Chapter 134: Breakdown of Negotiations

The battle lasted only a few minutes from start to finish, yet Xie Liu and his companions had dealt with their adversaries with thunderous efficiency. Only the leader of the special forces had managed to escape. Xie Liu did not pursue him—not because he lacked the desire, but because he could not; there was another matter that remained unresolved.

Previously, Xie Liu and the observer had shared a common enemy, but that was no longer certain. Xie Liu could not determine whether this stranger was friend or foe.

"I do not know which friend is watching, but why not step out and show yourself?" Xie Liu called out. His voice was not loud, but he was certain the person could hear him.

There was no reply, yet Xie Liu waited patiently. He gestured toward Wang Qi and Qili. "Go back and take care of your daughter; I will handle things here." The two did not hesitate; casting wary glances toward the rooftops in the distance, they retreated into the house.

The street was deserted. Although it was not a bustling district, the atmosphere felt strangely eerie. Xie Liu scanned his surroundings, shook his head, and with a swift arc of his long blade through the air, sheathed his weapon.

At that moment, Xie Liu saw a figure emerge from a side alley. It was his first time seeing a soldier from the United Task Force who had aided him. Unlike Xie Liu, this soldier looked as if he had stepped straight out of a science fiction film.

The man was encased in a white combat suit, his head covered by a full-face helmet that left only his expressionless face visible. Unlike the Hunter Squads, the United Task Force represented the city's true professional military. They were equipped with the most advanced weaponry and armor—a level of privilege not even the Hunter Squad’s direct-action teams enjoyed.

The soldier walked from the alley until he stood not far from Xie Liu. As he watched the soldier approach and stop, Xie Liu spoke: "Did you use a 'Passerby Repellent'?"

The Passerby Repellent was a device developed by the city to drive away civilians. It emitted high-frequency sound waves that stimulated the nervous systems of those nearby. While most people could not consciously hear the sound, it induced such intense physical discomfort that they would instinctively leave the area. Clearly, this soldier had used such a device to ensure that despite the recent battle, no civilians had gathered to watch. However, such frequencies were ineffective against the biologically enhanced citizens of the Fantasy City.

"Yes, sir," the figure replied. Although Xie Liu did not belong to the same military branch, in terms of rank, even the lowest-ranking member of a direct-action team held seniority equivalent to a "Phalanx" commander in the United Task Force—a role overseeing a hundred soldiers.

Xie Liu was familiar with the United Task Force's organizational structure. Their basic unit was a squad of three to five members, capable of executing tasks independently or in coordination. Three squads formed a platoon, three platoons formed a combat company, and three combat companies formed a phalanx. Above the phalanx was the legion; a United Task Force legion consisted of one thousand soldiers and served as their largest organizational unit. A legion commander held significant authority within the city and reported directly to the sector commander.

A single United Task Force legion, if fully committed and properly supplied, was capable of annihilating an army of one hundred thousand soldiers from the ordinary world.

Xie Liu studied the soldier, and the soldier studied him in return. To the United Task Force, the Hunter Squads were a peculiar existence—both comrades and rivals. Unlike the third military branch, the City Guard, which focused solely on internal security, both the United Task Force and the Hunter Squads were created to counter the incursions of the Special Alliance. Originally, the United Task Force had been the legitimate regular army, but in recent years, the Hunter Squads' outstanding performance had claimed much of the glory that once belonged to them.

After a long silence, Xie Liu spoke first: "What are you doing here? And where is your squad?"

The United Task Force never operated alone; their smallest unit was a squad, meaning at least two or three others had to be nearby.

"They have gone to search other areas," the soldier replied. Xie Liu did not doubt him. He nodded and asked, "What is your name, and which unit are you attached to?"

"I am Wu Yuan, attached to the 22nd Squad of the Calamity Legion, Huaxia Branch," the soldier reported. Xie Liu frowned. "The Calamity Legion?"

He knew this legion well. It was a renowned unit of the Huaxia Branch that had once been stationed at the Guandong Branch. During the Guandong Incident two years prior, they had been the first to launch a counterattack, repelling the invading cyborgs. However, the Calamity Legion had suffered heavy casualties in that battle and was eventually recalled to the Huaxia Branch for reorganization. It seemed their presence here was inseparable from Wang Qi and his wife.

Xie Liu refocused and looked at the soldier again. "My codename is Dead Eye, a member of the Hunter Squad’s direct-action Doom Team."

He watched as Wu Yuan’s expression changed. The name of the Doom Team now echoed throughout the city. Though many refused to acknowledge it, they held the title of the top direct-action team. As the man who had eliminated two Level 10 powerhouses, the "Dead Eye" of the Doom Team was a frequent topic of conversation. Wu Yuan had not expected this young-looking man to be the legendary figure himself.

"Why are you here?" Xie Liu asked. Recovering from his shock, Wu Yuan nodded. "Sir, we are tracking down some cyborgs who slipped through the net during the Guandong Incident."

Xie Liu’s heart sank; these men were undoubtedly here for Qili. Still, he remained composed. "The Guandong Incident? That was two years ago. How are there still stragglers left?"

Wu Yuan nodded. "You are correct, sir. Two years ago, although we routed the cyborgs that breached our sector and plugged the gap, many went into hiding. Our casualties were so severe that we were recalled for reorganization shortly after the battle. The Fengxi Legion, which replaced us, was unaware of these stragglers and failed to handle them during the aftermath, allowing at least thirty cyborgs to infiltrate the city's sphere of influence.

"For the past two years, although the Calamity Legion has not yet returned to its pre-war strength, we have been hunting these stragglers. They are our mortal enemies and must be eradicated completely." Though Wu Yuan spoke without emotion, Xie Liu could see the hatred in his eyes. It was clear he had lost friends in that catastrophe.

Xie Liu realized their conflict was irreconcilable. Many were unaware of the true situation of the Guandong Incident, believing only a few hundred cyborgs had broken the lines. In reality, while the initial breach involved only three to four hundred, a subsequent army of over three thousand—comprised of cyborg legions, mechanical units, and special forces—had poured through. The Calamity Legion had sacrificed four hundred and sixty-two men killed and over three hundred severely wounded to push the invaders back.

The Calamity Legion bore all their hatred against the cyborgs. These were inside details known only to those who had dealt with the military high command.

"By the way, sir, I noticed two others with you earlier. Where have they gone?" Wu Yuan suddenly asked. Xie Liu felt a jolt; he knew the inevitable had arrived.

"They returned to the shop," Xie Liu replied, gesturing toward the storefront.

Wu Yuan nodded. "We received reports that cyborg traces were detected here. We have deployed ten squads to search the vicinity. We must find the remaining cyborgs from that year."

Wu Yuan looked at Xie Liu, a questioning glint in his eyes. "Sir, among the two earlier, I saw the woman use her hands to tear open a special forces soldier's throat. As far as I know, only the cat-type cyborgs of the Special Alliance possess such ability."

"Is that woman a cat-person?" Wu Yuan asked in a low voice. Xie Liu cursed inwardly; the soldier was far too sharp. He had pieced it together in such a short time.

Deception was useless. Xie Liu simply nodded. "That is correct. She is the one you are looking for."

"Very well. I will go and kill her." Wu Yuan turned toward the clothing store, but Xie Liu’s blade appeared before him, blocking his path.

"Sir, what is the meaning of this?" Wu Yuan had suspected Xie Liu’s connection to the pair, but given the strict hierarchy of the Fantasy City, he could not openly challenge a superior without concrete proof. Yet, Xie Liu’s obstruction was a clear provocation.

"Can we talk about this?" Xie Liu offered a slight smile. He did not want to resort to force. Moreover, while he did not fear this individual, he could not handle the consequences of drawing the entire Calamity Legion down upon himself.

"What do you mean, sir?" The face behind the helmet darkened. Even though Xie Liu was a superior, the United Task Force generally looked down on the "country bumpkins" from the Hunter Squads, even those in direct-action teams.

"I only mean that while it is true the cat-woman is a straggler from that year, she is no longer our enemy," Xie Liu said slowly, watching for any change in the soldier’s expression. Seeing none, he continued, "She has lived in the world of ordinary people for two years now and has never harmed humanity or the city."

"Can you not let her go?"

"Let her go?" Wu Yuan stared at Xie Liu in horror, as if he had heard something preposterous. "Are you joking, sir? That is a cyborg of the Special Alliance. They are things that must be wiped out entirely!"

"It is not as you imagine." Xie Liu knew the doctrine of "exterminate all cyborgs" was deeply ingrained and impossible to change overnight, but he had to try. "Yes, the cyborgs were wrong, but have you considered that they are not always voluntary? Some are born as cyborgs. What fault is that of theirs?"

"Fault?" Wu Yuan sneered. "What right do they have to discuss right and wrong? Back then, they slaughtered their way into the Guandong Branch; how many of our people did they kill? Every cyborg has innocent blood on their hands. They are butchers, demons, and they must all be eradicated!"

"That was the duty of soldiers! They were merely following the commands of their high command! And have we not invaded their homelands? Have we not killed their people?" Xie Liu argued, attempting to sway the soldier. "Please, show your mercy."

Wu Yuan sneered. "During the battle of T City last year, we were stationed there for reorganization. I did not see any mercy from you then, Dead Eye."

*Boom!*

A roar echoed in Xie Liu’s mind. The battle with Ace at T City could have been avoided. If Xie Liu had not fired that shot, thousands would not have died, and in the end, they had not even captured their target. So many had died in vain.

"Sir, if you will not move, I will go kill that cat-person." Wu Yuan stepped forward. Xie Liu’s body tensed as he retreated a step, planting himself firmly in the soldier's path. "As long as I am here, you shall not pass."

"Has the negotiation failed?" Wu Yuan stared at Xie Liu for a long time before offering a cold smile. "Very well. From this moment on, you are an enemy of the entire Calamity Legion!"

The situation had ultimately spiraled toward the worst possible outcome.