Chapter 272 - 272: On a Hair Trigger

April 26, 2022.

America.

New York.

Inside the United Nations Headquarters Building.

The representatives of the various powers sat upright and solemn in their seats, while the reporters and photographers on site incessantly clicked their shutters.

Robert, a special correspondent for the BBC, joked to Catherine, a reporter for *The Mirror*, "We're about to witness history."

"What do you think today's meeting is about?" Catherine asked curiously, adjusting her recording pen.

"The Kyiv conflict? The Assam peace talks?" Robert shrugged.

Suddenly, a nearby cameraman prompted, "They're here."

Robert and Catherine quickly focused their attention on the core circle of seats, particularly on the representatives of the "Five Great Benefactors."

More than ten minutes later, once the live broadcast cameras were adjusted, the meeting officially began. The moderator read a long list of boilerplate pleasantries.

The first person to speak was America's representative, Steve, a middle-aged man with glasses and a Mediterranean hairstyle.

"Everyone, this emergency meeting has been convened today primarily to discuss a matter concerning world peace."

He glanced at everyone and continued, "Our intelligence personnel have uncovered some information in Hongsawaddy. Based on this intelligence, we can infer that Hongsawaddy is currently developing weapons of mass destruction."

The moment he finished speaking, the entire chamber erupted in an uproar.

Of course, many of the representatives remained silent or wore strange expressions.

After all, the "washing powder" incident from years ago was simply too memorable, making one wonder if America was planning to play the same old trick again.

Soon, many eyes turned to a corner of the room.

That was the seat belonging to Wu Wei, the representative from Hongsawaddy.

The aggressive Steve stared directly at Wu Wei and demanded sharply, "Mr. Wu Wei, does Hongsawaddy have an explanation for this?"

Contrary to what everyone expected, Wu Wei remained perfectly calm. He adjusted his microphone and asked nonchalantly, "Mr. Steve, what would you like me to explain?"

"Watch your words. I am asking whether Hongsawaddy is developing weapons of mass destruction," Steve said, thinking to himself, 'Go on, deny it! Then I'll...'

"Oh, so that's what this is about? Yes, we are indeed developing weapons of mass destruction. Is there a problem?"

"Don't think you can just den—" Halfway through his sentence, Steve finally processed the words. He pushed up his glasses. "What did you say?"

But Wu Wei couldn't be bothered to repeat himself. "Mr. Steve seems to have a problem with his ears. I suggest you see a doctor."

Steve's assistant quickly repeated it in his ear, causing Steve's eyes to widen as he stared at Wu Wei in disbelief.

At that moment, the representatives in attendance, the crowd of reporters, and the viewers watching on television were all stunned by Wu Wei's remarks.

In the press gallery.

Robert's jaw dropped. "Is he insane? Or has he been bought?"

"This is huge! Quick..." Catherine's eyes, however, lit up. Her fingers flew across her laptop keyboard as she quickly notified her headquarters to prepare for a breaking news bulletin.

The scene grew chaotic, with many people whispering among themselves.

Having snapped back to his senses, Steve didn't care what Wu Wei was thinking and decisively shouted:

"Hongsawaddy's actions are a serious violation of international law and an attempt to undermine world peace! I propose that America lead a comprehensive takeover of the country until Hongsawaddy's weapons development facilities are eliminated. We will now begin the vote."

Clearly, Hongsawaddy's unsolicited confession had thrown everyone's plans into disarray.

Steve had prepared a whole speech, ready for hours of heated debate with the other powers, never imagining things would start this way.

"Mr. Steve, you had best confirm whether you are even qualified to make such a decision. I'd hate to see you have a mental breakdown!" After speaking, Wu Wei glanced at his watch.

...

「Meanwhile.」

The Malacca Strait.

It was a clear night with a bright moon and few stars.

In the waterways around Xing Island.

Over a dozen large container ships converged on Xingdao Port from both sides of the Malacca Strait.

Upon reaching their designated positions, the thousands of containers on the ships began to be dumped over both sides.

As the containers plunged into the sea one by one, they automatically broke open. Their contents were submerged, releasing vast quantities of genetically modified bacteria. Steel rebar skeletons and quick-setting cement hidden inside the containers rapidly formed artificial reefs on the seabed.

In the vicinity of Xing Island, the Malacca Strait's channel is only 35 to 70 kilometers wide and, more importantly, only about 25 meters deep.

At this depth, having tens of thousands of custom-made containers dropped into it was a truly desperate situation.

Finally, in the cockpits of these old container ships, the New Human crew members at the helm quickly opened the sea valves, scuttling the ships—along with their reserves of quick-setting cement—in the main shipping lanes.

Seventeen container ships, 24,000 containers, quick-setting cement, and construction-assisting genetically modified bacteria had, in less than an hour, completely blocked the Malacca Strait. And they had blocked it at both ends.

The ships in Xingdao Port and Changi Base wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.

The U.S. Seventh Fleet, currently at Changi Base, was trapped inside.

At this point, the air raid sirens at Changi Base were already blaring.

Ohm, commander of the Seventh Fleet, and Sullivan, the head of Changi Base, were reeling from the news.

"FUCK!" Ohm slammed his hand on the table in anger.

Sullivan's face was as black as thunder. "Are the Luzon people trying to declare war on us?"

The 17 container ships that had just sunk were positioned perfectly to block all shipping lanes of the Malacca Strait on either side of Xing Island.

And in the open-channel warning they sent out at the end, they stated that several of the container ships had been transporting a large number of naval mines. Now that the ships had sunk, the mines could be scattered throughout the waterways.

What was the meaning of this?

It was a naked threat.

Ohm clenched his fists. "Sullivan, immediately organize a team and clear a channel for me."

"But..." Sullivan was completely overwhelmed, but he could only bite the bullet and agree. "I'll do my best."

Ohm, who had clearly seen how brazen Luzon could be, quickly ordered the Seventh Fleet to battle stations.

At the same time, he immediately contacted the Third Fleet stationed at Yokosuka Base and ordered them to head south to the Luzon Islands, ready to attack Luzon at a moment's notice.

Ohm didn't stop there. He also contacted the Fifth Fleet, which was currently near the Maldives Islands, and told them to prepare for combat.

The current situation made even a veteran like Ohm feel that things were tricky, and his nerves were stretched taut.

They had only planned to attack Hongsawaddy, but now they were about to clash with Luzon first. The situation was clearly spiraling out of control.

Not daring to act on his own authority, Ohm quickly reported to the Pentagon and let them make the decision.

Inside the Pentagon in North America.

They were once again caught off guard by the sudden development, and high-level officials were hastily summoned for an emergency meeting.

However, it was one thing after another.

「Near the Maldives Islands in the Ceylon Ocean.」

Vice Admiral William, commander of the Fifth Fleet, had just received the warning from the Seventh Fleet when he discovered over a dozen supersonic fighter jets appearing less than 87 kilometers to the southeast of his fleet.

William roared, "Air defense, prepare for battle! Launch carrier aircraft for immediate interception! Broadcast on an open channel and tell them to get the hell out of here, or this is a declaration of war against America!"

"Also, inform the pilots: if the enemy doesn't leave, they are to shoot down those flies immediately."

"Yes..."