Chapter 154. Orthodox-Unorthodox War (3)
West of Shanghai.
Across a broad plain dotted with lakes of all sizes, the Orthodox Coalition and Unorthodox Coalition faced each other.
Naturally, the White Forest Alliance stood at the center of the Orthodox Coalition.
Dozens of massive banners had been raised, and their forces displayed an imposing presence behind tightly organized formations.
At the heart of it all, White Forest Alliance Leader Yang Weizheng was holding one final strategy meeting.
“What is the situation?”
At Yang Weizheng’s question, the executives inside the command tent answered one after another.
“The Unorthodox bastards have also formed up around the Black Dragon Society.”
“Their numbers seem to be roughly half of ours.”
“Slightly fewer than expected. They may have left troops inside Shanghai or be operating a separate detachment.”
“Everything remains within our predictions. We have countermeasures prepared.”
“I see.”
Yang Weizheng nodded as he listened.
“All conditions are in place.”
“Heaven’s timing, the advantage of the land, and unity among our people. All three are with us.”
"..."
“With our own hands, we will punish the vicious Unorthodox Faction... and drive them from this country.”
And in doing so...
they would make the country whole.
A united country would then face Pandemonium.
That was the long-held wish of the Orthodox forces, including the White Forest Alliance.
“Let’s go! Begin the full assault!”
“Yes, Alliance Leader!”
“Death to the Unorthodox Faction!”
“Unify this country!”
With his executives shouting around him, Yang Weizheng strode out of the tent without hesitation.
A battle that would decide everything was about to begin.
“I’m sorry, Lord Kang Yujin.”
Liu Xianfei bowed to Kang Yujin.
“Now that things have reached this point... I don’t think we can continue with the task you asked us to handle.”
“Yeah. I figured.”
The Black Dragon Society and White Forest Alliance were preparing to fight to the death.
There was no way they had the leisure to keep searching for Ha Mina.
“These are all the materials we gathered so far.”
Liu Xianfei handed him a document envelope.
“There isn’t much of substance, but please use it as reference.”
“Thanks.”
The envelope was fairly heavy.
Even if there wasn’t much useful information inside, it was obvious Liu Xianfei had been working hard to investigate.
“Lord Kang Yujin.”
"..."
“I know saying this may only offend you and make things worse.”
She hesitated.
“But...”
Liu Xianfei spoke carefully.
“You’ve probably already heard this, but objectively speaking, the Orthodox Faction has the advantage over the Unorthodox Faction.”
"..."
The White Forest Alliance headquarters had made the first move early on.
That had been decisive.
The smaller Unorthodox organizations had been thrown into confusion and defeated one after another.
That more than compensated for the loss of the White Forest Alliance’s Shanghai Branch.
At present, the objective balance of forces was considered roughly six to four.
“Could you... help the Black Dragon Society?”
“Sorry.”
Kang Yujin shook his head.
“I still haven’t made a decision.”
“Understood.”
Liu Xianfei nodded without argument.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“You may continue using this accommodation, but... we probably won’t be able to provide you with much support from now on.”
“I’ll be going to the front myself.”
“Got it. I’ll probably leave here soon anyway.”
“Yes. Do as you see fit.”
Before leaving, Liu Xianfei bowed one last time.
“Please... I’m asking you.”
Once she was gone, the residence became quiet.
Kang Yujin looked out the window.
Smoke from fires was rising from several places across the city.
With war approaching, Shanghai was becoming more tense by the hour.
"..."
With complicated feelings, Kang Yujin opened the envelope.
There were plenty of documents inside.
But as Liu Xianfei had said, none seemed particularly valuable.
The Church of the Morning Star... operated in China as an ordinary religious organization.
It was true that senior members of both the Black Dragon Society and White Forest Alliance had met Ha Mina.
But their cooperation had been limited to things such as charity and volunteer activities.
Every document in the envelope was related to things like that.
There was nothing suggesting human experimentation, kidnapping, or anything similar.
"...?"
Then the doorbell rang.
“Ma Taesu?”
The visitor was none other than Ma Taesu.
Kang Yujin opened the door.
Ma Taesu entered with a tired expression and sighed.
“Sorry. I’ve been busy lately.”
“Aren’t you participating in the Orthodox-Unorthodox War?”
“Why would I participate in a Chinese civil war?”
Come to think of it, Ma Taesu belonged to the Black Dragon Society...
but he was still Korean.
“Besides, the Black Dragon Society is currently at a disadvantage.”
Ma Taesu dropped onto the sofa and sighed again.
“There’s no need for me to volunteer for the front line.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah.”
He leaned back.
“There’s more than a ninety-percent chance the Unorthodox Coalition loses.”
“That high? I heard the balance of power was around six to four.”
“If you consider the sophistication of their strategy and tactics, along with the morale of their members, the Orthodox Coalition has an overwhelming advantage.”
Ma Taesu continued.
“And they have powerful support from Constellations.”
“Support from Constellations...”
“I heard several Constellations have been supporting them strongly from the beginning.”
“They believe the Orthodox side has the justification.”
“You mean they think the Black Dragon Society is guilty?”
“Yeah. The Constellations suspect that too.”
Kang Yujin had recently heard that the Orthodox-Unorthodox War had become one of the main topics among Constellations.
If those Constellations truly favored the Orthodox Coalition...
then the Unorthodox side was in an even worse position.
“Ma Taesu, what do you think?”
“About what?”
“Do you really think the Black Dragon Society did this?”
"..."
Ma Taesu crossed his arms and remained silent for a moment.
“Honestly... I think this is Ha Mina’s scheme.”
“Ha Mina’s scheme?”
“Think about it.”
Ma Taesu looked at him.
“Who benefits the most from a massive war between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions?”
“The Black Dragon Society?”
“The White Forest Alliance?”
He shook his head.
“Neither.”
"..."
That was true.
With war against Pandemonium approaching, starting an Orthodox-Unorthodox War would inflict enormous losses on both sides regardless of who won.
“Then who benefits the most?”
“Pandemonium.”
“Exactly.”
Ma Taesu nodded.
“If humans start killing each other, Pandemonium would welcome it.”
“Asmodeus, commander of the Eastern Region First Command, is probably celebrating right now.”
“But it feels strange for Pandemonium’s demons to use a scheme like this.”
“Agreed.”
Then who should they suspect?
