"Brother Xian, do you have anything else to add?" Gu Ya asked.
Xian Wangchuan, on the other side of the communication data stream, thought for a long time and said, "For now, let's proceed as we discussed.
"After I finish what I'm busy with, I'll head to the Western Hemisphere.
"As for the subterranean survivors you mentioned, we'll need to send others to search for them.
"But I'm worried there aren't many survivors left."
Gu Ya said, "Leveraging your past connections, contact the countries of the Labuyo Continent in the Western Hemisphere. The journey is long, but safety is my priority.
Xian Wangchuan said with a hint of concern, "If we can find Haiyang, it can also slow down the progress of Black Star's world-ending plan."
Gu Ya replied, "None of the classified intelligence contains any information about Haiyang.
"I even suspect that Haiyang is a fabricated piece of misinformation intentionally created by Black Star to deceive us."
Xian Wangchuan no longer dwelled on the issue and changed the subject, "Who do you plan to send to search for the subterranean people?"
Gu Ya calmly stated, "Everyone available is already assigned to tasks. If absolutely necessary, I'll go myself.
"I do have some candidates: Shen Jingming and Hong Lian," Xian Wangchuan said lightly.
Gu Ya cautiously replied, "Shen Jingming has Xian Xia backing him, and Hong Lian just gave birth. They might not be suitable."
Xian Wangchuan said, "I'll talk to them."
Gu Ya added, "The Jinquan Nation just severed its subordinate relationship with the Black Star Empire. Black Star hasn't had time to deal with them yet; we must win them over before our plan is implemented.
"As for the small countries in the Great Palm Continent, Wang Shangmeng and Yoda can go.
"For the Old Day Sect and the Southern Jin Nation, Master Liang and Ning Yu can go."
Xian Wangchuan said, "Gu Ya, you know this is ultimately just a drop in the bucket."
Gu Ya nodded, how could he not know? But with Xian Xia unwilling to participate, they could only scour the world for allies.
So many problems arose after chatting with Xian Wangchuan.
The strategist's considerations were indeed thorough.
Xian Wangchuan paused and said, "Gu Ya, I also have a 'powerful medicine' that can force Xian Xia to participate.
"No..." Gu Ya protested, "Even if it's the worst-case scenario, Xian Xia is our homeland. We can't use our compatriots' lives as the 'medicine.'
"Wrong!"
Xian Wangchuan stated,
"We will be the 'medicine.'
"But the price is, we must burn our bridges behind us."
Gu Ya was somewhat puzzled, that Brother Xian still had a hidden move: "Tell me about it."
Xian Wangchuan said, "We'll proceed step by step.
"First, all companies under the Gu Lang Group will terminate all technological cooperation with Black Star, including research and supply of anti-body drugs.
"Second, we will widely spread the 'Xian Xia Threat Theory' within Black Star to create panic among the Black Star populace. This will create an incident where Xian Xia's armed mechs appear over Black Star cities, solidifying the Xian Xia threat theory.
"Third... we will have to tamper with our foundation."
Gu Ya calmly urged, "Brother Xian, speak your mind."
Xian Wangchuan continued, "Sell off the assets of the Gu Lang Group, retaining only the most core technology industries. Purchase a large number of Xian Xia mechs to support the allied nations, providing intelligence and weaponry as well.
"This will ignite the spark of alliance among Xian Xia-affiliated countries worldwide to resist together.
"After that, it will be your plan to get more countries to join.
"At that point, Black Star will face multiple fronts. Those small countries are easy to suppress, but the main challenge will be Xian Xia.
"After dealing with the disobedient countries, Black Star will inevitably retaliate against Xian Xia."
Gu Ya understood Xian Wangchuan's intention and said, "We'll cut off our own flesh to make the two wolves fight each other.
"As expected, it's a 'powerful medicine' that cuts oneself."
Xian Wangchuan asked, "How much time do you have left on the intelligence you hold?"
Gu Ya summoned the Star Blueprint, and after checking, said, "Three weeks!
"Black Star's external military plans are constantly changing, and the predictable plans only have three weeks left.
"Three weeks..." Xian Wangchuan murmured, "Time is of the essence, I'll set off immediately.
"Oh, and Liu Feng, lend him to me."
Gu Ya, not understanding, asked why.
Xian Wangchuan replied, "Your good brother went to Xian Xia City and, after being enlightened by Ye Zhenjun, suddenly had an epiphany. Who knows what he went through.
"He'll be enough as my bodyguard."
Gu Ya laughed, "That guy! I knew I didn't choose wrong back then.
"Xian Wangchuan said, "Yes, then I'll see you in Shanhai City."
After ending the communication,
Gu Ya's consciousness flowed back to his physical body,
and he suddenly found himself in a different room!
"What's going on?" Gu Ya turned to Ye Ying and asked.
Ye Ying briefly explained the situation.
As soon as she finished speaking, they heard Ning Yu shouting next door with all her might: "Indecent assault—!"
"What is Xiao Yu up to now?" Gu Ya asked calmly.
Ye Ying smiled slightly and said, "Probably because of a miracle."
Wang Shangmeng slowly pushed open the door and looked inside.
Ning Yu was holding the blanket to cover her chest,
and there was a clear red handprint on Miracle's right cheek.
"What are you two doing? Making such a fuss," Wang Shangmeng asked leisurely.
Ning Yu's eyes widened, and she said nervously, "Brother Wang! Quickly come save me, Miracle is trying to assault me.
"He brought me here and is confining me!!"
Wang Shangmeng's face darkened, and he turned to Miracle, saying, "Why didn't you explain to her?"
Bai Zhan · Hen, sitting on a chair by the door, crossed his arms and said calmly, "Xiao Ning slapped Miracle as soon as she woke up. There wasn't time to explain.
"Why did he put his face so close!!" Ning Yu pointed at Miracle and shouted.
Wang Shangmeng called out, "Alright! Stop arguing.
"I hear Gu Ya calling us, let's go."
Hearing Gu Ya's summons, everyone got up and headed for the door.
Ning Yu remained in bed, shouting, "Doesn't anyone want to explain what happened to me! Hey!!"
Miracle covered his face and said coldly, "Explain my ass! Come if you want, or don't."
The group arrived by Gu Ya's bed, with Ning Yu entering last.
Gu Ya distributed tasks to everyone,
and handed out the military intelligence he had on Black Star according to their assignments.
"After this parting, we might not see each other for a long time. Carry out your tasks as needed. If you're short on money, you can contact me anytime.
"As always, may you be safe, and take care of yourselves."
"Master!" Ning Yu said reluctantly, "Can I not go? I can stay and protect Mistress's safety!"
Gu Ya showed displeasure and asked, "Who is protecting whom, exactly?"
Ning Yu stuck out her tongue and lowered her head awkwardly.
Wang Shangmeng immediately stood up and said, "Alright, Yoda and I will leave now." After nodding to Gu Ya, he turned and left with Yoda.
Liang Yuwei had remained silent. After listening to Gu Ya's plan, he said, "I have no problem. Ning Yu, let's go.
"Master~" Ning Yu tried to hold back,
but Liang Yuwei grabbed her collar and dragged her away.
Bai Zhan · Hen watched the four leave, then said to Gu Ya, "I'm not sure if I can complete the mission, but I'll do my best.
"Regarding the spreading of rumors, I'll need a significant amount of funds to buy influence and operate."
Gu Ya nodded and said, "I understand, Brother Bai Zhan.
"Actually, among these tasks, yours, Miracle's, and Sister Shu Rou's are the most dangerous.
"I believe you have the ability to complete them."
After speaking, Gu Ya conjured twenty exclusive secret space instruments and handed them to Bai Zhan · Hen, saying,
"Two hundred million white star coins have been deposited into your account, legally sourced, with no known origin. Use them with confidence.
"The rest will be up to yourselves."
Miracle patted his chest and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Brother Gu, we will definitely complete the mission.
"Don't worry!" Fei Hong · Shu Rou nodded solemnly.
As the three were about to leave, Gu Ya said, "Miracle... here are some of my mech ultimate techniques, take them back and practice them well."
A mech code storage disk instantly appeared in Gu Ya's hand.
Miracle caught it steadily, twitched for a few seconds, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Brother Gu, I will!"
After seeing off all his friends and family,
the room became quiet.
Gu Ya checked the time and realized five hours had passed.
"Ying, take this..."
Gu Ya handed her a communicator and said, "When you get any news, record it immediately. You'll only have five minutes. It will be automatically deleted afterward.
"Yes, okay," Ye Ying said gently, stroking Gu Ya's forehead, "Sleep now, I'll see you in two days."
Gu Ya nodded and slowly closed his eyes.