Apocalypse Gachapon

Chameleon reported directly to Ye Zhongming. In his absence, the heads of its two departments – the Intelligence Division and Operations Team – had the authority to make decisions independently.

Only matters involving Cloud Peak headquarters, or situations too significant for the two leaders to decide alone, would be escalated to Cloud Peak and Xia Lei for joint discussion.

Of course, the routine intelligence reports sent to Cloud Peak every few days remained unchanged, as did the protection details for key support personnel like Le Dayuan, Liu Zhenghong, Park Xiuying, Candy, and others.

No one knew which operatives Chameleon assigned to protect these individuals, but they would intervene whenever Cloud Peak’s combat teams encountered threats beyond their capability.

So far, none of Cloud Peak’s VIPs had faced dangers requiring such intervention, so their protectors’ identities remained unknown.

Upon hearing this news, Xia Lei and the others first showed shock, then murderous intent rose on their faces.

Though Chameleon operated separately from headquarters, they shared Cloud Peak’s lineage. An attack on them meant an attack on Cloud Peak.

“Which zone?” asked Guang Yao, who originated from the Resistance Zone. Though he’d severed ties, his hatred remained, making him the most knowledgeable about Resistance Zone affairs.

“Zone C.”

“Severe casualties?” Xia Lei knew her man would handle strategic decisions – her role was managing the aftermath.

“A dozen personnel, plus equipment losses.”

Many Chameleon outposts contained valuable teleportation devices, as everyone knew.

“Boss, let’s fuck them up!” Tong Hu thumped his chest, eyes blazing with eagerness.

Little Tiger chuckled nearby. When Ye Zhongming glanced over, his subtly extended finger retracted lightning-fast, as if he hadn’t just prodded Tong Hu into speaking up.

Facing the heated atmosphere, Ye Zhongming didn’t immediately decide. Frowning in thought, he asked: “What gave the Resistance Zone the courage to provoke us? Just one weapon from the wheel? Is it truly that powerful? Then why attack a minor outpost instead of striking Cloud Peak directly?”

No one could answer these questions.

“The Saint Light Hall allied with West Asia’s Holy City to seize our teleportation point there,” Xia Lei suddenly interjected, stroking her pale fingers.

Ye Zhongming nodded, understanding her implication about potential connections between these events.

“Have all Saint Light Hall mercenaries working for us returned?” Ye Zhongming quickly identified the key issue – whether their withdrawal was systematic would yield completely different answers.

“Some left, some stayed,” answered Liang Chuyin, who managed Puxing Town affairs. The answer provided no clear conclusion.

Without teleportation devices, rapid deployment to Central Asia became impossible. Was this simply to block Cloud Peak’s expansion there, or were there other motives?

Ye Zhongming couldn’t immediately discern the truth.

Seeing his silence, Xia Lei proceeded to report recent developments.

“The Five Ring Money wants to meet me… in the Five Rings Money manner?”

Though phrased awkwardly, everyone understood. Currently, while nominally unified, the Five Ring Money essentially operated as several autonomous directors cooperating rather than competing.

Under this structure, even business with Cloud Peak was conducted individually unless involving collective resources. A unified negotiation demand like this hadn’t occurred in years – moreover, they specifically requested Ye Zhongming personally, willing to wait for his return.

“I wasn’t gone long, yet the entire country seems turbulent,” Ye Zhongming joked lightly, though he resolved to thoroughly analyze Chameleon’s less critical reports later, searching for hidden patterns.

The country indeed seemed to harbor undercurrents.

“Let’s discuss something positive.” Ye Zhongming clapped, dispelling the somber mood. “Didn’t you prepare any surprises while I was away?”

Laughter followed as everyone looked to Xia Lei and Le Dayuan – this was their domain.

“Shall I begin?” Xia Lei gestured to Le Dayuan, who smiled and waved her on.

“First, I downsized staff.”

Ye Zhongming blinked while others chuckled, enjoying his reaction.

“Or more accurately, streamlined.”

“Explain.”

Xia Lei straightened slightly. She’d previously discussed this with Ye Zhongming, but postponed due to other priorities.

“I intended to wait for your return, but circumstances forced early implementation.”

“First, external pressures.” Xia Lei raised one finger, explaining to both Ye Zhongming and others. During the restructuring, she’d been uncompromising in reorganizing Cloud Peak’s combat teams. While her authority and loyalty ensured smooth implementation, some core members had reservations – now was her chance to clarify.

“As the apocalypse progresses, Cloud Peak stands at the summit, but competitors are closing the gap. With you increasingly occupied by personal power development and losing our Secret Realm backup, our advantage has been shrinking recently.”

“Time gives them hope to catch up.”

Everyone listened attentively. Regarding grand strategy, few at Cloud Peak excelled – besides Ye Zhongming, only Xia Lei and Guang Yao stood out, with Mo Ye and others slightly behind. Chief Ah Tao showed promise but lacked sufficient Earth experience to contribute meaningfully.

“If defining eras, we’re now entering the level-nine phase – the most critical period. Falling behind now would negate all previous advantages overnight, allowing others to surpass us.”

“We have many allies but more enemies, plus coveted resources. Falling behind would bring catastrophic consequences!”

“Previously, we over-relied on you single-handedly pulling us forward. But as Cloud Peak grows larger and members stronger, our king tires. Our progress slows.”

“Now we must contribute our own strength – not just ceasing to be ‘burdens’ but actively propelling my man, your leader, to nine-star level.”

“To become… the first nine-star evolved!”