Chapter 230: Chapter 207: The First, Part 2
Another advisor said.
"Foolish! If it were that simple, we wouldn’t have needed to resort to using Neon in the first place. All the nation’s powers have gathered in Jinmen. Can we truly ignore the interests and influence the Martial Arts Association has accumulated over a hundred years? In the current situation, even if we were to send troops, we couldn’t do it in our name alone."
"What’s more, the Martial Arts Association’s victory in Jinmen is now all but assured, and the tournament is known throughout the Divine Land. We previously cited a policy of official non-interference in civilian activities to avoid getting involved, showing neither support nor opposition while we waited to see how things would play out. But now, with the Martial Arts Association on the brink of winning, we’re supposed to send troops to suppress them? How would the public react to that?"
"This matter requires careful, long-term planning."
Another person voiced their opposition.
Yuan Tianhao remained silent in his seat.
"Perhaps... we could leverage Neon’s power once more. According to our intelligence, the Neon Concession has masters from the Divine Wave Group and the Neon Military Department stationed there. Wakatsuki Kei of the Profound Ocean Society is also a master of Harmony. If we use them as our blade, we might be able to sever the Martial Arts Association’s momentum. Then, on the pretext of them overstepping their bounds, we would have a legitimate reason to send in our own troops and intervene in Jinmen..."
Another man spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention.
BOOM!!
However, before the man could finish his sentence, a terrifying Intent and presence enveloped the entire study.
For a moment, everyone felt as if they were suffocating. They trembled violently, as if the very heavens were about to collapse.
The advisor who had spoken collapsed to the floor, his face deathly pale.
"Allowing Neon’s civilian Harmony masters to enter Jinmen was the greatest concession I was willing to make. The Military Department, however, is the bottom line. Ever since my Beidou Army was established, the concessions have been clearly demarcated: foreign garrisons are not to cross the boundaries. Anyone who dares cross this line, who invites the Neon Military Department into the territory governed by my Beidou Army... I will be the first to kill them."
Yuan Tianhao’s voice was icy, and the very air seemed to freeze.
"Yes, Military Commander."
The advisors replied, trembling in fear.
Gradually, the immense presence receded, and the oppressive atmosphere calmed.
"The outcome of the tournament is now irreversible. However, it won’t be easy for the Martial Arts Association to expand its influence either. I will make my own decision on this matter."
Yuan Tianhao said calmly.
「Jinmen. The Neon Concession Consulate.」
"The Beidou Army has rejected our suggestion to use the Military Department’s forces. They stated in no uncertain terms that if we cross the line, they will take forceful measures against us."
"Furthermore, the Three Elders are in good condition, and the Grand Array at the Martial Arts Association Headquarters can be activated at any moment. Even if we dispatched the Divine Wave Group, we likely wouldn’t gain any advantage. The only other option is a large-scale military deployment, but that would mean a complete break with the Divine Land. We can’t shoulder that responsibility. We’ve missed our best chance."
Soon, Sano Hideyuki of the Neon Consulate received the telegram from the Beidou Army.
"Damn it! How did it come to this? Wakatsuki Kei and those useless fools from the Profound Ocean Society!"
Yamada Ichirō’s expression was frigid. An operation that should have been a guaranteed success had somehow failed. It was unthinkable.
Zhao Xuanqi. The Hundred Beasts Fist Qilin. If he hadn’t burst onto the scene out of nowhere, the plan could not have failed.
This man will become a grave threat to the Empire!
"Ye Jian Mountain was killed, and Beichuan Cyan Wood’s heart was shattered. He won’t be able to return to peak condition anytime soon. Even if he did, he would likely be no match for that Zhao Xuanqi. We no longer have any chance of turning the tables in this tournament."
"This is no longer something we can decide. Report it up the chain as quickly as possible,"
Sano Hideyuki said with a sigh.
Yamada Ichirō’s expression shifted, but in the end, he could only nod.
「Meanwhile, in a hidden location in Jinling.」
Dressed like an old farmer, Yang Xun—one of the three great generals of the National Salvation Association and head of the Divine Martial Department—also received the same intelligence report.
’One against two, is it? The younger generation is truly formidable. But the tree that stands above the forest is destined to be broken by the wind. It seems it’s time I took a trip to Jinmen.’
Yang Xun looked at the report and muttered to himself.
That night, news from Jinmen spread throughout the Divine Land. Every faction reacted differently, but all reached the same consensus: the outcome of the tournament in Jinmen was irreversible.
But this didn’t mean the crisis was over. A much larger storm was brewing just beneath the surface.
Time passed quickly. The night was soon over, and the sun rose as usual.
The major powers were all paying close attention to the Martial Arts Association’s affairs, but such high-level matters were far removed from the lives of ordinary people. To them, this night seemed no different from the countless nights they had lived through before.
Of course, the commotion from the battle at the Martial Arts Association Headquarters was considerable, and even if the details weren’t known, rumors had begun to spread.
「The next morning. Longwu Square.」
The surrounding teahouses were once again packed to the rafters.
The one-day break was over, and the tournament matches were set to continue. Who would emerge victorious—the Divine Land or Neon? That was what everyone cared about most.
"Did you hear? I heard there was some trouble at the Martial Arts Association Headquarters last night. The whole place was shrouded in starlight. Looked like some kind of Feng Shui Grand Array was activated. Someone must have tried to storm the headquarters. Anyone know what’s going on?"
"Those Neon bastards took a one-day break, and just as I thought, they were up to no good! They’re resorting to dirty tricks outside the tournament, aren’t they?!"
"It’s hard to say. We don’t know what really happened. I just hope it doesn’t affect the tournament."
"..."
Murmurs spread through the audience. News of the strange phenomenon at the Martial Arts Association Headquarters the previous night had reached the ears of many spectators, and a sense of unease settled over everyone.
’There isn’t... going to be some kind of accident, is there?’
’We were just starting to see a glimmer of hope for the tournament...’
Soon, the competitors began to enter the arena one by one, preparing for the day’s match lottery.
"Zhao Yuan! It’s Zhao Yuan!"
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