Chapter 580: North Sea Military Region Cadre Sanatorium

North Sea Military Region Cadre Sanatorium.

Under bright sunlight, in front of an artfully crafted lake, several Awakeners in combat uniforms stood respectfully behind an Elder.

The lake brimmed with lotus flowers, and a gentle breeze stirred ripples across its surface.

Viewed from above, the sprawling garden within the Military Region was unmistakable. Ornate beams and carved eaves concealed defensive weaponry, masterfully camouflaged despite providing absolute security.

At first glance, it resembled an extravagant classical garden, evoking the tranquility and opulence of pre-apocalyptic times.

Beside the lake.

A man bent down holding an umbrella, standing behind an Elder.

Even though the man with the umbrella was at Peak Third-Stage, it didn’t in the slightest affect his diligent service to the Elder.

“Commander, are we really going to do this?”

The man asked respectfully.

Though the Elder had long stepped down from any official role, he still habitually addressed him as “Commander.”

“What, are you afraid?”

Reclining in his chair, the Elder’s eyes narrowed indifferently as he slowly tapped the armrest with his right hand, as if merely enjoying a brief rest.

“Afraid?”

The Peak Awakener who had spoken first paused in astonishment before breaking into a silent chuckle and shaking his head repeatedly:

“Sir, it isn’t fear. I’m just concerned that once cornered, those people might act rashly. After all, Fang Hao’s troops still retain considerable combat capability.”

“Heh…”

“Cornered, huh…”

The Elder suddenly let out a light laugh, slowly opening his eyes as if he’d just heard a hilarious joke.

“Xiao Zhang, your generation never truly experienced the first wave of the apocalypse.”

“Always worrying about something…”

“Cornered? Give them ten gallows, and they still wouldn’t dare act against us!”

Straightening up gradually, the Elder’s eyes flashed with a piercing gleam as he spoke—his gaze as chilling as that of a vulture.

“To put it bluntly…”

“I want them to lose their restraint and make a move!”

“Once they act impulsively, their only asset to counter us will vanish in an instant—completely wiped out!”

Though his voice was low, it struck the Middle-Aged Man, sending a jolt through his heart.

“Commander, do they really intend to burn their bridges?”

The Elder’s words were as cryptic as a riddle, yet he clearly knew what he meant.

As one of the veteran figures at Peak Third-Stage, they not only commanded most of Huaxia Battle Zone’s elite forces but, through long-term covert operations, had embedded their people within the Chinese Military and nearly every Safe Zone.

And just two days ago, the day before Yenir’s return, they appeared to tolerate the Yenir incident, while secretly preparing in the shadows all along.

Ultimately, yesterday marked the perfect moment to finalize their coup.

【Three days before the national battle, all border defense troops will be ostensibly redeployed.】

Moreover, a large number of high-ranking Peak Third-Stage figures responsible for guarding and monitoring the city’s corpse tide would also return to the Capital to exert pressure.

In one swift move, they would drain the majority of forces from the Border and key areas.

This would leave Li Xuanguo’s hardliners facing a significant manpower shortage.

They would then have to choose: either forgo the security and stability of the entire Huaxia Battle Zone—amassing forces to brace for a potential civil war—or

or disperse their forces again, essentially doubling up on each soldier to barely hold on!

This was a calculated strategy—a cunning plan!

And the Elder’s insistence that Fang Hao and the others take the initiative was quite clear.

Under such circumstances, if Li Xuanguo and his cohorts—the apparent top leaders—realized that inaction meant waiting for death and refused to sit by idly…

their only escape would be to consolidate their forces early and ignite a civil war—a desperate bid for survival!

Yet in doing so, they would be sealing their fate.

Politics is complex yet simple.

Their sole concern was that Li Xuanguo and his allies maintained a delicate balance, viewed as the righteous side by the vast majority of survivors.

Under normal conditions, they could never act without proper cause, nor could they target Li Xuanguo.

Whoever strikes first becomes a traitor—a national traitor! Even if their trained soldiers were to bear the brunt, a soldier’s loyalty always lies with the nation!

Soldiers! Including many high-ranking military officials—by nature, they only follow genuine orders from the Authorities! This is an unchangeable fact, etched deep in their bones!

But if Li Xuanguo and his men are forced into action, everything will change.

Whoever strikes first becomes a traitor!

Bereft of righteousness and official standing, Fang Hao and the others have a hundred ways to deal with them!

Realizing that a heavy downpour was imminent.

After hearing this, the Peak Awakener took a deep breath and respectfully nodded, indicating that he understood what needed to be done.

“Yes! Commander!”

“In that case, all twelve Group Armies stationed at the Border will, under the pretense of redeployment, be withdrawn before the national battle, and the orders will be given for them to prepare for action.”

“I’m convinced that under constant internal and external pressure, even if Fang Hao and his men cling to the Border, they wouldn’t risk sacrificing every Safe Zone! As long as they have even a shred of compassion, they’ll be forced to spread their forces thinner!”

“The only issue is… the situation over at the East Sea; that one is tricky…”

After speaking, the man waited patiently for the Elder’s further instructions.

Their abstention from the national battle was essentially a means to threaten Li Xuanguo while simultaneously delivering a blow.

They never expected that Li Xuanguo’s side would quietly endure, choosing instead to stubbornly back Yenir. This signaled that even Li Xuanguo’s hardliners no longer wished to tolerate the situation!

If that were the case and their desired outcome remained unfulfilled, they certainly wouldn’t back down!

Especially many veteran Peak Third-Stage figures saw this as a golden opportunity.

If the national battle was lost, all the blame would be pinned squarely on Li Xuanguo and his cohorts! It would be on Fang Hao! Li Xuanguo and his men, by forsaking national interests and acting recklessly, had betrayed the legacy of veteran heroes!

For abandoning once-mighty champions for a despised figure like Yenir, they would undoubtedly pay the price!

He was eager to see what Li Xuanguo would do once the national battle ended in complete defeat, the Border fell, and the battle zone descended into chaos—what dignity he’d have left to cling to his position!

Handing over incriminating evidence at every opportunity, it would be sheer folly not to act!

“Troublesome to handle?”

“Heh, just follow the same propaganda.”

“Wasn’t the East Sea just hit by a Sea Beast, leaving millions displaced?”

“Block all the relief supplies, then have a few individuals pose as the Private Faction and casually eliminate a group of people to instill fear and chaos among the millions!”

“The more chaos, the more misery—ordinary folks will accumulate immense resentment! Soon enough, with a little incitement, they’ll turn against the Military and Government!”

“They’re just brainless drifters. As soon as the East Sea descends into chaos, the entire coastal region will follow suit! And when the death toll rises, even if Li Xuanguo endures as much as he can, he’ll inevitably be blamed!”

“The masses are foolish.”

“Even if Yenir is now exonerated, there will always be those who despise him for bombing the East Sea.”

“Thus, anyone who continues to support Yenir is bound to perish!”

“When the people lose all hope and chaos reigns, we step in to restore order—then everything becomes so much simpler…”

The Elder began to speak slowly and matter-of-factly, as if the mounting casualties in the ensuing chaos were merely numbers, his face betraying no emotion.

Standing behind him, the man’s heart skipped a beat before he clasped his hands in deference.