Ark Chess Player.

Rhodes Island's logistics personnel skillfully categorized and guided the crowd. Some were ordinary citizens responsible for maintaining and managing incoming mobile ships at the Lungmen boarding area, some were infected individuals who had fled there for unknown reasons, but most were police officers from the Lungmen Guard Bureau.

The outposts on the outer ring of Lungmen were almost completely wiped out. The Reunion Movement somehow obtained the plans for the Lungmen defense line and launched a surprise attack from the rear, catching the Guard Bureau off guard. Only in times like these would these Guard Bureau officers remember that during the nighttime raid on Lungmen a few days ago, a partner company had assisted the Guard Bureau in defending the fifth district of the outer ring.

To most unsuspecting people, Rhodes Island was just a small pharmaceutical company riding on the coattails of the Guard Bureau's reputation, but now it had become their lifeline. With the Guard Bureau building fallen, the officers, with nowhere else to go, dejectedly sought help from Rhodes Island.

Rhodes Island extended a helping hand based on the principle of humanitarian concern. In other words, Rhodes Island couldn't just stand by and watch the Lungmen police be killed by Reunion infected right in front of them, could it? If they were falsely accused of being part of the Reunion movement, then Rhodes Island would be out of business in the countries of Terra, and those organizations that had long coveted Rhodes Island's medical achievements would also use the name of justice to attack Rhodes Island.

The most amusing thing is that when these Guard Bureau officers learned that Lungmen and Rhodes Island had renewed their contract, some of them started getting arrogant again. They didn't even say thank you after receiving medical treatment from Rhodes Island, and they took the wartime rations for granted, as if Rhodes Island owed them something. If they had just remained silent, it wouldn't have been so bad, but some of them were putting on airs, which made the Rhodes Island operators resentful. They couldn't understand why a bunch of defeated soldiers could be so arrogant. What were they so arrogant about?

Therefore, when the Kingslayer threw the Royal Guard's son, who was wandering around as if Rhodes Island were his own backyard, off the deck and brandished the iron fist of justice on the grounds that the man was suspected of trespassing into the girls' restroom, he received unanimous approval from the Rhodes Island operators.

King killer, you did well, you did well!

As expected of a former cadre from the "Prank Movement," he really knows how to pull off something different!

The Kingslayer not only avenged the Rhodes Island logistics operators, but also used his actions to deter those who would try to take advantage of the situation.

The gates of some passageways on Rhodes Island ships are now closed to prevent malicious individuals from infiltrating important facilities, and also to guard against the possibility of Reunion moles among them.

The integration movement's ability to infiltrate enemy camps and undermine them from within serves as a cautionary tale, whether in Chernobog or Lungmen.

Enraged after being thrown face-first into the dirt, the young master of the Royal Guard accused the King Killer and attempted to rally the crowd to attack him. However, with Kroos's help, the King Killer produced altered surveillance footage, showing everyone how this man had been sneakily spying on the women's restroom.

Kroos also kindly provided a platform for everyone present to send comments, thus completely eliminating the enemy from a social perspective.

Some clever people can see that something is amiss, but true wisdom lies in knowing when to speak and when not to. We're only safe from danger now thanks to Rhodes Island's help. We shouldn't forget those who dug the well when we drink the water; not everyone is that kind of ungrateful.

And so, the others present also quieted down, and order was restored on the Rhodes Island ships.

Unbeknownst to herself, the Kingslayer's reputation skyrocketed. Besides receiving unanimous praise for fighting alongside the Rhodes Island squad during the night raid, news of her injury while rescuing Nightblade from a fierce battle also reached Rhodes Island. Through Kal'tsit's unintentional arrangement, Rhodes Island's intelligence chief, Hibiscus, publicized the Kingslayer's deeds to reduce the other operators' hostility towards her.

In a state of social stagnation, the son of a high-ranking official in the Royal Guard decides to report the matter to his superiors and demand severe punishment for the ungrateful pharmaceutical company.

—Rhode Island, compartment number seven.

"Get lost! What kind of time is this to cause trouble! Don't let me see you again, or I'll beat you up every time I see you!"

With a bandage around her head, Superintendent Chen kicked the pleading young officer away. She had never liked these parasites in the Guard Bureau. They slacked off at work playing cards, spent their patrols shopping and having fun, and slacked off on investigations—they were just paying to get their resumes at the Guard Bureau. Lungmen was about to explode, and they still had the nerve to sow discord?! It was a miracle they hadn't been sacrificed!

“Hoshiguma Sir…”

The young master was still somewhat unconvinced and tried to get help from the usually kind and amiable Inspector Hoshiguma.

"Didn't you hear Commander Chen's orders clearly?"

Hoshiguma smiled and looked down at the young police officer, who was a head shorter than her, and said kindly, "Aren't you going to get out of here? Get out, you have to get out now, or you'll have another chance. And when you leave, say loudly, 'Thank you, Officer Chen!' Do you hear me?"

Hoshiguma's smile vanished, and the aura of the Oni clan erupted, nearly scaring the eight-year-old young master so much that he wet himself.

"Fine, I'll get out! Thank you—Commander Chen!!"

Sensing the murderous intent, the young master immediately dropped to the ground and rolled away.

This is where these rich kids truly shine – they have no sense of shame or remorse. If they were just a bunch of hotheads, the Guard Bureau could simply set a trap for them, ruin their reputations, and then rightfully fire them. But they're like chewing gum stuck to the sole of a shoe; unless a thorough cleanup is carried out, traces will remain.

Hoshiguma gave the other person a cold glance, composed herself, and carried two glasses of water into the cabin.

"Old Chen, have some throat-clearing soup, your voice sounds hoarse."

Hoshiguma looked at Chen Huijie's head injury with heartache. She pursed her lips as if she were the one in pain.

On their way back to Lungmen from the ruins of Chernobog, the Guard Bureau squad was targeted by the Reunion Movement. Their covert movements were exposed, leading some to suspect that Rhodes Island had leaked their information, and that only Rhodes Island knew their stealth route. Then, Superintendent Swire and the Rhodes Island squad arrived like lightning, leading the Guard Bureau squad through the encirclement.

It was at this moment that Chen Huijie, due to continuous combat without rest, became mentally disoriented and was carelessly surrounded by more than a dozen Reunion Movement infected in a suicide attack. Even though she forcibly wielded the Crimson Sky Sword to cut down all the attacking enemies with one strike, she could not stop the infected from abandoning their self-accelerated Originium fusion rate and turning into flesh bombs.

Chen Huijie used her sword to block most of the Originium fragments, but she was still thrown off her feet by the blast wave, landing headfirst and losing consciousness.

"Thank you."

Chen Huijie obediently accepted the water glass from Xingxiong, her slightly pale lips pressed to the rim as she sipped the water. She seemed somewhat dazed, whether from anger or grogginess, she appeared distracted.

After losing consciousness, Chen had a dream that she cherished.

That was in the past, something from her childhood, and something about her sister.

I haven't dreamed of her in a long time, so why am I thinking of her at a time like this...?

"How is Swire?"

Chen Huijie looked around, remembering seeing Swire's figure before she lost consciousness.

Hoshiguma immediately said, "Miss, she..."

"I'm here." An orange figure appeared at the doorway, Superintendent Swire carrying three lunchboxes. "At least you still have some conscience, remembering me. I feel like my presence has become so faint lately. Here, these are bento boxes I bought from the Rhodes Island cafeteria. They were so cheap I wondered if there was anything wrong with the ingredients... I found out they're vegetables grown by Rhodes Island itself. This landship isn't big, but it has everything. I heard it even has a swimming pool, but it's not open right now."

Swire placed the lunchbox and disposable chopsticks on the table and chuckled, "At first, people told me that Rhodes Island was a company shrouded in darkness, with terrifying infected wandering the corridors and the cries of experimental subjects echoing everywhere. But I think that's just an exaggeration. Rhodes Island's operators are fighting for a better life, just like us!"

"Agree."

Hoshiguma expressed her approval.

She was the only one present who had truly fought alongside the Rhodes Island squad, and Hoshiguma could feel the allure of Rhodes Island.

"Wait, Shi Huaiya."

Chen raised his finger and pointed to Swire's coat; her Guards uniform reeked of blood.

What happened to your back?

Chen Huijie frowned, and judging from the way Shi Huaiya walked, it was clear that her injury was more serious.

Swire's shoulders twitched. She was silent for a moment, then murmured, "Scratched by that annoying cat, that's all."

Chen tilted his head in confusion and silently looked at Hoshiguma.

Hoshiguma raised her hand to her mouth with a somewhat helpless gesture, indicating that she was being gagged.

"Rhodes Island's food is all the same, so let's just make do. Anyway, the food from a pharmaceutical company probably can't be that good... How can this *Lungmen swear word* be so delicious?!" Swire picked up a garlic sausage and put it in her mouth. Before she even finished chewing, the aroma filled her mouth. This wasn't the frozen kind sold in Lungmen supermarkets; the taste was completely different, quite authentic.

"Is it really that exaggerated?" Hoshiguma tried her portion, but instead of garlic sausage, she ate a beautifully presented omelet first. She savored it, and soon a smile filled her mouth.

Hoshiguma exclaimed, "It's delicious! Even the Eastern cuisine restaurants in Lungmen aren't this good. This broth is made with bonito flakes and kelp, and it's also seasoned with soy sauce, salt, and sugar. Rhodes Island really goes all out, using such precious sugar in their cooking."

"...Are you filming The Solitary Gourmet?"

Chen Huijie, whose appetite was whetted, clutched her stomach. She hadn't eaten anything all day and was busy running around.

If Hoshiguma hadn't prepared a midnight snack for her last night, she probably would have collapsed by now.

"Let me try……"

Chen Huijie chose sweet and sour pork, a dish with a distinctly Chinese flavor. For a fast food meal, three meat dishes and two vegetable dishes were already quite high quality. But to her surprise, the taste was even more delicious than she had imagined. Were the chefs at Rhodes Island better than those at Lungmen?!

"Well, that's all there is to it."

Thinking of this, she could only say something insincerely and silently lower her head to eat.

A person who loves to eat, a soul that loves to eat.

How's my team doing?

Chen put down his chopsticks and the empty lunchbox, and asked Hoshiguma and Swire.

Swire's eyes darted around. "What would you do if I said we were all wiped out?"

"...After resolving the entire issue, I will resign to take responsibility."

"Then just consider them all wiped out. After you resign, I'll be in charge of the inspection team."

Swire gracefully wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, expecting the other person to fly into a rage. However, Chen was not as angry as she had imagined. Instead, he showed a face that could be described as weak.

Looking at Chen Huijie's expression, Swire suddenly felt a little irritated.

"They're all alive. No one in your squad has died. The wounded are receiving treatment on Rhodes Island's deck, and they're even getting food! Enough! Stop acting like this, this little girl who doesn't suit you. I especially hate the way you are right now. Before you can't handle the pressure and resign, let me defeat you fair and square. Otherwise, no one will truly respect me," Swire said fiercely, her principles unwavering.

"That's it..."

Chen Huijie breathed a slight sigh of relief; the entire responsibility for this defeat lay with her.

If this causes injury or death to her teammates, she will never forgive herself.

"What is the overall situation of Longmen now?"

Swire frowned and shook her head. "It's a complete mess. I've sent the details to your mobile device; check it yourself. In short, the Special Inspectorate has mobilized the remaining Guard Bureau forces and is preparing to head to the Guard Bureau building with Rhodes Island. While you were unconscious, Mr. Wei discussed the battle plan with us. Of course, as the head of the Special Inspectorate, you have special deployment authority and on-site execution authority during wartime. How you actually do it is up to you."

Chen Huijie and Xingxiong pulled out their mobile devices, and the project plan appeared in their encrypted files.

"Go deep into the wealthy area? Mobile operations can certainly be effective, but what is the point of such operations? Instead of focusing on the wealthy area, we should prioritize securing Lungmen City."

Hoshiguma showed an expression of extreme disgust. She looked at the words "rich area" in the message and her PTSD flared up.

The Lungmen Guard Bureau has deployed countless troops to defend the wealthy district, leaving other areas vulnerable during wartime and constantly on the brink of collapse in battle. Despite the district's already overstretched defenses, sending more personnel would only be icing on the cake. However, due to a series of trivial matters, Lungmen simply cannot refuse the security demands of the wealthy district.

If Lin Lu were there, he would definitely have said, "Go to hell, the rich neighborhood!"

A security contractor named Griffin once developed his business by receiving a large number of security contracts from wealthy businessmen, but this also resulted in his best humanoids being left in the back row to guard these big shots. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been fighting so miserably on the front lines.

Lin has never fought such a rich battle before!

Chapter 383 Stay with me, okay?

"Destroy all the Reunification Movement strongholds along the way; that is the key to this operation."

Swire said in a deep voice, “I don’t know why the Reunion Movement has a construction map of Lungmen City, and I don’t care. Lungmen is our city, and we are the masters of this city. Before the Reunion Movement can establish a foothold in Lungmen, this operation will adopt a two-pronged approach of guerrilla warfare and assault warfare. You are responsible for striking and retreating quickly, and we will take over the advantages you have built.”

"Wait a minute, there's a fatal flaw in this operation."

Superintendent Chen frowned deeply, her fingers itching to move, but she didn't have a map of Lungmen on hand.

"It's easy to attack a city, but difficult to defend it. After we destroy the Reunion Movement's strongholds, the remaining Reunion Movement members around the main road hubs will quickly merge. At that point, it won't be as simple as just holding the passage. Once you fall, we will be attacked from both sides, and even our retreat will be cut off. You can't guarantee that you can hold out until we take back the Guard Bureau, let alone wipe out the Reunion Movement members scattered in various places after that."

Swire's shoulders trembled slightly, as if she hadn't expected to be rejected like that.

She clenched her fists, defiantly declaring, "We will hold out, even if it costs us our lives."

"I don't need you to be prepared to defend even at the cost of your lives, just to create some kind of tactical advantage for us! Besides, a large part of this plan depends on Rhodes Island. If anything goes wrong, everyone will be in trouble—" Chen Huijie held the mobile terminal. The more she looked at it, the more something seemed off. It looked familiar, like she had seen something similar somewhere before.

—Longmen Type 99 Defense Plan.

Chen's pupils contracted slightly as memories flooded back like a tide.

The Lungmen Type 99 defense plan completely abandons the infected in the slums who collude with invading enemies, leaving all armed forces in Lungmen city and the wealthy districts. The plan also includes luring the Reunion Movement forces into Lungmen for a clean sweep… Huh? Clean sweep my foot! At a time like this, can't they at least have some self-awareness about their own strength?! The slums were almost completely demolished by the Reunion Movement last night, and these residents barely managed to rebuild their homes through their own efforts. I'm begging you, can you please not do anything so tactless at a time like this?!

Chen Huijie suddenly felt very tired. She covered her forehead, which was wrapped in gauze, and felt a faint stinging pain in the back of her head.

In short, I disagree.

"That's not up to you, Superintendent Chan."

Swire stared intently at Chen Huijie. She was determined not to leave so easily. She said in a deep voice, "The Guard Bureau has fallen, and the symbol of Lungmen—the Guard Bureau Building—is now under the control of the Reunion Movement. At this critical moment, we have already wasted precious time. If you don't have a better plan, then please carry out the mission properly."

Superintendent Chen took a deep breath, she hesitated, but couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

"You have nothing to say?"

Swire silently tossed the lunchbox into the corner trash can. She glanced at Superintendent Chen, and seeing his weak expression, her anger flared up again. Swire would rather Chen yell at her at this moment than see him remain silent.

"You can think about it all you want here! I'm leaving, Hoshiguma. Meet on the deck in half an hour."

"Okay, Miss... Anyway, thank you for the bento and the support."

"I won't do it again next time. I don't want to rescue a poor wife who has been bullied and doesn't dare to say a word."

Swire glared at Chen Huijie, turned and left, her steps still a little unsteady as she leaned against the wall.

As Chen Huijie watched her retreating figure, her professional habit kicked in again: analyzing and judging the disharmony from the other person's words and actions.

"She was injured while saving me?"

Chen looked up at Hoshiguma, leaned forward, and reached out to hug Hoshiguma's head, preventing her from looking away.

“Oh dear…” Hoshiguma gave a helpless bitter smile. Swire told her to keep it a secret, but now that the two of them were at odds, continuing to hide it would only cause greater problems.

After weighing the pros and cons, Hoshiguma decided to tell the truth: "In the previous battle, Miss was the closest person to you. She carried you, who was unconscious, from the spellcasting siege of the Reunion Movement mages to the cover."

"Did a mage from the Reunion Movement hurt her?"

“No, when she was picking you up, the indiscriminate sword energy caused by the Crimson Sky Sword going out of control almost cut her in two…” Hoshiguma looked at Chen Huijie’s 0x0 expression and was somewhat amused and exasperated. “Miss doesn’t want you to know about this because she’s worried you’ll blame yourself. It’s not your fault, and she doesn’t want you to make any judgments that are detrimental to the current situation because of this. You should be nice to her occasionally; there’s no need to compete with her all the time. She will stand on the same level as you and fight fairly and squarely.”

"……I see."

Chen Huijie sat on the edge of the hospital bed, her head bowed in disappointment.

Hoshiguma stood up from his chair, came to her side, and took her hand.

“I know you’re doing this for her sake, not wanting to see her team fall into crisis because of a blind plan. To be honest, this operation is really inexplicable. I have a feeling that our elite team being sent to the ruined city of Chernobog was a deliberate act by someone. The higher-ups deliberately sent us away so that it would be easier for them to take action in Lungmen... Maybe the Reunion Movement was deliberately let in by them.”