

In ST, core members of the royal family and military advisors held closed-door discussions. The demonstrated long-range delivery and precision strike capabilities, combined with the recent effective support provided by their Eastern allies to other countries, led them to a more positive assessment of cooperation and arms procurement projects.

"Perhaps we can go and fetch a sword," a prince said on a formal occasion.

Three days after the missile launch, when the spokesperson for the US State Department was again pressed by reporters for his latest position on the Hong Kong issue, his tone was noticeably more moderate and formulaic. He reiterated the One Country policy and emphasized his belief that all parties could properly resolve their differences through dialogue, and that the US would not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

When you can't win a fight, your slogan is always peace.