The second day after Shuang'Er left, Ye Fan had also nearly completed his preparations.

All aspects of Dawn City's work were on track; the infrastructure for transportation, electrical circuits, railways, and highways at the six sub-bases had been completely remodeled.

The farmland in Dawn City had been widely planted, and now the population of Dawn City combined with all the sub-bases had exceeded seven million, with the planting area being very large.

As long as there are no major natural disasters this year, the annual grain production will be enough to feed these seven million people for three years.

Safety zones have also been established, and the relations with surrounding bases and Dawn City are very friendly.

Now, Ye Fan just lacked a legitimate title; otherwise, these sub-bases would definitely join Dawn City, achieving the true unification of Divine Dragon Province.

However, Ye Fan did not pursue that, as a legitimate title was currently unattainable and not particularly desired by him.

The New Coin had been abolished within the realm of Dawn City, with even other bases using Light Yuan for transactions; thus Divine Dragon Province had in some sense disconnected from the Empire's orthodoxy.

In such circumstances, it was hard for Ye Fan to become allies or subordinate to the aristocratic forces of the Empire, simply because the distance made it unavoidable for wars to break out.

Ye Fan's tasks in Dawn City were largely completed, and the remaining bits and pieces did not require his personal attention.

After receiving the engineer Huang Jie's response that the carriage for transporting Xiaoba was ready, Ye Fan knew it was time to leave.

On the morning of May 20th, Ye Fan departed from his parents' home, bidding farewell to his parents and sister.

Then he led the warriors of the Guard Company to Dawn City Train Station.

The armored train was already standing by, with a particularly wide section—twice the width of a regular carriage, and raised by two meters, otherwise Xiaoba wouldn't fit inside.

Ye Fan took a glance inside; several layers of waterproof cloth had been laid down, and a nest had been made for Xiaoba.

The rear carriage contained a large quantity of iced river fish and some food supplies prepared by the catering troops as Xiaoba's provisions.

After examining everything, Ye Fan was very satisfied and whistled towards the direction of the official residence.

Then, with a splash from the official residence's pool, Xiaoba came ashore.

Xiaoba was now a Two-Star giant octopus, with tentacles over thirty meters long.

After coming ashore, it resembled a deep-sea giant beast, eight legs moving with an arrogant gait, rushing towards the train.

Unlike a normal octopus which moves sluggishly, it strode over the wall and houses, covering seventy meters in a single step, arriving next to the train in the blink of an eye.

"Try going inside; with your physique, the carriage looks a bit small."

The gigantic Xiaoba stepped into the carriage with ease, with its body slipping inside smoothly.

Soon, its huge body was scrunched up inside the carriage, with large eyes blinking at Ye Fan from the water.

Ye Fan could clearly sense its intent, urging him to start the train quickly.

"This big guy... I got exposed last night because of you, not sure what Shuang'Er thinks of me now, but we will settle accounts later."

Ye Fan glared at it, prompting Xiaoba to immediately shrink back into the water, then cautiously peek at the surface when it realized Ye Fan wouldn't hit it.

"Alright, prepare to set off with me, is everyone who's coming with me here?"

"The whole Guard Company is here, sir, along with ten people from the Military Intelligence Bureau and two engineers, ready to set off with you."

Ye Fan nodded; he was going to scout ahead and couldn't bring too many people; otherwise, it would be an assault rather than infiltration of Wanguo Island.

"What about the follow-up troops?"

"The follow-up troops are prepared as well, with the Dragon's Tooth Special Operations Team, the First Field Corps, a battalion from the Engineering Corps, escorting the base vehicle together, though they'll reach there about thirty to forty days after you."

"Good, the follow-up troops must proceed cautiously, especially the base vehicle must be maintained well to ensure no problems occur. We won't face much danger on Wanguo Island, and John's battalion is active there; I'll be able to deploy forces when necessary."

After giving instructions, Ye Fan said no more and proceeded to the train.

Apart from two carriages prepared for Xiaoba, there were several flatbed carriages carrying various vehicles, including Ye Fan's Night Hawk Helicopter, parked on the roof of a carriage.

The armored train couldn't directly reach Wanguo Island, past Golden City they might have to switch machines, so several vehicles were brought along.

Seeing everything was in order, Ye Fan finally boarded the train.

The members of the Guard Company and others followed Ye Fan aboard, while a group of officers from the Dawn Army bid farewell below.

"Take good care of Dawn City; once I establish a foothold at Wanguo Island, our focus must shift to there, as Divine Dragon Province, though fine, cannot accommodate us."

The generals all looked forward with anticipation, ready to heed the Commander-in-Chief's orders at any time.

"Depart!"

With instructions given, the armored train started moving, rumbling away from Dawn City.

As Ye Fan departed, the follow-up troops began advancing as well.

Engineers drove various engineering vehicles, paving the way for the base vehicle.

The massive base vehicle slowly progressed along the highway, with the First Field Corps dispersed and keeping a distance from the base vehicle to ensure nothing could threaten the large vehicle.

Members of the Dragon's Tooth Special Operations Team also advanced alongside, as the core protective force around the base vehicle.

The remaining troops continued their respective duties, battling zombies or guarding the city as needed.

Thus, Ye Fan left the Divine Dragon Province where he'd spent about a year, embarking on the journey southward.

......

A black Wrangler sped down the highway, with Shuang'Er sitting in the passenger seat, fiddling with a vial of liquid resembling ruby in her hand.

It's been more than a week since leaving Dawn City, and it's not far from Jiangzhou now, already entering the Tianjiang River region.

But her mind is still filled with everything about Dawn City.

Recalling some details now, she feels she should have realized earlier that Chen Bufan was Ye Fan.

Otherwise, many things couldn't be explained, like being wanted without any trouble, or buying whatever property he wanted.

If it weren't for the big octopus spraying and messing up his makeup, she would have still been kept in the dark.

Thinking of this, Shuang'Er couldn't help but admire Ye Fan's courage.

He must have known she was there to kill him, yet he still dared to stay by her side, and gradually guided her to understand Dawn City and come to know that beautiful place.

Unconsciously, Shuang'Er was trapped by his methods, and was willingly staying there, not thinking of return.

Had Ye Fan not burst that beautiful bubble in the end, Shuang'Er might not have come back temporarily.

Recalling the moments spent with Ye Fan, his voice and smile, Shuang'Er felt her mouth involuntarily turn into a smile.

Oh right, that octopus!

That was Ye Fan's pet, only such a big creature could overpower her in strength.

When he handed her the clothes, it was deliberate, that bastard!

Shuang'Er muttered softly, reducing a lot of fear for returning to Jiangzhou.

Zheng Jinnan will punish her, but it doesn't matter; Shuang'Er has nothing to fear. She owes Zheng Jinnan for his kindness, it's right to work for him, and she can only accept punishment.

At worst, it wouldn't take her life, Shuang'Er thought.

The vehicle finally arrived at the riverfront of Tianjiang.

In front was a huge highway bridge spanning the Tianjiang, several kilometers wide.

The bridgehead here was lined with machine gun bunkers, sandbag fortifications, and other things; a battalion guarded this large bridge.

This was the artery leading from Jiangzhou to the north area, and the gateway for the north entering Jiangzhou.

The guards saw Shuang'Er's vehicle, glanced at it, and immediately stood at attention and saluted.

Shuang'Er was already wearing a metal mask at this moment, her fairy-like pretty face hidden, yet this was a familiar figure to the people of Jiangzhou.

The car moved smoothly without needing checks, because anyone could be scratched by zombies, except Miss Shuang'Er; she was too strong, the pride of Jiangzhou.

Returning to Jiangzhou City Hall, Shuang'Er jumped off the car, and the serum was also collected by her.

Inside the city hall, Shuang'Er met Zheng Jinnan.

The Grand Duke was having a meeting, the conference room was filled with military and political officials.

Seeing Shuang'Er enter, Zheng Jinnan was very pleased.

"Hahaha! Shuang'Er is back, how's it? Did you bring good news back to your dad?"

The surrounding military and political officials chimed in with praise: "With Miss Shuang'Er taking action, there's nothing that can't be accomplished."

"Indeed, that Ye Fan dared to oppose the Empire; he's eaten leopard's galls and is looking for death!"

"Dying by Miss Shuang'Er's hand, he could be proud even in the afterlife."

"Miss, has Dawn City fallen into chaos? Quickly tell us the specifics! Should we send people over to take control?"

Only when everyone stopped talking did Shuang'Er speak calmly.

"I didn't complete the mission."

"What! You didn't complete the mission? You failed the assassination?" Zheng Jinnan seemed incredulous; he knew Shuang'Er's capabilities, since becoming a Level 3 Mutant, there was nothing she couldn't do, how could she fail?

Shuang'Er lightly shook her head: "It's not a failure, it's that it never started."

Zheng Jinnan's eyelid twitched, he didn't speak for a while, lit a cigarette fiercely, then said softly, "Why? You disobeyed my orders."

"Adoptive father, I'm very sorry, Ye Fan is a good man; I couldn't bear to do it."

"Absurd!"

Zheng Jinnan slapped the table fiercely, the mahogany table cracked open, showing his considerable strength.

"You greatly disappointed me! How could you act on impulse? This isn't child's play; it's about the Empire's future, about Jiangzhou's strategic layout. With Divine Dragon Province taken, with our united front, the northern half of the Empire would eventually fall into our hands, but now, with your words 'he's a good person,' it was all destroyed! Do you know how much trouble you've brought us, how much loss you've caused?"

Zheng Jinnan's face turned iron gray, furiously walking towards Shuang'Er, even raising his hand as if about to slap.

Shuang'Er gently closed her eyes, she didn't argue, she knew Zheng Jinnan was right, but she couldn't do it.

This was her bottom line as a person, but she couldn't resist Zheng Jinnan; after all, this life was saved by him, if he wanted to kill her, Shuang'Er wouldn't resist.

The conference room was silent, many looked at Shuang'Er with reproach, but no one spoke up, as this was a matter only Zheng Jinnan could decide.

Looking at Shuang'Er, Zheng Jinnan finally slapped her!

Pow~~~!

The metal mask was knocked off, Shuang'Er's body tilted, her half face was somewhat swollen.

"Someone! Escort Miss to the laboratory, she's a Level 3 Mutant, let the scientists there see if there's a way to strip her powers or find someone to replace her; I don't need someone disloyal!"

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