Chapter 531: The Ultimatum

After a long silence, Yenir’s voice finally broke through, laced with bitterness.

“Is it because of me?”

“They should have known the consequences of such actions…”

“I wonder if, in doing so, they made any additional demands.”

He was exceptionally observant.

From the moment he entered the meeting room, Yenir felt every eye fixed on him. Apart from Li Xuanguo and Fang Hao, who regarded him normally, the few other senior officials—whom he hardly recognized—wore expressions of complex emotion.

It was as though they were about to make a crucial decision.

The veteran Peak Third-Stage masters would normally raise a fuss, but stalling at this very moment… something was clearly off.

Sure enough, after a sigh, Li Xuanguo glanced at the others before looking back at him with a bitter smile.

“Yenir…”

“Personally, I believe this isn’t about you—but the people on Lu Haishan’s side did indeed put forward some ‘demands.'”

“Their message was simple.”

“They want ‘justice’—they insist that we personally hand you over to a military tribunal.”

“Death Duel…they refused.”

“Their reasoning is that you aren’t qualified, nor worthy, to force Lu Haishan to lower his stature for a Death Duel with you.”

“They’d much rather see us give up on you—to bow down to them…”

Elsewhere, Hu Zhiping let out a heavy sigh—as if worried Yenir might not understand—and hurried to explain:

“Here’s the thing, Yenir.”

“According to the rules, a Death Duel cannot be refused; under normal circumstances, no one would dare to turn it down.”

“However, by official procedure, Lu Haishan has already relinquished his post, meaning he is no longer a committee member or part of the Military. Challenging him as a committee member creates a legal issue…”

“Moreover, we suspect that once Lu Haishan returns, he’ll likely consult with his internal Peak Third-Stage group—and they believe your challenge was our doing.”

“They probably assume we’d secretly tip the scales in your favor to ensure your victory!”

“In fact, news has already spread within the Military, claiming that in your Death Duel against Lu Tianming, it wasn’t your true strength on display—but our covert interference that caused Lu Tianming’s downfall!”

“This is a conspiracy!”

“With that, they naturally won’t risk anything!”

“After all, if something goes wrong with a Peak Third-Stage fighter, it’s a huge loss for them—and Lu Haishan is known for his caution!”

He spoke bluntly.

Yenir was stunned; he never imagined Lu Haishan could stoop so low!

“He refused the Death Duel!? Isn’t he supposed to avenge his son!?”

Overwhelmed, he burst out laughing.

For Yenir—a Third-Stage Mid-level fighter—to challenge a Peak Third-Stage and be turned down like this was outrageous!

One moment they’re saying they’d kill you, and the next they refuse the duel while spreading rumors that Fang Hao and the others covertly manipulated events to cheat and kill Lu Tianming!?

“Cheating? It wasn’t even about your strength!?”

Again, Yenir didn’t even need a Dimensional Surge; in his Judgment Form, his fists alone could shatter Lu Tianming!

“It’s completely normal, Yenir.”

Shaking his head slightly, Li Xuanguo’s eyes flashed with a hint of bitterness before he regained his calm.

“We were genuinely surprised that you managed to defeat Lu Tianming in the Death Duel.”

“For those unaware of the details, it would undoubtedly appear that you cheated.”

“Moreover, from Lu Haishan’s perspective, going to battle with you—win or lose—would tarnish his reputation.”

“So he opted to use his influence to force us into surrendering you.”

“That way, you’re doomed, and the Military would…”

He left the sentence hanging.

Under such pressure, Li Xuanguo knew full well that once they handed Yenir over, the neutral factions watching would certainly turn against them!

Just think about it! If they can’t even protect the one they backed, how can they hope to contend with Lu Haishan?

Yenir was speechless as he listened to Li Xuanguo’s explanation.

He had to admit that dealing with Lu Haishan and his cronies was no small matter—after all, they were seasoned veterans, once at the top of the game.

For them, manipulating people and wielding their influence was second nature.

Even in a do-or-die battle, those Peak Third-Stage masters deemed Yenir unworthy!

So, Prime Minister…

“What’s your decision?”

No more words were needed.

Yenir raised his head, calmly surveying the assembled senior officials.

The events had already unfolded, and yet he had been summoned once more.

In this inescapable situation, he wondered what Li Xuanguo and the others would choose.

Would they hand him over or protect him?

The former, though humiliating, might bring peace. The latter would only invite further pressure from Lu Haishan and overwhelming force from the Military.

So…

Now the dilemma was this: what mattered more—himself or the greater cause… the fate of billions in China?

It left a bitter taste in his heart.

Watching Li Xuanguo’s unchanging silence, Yenir managed a bitter smile.

Alright then…

In situations like this, there really is no good choice.

If the Military falters, everything is lost.

Just as he was about to speak, the ever-silent Li Xuanguo suddenly broke his silence:

“Yenir, don’t overthink it.”

“Since we’ve chosen you, we’re in it for the long haul!”

“But now, the decision isn’t ours—it’s yours!”

His tone was serious, laden with immense gravity.

At that moment, Fang Hao, who rarely spoke among the group, moved beside Yenir and spoke on behalf of the Prime Minister:

“Yenir! Though handing you over now might seem best, rest assured—we’re not without options!”

“Those old dogs threaten national stability, but they’re also afraid of us turning on them!”

“If they dare reallocate forces or threaten us again, I’ll just walk away! When the Military spirals out of control, they’re as good as finished!”

“Frankly, those Peak Third-Stage masters know full well that we care more about the people than they do!”

With a cold, ruthless smile, Fang Hao continued:

“Let me put it this way: if we don’t hand you over, they might simply pull another batch of Peak Third-Stage fighters from the border!”

“If they withdraw, so be it! We’ll cover the gap ourselves!”

“No matter how many forces they pull out, we’ll replace them! And if things become unbearable—well, we all go down together!”

“But…”

The once impassioned tone faltered, and Fang Hao’s voice dropped as he uttered his final thought.

“This also means that in the national war, we simply won’t have the strength to intervene.”

“Compared to the national war, priorities in the real world take precedence.”

“Yenir, the entire Committee is watching us. If we too give up our forces for the national war, it would make us no different from Lu Haishan.”

“Even the wavering neutral faction would lose faith in us…”

“Moreover, Lu Haishan and his allies have made it clear: since you’re so ‘impressive’, you might as well enter the national war on your own.”

“If we refuse to hand you over—and thereby forgo the national war—they’ll use that as an excuse to impeach the Prime Minister for inaction…”

As if worried about any misunderstanding, Fang Hao let out a wry laugh and quickly explained:

“Of course, you can always opt out—it would effectively mean forfeiting the national war! They’re trying to force you…”

Before Fang Hao could finish, Yenir, his expression untroubled, suddenly interrupted:

“So, theoretically, the best move is for me to enter the national war alone, right?”

“Lu Haishan wants me dead.”

“Either you hand me over, or you force me to go ‘to death.'”

“Lu Haishan and his allies know that doing the former would mean capitulation—something they’re unlikely to choose.”

“But the latter would make the world see me as an arrogant fool who provoked the top Peak Third-Stages. Naturally, I’d have to bear the blame.”

People are inherently complicated.

Yet, as soon as Fang Hao’s explanation ended, Yenir realized the open strategy that Lu Haishan and his cohorts were orchestrating.

It wasn’t so much a conspiracy as a blatant power play.

By provoking Lu Haishan and his men, those top Peak Third-Stages had every reason to hold back.

After all, if you’re bold enough to challenge even the Peak Third-Stages to a Death Duel…

Then, if you’ve got what it takes, go ahead and win the national war on your own!

Not going? That would only expose you as petty, arrogant, and oblivious to your limits! From this alone, Lu Haishan and his allies can tell whether you truly possess Peak-level combat power—and whether you have the nerve to challenge him!

If you lack that, then you’d never dare to go! In that case, Lu Tianming’s death must have been orchestrated secretly by Li Xuanguo and his associates!

If that’s so, then the rift is irreparable!

Mouth agape, Fang Hao was momentarily stunned before snapping back to attention and quickly speaking again:

“Yenir, that’s one way to put it.”

“But our promise still stands! We can handle the pressure! I know your true strength and your immense potential!”

“Just bear with it a little longer—we’ll wait until you’ve fully matured!”

No sooner had he finished than, under the watchful eyes of Li Xuanguo and the others, Yenir let out a light laugh, seemingly unfazed by the crushing pressure.

“No—I’ll go to the national war.”

“Alone if need be, I’m confident!”

“However…”

Before Fang Hao could react in shock, Yenir suddenly stood up and, in a deep voice, declared:

“Prime Minister, Uncle Fang!”

“If you trust me, then give me a batch of Third-Stage Advanced fighters right now—I need to head out to the Far Frontier!”

“National war? They’re nothing but trashy minor nations! Just wait until I return—I’ll single-handedly cut right through them!”