Cosmic-Level Demon God
Chapter 248 - 164: Nightfall Approaches, Time to Hunt!

Chapter 248: Chapter 164: Nightfall Approaches, Time to Hunt!

"The Fourth Battle Group is arriving in Heng Province? The millennia-old rotation at the frontier is over!"

Chen Ruofu was shocked upon hearing this. He hadn’t expected that the reopening of the wilderness trial by the Heng Province Martial Arts Association would hide such intricate details behind the scenes.

Soon after, the figurehead of Tai’an sensed a faint air of crisis. The Central City had received the news but hadn’t leaked it, only explaining the reasons at this moment. It was clear they intended to isolate both Tai’an Metropolitan Area and himself.

"Is someone in Central City’s upper echelon trying to shake us?"

Chen Ruofu, shrewd and experienced, had a very keen sense.

He squinted at the two representatives, secretly pondering:

"Zhou Yuanchen represents the Central City, while Ji Yuqi and Pei Han are from the Urban Circle. Both the Martial Arts Association and the Education Department are strongly pushing for Zhou Yuanchen, possibly to show the Military Department and Dongxia that Central City’s strength is unquestionably at Heng Province’s highest level."

Fang Butang picked up the enamel cup from the table, took a sip of steaming tea, and then tried to ease the atmosphere:

"Old Chen and I have always supported the Central City’s resolutions and respect the Education Department and Martial Arts Association. However, suddenly taking such a big step, isn’t it too aggressive? The fifty-person death quota means we have to accept that half the people may not make it.

"Representatives, it’s not easy to cultivate good seedlings at schools, and besides, these children are raised by their parents. Who can bear it if they die mysteriously? At that time, public outrage may cause an unpleasant uproar."

Representative Li, a senior member of the Martial Arts Association, nodded and explained:

"Your concerns are not unfounded. The intensity of the Great Expedition is far less than in past millennia. Since it’s not wartime, making it bloody and brutal indeed easily fosters resistance.

"Minister Chen, Commissioner Fang, please rest assured. The Martial Arts Association and the Education Department have arranged professional rescue teams. We are only considering the worst-case scenario, which is why we applied for the fifty-person death quota. It doesn’t mean we will sit by and let those children die miserably."

Another representative, Zhou, also spoke up:

"The Great Rift Valley was a battlefield during Heng Province’s pioneering period, severely polluted. Many Esoteric Buddhism members and mutated martial artists have taken it as a base. Undeniably, it’s quite dangerous for participants below the specialized level. Therefore, every participant will wear a wrist terminal before receiving their equipment.

"That device stays in standby mode and is not subject to electronic interference. If they encounter an overwhelming enemy, it can send a signal to break through the blockade. Nearly twenty rescue teams are on standby, ensuring that they arrive within fifteen minutes."

Fang Butang still hesitated. As an Education Commission leader facing Qiguang Heng University and other universities, the pressure on him was greater:

"Fifteen minutes, Representative Zhou, the risk factor is still high, and the possibility of accidents..."

Representative Zhou’s expression remained neutral, but his tone turned much colder:

"Commissioner Fang, you must understand, in recent years, fewer graduates from Qiguang Heng University’s Martial Arts System have been selected for officer school or joined battle groups. As a top local academy in Heng Province, you can’t compare to the same level universities, such as Lin Zhaohai University or Yanzhou Yang University.

"Fifty years ago, Qiguang Heng University was a favorite recruitment ground for various battle groups. If Tai’an’s students can’t tell the basic strength between us and enemies, impulsively becoming cannon fodder and unable to ensure their survival... pardon my bluntness, but being screened out is just as it should be."

Fang Butang was at a loss for words, so Chen Ruofu stepped in to smooth things over:

"The Fourth Battle Group’s rotation term is ending. Who will replace them? I remember the Fourth Battle Group repelled nearly three hundred major attacks this millennium. Their achievements are impressive. When the legion commanders return to the Imperial Capital, they should be awarded."

Representative Li, not wanting things to get too tense, picked up the conversation:

"The Fourth Battle Group will continue to guard the frontier’s first line of defense. This time they are restructuring and resting. In two years, they will re-enter the frontier war zone. As for the replacements, the Ninth Battle Group will temporarily take over the defense.

"As usual, everyone says the Fourth Battle Group has bad luck in drawing lots. Over four millennia, they’ve been assigned to the rotation war three times. There’s nothing more to say."

Chen Ruofu didn’t elaborate. The long-term rotation of the Fourth Battle Group had kept their casualty rate high, making it a sensitive topic tacitly acknowledged within the Military Department.

It was well known that officers from the Fourth Battle Group were mostly hot-tempered, very cohesive, and had a sense of belonging and honor rarely seen in other groups. Touching one would provoke a group reaction, and even the military police wouldn’t dare be too harsh.

There had been an incident where a certain colonel personally led men to smash the police district’s guard office to pieces.

The cause was merely a few low-ranking soldiers from the Fourth Battle Group who were caught drinking and dining in the canteen before their discharge.

During the process, physical pushing and shoving led to those low-ranking soldiers being handcuffed and confined for twelve hours.

Within six hours, the colonel arrived with a large contingent. According to rumors, he even mobilized a freshly repaired battleship, with its cannon aimed directly at the guard office entrance.

The most absurd part was that after the incident, the colonel was not held accountable. The Military Department’s leadership seemed to maintain a subtle agreement to turn a blind eye.

"The Fourth Battle Group is the elite of Dongxia, a strong force that has fought countless battles. When they arrive in Heng Province, even Lord Governor must treat them with respect. Hopefully, this time the top hundred competition will produce a few standout talents, so the Military Department knows that our Heng Province youth are second to none!"

Chen Ruofu set the tone, effectively accepting the representatives’ plan.