Chapter 104: Clone Robots

The Underworld King, seeing his mechanical army dwindling rapidly, instantly erupted in fury. "Louis, is this your second-generation bacterial bomb?"

Louis felt a chill run down his spine and immediately dropped to his knees, begging for mercy.

"I told you this is your last chance! Take him away and thoroughly convert him!"

The Underworld King was determined to transform Louis completely into a robot—devoid of thought and only capable of obeying orders.

Meanwhile, at Yan Jing, Commander One was discussing with weapons experts how to develop more powerful armaments. With the current weapons, they could only hold the Underworld King at a stalemate.

To truly defeat him, weapons of even greater power were essential. Everyone present was speechless.

"I have a concept, though I'm not sure if it’s feasible," Chu Xiao said as he entered, holding a sheet of paper. Everyone's eyes lit up like they had found a pillar of hope.

Curious, they watched as Chu Xiao placed the paper on the table. "I call this the 'Concentration Cannon,'" he announced.

Its main principle was compressing air to generate immense energy—no ammunition required.

The others were stunned and murmured among themselves, "Isn’t this a bit far-fetched? How powerful can air really be?"

The weapons expert understood better and said, "General Chu, this idea is worth trying, though it’s challenging and will take time. Also, the air compressor will be in huge demand if mass production succeeds."

"Time is not an issue, nor is producing the compressors. I’ll have a batch made first. Once test-fired successfully, we’ll proceed to mass production immediately."

Chu Xiao then looked at Commander One and said, "Commander, please assign some personnel to focus on producing air compressors. We’ll experiment and produce simultaneously."

"Understood! I’ll arrange it right away."

Commander One had full confidence in Chu Xiao; if he conceived it, it would succeed. He pledged his full support.

"Has Jiuzhou truly stopped the Underworld King’s assault and nearly annihilated his mechanical army?"

Upon learning this in the United States, Mukos’s perception of Jiuzhou was completely changed.

Jiuzhou and the US had long been at odds, and had it not been for the Underworld King's appearance, war might have broken out long ago.

When Oqiang and Beisha heard the news, they were full of admiration for Jiuzhou’s unexpected strength.

Though the Underworld King was eager to conquer Jiuzhou, he found himself struggling—he needed to become stronger.

---

Later, the Underworld King entered a room and approached an antique painting. With a gentle touch, the wall before him shifted, revealing a hidden door. He stepped inside.

Muttering inside as if speaking to someone, he remained there for a long time before emerging again.

"Chu Xiao, what are you doing here? Where are you heading?"

With a sheepish grin, Chu Xiao replied, "I’m just going to the factory to check on the progress of the air compressors."

"I want to come too! I’ve been cooped up for days and need to get some fresh air," Wang Lulu said shyly, "Besides, it’ll be just the two of us."

Chu Xiao blushed deeply—on the battlefield, he was both brave and clever, but now he appeared like a bashful boy.

"Alright... then let’s get going."

"No, since we’re taking a break, we should walk."

As a gentle rain fell from the sky, they strolled hand in hand through the rain until they arrived at the factory.

Chu Xiao saw the workers diligently toiling but felt the pace was too slow, falling short of his expectations.

"Commander One, the factory needs more hands. We must expedite production!"

"Understood! I’ll dispatch reinforcements immediately."

He then called Commander One to explain the situation. Despite the shortage of manpower, Commander One agreed to Chu Xiao’s request.

As Chu Xiao and Wang Lulu prepared to leave, still holding hands and walking through the rain, Wang Lulu suddenly slipped. Chu Xiao quickly bent down, catching her by the waist.

Time seemed to stop as they froze in that embrace.

"Why is your heart beating so fast?"

"N-nothing!"

Chu Xiao’s face flushed all the way to his neck. Wang Lulu burst into laughter.

"You’re clearly shy—why be embarrassed to admit it?"

"I—I’m not!" Chu Xiao helped her up and quickly walked ahead to ease the awkwardness.

Wang Lulu stepped forward, blocking his path. "Come on, admit it—you’re shy!"

When Chu Xiao remained silent, she pouted playfully.

"I’m not shy!" he declared, then kissed her and turned to leave.

Wang Lulu stood stunned, then called out, "Where are you going? Wait for me!"

---

After leaving the secret chamber, the Underworld King felt stronger than before. Unknown to others, he had learned the art of duplication.

In truth, the real Underworld King had remained sealed inside the chamber, never emerging. The one outside was merely a clone.

Upon returning to Mingzhu City, Chu Xiao contemplated assassinating the Underworld King. He video-called Commander One.

"We can’t give the Underworld King a moment’s respite. We dealt a heavy blow to his mechanical army; now we must press the advantage and strike at his lair."

They both understood clearly: this was a crucial opportunity. Missing it might mean waiting a long time for another.

They could not engage in a war of attrition. Supplies like food and water could be managed, but warrior casualties were too costly—each battle claimed lives.

After much thought, Commander One said, "Alright. I’ll coordinate with the other three nations to support your operation. If it fails, withdraw immediately. You must come back alive."

"Yes, Commander!"

Chu Xiao had given this deep consideration. If he could die together with the Underworld King to save humanity, it would be worth it.

That night, Chu Xiao assembled the troops, selecting a thousand elite soldiers for a final pre-battle rally.

"Those who are only children, step forward!"

After a long pause, no one moved. Chu Xiao continued, "Those with elderly family members or children under eighteen, step forward!"

Still, no one stepped forward. Frowning, Chu Xiao called out, "Li Erbao, Zhou Fugui, Sun Dasheng... fall out!"

"Didn’t you hear me just now? Why won’t you step forward? You have elderly parents and children—if you sacrifice yourselves, what will happen to them?"

His voice rose, rough and hoarse, his face contorted with intensity.

"If we fall, our parents can be cared for by others, and our comrades will see to our elders. We have elders and children, but those comrades who died at the Underworld King’s hands had families too. We must avenge them!"