Chapter 485 - 322: "The Art Is Not to Be Passed On Lightly
Li Xiang stayed with Chiba Yuki for four or five days, bestowing a large amount of Spiritual Medicine. He then set out again, passing through Siberia to visit the Little Golden Tiger’s family and leaving some Spiritual Medicine behind. Afterward, he crossed the Bering Strait and traveled through Alaska to reach the North American Continent.
He once again went on a looting spree across North America. The resources he acquired were more than ten times what he had seized during his previous sweep, a truly countless amount.
North America is vast, with both Canada and the United States being expansive countries far richer in resources than Japan. Consequently, Li Xiang spent more time on this trip. For over ten days, he darted back and forth—east to west, south to north—crisscrossing the North American Continent and giving the Beautiful Country an immense headache.
The Beautiful Country’s leadership was enraged. They held countless secret meetings and drew up endless plans to deal with the Mysterious Armored Man, but in the end, they realized they could only give up.
After all, if they truly tried to retaliate, Li Xiang could behead any one of them at will!
So what if he plundered? In the face of such an absolute threat, they could only accept their losses and let it be.
It wasn’t that they were saints—and neither was Japan’s leadership—but Li Xiang’s power was simply beyond their comprehension. His Extreme Speed of Mach 14 was impossible to counter. He was elusive, a master of the Earth Superpower, and could move freely even in the open ocean.
They had no weapon capable of dealing with Li Xiang.
With a single dash, he could be in the depths of the Pacific Ocean, submerged in the deep sea. How could they chase him?
With a single flicker, he could vanish deep underground, his whereabouts unknown. How could they possibly catch him?
They were worried that if a capture attempt failed and the Armored Man enacted a plan for revenge, no one on heaven or earth could save them, no matter where they hid.
Some expressed relief that the Mysterious Armored Man only wanted resources and hadn’t resorted to assassinations. Otherwise, they would have had absolutely no way to escape his lethal grasp!
Therefore, the majority voted against actively provoking the Mysterious Armored Man. They would just have to stomach the losses for now and find a way to recoup them from other countries—like that bunch of good-for-nothings in Europe.
The funny thing was, some of these discussions about the Mysterious Armored Man actually took place in a group chat. Then, someone screenshotted the conversation and leaked it, causing a global uproar.
The Europeans were particularly incensed. ’They’re calling us good-for-nothings? Treating us like pigs for the slaughter? Our most dangerous enemy is supposed to be our ally?’ But there was nothing they could do about it.
Someone scoffed, "The Beautiful Country is supposed to be so advanced, yet they discuss top-secret matters in a group chat? For real?"
One netizen commented, "The world is just one giant amateur-hour production."
In reality, people in the Beautiful Country love using group chats and email, both in the corporate world and in government.
Due to their unique culture, they are also ridiculously polite in these group chats. For instance, they’re always calling everything a "team"—’We are a team...’—it all sounds so chummy.
For example, there’s a whole system of praise: "I’ll be praying for our victory." "My dear So-and-so, you did a very fine job." "So-and-so, you were amazing, you have my applause!" "A great start!" "So-and-so, you and your team are fantastic!" "So-and-so also did a great job, a powerful start."
"Thank you, everyone, especially... that was truly outstanding."
"Great work, the results are remarkable!"
And as soon as one person says it, many others will follow up with replies.
There are also many rituals and perks. For example: "Today is So-and-so’s birthday! The department has prepared a wonderful gift for him. Let’s all go over to his desk for a donut and wish him a happy birthday."
"So-and-so, it’s your birthday today. We hope you and your family have a lovely dinner—remember to get it reimbursed."
"Today marks So-and-so’s first (or Nth) anniversary with the company. Let’s celebrate him..."
They also love sending emojis, ’likes,’ and that sort of thing.
According to internal statistics from JPMorgan Chase, Americans send the phrase "great job" up to 2,300 times per day on average. In Google Docs comments, the word "awesome" appears 7.2 times more frequently than "concern." Research from Stanford University shows that each phrase of praise can increase a team’s efficiency by 17%.
...
Having collected enough resources, Li Xiang departed gracefully and made his way to South America.
In return, he warned them that a massive super-flood would arrive in the summer two years later.
In fact, at every place he visited, Li Xiang would issue a warning in the local language. For instance, on the White House lawn, he used his Earth Superpower to form the words of his message.
This was also a major factor that scared the Beautiful Country’s leadership into abandoning any thought of retaliation.
’Damn, the guy just strolled onto the White House lawn. Do they want the White House to be burned down again?’
’Well, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if the White House burned down. At worst, they’d just have to repaint it, and it would still be the White House. But, if the Mysterious Armored Man could burn down the White House, he could naturally do other things as well.’
The warning about the great flood two years away sparked heated discussions around the globe. If an ordinary person had issued the warning, few would have likely believed it. After all, countless doomsday prophecies are made every year, and no one ever really pays them any mind.
But this time was different. It was a warning from the "Mysterious Armored Man."
At the same time, China’s all-star diplomatic corps also disseminated the information privately through various channels, urging nations around the world to begin preparations as soon as possible.
Whether other countries chose to believe it or take action was out of their hands. Providing a warning two years in advance was the very definition of benevolence.
Back in China, preparations were also underway in earnest.
These matters were no longer Li Xiang’s concern. He went to South America to continue gathering resources, and while he was there, he paid a visit to Yaki Toto in the Amazon Rainforest.
Leveraging his past status as a Shaman and the physique and Superpower of an Extraordinary Being, Yaki Toto had not only integrated into a new tribe but had also become its leader. However, upon seeing Li Xiang—his "Paya"—he was naturally reverent, excitedly coming forward to embrace him.