502: Sea creatures' provocation

Long Yuan's current demeanor was truly beyond the expectations of the two young women.

They had, of course, come bearing a mission from their Family, so before arriving, they had reviewed Long Yuan's dossier repeatedly, thinking they understood him well.

However, after stepping into this tent, they discovered that the person they were facing was vastly different from the dossier, even completely unrecognizable, which made them feel somewhat panicked!

The unknown is what is most terrifying, and the current Long Yuan gave them a profound sense of strangeness and distance.

Although they were in the same tent, they felt a great distance from Long Yuan, not even knowing how to begin a conversation; how could they possibly complete their mission under these circumstances?

The reason for this feeling was that everything here felt strange and novel to them.

Those massive light screens were live-streaming footage from various locations.

Those places were located across the Daming Empire, yet now they magically appeared in the same small space.

Furthermore, even a place as sacred and authoritative as the Daming Imperial Court could actually be live-streamed here; one had to wonder, what place couldn't be live-streamed?

Yet Long Yuan looked so calm and composed, as if doing this was neither difficult nor improper.

They didn't know how he achieved it, or who gave him the audacity to even dare live-stream the Imperial Court!

However, thinking of Long Yuan's status, the two felt that he really might be capable of it; after all, he was a direct imperial grandson, and even if something happened, he wouldn't face punishment like others...

At this moment, Geng Nanfeng had recovered his composure.

He thought for a moment and said, "Long Yuan, you must have seen the situation at the two battlefields of Shanhai Pass and Linhai City, right?"

"Indeed!" Long Yuan nodded and said.

"Then how do you think the strength of our Daming garrison compares to the Sea Race?"

"At a disadvantage!" Long Yuan said directly.

"Oh? Could you be more specific?" Geng Nanfeng pressed.

"Well, it's just like our Daming's Tier 1 base attacking a Tier 3 base..." Long Yuan made an analogy.

"What?!" Geng Nanfeng and Qi Xuming exclaimed, becoming somewhat unsettled.

Beside them, Xu Chuanzhong snorted, "What is there to be so surprised about? If it weren't for Long Yuan stepping in, do you really think those garrisons could have repelled the Sea Race?!"

"Oh? Brother Xu, could you explain in detail?" Geng Nanfeng asked humbly.

"Hmph, it's a long story..." Xu Chuanzhong replied noncommittally.

Geng Nanfeng turned to Long Yuan, "Long Yuan, why don't you tell us?"

"Senior, don't be anxious. You can watch the saved videos when you have time. For now, why don't we look at the situation at Shanhai Pass..."

"Shanhai Pass? Is there another battle?!" Everyone was startled.

"Yes! The Sea Race has now reinforced themselves with over a dozen mid-tier forces, greatly increasing their strength. Combined with their previous forces, they are already preparing to counterattack Shanhai Pass!" Long Yuan explained.

"Good heavens..." Everyone was terrified upon hearing this. Even Xu Chuanzhong felt uneasy, because the person currently defending Shanhai Pass was Xu Yanran of his Xu Family.

If Shanhai Pass wasn't held, the reputation of the Xu Family would be affected.

Moreover, as a key northern stronghold, if Shanhai Pass fell, the Sea Race could likely drive straight in, perhaps even slaughtering their way to Shuntian Prefecture. Therefore, Shanhai Pass had to be held at all costs...

He hurriedly asked, "Long Yuan, you will intervene, right? My eldest and third have already left that place with their men; it's impossible for them to turn back halfway."

"Rest assured, haven't I already dispatched two convoys there!" Long Yuan smiled and said.

"Oh, right! Where are they now?" Xu Chuanzhong realized.

"They have already arrived nearby, but they won't enter the battlefield for now; instead, they are hiding on the sidelines..."

"Oh? Your plan is..." Xu Chuanzhong asked curiously.

"Why don't you watch the Sea Race's actions first..." Long Yuan teased, holding back the answer.

He enlarged the light screen for Shanhai Pass. Everyone looked and discovered that the Sea Race indeed had suspicious movements.

A group of powerful Sea Race experts were sweeping in from the sea. At the same time, about 500 meters from Shanhai Pass, a group of Daming Mortals appeared, bound tightly.

There were over three hundred of them, appearing to all be Mortals.

It was unknown where the Sea Race had captured them; they were likely scattered residents caught nearby.

They had either failed to evacuate in time or were hiding with wishful thinking, only to be discovered and captured by the Sea Race.

At this moment, these Daming Mortals all had miserable expressions.

They never imagined they would end up in such a plight, but it was too late for regrets!

On Shanhai Pass, the garrison soldiers watched this scene, their eyes splitting with rage and their expressions tragic.

Although those people were just Mortals, and usually didn't even count as cannon fodder in their eyes, but now that the two armies were facing off, the opponent pushing these people to the front lines was a naked act of provocation!

It should be noted that the Fusang People were even live-streaming this scene online, and the online buzz was currently skyrocketing...

"Look, look! So many Daming people have been captured by them!"

"They look so miserable, the Sea Race is too cruel..."

"It was the Fusang People who captured them! The Fusang People are so hateful! Are they going to use them as meat shields?"

"Can someone save them? These are over three hundred living lives..."

"Whoever saves them, I will reward them with one hundred xuan stones per life!"

"I will also reward one hundred xuan stones!"

"And me..."

"And me..."

As the popularity of this event rose, more and more people on the Daming and international networks paid attention.

Many people hated the Sea Race and the Fusang People to the bone, because doing such a thing showed they had absolutely no bottom line.

Both sides had completely torn through the superficial layer of so-called international relations, and more people hoped that someone could save those poor commoners.

Some even openly offered a reward: one hundred xuan stones for one life.

The Daming side naturally understood this situation. The question of whether or not to save these commoners had already been put on the table.

Whether they saved them or not, it would be an extremely difficult choice!

Clearly, if they were to save them, they would inevitably pay a heavy price.

The Sea Race and Fusang People's action looked like a trap; they were likely just waiting for the Daming people to jump into it themselves.

And if they didn't save them, the Daming side would inevitably have to endure immense public pressure, as well as the views and attitudes of the domestic populace toward the military.

This was a major issue concerning the hearts of the people; once lost, it would be very difficult to win them back...

In the high tower's combat readiness room, Xu Yanran, Master Qing Yuan, Great Master Zhishen, Daoist Master Tianyi, Tang Zhenye, and Liu Xihe, Sect Leader of Kunlun Sect, and others watched this scene.

Each of them had a grave expression, their breathing accelerated, and their moods were extremely unsettled...