Apocalyptic Flood: Sexy Beauty Neighbor's Midnight Plea for Food Chapter 1218 - 556: The Situation
Previously on Apocalyptic Flood: Sexy Beauty Neighbor's Midnight Plea for Food...
"Long time no see."
Old Ma was the first to react, shouting, "Liang Yuan, where have you been? It’s been a month and a half, and we haven’t heard a thing from you. Everyone was worried sick about you."
Yang Shenmin also immediately brought everyone over, couldn’t help but step forward and hug Liang Yuan, saying, "You’re finally back. Any later, and we wouldn’t know if we could hold on any longer."
Liang Yuan patted his shoulder and said, "You did well; temporary compromise for short-lived peace is acceptable."
"I’ll take care of the next steps."
At this point, he suddenly looked at Tu Long and asked, "Tu Long, where did you and Nai Bai go? When did you return?"
His last trip out wasn’t initially meant for the Floating Island of the Abyssal Mouth.
His initial purpose was to find Tu Long and Nai Bai.
Unexpectedly, his journey didn’t lead him to the two, and Tu Long had returned on his own.
Hearing this, Tu Long quickly explained, "Mr. Liang, did you go looking for us?"
"About a month ago, we were waiting for you at the Ring City World Trade."
"Later, after waiting so long, we didn’t see you, but instead, the Water God Sect attacked."
"As per your instructions, I immediately took Nai Bai and fled."
"However, Huang Guangzu wasn’t so lucky and was directly captured by the Water God Sect."
"I later evaded the pursuit of the Water God Sect, taking Nai Bai all the way to Guangfu, circling around a lot before returning."
Liang Yuan asked, "Didn’t you encounter anyone from Spirit Jade Island?"
Tu Long shook his head, "No?"
Liang Yuan was puzzled; where did Wang Ling’Er’s people go?
They neither appeared near the Floating Island of the Abyssal Mouth nor went to the Ring City World Trade?
It should be known that Wang Ling’Er left Yangshan initially to find the Floating Island of the Abyssal Mouth.
How come they didn’t show up there instead?
Liang Yuan suppressed his doubts and asked, "What about Huang Guangzu? Did he return?"
Liang Yuan didn’t sense the Gene Species’ presence within Huang Guangzu from Yangshan, which unsettled him.
Tu Long couldn’t help but say, "Huang Guangzu? He was taken by the Water God Sect."
Liang Yuan immediately frowned; it seemed Huang Guangzu really hadn’t returned.
Could it be that Huang Guangzu is still guarding downstream of Linjiang?
But he had brought the Floating Island of the Abyssal Mouth upstream and passed by the original place, why didn’t he see him?
The Floating Island of the Abyssal Mouth was such a massive and conspicuous target; if Huang Guangzu were nearby, there’s no reason he wouldn’t have seen it.
"Forget it, solve the Yangshan issue first, and then find time to look for Spirit Jade Island and Huang Guangzu." Liang Yuan thought to himself, then looked at the crowd and asked, "I just returned and haven’t grasped the current situation yet."
"Who can tell me, what exactly is the situation at Yangshan now?"
Behind him, Ding Yan, Zhang Peng, Gu Feng, and others had already entered and had people clear out unrelated individuals.
Yang Shenmin, Ding Yan, and others began to narrate to Liang Yuan the events that had occurred in Yangshan over the past month and a half.
It turned out that after Liang Yuan left, Yangshan, under his prior arrangements, began relocating industries in an orderly manner.
They started transferring projects like breeding, slaughtering, and planting one by one into the Mirage Snake Space.
Besides that, the women, children, and elderly of Yangshan were also transferred there.
The construction department also sent people to start building houses on Little Straw Mountain. Many buildings in the Mirage Snake Space that hadn’t been submerged were also redeveloped and utilized.
Yangshan, Meishan, and Lingyun Slope were all transformed into military bases, used as camps for training professional warriors.
Yangshan focused on cultivating a naval fleet, while Meishan Yunquan Temple focused on developing tactical team organizations.
Lingyun Slope was responsible for intelligence organization training.
Just as everything was proceeding according to Liang Yuan’s plan, suddenly, a large number of spies from the Three Great Sects appeared near Yangshan.
They subsequently engaged in constant harassment, attacks, and probing.
After several minor skirmishes on the local waters, Li Qinghua and Yang Shenmin sensed that the Three Great Sects might stage a comeback.
Therefore, the core team quickly held a meeting, and after discussion, everyone agreed that external aid was necessary.
Thinking that in Guangfu, the only power capable of suppressing the Three Great Sects was the military.
Li Qinghua proposed personally going to Guangfu to seek cooperation with the military.
Meanwhile, people were immediately sent downstream of Linjiang to find Liang Yuan.
However, by that time, Liang Yuan and his companions had already set foot on the floating island, and it had already drifted far from Linjiang.
The retrieval team returned with nothing, leaving everyone to place their final hopes for resolving the Yangshan crisis on an alliance with the military.
Ultimately, Li Qinghua put forth fifty Space Gene Species as the price, finally persuading the military to agree to a joint defense and dispatch troops to guard Yangshan.
Perhaps due to owning a floating island, the military seemed to place a degree of importance on Li Qinghua.
Consequently, two companies were deployed to offer assistance.
Presently, one company is stationed within Yangshan, while the other was originally slated by the military for deployment to the Mirage Snake Space.
However, Li Qinghua, ever cautious, hesitated to allow such a well-equipped force into the Mirage Snake Space.
Thus, he declined that specific deployment, permitting the troops to remain stationed at Meishan instead.
Initially, the presence of these two companies near Yangshan did exert a noticeable deterrent effect.
The number of infiltrators from the Three Great Sects saw a significant reduction, and their clandestine activities diminished considerably.
But as time wore on, the military personnel began to recognize the abundance of Superpower Stones within Yangshan.
Furthermore, it appeared the Yangshan Shelter possessed ample supplies but was notably lacking in powerful Gene Species masters.
This realization led to a gradual relaxation of their vigilance.
The inhabitants of Yangshan, keen to avoid further conflict, were likely keeping their own subordinates in check, preventing altercations with the military personnel.
During this period, it was naturally the people of Yangshan who felt the most aggrieved.
However, this show of restraint did not earn gratitude from the military; instead, it seemed to embolden them, leading to increasingly egregious behavior.
The military personnel began to perceive the people of Yangshan as weak and easily dominated, prompting them to act with ever-greater impunity.
"The current situation is actually considered mild," Gu Feng interjected indignantly from the side.
Liang Yuan's expression turned grim, and he inquired, "Is Zhao Kai currently stationed at Meishan?"
Yang Shenmin affirmed, "Yes, Zhao Kai's strength has grown considerably. With winter here, his superpower holds a distinct advantage in this environment, and the military personnel don't dare to act too brazenly against him."
Old Ma let out a sigh, "Liang Yuan, now that you have returned, can we finally request their departure?"
"These individuals are here under the pretense of an alliance, yet we bear the full cost of their sustenance, and these soldier thugs are hardly innocent."
"I've heard rumors that they pilfer our domesticated mutant creatures; over at Lingyun Slope, the Mulberry Forest has been plundered by them on multiple occasions."
"If Dong Yan hadn't intervened to restrain the Black Stone Ant Queen previously, a considerable number of those soldier thugs would have met their end, potentially escalating into a major incident."
Liang Yuan lightly tapped the table, suddenly posing a question, "Are these soldiers affiliated with the military's Hawk Faction or the Dove Faction?"
Yang Shenmin appeared bewildered, asking in confusion, "What do you mean by Hawk Faction and Dove Faction? Does the military have such divisions?"
Upon hearing this, Liang Yuan immediately understood that Yang Shenmin and the others were completely uninformed about the internal dynamics of the military.
He proceeded to briefly explain the military's internal political landscape, as previously elucidated by Wu Meng.
"Judging by the circumstances you've outlined, these soldiers exhibit none of the discipline expected of true military personnel, and it's highly probable they belong to the Hawk Faction."
Liang Yuan surmised that the Hawk Faction pursued their objectives through any means necessary, adopting a more aggressive and uncompromising approach compared to the Dove Faction.
These unruly soldiers did not embody the noble and selfless ideals of upright soldiers, thus not aligning with the Dove Faction's characteristics.
"Liang Yuan, if they are indeed from the Hawk Faction, I fear persuading them to leave will prove exceedingly difficult," Old Ma remarked, a hint of worry in his voice.
Yang Shenmin also let out an involuntary sigh, "It's simple to invite a deity, but arduous to bid them farewell. I suspect this contingent has no intention of departing."
Shi Haizhu immediately declared, "Now that Mr. Liang is back, if they refuse to leave, we shall compel them out!"
Han Xiangman added with a sneer, "Let's cut off their supplies, and then we'll see if they still want to stay!"
Each individual contributed their own suggestion.
Liang Yuan listened to their proposals, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"Fifty Space Gene Species; it appears Qinghua fails to grasp the principle of not flaunting one's wealth."
"If I were one of these soldier thugs from the Hawk Faction, I certainly wouldn't let such a prime opportunity slip by."
Liang Yuan shook his head faintly and stated, "These individuals will not depart willingly. However, if they refuse to leave on their own accord, I shall ensure they are forced out!"
"Could someone inform Zhao Kai and Li Qinghua to assemble here?"
Zhang Peng promptly rose and announced, "I shall go and notify Captain Zhao."
Ding Yan stated, "I'll go find Li Qinghua."
Liang Yuan shook his head, "You remain here; I still have inquiries for you. Gu Feng, you should proceed to the Mirage Snake Space."
Gu Feng immediately acknowledged, "Yes, Mr. Liang."
"Mr. Liang, what is our next course of action?" Shi Haizhu inquired with palpable impatience.
Liang Yuan's gaze shifted towards the entrance, and he commanded with a cold tone, "Go and replace all of their patrol units."
"Crucial positions within Yangshan must be maintained under our direct control."
"Arrange for someone to take command of the Gouwu Pavilion."
"Furthermore, notify the enforcement team; bring back any soldier thugs who have previously violated Yangshan's laws!"
"If there is any resistance, act decisively!"
Shi Haizhu, Han Xiangman, and the others felt a surge of energy, a flicker of exhilaration appearing in their eyes.
It was evident they understood Liang Yuan's intention to assert dominance!
Yang Shenmin couldn't help but ask, "Should we alert all the team captains to stand by?"
Liang Yuan, of course, comprehended the implication of 'preparation' in Yang Shenmin's question.
Yang Shenmin, being a seasoned individual, harbored concerns about potential counter-moves from the military faction.
Yangshan needed to enact preemptive security measures.
Liang Yuan gave a slight nod, "Proceed with the arrangements. Skirmishes at the lower echelons will not dictate the ultimate outcome."
"However, exercising caution is certainly not detrimental."
In an epoch where individual combat prowess dictates superiority, the decisive factor in conflicts often lies with the elite forces.
This was precisely the case when Liang Yuan single-handedly dismantled the Three Great Sects in the past.
As Liang Yuan's directives were disseminated, Yangshan seemed to awaken with renewed vigor.
A palpable sense of excitement was visible on everyone's faces.
Concurrently, within the military encampment, Zhang Dazhi's expression was exceedingly grim!
The recent encounter had left him profoundly aware of the immense power wielded by the Yangshan leader, having been subdued by Liang Yuan alone.
A sense of anxiety gripped him now, fearing that the established military strategy might require drastic alteration.
He was pacing restlessly within his tent when, abruptly, a voice announced an arrival from outside.
"Captain, Captain Ge of the Second Company has arrived."
"Invite him in at once," Zhang Dazhi commanded promptly.
The tent flap was drawn aside, revealing a burly man clad in camouflage, his eyes like bronze bells set in a stern countenance.
The moment he stepped inside, he declared, "Old Zhang, I heard you were bested by those Yangshan brats? Damn it, do these worthless fools possess the audacity of bears and leopards?"