With Zhang Changbao's vicious plan, the Steel Skull Unit took the very citizens they were supposed to protect and openly crossed the line by using them as hostages in full public view.
Naturally, this decision caused an uproar among journalists and civilians alike.
Of course, even with the public and reporters in an outcry, those without weapons in their hands could do nothing to change the situation.
It's worth remembering that public outrage alone has never instantly drowned anyone—it takes time for such sentiments to ferment and become lethal.
And at this moment, time was precisely what was lacking.
From the look of things, Zhang Hong, hindered by the hostages, could no longer launch attacks against the Steel Skull Unit.
Seeing this, the captain of the Steel Skull Unit ordered his subordinates to cautiously advance toward the Mk-II Gundam.
If the opposing robot truly didn't dare fight back!
"Heh heh heh."
The black-hearted captain of the Steel Skull Unit began to daydream, envisioning a future where he would reach the pinnacle of life and marry a beautiful, wealthy woman.
However, they had all forgotten one thing.
Or rather, amid the chaos of battle, the entire Steel Skull Unit failed to notice that within their ranks, inside one of the Steel Skulls, sat the very person they wanted to arrest.
Zhang Changbao and the other Secret Service Agents who knew about this, however, forgot to mention it due to the tense situation.
Or perhaps they assumed the Steel Skull Unit was aware that Wang Hu had infiltrated their formation.
In any case, through this series of misunderstandings, even Wang Hu himself grew curious as to why, after all this time, no one had come to confront him.
Just as the Steel Skull Unit dispatched personnel to pressure Zhang Hong, and when the Talons believed their underhanded scheme was about to succeed, Wang Hu, piloting the Steel Skull he had seized, boldly took action.
"Boom, boom, boom."
First, he subtly retreated from the group of Steel Skulls left behind to guard the hostages. Then, before the slow-to-react Steel Skull captain could demand what he was doing, Wang Hu unleashed a series of precise shots at these still-confused, black-hearted accomplices who were abetting tyranny.
He directly eliminated these bewildered, morally corrupt helpers.
"Well done." Witnessing Wang Hu's swift and decisive moves, Zhang Hong praised.
Immediately, he quickly drew the Beam Rifle from his back. Having learned the lesson of "long nights bring many dreams" once before, he wasn't about to repeat it.
One shot, one "little friend"—fully absorbing the previous lesson, Zhang Hu efficiently dispatched all the remaining Steel Skulls on the field to hell.
After all, regarding whether this world's signature Knightmares were truly combat-worthy, they had already gathered some relevant data from the earlier encounter.
There was no need to keep these nuisances around, wasting this world's resources.
With that, the entire scene fell completely under the control of Wang Hu's side. Although Zhang Changbao and his men still had guns in hand, their small firearms were clearly no match for Wang Hu and his team's heavy weaponry.
"It's over." Zhang Changbao wailed. Faced with a settled situation with no chance of turning the tables, he immediately thought of fleeing.
As the saying goes, "Where there's life, there's hope." As long as he could escape, there would always be opportunities to make a comeback.
He glanced at Wang Hu's forces, who were mopping up the remaining Secret Service Agents under his command, and at the civilians, now empowered, who were fiercely beating the already cornered Agents.
Without a second thought, Zhang Changbao immediately turned and fled, paying no mind to his still-loyal subordinates.
Though Zhang Changbao's attempt to escape was swift, he had overlooked one crucial detail.
"Where do you think you're running, you damned eunuch?" a voice thundered like a crack of thunder.
A hand gripping a spear by its butt end swung down hard, striking Zhang Changbao squarely on the head as he tried to flee.
Zhang Changbao had imagined many ways he might meet his end—perhaps as a scapegoat for his superiors, or executed by the families of those he had persecuted. He might even, as the saying goes, "bad people live a thousand years," have undeservingly died a peaceful death. But it had never crossed his mind that he would be struck down by a traitor.
His body slumped slowly to the ground. Struck hard on the head, he stared wide-eyed at his assailant, Zhu Yuanhao.
A bitter, resigned smile flickered across Zhang Changbao's face.
"Master Wang," Zhu Yuanhao said with a cautious smile, tears welling uncontrollably in his eyes.
As Wang Hu descended from the Steel Skull and approached, surrounded by the crowd, Zhu Yuanhao's tone was filled with such remorse it seemed to move heaven and earth.
"I'm not human—I lost my way for a moment, but I had no choice, Master Wang!"
Smoothly dropping to his knees, Zhu Yuanhao slapped his own face repeatedly while dragging the unconscious Zhang Changbao, his lifeline, as he crawled toward Wang Hu on his knees.
"Master Wang, it was him—he forced me! When I was thrown into the imperial prison and saw those torture devices, I was truly terrified."
"Zhu Yuanhao, so now you're afraid?"
Before Wang Hu could respond—perhaps fearing Wang Hu might show mercy, given his reputation for believing in redemption—Su Shuang, still exhilarated from their recent victory, stepped forward and kicked the sobbing Zhu Yuanhao.
"Yes, Brother Su Shuang, you're right."
Kicked but unperturbed, Zhu Yuanhao stole a subtle glance at the silent Wang Hu. Sensing a glimmer of hope for survival, he wailed even louder, embodying the idea that "a prodigal's return is priceless."
He continued pushing Zhang Changbao forward, hoping to divert everyone's attention with the scapegoat.
"This man is a true villain."
Just as Zhu Yuanhao was desperately trying to save himself, Zhang Changbao, who had slowly regained consciousness, spoke up, causing Zhu Yuanhao's face to pale.
After assessing Zhu Yuanhao, Zhang Changbao—his hair disheveled and falling over his forehead—turned to Wang Hu and said,
"My defeat today is fate. I have nothing more to say—I only ask for a swift death."
"In the underworld, I will await you rebels and traitors."
"But do not think that machine of yours can change the heavens."
"You have no idea how terrifying the true enemy is!"
Hearing this, Wang Hu stopped Su Shuang from attacking Zhang Changbao again. Seeing how, even at death's door, Zhang Changbao still pretended to be a loyal servant of the throne, Wang Hu said bluntly,
"Behead Zhang Changbao immediately. Send his head to the provincial capital with capable men to intimidate the Talons."
"Master Wang," Su Shuang said, delighted by the satisfying decision, then leaned in and whispered,
"Should we hand this cur over to them?"
With a sly glance, Su Shuang pointed toward the crowd in the distance.
Given Zhang Changbao's previous actions, if he were handed over to the masses, he would likely be torn limb from limb by them. And if every citizen had Zhang Changbao's blood on their hands? Then in the future, they would have no choice but to follow Wang Hu wholeheartedly. This is what is known as killing two birds with one stone.
"If others do not respect me, it is because I lack talent; if I do not respect others, it is because I lack virtue. If others do not tolerate me, it is because I lack ability; if I do not tolerate others, it is because I lack magnanimity."
Frowning, Wang Hu could hardly miss the implication in Su Shuang's words. After expressing this perspective, Wang Hu tactfully declined Su Shuang's suggestion. After all, the masses beating a Secret Service Agent and the masses tearing Zhang Changbao apart were two entirely different matters. Some things are worth doing, others are not. Then, Wang Hu turned to Zhu Yuanhao and said:
"Zhu Yuanhao, I wouldn't mind if you didn't respect or tolerate me. But you betrayed the brothers of the Thirty-Six Banners. Because of your actions alone, how many brothers were captured or killed? If I were to spare you, how could I face the sacrificed brothers of the Thirty-Six Banners?"
"What?" Lifting his head, tears still wet on his face, Zhu Yuanhao's tone changed instantly upon hearing Wang Hu's resolute words. "Master Wang, are you really going to kill me? Won't you give me even one chance? I can change, I truly will change!"
"Too late." Wang Hu raised his gun, aiming at Zhu Yuanhao, who, seeing no hope of reprieve, jumped up in a desperate attempt to resist. A gunshot rang out, and a life of sin came to an end.
"Well done, Master Wang." Watching the despicable traitor, whose eyes of wickedness remained open even in death, Su Shuang—who had been regretting his earlier petty suggestion—felt much more at ease. Turning to look at Zhang Hong, who had descended from the Mk-II Gundam, and He Juntu, who was slowly emerging from the manor, Su Shuang glanced at the agitated masses nearby. It seemed that if the masses weren't allowed to kill Zhang Changbao themselves, the perfect opportunity of timing, location, and popular support would be wasted.
He couldn't help but bring up his suggestion again: "Master Wang, I think we should take this opportunity to raise the banner! With Brother Zhang Hong's combat strength and our Thirty-Six Banners brothers spread across the land, once we raise the banner, we can sweep across the Nine Provinces in an instant. Then we'll march into the capital, storm the Vermilion Forbidden City, and not a single eunuch or noble will escape. Besides, Master Wang, you also have royal blood—you have the right to claim the throne! At most, we can have the current young emperor become an empress in the future."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hong and He Juntu, who were approaching, paused for a moment before continuing to Wang Hu's side as if they hadn't heard. Their gazes fixed on Wang Hu, quietly awaiting his decision.
"If I had wanted to raise the banner, wouldn't I have done so when Zhu Yuanhao exposed us?" Shaking his head, Wang Hu still held to his previous stance. Turning to He Juntu, he asked, "Brother He, what guidance do you have for me?"
"I have a strategy for Master Wang to consider." Cupping his hands in respect, He Juntu—who had been contemplating how to complete his mission since arriving in this world—said, "Just as Brother Su Shuang suggested, with Zhang Hong's combat strength as our guarantee, as we saw from the earlier battle..."
"The Federation's Steel Skulls were utterly defenseless against the Mk-II. With Master Wang raising the banner here and Zhang Hong charging directly into the Vermilion Forbidden City, the eunuchs, nobles, and even the emperor have all fallen into our hands."
"Then our great cause can be accomplished."
"Exactly." Hearing He Juntu's strategy align perfectly with his own, Su Shuang enthusiastically agreed, his spirits high.
"Master Wang, let us rise up!"
"Taking the emperor hostage to command the nobles—this is a strategy that has existed since ancient times. But times have changed, and I still maintain my position."
With an expression of utmost resolve, Wang Hu shook his head and said:
"With powerful fiefdoms growing stronger within and formidable enemies lurking beyond our borders, what meaning is there in seizing the capital?"
"Even if we rely on Brother Zhang Hong's martial prowess to intimidate the entire nation and even Britannia..."
"Without restructuring the bureaucratic system from top to bottom, it would merely be a change of appearance. The underlying issues would remain unresolved."
"In the end, nothing would truly be resolved."
(End of Chapter)