Chapter 578: Shadows over the Coast

Huaxia Battle Zone – Border Coastal Defense Line.

On the tense, solemn front, Zhao Hongtu—rarely seen outside—led Ming Luo and his team as they gazed toward the sea with puzzled expressions.

Amid the heavy atmosphere, he waited patiently for Yenir to appear.

About six hours ago, Yenir had communicated with the Prime Minister, claiming he’d be back shortly.

But this return was unusual—it required coordination from the military’s defense line, so his own men were needed on standby.

In response, the Prime Minister simply ordered him to come in person.

“What is that kid up to, anyway?”

He couldn’t help but mutter under his breath.

Gazing at the calm coastline, Zhao Hongtu sighed softly, utterly unable to decipher Yenir’s game.

Under strict secrecy, he hadn’t been informed that Yenir had visited the Japanese Battle Zone.

With no clues at all, he assumed Yenir had merely ventured into the nearby coastal region—perhaps scouting some Sea Beasts?

It was impossible to tell.

Recalling recent events, his mood grew slightly irritable, and he couldn’t help but sigh once more.

With the national war only days away, things at the Prime Minister’s end hadn’t improved at all.

Not only was border pressure escalating, but internally, Lu Haishan’s long-established peak faction was already hinting at dissent.

At recent committee meetings, their representatives had even gone so far as to openly impeach Yenir and several other military figures.

Secondly, repeated threats accompanied by ostensibly normal troop deployments had been on the rise.

Under these circumstances, even the slowest-reacting middle-level officials realized that China’s internal situation was on the brink of serious trouble.

A heavy atmosphere of impending storm almost permeated the entire Capital.

“Minister Zhao, are we really unable to deploy any Peak forces for this national war?”

He was uneasy.

Ming Luo, aware that Yenir was slated to represent the military in the national war, couldn’t help but whisper his question as he watched Zhao Hongtu’s increasing irritation.

Though a part of Zhao Hongtu’s elite unit, he only knew bits of the inner workings.

Yet whether from external messages or Minister Zhao’s revelations, both conveyed the same alarming message.

That is, this national war would very likely require Yenir to go in on his own!

When he first heard the news, he was utterly shocked!

“Yes.”

“But we’ll try to send a group of Third-Stage Advanced fighters with Yenir. Every bit of extra strength counts.”

“What? You all want to join in too?”

Raising his eyebrow, Zhao Hongtu sighed in resignation and casually asked Ming Luo and the others.

He knew his team had a fairly good rapport with Yenir, having cooperated several times before.

But Ming Luo and his comrades still lacked the necessary strength, so he hadn’t planned on sending Ming Luo in.

Judging by Ming Luo’s expression, he was clearly as worried about Yenir as ever.

After hearing Minister Zhao’s confirmation, Ming Luo was momentarily stunned, his expression shifting.

Could it be? The news was actually true!?

What a joke! Although he wasn’t qualified for such operations—in the past, Peak forces led by numerous High-Level Awakeners had taken charge in the national war—

Zhao Hongtu’s words left him utterly stunned at the sheer difficulty of the task.

He knew Yenir’s strength far exceeded what he had shown, but still, the national war would pit them against countless Peak Third-Stage opponents!

“Minister Zhao!? What does this mean!? Isn’t this sending Yenir to his death!?”

It was unbelievable.

Unable to comprehend why the Prime Minister and the Minister would make such a decision, Ming Luo instinctively blurted out his question.

In a matter of such magnitude, how could the Minister and his team decide like this?!

No matter how strong Yenir might be, he was still only a Third-Stage Mid-Level!

Forget facing a swarm of enemy Peak forces—even a horde of High-Level Awakeners from those nations, double strength simply isn’t enough against quadruple force!

It was clear that Ming Luo was silently questioning his judgement.

Zhao Hongtu simply raised his eyes slightly, showing no hint of anger.

He knew that to outsiders, Li Xuanguo’s approach on behalf of the military appeared as if they had abandoned Yenir.

Under pressure from the old guard, the Prime Minister had no choice but to let Yenir go alone—essentially sacrificing him to shed light on the situation.

According to whispered intelligence circulating in the Capital, many in the Neutral Faction were both disappointed and resigned.

In fact, many even believed this was the best course of action.

Clearly, in this internal struggle, Li Xuanguo’s side held no advantage.

Either they’d have to abandon the border and key strategic positions,

or they would be forced to sacrifice Yenir.

Leaked information from Lu Haishan and his allies made it abundantly clear that the military, led by the Prime Minister, would have to pay for their foolish decisions.

But…

At a loss for words in response to Ming Luo and the others’ astonishment, Zhao Hongtu shook his head, his expression a tangled mix of emotions.

In truth, had he not learned from Fang Hao about Yenir’s latest power grab, he might have agreed with the outside view.

Yenir seemed to have acquired a terrifying strength, possibly comparable to Peak levels!

Moreover, the kid exuded fierce confidence—it was obvious he had other trump cards up his sleeve!

Even though he remained skeptical about Yenir’s chances in the national war, surviving would at least keep things from worsening, right?

He knew full well that Yenir held at least two major trump cards!

It was difficult to muster forces at the Peak Third-Stage level, but a contingent of High-Level Awakeners could still be deployed!

As long as he survived, that would count as a victory!

Once they weathered this ordeal, there might still be a chance for a turnaround—at least, that’s what the Prime Minister hoped.

Before Zhao Hongtu could say much more to calm Ming Luo and the others, a series of piercing alarms suddenly erupted from the defense system.

Amid a sudden flash of red light, urgent warnings blared out.

“Warning! A Peak Third-Stage creature is rapidly approaching the area!”

“Warning! Multiple high-energy objects are on approach!”

What is this!?

Abruptly, Zhao Hongtu snapped his head up; instantly switching into combat mode, he stared toward the distant coastline.

There, between two violent, unabashed sonic booms, stood a teenage Awakener.

Who was that…?

His eyes widened in surprise.

He had been tense, expecting an enemy ambush, but once he clearly saw the boy’s face, Zhao Hongtu was struck dumb.

In his eyes, the sight of Yenir arriving alongside two streams of supersonic air currents was almost surreal.

And those twin bursts of Peak Third-Stage aura emanated right from beside Yenir.

Where did they come from…

Peak Third-Stage!?

Was Yenir being… hijacked, or was he under pursuit!?

“Yenir!?”

Reacting on instinct, Zhao Hongtu didn’t hesitate—he prepared to charge in with his team.

“Damn it! Yenir had them waiting here—does he know someone’s after him!?”