Chapter 83: Fighting Side by Side! The Might of Jiuzhou!

When Chu Xiao arrived with his troops, he was confronted with an unforgettable scene. Even as comrades fell all around them, even with bodies covered in wounds, even knowing how this war might end, they still did not yield. Weapons in hand, they fought the machines of the Lord of the Underworld with the last reserves of their strength.

Orris, exhausted, could only lean against a discarded crate, a cigar clamped between his teeth.

He coughed, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Around him were others, just as drained of fighting power.

Orris took the cigar from his mouth with his left hand and offered it to the people beside him. “Smoke slowly! We’ll need to keep fighting soon!”

“All right!” one replied, but after taking it, drew a heavy puff that sent him into a fit of coughing.

“So this is what a cigar tastes like!” he said, passing it to the next in line.

Chu Xiao found Orris as he was struggling to his feet.

“President Orris!” Chu Xiao barely recognized him. Little wonder—Orris looked utterly haggard, the once impeccably neat hair now hopelessly disheveled.

Hearing his name called, Orris turned in haste. Seeing Chu Xiao, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief, thinking he must be mistaken.

“Major General Chu!” Orris stared, astonishment filling his gaze.

Chu Xiao stepped forward, steadying Orris’s wavering frame. “President Orris, I’m here! I come on behalf of Jiuzhou to support you!”

“Are you all right?”

Orris nodded, his eyes pricking with unbidden tears.

“I’m all right! I never thought you would really come!” Orris turned his head and saw many unfamiliar faces—medical staff, supply officers, and soldiers.

“The Four Great Nations are united as one in this moment. We had to come—not only Jiuzhou, but also North Sand has come to your aid! America is under the Lord of the Underworld’s watch and couldn’t come immediately, but they’ll join in the post-war relief!”

“We will fight with you to drive out the Lord of the Underworld!” Chu Xiao’s gaze was unwavering.

Orris nodded emphatically. “Thank you, Jiuzhou! Thank you, America! Thank you!”

He had not imagined that, at this desperate hour, Ouqiang would find new hope.

Chu Xiao and Orris stood together at a high vantage point.

“Everyone, listen up! Today, we stand as one—no matter our nation, no matter our race! In this moment, we are united, fighting together against the Lord of the Underworld for peace!”

“Defeat the Lord of the Underworld!” At Chu Xiao’s command, everyone sprang into action.

Once, these three countries had been strangers, but now they stood side by side, fighting together against the Lord of the Underworld. Such a sight would have been unimaginable before.

Ouqiang, on the brink of collapse, suddenly surged with renewed strength, slowly gaining the upper hand.

The Lord of the Underworld believed it was merely a dying spasm and ordered his forces to intensify their attacks. But he soon realized that Ouqiang not only endured but grew ever more resolute.

By then, two-thirds of his machine army had been lost.

“Retreat! Retreat!” The Lord of the Underworld finally sensed something amiss.

The mechanical legions began to withdraw. The dark clouds above scattered, and a ray of sunlight broke through, illuminating the earth.

“The Lord of the Underworld is retreating!”

“He’s retreating!”

Orris murmured the words, and suddenly, the crowd erupted in cheers.

“He’s retreating!”

“We’ve won!”

Again and again, the victorious shouts rang out, unable to contain the overwhelming emotions in every heart.

Now, people of every nation, race, and gender stood together as one.

Orris felt something cool trace his cheek. He quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe it away. “Ah, what a loss of composure today!”

“No matter,” Chu Xiao replied, his quiet voice carrying a note of unshakable resolve. “Jiuzhou will always stand with Ouqiang, North Sand, and America.”

Orris embraced Chu Xiao. “Yes! Together, always!”

After the battle, when the Lord of the Underworld had fully withdrawn, America also sent aid to Ouqiang. Each country dispatched some forces to help garrison and rebuild, for Ouqiang had been grievously wounded and needed time to heal.

In his laboratory, the Lord of the Underworld was utterly baffled. Why would these other nations help Ouqiang? Would it not be easier to let them perish? What could they be thinking?

He was especially infuriated by Jiuzhou—and by that Chu Xiao, who thwarted his plans time and again.

How could anyone in the world be so infuriating?

It was then that Louis entered.

The Lord of the Underworld considered: since Louis was, after all, human, perhaps he could shed some light on the matter.

“Louis, do you know why these countries would help Ouqiang? And that Chu Xiao—isn’t he insufferable?” The Lord of the Underworld’s virtual visage practically blazed with fury.

How could such an annoying person keep appearing before him?

Louis hesitated, then thought carefully.

To be honest, Louis himself had been shocked by the other nations’ intervention in the war. He had thought this was the end for Ouqiang.

“Humans have a word for this: ‘unity.’ They believe that united, they can overcome any hardship.”

“But, Lord, you are not just any adversary! Unity alone won’t save them—they face the supreme being, the awe-inspiring Lord of the Underworld! Destroying humanity is only a matter of time!” Louis finished, not forgetting to flatter his master.

The Lord of the Underworld mused, “So that’s how it is.”

He realized he would need a new strategy to defeat these nations. After all, humans were nothing but fragile flesh—what were they, really?

His gaze grew icy.

Louis dared not make a sound.

“Get out! And don’t let me see you for a while!” The Lord of the Underworld’s disdain for Louis was undisguised.

Louis slipped away obediently.

“Unity? Then I’ll shatter your unity!”

Three days later, when Ouqiang had mostly recovered, Chu Xiao decided to lead the majority of his people back to Huaxia, leaving a small contingent behind to continue assisting Ouqiang.

“We’re heading out,” Chu Xiao said, bidding Orris farewell.

Orris caught sight of Wang Lulu behind Chu Xiao and smiled warmly. “Your girlfriend is very beautiful and brave.”

Chu Xiao glanced back at Orris. “Thank you for the compliment. She is indeed beautiful and brave—not only that, but kind and lovely too!”

When it came to praising Wang Lulu, Chu Xiao was never shy.

Hearing his words, Wang Lulu’s cheeks flushed instantly. She shyly tugged at Chu Xiao’s sleeve. “Enough already!”