Chapter 339 - 261: Bearing Down

"Yuan Tianhao was seriously injured and rescued by Divine Land masters?"

In Liuhu Town, at the Neon Far East Army’s front-line headquarters, Seiichiro Shintani’s expression shifted slightly as he received an urgent telegram. After reading the detailed report, his face darkened.

Four limit-level masters had surrounded him, yet Yuan Tianhao hadn’t died. According to the intelligence, he had even come close to a desperate counterattack, on the verge of breaking through to a new realm. However, something seemed to have gone wrong during the process, causing him to suffer a backlash. Otherwise, the outcome of the battle would have been uncertain.

Failing to confirm Yuan Tianhao’s death was, ultimately, a huge hidden danger. What’s more, the man had apparently touched the threshold of that next realm. If he truly managed to recover from his injuries, the consequences would be more than they could bear.

Furthermore, the report mentioned that among the Divine Land masters who conducted the rescue, another suspected limit-level individual had appeared.

Zhao Xuanqi. He alone had held off the combined forces of Mitsuro and Oono Bonan. That was the fundamental reason the Divine Land masters were able to rescue Yuan Tianhao successfully.

’Zhao Xuanqi... has he reached the limit level? This man burst onto the scene like a meteor. How long has it been? He’s already stirring up a storm and has reached such a state. Perhaps... his threat even surpasses that of Yuan Tianhao.’

Seiichiro Shintani’s gaze was sharp. ’These hidden threats must all be eliminated. We cannot give them any chance to breathe.’

The assassination attempt on Yuan Tianhao was only the beginning. Although they failed to kill him outright, leaving him severely wounded and comatose was still a huge advantage.

"Activate all our sleeper agents. Also, spare no expense to buy intelligence from the other Five Nations’ information networks. I want to know the specifics of Yuan Tianhao’s condition as quickly as possible."

"Mobilize every propaganda asset we have. Immediately spread the news throughout the Divine Land that Yuan Tianhao was ambushed and killed, especially among the Divine Land’s frontline troops. Also, after the news has spread, dispatch our prepared personnel to immediately begin making covert contact with their various army divisions."

"Rendezvous with the Three Saints and our other masters as soon as possible. Have them recover from their injuries and restore their Physical Ability at top speed."

"Finally, order all troops to enter immediate combat readiness. Prepare at least a week’s worth of rations and supplies. Encircle Beichuan County Town. There must not be a moment’s delay!"

"If the Divine Land army chooses to retreat, have all units give chase. They are to head south immediately. The target is the Divine Land’s capital, Shangjing!"

Seiichiro Shintani immediately issued the orders to the officer waiting at his side.

"Sir!"

The officer quickly transcribed the orders and left the room.

"Divine Land... Divine Land..."

Seiichiro Shintani slowly turned to face the enormous map of the Divine Land hanging on his wall, a sharp glint in his eyes.

’I will shatter all your hopes in the shortest time possible.’

...

...

「Meanwhile.」

Zhao Xuanqi and the others had already brought Yuan Tianhao and Meng Dongtai back to the county town, where they were now receiving emergency medical treatment.

Inside Beichuan County Town, unrest was already starting to brew. Sleepers planted by the Neon Influence began to rapidly spread news throughout the city. At the same time, the entire Neon Army mobilized, advancing to encircle Beichuan County Town. The heavy armored units leading the charge were not equipped with high-powered weaponry, but with high-wattage loudspeaker systems, incessantly broadcasting the news that the Divine Land’s Grand Marshal, Yuan Tianhao, had been ambushed and killed. This threw the Divine Land’s frontline soldiers into an uproar.

The battle hadn’t even begun, and their commander-in-chief was already reported dead. It was as if the sky was falling. The frontline soldiers’ morale wavered, and panic spread. The Neon Army then suppressed them with an extremely strong artillery offensive, forcing the frontline troops into a chaotic and constant retreat.

Now, whether in terms of military firepower, the combat strength of their top masters, or even morale, the Neon Nation held an absolute advantage.

The phones at the Beichuan County Town frontline command headquarters were ringing off the hook. Calls flooded in from every frontline unit, all asking about Yuan Tianhao’s situation, leaving the command staff completely overwhelmed.

It wasn’t just the front lines. All across the Divine Land, informants planted by Neon Influence were spreading the news. In no time, the report of Yuan Tianhao’s death in an ambush spread like wildfire, causing an uproar among the Divine Land’s populace and various factions.

The frontline command did everything in its power to clarify the matter. But with Yuan Tianhao severely wounded and unconscious from the attack, he was completely unable to make an appearance. Relying on mere verbal clarifications without Yuan Tianhao showing himself in person only fueled further suspicion.

At this very moment, the full impact of the attack on Yuan Tianhao became terrifyingly clear.

As the nominal head of state of the Divine Land and its number one master, his identity and status made him, without a doubt, the most important person in the nation.

If not for his call to arms, it would have been impossible to gather such a massive force and incite such a fervent response in such a short time.

Now that he had fallen, the impact on the morale of the entire Divine Land was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

The eight great Warlords had nominally answered the Grand Marshal’s call, but in reality, they each ruled their own territory.

There was no one else with the authority to suppress the many masters and command the various armies.

Leaderless, they would descend into true chaos.

Beichuan County Town, the temporary station of the Martial Arts Association.

"They’ve decided to retreat?"

Zhao Xuanqi couldn’t help but frown when he heard the news.

"We’ve received word that Yuan Tianhao’s condition is even more serious than we thought. Despite emergency treatment and the use of various precious Secret Medicines, there’s still no sign of improvement. The medical facilities at the front are too poor. They’re using large quantities of Golden Willow Jade Liquid just to keep him alive. They’re preparing to transport him back to Shangjing. That might be his only chance."