Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 302 - 288: Essence

Chapter 302: Chapter 288: Essence

Things were already complicated, and now, facing retaliation and pursuit by the CIA, Lin Xianghua suddenly pulled this stunt, completely throwing off the rhythm.

The scene became awkward for a moment.

Gao Yi demanded an explanation, so Lin Xianghua had to give one.

"I thought I was about to die, so I had to come clean quickly, who knew I wouldn’t die after all..."

He even knew about clemency through confession.

After learning Lin’s true identity as a Ben, everything he said now seemed awfully impressive, as if he knew it all.

Feng Biao suddenly interjected, "Social death is still death."

Gao Yi said nonchalantly, "What was your purpose in approaching us? Do you have some ulterior motive, some conspiracy? Speak!"

Lin Xianghua, clearly agitated, was just about to argue when Li Jie added, "Don’t say it like that. His grandfather was truly a friend, no, a comrade."

Lin Xianghua said with a hint of grievance, "Who wanted to approach you? Wasn’t it just a coincidence that we both went to kill Gray? How can you say I did it on purpose? And then it was you who called me over—I didn’t join on my own initiative."

It seemed to be the case.

Gao Yi, discontent, asked, "Then why didn’t you say you were a Ben from the beginning?"

"I... Why should I? To foreigners, I say I’m a Ben. When I’m with Chinese people, I just say I’m Chinese. Could you tell? Could any of you?"

After posing the rhetorical question to everyone, Lin Xianghua proclaimed proudly, "I’m elite. Of course I call myself Chinese."

Gao Yi couldn’t help but laugh.

All this time, he had encountered plenty who were obsessed with Japan, those obsessed with the United States, but this was the first time he had encountered someone obsessed with China.

It wasn’t easy. As the national power and influence grew, the era of the China-obsessed had finally begun to appear.

What does "China-obsessed" mean? It’s someone whose spirit aligns with China, just like someone whose spirit aligns with the United States.

Hearing the term "China-obsessed", even the dislike for Lin Xianghua seemed to lessen, along with the discomfort and the anger at being deceived.

Li Jie remarked from the side, "This one is a comrade, truly a comrade. Don’t you want to see who his grandfather is?"

At that moment, Lin Xianghua let out a long sigh, then said helplessly, "After this... can things ever be like they were before?"

Li Jie suddenly added, "You’ve only revealed your biggest secret just now, but you haven’t talked about your biggest wish yet."

Gao Yi immediately said, "Right, what are your wishes? Let’s hear them."

Lin Xianghua looked startled. "What, you still want to take me down? Are you asking for my final wishes now?"

"With the atmosphere set up like this, you can talk now. If you wait until you’re all better and say you still have an unfulfilled wish, would that be appropriate?"

Gao Yi was quite moved and assumed a thoughtful expression, saying, "Last time, you mentioned that your wish could never come true, and I was curious. Now, aren’t you going to take this opportunity to say it?"

Lin Xianghua hesitated for a moment and finally said softly, "My first wish... was to become Chinese."

The wish of the China-obsessed was indeed that simple.

Gao Yi exhaled, and before he could even reply, Li Jie said, "That’s too easy. You’re a Ben, so just immigrate to Taiwan. Taiwan will definitely welcome you. Whether officially or unofficially, we recognize that once you’ve entered Taiwan, you’re a fellow countryman."

Gao Yi nodded in agreement repeatedly, "Exactly! Such a simple move and you don’t know it? That’s unlikely. For someone China-obsessed, haven’t you tried to find a way?"

Lin Xianghua sighed. "I’ve known about this path for ten years. I’ve even figured out the specifics of how to do it. I know that after immigrating to Taiwan, how to apply for a Home Return Permit. With it, I can go to China anytime I want, settle down, and seek help from any embassy around the world."

Feng Biao, perplexed, asked, "You know, but you don’t do it. Is it because you don’t want to, or is there some hardship?"

Lin Xianghua’s tone became serious, and he spoke softly, "My second wish... is to burn the Jingri Divine Toilet."

The others were taken aback for a moment, and then Feng Biao said with a broad smile, "That’s a good wish! I can help you with that—for free. We Chinese people... no, I mean we, as Chinese, all share this wish, hahaha."

Lin Xianghua’s expression was solemn. "My third wish... is for Liuqiu’s independence."

Feng Biao’s laughter stopped abruptly.

Gao Yi inhaled sharply.

Li Jie’s eyes shone brightly.

Lin Xianghua lay in bed and looked at the three people, his face set with determination, "Chinese citizenship is the hardest in the world to acquire. But because of my grandfather, my path to immigrating to China might be a bit easier. Although it is extremely difficult, there is still a chance. However, I am a man of ideals, a man with grand visions! It is because of those last two wishes that I cannot become Chinese. I must liberate Liuqiu as a Liuqiu person!"

Now, Gao Yi looked at Lin Xianghua with utmost respect.

Lin Xianghua clenched his fist, speaking in a solemn and grave tone, "I want to shatter this old world that’s been imprisoned! I want to become the liberator of the new era!"

Gao Yi, who had come to respect Lin Xianghua, immediately said, "Wow... we’ll definitely help you with this busy task! But do you have any concrete plans?"

Lin Xianghua’s hand, raised in mid-air, stiffened, then fell back to the bed, powerless.

"That is, the idea is good, the goal is clear, but the specific approach... I haven’t found one yet."

Lin Xianghua’s face was filled with helplessness, then he spoke in a low voice, "When I was young, I thought everything was simple, as long as someone dared to stand up, simply a call to arms would naturally gather followers, but reality is... um... uh... there are still more people content with the status quo."

Gao Yi and the others all nodded in agreement.

But Lin Xianghua continued helplessly, "Why did I become a mercenary? It’s because after two years as a social activist and being thrown in jail twice for giving speeches on the street, I realized that words alone won’t accomplish great things."

Gao Yi and the others nodded frantically.

Lin Xianghua’s spirits rose a bit as he continued, "I studied in China for five years. Listen to my Mandarin, isn’t it completely without an accent?"

"Yes, yes."

"It’s perfect."

"If you hadn’t said you were Ben, we really wouldn’t have known."

Lin Xianghua spoke deeply, "I realized that you can’t learn in Ben how to overthrow it, so I studied intensively in China for five years. In the end, I discovered a truth about struggle: The only truth in struggle is that political power grows out of the barrel of a gun!"

Gao Yi said sincerely, "You’ve realized it."

Feng Biao curiously said, "If I’m not mistaken, isn’t that something from middle school textbooks?"

Li Jie nodded, then he said without hesitation, "Definitely in the old materials."

Lin Xianghua continued deeply, "Struggle means shedding blood; it’s not about inviting guests to dinner. I have no military knowledge, so, I became a mercenary!"

Gao Yi looked ashamed and said, "Your reason for being a mercenary is somewhat noble. I can’t compare."

Lin Xianghua looked downcast, he sighed, and said in a low voice, "But after several years as a mercenary, frantically learning and bravely fighting, I finally realized that armed struggle is too difficult. Armed struggle requires comrades, the more the better. On my own, I can only cause minor disruptions, but to awaken the Liuqiu people’s awareness to resist, I can’t do it alone; it’s impossible."

No wonder Lin Xianghua said his wish could never be realized. The root cause was here.

Li Jie suddenly said, "If that’s what you’re talking about, then I’m all ears."

Everyone turned to look at Li Jie.

"As the one with the highest education and the highest IQ, it’s my time to step up and teach you a lesson on how to awaken public awareness to resist. It’s a big topic, but since it’s already a mature subject, there must be mature answers, that is, practical methods."

Everyone turned again to look at Li Jie.

Li Jie said seriously, "Looking at the Red Army movement in Ben back in the day, it shows there is a mass base within it. The spirit not being visible now doesn’t mean it has completely disappeared."

Feng Biao couldn’t help asking, "What’s the Red Army?"

Ignoring Feng Biao, Li Jie continued, "Given the current situation in Liuqiu, the Liuqiu people have suffered long under the American military. You should start from this angle to arouse the local people’s resistance consciousness. The term ’the people’ already highlights the core of the problem. The masses, the herd mentality prevails; as long as you can successfully gain momentum with one reason, with some slight guidance, be patient and slowly guide them, these people will be led to the path you want them to take, even if only one in ten agrees with you, it’s enough."

At this moment, a doctor suddenly said, "Sorry to interrupt."

Everyone looked at the doctor, who spread his hands and said, "He’s not going to die, but that doesn’t mean he’s okay. I don’t know what you’re discussing, but you seem really happy about it, so I wanted to ask, do you really have to talk about this now? If so, I’ll leave first."

Gao Yi coughed lightly and said, "We can’t go on talking. Let’s treat the injuries first; we’ll stop talking."

Li Jie also immediately nodded, "Right, can’t go on. Ah Gui... No wonder you’re named Ah Gui; well, you get treated first, and we’ll talk privately later."

Lin Xianghua’s face was filled with fervor as he said, "Although I’m in a lot of pain right now, my spirit is burning. As long as I’m not dead, it’s fine. Let’s talk first, after we finish, then we’ll treat it."

"If we keep talking, someone is going to cry; you just be honest and recover. While you’re here, you should learn properly. Being a mercenary can only teach you how to fight; for higher-level things, you should take the chance to learn. Five years of study isn’t short, but you haven’t learned the real essence yet."

Gao Yi, full of confidence and a deep sense of pressure, patted Lin Xianghua’s shoulder and said, "Let’s not use that little anymore; from now on, you’re Lin Xianghua. See how the guys operate here, I’m telling you... can’t talk anymore, just watch and learn."

Lin Xianghua was very excited; he clenched his fist again and said, "Alright! I will work hard."

The group of people walked out the door, and then Feng Biao immediately said, "Have you noticed that ever since Ghost admitted he was Ben, he’s starting to talk like a chuunibyou."

Gao Yi shrugged and said, "It’s not Ghost, it’s Ah Gui. Don’t slander the good guy."