102 Taking the Blame for Me

"Chief, if I don't kill, I will be killed!"

The gaze in Li Changjiang's eyes was clear to the point of being frightening, piercing straight to the soul in a way that made it impossible to look away. Even Xiang Guofang found it hard to imagine that this 19-year-old youth could utter such a sentence.

It was a sentiment bordering on ruthlessness, yet it was irrefutable.

As one of the few military officers who had experienced actual combat, he could grasp the profound meaning behind Li Changjiang's words. War leaves no room for choice; it is either kill or be killed. Furthermore, the war Li Changjiang had joined was not fought for China or any grand cause—it was fought for the sole purpose of survival. That was a motive far more effective than any flowery language or slogans.

"Rest assured, we have no intention of holding you accountable. On the battlefield, killing is a soldier's duty."

"But I am not a soldier."

Huh?

The sudden retort nearly left Xiang Guofang speechless. *That little brat!* He knew perfectly well he wasn't a soldier. Li Changjiang immediately wanted to slap himself; he was just looking for trouble.

The silence between them did not last long. When Hu Dayou entered, he noticed the pained expression on Li Changjiang's face, but he had no time to spare for the boy's mood. He walked straight to Xiang Guofang’s side and whispered something in his ear. Li Changjiang instantly noticed Xiang Guofang’s eyes widen, his expression turning cold and stern.

"When did this happen?"

"Just now. It’s already gone crazy outside; the pressure on us is immense!"

Xiang Guofang’s expression was grave. He glanced at Li Changjiang, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

"What do you think?"

Hu Dayou looked at Li Changjiang, seemingly weighing the decision. "He’ll find out sooner or later. Tell him."

"Li Changjiang, come with us."

Xiang Guofang and Hu Dayou strode out, and Li Changjiang followed. The sudden shift in their demeanor made it clear that something major had happened, though he couldn't guess what—or how it involved him.

*Could it be Libya? Or has my father's business been exposed?*

His heart hammered against his ribs. Li Changjiang felt a wave of anxiety.

Inside the underground command center, intelligence officers and analysts were working busily. The hum of electronic equipment was constant, creating an atmosphere of tension and urgency. Large screens displayed shifting satellite imagery and data. Li Changjiang was stunned by the sight.

As he entered, everyone turned to look at him. He stood out like a sore thumb; in a room of over a hundred people, everyone except him was in military uniform, including Xiang Guofang and Hu Dayou.

Who was he? Many wondered.

"You are only to watch, not to speak, and not to touch anything! Do not say a word unless I ask you."

"Switch the news feed on, now!"

"Yes, sir!"

Li Changjiang sensed the unusual atmosphere, though he tried to keep his composure, his eyes locked on the screen.

*Damn it! How could this be?*

His expression turned terrifying. His hands balled into fists, and his blood felt like it was rushing through his veins.

On the screen, five bloodied figures were held at knifepoint by masked men dressed in Arab attire. Another man spoke into the camera. Li Changjiang couldn't understand the Arabic, but a translator soon provided the Chinese subtitles.

Li Changjiang was stunned. His mind was in chaos; he barely registered the translator's words, save for one sentence: "Hand over that Chinese man, or they will be your funeral offerings!"

*Bastards!*

Li Changjiang could barely contain his emotions. The men being held at knifepoint were clearly Williams, Shi Junqiang, and the others.

"Turn off the video."

Xiang Guofang and Hu Dayou turned to look at Li Changjiang. Seeing his reaction, they exchanged a glance, clearly surprised.

"You know them, don't you?"

Li Changjiang nodded mechanically, saying nothing.

"Is the Chinese man they are looking for you?"

This time, Li Changjiang didn't answer immediately. He looked up at Xiang Guofang, his mind racing. He realized the terrifying implication: his father Li Lin’s affairs might have been exposed, though perhaps the Libyans weren't sure if the target was him or his father. More importantly, it seemed even the military didn't know.

If that were the case...

"Yes! I am the one they are looking for!"

At this moment, Li Changjiang did not hesitate. Xiang Guofang and Hu Dayou exchanged another look, this time filled with suspicion. They had suspected as much, but his direct confirmation dismissed their lingering doubts.

"Li Changjiang, the following conversation must remain confidential. It involves matters you shouldn't be exposed to, but for your own safety, you must tell us the truth: Why are the Americans and the Libyans so desperate to capture you?"

Xiang Guofang stared intently into Li Changjiang’s eyes, leaving no room for evasion. Both commanders held their breath, waiting. They were generals, but they were also human, and they were deeply curious about what this young man had done to incite such madness from both the Americans and the Libyans.

Li Changjiang hesitated.

"Intelligence! I have intelligence regarding the U.S. North Africa Command's arms deals with the Libyan rebels and their conspiracy to instigate the war!"

Boom!

The revelation hit Xiang Guofang and Hu Dayou like a thunderclap. It was entirely unexpected, yet somehow made perfect sense. If it weren't something of this magnitude, the Americans wouldn't be acting so crazed. The only question was how an ordinary Chinese citizen had come into possession of such classified information.

They stared at him, filled with disbelief.

"I didn't steal it; I stumbled upon it by accident. Furthermore, the Americans and the current rebel commander, Halide, conspired to assassinate the former commander, Abler. I saw it with my own eyes in Benghazi."

This time, Xiang Guofang and Hu Dayou were completely convinced. Intelligence reports confirmed that the incident had occurred less than a month ago. No wonder the Americans were so desperate; this was lethal information.

There was no doubt that if this evidence were made public, it would cause a global sensation—a true nightmare for the American government.