Chapter 661: Rumbling Uprising

The entire crowd erupted into uproar.

Hundreds of rebels exchanged glances. The disguised rebel among the ranks of awakened fighters immediately understood what was happening.

“I can prove it!”

“I have several brothers who handle supply routes at the border! The moment news of the national war broke out a few days ago, they feared that the losing nations might seek revenge!”

“As you all know, our awakened group stationed at the border not only has to dodge the corpses of two nations, but also their own people! Those border countries harbor deep animosity towards us!”

“But guess what my brothers discovered!?”

As the shouts grew louder, several rebellious soldiers pretending to be ordinary survivors raised their arms, exaggerating their expressions to stir up the crowd.

Seeing everyone’s eyes fixed on them, a burly man at the forefront sneered and recited his memorized lines:

“It’s nothing! There’s nothing going on! Those small countries are still celebrating as if they hadn’t lost a thing!”

“And it doesn’t stop there. Even the merchant caravans at the border look down on us and mock us! They say that soon there won’t even be a border! Our Huaguo Military is so generous that in order to officially win the national war, they even hand over an endless amount of women!”

As he spoke, the burly man’s face turned red with anger, shaking as if it were real.

“Everyone! Isn’t this nothing short of selling out our country?! For a sham title, to prop up that kid, we’re effectively ceding land, paying reparations, and losing national dignity!”

“They look down on us, while we remain oblivious like fools!”

Some witnesses suspected foul play. In an instant, survivors who had been reluctant to believe any of it were stunned, and many of the emotionally charged began hurling curses.

On the high platform, a rebel colonel watched the rising fervor with satisfaction, a cold laugh echoing in his heart.

Honestly, if they hadn’t confirmed through contacts with neighboring countries that the national war was indeed won by Yenir, they might have believed it.

It’s too fake! They clearly saw Yenir lead a small squad inside — the weakest among all nations! If there wasn’t something fishy going on, how could he have won this national war!?

Even now, they haven’t figured out exactly how Yenir managed the victory. Only vague speculations remain.

That’s why, once this speech was crafted, they weren’t worried about the Huaguo public’s disbelief!

With further operations and propaganda, they would undoubtedly claim the moral high ground internally! Especially since Li Xuanguo and his cohorts are ready to clean house among regional elites — these people are terrified of being arrested, so local Safe Zones and officials will scramble to cooperate! In a two-army clash, it’s impossible for them to merely brawl like thugs!

This is war; every tactic is fair game!

As for whether border survivors might step forward to clarify, or if neighboring countries might echo the same claims?

That is a problem the rebels need not worry about!

Other affected countries have already suffered such painful defeats that their people are discontent! If their leaders had any sense, they’d cover up the full truth instead of letting it be twisted into this narrative!

By then, regardless of how Li Xuanguo and his men explain and justify themselves, they will have no defense!

At that moment, behind Yenir, Ming Luo and the others’ expressions changed instantly as they quickly pieced together the conspiracy.

This move was designed to cut off the head of the snake! The Capital’s endorsement and praise for Yenir turned into inadvertent evidence under such rumors!

“Damn it! These worthless scum! They can fabricate any lie to undermine us! Though they’re of the same race, these beasts can hardly be called Huaguo people!”

Ming Luo trembled with anger, clenching his fists as he glanced at Yenir.

It wasn’t that he easily lost his temper — as a member of the Action Team, victory in the national war was his greatest honor. Even though he wasn’t inside, he knew Yenir had poured countless efforts in, risking his life again and again to earn this triumph! This was Huaguo’s honor! Yet here, in this web of twisted lies, Yenir was painted as a traitor — a disgrace!

If he were Yenir, he’d already be unleashing his wrath and wiping out these bastards!

But, contrary to Ming Luo’s expectations, Yenir remained calm, as if the blame was not his burden to bear.

Yenir grabbed Ming Luo and the others by the shoulders, his voice steady through his mental power:

“Ignore them. They’ve recycled this act countless times. I expected them to say it.”

“Even if they stayed silent, neighboring countries would spin the same tale. No nation would admit that their awakened fighters are worthless and lost so disgracefully.”

Yenir let out a quiet laugh; he wasn’t bothered by such petty tricks.

In fact, he had foreseen this scenario back in the national war dungeon. Let’s not even mention the rebels — wasn’t it Zhang Meng, Lu Tianming, and others who first smeared his reputation with this tactic?

To counter these methods, the simplest solution is to annihilate the enemy and display one’s true strength. Moreover, the Otherworldly Ghosts stationed in various countries serve as the crucial evidence at the critical moment.

Just think about it — when these rebels unleashed this lie to tear him down, Yenir retaliated by having nations’ Otherworldly Ghosts speak out. Even the Third-Stage Awakened participants in the national war knelt and called him ‘father’. All the rumors crumbled on their own. Soon, neighboring governments will be thrown into turmoil, scrambling to explain what truly happened!

That’s why Yenir cared little for the rebels’ endless chatter.

“Stirring up emotions, huh?”

Yenir’s eyes swept ambiguously over a few machines in the center of the hall, a clear answer forming in his mind.

If it were merely brainwashing propaganda, there’d be no need to concentrate everyone at this base. The Capital could simply issue a national address — much simpler.

Clearly, these rebels are just setting the stage for what’s coming next.

Sure enough, as Yenir expected.

With the rebel colonel’s indignant shout revealing the Capital Military’s “true colors” to all awakened fighters, everyone erupted in passion, vowing never to let the nation be overturned.

Several Third-Stage Awakened individuals exchanged determined glances before soaring above the crowd.

“Everyone! I believe in your determination and your love for this country! I also trust that none of you will allow a band of traitors to oppress us and betray us all!”

“But our strength is limited, and the Military can’t bear to see everyone risk their lives in such a state!”

“Therefore, the Military has decided to launch a plan allowing everyone to grow stronger and become Third-Stage Awakened!”

At these words, Yenir’s gaze hardened, his eyes fixed on a large gathering of Third-Stage fighters overhead.

It was huge.

They’re coming!