Victory Day Celebration

As the desert battlefield unfolded, another front was also being launched on the Western Continent and Eastern Continent.

Star Empire, Rising Sun Republic, Pearl Duchy, Dwarf Kingdom ----

Almost all countries simultaneously launched large-scale arrests and raids on the headquarters of the Four Directions Chamber of Commerce of Commerce within their borders.

Its sudden and overwhelming force caught everyone off guard.

Shops were sealed off, warehouses were forcibly broken into, and staff were arrested on the spot.

The chamber of commerce manager, who hadn't even had time to go to work, was dragged out of his residence by soldiers and put into a prison van.

The news sent shockwaves through the business community.

However, various countries quickly issued announcements:

The Four Directions Chamber of Commerce and its affiliated and shell merchant guilds are all Traitor organizations belonging to the dimensional invader "Plundering Clock".

The announcement also included a hefty reward.

In an instant, a frenzy of hunting Plundering Clock and its related organizations swept across the world of Taya.

Bounty guilds and hunters across the country accepted the missions and busied themselves with tasks.

Su Ming, Zijin, and even the Final Bone Mad Machines finally got to hold their heads high for once.

The "Spirit Cloud" incident back then caused them immense suffering.

Countless necromancers were captured, and the rest were forced to hide in the shadows, barely surviving.

Now, fortunes have changed.

One of the major culprits Divine Covenant Faction, has been completely wiped out.

Now, it's the turn of the Plundering Clock's side!

During the raid on the Four Directions Chamber of Commerce of Commerce, a large number of totem poles engraved with the "Plague" symbol were also seized.

It was covered with twisted snake patterns, and had a dull luster, as if it were covered with a layer of dirt that could not be washed off.

And some people actually took the money and buried these things in the water source area.

They claimed that the client asked them to take it for "releasing animals to pray for blessings."

Su Ming's lips twitched after reading the record.

Is this a totem for releasing animals?

"They will all be considered accomplices." He put down the document, his tone uncompromising. "Depending on the severity of the offense, the minimum sentence is three years of hard labor!"

Ainuobia nodded in agreement and immediately went to make the arrangements.

After completely suppressing the enemy on the desert battlefield, Su Ming returned to the first forward camp.

It's busier here than before I left.

Although the war has ended, the workload of transporting supplies has actually increased.

The Gravel Scale Desert is now ravaged, lacking everything from food and building materials to medical supplies.

The convoy of transport vehicles formed a long line, delivering supplies deep into the desert time and time again.

Fortunately, the main desert road from west to east has been completed, and its efficiency is now incomparable to what it used to be.

"How should the rights to the desert be divided?" Xialike Like asked Su Ming directly.

A brief negotiation ensued.

Su Ming was after oil.

The industrial system's demand for crude oil is so great that it seems they want to dig a hole in this desert.

Xialike was interested in were the trade rights to the lizard people's handicrafts, desert specialty minerals, and rare herbs.

And the market that the Gravel Scale Tribe urgently needs to develop.

The two quickly finalized a framework agreement.

Both parties will share the financial and resource investment for desert reconstruction. As for profit distribution and implementation details, "Let the people below handle that," Su Ming said.

"That suits me perfectly."

The topic then shifted to the Plundering Clock.

"The Bearfolk Clan have been wiped out by the Cold Mountain Kingdom," Ainuobia reported to the members present. "It cannot be ruled out that the Plundering Clock may still have remnants in other remote areas, but the various countries have already launched a joint operation to conduct a comprehensive search."

The "trade community" that Xialike has been promoting recently has already begun to show results.

With Stars's call and Chuxu's endorsement, and with the basic trade rules established, almost all the prominent forces in Taya have joined this Taya version of the "WTO."

Although nominally a trade organization, no one was foolish enough to use that as an excuse to shirk responsibility when it came to dealing with enemies from another dimension.

Ainuobia continued.

"The dwarves, having heard that the remains of the former dwarven king Star Iron have appeared here, are demanding that they be brought back."

97

"What if we turn them into powder?" Xialike asked.

Star Iron's "Dread Skeleton" was charging towards the Star Empire's regular forces.

They injured the skin during the scraping treatment, so they had to apply the treatment for a longer time to successfully eliminate the lesions.

The degree of fragmentation was even more severe than that of a rotten, withered fire.

" In the Bone Machine Third Battalion, there is a necromancer who is skilled in bone manipulation," Ainuobia introduced.

"Bone manipulation?"

"It's just mixing bone meal with some alchemical glue and reshaping it."

"That's good, let's do it this way," Su Ming said, "Arrange the most formal coffin and funeral equipment for Star Iron King, and the bill..."

He paused, then changed his mind.

"Forget about this little bit of meat."

As for dwarves, either don't cut them at all, or cut them big.

"Can you do a good job?" Xialike, somewhat worried. "Don't make it look too ugly; it'll be a waste of effort."

This could cause diplomatic problems.

"Don't worry, we necromancers are professionals," Ainuobia said confidently.

"Many of the battle-damaged Bone Model of the Final Bone Mad Machines were repaired in this way," she added.

Su Ming:

****

The other three skeletal remains were also taken care of.

Lie Qiang is from the Star Empire, that goes without saying.

The tribe of the troll Dryfire borders the Stars, so it would be more convenient for them to handle the situation.

The remaining orc ghost wolves are a bit more complicated.

Water Chestnut Island is now under the control of the Plundering Clock. No one can say for sure what role this Saint Rank being played in it.

"He was a powerful figure after all; give him a proper burial," Zijin said.

Everyone nodded.

Outside the window, the desert sun was slowly setting, turning the sky a deep orange-red. Transport convoys shuttled back and forth, the dust they kicked up looking like golden smoke in the twilight.

"Now that we've dealt with the desert, the next step is to conquer Water Chestnut Island." Xialike's relaxed expression vanished, his tone turning serious. "We must completely annihilate Hairspring, Death Knell, and the entire Plundering Clock!"

Su Ming recalled what Hairspring had said.

"Hairspring said the reason you didn't kill me back then was because of you?" He turned to look at Zijin.

"It wasn't me," Zijin said calmly, "It was because of Him."

She raised her hand and summoned the Divine Favor Scepter.

A pure white scepter appeared, its soft light overshadowing the lamplight.

"The 'Light's Passage' domain of the Hairspring is countered by this Divine Favor Scepter."

"Of course, I got this information out of the leading bell-ringer."

Su Ming frowned.

"Why?"

If the Divine Favor Scepter truly possessed the ability to subdue Eden's enemies' territories, why had they faced such a difficult journey?

This situation has never occurred with Yexiya, Abigai, Death Knell.

Then why specifically target the Hairspring?

"How would I know?" Zijin said helplessly. "Only that bell-ringing priest knows about this, and I can't ask him anything more."

Although she dispelled the earthly seal on her enemy, Jörmungandr's "Crypt of the Void" was extremely penetrating.

Even the Divine Favor Scepter cannot withstand it.

Therefore, as before, she could only ask one question to each of the "captives" of the Plundering Clock.

Zhapulai stood to the side, shrugging.

"What's even more outrageous is that what I read through 'mind reading' also counts!"

"Just what level of being is this Jörmungandr?" he mused.

"Could it really be some kind of god-like creature?" Xialike muttered.

Su Ming changed the subject back.

"In that case, we can understand the combat logic of the Hairspring' skill set."

"He can only strike when the Bay Owl is not around."

"Like this time."

"When we attack Water Chestnut Island, should we find a way to force him out and fight me one-on-one?" Zijin asked.

"It would take Hairspring being so obedient," Su Ming said with a smile.

****

Afterwards, everyone returned to their respective countries.

Both sides will hold large-scale victory celebrations.

Su Ming originally only intended to go through the motions, but the proposal that Ainuobia presented was very formal.

The whole country is on holiday. Celebration meals are limited to one per person and are offered at half price. Cultural performances will be held in various cities.

"Can our grassroots enforcement capabilities hold up?" Su Ming asked worriedly.

"You've forgotten that we're fundamentally a religious country," Ainuobia explained.

Zijin also explained, "It's actually a large-scale mass."

Even the Divine Covenant Faction will always find some reason to stir things up.

"People here like these."

"Okay, I'll approve the budget," Su Ming agreed.

"But can I not speak on stage?" he asked in exchange.

Ainuobia took the signed report, leaving with a bright smile, "Dream on."

Because it is a formal celebration, key internal personnel are also required to attend.

The current forces are spread across three enclaves, but fortunately, there are Kunpeng transport planes.

Fatty's flights between Ruby Base, the Republic of Chuxu, and the Northern Lands Territory were almost constant.

And there's more good news.

The local crews of Taya have finally begun flying independently.

This meant that Miao Xin was reluctantly assigned to learn about submarine operation.

The Northern Lands members arrived first, accompanied by Katharine, Silver Mask, and Ge'enda'er.

Katharine went to report to Su Ming first.

The other two met up with Yise, and after a brief reunion, they went to the hospital together.

The ward was quiet. Jielusi lay on the bed, her face pale, but her breathing was relatively steady.

Ever since the battle between the desert and the Hairspring, the girl has remained unconscious.

"Jielusi looks pale because she lost too much blood in the battle with the Golden Scale Merchant Guild leader."

Yise explained, reaching out to check the corner of her blanket.

"Being unconscious indicates psychological harm."

"However, Qiluo is treating her and says that the problem isn't serious."

"It will wake up after a short period of rest."

The two breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Silver Mask removed his mask.

To play Weiaoyasi, Zijin's younger brother, he had his face altered, making it appear more feminine.

Her features are delicate, and her eyes and brows even bear a resemblance to the gentle beauty of Zijin.

On the bright side, he still retains the coldness characteristic of an assassin at heart.

"I'm here for this celebration as Weiaoyasi," Silver Mask explained.

Yise suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, by the way, I'll tell you something interesting."

"Interesting?"

"Jielusi said Silver Mask looks really interesting after his plastic surgery." Yise's tone was subtle. "She's planning to give you a ' Forbidden Fruit Pact,' the allure will definitely be irresistible to both men and women!"

Upon hearing this, Silver Mask froze.

Ge'enda'er felt a chill and silently stepped aside.

****

Su Ming's office.

Katharine gave a brief report on the situation in the Northern Continent Jurisdiction of Light.

The reorganization of control and administrative institutions across the territory has been completed, and this territory has been officially renamed "Northern Province of the Republic of Chuxu". Currently, its main systems and policies are basically synchronized with the Holy City, and everything is starting to operate on track.

Su Ming nodded.

During this period, Zijin traveled between the Holy City and the Northern Continent on Kunpeng's regular "flight" to oversee the overall political affairs.

It was no less arduous than Su Ming, which also involved managing the Ruby Base.

Su Ming changed the subject to combat.

"The plan to conquer the Orcish Water Chestnut Island is officially on the agenda."

He pointed to the nautical chart and drew a circle around the location of the island.

This island is isolated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

"With an area of two million square kilometers, it is the largest island in the world of Taya."

"To be honest, I think it's more like a small continent," Katharine said, pursing her lips.

"That makes sense."

Su Ming continued.

"The orc population is as high as thirty million."

"Based on the way the Plundering Clock infiltrated the Gravel Scale Desert, the situation on Water Chestnut Island is probably similar."

"Replacing old birds with new ones, brainwashing, controlling the media, and purging dissidents."

"After twenty years of operation----"

Su Ming sighed. Just thinking about the brainless group that monopolized a small part of the continent gave him a headache.

"But no matter what, there is no substitute for violence," Katharine said. "No matter how much you scheme, the projection of force is indispensable."

"Yes, Xialike shares that view," Su Ming said.

"He had been supporting the 'liberation organization' on the Water Chestnut Island to launch a resistance movement, but with little success."

Katharine carefully measured the nautical chart.

"It is 8,000 kilometers from the Eastern Continent and 11,000 kilometers from the Western Continent."

"Such a large-scale ocean-going campaign is no easy task."

The fleet that can currently be organized, even when combined, can only deploy tens of thousands of tons of supplies and personnel at a time.

For such a huge country, this size is far from enough.

"Moreover, some orcs are half-aquatic," Katharine continued. "Our landing operation will be severely hampered."

"So we all need to focus our energy on planning the details of our strategies and tactics," Su Ming said.

Katharine looked at the map, her expression helpless. "If we win this battle, I'm sure I'll lose all my hair."

This can be considered a work-related injury.

The two smiled.

"Xialike and I have tentatively agreed to complete the preliminary preparations in three to four months."

"It's fortunate that all the key figures are here today. After the celebration, we can hold a major meeting to finalize the specific plans one by one."

"Understood." Katharine nodded.

With official business concluded, Su Ming began to discuss some personal matters.

"Augustus, just like that, you gave him to Xialike?"

"Consider it making up for what I owe him," Katharine said. "He has been kind to me."

"I've brought Aideluzi here; he's locked up in the dungeon," Su Ming told her.

"You don't need it anymore?"

"No need," Su Ming said definitively. "Beianqi's problem has been solved, and his techniques have been completely dismantled."

Aideluzi, the Fate Manipulator, was once the chief alchemist of the Temple of Light. After being captured in the Battle of Sacred Mountain, he was held captive by Su Ming in Dragon Valley.

During this time, he was used to repair the out-of-control "Spinal Hub" alchemical implant in Beianqi's body.

"Thanks," Katharine said with a smile.

"You're welcome."