Sun Wukong noticed that everyone had fallen silent again, and he thought he had figured out the reason.
"Alright, everyone, stop overthinking it," he said. "Even if Morgana hadn't blocked that strike, nothing would have happened to you. But I promised Zhang Zheng to keep it a secret, so I guess I'll have to break my word this time."
As he spoke, Sun Wukong turned his gaze to Du Kao.
"Old Du, do you remember Zhang Zheng's glove?" Sun Wukong asked Du Kao.
"Yes, of course. According to the records, that glove has six gems embedded in it. We know that the blue one represents spatial power," Du Kao replied. "Could it be that the other gems have the ability to save us?"
Du Kao was puzzled, but being a seasoned veteran, he quickly grasped the general idea.
"Yes, but I hope that what I'm about to say remains confidential," Sun Wukong continued. "I promised Zhang Zheng that I wouldn't tell anyone because that power is simply too terrifying. I also don't want everyone to rely on that power."
After Sun Wukong finished speaking, Du Kao looked at Lianfeng. Lianfeng, who had been with Du Kao for over ten thousand years, understood his intention with just a glance and quickly began typing on her computer.
"General, I've disabled all the surveillance and recording devices in the meeting room," Lianfeng said after a flurry of rapid keystrokes.
"Good job," Du Kao nodded in approval. Then he turned back to Sun Wukong. "You can speak now."
"Zhang Zheng's glove has six gems. Everyone knows that the blue one represents spatial power," Sun Wukong explained. "But that's not the most terrifying one. The most terrifying is the green gem, which represents the power of time. My injuries weren't actually healed; instead, Zhang Zheng reversed my body back to the state it was in over a thousand years ago. So my body is now as it was a thousand years ago."
"In other words, even if Zhang Zheng had killed you, he could have reversed time to bring you back to life," Sun Wukong said, his tone heavy.
"Hiss..." Everyone, from the old fox Du Kao and Lianfeng to the members of the Super Soldiers, couldn't help but gasp.
If what Sun Wukong said was true, then there was no force in the entire universe that could limit Zhang Zheng anymore. The power of time is a challenge that no cosmic civilization has yet overcome.
As everyone was still reeling from shock, a voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Wait a minute, Sun Wukong. If your body has been reverted to its state from a thousand years ago, how is your memory still intact?" Lianfeng asked. Unlike Du Kao and the Super Soldiers, her perspective as a scientist led her to a different line of thinking.
"Uh, I don't know about that," Sun Wukong admitted, scratching his head in embarrassment. "I'm just a warrior, so I don't understand all that. I guess I'm stuck on this one."
"Alright, Lianfeng," Du Kao said. "Wukong is a warrior; this kind of scientific stuff is best left for you to figure out. Besides, Zhang Zheng's glove has six gems—maybe one of them has the power to preserve memory."
"Fine, General Du Kao. I was just curious as a researcher," Lianfeng replied, realizing she was pressing too hard and decided to let it go.
Du Kao, seeing that Lianfeng had dropped the issue, turned his attention back to the Super Soldiers.
"Wukong has explained Zhang Zheng's powers, so don't dwell on why he attacked us," Du Kao said.
At the same time, he felt a sense of relief. Zhang Zheng's recent actions might have genuinely intimidated Morgana, the evil goddess who believed in fallen freedom. This wasn't just a feeling; it was based on Morgana's expression when she saw those images.
The Super Soldiers, hearing Du Kao's words, finally understood.
"I told you, Zhang Zheng wouldn't really try to kill us," Liu Chuang said, straightening his neck. He felt a bit of relief, realizing that Zhang Zheng hadn't intended to harm them after all. If Zhang Zheng had been serious, Liu Chuang thought there wouldn't even be a fight. He had been trained by Zhang Zheng for over a month and knew all too well just how powerful he was. Even now, he couldn't fathom Zhang Zheng's full strength, but he knew one thing for sure: he would be no match for Zhang Zheng.
"Sigh, Zhang Zheng is really ruthless, isn't he?" Zhao Xin said, his tone still laced with his characteristic humor. "But if Morgana hadn't stopped him, I guess I would have gotten to experience what it's like to die."
Zhao Xin's joke earned him a round of eye rolls from the others. What kind of person is this, eager to test death's experience?
"Xin Ye, I'd advise you not to seek death. Since Zhang Zheng didn't tell us about this, it means he doesn't want us to rely too much on this power. After all, the power of time isn't something that can be easily controlled. Besides, what if Zhang Zheng decides not to save you? You'd die for nothing, and it wouldn't even be worth it," Ge Xiaolun said, starting with a logical analysis before slipping into his usual humorous tone.
"Tch, Xiaolun, why are you stopping Xin Ye? I was looking forward to seeing him resurrected," Liu Chuang said, picking up his black cleaver and pretending to consider where best to strike.
Zhao Xin, startled by Liu Chuang's actions, quickly hid behind Di Leina, pretending to be afraid.
"Your Highness, you have to protect me. You won't let me be with the angel girls, so you have to take responsibility for me!" Zhao Xin said, leaning on Di Leina's shoulder and speaking in a coquettish tone.
"Ugh..." The Super Soldiers, both male and female, were visibly disgusted by Zhao Xin's antics, collectively mimicking the sound of retching. Zhao Xin's words, combined with his expression, were just too flirtatious.
"Zhao Xin, let go of me! I don't care who you want to be with. And stop talking to me like that; it's disgusting," Di Leina said, clearly annoyed by Zhao Xin's behavior. But even with her pouty expression, Zhao Xin, who had completely lost any sense of shame, wasn't intimidated.
Du Kao and Sun Wukong watched the Super Soldiers banter and felt a bit amused.
"Alright, enough joking around," Du Kao said, his tone serious. "Warriors, the war is really about to begin. Our days of leisure are coming to an end. You are the Super Soldiers, and the nation has given you the best resources. Now that the war is upon us, I hope you'll be the bravest warriors, leading the charge at the front lines."
As he spoke, Du Kao stood tall and straight, like a towering pillar, embodying the backbone of a soldier.