Chapter Sixty: The Plan Sets in Motion!

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Because of the presence of cultivators, there were basically no standing armies left in any country around the world. However, the air force and missile units had been retained. In Huaxia, both the Air Force and the Rocket Corps remained under the control of Tian Zhong. Huaxia had always maintained strict military discipline, and these two branches were still exemplary in their order.

At five in the morning, urgent sirens blared across military airfields throughout the Northeast and Central-Southern regions of Huaxia. At the same time, every missile base in Huaxia that could target Fusang was readied, every missile aimed squarely at that nation.

In the military command center beneath Xiajing, an emergency operations meeting was convened at the exact same moment.

As the military action commenced, Yang Ye made a phone call from Xiajing to Tang Youzhong. Tang and his companions were in the midst of training at the Xiajing Inspectorate, for soon, when state-run martial arts academies opened in cities across the country, these individuals would become the first generation of head instructors.

Upon receiving Yang Ye’s call, Tang Youzhong sprang into action without delay. In less than half an hour, over a hundred cultivators at the Stellar level had gathered at the Xiajing Inspectorate.

In the meeting room, Tang Youzhong raised a list in his hand and declared, “These families still harbor treacherous hearts. They dare to plot against Inspector Ye and subvert the new order. Their aim is to return to the days when they controlled Huaxia from the shadows. Inspector Ye commands that these twenty-four families must vanish from Huaxia before dawn!

“You should all understand—defending Chairman Tian’s new policies is not merely for the nation; we, too, will benefit. After this battle, some of you may not survive, but rest assured: as long as Inspector Ye and Chairman Tian remain, your families will want for nothing. Your children, if gifted, will be given every opportunity to cultivate. Now, if anyone wishes to withdraw from this operation, leave the room at once.”

Tang Youzhong swept his gaze across the assembled group. No one left.

He nodded. “Now, you will all be divided into twenty-four teams…”

Once the assignments were complete, he said coolly, “Move out!”

The cultivators stood as one and quickly filed out of the meeting room.

…

Beneath Xiajing, in the underground military command center.

“Chairman, all preparations are ready. The Inspectorate’s people are on the move as well…” A middle-aged man in uniform strode over, saluted Tian Zhong, and reported in a loud voice.

“Understood,” Tian Zhong replied calmly.

The officer saluted again and departed.

Minute by minute, time crawled by. Everyone in the command center held their breath, fearful of disturbing the Chairman’s decision.

When the clock struck six, Tian Zhong smiled. “Since we’ve come this far, let’s begin.”

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Almost the instant Tian Zhong’s words fell, thousands of missiles were launched simultaneously from across Huaxia, soaring like arrows toward Fusang.

Meanwhile, at the airfields, over five hundred advanced fighter jets that had been readied took off one by one, streaking through the darkness toward their target.

As the military operation began, Tang Youzhong and his group’s battle to exterminate the twenty-four cultivator families reached its most intense phase.

With a dull thud, Tang Youzhong was struck by a late-stage Stellar cultivator and sent crashing heavily to the ground. Coughing up blood, Tang Youzhong looked up with a faint smile at his opponent advancing with murderous intent.

The one who had dealt him this grievous blow was Sun Qian, the strongest among the cultivators of the twenty-four families. As leader of the operation, Tang Youzhong had naturally chosen the toughest opponent to face.

On the verge of being slain by Sun Qian, Tang Youzhong felt no regret. He knew Inspector Ye would avenge him.

“Ye Tianzu isn’t here, Tang. You small fry think you can make waves in Xiajing? You overestimate yourselves,” Sun Qian sneered as he drew nearer.

“Sun Qian…”

Before he could finish, a calm voice sounded behind him. Sun Qian whirled around in alarm to see a towering figure—Zhu Xiong.

“Zhu Xiong!” Sun Qian exclaimed in surprise.

Zhu Xiong chuckled and addressed Tang Youzhong, who lay on the ground. “Inspector Ye knew you lot would struggle to wipe out these families. The casualties would be heavy. He couldn’t spare himself, so he sent me to deal with the tougher trash.”

Sun Qian had already gauged Zhu Xiong’s level and scoffed, “Another mid-Stellar cultivator, all talk and bluster.”

With that, Sun Qian flicked his hand, unleashing a surge of star power to bind Zhu Xiong. In a flash, he appeared before Zhu Xiong and struck at his head with a killing blow.

But—

With a deafening blast, Zhu Xiong’s body shook, shattering the bindings with sheer force, and he unleashed a punch at Sun Qian’s descending hand.

With another heavy thud, Zhu Xiong’s fist met Sun Qian’s palm like a drill, pulverizing his hand and arm in an instant.

Wracked with pain, Sun Qian staggered back, barely dodging Zhu Xiong’s relentless advance.

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Zhu Xiong was not about to let him escape. With a series of rapid movements, he intercepted the fleeing Sun Qian and landed a heavy punch right in his chest.

Sun Qian, who had faced Tang Youzhong with such confidence only moments before, now crashed to the ground in agony, more gravely wounded than Tang himself.

“How… how is this possible? You’re only… mid-Stellar…” Sun Qian gasped, blood pouring from his lips, staring at Zhu Xiong in utter disbelief.

Zhu Xiong grinned. “I spent decades pounding copper pillars in prison—you think that was for nothing? Cultivation isn’t only about increasing star power; the body matters too. Of course, compared to Inspector Ye and his monstrous wife, I’m still far behind!”

With that, Zhu Xiong stepped up to Sun Qian, raised his foot, and stomped down hard on his face.

A sickening crunch—Sun Qian’s skull was shattered.

“Tang Youzhong, rest easy. That was the last one. The casualties in the other teams weren’t as heavy as yours,” Zhu Xiong said with a smile after slaying Sun Qian.

“Cough… Thank you, Warden Zhu,” Tang Youzhong replied gratefully, clutching his chest as he struggled to his feet.

Zhu Xiong waved a hand and turned to leave.

…

A few minutes past six.

The sky was still dark. Aboard the prow of the Celestial Patrol, Yang Ye held a high-powered telescope, gazing toward Fusang.

In the distant sky, missiles streaked bright trails of flame, raining down like meteors upon Fusang’s territory and the surrounding seas.

Dozens of hunting vessels anchored offshore were soon destroyed.

Even from over a hundred nautical miles away, the flames and thunderous detonations were visible and audible. The sheer magnitude of the blasts made it clear: the hunting ships, laden with explosives, had been detonated.

“Everyone, brace yourselves—big waves incoming!” Yang Ye shouted into the intercom.

Sure enough, moments later, colossal waves rolled in from the direction of Fusang. Even the massive Celestial Patrol was tossed about by the surging sea.