Chapter 362: A Whirlwind Turn of Fate

Commander Xiao, you may leave now. Please forgive any offenses…

My apologies, my apologies…

Next time, if you have time to come to the Capital, we’ll personally welcome you.

Outside the Capital, inside Military Inspection Office No. 3, several high-ranking inspectors wore forced smiles while nervously glancing at Xiao Hai, Chen Kailai, and the others.

Just moments ago, they had officially received orders from the higher-ups to ‘release’ Wang Tian and the others.

The experienced manipulators instantly realized that the higher-ups had shifted course.

Those who had been prisoners until a moment ago were now poised to rocket skyward on the back of Yenir’s turnaround!

Especially with word spreading that Yenir demanded a death duel with Lu Tianming, the Military was preparing new commendations and publicity. Combined with past favors done for Lu Tianming, those who once served him now feared Yenir’s wrath!

Who wouldn’t know how terrifying that young man can be? He dares to challenge anyone!

Inside the prison, Chen Kailai stepped out expressionlessly. Observing the guards groveling with smiles, he couldn’t help but snort coldly.

“Next time!?”

“There will be no next time!”

He spared them no further courtesy.

Chen Kailai drew a deep breath, feeling both exhilarated and reflective.

In less than twenty-four hours, the three of them had brushed with death, their hearts bouncing like on a roller coaster.

Gripping the equipment the guards handed over, old Chen Kailai now strode out of the inspection office like a young man.

Pure exhilaration!

He was certain Yenir would pull through.

He vowed never to return to that miserable place ever again!

Even the thought of returning felt suffocating.

They’d served their country all their lives on the battlefield, yet ended up imprisoned! Had Yenir not turned things around in time, the three of them would have undoubtedly suffered brutal, extra-judicial punishment. It was clear when they were captured that the officials had received orders from the higher-ups to finish them off!

Trailing behind Chen Kailai, Xiao Hai staggered out of the inspection office, instinctively raising his hand to shield his eyes from the scorching noon sun.

It felt like a rebirth—his body trembling with excitement.

“Old Chen, we’re really in the clear now!!”

“Damn it! Damn it! I really thought I was a goner! They stripped me of my command! Were they trying to kill us?”

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Hai mused that though he was a commander locally, in the entire Huaxia Battle Zone he was nothing more than a small fry. The charges uttered when he was captured still made his heart race with fear.

Similarly, Wang Tian—busy replying to private messages from his family—seemed to be in a daze, unable to help but agree.

“It was terrifying…”

“I’m really scared to work under Yenir from now on…”

“And who even knows what our superior’s situation is now.”

Even so, Wang Tian’s face brightened with excitement, his clenched fists betraying his anticipation.

With his limited foresight, he never imagined they’d be released—it meant Yenir had clinched a massive victory!

Judging by those recent expressions, the official stance on the East Sea matter had taken a dramatic, unforeseen turn! He was sure that once Yenir stabilized the situation, they wouldn’t be shortchanged.

Of course, there was also a chance they’d receive little for now.

Given their recent ordeal, it seemed someone in the Capital was targeting Yenir. A short-term crackdown was understandable.

Stifling his chaotic thoughts, Wang Tian glared at a message sent a few hours earlier by the former president of the Tiancheng Merchant Guild, his heart boiling with resentment.

The three—himself, Xiao Hai, and Chen Kailai—…

After their capture and swift branding as criminals, both subordinates and superiors in the Military dissociated themselves from them, as though they feared being dragged down as well.

Only Chen Kailai was spared some sympathy; veteran officers from the East China Battle Zone even nervously inquired in the Capital about leniency.

Just when they were marveling at their turnaround, the trio suddenly received a private message from Yenir.

Hurriedly checking their messages, moments later their faces shifted to one of uncontrollable delight.

“No way!?”

They couldn’t help but curse aloud.

Although they’d expected that risking their lives for Yenir would eventually pay off, the reward had come so much sooner than they ever imagined!

“Under the North China Battle Zone, the three major Safe Zones around Tianfeng have been merged into one and renamed the Huafeng Battle Zone!?”

“Am I becoming a Senior Colonel?!”

Staring at the internal Military document forwarded by Yenir, Xiao Hai stood frozen as if a massive prize had descended right onto his head.

Further, according to Yenir’s note, the Capital had even granted him a promotion to a mid-level post!

This meant that a Military Third-Stage Awakener would assist with his upgrade, complete with resource backing! Even if he had the least potential, he could still be hauled up!

“I’ll command a million troops!? I’m now a top official!”

Overwhelmed, Xiao Hai trembled uncontrollably.

It wasn’t surprising—his excitement had overtaken him completely.

Under normal circumstances, as a mere peer from Tianfeng with only Third-Stage Beginner potential, that was his limit. Back in the Zhenjiang Security Zone, no one took him seriously. Now, however, with this internal document, even Zhenjiang seemed insignificant!

From today on, he would directly report to the higher-ups! Moreover, his own strength would break through all limits!

All the dreams he never dared to imagine were now coming true.

And to think, all this was achieved in under a month!

In a daze, Xiao Hai recalled the first time he met Yenir. Who would have thought that the young man—once desperately fighting just for a test qualification—would, within a month, wield tremendous power!

Clearly, this reward was secured personally by Yenir!

In an instant, the lingering fear of working with Yenir gave way to fierce determination.

Their sacrifices were repaid a hundredfold!

Likewise, Wang Tian, mulling over how to reclaim power within the Merchant Guild while poring over Yenir’s document, couldn’t help but swallow repeatedly, nearly losing his balance.

According to Yenir’s message, he was now appointed Director of External Resources for the North China Battle Zone!

From a merchant to an official, it was a ten-tier leap—a position practically made for a dream! Even more, the Military had granted him distribution rights for Spirit Energy Ore…

Even if it was only a part, the sum was an eye-watering nearly billions, if not tens of billions.

He couldn’t fathom how top Merchant Guilds from various Battle Zones would fawn over him once they learned of his power.

In these dire times, what matters most to all major Safe Zones and factions? Energy!

He was convinced Yenir had reaped enormous gains this time by gathering heaps of ore. Yet the Military’s allocation figure alone left him dizzy.

It wasn’t that Yenir was practically giving him free rein—simply handling this deal alone promised terrifying profits.

“Tiancheng Merchant Guild!?”

“Screw that! I’m done with it!!”

Bursting into raucous laughter, Wang Tian—who once only dreamed of Yenir helping him become Guild leader—now felt his past ambitions were utterly trivial.

At that moment, he remembered the day he ‘invested’ in Yenir when his son managed to befriend the great leader; it was nothing short of a miracle!

In his eyes, if any investment had ever been the most successful, then without a doubt…

Yenir was his greatest ‘investment’ of all!

This was the ultimate game-changer—a once-in-a-lifetime, unparalleled advantage!

Amid the euphoria, Chen Kailai, reading through Yenir’s terse message, felt a complex mix of emotions. The note offered only a few brief remarks without clear instructions.

Yet rather than feel disappointed, he was overwhelmed with an indescribable shock.

“Commander Chen, you may choose to become the General of the North China Battle Zone, or allow Chen Yong to take charge.”

“Of course, I’d prefer you to become the Commander of the Newport Group, with Chen Yong as your deputy.”

“As the newly formed Group Army will be directly under the Special Operations Department, consider it as coming under my wing….”

He looked up.

The sixty-something Chen Kailai couldn’t help but feel remarkably rejuvenated.

“The Newly Established Group Army—a ‘brand new’ Battle Zone…”

Staring at those loaded phrases, Chen Kailai felt an indescribable stirring deep within.

After years in the Military, he understood all too well the implications behind those words.

When a new army is formed, it often signifies that a clear path to command has finally been paved.

In just one month, from being a pauper to raising an independent force and becoming a command prospect, Yenir’s meteoric rise was astonishing. In a daze, Chen Kailai looked up at the sun, squinting slightly.

He felt as though a new blazing sun was proudly rising.

For some reason,

he regretted not having handed his granddaughter over to Yenir back then…

………………..

“Yenir, the Research Institute has confirmed everything.”

“The Mutated Materials you requested have been temporarily withheld from testing.”

“However, they wish to discuss the matter with you in person.”

Beside a black official vehicle, a Military representative spoke softly, signaling for Yenir to board.

With a slight furrow of his brow, Yenir listened to the news and a flicker of doubt passed through his eyes.

Even before entering the confrontation, he had demanded that the Military secure for him the Mutated Materials needed for upgrading the Sword God System at the Research Institute.

Now, after all this delay…

“They still want to stall?”

With eyes flashing, Yenir calmly nodded before turning to a Middle-Aged Man beside him.

“It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Since they’re unwilling to deliver it, I’ll fetch it myself!

Perfect timing—I need to take Sun Li Cheng along.

I’m done waiting for the Supernatural Plan.