Chapter 43 Let's Call It "Classmate"

"One week? Old Zhao, are you certain you can build such a monstrous intercontinental ballistic missile within a week?"

Lin Yang hung up the phone after receiving Zhao Zizhen's solemn pledge.

However, Ye Guohong felt a knot of tension forming in his chest.

While he wasn't well-versed in the specifics of data, the modified destructive parameters alone suggested that building this weapon would be no small feat.

"Rest assured! With such detailed technical manuals and corresponding solutions provided for every material challenge, a week is more than enough time!" Zhao Zizhen patted his chest in firm assurance.

"Are you certain?" Ye Guohong remained skeptical.

"Of course. While the destructive power looks terrifying indeed, strictly speaking, this is an upgraded and retrofitted version of existing missile technology. As long as we follow the manufacturing protocols, there won't be any accidents." Zhao Zizhen guaranteed once again.

"Very well then, one week it is. You will have absolute priority regarding any resources you need—make sure this missile gets built!" Ye Guohong's eyes blazed with resolve.

Such devastating power was simply exhilarating!

Hearing this, Zhao Zizhen rolled his eyes and muttered, "How many should we build?"

"How many? Just how many are you planning to build, you old fox?" Ye Guohong retorted.

"Well, the more the better, obviously." Zhao Zizhen's eyes darted around slyly.

Ye Guohong laughed bitterly and scolded, "You old rascal, the more the better? How dare you even suggest that! The fellow we just spoke with mentioned that this thing doesn't come cheap—at least ten billion per unit to start. This is a strategic deterrence weapon; we don't need to mass-produce them right away. Let's make three: one for display, and the remaining two for deterrence!"

"Just three? Oh well... Look, Old Why so stingy? If you ask me, we should build a dozen or two, and station two of them on every side of the border—North, South, East, and West. Let's see who would dare to act presumptuously against us then!" Zhao Zizhen clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.

"Go on, go on! A dozen or two? It's easy for you to just flap your lips, but are you going to foot that astronomical bill?" Ye Guohong glared at him.

"Ahem, if we can't, we can't. I'll get back to work then," Zhao Zizhen said with a hint of regret.

Ye Guohong added, "It's not that I don't want to build more; the costs are simply too crushing. Right now, we also need to fund the development of lithography machines and apply controlled nuclear fusion technology—all of which require mountains of money. Retrofitting these missiles is enough to serve as a deterrent. The remaining funds must be reserved for controlled nuclear fusion technology; that is our top priority!"

At this, he glanced at Zhao Zizhen through the screen and said earnestly, "Besides, that young man managed to research such a terrifying upgraded missile in just a few days. If we give him more time, he'll surely develop even greater weapons!"

"That's why these missiles are enough for now—just enough to scare those Western nations into not making any rash moves, saving us a massive fortune so we can pour it into building truly formidable weapons later on!"

Zhao Zizhen nodded immediately, "That's true as well!"

A brilliant gleam flashed in Ye Guohong's eyes as he continued, "Especially since he mentioned just now that he's preparing to research spacecraft. That is where we should truly invest all our efforts. For now, let's save every penny we can!"

"A spacecraft..."

***

Mentioning spacecraft made Zhao Zizhen's eyes light up as well. "Alright, what you're saying makes complete sense. Let's start by building three."

"Good, get on it right away. I'll contact the finance department to get your funding approved. Since that young fellow mentioned he finds the Sakura nation rather irritating, we'll just have to help him vent his frustration properly!" Ye Guohong rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

"I have one final question: once this missile is built, what shall we call it?" Zhao Zizhen asked leisurely.

"A name..." Ye Guohong pondered for a moment before suggesting, "How about 'Classmate'? What do you all think?"

"Classmate?"

Zhao Zizhen, Tang Wensheng, and Han Zhaoyu were all momentarily stunned before breaking into smiles. "Good, let's call it Classmate. Since we address him as Classmate, the name is quite fitting."

***

Sakura Nation.

After ending his call with Zhao Zizhen, Lin Yang did not rest.

Having completed the collection of cultural relics across the provincial level, the lucky draw rewarded him with a Perfect-Grade Genetic Enhancement Serum, which instantly spiked his motivation!

Since it would take Zhao Zizhen's team a week to build the upgraded intercontinental ballistic missiles, Lin Yang had no intention of wasting those seven days.

He intended to use this time to completely finish the national-level mission of reclaiming cultural relics right here in the Sakura nation!

Yes, exactly!

He planned to use this single week to sweep through every single remaining Shang Xia cultural relic hidden within the Sakura nation's borders!

However, as the operations commenced, Lin Yang discovered that his previous actions had likely prompted those holding the artifacts to hide them with extreme care.

Some had even locked them directly inside heavy-duty safes!

When the system flagged this situation, Lin Yang was left speechless for a solid second.

The safes of these wealthy tycoons were genuinely like the ones in the movies—constructed from bulletproof materials, exceptionally thick and immensely heavy!

They were clearly taking precautions against him!

"Damn these little Japanese bastards!"

Lin Yang cursed softly before choosing to pay an extra fee to have the system crack the safe passwords.

A mere safe password was nothing before his abilities!

However, Lin Yang remained blissfully unaware that his actions were thoroughly terrifying the wealthy elite of the Sakura nation!

When they discovered their safes had been breached without a single trace of forced entry, the overwhelming wave of panic that washed over them chilled them to the bone!

As news reports circulated, it sparked widespread panic and fury among the entire Sakura populace!

***

"Provocation!"

"This is blatant, unadulterated provocation!"

"This is definitely a professional plunder team sent by Shang Xia!"

"Shang Xia must give us an explanation!!"

The citizens of the Sakura nation were gripped by emotional agitation, screaming furious curses!

The official government of the Sakura nation once again held a press conference with severe phrasing and a stern attitude, declaring that Shang Xia must provide a clear explanation and return all the donated cultural relics they had received from the Sakura nation. Otherwise, their missile arsenal wasn't just for show!

The Sakura government's attitude instantly enraged netizens in Shang Xia!

"What the hell? Those damn Japanese monkeys—those cultural relics belonged to us in the first place! How do they even have the face to demand we return them?"

"When it comes to shamelessness, nobody can rival them."

"Damn it, I'm starting to suspect they staged this whole thing themselves. So many wealthy families' safes were easily cracked—anyone with a shred of brain cells can see what's really going on. Their goal is probably just to find an excuse to fire off their so-called crappy missiles at us!"

"Indeed, these wretched scum just developed a new missile and immediately started showing off and provoking everyone everywhere. They truly deserve to die!"

Netizens across the country were filled with righteous indignation.

The official statements from the Sakura nation were simply too arrogant!

Lin Yang also saw these remarks and let out a cold laugh.

He had to admit, these Japanese fellows possessed a mysterious kind of confidence.

Flaunting those half-baked missiles and using them to threaten others at every turn was truly laughable.

Paying no attention to the overwhelming online uproar, he continued his mission to collect the final batch of cultural relics.

As for the explanation the Sakura nation was demanding—

Once the modified missiles were finished, Zhao Zizhen would undoubtedly give those fellows a more than satisfactory explanation!