CHAPTER 642: CHAPTER 546: HOW DID HE BECOME SO COWARDLY? (FIRST UPDATE)

Tong Airui was stunned. "Wasn’t it agreed that only my father-in-law would leave tonight?"

"Something happened over at Haotian..."

Yi Luowa’s heart leaped into her throat. "What happened?"

Long Che said in a deep voice, "Someone is stirring up trouble in Haotian’s capital."

"Stirring up trouble?" Tong Airui furrowed his brow slightly. "Dapeng is already there. If something had happened, why hasn’t he called?"

"All communications have been cut off. The TV station has been taken over. A few wealthy businessmen have also been arrested. Although the opposing force isn’t large, they’ve seized control of key locations."

"What about Marcus? Why is he acting so spineless?" Tong Airui strode out the door. "This matter needs to be handled carefully. Let me figure out what’s going on before I head back."

Long Che frowned slightly. "You should consult with your Uncle Muta. No matter what’s happening over there, you must send people. Right now, the situation is unclear, and we can only rely on our own people."

"Understood." Tong Airui slowed his pace.

Yi Luowa followed silently, thinking to herself that just when there was finally something to be happy about, someone immediately stepped in to ruin it.

The Emperor of Haotian noticed his daughter’s small face scrunching up like a steamed bun and smiled as he gently patted her head. "Don’t worry. We’ve weathered countless storms together as a family. A handful of petty criminals can’t shake us."

"Dad, you and Mom should hold off on going back for now. Dapeng is there. Let’s wait for his news first."

"Communications have already been cut. Marcus used a military radio to send this information to the embassy, and then the embassy forwarded it to me."

"You should use satellite communication to speak with him. I’ll go make the arrangements." Tong Airui took out his phone and walked out. Once inside the RV, he activated the onboard satellite communication system.

Not long after, Yi Luowa brought the Haotian Emperor and Empress onto the RV as well.

After finishing his call with Muta, Long Che also stepped inside.

"Is the line ready?" Long Che asked.

"I’ve connected to Marcus. Waiting for his response now."

"I just got off the phone with Muta. He said you can mobilize people if needed without seeking his approval again."

"Thank you, Dad." Tong Airui cast a grateful glance at his father.

As soon as Tong Airui finished speaking, a beeping sound came from his radio. Grabbing the headset, he said sternly, "Speak!"

"Fourth Brother, something’s happened in Haotian’s capital. Several hundred unknown individuals have seized the communications tower and radio station. They’ve announced on TV that the Haotian Empress has been executed, the Haotian Emperor fled injured, and now the capital is in chaos."

"I’m already aware. What emergency measures has Marcus taken?"

"First, he locked down the capital, then deployed troops to surround the affected areas. He also sent out a few officials to calm the terrified citizens."

"Have they made any demands?"

"Initially, they kidnapped a few wealthy businessmen for ransom. But now they don’t even want money anymore. They say they want the Haotian Emperor’s head. If they don’t see it, they’ll kill one hostage every five minutes."

Tong Airui furrowed his brows. The criminals wanted his father-in-law!

"Fourth Brother, two people have already been executed. If this keeps up, the citizens will lose faith in the Haotian Emperor."

"That’s their ultimate goal!" Tong Airui pondered for a moment. "Make sure to protect that radio station you’re using. Contact me as soon as there’s any development. I’ll try to infiltrate their systems now."

"Understood!"

Tong Airui put down the headset, and on the other side, the Haotian Emperor began speaking with Marcus.

While working the keyboard, Tong Airui listened to their conversation. Hearing Marcus confirm the same information as Dapeng, he felt reassured.

"Dad, you and Mom get ready. I’ll try to infiltrate their TV station. Then, you deliver a speech. This will buy Marcus more time for the rescue operation, and at the same time, reassure the citizens. You must not let them lose faith in you."

"Brother-in-law, I’m in!" Danton ran onto the RV, clutching his laptop. "Dad, Mom, you can start speaking now."

Tong Airui smiled with relief. This kid—faster than me!

The Haotian Emperor helped his wife to her seat, then pulled his two children to stand behind him. Immediately, the image of the family of four appeared on every channel of Haotian TV.

The Haotian Emperor began speaking in a deep, steady voice, "Citizens, I deeply regret this sudden crisis. Once again, you’ve been made to suffer, and for that, I am sincerely sorry. I am currently in Xiawu and cannot return to stand with you through this difficulty, but my heart remains with you. Now, I address those violent criminals: you want my head in exchange for the lives of my people. That, I can agree to. But from this moment on, you are not to kill any more innocent people!"