142: Chapter 142 National War

The white object that shot into the room was actually a letter.

Due to the force, the letter was embedded in a cabinet in the corner. Chen Aoyun took down the envelope and opened it; inside was an unsigned invitation:

"Outsider, I have a request and would like to invite you for a chat. If you agree to meet, simply ignite the invitation."

This tone sounds like one of the Famous Scholars in the compass.

"There is still one Famous Scholar missing from the compass. Was this letter sent by a Famous Scholar?"

For Raiders from all countries, the night is dangerous. Being able to send a letter at this time means it probably isn't a trap from other countries. If other countries, especially Sakura Country, had found this hiding place of the Dragon Country, they would have just attacked directly; there's no need to make it so complicated.

After hesitating for only a moment, Chen Aoyun followed the instructions in the letter and ignited the invitation inside the envelope.

A faint blue smoke rose, the surrounding scene shifted, and a figure whose body was made of blue smoke appeared before the four people from the Dragon Country.

The moment he saw this figure, the last Famous Scholar in Chen Aoyun's compass lit up.

[Famous Scholar: Ranger; Recommended Heroic Spirit type: Greenwood Hero]

"It really is a Famous Scholar, and one who can recommend a Heroic Spirit at that."

Chen Aoyun examined the information in the compass internally; the fact that the last appearing Famous Scholar could recommend a Heroic Spirit was good news for the Dragon Country.

The Dragon Country was not the only one invited; Chen Aoyun also saw Raiders from other countries within the blue smoke.

Adar, the [Strategist] of the Ottoman, waved at Chen Aoyun boisterously;

while Saku Kenichi, the [Strategist] of the Sakura Country, cast a hostile gaze toward Chen Aoyun;

The other countries did not seem to pay much attention to the four from the Dragon Country, glancing at them casually before turning their attention back to the Famous Scholar in front of them.

"Outsiders, I know you are capturing the wanted criminals in the city. These wanted criminals are spreading terror and corruption in the city; they should be captured. However... it is not only these wanted criminals who are making deals with the Calamity Demon, but also some officials in the city! The City Defense Army has no authority to investigate officials, but these parasites of the city cannot be left unchecked. Do not just capture the wanted criminals when you see them; find the officials they are meeting with, and obtain evidence of the officials' crimes or relevant intelligence. Even just a name or information about their appearance is valid intelligence to me..."

The words of the Famous Scholar [Ranger] stunned everyone present.

He had issued a mission that slightly conflicted with the Famous Scholar [Officer].

The mission from the Famous Scholar [Officer] was to capture wanted criminals the moment they were seen, while this Famous Scholar's mission required not capturing them upon sight, but instead letting them act so as to uncover intelligence on the officials colluding with them.

In this way, the wanted criminals were suddenly related to two Famous Scholars, and since the [Officer]'s mission was not yet over, it involved a trade-off: when seeing a wanted criminal again, whether to continue using them to improve their ranking with [Officer] or to use them to complete the new mission for [Ranger]—the [Strategists] of each country were already weighing their options based on their own abilities and their existing rankings with [Officer].

"Use this to photograph evidence of officials and wanted criminals together, or other relevant intelligence, and I will be able to receive the information immediately."

The Famous Scholar [Ranger] spread his hands, and a small, square machine resembling a portable camera appeared in the hands of each country's [Strategist].

"I look forward to your actions. Everyone, farewell."

The figure of the Famous Scholar [Ranger] dissipated without a breeze, and the space conjured by the blue smoke began to become unstable. Before it completely dissipated, Saku Kenichi walked up to Chen Aoyun,

"Perhaps the Heroic Spirits of Huaxia are all very powerful, but if the Heroic Spirits cannot appear, then they are absolutely useless! Among all the current Famous Scholars, the Dragon Country does not have a single one with a favorability rating in the top three. What will you do next? Find a Famous Scholar to focus on? Which Famous Scholar is worth your focus? It's so hard to guess, could it be the Famous Scholar [Maritime Merchant]? If it really is [Maritime Merchant], that wouldn't be very good, because he is the Famous Scholar that my Sakura Country intends to focus on, and he is the one I have chosen too!"

This was definitely a deliberate provocation, but Chen Aoyun sighed inwardly,

"The Sakura people truly see through the current situation; they know that my only way to obtain Heroic Spirits lies with the Famous Scholar [Maritime Merchant]. These words are both a provocation and a form of psychological interference."

Not intending to change his established strategy, even though the Sakura people had made it clear that they would block the Dragon Country from gaining favorability with [Maritime Merchant], Chen Aoyun did not plan to switch targets.

Changing targets might just mean falling into the Sakura people's trap.

Or perhaps, not changing targets was the very intention behind the Sakura person saying this? Was it to deliberately stir the grass to scare the snake, testing whether the Dragon Country's next focus was truly on the Famous Scholar [Maritime Merchant]?

Unable to determine Saku Kenichi's intentions, Chen Aoyun responded in the simplest way: with a blank expression.

After Saku Kenichi walked away, Adar approached with a smiling face,

"What kind of feud do you Dragon Country people have with the Sakura Country, anyway? As far as I know, the Sakura people have contacted the [Strategists] of all countries, asking them to consider the Dragon Country when finally selecting Famous Scholars. The Sakura Country is offering benefits and promises without counting the cost, all to ensure that your Dragon Country cannot pick up any scraps! This is only the first act. Is it worth it? Is it cost-effective? How many benefits can you get from winning first place in one Game of National Destiny? With the Sakura Country targeting your Dragon Country like this, haven't you thought about whether there is a deeper reason?"

Chen Aoyun had thought about it, but couldn't figure it out. This was the first Game of National Destiny after the forces of another world took root on Blue Star; it was very special.

The special nature of the Game of National Destiny meant that the rewards might also be special.

The Sakura Country had come into contact with the power of another world and didn't want the Dragon Country to achieve good results?

But there was no need to sacrifice themselves for that!

Right now, the Sakura Country isn't doing any of its own Famous Scholar missions and is single-mindedly fixated on the Dragon Country. Why?

Chen Aoyun asked tentatively, "Do you have a clue?"

Adar did not speak, starting to play the 'riddler'.

Chen Aoyun thought for a moment, "Consider it a favor I owe you."

The Dragon Country lacked heritage, and Chen Aoyun was merely a newcomer to the Game of National Destiny.

How to regard this so-called favor was something Adar would have to weigh for himself.

"To be honest, I can personally accept your favor. But as a [Strategist] of the Ottoman, your so-called favor is too insignificant to mention."

Just when Chen Aoyun thought Adar wouldn't say anything, the other party suddenly changed the subject,

"However... no country wants the Sakura Country to swallow the Dragon Country all by itself, so I will give you two words: National War!"

Using one country's national destiny to cover another's, in order to annex the other country!

This is a new gameplay mode that appeared in the Game of National Destiny after the forces of another world invaded Blue Star!

Many powerful countries had learned of the appearance of this gameplay mode through their own heritage, but the Dragon Country, with its shallow heritage, did not know.

National War.

The side that actively initiates a National War consumes a massive amount of national destiny.

For the side being invaded, the higher its own national destiny, not only will it consume more of the opponent's national destiny, but it will also increase its own strength for self-preservation.

Therefore, the Sakura Country was sparing no cost to cause trouble in this Game of National Destiny.

The Dragon Country had not realized that 'National War' had been unlocked, and didn't even know what 'National War' was.

But Chen Aoyun, having met Tang Junlin, knew,

"The 'National War' can be initiated during the beta test?"

Chen Aoyun's heart sank,

"The Sakura people want to launch a 'National War' against the Dragon Country after this Game of National Destiny? Thank you, I will remember this favor for this intelligence!"