54: Chapter 54 Dawn Breaks, Dark Currents and Shadows Appear in Southern Border

Three days' time is neither long nor short.

But for the land of North Wa, which had just undergone a baptism of blood and fire, these three days were like glass being vigorously wiped by an invisible giant hand; the grime faded away, gradually revealing the clear outline it was meant to have.

The Death God Legion's mopping-up operations, conducted in small, decentralized units, were startlingly efficient. With the cooperation of local guides familiar with the terrain and the newly formed militia, one remnant cyber-scam den after another, hidden deep in the mountain forests or the corners of villages, was uprooted.

Some were small workshops of only ten or twenty people; some were scam "studios" attempting to change their appearance and disguise themselves as normal companies; and some were scattered Wa State soldiers or compound thugs huddled together, trying to resume their old trade or simply becoming outlaws.

The outcome was without suspense. Faced with the absolute strength and precise intelligence of the Death God Legion, these remnant forces were like grasshoppers in autumn—unable to hop for long before being crushed.

During those three days, hundreds more compatriots who had been moved or hidden were rescued, and over two hundred recalcitrant elements were killed or captured.

More importantly, as these dark corners were illuminated and swept clean one by one, a long-lost, tangible sense of security began to permeate the towns and countryside of North Wa.

The ordinary people, who previously walked the streets with shifting eyes and hurried steps, fearing they would be caught as "piglets" or have "protection fees" collected, seemed to straighten their backs a bit more.

The markets became bustling again; the sound of bargaining contained less fear and more vitality.

At night, many families even dared to sleep without locking their doors—of course, this would take time, but the change was indeed happening.

The civil administration system led by Li Lanzhi demonstrated an efficiency no less than that of the military during these three days.

Under her command now was a considerable administrative team composed of administrative talent Death Soldiers exchanged from the system, Dragon Country border residents, literate local youth, and some former officials willing to cooperate.

Like industrious worker ants, they promoted the policies and laws of "Dawn" to every village using the most straightforward language.

"Abolish all exorbitant taxes and levies! Only necessary taxes will be collected according to the newly promulgated 'Dawn' Livelihood Tax Law, to be used for road repairs, running schools, and building clinics!"

"Establish the 'Hall of Justice'! Anyone with grievances or who has suffered oppression may come to complain! Once verified, it will be handled strictly!"

"Recruit civilian workers for work-relief programs to repair roads and bridges, with daily settlements in grain or wages!"

"Open temporary schools; all school-age children can enroll for free to learn to read and write!"

"Organize medical teams for rural tours, selling medicine at fair prices; those with serious illnesses can apply for subsidies!"

One tangible policy after another for the benefit of the people was transmitted through loudspeakers, flyers, and even speakers going from house to house.

At first, there was skepticism and observation, but when the first truck of relief grain was actually delivered to farmers who had run out of food, when the first merchant extorted by local thugs actually received justice at the "Hall of Justice," and when the first sick child received treatment at a temporary medical point... trust, like a nourishing spring rain, began to seep in bit by bit.

Outside Pangkham, at a road construction site currently under way, the supervisors were not thugs with whips, but technicians wearing "Dawn" armbands who were also working. Although the laborers working around them were in rags and looked malnourished, there was light in their eyes; as they swung their pickaxes with all their might, they could even crack a few jokes with each other.

"Old Yan, I heard your second son went to the school yesterday?"

"He went, he went! That mister... no, teacher, is from Dragon Country. He speaks so kindly and even gave out notebooks and pens!" The middle-aged man called Old Yan wiped away sweat, an uncontrollable smile on his face. "Those bastards, the former Wa State officials, only knew how to ask for money. They didn't care if the kids studied or not!"

"Yeah, this 'Dawn'... seems really different."

"Even if it's different, we have to keep watching," an older man nearby lowered his voice. "In the south... the Bao family isn't finished yet. Who knows how long this situation will last."

These words made the people around them fall silent for a moment, but soon, a young man straightened his back, looked at the black flag fluttering in the distance, and said: "I don't care how long it lasts! At least for now, I can eat my fill, the kid can go to school, and I don't have to fear being taken away at night. These days are better than before! If 'Dawn' really fights to the south, I... I'll go sign up to be a militiaman!"

"You? You're as thin as a hemp stalk!"

"What's wrong with being a hemp stalk? It's better than being a coward who hides his head!"

A burst of good-natured laughter rang out on the construction site, and the dull atmosphere of labor lightened considerably.

The people's hearts were leaning toward "Dawn" bit by bit at a visible speed. Although the foundation was still shallow, and although there was still doubt and unease in the shadows, the light had already pierced through the thick dark clouds, shedding its first ray of tangible warmth.

In stark contrast to the gradually reviving vitality of North Wa was South Wa, where the depression and despair within the Wa State Southern Military District Headquarters were almost palpable.

Bao Youxiang seemed to have had his spirit drained overnight; his original aura of a powerful warlord was replaced by dejection and an uncontrollable malice.

He sat in a large chair with the latest intelligence summary spread out before him, which recorded in detail everything that had happened in North Wa over these three days: clearing remnants, appeasing the people, distributing food, developing water conservancy... Zhang Cheng had not only defeated him militarily but was also rapidly establishing a new order in the territory he had managed for decades, erasing all traces of the Bao family's existence!

"Buying hearts... small favors... hypocritical! Shameless!" A raspy low growl came from Bao Youxiang's throat, his fingers clawing at the smooth mahogany tabletop, leaving several white marks. "Those lowly commoners! Did I not give them enough? Now, for a little food and some empty promises, they've forgotten who the true master of this land is?!"

Xiao Mingliang stood to the side, the gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses equally gloomy, but he was calmer: "Commander-in-Chief, this lad Zhang Cheng is well-versed in the arts of power. He strikes at cyber-scams and rescues Dragon Country pig... people to cater to Dragon Country. He appeases the local populace to stabilize his foundation. Every step is placed extremely accurately. We can no longer treat him as just a martial man who only knows how to kill."

"Then you tell me what to do?!" Bao Youxiang suddenly looked up, his bloodshot eyes glaring at him. "Wait for him to finish digesting North Wa and lead a great army across the river to crush us like insects?!"

Wei Xuegang, who had been silent, spoke up now. His voice was steady but carried heavy pressure: "Fighting head-on is by no means a wise move. We have seen the combat effectiveness of Zhang Cheng's troops with our own eyes; their equipment, tactics, and morale far exceed ours. Now that he has gained the money, food, and hearts of North Wa, as he waxes and we wane, the gap will only grow larger."

"So we just sit and wait for death?!" Bao Youxiang almost slapped the table.

"Of course not." Wei Xuegang walked to the map, his finger pointing along the Salween River line. "The urgent priority is to consolidate the southern defensive line. Especially these main ferry crossings and riverbanks suitable for landing; we must send reinforcements, construct solid fortifications, deploy naval mines and obstacles, and form river defense patrols. Turn the Salween River into a natural moat and stall for as long as possible."

"At the same time," he turned to Bao Youxiang with sharp eyes, "we must strive for all possible external aid. Some of the old artillery and anti-tank missiles given by Naypyidaw have already been secretly delivered; though not many, they are usable. The key is to let them see our value, to see the hope of stalling or even wearing down Zhang Cheng, so that they will give more."

Xiao Mingliang added: "There are also the Karen National Union and the South Shan State Army. Their representatives have been waiting for two days. Although the conditions they offer are harsh, in the current situation, we must use their strength to form a joint defensive line on the south bank of the Salween River. We can even... secretly promise more, such as part of the interests in North Wa after the matter is settled..."

The muscles on Bao Youxiang's face twitched; making him spit out meat he had already eaten was more painful than killing him. But he knew this was the only choice at present. He gritted his teeth and said: "Agree to them! As long as we can kill Zhang Cheng, any condition can be discussed!"

"In addition," Xiao Mingliang's voice dropped even lower, almost to a whisper, "there has been a response from... 'Blood Moon'."

Bao Youxiang's spirits suddenly lifted, like a drowning man clutching at the last straw: "How is it?"

"'Phantom' has already taken the contract, and the deposit has been paid. He... has already set out." A flash of apprehension appeared in Xiao Mingliang's eyes. "'Blood Moon's' rule is to not ask about the process, only the result. 'Phantom' never fails. It's just... his asking price is indeed too high, and he requires complete autonomy in the operation; we are not allowed to have any form of surveillance or interference."

"Give it to him! Give it all to him!" Bao Youxiang growled with almost all his strength, his eyes filled with the madness of a desperate gamble. "As long as he can bring Zhang Cheng's head to me, I'll add another ten million US dollars! Tell 'Phantom' I don't care what method he uses—poison, sniping, bombs, or anything else—I want Zhang Cheng dead! The more miserable the death, the better! The sooner, the better!"

A death net woven from military alliances, external military aid, and a world-class assassin, nourished by hatred and fear, rapidly took shape in the shadows of South Wa.

At the center of the net, across a surging Salween River, it firmly locked onto the figure who was creating a new order in North Wa.

At the Bangkok Camp, Zhang Cheng had just finished listening to Old K's report on the reorganization of the troops and the receipt of equipment.

The integration of three hundred Intermediate Death Soldiers made the grassroots structure of the Death God Legion even more solid and powerful, and the newly arrived artillery and drones also greatly enhanced long-range strike and reconnaissance capabilities.

"Any new movements from the south?" Zhang Cheng asked, his gaze turning toward the southern end of the sand table.

"According to high-altitude reconnaissance by drones and intelligence sent back by border infiltration teams," Old K pulled up several pictures and map markings, "the South Wa side is increasing troops at several key nodes along the Salween River and constructing defensive fortifications; they are moving quickly.

At the same time, small groups of unidentified armed personnel (suspected to be scouts from the Karen National Union or the South Shan State Army) have appeared in some areas on the south bank of the river.

From the Naypyidaw side, secret transport convoys have entered Mong Pawk at night, and the dimensions of the unloaded cargo match artillery or missile launchers."

"A joint defensive line? External aid?" Zhang Cheng gave a cold laugh. "Bao Youxiang is pulling in every helper he can. A cornered beast's final struggle."

"Additionally," Old K added, his tone still calm but the content unusual, "through vague warnings from Dragon Country National Security and 'Wang Wu's' channels, a top-tier international assassin codenamed 'Phantom' has had unclear movements recently, with a very high probability of having accepted an assassination contract targeting you. The client is suspected to be related to the South Wa side. This person has a 100% success rate in Dark Net records and excels in disguise, infiltration, long-range sniping, and precision demolition; the specific methods are unknown, and he is extremely dangerous."

"An assassin? 'Phantom'?" Zhang Cheng's brow twitched slightly; instead of fear, he felt it was somewhat interesting. It seemed Bao Youxiang was truly desperate; with no hope militarily, he had started playing dirty.

"Strengthen the security level of the camp and my daily activity areas, especially anti-sniping and anti-infiltration measures. Notify Li Lanzhi that the civil administration system should also conduct preliminary screenings to prevent the assassin from infiltrating in disguise," Zhang Cheng ordered, and then the corners of his mouth curled into a cold arc. "However, don't be too nervous. If he wants to come, let him. This is a perfect chance for our 'guest' to see what an iron wall is, and what it means to have no return."

He walked to the window and looked at the lights of Pangkham city gradually turning on; it was the faint but resilient light he had brought. Meanwhile, in the deep darkness of the south, the venomous snake had already bared its fangs, and a lethal shadow was quietly approaching.