After Xiao Feng and his comrades returned to Black Whale City, night had already fallen. Like a dagger slicing through the darkness, their aircraft descended smoothly into the heart of the X Legion's encampment.
Several massive spotlights bathed the craft in fierce illumination, lending it an imposing and commanding presence.
As Xiao Feng was the first to step down, cheers erupted from those awaiting him. Old White, Rice, Alice, Lin, Kerry, and others had clearly been anticipating this moment for quite some time.
Especially Old White and Alice—though Xiao Feng was of a different race from them, they had long come to regard him as their dearest kin.
Tears streaming down her face, Alice ran toward Xiao Feng, suddenly throwing herself into his arms and weeping uncontrollably.
Xiao Feng gently patted her slender back. "Enough now, don't cry, my dear sister. I've come back, haven't I?"
Sniffling, Alice sobbed, "Do you know how worried I was? I've cried all my tears dry..."
"Alright, I understand. I promise I'll never make you worry again, okay?"
"No! You're the worst! You only know how to lie. How many times have you deceived me, huh?"
At that moment, Old White approached and pulled both children tightly into his broad embrace. His strong arms easily encompassed the two. "My precious children, knowing you're safe puts my mind at ease."
"Uncle, how could anything happen to me?" Alice replied.
One after another, the others came forward to greet Xiao Feng before ushering them to the camp's mess hall. Upon hearing of their safe return, Rice had already ordered a lavish feast prepared in their honor.
The banquet raged on through the night. K and Rush were among the first to be overwhelmed by drink, but the last to succumb were Kerry and Lin—the two wayward souls with prodigious drinking stamina. Even Xiao Feng was intoxicated beyond measure, having never consumed so much. When at last he saw Lin and Kerry slumped over the table, he laughed quietly and collapsed backward.
How he made it back to his room was a mystery even to him. That sleep felt endless, as if he'd dozed away an entire week.
In truth, Xiao Feng had truly slept two full days and nights. Upon awakening at dusk the following day, he struggled to sit up, rubbing his head in bewilderment as he took in his surroundings. "Damn, how long have I been out?"
Outside the door, Baibai called softly twice.
Approaching Baibai, Xiao Feng noticed he had grown taller—so large the dog barely fit inside the room. Baibai lowered his head toward him, and Xiao Feng stroked his nose affectionately. "Not bad, you've grown some more. Were you waiting here for me to wake up?"
Baibai nodded, then turned away, only to pause after a few steps and call softly twice again.
Pointing to himself in surprise, Xiao Feng asked, "You want me to come with you?"
Baibai nodded once more.
Helplessly, Xiao Feng slipped his hands into his pockets and followed behind Baibai.
The massive white wolf and Xiao Feng strolled through the camp, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun—a scene of harmony and calm.
It was summer now, and though the air still held a touch of heat, Xiao Feng wore only a vest as he followed Baibai to Alice's door.
Alice greeted him with a bright smile. "Brother Xiao Feng, you're awake!"
"Yeah, you had Baibai call me here. What's up?"
"No reason. I was just worried about how long you slept. Come, I've prepared dinner—we'll eat together."
Hunger had crept up on Xiao Feng, and he nodded in agreement.
At that moment, Rice appeared behind him and patted his shoulder. "Dinner first, then to the conference room. We need to discuss the next steps for the X Legion."
Xiao Feng nodded. "Alright, I'll be there after I eat."
"We've been rapidly expanding the legion's strength. We've been waiting for your return to strategize our next moves."
Xiao Feng smiled. "If I never came back, the X Legion wouldn't have grown at all."
"Pretty much. You're the very soul of the X Legion now."
"Enough praise. I'm coming right away."
Alice pouted at Rice. "Brother Xiao Feng hasn't even eaten yet, and you're rushing him. Rice, you're so annoying!"
Rice ruffled Alice's hair. "Now, now, we have serious matters to discuss. I'm not trying to steal your brother away."
"Hmph, I'm not talking to you anymore," the little Alice said, turning to retreat into her room.
After a modest meal in Alice's quarters, Xiao Feng proceeded to the conference room, where several officers had already gathered, with more trickling in steadily.
Once most had arrived, Rice stepped onto the podium and activated a digital map.
Black Whale City was highlighted in striking red, surrounded by several smaller cities marked with stars.
Standing before the officers and Xiao Feng, Rice declared, "After a period of rest and reorganization, our legion now numbers around twenty thousand warriors, distributed across these neighboring towns. Our equipment outshines even the Alliance forces, thanks to the robust support from the Brownm Company. Our combat strength is now truly formidable. With such an army, our next step is to decisively confront the Alliance. Allow me to outline my plan..."
Xiao Feng and the others listened intently, though midway he grew somewhat impatient, pondering his own strategy.
When Rice concluded, he turned to Xiao Feng. "What are your thoughts?"
Xiao Feng glanced at the surrounding officers. "Let them speak first."
"No, you go ahead. Our ideas could never match yours," one insisted.
"Yes, Boss Xiao Feng, please lead us," another urged.
Nodding, Xiao Feng stepped up. "Alright, since you want to hear my advice, I'll share it."
He surveyed the room. "Frankly, I disagree with Rice's plan to take the surrounding towns one by one. Those small cities won't yield much strategic advantage no matter how many there are."
Pausing to read their expressions, he continued, "My proposal is this: now that we command such formidable forces, we should strike directly at the New City. Capturing New City would mark a monumental turning point for the X Legion. Once secured, we'll make it our center and radiate influence throughout all of Europe, aiming to occupy the entire continent in the shortest time possible."
His declaration left the officers momentarily stunned.