Chapter 731: Chapter 730: Attack the Heart
Late at night, Kunlun Mountain, Death Valley.
Ouyang He and Zhao Wuji arrived near the entrance to the Hidden Sect’s transportation channel by military helicopter.
Throughout the journey, Ouyang He witnessed the powerful influence that Zhao Wuji maintained in the secular world.
In any region, Zhao Wuji could summon influential locals to provide vehicles or private planes for an escorted transfer.
Once they left the control area of the Central Battle Zone, personnel from the Western War Zone took over seamlessly, speeding them to Kunlun Mountain in an even faster aircraft.
As soon as Ouyang He disembarked from the aircraft, he tensed up and looked towards the crowd of people waiting ahead, his focus settling on one individual.
Upon seeing this person, Ouyang He’s pupils contracted slightly: "Huang Chengcheng!"
Huang Chengcheng and Qin Huai’an were standing there. Seeing Ouyang He, they approached with smiles.
"Brother Ouyang, it’s been a long time," said Huang Chengcheng, striding forward with a smile to greet Ouyang He.
Zhao Wuji watched Huang Chengcheng with a serious expression, full of vigilance.
Ouyang He spoke indifferently, "There’s no need to be nervous."
With that, he stepped forward to meet them: "Brother Huang."
When the two were less than two meters apart, they sized each other up with smiles, nodded, and Ouyang He said, "It’s been almost ten years since we last met, hasn’t it?"
Huang Chengcheng laughed, "Almost ten years indeed."
Zhao Wuji’s countenance changed slightly. In recent years, Huang Chengcheng’s reputation in the Hidden Sect World might have seemed inconspicuous, but in reality, he held a very high status in the hearts of many of the older generation.
Years ago, he single-handedly swept through the top warriors of various forces within the Hidden Sect World, mostly victorious, creating a sensation.
Later, when the high-ranking members of the Eight Great Forces realized that the situation was not in their favor, they joined forces to deal with him, ultimately inflicting heavy damage upon him. After that, he disappeared from sight and gradually was removed from the records of the Hidden Sect World.
As a Taoist inheritor, Huang Chengcheng was practically the common enemy of the Hidden Sect Eight Great Forces. His appearance in the Hidden Sect World would surely lead to a collective offensive against him.
However, his conversation with Ouyang He was now causing Zhao Wuji to grow increasingly alarmed.
The two men’s demeanor suggested not only acquaintance but possibly frequent private meetings and a warm relationship.
As the Shadow Slaughter Venerable, Zhao Wuji himself was in the Early Stage of the Divine Travel Realm, but he had not been prominent in the Hidden Sect World because he had left the Hidden Sect fifteen years ago to develop in the Divine Continent, following his master’s orders.
Hence, he was not particularly aware of many things that had happened in the Hidden Sect over those years.
As for the private acquaintance between Ouyang He and Huang Chengcheng, he would be even less likely to know.
"Brother Huang, do you plan to return to the Hidden Sect World with me?" Ouyang He asked, looking at Huang Chengcheng.
Huang Chengcheng nodded, "The great changes in the world have started. Divine Continent isn’t as it used to be; there is no external threat for the time being, but internal strife is severe. Our Taoist duty is to protect the Yanhuang race. At times like these, we must prioritize righteousness and eliminate internal threats first."
Ouyang He said, "Are you sure you want to go to the Hidden Sect World with me? Your identity..."
"Hahaha, when I was alone, I managed to unite the Eight Great Forces against me. Now that I, Huang, have been strategizing for years, it’s time to show those arrogant people in the Hidden Sect the power of our Taoist way," laughed Huang Chengcheng heartily.
Ouyang He and Zhao Wuji tensed up, feeling Huang Chengcheng’s aura surge several times over with his words, giving them an inexplicable sense of crisis.
Especially Ouyang He, his gaze uncertain as he scrutinized Huang Chengcheng and couldn’t help saying, "It’s rumored that after the attack you suffered, your strength was greatly diminished, and you even became a useless person. Have you... recovered?"
With a faint smile and a shake of his head, Huang Chengcheng responded, "Personal strength, no matter how formidable, cannot change the overall situation. True power requires the backing of a strong force. Let’s go. The situation within the Hidden Sect is changing rapidly; we must race against time to ally with the Poison Sect, the Wang Family, and the Qingtian Sect as soon as possible."
Ouyang He, upon hearing this, became solemn and nodded, "Indeed."
Huang Chengcheng then turned to Qin Huai’an behind him and said seriously, "Huai’an, I leave this place in your hands."
Compared to his pampered life in Imperial City, the now military-clad Qin Huai’an had the air of a tried and tested veteran, his military attire lending him an intimidating presence that inspired awe.
"This place is in my hands; you can rest assured. Take care on your journey, Brother Huang, and Huai’an here will await your good news," Qin Huai’an said, clasping his hands toward Huang Chengcheng.
Without further delay, Huang Chengcheng, Ouyang He, and Zhao Wuji entered the transportation channel and penetrated into the Hidden Sect World.
In the Hidden Sect World, at the transmission portal, Huang Chengcheng, Ouyang He, and Zhao Wuji appeared amidst violent fluctuations.
Guarding the entrance were four members of the Military Department.
Upon seeing the trio appear, the expressions of the four Military Department personnel became extremely solemn. Huang Chengcheng promptly took out a credential, and seeing it, the others immediately relaxed.
One of them said to Huang Chengcheng, "Commander, we were just about to go out and report the situation here."
Hearing this, Huang Chengcheng’s expression changed, "What situation?"
The man replied, "Just now, we all heard a voice in our ears. The person told us to remind those outside to be cautious and defend against any sudden changes."
Huang Chengcheng’s eyes flashed as he asked, "How long ago did this person send the message?"
"Less than a minute ago; after discussing it among ourselves, we were about to go out and report the situation."
Huang Chengcheng looked up ahead, where there was a pitch-black, dense forest, completely devoid of any human figure.
Whoever was able to use Secret Transmission to alert the Military Department had to be a Divinely Travelled powerhouse.
And ever since Qin Yanyang had set up defenses here last time, the Hidden Sect had paid great attention to this place, with three Divinely Travelled powerhouses stationed for defense.
Regardless of who was conveying the message, Huang Chengcheng realized that forces like Zhuge and Duanmu may have already taken action. He immediately said to the man, "You go out and report this situation right away, and tell the others to strengthen their defences."
After speaking, he turned to Ouyang He and Zhao Wuji, "Shall we go over there and take a look?"
The entire conversation had taken place in front of Ouyang He and Zhao Wuji, who had heard everything clearly, and also realized that the opposing side might have begun to take action. Ouyang He nodded immediately, "Let’s go and take a look."
...
Compared to the Hidden Sect World, the Divine Continent was seemingly on the brink of war with forces from both sides deploying troops and formations, yet it was eerily calm in reality.
Neither side’s armies had clashed; they were both exercising extreme restraint to prevent the outbreak of civil war.
No soldier relishes fighting a civil war.
In fact, most soldiers deep down were strongly averse to the orders to head to the front lines.
However, it is the bounden duty of soldiers to obey orders; they had no choice.
Fortunately, as the day passed, all was calm.
At night, one story after another about the evacuation of high-ranking families from Imperial City began to surface on various new media platforms.
What followed was a barrage of reports.
All about the Chu Family, the Sun Family, the Ning Family, and the Duanmu Family, among other power groups, rapidly relocating their loved ones.
The higher-ups all moved to relatively safe underground military bunkers, while the middle and lower classes received no information whatsoever. Their lives, as well as the lives of their families, seemed to be of no concern to those in power.
And so many hearts were chilled.
The controversy over the higher-ups hiding in secure underground military bunkers kept fermenting, causing widespread panic and disunity.
Condemnations and curses aimed at the Chu Family, the Ning Family, and other groups started to emerge en masse on the internet.
Although these families immediately used their influence to try to block the information online, the messages still spread at an alarming rate due to the impossibility of a complete internet shutdown.
Soon, the Chu Family and other power groups realized that this tide of public opinion was not a spontaneous reaction from ordinary people but was being directed in the shadows by hostile forces.
So, they quickly composed numerous articles to explain the situation and issued statements claiming that this was a conspiracy by hostile forces.
But it was all too late.
The moment they, out of fear of being beheaded, took their families into the military bunkers, they had already lost public support and the war of public opinion.
Subsequently, Qin Yanyang delivered a final blow.
Qin Yanyang personally recorded a video, unveiling the true nature of the Divine Continent’s split, condemning the Chu Family, the Sun Family, the Ning Family, and the Duanmu Family, among other factions, for colluding with secret forces in an attempt to overturn the Divine Continent and committing various crimes. He vehemently denounced these families as the historical sinners of the Divine Continent, accusing them of attempting to reverse the course of history.