Chapter 608: Shadows of Rebellion

Capital Military District, Civil Defense Project.

Inside the brightly lit underground rapid-response corridor, four Third-Stage Awakeneds hurried along briskly.

After a series of twists and turns, they finally reached a small metal-alloy door. The leading Third-Stage Awakened cast a wary glance around before quickly pushing it open.

As the door swung open, a chilling, gloomy air hit them in an instant.

Unfazed by the underground’s cold aura, the four simply nodded subtly toward the troops inside.

Beyond that unremarkable door—seemingly housing the enemy’s emergency supplies—stretched a vast, hollow metal hall spanning over a thousand square meters.

Within the hall, around three hundred soldiers, just like the four, were simultaneously removing masks that clung to their faces like sticky cobwebs.

“Clack”

After casually tossing his ripped-off camouflage mask to the ground, a Middle-Aged Soldier at the center wasted no time; with a swift gesture he activated a silent barrier and then spoke in a low, commanding tone.

“Everyone, since we’re all here, let me outline today’s operation!”

“In 120 hours, the Capital Military District’s defensive troops will rotate!”

“Our other operatives have already been deployed in position!”

“Once the rotation begins, everyone will disguise themselves as the previous soldiers and blend into the command core, ready to act!”

“Our mission is simple: seize control of the main defensive cannon and the near-ground air defense system. Under no circumstances can we allow any unit to slip away during the upcoming battle! And we must also prevent Li Xuanguo and his cohorts from resorting to desperate measures by threatening the lives of the capital’s survivors!”

His words echoed through the cold, cavernous hall.

As they followed the Middle-Aged Soldier’s orders, many among the 300 Third-Stage Awakeneds shifted in expression, a strange glimmer flickering in their eyes.

They had all once served under the old commanders—the elite of the Peak Third-Stage.

Judging by the sudden acceleration in the operation, it seemed their respective superiors were growing impatient.

Are they planning to seize the Capital’s most critical defensive firepower?

Infiltrating the command center—could this be a decapitation strike?!

It appears the higher-ups are even willing to risk a full-blown internal conflict…

Yet as they listened to their leader’s remarks about Li Xuanguo, their feelings remained conflicted.

After all, Li Xuanguo and his group truly represent the official forces—how could they resort to blackmail by endangering survivors? In the public eye, it’s they who look like rebels.

Sensing their inner doubts, the leader coldly scanned the room before letting out a heavy snort.

“I know many of you believe Li Xuanguo’s crew did a decent job—that the old commanders shouldn’t have acted this way, nor fanned the flames of conflict!”

“But make no mistake: this mess wasn’t caused by the old commanders—it’s all on Li Xuanguo and his lot!”

“Those old commanders endured endless hardship, stepping back to serve the country with unwavering dedication. And now? Every one of these new leaders—be it Li Xuanguo or his peers—has been deliberately undermining them!”

“They continually strip away military authority, withhold vital resources, and oppress our own men! It’s a scheme designed to make the old guard bleed and weep!”

“Who truly is the cornerstone of Huaguo? Who is the real force that has held this nation and its battle zone together all these years?”

“It’s us, not them!”

“Without the old commanders suppressing external threats and serving selflessly, Huaguo wouldn’t be where it is today!”

With righteous fervor, the middle-aged man delivered his speech passionately, as if standing on the side of justice, and thundered:

“Understand this: we aren’t staging a mutiny, let alone a coup!”

“We just want to show these fools who truly holds power in Huaguo! Even a hundred thousand low-tier Awakeners pale in comparison to a single Peak Third-Stage! Li Xuanguo and his gang use the old commanders’ resource drain as an excuse to oppress them. It’s a laughable pretext!”

“Without us elites, those below would only suffer more!”

“We’re merely righting wrongs, steering the Huaxia Battle Zone back on track!”

With that impassioned declaration, the lower-ranking Awakeneds fell silent, choosing not to dwell on internal matters. After all, as part of the old guard of Peak Third-Stage, their conflicts had reached an irreconcilable point.

As if struck by a sudden thought, a Third-Stage Awakened resembling a Squad Captain murmured:

“General Xue.”

“Aren’t we supposed to wait until after the war ends? I thought we needed a proper pretext to strike…”

“Only 48 hours have passed since the conflict, and even if we wait another 120 hours, there’s still time before things normally conclude.”

“I think…”

Before the Squad Captain could finish, General Xue waved his hand, cutting the man off.

“The higher-ups have already calculated the timing!”

“In just another 120 hours, the outcome should be clear!”

“Timing isn’t everything—we just need to strike roughly around then!”

“Once Li Xuanguo and his group are taken down, even if the war news is delayed, we can still inform all survivors just how badly Li Xuanguo and his gang have screwed up!”

“Moreover, an early strike gives our plan the edge it needs!”

“Fang Hao and his crew are so fixated on waiting for the war’s end that an early move would catch them completely off guard!”

Warfare is all about cunning.

After finishing his words, General Xue Ping sneered coldly, offering no further explanation.

Based on past experience, the war typically takes around ten days to conclude.

After all, when Asia’s top-tier forces converge, you can’t expect a decisive outcome any sooner than roughly ten days.

But this time… it’s different!

Having connected with foreign battle zones well in advance, they already knew exactly what this conflict had in store.

According to their projections, alliances had formed: South Korea and Southeast Asia together, while Vietnam teamed up with the Japanese Battle Zone. Later, the Central Asian Arab Joint Battle Zone would partner with West Asia, leaving the remaining factions as the formidable India and the weakest—Yenir and his group!

With such sharply divided quadrants, the battles would be even more intense than any previous conflict!

Especially since he knew all too well that the force Yenir brought along was laughably insignificant—like mere ants.

If all went as expected, the motley crew around that little bastard Yenir had shrunk to less than half, and they were now desperately fleeing under the combined pursuit of forces from at least three battle zones!

Some might even be dead by now!

Thus, an early strike seemed perfectly timed—and would catch Fang Hao and his group completely off guard!

With a cold laugh, the man gazed upward, his eyes fixed on the Capital Core.

Even if Yenir managed to slip away miraculously…

All that would await him is a crushing pincer attack by a massive army!

Perfect—if Yenir, the failure who triggered the war, could be used as a scapegoat, then a Sacrificial Flag would be raised in atonement with his death!

……….