Volume Two: The Expedition! Chapter Seventy-Nine: A Familiar Face

Putting away two black feathers with different effects, Liu Cong then took out the black fruit from his pocket.

The pure black fruit resembled a round lump of coal, making Liu Cong’s palm appear even more pale in contrast. Upon closer inspection, he realized this mysterious fruit not only looked like a plum, but even its shallow roots bore a striking similarity.

Examining it carefully, beneath the glossy black skin, there seemed to be an unknown energy subtly flowing, making it quite captivating.

Liu Cong scrutinized the fruit, and, without reason, suddenly felt a compulsion to take a bite. When he brought it close to his mouth, he realized what he was about to do and hurriedly pulled his hand away.

This fruit is truly sinister!

“What exactly are you? To be able to tempt my subconscious so easily—almost had me fooled,” he muttered, eyes fixed on the black fruit. Yet the longer he stared, the stronger his desire to consume it became, a deep longing rising from within—a need, more than mere want.

It was akin to a person dying of thirst, seeing water and instinctively wanting to drink. Was his body craving it?

Realizing this, Liu Cong paused, unsure if he should yield to instinct and eat the fruit, but his rational mind urged caution.

After a period of inner conflict, Liu Cong decided to take the risk and try one. He clearly remembered that during previous battles with high-level mutant creatures, he had been wounded by their released dark energy, though it was quickly purged by the energy of the Celestial Sword within him.

He was not afraid of dark energy invading his body. No longer hesitating, Liu Cong took a fruit and bit into it. The taste was tangy and sweet, pleasantly palatable. After the initial burst of flavor, a tingling sensation spread from his tongue throughout his body, like a mild electric shock.

After a tentative bite, seeing no ill effects, Liu Cong relaxed and ate the rest in a few mouthfuls.

Once swallowed, the numbing sensation intensified, as if countless needle points pricked his tender skin. Yet after the tingling faded, there were no further changes.

Liu Cong carefully sensed his body and felt his strength had increased slightly, though the improvement was marginal.

“So much for something extraordinary!” Liu Cong sighed, deeply disappointed by the fruit’s meager effects. Its mysterious aura belied its actual power. It grew on a tree amid black waters, guarded by so many carnivorous trees, and he had gone through so much trouble to acquire these fruits—only to find them quite underwhelming.

He decided not to eat the remaining fruits; since consuming them all would not yield significant benefit, it was better to take them back for further study.

Glancing at the time, he realized the first batch of planes would be arriving soon. Without further delay, Liu Cong flew back to the safe zone.

Outside the safe zone, a stretch of open ground had already been thoroughly cleared. Not only were all the corpses that once littered the area gone, but even the pits in the earth had been filled in, with many Japanese soldiers still busy sweeping away excess dust.

Around the clearing, makeshift buildings had formed a new defensive line. Masao Nakamura, under the protection of his subordinates, arrived at the site.

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“It seems your efficiency is quite impressive; you've cleaned such a large area in such a short time,” Liu Cong suddenly appeared and spoke as Nakamura was conversing with his subordinates.

The group was startled, unaware when this new presence had arrived.

“Master Sword Immortal, laboring for one’s life is worth any hardship,” Nakamura replied, his gaze complex as he looked at Liu Cong. This enigmatic Sword Immortal from China came and went like a shadow; if he wished to kill him and seize the list, it would be a simple matter.

Liu Cong nodded. “I’ve already notified Zhao Tian and the others; they’re on their way. I’ll go receive the planes—otherwise, they’ll have trouble landing. You all wait here.”

“Thank you for taking the trouble, Master,” Nakamura replied.

Ignoring Nakamura’s gestures of goodwill, Liu Cong soared into the sky, heading toward the approaching aircraft.

As Liu Cong’s powers grew, his perception of ordinary people became increasingly detached. It would not be an exaggeration to say he could now destroy a nation effortlessly. To him, Nakamura was but an ant; his fate irrelevant. Liu Cong cared nothing for his opinions, and his humanity was reserved only for those close to him.

“Liu Cong, our ten transport planes are approaching your position. I’ll transfer them to your channel now; you take command from here,” Li Yu’s voice came through the phone.

Liu Cong had already located the planes on his watch, not far away. “Commander, I see them now. We’ll meet soon.”

“Remember, bring everyone back alive if possible, and the planes too—preferably not a single one lost!”

Apparently, the old commander still mourned the loss of his previous transport plane. Imagining Li Yu’s pained expression, Liu Cong couldn’t help but smile. “Don’t worry, Commander. They’re carrying people, so I’ll be careful.”

After ending the call, Liu Cong waited high in the sky for the arrival of the ten transport planes.

High above, the massive steel beasts sped through the clouds, flanked by two imposing fighter jets for protection.

“Eagle One, Eagle Two, you may return,” came the order through the headset.

The two fighters executed stylish turns and headed back the way they came.

In the lead transport plane, a valiant female soldier sat in the co-pilot seat.

“The escort’s gone, looks like he’s close,” she remarked.

The pilot, a middle-aged officer of senior rank, was the commander of the flight formation.

“Wang Na, I hear you’re on good terms with him?” Zhang Yuguo glanced at her.

“Not really, just fortunate enough to be assigned as guide.”

“To tell the truth, I’ve only seen him from afar once. I’ve always wanted to witness his power firsthand—maybe this mission will grant that wish?” Zhang Yuguo said with a chuckle.

Wang Na’s gaze drifted as she recalled Liu Cong’s brief action aboard the helicopter—the hauntingly beautiful scene of flames filling the sky still vivid in her memory.

“Well, congratulations if your wish comes true. Though I’d honestly prefer it didn’t.”

“Yes... that’s true. As long as we all return safely, nothing else matters.”

The planes pierced the sky, roaring through the clouds. When they emerged, all ten pilots saw, outside their windows, a lone figure standing atop the air, calmly facing the approaching giants with no trace of fear.

Yet the planes did not crash into him. Instead, as they neared, each hovered in midair like helicopters, steadily suspended, astonishing everyone aboard.

“I am Liu Cong. Shut down your engines; I will take control from here,” came a voice through every headset. Asking them to shut down their engines while airborne was hard to accept.

“Do as he says!” Zhang Yuguo ordered through his headset, his gaze locked on the figure just outside the cockpit.

Liu Cong nodded to him through the window, then shifted his gaze to the co-pilot seat. Seeing the familiar face there, a faint smile appeared.

“Master Liu, we meet again!” Wang Na smiled, knowing he could hear her.

“I didn’t expect you to come. Still, it’s good to see a familiar face in a foreign land.”

“I volunteered to follow you here. I’ve joined the War God squad too.”

“Your sister let you go?”

“Haha, I applied without her knowledge. If she gives me trouble later, I’ll say you wanted me here,” Wang Na replied with a mischievous grin.

Their communicators were still on, and the scene threatened to turn into a public spectacle. Zhang Yuguo coughed twice, intent on ending their conversation. “Commander Liu, I’m Zhang Yuguo, in charge of aerial coordination. Let’s get the planes landed first. Hovering like this keeps my heart racing!”

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