Chapter 47: Entering Shu City!

"Damn! Ye Xun is incredible!"

"Those scumbags from Fusang deserve to die! How dare they swagger into China!"

"Ye Xun is my idol!"

"Ye Xun, you're amazing!"

"Ye Xun, I want to have your children!"

...

On MicroVision, the video posted by Xiao San—featuring Ye Yang’s speech and the beheading of the Fusang people—was flooded with so many comments that you couldn’t even see the video if you didn’t turn them off. In a matter of moments, the video’s live and total play counts skyrocketed to the number one spot, leaving the previous top video—a leaked clip of a female celebrity performing for a billionaire—far behind.

It seemed that nearly every MicroVision user in China had watched this video. Across the internet, on every forum, netizens launched heated debates about Ye Xun’s remarks.

In Xiajing, members of parliament were still endlessly arguing. Even after two days, they had yet to make any decision regarding Ye Xun’s case.

Meanwhile, in Fusang, their so-called “Hundred-Man Squad” was assembled in record time. This force was made up of ten late-stage Stellar cultivators, twenty-one mid-stage Stellar cultivators, thirty-seven early-stage Stellar cultivators, and fifty-one late-stage Planetary cultivators. Though called the “Hundred-Man Squad,” their numbers exceeded a hundred.

This was nearly half the cultivator force of Fusang. One hundred and nineteen cultivators donned headbands and held a grand memorial ceremony, broadcasting the entire event live online.

What puzzled the Chinese public was why, faced with such a formidable force, their own side had actually approved the Fusang Hundred-Man Squad’s visit request.

Damn it! This wasn’t a diplomatic visit—it was outright intimidation.

The internet exploded in outrage, with people cursing the parliament, the delegates, and even China’s own cultivators.

...

On the evening after coming ashore, Ye Yang led his group to the outskirts of Shu City in the southeastern district.

By then, the setting sun bathed Shu City’s towering walls in a crimson glow, making the city appear especially majestic.

Inside the city, the Fusang cultivators under Zhao Fei’s command hadn’t left despite Ye Yang’s threats. Perhaps they believed that, with the Fusang Hundred-Man Squad coming, Ye Xun would have enough on his plate, or that he wouldn’t bother with Shu City at all.

As the Southwest Director of the Bureau of Stellar Martial Affairs, Zhao Fei didn’t take Ye Yang’s speech seriously either. In terms of rank, he was above Ye Xun. A mere inspector had no authority over him!

Because of Ye Yang’s public remarks, Zhao Fei even went out of his way to reassure the five Fusang cultivators under his protection.

Among these five, three were early-stage Stellar cultivators and two were late-stage Planetary cultivators. Together with Ye Haishan—a Stellar cultivator he had recruited a few months prior—there was no local force in Southwest China that could threaten Zhao Fei’s position.

“Inspector Ye, we’ve nearly finished collecting the evidence of the five Fusang cultivators’ crimes. In this past year alone, they’ve murdered more than twenty civilians and committed eleven major felonies…”

After Mao Li finished her report, Ye Yang’s expression turned grim. Although he was using the Fusang cultivators as a pretext to settle a personal vendetta, hearing about the crimes these scum had committed in China still filled him with rage.

Ye Yang calmed himself and said to Xiao San, who stood at his side, “At eight tonight, upload all the evidence online.”

Xiao San nodded solemnly, then added, “Inspector Ye, the Fusang Hundred-Man Squad will arrive by plane in Xiajing tomorrow morning. There are 119 cultivators: ten late-stage Stellar, twenty-one mid-stage Stellar, thirty-seven early-stage Stellar, and fifty-one late-stage Planetary. They even held a grand memorial ceremony earlier.”

As Xiao San finished speaking, Zhou Hun, Mao Li, and the others looked at Ye Yang with concern. The Fusang Hundred-Man Squad was a terrifying force, and if China’s own cultivators turned a blind eye...

“Damn it!” Ye Yang swore. “Why would our side ever approve such a visit? If I’m guilty, then it’s up to China to try me!”

Beside him, Long Xiaoqing snorted coldly. “Husband, they’re trying to use a borrowed knife to kill.”

“Exactly!” Ye Yang patted her head, then told Xiao San, “Turn on the camera. I’m going to broadcast a speech.”

He gave Xiao San a few more instructions.

“Dear netizens, people of China, good evening! I’m Xiao San, currently here with Inspector Ye. Tonight, we’ll be launching a major operation—one that is, of course, related to Fusang…”

Xiao San had Zhou Hun shoulder the camera, then stood before it like a seasoned reporter, perfectly composed.

“As for the operation’s details and location, please tune in to Xiao San’s MicroVision at eight tonight. All will become clear then. Now, regarding the Fusang Hundred-Man Squad’s visit, Inspector Ye has a few words for you all.”

With that, Xiao San stepped aside.

Dressed in a crimson uniform, Ye Yang appeared before the camera, hands on his hips, and said with a grin, “Cowards! Bastards! Sons of bitches! Scum… Sorry, that’s all the insults I can muster to express my anger at this moment. Of course, I’m not insulting those present, but rather the delegates who approved the Fusang Hundred-Man Squad’s visit. Are your brains stuck in a door? Damn it! They say cultivators have long since abandoned all sense of nationhood, and now I finally see it for myself.

“You miserable fools, just you wait! I swear, I’ll wipe you all out—my word is my bond! If you can’t take me down, then I’ll take you with me!

“Tonight, I’ll lead my men in presenting the Fusang Hundred-Man Squad with a little welcome gift. We’ll also be eliminating a few traitors on the side. Details and targets will be announced at eight. Please stay tuned.

“Lastly, thanks to all the citizens who support me. Don’t worry about me. Since I’ve promised that the Fusang squad won’t return, I’ll make sure it happens! If not, I’ll livestream myself… well, you know! I’m sure many of you are curious about just how bold I can be! But I’m afraid you’ll end up disappointed…”

“Hahahaha…”

As Ye Yang finished, laughter erupted.

When the broadcast ended, the sun had dipped completely behind the mountains, and what little light remained was swallowed by sudden, dark clouds.

Soon after, a light rain began to fall.

At seven-thirty, Ye Yang and Long Xiaoqing led their team into Shu City.

Zhao Fei’s estate was on the city’s western edge, surrounded by rows of luxurious villas.

Ye Haishan and the five Fusang cultivators were residing in those villas.

Just as Ye Yang entered the city, all of them had gathered at the estate.

Zhao Fei wore a grave expression, pacing anxiously in the living room. Ye Haishan, the five Fusang cultivators, and more than a dozen other elite members of the Bureau shared his unease.

After Ye Yang’s live broadcast was posted, netizens across the country began speculating about his whereabouts. Among them were some sharp minds, and it didn’t take long for one to identify the plant visible behind Ye Yang as unique to Southwest China.

Southwest China?

As soon as Zhao Fei learned of this, he ordered an investigation. After half an hour, his men reported back: satellite images showed Ye Xun’s Sky Patrol had lingered over southern waters before turning east.

Hearing this, Zhao Fei’s eyelids twitched and an ominous premonition crept into his heart. Without delay, he summoned all his trusted subordinates.