The Great Ethan Lee

Chapter 40

The wind was particularly cold that night.

Saint York City, which should have been brightly lit, was now desolate.

The shops and houses near Saint York City had closed their doors and extinguished all lights. The brave ones peered through small gaps by their windows, watching the situation outside with fear.

The Saint York Square was filled with an intense cold. The soldiers of the Constant State National Guard were fully armed, but each one of them was trembling, their faces pale. Opposite them were soldiers several times their number, equipped with heavy weaponry—mounted machine guns, tanks slowly adjusting their turrets, and low-flying aircrafts. All tested the nerves of the National Guard soldiers.

Whispers arose in the night.

"Oh my God, those are Northern Legion special forces."

"Their Flying Tigers Aviation Regiment is here too."

"Aren't they supposed to be at the northern border? How did they end up here, pointing their guns at Saint York City?"

Inside Saint York City, Ray had lost his usual composure, even the cool air conditioning couldn't blow away his sweat. Gripping the phone, Ray pleaded with a tearful face, "Sir, I represent the dignity of Saint York City. Are you really going to abandon my family?"

After a long silence, a sigh came from the other end of the line. "Ray, you're on your own."

Thud.

The phone slipped from his hand. Ray's eyes were vacant, his face extremely pale.

Eason cried, "Dad, think of something! The tanks and cannons outside are terrifying. If they break in, we're finished!"

Smack!

A heavy slap landed directly on Eason's face. Ray shouted angrily, "It's all because of you, you useless fool! I truly regret not just ejaculating on the wall back then!"

Ray, usually so refined, was driven to such crude words, showing just how furious he was.

Freya calmly interrupted, "Enough. There’s no turning back now. No more useless talk."

At that moment, Freya showed the poise of a noble lady. She looked at the lights outside with a grim expression. "No matter what, we still can deploy three thousand National Guard soldiers. They set this up just to force us out."

Freya confidently added, "I have already called my father. In at most two hours, a powerful figure will arrive. Once he's here, even the generals of the Northern Legion won't dare act recklessly."

Ray looked worried. "But will they even give us half an hour?"

Freya smiled slightly, "This is Saint York City, where the state's government and governor reside. We represent the dignity of Constant State and the Federal Government. I don't believe they would actually bombard Saint York City if we don't go out."

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a loud boom. A shell landed in the courtyard outside, and the blast shattered all the windows of the house. The shock waves threw the three of them to the ground, with a piece of glass cutting Eason's face.

Freya, who had been confident, was now in shock. "T-they really dared to attack us?"

'Has Ethan gone mad? Isn't he afraid of public opinion turning against him?'

The distant sound of shells whistling through the air could be heard, there was more than one.

Ray shouted, "Stop looking and run!" He grabbed Freya with one hand and Eason with the other, fleeing the room and running outside the Governor's Mansion. As they exited, shells rained down on the mansion, reducing it to ruins. When the shells stopped falling, the once-grand mansion was nowhere to be seen.

Covered in dust and looking disheveled, the Peterson family stood at the entrance of the mansion, gasping for breath, still shaken.

Ethan's cold voice rang out, "Mr. Peterson, have you finally decided to show yourself?"

Ray instinctively looked up to see a massive coffin placed before them.

Ethan's face was icy; he looked like the devil, ready to send them to hell. His cold eyes pierced their hearts like sharp blades as he menacingly looked at them.

Eason screamed in terror, pointing at Ethan, "Y-you were supposed to be dead!"

Ethan raised his eyebrows slightly and coldly said, "Thank you, Mr. Peterson, I was lucky. I didn't die. So, I came here personally to thank you for sparing me."

Eason trembled with fear and quickly hid behind his father.

Ray, being the Governor, took a deep breath and smiled politely at Ethan. "You must be Mr. Lee, right? It's great to see you safe and sound."

Ray spoke with kindness, "This was a misunderstanding. I've already punished my son severely for his actions. Please give him a chance to change his ways. Whatever the cost, just name it, and I will do my best to fulfill it."

A slight smile appeared on Ethan's lips. "Oh? Whatever the cost?"

Thinking that Ethan was willing to accept an apology, Ray was delighted and quickly said, "Yes! As long as it's within my power, I won't hesitate."

Ethan laughed, "Hehe... In that case, Mr. Peterson, I need you to hand over the heads of you and your family to atone for my father-in-law's death."

Ray's smile froze and gradually disappeared. "Mr. Lee, does this mean... there is no room for negotiation?"

Ethan's lips curved into a mocking smile. "Do you think you still have the qualifications to negotiate with me?"

At this moment, Freya stepped forward, staring at him with overwhelming anger. "Ethan! I know you're formidable, but we are not at your mercy!"

Freya continued defiantly, "You have special forces, but we have three thousand fully armed National Guard soldiers. Do you really want all these soldiers to die over the dead?"

Ethan said nothing. After a long pause, he nodded in agreement. "You're right. People like you, who see themselves as superior but are actually just scum, don't deserve to have innocent soldiers die for you."

Freya's face showed a trace of anger, but she quickly suppressed it, her lips curling into a cold smile of triumph.

The National Guard soldiers were responsible for protecting Saint York City, and their duty was to fight against any enemy who threatened the city’s safety. Some soldiers, looking apprehensive, were bravely approaching, ready to fulfill their duty. If the National Guard were to protect the governor's family, an unprecedented bloody conflict might ensue.

Ethan spoke to the soldiers, "I'm here for revenge, not to harm the innocent. Lay down your weapons and leave. I won't trouble you."

The soldiers looked at each other, faces tense, but none moved an inch. Ethan wanted revenge, and they wanted to fulfill their duty. Neither side was willing to back down.

Freya's triumphant voice sounded, "Ethan, you'd better save your breath. They belong to the National Guard of Saint York City and only follow orders from their superiors. If they leave without permission, they'd be regarded as deserters! They'll be punished, and their families will be implicated."

Jackson sneered, "Oh? Really?"

Jackson stepped forward, eyes sharp, and said loudly, "According to the wartime command regulations of the Department of Defense, the highest-ranking officer in the war zone can act as the temporary commander and deploy any local armed forces!"

Jackson asked loudly, "Who is the commanding officer of the National Guard?"

A middle-aged man stepped forward and shouted, "Major Ken Nickson of the Constant State National Guard, reporting!"

Jackson nodded, "Major Nickson, as the battlefield commander, I order you to deploy the National Guard to all arteries in the city and protect the civilians of Saint York City!"

Ken responded loudly, "Yes, sir! Right turn! Quick march!"

Under everyone's gaze, the National Guard left and disappeared into the night.

Ethan's laughter slowly echoed, "Now, it seems no one can protect you..."