Chapter 451: The Ore Ultimatum

People from the Capital!?

The Army!?

Wang Tian and Xiao Hai exchanged a glance, but before they could make sense of the situation, a harsh shout from outside cut through the air.

Though they had no idea what the Capital envoy wanted, both instantly sensed that the visitors meant trouble.

“Go out and check it out!”

No sooner had they stepped out than Wang Tian spotted a Third-Stage squad striding toward them.

The seven men, clad in military-green uniforms, led by a man sporting a colonel’s insignia on his shoulder, marched forward imperiously, ignoring the others’ instinctive attempts to hold him back.

Their auras all radiated a uniform Third-Stage Mid-level strength, turning the faces of nearby onlookers ashen.

This imposing presence clearly marked them as elite bodyguards with exceptional one-on-one combat prowess.

As if that weren’t enough, three silver fighter jets emblazoned with the Third Army insignia suddenly hovered over the Safe Zone amid a series of piercing explosions.

Figures came down like raindrops—within the blink of an eye over a dozen Awakeners leapt down, encircling the area as thunderous impacts announced their landing, and they advanced rapidly toward the Meeting Room.

A look of alarm flashed across their faces.

The Capital envoy belonged to the Military too! With such overwhelming force on display, Wang Tian’s expression darkened immediately.

Judging by the posture, it was clear they were coming straight for the two of them!

“Are you Wang Tian and Xiao Hai?”

Before Wang Tian could even begin to ask,

In the next instant, a colonel strode over, his gaze icy as he let out a scornful laugh.

After a brief appraisal, he waved his hand dismissively, signaling his men to encircle the duo.

“We are the Third Army, under the Army’s General Staff!”

“Under Military Department orders, your batch of spirit energy ore has been taken over by us!”

A collective gasp arose.

As soon as he finished speaking, the colonel tossed out an order slip—only to snatch it back roughly before Wang Tian and the others could even glance at it.

Taken over!?

Not having had a chance to read the order, Wang Tian’s face turned ashen and he immediately demanded:

“Wasn’t the Army’s quota already allocated?!”

“We’re in the North China Battle Zone! Under Committee Member Yenir’s command! What does that have to do with the Third Army?!”

“Even if the Military Department reissued orders, at the very least…”

“At least what is required?!”

“How dare you!”

“Do you intend to defy military orders?!”

Without giving Wang Tian a chance to speak, the colonel raised his head imperiously, his overwhelming aura descending without hesitation.

“Bang!”

That crushing force made Wang Tian’s chest feel as though it were pinned down.

“The Military Department’s directives have been dispatched! If you have any objections, take them up with the Military Department yourself!”

“Under Committee Member Yenir’s command?!”

“What a colossal joke! Military supplies have nothing to do with him—everything belongs to the state!”

Harshly rebuking him and ignoring the furious looks on Wang Tian and Xiao Hai’s faces, the lead officer sneered before striding up to Wang Tian and looking down on him like an ant.

“A lowly merchant daring to decide the mineral quota on behalf of the Military?”

“And you think you’re qualified?”

With a sneer, he turned to address the high-ranking officials from various Safe Zones nearby:

“So you want a quota, huh?”

“I advise you all not to fall for someone’s scheme! Strategic materials like these aren’t handed out casually!”

“Remember, Military matters are decided solely by the Military!”

His words left nearly half the North China Safe Zone’s leadership visibly stunned, many hearts skipping a beat.

In essence, he was saying that Committee Member Yenir had no authority to allocate these materials, wasn’t he?

If you want a quota, then go to them!

But…

Amid the crowd, a Third-Stage Awakener who had recently struck a deal with Wang Tian whispered,

“Just now, I had already agreed on a quota with you—my settlement is counting on this ore for an emergency!”

“Sir, I heard that the Military allocated a quota for our Battle Zone, and that this ore is supposed to be managed by the Special Operations Group…”

“Heard it?! Who did you hear that from?”

Abruptly turning his head—and not letting the Third-Stage Awakener finish—a colonel snapped:

“These materials were acquired by the Military at a tremendous cost—they have nothing to do with anyone else!”

“Forget any individual or the Special Operations Group! Without our full support and cooperation, that ore won’t be returned!”

“What a laugh!”

As if to set an example, the officer scanned the trembling Third-Stage Awakener before mocking him with a cold laugh:

“Allocate quotas for you? Your North China Battle Zone is at peace—what do you need so much ore for?”

“The Third Army has the duty of defending the Capital! Naturally, we get first priority!”

“If you dare question us again, I suspect you’re up to no good—threatening national interests and endangering the Capital!”

A brimmed hat was slammed down, leaving everyone too stunned to utter another word.

They realized this wasn’t about confiscating quotas under military orders at all—it was clear that major figures behind the Third Army intended to strike against Yenir. With power on both sides, small fry like them dared not get involved.

Yet, witnessing such domineering behavior, they knew the forces backing these men were likely even more formidable than Yenir.

The atmosphere instantly turned icy.

As the Capital envoy moved to seize the spirit energy ore, Wang Tian and Xiao Hai felt like ants on a hot skillet—both enraged and indignant.

There was no such thing as a proper military order—it was nothing more than blatant robbery!

Knowing full well the importance of Committee Member Yenir’s orders, the two would never let this happen!

“Sir, Committee Member Yenir has been authorized by the Special Operations Department! These materials belong entirely to the Special Operations Department!”

“Your Third Army has clearly already taken a portion—why must you seize the rest?!”

“We’ve even allocated more than your quota!”

In his desperation, disregarding the vast gap in strength, Wang Tian suppressed his sorrow and anger as he stepped directly in front of the officer.

This batch of spirit energy ore was worth billions in both strategic and real terms! If they couldn’t hold on to it, he and Xiao Hai might as well crash head-on.

“How dare you block me?”

Glaring at Wang Tian and Xiao Hai standing in his way, the colonel’s eyes flashed with lethal intent.

Before they arrived, Committee Member Lu had already ordered them to seize every last piece of ore—none were to be left behind! It wasn’t just the ore’s value; it was vital that Yenir didn’t win over public favor!

“Sir, most of this ore constitutes Committee Member Yenir’s own quota! The Army can pull out at a moment’s notice—this is completely against regulations!”

“Are you the Third Army so overbearing that you’d even confiscate a committee member’s personal property?!”

Unlike Wang Tian, who was clueless about military maneuvering, Xiao Hai’s chest heaved as he tried to invoke Yenir’s authority to halt them.

He argued that the Special Operations Department’s backing was paramount—once the ore was taken, it was all over! Forget dragging this to the Military Department for a fair hearing; by then, it’d be too late!

Military bureaucracies are just as messy as those in the Political Department!

A large portion of this ore was a reward from the Capital to Yenir—it belonged solely to him! Only by invoking Committee Member Yenir’s title could they hope to stop the seizure!

No sooner had he finished speaking than Xiao Hai felt a sharp pain in his lower abdomen.

“Bang!”

The colonel, utterly indifferent to Yenir being mentioned, scoffed and violently kicked Xiao Hai away.

Yenir?

Had Yenir himself been present, he might have thought twice before interfering.

But Committee Member Lu had already informed them that Yenir had long fled to the Far Frontier and wouldn’t be bothered here. As long as they acted quickly, even if Yenir stirred things up, Lu Tianming could cover it up!

Both sides were already at odds and cared little for the consequences.

“Things belonging to Committee Member Yenir?”

“Tch, then our Third Army can’t just take them outright.”

Glaring down at the trembling Wang Tian, seventeen Third-Stage Military Awakeneds, led by the colonel, sneered as they approached the fallen Xiao Hai.

“Let’s do this then.”

“We won’t let Committee Member Yenir’s assets go to waste either.”

“Our Third Army just happens to have a batch of ore—let’s trade.”

“I’m sure Committee Member Yenir, being so magnanimous and state-focused, won’t mind.”

“Xiao Li, go! Notify our North China Battle Zone outpost to bring over our batch of high-quality ore.”

With a dismissive wave, the colonel flashed an exaggerated smile, signaling one of his soldiers to contact the outpost.

Of course, they claimed it was an ore swap—trading their own for the batch Wang Tian had brought. In reality, that ore was nothing more than prearranged slag. With Yenir absent and the kid yet to return, they had already distributed it down the line. They’d planned this excuse all along!

“You’re taking this too far! When Committee Member Yenir returns, aren’t you afraid of being held accountable?”

“Afraid?”

The colonel listened to Wang Tian’s trembling ‘threats’ and chuckled at the absurdity.

“What do we fear? We act strictly by the rules!”

“Alright, here’s the deal. To thank Committee Member Yenir for backing our Third Army, we’re handing over 500 Credit Points and a prize flag as a token of our gratitude.”

With that, the colonel tossed a Credit Card at Wang Tian’s feet and departed laughing heartily.

Indeed, their arrogance and domination were deliberate—they wanted exactly this effect!

Following Committee Member Lu’s orders, they intended to show everyone in North China—and even the entire Huaxia Battle Zone—that Lu wasn’t afraid of that kid!

How dare a mere upstart, who had just reached Third-Stage, challenge Committee Member Lu? He clearly had no idea of his own limitations!

A minute later.

As the Capital envoy departed, everyone present fell silent, their eyes filled with sympathetic pity for Wang Tian and Xiao Hai.

This was no longer just a slap in the face—it was outright humiliation.

If word of this incident spread and Yenir remained inactive…

Then every commander and Third-Stage figure who had once supported Yenir would quickly distance themselves. In fact, many who had hoped to ally with Wang Tian’s group had already lost interest.

Who would dare work with a committee member who couldn’t even protect his own subordinates?

Clenching his fists tightly, Wang Tian glared furiously in the direction the colonel had left. In that moment, he even contemplated a desperate fight!

“Wang Tian… don’t act rashly…”

“Go! Hurry up and notify Director Zhang of the Action Department! With Yenir absent, only that gentleman can stop them!”

Pale-faced with blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, Xiao Hai struggled to rise from the ground.

He grabbed Wang Tian’s hand firmly, signaling that they must not act impulsively.

He knew they were being deliberately provoked and humiliated!

If a fight broke out—and even escalated into full conflict—it wouldn’t matter whether they could stop them. If Chen Kailai were called in to deploy troops, that would give the other side ample justification!

“Wait until Committee Member Yenir returns!”

“Lord Yenir will surely avenge us!”

………….