Starforce Warriors-Chapter 508: Leave Your Last Words

Nan Hua, though unfamiliar with the obscure verse, understood the essence of Li Xiaofei's words.

Though It May Cost Me Nine Lives, I Shall Never Regret.

The words encapsulated Li Xiaofei’s bold and radical actions, showcasing his unwavering resolve. He had slain Tsukiha Tensō. He had slain You Longzi. He had slain Glenn Johnson. He had slain Yang Zhihou. He had slain Aztast.

The last of these, Aztast, stood out most of all. No matter how many despicable, exploitative acts he had committed against Great Xia in secret, Aztast's official position as a Star Council Inspector made him untouchable in the eyes of the world.

Since the outbreak of the star beast calamity, the Star Council had gradually risen to become the supreme governing authority on Earth, even overshadowing national governments. Aside from a few fringe resistance factions hiding in the shadows, no one dared to openly challenge the Star Council. To kill a Star Council Inspector was to openly provoke the council itself. The consequences of such an act were unthinkable.

Li Xiaofei’s string of killings had indeed swept away the darkness shrouding Haijing City and carved out a bright, hopeful sky. But there was no doubt that the Star Council would retaliate.

No matter how strong he is, how can a single man stand against the might of the Star Council?

Nan Hua found herself filled with conflicting emotions. She deeply admired Li Xiaofei’s courage and determination, but at the same time, she couldn’t suppress her growing worry for him.

Will his strength and resolve be enough to weather the storm he had summoned?

"Seize the Zhang estate, auction it off, and allocate the proceeds to the Dragon Group’s operational funds," Li Xiaofei commanded.

"Understood," Nan Hua responded loudly, her voice filled with conviction.

To serve under someone like Li Xiaofei, a Dragon Group envoy of unparalleled strength and determination, was an honor she could hardly put into words.

"Let’s go," Li Xiaofei said, turning to leave.

However, as soon as they stepped out of the Zhang estate, someone was already waiting for them. It was a graceful, mature woman of undeniable elegance.

Dressed in a deep green embroidered qipao, her jade-like calves were exposed, the curves so perfectly sculpted they seemed to belong to a masterpiece of art. But Nan Hua tensed in surprise.

Grinding Blade Hall’s chief stewardess, Qin Yueru?! What is she doing here?

"Envoy Li." The middle-aged woman said calmly as she bowed slightly. "My master has invited you for a meeting."

Li Xiaofei turned to glance at Nan Hua. She leaned in close, speaking softly into his ear to provide a quick introduction.

Oh? The stewardess of Grand Commander Song Huaiyuan, the one who formally presided over Haijing City’s highest authority on behalf of Great Xia?

Li Xiaofei’s mind stirred with interest. By all accounts, he should have visited Grand Commander Song long ago. After all, he had stirred up no small amount of chaos in Haijing City. Song Huaiyuan, as the nominal highest authority of Great Xia in the city, would naturally be concerned.

"Big Sister Qin, may I ask what purpose the Grand Commander has in inviting our Dragon Group envoy?" Nan Hua asked cautiously.

Haijing City was currently shrouded in intrigue and turbulence. Caution was paramount, especially with this woman. Though Qin Yueru appeared gentle and elegant, those familiar with her methods knew just how terrifying she could be.

"Little Sister Nan Hua, there’s no need to worry," Qin Yueru replied with a smile. "The Grand Commander has always generously rewarded the heroes of Great Xia."

Li Xiaofei spoke up. "If that’s the case, please, lead the way."

They changed course for the Grinding Blade Hall, the domain of Grand Commander Song Huaiyuan. Moments later, they arrived at the courtyard’s entrance. The steady and deliberate sound of a blade being sharpened echoed from within. The sound carried an almost hypnotic rhythm, a cadence that seemed to seep into the bones.

Li Xiaofei paused, listening intently. To his surprise, he felt his heartbeat aligning with the rhythm of the grinding blade. Each pulse matched the eerie cadence, as though his very life force was being subtly influenced.

Realizing something was amiss, Li Xiaofei immediately adjusted his inner qi, steadying his energy and suppressing the unsettling effect on his blood and heart. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at the courtyard, fully aware that this meeting would be anything but ordinary.

"Please," Qin Yueru gestured, inviting him inside.

Li Xiaofei stepped through the arched doorway into the inner courtyard. Inside the grand hall, he saw a man seated in front of a massive, dark-green grindstone, his back to the entrance.

The man wore a black robe and had his hair tied in a traditional topknot, secured with a simple wooden hairpin. His movements were slow and measured, as if he were crafting a masterpiece. Every stroke across the blade was done with focus and precision, giving the impression that sharpening the blade was the most important task of his life.

Strangely, there was no detectable inner qi emanating from this man. He appeared to be an ordinary person entirely unskilled in martial arts.

"Greetings, Grand Commander Song," Li Xiaofei said, bowing in respect.

He showed no arrogance in front of this man. He knew full well that Song Huaiyuan’s contributions to defending the nation of Great Xia far exceeded anything he, a relative newcomer, had accomplished.

"Sit," Song Huaiyuan said without turning, his hands still on the blade.

Li Xiaofei seated himself on a nearby rattan chair and asked, "Grand Commander, to what do I owe this summons?"

"Leave your last words," Song Huaiyuan said flatly, still focused on sharpening the blade.

Li Xiaofei froze, stunned by the statement. In the next instant, the very atmosphere of the Grinding Blade Hall transformed. An overwhelming, terrifying blade intent filled every inch of the space, pressing in on him from all directions.

Everything around him, the walls, the floor, the furniture, and even the air itself seemed to morph into countless lethal blades. Each blade was pointed directly at his vital points, ready to strike.

Li Xiaofei’s heart raced as he felt the invisible yet palpable danger pressing against his entire body.

***

The news spread like wildfire. In less than an hour, every official in Haijing City’s political circles had heard about the events that unfolded at the Zhang estate banquet. The city was in shock. Those who had been covertly or openly resisting the new policy were terrified to their cores.

Who is this ruthless man?

This isn’t how the game is played!

The political arena had its unspoken rules with its balance of explicit and implicit power plays. But this envoy had disregarded everything, smashing both formal and informal rules alike, as he flipped the table in one fell swoop.

The thought of the rumored Ledger of Life and Death sent shivers down the spines of officials everywhere.

We need to fix this!

They had to fix it immediately. Regardless of their previous positions or the interests at stake, it was time to abandon everything. Allegiances shifted overnight. From that moment on, every official became a fervent supporter of the new policy.

Meanwhile, in his office, Xue Xuanqi was rubbing his temples, exhausted from the relentless challenges of pushing the new policy forward. But after receiving dozens of urgent calls, he began to piece together what had happened.

Moments later, his students, Huang Fulai and Zhu Kunyu, arrived in high spirits.

"Teacher," Huang Fulai said eagerly, "Envoy Li has publicly taken a stand. He’s silenced all opposition with the power of a Saint Slayer. From now on, no one in Haijing City will dare to defy the new policy!"

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"Teacher," Zhu Kunyu added with equal enthusiasm, "your long-cherished goal is finally within reach!"

Both students were visibly thrilled. They understood the gravity of this turning point. After this decisive act, the implementation of the new policy would accelerate like never before. Yet, despite their excitement, Xue Xuanqi’s expression was clouded with deep concern. He recognized the monumental shift in their favor, but he also understood the storm this move would inevitably provoke.

The cost of such ruthless action would soon come due, and it was a cost that even success might not be able to offset.

"The new policy's implementation should proceed without issue," Xue Xuanqi said, his voice calm but laced with concern. "But Envoy Li’s situation... Sigh, I fear a great storm is brewing. He has single-handedly carved out a brighter future for Haijing City, but in doing so, he’s taken all the blame and punishment upon himself."

Huang Fulai and Zhu Kunyu nodded solemnly. They knew their teacher was right. The smoother the new policy’s implementation became, the more precarious Li Xiaofei’s position grew. He had cut a path to dawn with a single sword. But in doing so, he had plunged himself into grave danger.

"Teacher," Huang Fulai said, "we should petition the Grand Commander to have Great Xia’s leadership council intervene and protect Envoy Li."

Xue Xuanqi nodded. "I will draft a petition, but the outcome is uncertain. The Star Council, the Yiggs, the Jiepeng, and the Europeans will all exert pressure on the council. Let us hope the Grand Commanders can withstand that pressure."

The sun rose over Haijing City the next day. At the Zhendan University campus, Ren Dong was pacing back and forth.

"Why isn’t he picking up the phone?" She muttered, frustrated.

She had called six or seven times, but there was no response.

Could he be busy with something urgent?

She grumbled under her breath, feeling dejected as she headed to the computer lab. Logging into the light-network virtual world, she began her usual training and trial scene runs.

Her calls to Li Xiaofei were still unanswered by lunchtime. That evening, after school, Ren Dong went to the slums and set up her stall at their usual spot.

She tried to contact Li Xiaofei for three days, but there was no word from him. On the morning of the fourth day, a piece of shocking news spread throughout the city.