Chapter 499: Confined Chaos

Inside the bustling conference hall, many high-ranking military officials argued in hushed tones, their faces troubled, while the other external representatives frantically attempted to contact the outside world.

On the Death Duel stage, the shapeless pile of shredded flesh had long been cleared away, and even the faint scent of blood in the air had been completely eradicated.

By all accounts, it had been over an hour since the Death Duel ended, and the venue should have been empty by now.

Yet, for some unknown reason, once a large contingent of soldiers had completely surrounded the arena, every senior official present was suddenly issued the highest order to remain on site.

Inside the tense venue, an oppressive atmosphere settled in, as if a storm were about to break.

“Why are you locking us in here?! I am Director Huang Shouren of the Public Security Bureau! You dare confine us?! What kind of joke is this?!”

“Was there a mix-up with the orders from above?! I’m Vice Minister Zheng Tian of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce! What does this Death Duel have to do with us?! Do you know how many things will be delayed by keeping us here?!”

“Bring your superior out! This is outrageous! We, the South China Military Region, are not under your control! Open your eyes and see who I am!”

“Commander! Commander! Please show some leniency—I’m just the head of the Merchant Guild. Keeping us here serves no purpose!”

…..

Arguments. Confrontations.

At the exit of the venue, a large group of either military personnel or private representatives glared furiously at the soldiers blocking their way.

If the order from above had been clear, that would be one thing—but with such a vague command, everyone present is forbidden from taking even a single step outside!

No one could quite understand what was happening. Some well-informed individuals tried reaching out to external contacts, desperate to learn the truth.

However, due to the Military’s use of system tools from outside, they unexpectedly discovered that all communications had been forcefully blocked.

Everyone felt an intense sense of unease.

Lu Tianming’s death was shocking enough to unsettle the Capital, but what did it have to do with them?

It wasn’t even their doing!

If those at the top wanted to assign blame, it was the judges and Yenir’s fault—why drag them in as well?

Many of the private representatives, trembling with fear, had even begun concocting various conspiracy theories.

At this point, the entire Huaxia Battle Zone was in utter chaos.

It wasn’t just the lower ranks in disarray; major powers and even the Merchant Guild were thrown into turmoil!

So many Third-Stage figures had taken sides that Yenir’s single strike had, in effect, ‘cut down’ countless lives. If it weren’t for their stubborn ability to survive falls, every Safe Zone would have been filled with Third-Stage warriors leaping off buildings.

With up to 100 billion in funds at stake and a ripple effect spreading, everyone involved was desperate to get out and resolve the crisis.

Especially the mid-to-high level officers of the Third Army, who now stood frozen in place, their faces ashen.

In their minds, they wondered if their own misdeeds had been exposed and if those above would seize the opportunity to act against them.

Lu Tianming’s death had transformed what could once be overlooked into a monumental issue!

…..

Below the Death Duel stage, while most were in a state of panic, Fang Hao and Zhao Hongtu—standing each on either side of Yenir—exchanged a quick, knowing glance and nodded silently.

No words were needed; they had already understood each other’s thoughts.

“A storm is brewing… now the real show begins.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Zhao Hongtu shook his head and chuckled softly, his face laden with bittersweet emotion.

Compared to the panicking crowd, he and Fang Hao had an inkling of what was unfolding.

For the Prime Minister and his cohorts to confine them without explanation and to leave them in the dark could only mean they’d stumbled onto something that was never meant to be revealed.

Moreover, the issue was likely significant and extremely tricky.

The minor players have been dealt with, and now the big guns have arrived. It seems the person in charge of the Northern Battle Zone might have lost his mind…

They exchanged silent looks.

Watching Yenir, who remained as calm as an outsider, Fang Hao couldn’t help but clear his throat awkwardly before looking at him with a puzzled expression:

“Yenir, aren’t you worried something’s about to go wrong?”

“You really are ruthless—you actually dared to kill Lu Tianming…”

Slightly turning his head, Yenir looked calmly at Fang Hao and replied coolly:

“So tell me—does the Military plan to have me pay for it with my life, or are they planning to make a move on me?”

“Wasn’t Lu Tianming meant to die?”

He was as cold as ice.

To Yenir, slaying Lu Tianming was as insignificant as killing a stray dog.

A piece of trash who had repeatedly tried to hinder his plans—if he dies, so be it.

Needless to say, just the incident in the East Sea alone would have forced old Lu to beg for forgiveness a million times.

If he hadn’t been unable to eliminate his opponent earlier, he would have taken out Fang Teng along with Lu Tianming when the opportunity arose.

What of the Standing Committee members? So what if they had powerful backers?

Kill one, kill them all—two for two! If he can’t even manage that, then Yenir might as well hide until humanity is long gone.

Fang Hao was momentarily taken aback; hearing Yenir’s retort, he found himself at a loss for words.

Lu Tianming deserved to die, but who among normal folks would dare actually take a life…

Honestly, if it were him—with so many concerns weighing on him—he wouldn’t dare pull the trigger either. After all, in politics, there are no clear rights or wrongs.

But since Yenir had already done the deed, there was nothing left to say.

More than Lu Tianming’s death, he was curious about how that kid managed it—his prowess was outrageously strong…

“Alright, I won’t say any more.”

“But rest assured, the Military isn’t going to move against you, nor will they give you any trouble.”

“Honestly, Lu Tianming’s death does complicate matters a bit, but barring any surprises, your worth in the eyes of those above might even surpass mine…”

He gave a bitter laugh.

“Right now, we’re being held here almost certainly for two reasons.”

“Firstly, the Military and the higher-ups are still scratching their heads over just how powerful you really are.”

“Secondly….”

After a brief pause, Fang Hao’s expression hardened, and his voice dropped to a whisper.

“The former commander of the Northern Battle Zone, Lu Haishan.”

“I bet he’s coming for a fight with everything he’s got…!”

As his words faded, Fang Hao and Zhao Hongtu fixed their gaze on Yenir’s face, trying to catch a trace of anxiety.

But there was none.

After a brief silence, Yenir calmly nodded, as if Lu Haishan were nothing more than a commoner—utterly unworthy of his concern.