Chapter Ninety-Six: If You Can't Find It, Then Flip the Table

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As Lin Qingyun savored the light wine and nibbled on dried meat, listening to their conversation, his hand suddenly froze.

Blood sacrifices involving abducted people?

He was aware that such rumors had circulated before. Ultimately, they attracted alien demons from beyond the realm, who enhanced and transformed a group of cult followers of the Demon Sect, greatly increasing their power but at the cost of the entire Hanze region and all living beings within it.

In his previous life, he had not personally experienced these events. But after months of investigation and prolonged understanding in this life, combined with a remark from Captain Wu just now, Lin Qingyun suddenly recalled something.

Why specifically abduct people for blood sacrifices? Why not directly perform the sacrifices within the gathering zones? If an entire gathering zone were sacrificed, wouldn’t the resulting disaster be far worse?

In the end, that was indeed the case. But can the official narrative about the sacrifices be trusted?

Previously, influenced by the last records he saw in his previous life, he had been searching for the Demon Sect’s whereabouts. The records stated that Hanze was destroyed because the Demon Sect’s blood sacrifices triggered alien demons to attempt a cross-dimensional invasion, which ultimately led to the entire Hanze being sacrificed.

It was the first time a powerful being had tried to cross between worlds, though it failed in the end...

“This Captain Wu is right. Actually, I think the gathering zones should be investigated as well. The situation is so chaotic now and under such scrutiny. Perhaps the Demon Sect is planning a major move.” Lin Qingyun, with his back to Captain Wu and the others, added his voice.

Everyone was chatting animatedly, and since the boss was present, no one paid much attention to him. Yet his words steered the discussion in this direction.

Lin Qingyun did not linger long here; after visiting a few other places, he planned to leave. Though there were still several days before the critical date, he did not want to be caught up in the fallout.

The Fifth Gathering Zone, Deputy Director’s office of the administration.

Each gathering zone had a rotating director and five deputies who jointly managed it. Every three years, a new rotating director was selected from among the deputies.

They were the official rule-makers and representatives of various factions within the Fifth Gathering Zone.

He Hongming, the lowest-ranking deputy director of the administration, had held his position for fifteen years but had never once served as rotating director.

At this moment, the soundproof shielding array around his office was activated. Ostensibly, he was entertaining two representatives of the Russian military warlords, negotiating cooperation with several local monster-hunting teams and major merchants.

“What’s going on? Why has such a secret matter within the sect become common knowledge? Don’t you know that this morning the administration held a director-level meeting, ordering us to investigate comprehensively, gather information, and compile statistics?”

He Hongming was at the ninth level of the Soaring Cloud Realm. Years ago, the Demon Sect had raised him up. This time, he had a spot in the big operation and would receive the Demon Sect’s blessing, allowing him to advance to the Radiant Sun Realm.

Years ago, he had attempted to break through to Radiant Sun Realm, but a catastrophic failure during the pill refining and infant emergence nearly killed him. He was saved by the Demon Sect’s leader. Because the He family was a prominent clan in the Fifth Gathering Zone, after pledging allegiance to the Demon Sect, he barely maintained his ninth level Soaring Cloud power and steadily rose to deputy director of the administration.

“These are just baseless rumors. The administration is moving to act already?”

“This has nothing to do with us. The news had been circulating previously and only just reached us. And most of what’s said is damn well unrelated to us...”

“No one at the lower levels knows about this. Below Soaring Cloud Realm, there’s no clue at all. The information has obviously leaked out, but those who know don’t know much...”

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At this moment, several Soaring Cloud Realm leaders of the Demon Sect wore grave expressions. Their most secret matters—plans conceived over more than a decade—were to be launched in less than half a month, yet suddenly exposed. Everyone was uneasy.

Fortunately, the Fifth Gathering Zone believed the problem was not on their end. Otherwise, no one dared imagine the punishment the sect leader would impose.

“The higher-ups want self-investigation. We’ve already checked and no leaks have occurred. Those who needed to be silenced have already been dealt with, even some low-level cultists have been controlled or killed. Since the problem isn’t on our side, the other party probably doesn’t know the details. We just wait.” Song Wei, a top ten major merchant in the Fifth Gathering Zone, thought the impact limited.

Others clearly agreed; after all, nothing went wrong on their side.

“Foolish...” He Hongming’s face was ashen. “You have no sense of the bigger picture. Just because it’s not our problem doesn’t mean it’s fine. The administration has been alerted. What if someone conducts a thorough investigation and uncovers some clues?”

“And what if this escalates and alarms the Huaxia Alliance? The Russian zone is chaotic and no one cares about such matters, but the Huaxia side is different.”

“Don’t underestimate this place. Everyone knows the Huaxia truly controls it. If they send strong investigators, do you think we can carry on smoothly?”

He Hongming obviously was more anxious. Although influenced to some extent, his faith in the sect was not deep. His main concern was his own interests.

Moreover, this sudden upheaval alerted even those Demon Sect cultists who had remained hidden for decades.

“No, we must act immediately. I will contact the sect leader. You stabilize the situation here. Use the old methods—have my double drink and have fun with you. Until I return, do not stop.”

“Yes, we obey the protector’s orders.” The others bowed promptly.

He Hongming was the sect’s protector, ranking above them all and the overall head of the Fifth Gathering Zone. Once he gave the order, no one dared object.

...

At the military headquarters, in the office of Deputy Minister Burning Sky Tyrant Blade, several people stood before him, all eagerly looking at him.

“You all... go out first...” Burning Sky Tyrant Blade looked at them with a headache, then glanced at his beautiful lieutenant secretary in a colonel’s uniform.

“I just got back and need to go into seclusion to train and heal. Why did you let them in? Tell them to see someone else...” His headache worsened.

He did not want to handle these matters. If not ordered back by the minister, he would not even enter the military headquarters building.

“Minister, these are your affairs. The other ministers just said they won’t handle any of your responsibilities anymore...” The secretary sighed helplessly.

“Then you handle it first...”

Burning Sky Tyrant Blade had just spoken when the secretary shook her head.

The military civilian staff in front of him looked at their superior with a resigned expression.

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“Top-secret communication activated. Unauthorized personnel must leave immediately.”

At that moment, a mechanical electronic sound suddenly rang out in the room. The communicator in Burning Sky Tyrant Blade’s hand emitted a beep, and a glowing light began to coalesce.

Upon hearing “top-secret communication,” those who had stubbornly refused to leave, eager to get answers from their superior, vanished like afterimages inside his office without a word.

Top-secret communication was nearly equivalent to wartime confidential communication, a level only usually used during ministerial meetings in peacetime.

“Buzzzz…”

Around Burning Sky Tyrant Blade, multiple figures appeared—some sitting upright in offices, others clearly flying in midair. One appeared blurred, only a voice faintly audible.

Twelve images appeared, but only seven remained visible in the end, one of them blurry.

“Minister, has a war broken out? I am ready to go now. I have no urgent tasks here and can deploy at any time. I volunteer. I am currently the strongest combatant here; Master Xuanyang and the others are somewhat weaker. If there’s a battle, I must go. After all, I am a super-power now.” This was summoned by the minister, whose image was unclear.

Unlike the others, the minister’s image took the form of a coiling Azure Dragon.

“Are you serious? You’re fine now, but I’m telling you, even if you go this time, I won’t handle your side anymore.” At that moment, Master Xuanyang Hong Weiguo, still at the military headquarters and clad in Taoist robes, glared at Burning Sky Tyrant Blade.

Hong Weiguo had the stance of someone ready to scold Burning Sky Tyrant Blade.

“Master Xuanyang is right. I won’t manage it either. I have piles of issues and need to train. You’ve already broken through your realm; shouldn’t you stabilize your cultivation quietly at home? Yet you keep stirring trouble in the sea. The one in charge there has warned me that if you continue showing off, he will personally deal with you.” The deputy minister Fire Phoenix, cloaked in flames, was flying swiftly in the sky but maintained communication while protected by her power.

“That’s not as bad as you say. That old fellow is just talking nonsense. I was just fairly challenging his subordinates. I’m trying to intimidate them a bit...” Burning Sky Tyrant Blade hurriedly defended himself.

“Enough, Burning Sky, shut up.” At that moment, a distant voice echoed from the Azure Dragon communication. It was slow and deep, as if coming from another realm.

“Gods communicate with spirits; their forms are ever-changing. They transform according to circumstances, appearing as needed... Minister, is this communication not taking place on Earth?”

Because Burning Sky Tyrant Blade spoke, provoking rebukes from Master Xuanyang, Fire Phoenix, and others, no one had paid close attention to the finer details.

At this moment, a man riding a sword, dressed in flowing white robes like a middle-aged sword immortal, was also on the communication. He ignored Burning Sky Tyrant Blade’s words but was shocked, staring at the Azure Dragon image representing the minister.

His reaction drew the others’ attention. They had assumed the minister was simply manifesting his power as an Azure Dragon, reflecting cultivation of Azure Dragon energy.

But upon hearing the Sword King of Shu Mountain’s words, they were all stunned—especially Burning Sky Tyrant Blade, who had been boastful since his recent breakthrough, now with his mouth agape, unable to close it.