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Miss Beautiful C.E.O and her system-Chapter 687: Country E’s internal landscape
The Spirit Fox commander, leader of Team One, cried out in joy and shot a provocative glance at Country E's military officer.
She didn't say it aloud, but she still held a grudge over his constant efforts to stir up trouble for her group.
Though she understood that his intentions were rooted in personal loss—Spirit Fox's intervention had cost him connections and money due to ties with BlackOps—his repeated provocations made her want to slap some sense into him.
Now that Ling Qingyu had arrived, she felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She was more than ready to kick the problem down the line.
Having dealt with officialdom back in Province N, she was long tired of the pointless power plays.
"Now that my boss is here, we gotta go," the commander said casually. "You don't want to mess up negotiations with higher-ups, do you?"
"Of course not," the officer replied with a bitter smile. "But it's best if we escort your convoy."
"Thanks, but no need. We can handle ourselves. You should focus your energy on securing the airport."
Then, turning to her team, she called out, "Team One and Two, mount up."
Ignoring the officer, she headed for the convoy as her teams regrouped and dashed toward their assigned vehicles.
There was no confusion during deployment. Thanks to Athena's support and AR technology, each member had a digital highlight over their figure, clearly labeling team roles and positions.
The commander paused to glance at the other soldiers who had stood their ground during the attack.
Though their kill counts couldn't compare, their courage in resisting deserved recognition.
She nodded respectfully before stepping into her vehicle.
One amusing moment stood out: several operators were lowkey fighting over who got to ride in the Aegis 2.0.
Not far off, Lin Fan and the others exchanged knowing glances while John finally let out a relieved sigh.
He'd been on edge the whole time—those Spirit Fox operators kept staring at him for reasons he couldn't grasp, and it almost sent him into a panic.
Meanwhile, Lin Fan started to reevaluate his partner. As someone familiar with Spirit Fox, there had to be a reason for their reactions toward John.
Especially when recalling how strangely John had behaved just before the attack.
Lin Fan's speculation was wild, but he kept his emotions in check.
If his guess was even close to correct, then this situation was far more dangerous than expected.
The forces behind the terrorist attack were tangled in enough hidden agendas and shadowy backers to shake the very foundation of the world—or at least destabilize the Elephant Continent.
Considering the language used by the terrorists and the precision of the assault, Lin Fan suspected—80 percent certainty—it was orchestrated by BlackOps.
The plan had been flawless… until it collided with a group of misfits: ex-military, intelligence agents, and somehow, Spirit Fox, who'd managed to arrive after an 18-hour flight.
Still, lacking solid evidence, Lin Fan chose to stay quiet. For now, he focused on the convoy, hoping to get a better look at the mysterious "boss."
He had no idea that Spirit Fox's presence had absolutely nothing to do with the terrorists.
As for the officer from Country E, he wasn't about to let the convoy roam around unchecked—even if Spirit Fox had declined an escort.
They both understood what was at play here. Without argument, the officer ordered one of his units to send a single vehicle ahead to lead the convoy.
He had to report everything to his superiors anyway, and the meaningful look that woman gave him still lingered in his thoughts.
He was sure that his report would shock the higher-ups—too much evidence had surfaced in too short a time.
That was why he'd initially tried to redirect suspicion toward Ling Qingyu, to paint her as the real target of the attack.
But that woman wasn't a fool. There was no room left for excuses—only the truth could be handed over.
As for the money he'd received from BlackOps? Well… he'd done his best.
…
The convoy followed a military jeep that led the way. As they exited the airport, every eye scanned the surroundings—drivers included.
But with the vehicles moving autonomously, there was more room for attention to be directed elsewhere.
Inside one of the armored SUVs, Ling Qingyu listened as the commander briefed her on the operation in detail.
She offered genuine praise, pleased by what she was hearing.
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Relief and pride welled up within her. The girls had grown.
Their words carried weight now—measured, tactical, thoughtful. No longer were they mere fighters who followed orders blindly.
She never wanted machines. She wanted human beings—capable, intelligent individuals who could think, decide, and lead.
In her long-term plans, obedient soldiers were of little use.
She needed officers—leaders, thinkers, field tacticians.
Even though Spirit Fox members had far surpassed the level of standard NCOs, especially under Tang Ziyi's ruthless yet effective training, Ling Qingyu still demanded more.
If it came down to numbers, Athena could mass-produce fighters easily.
Fighting machines were the easy part. A wave of humanoid androids designed to blend in and act like ordinary humans would soon be ready.
Breakthroughs were near. When the time came—and if her other operations progressed accordingly—an expansion would be inevitable.
But not just with machines.
Each Spirit Fox member would lead a squad, a team at minimum.
She wasn't just building a force—she was building an army of commanders.
The ambition solidified when she gained full ownership of the Medical Island and the surrounding chain of territories.
The land she possessed was no different from a small nation.
But that would be something for her future self to handle.
"Athena, don't just keep an eye on us—monitor the surroundings as well. Notify me and Aunt Yue the moment you detect anything strange," Ling Qingyu said. "You're granted full permission to snoop around, no restrictions."
"Understood, Mom," Athena replied solemnly, saluting in her military uniform.
Her tiny idol figure delivered the response with perfect decorum—but the contrast between her serious tone and petite size made it all the more adorable.
Ling Qingyu felt a pinch in her heart but said nothing.
"Elena, stay on high alert. I want immediate response, no delays. Can you do that, dear?"
"Of course, Mom. Who do you take me for? Just say the word—Even Country A will disappear. Your command is my sword."
Hmm… Ling Qingyu closed her eyes and tried to calm the throbbing vein on her temple.
Why was this shipgirl so hell-bent on destroying Country A?
She had long suspected that Miss System might've dragged along someone with a serious grudge against a nation eerily similar to that superpower.
Otherwise, Elena should've made her feel secure by now—not constantly on edge.
"Mom's worried about you, Elena. You can't control yourself," Athena scolded her sister.
"Oh please, as if you're the golden child," Elena shot back. "Puchi! What can you do other than beep around and hack things? Truth lies on the edge of a sword!"
Here we go again.
Ling Qingyu rubbed her cheek and ignored the familiar bickering. She rarely came out ahead when dealing with both of them in a single chat—though she knew they had their own private group too.
Her two AI daughters competed over everything—favor, recognition, uniqueness.
Ling Qingyu had once tried to mediate, but eventually gave up. It didn't matter. Their endless arguments were just a quirky way of bonding.
If they weren't quarreling, then she'd be worried.
She beckoned Xiao Yue to step in.
But Xiao Yue only listened, unmoved by Ling Qingyu's silent plea.
She didn't want to go bald or gray from kid-induced stress.
Parenthood—whether real or digital—was no walk in the park.
Instead, Xiao Yue turned her focus to the view outside.
The open fields and rolling sand dunes had a kind of raw, rustic charm.
She noticed the small thatched homes and sparse two-story concrete buildings lining the side of the highway.
Country E was poor. Its road infrastructure remained underdeveloped.
Only the main route from the airport to the city had seen minor improvements—and even then, not by much.
The so-called highway was just two narrow lanes, one for each direction.
Vegetation and occasional trees grew out of the sand, casting light shade over the route.
Children ran barefoot along the edge. Adults walked further off in the distance.
Perhaps intimidated by the military jeep leading the way, civilian drivers quickly pulled over to give space—allowing the convoy to pass without delay.
Old buses and worn-out sedans made up the bulk of the road traffic. Occasionally, an off-road vehicle appeared—clearly a luxury reserved for the wealthier few.
If even the main highway was in such poor condition, Xiao Yue couldn't begin to imagine how dire things were deeper inland.
As for regions constantly threatened by battles and civil wars—there was no doubt.
They had long been neglected, abandoned to the mercy of fate and conflict. Development was a dream too distant, stability a luxury no one could afford.
Even the bare minimum infrastructure was either destroyed, repurposed by militias, or simply never built to begin with, Xiao Yue could predict the outcomes.
While the airport and its surrounding areas had been relatively well-developed, the rest of the region cried out for investment and proper planning.
Then again, perhaps the higher-ups simply didn't care. After all, the lives of those living beyond their circles held little value in their eyes.
A/N: A little late on the update.
It couldn't be helped since a dog, i love and care, died. That dog is what I've watched since its young age. I live through the time it grew to nine month or so old. Now it died suddenly.