Chapter 28: Under the 7.62, All Are Equal

"You are just being too cautious!"

Ji Tianxing was left speechless by Ji Yun. Indeed, Ji Yun’s plan could be described as seamless. After all, no one would suspect a thing; they were all citizens of the Dragon Kingdom, all military personnel, and most importantly, just like Ji Ling, they were all members of the Ji family. No one would ever imagine that Ji Yun would take the life of his own older brother. Over the past few days, the programs they had orchestrated on television and the public image they had crafted for Ji Yun ensured that no one would ever suspect him of such a thing.

Ji Tianxing took a deep breath, looked at Ji Yun, and asked, "Tell me about that Trojan program. Are you certain it can kill Ji Ling?"

Ji Yun nodded immediately. "Don't worry, Dad. That program is a genetic-based script. I’ve input Ji Ling’s genetic data into it. Once any of his DNA is leaked and detected by the sensors, the Trojan will instantly seize control of the drone’s weapon systems and unleash fire upon him."

"Even if Ji Ling has obtained a Divine Space and become a Divine Contractor, it won't matter. A Divine Contractor is still made of flesh and blood. Under 7.62mm rounds, all are equal."

Ji Tianxing chuckled and nodded, though he frowned as he asked, "What do you mean by 'genetic leak'?"

"It’s simple," Ji Yun explained immediately. "The most common form of genetic data, and the easiest for the program to detect, is Ji Ling's blood."

"Bleeding on the battlefield is the most normal thing in the world! As long as blood flows from any part of his body and is picked up by the genetic-sniffing sensors mounted on the drone, the Trojan will activate."

"So..." Ji Tianxing’s brows furrowed again. "Where did you get Ji Ling’s genetic data?"

"Dad, are you getting senile?" Ji Yun looked at him in disbelief. "When Ji Ling returned to the family and claimed his ancestry, didn't we have him undergo a paternity test? The testing agency must have his genetic data! I just had to pay them a little, and they handed it over."

"But what if someone finds out later?" Ji Tianxing voiced his concern.

Ji Yun grinned and asked, "Dad, let me ask you this: if you were on the battlefield and a friendly drone suddenly attacked you, what would be your first reaction? What would the soldiers around you do?"

"Well, naturally, we’d fight back! Whatever the reason, we’d shoot it down first!"

"Exactly!" Ji Yun spread his hands. "Once it’s shot down, it’ll be destroyed. Who would be able to find a Trojan program inside the wreckage?"

Ji Tianxing let out a dry laugh and nodded. "Fine. So, this time, Ji Ling is as good as dead?"

Ji Yun nodded immediately. "Absolutely dead! The drone tasked with hunting him down is already on a Divine Bureau transport plane! It will be airdropped into the Eastern Theater of Operations shortly!"

The tension that had been stifling Ji Tianxing finally eased as he let out a long breath. He looked at Ji Yun and said, "Good! You’ve finally removed a major thorn in our side."

"There is only one day left. Tomorrow is the Divine War. Make sure you prepare well."

Ji Yun sneered. "What else is there to prepare? Didn't you tell me I just need to go through the motions and lose? When the time comes, I’ll just pin the blame on Ji Ling, and that will be that. What else is there to prepare for?"

"Even if you’re going to lose, you have to at least put on a convincing performance!" Ji Tianxing glared at him. "Do you think it will look good if you just stand there and get one-shotted by those Japs?"

Ji Yun pursed his lips and remained silent.

Ji Tianxing took a deep breath and said, "You still need to find a way to communicate with the Yinglong. After all, the Sakura Kingdom only challenged us because they know we’ve awakened the Yinglong!"

"At the very least, you need to manifest a shred of the Yinglong’s power!"

"But the Yinglong won't communicate with me at all!" Ji Yun slammed his tablet onto the sofa in frustration. "Anyway, we’re already going to blame Ji Ling for everything! If I can't summon the Yinglong, can't I just pin that on him too?"

Ji Tianxing sighed and whispered, "Just give it your best effort. It’s better if you can actually do it!"

"Fine, fine, I get it!" Ji Yun waved his hand impatiently, stood up, and headed upstairs. "I'm going to get some rest!"

Watching Ji Yun’s lackluster behavior, Ji Tianxing sighed and lowered his gaze to the family portrait hanging on the wall. It was taken the day Ji Ling was brought back. At the time, Ji Yun had vehemently opposed it; he simply couldn't accept Ji Ling, an "outsider," joining their family. Under Ji Yun’s influence, his two sisters had also firmly refused to be in the photo. However, although the general public didn't know much about the Ji family retrieving their biological son, the authorities were well aware of it. They had to keep up appearances. And so, the portrait was taken.

Looking at the photo, Ji Tianxing saw Ji Ling—the eldest son—standing in the far corner, looking as if he had been pushed out of the frame. For the first time, a flicker of a father’s love appeared in his eyes.

Perhaps because he knew Ji Ling was doomed, combined with his dissatisfaction with Ji Yun’s performance, a rare moment of paternal affection for Ji Ling stirred in Ji Tianxing’s heart.

But it lasted for only a few seconds.

...

At noon, in the Eastern Theater of Operations, Ji Ling publicly announced his findings and speculations from the previous night. General Lin and General Xu furrowed their brows into knots. The two old men exchanged glances, as if trying to read something in each other’s eyes, or perhaps waiting for the other to speak first.

Just then, a young soldier with the rank of sergeant stepped forward and looked at Ji Ling. "Jiang Ling! Are you certain?"

The soldier’s emotions were clearly agitated, his eyes fixed intensely on Ji Ling.

Ji Ling recognized him. His name was Liu Tianfeng, the son of Commander Liu, who had sacrificed his life to bring the Yinglong statue out of the Black Fog. To get the statue out, Commander Liu had perished at the hands of the strange creatures lurking within.

Seeing Liu Tianfeng’s agitation, Ji Ling sighed and comforted him, "Brother Feng, don't be hasty. This is only my speculation!"

General Lin also noticed the soldier’s state and stepped forward. "Tianfeng, Jiang Ling is right. You mustn't be reckless. I know you want to kill those damned creatures and avenge your father! I want to avenge Old Liu, too! I want to more than anyone!"

"But this matter is not yet confirmed! We cannot act rashly!"

General Xu also stepped forward. "That’s right, Little Liu! Even if we wanted to act, we wouldn't even know how to begin!"