The warm, domestic atmosphere made Ethan feel, if only for a moment, that he wasn't dining with the most powerful men in the nation, but rather enjoying a quiet holiday reunion back home. This sense of grounded warmth was more moving to him than any medal or title.
The meal lasted for over half an eye-opening hour. Only when Ethan let out a satisfied, involuntary burp did Prime Minister Lee finally set down his chopsticks.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Lee said kindly. "Health is the foundation of any revolution, and you haven't slept properly in days. Marcus, take the boy home."
Lee looked at Zhang with a firm expression. "No matter how urgent things become tonight, do not disturb him. Let him have a full night's rest."
4:30 AM
The armored sedan cut through the pre-dawn mist once more. This time, the motorcade headed directly toward the scenic, heavily fortified Westmount Estate.
Inside the car, Marcus Zhang turned to Ethan. "We're here."
Zhang stepped out and personally opened the door for Ethan. Looking at the quiet, elegant villa before them, he lowered his voice, though he couldn't quite mask the thrill in his tone.
"Please, rest well. I just received word that the first wave of researchers has finished mobilizing at the Astra Base. Their efficiency is... frightening, even to me. You'll see the specific 'surprise' they've cooked up when you arrive tomorrow."
Zhang took a deep breath and looked toward the eastern horizon. A single morning star shone with piercing clarity, signaling the imminent sunrise. He turned back, snapped his heels together, and gave Ethan a crisp, textbook-perfect military salute. His voice trembled with anticipation.
"Good night, Chief Commander."
"When the sun rises tomorrow, that will be the moment our sleeping dragon finally opens its eyes."
Looking at Zhang's tired but ramrod-straight figure, a wave of warmth surged in Ethan's chest. He mirrored the gesture, offering a powerful, standard salute of his own.
"Good night, Uncle Marcus."
The two men locked eyes for a second before both burst into hearty, relieved laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
The laughter echoed into the darkness, a bridge between two generations and the shared weight of a new era. Ethan watched the taillights of the sedan vanish around a bend in the mountain road before finally turning toward the estate.
A tall man in a black suit was already waiting near the entrance. He looked to be in his early thirties with a military crew cut and eyes that missed nothing. Despite the civilian clothes, the aura of a Tier-1 Special Forces operator was unmistakable.
Seeing Ethan approach, the man stepped forward with a respectful bow. "Director, hello. I am Kayne Reed. I am the Head Steward of Westmount and your Lead Security Officer."
"From this moment on, I am responsible for your daily life and personal protection. Please, feel free to command me as you see fit."
Ethan nodded. "Alright, Captain Kayne. I'll be in your hands."
At the address "Captain Kayne," a flicker of surprise crossed the man's stern face. He waved his hand quickly. "Director, that's far too formal. By regulation, you should just call me Kayne or 'Seven'—my old callsign."
"Why so many rules?" Ethan waved him off, walking into the courtyard. "Since the state put you here, we're comrades living under the same roof. I plan to stay here long-term, and since you've got a good decade on me, calling you 'Captain' or 'Brother' is only proper. Unless, of course, you look down on a Director who's still a student?"
"I wouldn't dare!" Kayne's posture straightened even further, a genuine warmth touching his expression. "Understood, Director."
He watched Ethan's back as the young man walked inside, nodding to himself. High status, massive influence, yet completely unpretentious. No wonder General Zhang respects him so much.
Westmount Estate lived up to its reputation. It lacked the gaudy flash of a billionaire's mansion, opting instead for a timeless, understated luxury. The interior featured hand-carved rosewood furniture that gave off a faint, natural fragrance, and the art on the walls consisted of genuine historical masterpieces.
But beneath the aesthetics lay a fortress. The "windows" were high-impact ballistic glass, the air was managed by a closed-loop filtration system, and the entire house sat on an independent satellite network. It was a steel bunker disguised as a mountain retreat.
"Nice place," Ethan muttered. He dismissed Kayne's offer to prepare a bath and headed straight for the master bedroom on the second floor.
The moment the door clicked shut, the world went silent. The tension he had carried for forty-eight hours finally snapped. Ethan threw himself face-down onto the massive, soft bed. He stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, then let out a breath.
System.
A pale blue, translucent interface—invisible to everyone else—shimmered into existence.
[HEAVENS CONQUEST SYSTEM]
Host: Ethan Ye
Current Main Quest:The First Strike
Objective: Occupy and establish a stable Extra-Dimensional Base.
(Target Plane: Sector-Z – Tier 1 Viral Wasteland)
Progress: 0%
Mission Rewards (Preview):
Tier 1 Perfect Evolution Serum x1: (Permanent 5x attribute multiplier; unlocks Primary Psionics).Mass-Produced Type I Enhancement Formula: (Significant physical boost for Federation citizens/soldiers; grants immunity to common pathogens).High-Energy Bio-Polymer Battery Blueprints: (Next-gen energy storage: 10x capacity, 10x smaller footprint).
Ethan rubbed his chin, his mind racing.
The Evolution Serum is a must. Right now, I'm a 'Glass Cannon.' If someone gets past my puppets to my real body, I'm done. With Psionics, I can manage multi-threaded control of my MC entities much more efficiently.
He looked at the other rewards. If I hand that Enhancement Formula to Uncle Marcus and Elder Lee, they'll lose their minds. It's essentially a 'Super Soldier' starter kit. And those Bio-Batteries... that's the missing link for Power Armor and Laser weaponry.
Conquering the Zombie World wasn't just a mission anymore; it was the key to the Federation's military dominance.
Ethan took a deep breath and closed his eyes. His consciousness didn't drift into sleep. Instead, following the familiar mental pathway, he plunged back into the Minecraft World.