Chapter Twenty-One: The Answer

The television feed cut to the studio, where a stunning anchorwoman in a tight-fitting outfit with deep lace detailing appeared on screen.

On the streets and in shopping malls, people’s gazes were captured by the broadcast. Inside the Lexus 800, Ken Fujiyama had regained his composure. Clearly, this notorious crime lord of Jepon, known for his cunning and ruthlessness, possessed emotional control far beyond that of an ordinary man. Now, his narrow, slanted eyes flickered with a murderous glint, his thoughts unreadable, though his occasional glances toward the anchorwoman betrayed flashes of obscenity and lewdness.

"It is quite evident that while the world's attention is fixed on the border conflict between Myan-Thai and Chakna, the true objective of that ancient Eastern nation is the East-U movement in the northwestern frontier," remarked a blonde, blue-eyed expert with a grave expression. He had just been rushed into the studio and, barely seated, had launched into his analysis. "This is their 'deceiving the heavens to cross the sea' and 'feigning an attack in the east while striking in the west' from the Thirty-Six Stratagems..."

Many recognized this expert as Eisen Malone, formerly of the Seven Stars Building in Worthington and now a senior consultant at a prominent think tank in the Minia Federation. He was renowned for his profound study of the Arthurian continent’s geopolitical landscape, often hailed as an "Asian expert" and a "Chakna authority." While his rhetoric was sometimes hyperbolic, it was deeply favored by certain national governments. This time, he was in Kyoto at the invitation of a Jepon institution for research when he happened upon this world-shaking event, naturally leading to his inclusion in the panel for commentary.

Sitting opposite him was Taro Hashimoto, a veteran Jepon political commentator who had entered the studio earlier. His consistent right-wing rhetoric had earned him the favor of the current Prime Minister, Nobuzo Kishi.

Hearing Eisen Malone’s words, Taro Hashimoto nodded in deep agreement. "Yes, Mr. Malone. That cunning nation is most adept at using these ancient deceptions to achieve their strategic goals. They are always like a high-level chess player; their moves are highly deceptive. Only when their layout is complete do they strike where you least expect!"

Hashimoto’s expression was one of indignation, but Eisen Malone smiled and asked, "Is that not a brilliant strategic maneuver?" Hashimoto wanted to retort but restrained himself, offering a dry laugh instead of a response.

The anchorwoman intervened at the perfect moment. Her lips, painted with a pale silver lipstick, seemed to exhale an ambiguous aura as she cooed, "Oh... please hold. A signal is coming in from the scene of the routine press conference at the Chakna Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Oh, my goodness—"

Following her exclamation, the screen shifted to a modest press briefing room, which was already in total chaos. Before the spokesperson could even step onto the podium, countless reporters had raised their arms high, some even standing on their chairs, waving their hands in the air in hopes of catching the spokesperson's attention to secure a question. On the live broadcast, everyone was chattering about the true purpose of the Republic’s operation and its underlying strategic goals. The room was ten times noisier than the rowdiest wet market.

Amidst the intense scrutiny, Qin Yang—the man many knew well as the only "hardliner" spokesperson for the Chakna Ministry of Foreign Affairs—strode onto the stage. The room fell deathly silent. Everyone waited for this diplomat, known for his sharp tongue and for appearing whenever the Republic took strong action, to announce the news that everyone already suspected, and to begin the Q&A session.

"At 4:00 AM Hanjing time this morning, our military launched a precision strike against thirteen training camps of the East-U Kuchat organization located within Khorezm and Uzistan, as well as the East-U Kuchat headquarters in Al-Fughan. To date, we have eliminated over 1,300 East-U terrorists, including the head of the East-U Kuchat organization, the so-called President of the Western Front Republic in-exile, Nazayev; the key figure and so-called Interior Minister of the Western Front Republic in-exile, Amin; the key figure and so-called Defense Minister of the Western Front Republic in-exile, Shatush; and the key figure and so-called Foreign Minister of the Western Front Republic in-exile, Sahaf..."

The room went terrifyingly quiet. No injuries, no prisoners—only eliminations! Was this truly the work of that nation that claimed to be one of "courtesy and righteousness" and "gentle and yielding"?

All the reporters seemed to have lost the ability to think, their eyes glazed as they listened to Qin Yang read from his prepared text without a hint of emotion or tonal variation.

"...Currently, the operation is proceeding smoothly. Our military is working hard to sweep away the remaining enemies, ensuring not a single terrorist escapes." Qin Yang paused, his gaze sweeping over the blank-faced reporters. "This operation is of extraordinary significance for ensuring the safety of our people's lives and property, for clearing out the cancerous tumor of the East-U Kuchat terrorist force, and for maintaining world peace and tranquility. We hope that all nations of the world will join hands to fight against the enemy and contribute to the complete eradication of these three forces, protecting the peaceful and harmonious development of the world. That concludes today’s briefing. Thank you!"

Qin Yang turned and left immediately. The reporters were stunned, then erupted in an uproar. There was no Q&A session? He was just walking away without answering their questions? How could he do that?

The room exploded. Over a hundred reporters swarmed forward, quickly surrounding Qin Yang, shouting a deluge of questions.

"What is the ultimate goal of your country's operation?"

"Did your country obtain permission from neighboring countries to conduct cross-border operations?"

"Has this military action been authorized by the United Nations?"

Faced with the barrage of questions, Qin Yang either wore a professional smile and remained silent or offered standard "no comment" responses. His feet never stopped moving toward the back of the room. The reporters, refusing to let him go, clung to him, microphones thrust into his personal space.

Suddenly, while striding through the chaotic crowd, Qin Yang stopped abruptly. He looked at a reporter with East Asian features and fixed him with a gaze as sharp as a hawk’s for a full half-minute, only speaking once the reporter’s eyes began to shift. "What did you say?"

The reporter, clearly not expecting such a strong reaction to his outburst, hesitated before puffing out his chest and gathering his courage. "I am a reporter for the Jepon *Asahi Sanke*. May I ask, does this cross-border operation constitute an act of aggression? Since all personnel on the other side were killed, does this constitute a massacre?"

After staring at the reporter for a long moment, Qin Yang suddenly smiled and said contemptuously, "This is war. To ensure the safety of our soldiers, we cannot guarantee that the enemy will not be killed during combat. Furthermore, regarding these two questions, I would like to ask one back: when certain countries invaded our land decades ago and committed inhuman massacres against our unarmed civilians, did they ever think about these questions? Why is it that, to this day, they have shown no sign of repentance?"

With that, Qin Yang stopped responding and strode away, leaving a group of people standing there with their microphones raised, watching the Jepon reporter’s face flush from pale to crimson.