Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

296 You Can Fly If You Give Me Money

{Author’s Note: The countries mentioned in the novel are a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people, locations, or actual events is purely coincidental.)

…

War.

Hostage.

Father…

In an instant, Kang De’s body froze, and an endless chill swept through his body.

The danger and sacrifice Tina and even Goethe faced had already made him anxious. Therefore, he returned to Earth to think of a countermeasure and collect weapons and equipment, using the time flow difference on both sides to buy him more reaction time. However, after returning to Earth, he heard this news.

He was furious.

A bucket of cold water poured down, causing him to even forget his anger for a moment.

“Kang De, Kang De?”

When Wang Xiaoman saw Kang De like this, she could not help but cry. She thought that as long as Kang De returned, everything could be resolved. However, when she saw her childhood sweetheart’s current appearance, she vaguely realized that something huge had probably happened on his side.

She choked, “It’s fine, it’s fine. My father is thinking of a way. He said that be it a coup or an invasion, they don’t dare to kill the Chinese. They’ll only take them as hostages to negotiate or blackmail…”

“…Africa.”

A moment later, Kang De’s low and cold voice sounded, “I want to go to Africa.”

He could not entrust the safety of his relatives to the invasion army or the terrorists who were afraid of China and followed the rules.

He took out his phone and opened the application to book a plane ticket. The route from China to Comoros had to pass through one or two transfers. It would easily take 20 to 30 hours. He had to choose a better route… However, even if he changed flights, they had all been canceled because there was a war.

Kang De’s eyes were as dark as water as he called Uncle Wang.

—The user you have called is busy.

—F*ck.

Kang De looked at Xiaoman. “Where’s your father now?”

“The villa.”

“Then let’s go over now!”

The two of them went out in a hurry and took the elevator all the way to the underground parking lot. As Kang De walked, he asked, “When did this happen?”

“…Not long after you left yesterday afternoon, my father called and asked me to calm you first.” Xiaoman sniffled. “Then, I found out and temporarily dealt with my father…”

It could be imagined how worried Xiaoman would be at that time. She could not contact Kang De and had to hide it from her father and even the others. The pressure she faced could be imagined.

Kang De stopped and hugged her. “…It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m back.”

However, his voice was still cold and stiff.

Xiaoman also hugged his waist and said softly, “Yes, it’s fine, it’s fine…”

Amidst a low roar, Xiaoman’s sports car drove out of the underground parking lot. Kang De glanced at her and gently patted her shoulder. “Don’t be anxious, don’t drive too fast, don’t be nervous.”

“…Yes.”

Then, Kang De took out his phone and searched for relevant news.

Comoros was one of the smallest countries in Africa. Its largest export project was spices. It naturally had the most common characteristics of African countries. It was poor and backward and relied on international assistance to survive.

Due to the small size of the country, the small population, and the geographical location, the Chinese there basically went to do foreign projects for their own companies. Their presence was extremely low.

The country that invaded it was Gambia.

He searched for this news on the news network. There were only a few medium-sized titles, and the focus was on the detained employees of Chinese companies. He was not interested in this war that had happened in the south of Africa.

He went to the military forum to take a look and saw more news about this inexplicable war.

At around four o’clock yesterday afternoon, Gambia officially declared war on Comoros.

With the king’s order, the entire Gambia Air Force was mobilized.

A powerful attack formation composed of a second-hand Su-25 ground attack aircraft and two AT-802 piston-type agricultural aircraft modified to launch a tragic air attack on Comoros.

The prelude of the war began.

Then, the Gambia Navy also came out in full strength. The navy unit of as many as 70 people rode six machine gun speedboats east along the Gambia River. Wherever they went, they were unstoppable.

Under the cover of the air and sea armies, other than the king’s guards, all the armies of Gambia had also attacked. A total of 600 tiger and wolf divisions pressed down and rushed into the territory of Comoros.

The Comoros National Development Army immediately organized its defense.

The command company, the support company, the two battle companies, and the king’s safety team rushed to the battlefield in total and swore to fight the powerful enemy to the end.

“…”

“…”

What the f*ck was this?

If his relatives were not lost there, Kang De would probably laugh when he saw this. An integrated battle on such a scale was no longer something that could be described as rookies pecking at each other.

However, it should be good news.

Such an army, such a war… the difficulty factor of saving his father should be very small.

Kang De was slightly relieved and swiped his finger down. No wonder the news was not interested in this and only focused on the safety of the Chinese nationals. In the military forum, this “war” was also a form of revelry.

There was a joke in the country of Gambia.

Someone replied in the post, “It’s over. Comoros is finished. I’m afraid the entire country will be beaten into powder and flow into the sea. Think about it, back then, Gambia only sent four soldiers to surround the former Soviet Union from the east, west, north, and south, causing the complete collapse and disintegration of the former Soviet Union in the political, economic, cultural, and technological fields. Now, they actually sent 600 people! They can fight 150 Soviet Unions!”

“Gambia wanted to send an expeditionary army to sweep through the European continent back then. Fortunately, it was persuaded.”

“After all, it’s the number one country in the universe. Back then, a demonstration broke out in Gambia, and protesters hid in the American Embassy. The impressive Gambia Heavenly Army directly rushed into the American Embassy and killed them. The American officials wanted to stop them, but they were also pressed down and beaten up. The United States issued sanctions, and Gambia directly said that they did not believe that and would send troops to sweep through the American continent and beat up the invincible American Empire…”

“That’s right. After all, it’s a ferocious country that can make no one live in the Soviet Union in three days in front of Brezhnev. A few years later, it even said the same thing to Gorbachev. The two generations of leaders of the former Soviet Union were so frightened that they did not dare to say a word in front of him…”

“It’s the only country that can jump around after offending the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. I can’t help but be convinced.”

“Pronounced Gambia, written as Wakanda.”

“Koreans are only interested in the origin of the universe. If you’re impressive, you have to be like Gambia.”

Everyone was commenting wildly. After all, it was the southern end of Africa and had nothing to do with them. Moreover, one of the two sides in the war was such an impressive country. Everyone naturally had to brag.

Basically, no one took this war seriously, nor were they too worried about their fellow countrymen being detained. It was not that they did not care, but… there did not seem to be anything to worry about.

These two rookies pecked at each other. No matter how bold they were, they did not dare to do anything to the Chinese.

Kang De read the replies page by page and suddenly his eyes narrowed.

Among the replies, one was stranger.

“Brothers, there’s something wrong with this war. Gambia won too quickly. I mean, the air and sea defense of the country of Comoros is outsourced to France. Not only is the army attack fine, but with just the Gambia Sea Air Force, France can destroy it with a breath. Where did they get the courage? Where’s the French?”

“They should have surrendered, right?”

“…There’s no need. Brother, France is actually very fierce.”

“But they surrendered in World War II.”

“Brother, stop joking. France’s win rate in the past decades has been number one on the European continent.”

“But they surrendered in World War II.”

“…In fact, the winning rate in the war for hundreds of years is number one on the European continent.”

“But they surrendered in World War II.”

“You should understand Operation Serval. It’s super awesome.”

“But they surrendered in World War II.”

“Can we not talk about France’s surrender in World War II?”

“Oh, China’s agricultural country fought an industrial country. A large number of land fell and tens of millions of people died or were injured. They did not surrender for 14 years. The United States fought back one island after another, and two-thirds of the Soviet Union was wiped out. The British threw everything they had to fight on the European battlefield. You surrendered in three days. Luxembourg, Belgium, was crushed and still went into exile to continue resisting. You could only send an outdated colonel and more than ten councilors to Africa to bask in the sun.”

“Let’s not talk about World War II!”

“Oh, alright. Louis IX, John II, Louis XI, Francois I, Napoleon III—your French monarchs have been captured the most on the battlefield and have never captured an enemy monarch.”

“…F*ck!”

“You were defeated by the Chinese army in Southeast Asia.”

“…”

“Twice.”

“…Enough!”

The comments became a sea of joy again. Everyone began a new round of arguing. As for the question that friend had asked earlier, no one cared anymore.

After all, it was Africa’s rookies pecking at each other. The most important thing was to joke.

Only Kang De frowned.

That’s right, why didn’t France do anything?

Amidst their worry and thoughts, the two of them had already driven to Xiaoman’s villa in the Lake View area of City H.

“…In short, there can’t be a mistake this time! It was fine last time, but this time, lives are at stake and it concerns my brother’s life. You have to save him at all costs! Money is not a problem! You have to fight, or I’ll find someone else!”

In the villa, Uncle Wang was making a call in the study.

He unbuttoned the collar of his shirt and sounded very frustrated.

“Boss, don’t worry. I’ll go personally this time. Nothing will go wrong.”

The response on the phone was stiff but sincere. “I’ll definitely save him.”

“That’s good… I still have something on. I’ll call you later.”

Seeing his daughter’s car drive over, Uncle Wang hung up and cursed. Then, he went downstairs. Xiaoman opened the door and Kang De walked in. Uncle Wang walked down the stairs and said, “Don’t be anxious! I’ve already found someone to think of a way to save him. If we can spend money, spend it. If not, think of another way!”

Kang De said in a low voice, “Uncle Wang, I want to go to Africa.”

Uncle Wang raised his eyebrows. He was already worried and frustrated. When he heard this, he said angrily, “Nonsense! Why are you going?”

He looked at Kang De’s gloomy expression and returned to his senses. He slowly exhaled and said, “It’s useless for you to go. Let the professionals do it. Your mother is still trapped in Egypt. Don’t let her worry about you anymore. Moreover, your father is fine. Even if they have a hundred guts, they won’t dare to touch the Chinese!”

Kang De said, “I can’t place my hopes on them following the rules and being sensible…”

“Therefore, I’ve already found someone! Alright, why are you getting involved here? Stay at home obediently and wait for the good news! I’m very busy now. Don’t come and cause trouble! What are you looking at?! Your father and mother are not here. I’m your elder. You have to listen to me!” Uncle Wang shouted, “Wang Xiaoman, watch him!”

Wang Xiaoman glanced at Kang De and hesitated, “Dad, actually…”

Kang De turned around and left.

“Hey!” Xiaoman shouted in panic. Then, she glanced at her father and chased after him. Uncle Wang stood where he was and cursed again. He ran back upstairs in a hurry and continued to make calls.

“Kang De!” Xiaoman called out to him. “Why didn’t you tell my father? At least tell him that you have superpowers…”

“It’s useless.”

There was no anger on Kang De’s face. Uncle Wang had good intentions and indeed treated him as an intimate nephew. He would not be angry because of this, “Even if I show him my superpower, he won’t agree. No matter how powerful I am, in his eyes, I’m still the nephew he watched grow up. How can he let me go to the battlefield? If I tell him that I’m a murderous guy, I can’t prove it. He won’t relent. Instead, he’ll be worried.”

Xiaoman said softly, “Then what should I do…”

“If Uncle Wang doesn’t arrange it for me, find someone more capable than him.”

Kang De said, “Go home first. Go back to the district and wait. I’ll find someone to think of a way.”

The car drove away from the villa area. Kang De took out his phone and called Xie Ligan. He said simply, “I want to go to Comoros as soon as possible… Is there a way?”

Xie Ligan took a deep breath, “…Yes. After I heard about this, I started to think of a way.”

As expected of an old fox. When he called earlier, he had explained immediately and even started to make arrangements.

“Thank you.” Kang De asked, “What’s the way?”

“I have some connections in Eastern Europe. I’ve operated it and coordinated everything. The private plane can take off immediately. Take my plane to Belgrade first…”

“Where’s that?”

“The capital of Serbia.”

“What for?”

“Serbia is a country of the former Soviet Union. It’s poor, but it has an arsenal left behind by the Soviet Union. If you want to earn some extra money, you have to take the plane out to contract air charter. Arms dealers use it as their first choice.”

“Tonight, an An-12 will take off at Beijing time and head to the neighboring country of Comoros to transport goods to a certain chief who was shocked by the war. The countries it passes are all small countries. After gathering enough, the air force will open a green passageway. No one cares what they transport… They can fly anywhere. If they pay, they can fly.”

“I’ve already arranged it. It’s just a little bumpy to add someone in.”