Chapter 138: Challenge

Chapter 138: Challenge

"Six months..."

Lu Heng returned from the Mist Crisis Task Force office and stood on the balcony of the training hall, gazing at the distant mountains.

T

Future scholars of the Abyssal Invasion divided the invasion into several periods, primarily based on the number of demons as the standard.

The initial six months of the Abyssal Descent marked the early phase, while the appearance of the mist indicated the gradual entry into the mid-phase, during which more and more demons would appear on Bluesphere.

With the emergence of the mist, the dangers within would accelerate.

This also led humans to begin retreating, gradually concentrating in cities.

The order of human society faced a severe challenge once again.

Lu Heng's thoughts wandered as he recalled and pondered, his mind drifting far away.

It wasn't until Su Muyu pushed the door open that he came back to his senses.

Shortly after, Lin Zeyu also arrived, and the team was complete.

Lu Heng formally announced the next task: "I have accepted the commission from the National Mist Crisis Task Force. In a couple of days, I will lead a team into the mist in Sulfur Valley to find a solution to the crisis. I called you here to discuss whether you want to go."

"Why not go? Why wouldn't we?" Lin Zeyu replied matter-of-factly.

"When we were conscripted, we were all required to be conscripted together, so we would have to go regardless. However, for this mission, if you don't want to go, you don't have to. The crisis team will send another group to accompany me into Sulfur Valley." Lu Heng explained briefly.

"I want to go, as long as you don't consider me a burden." Su Muyu looked at him with intense eyes.

"Alright, you're in." Lu Heng met her gaze, understanding her resolve, and agreed to her joining.

"Then what's there to talk about? If you two are going, why should I stay in Coastal City?" Lin Zeyu was even more straightforward, shrugging to show he didn't need to think about it.

"Alright, we're on the same page. We're expected to depart in two days. Prepare yourselves. This will be very dangerous, so you need to be well-prepared. You don't need to bring extra weapons or ammunition; the state has already equipped us."

Lu Heng thought for a moment and said, "There's another crisis team meeting the day after tomorrow. You'll all attend to discuss the specific plan of action."

"Alright, I'll go back and start preparing now." Lin Zeyu pointed towards the door.

"Hold on, remember the rugged off-road vehicle I asked you to get? Is it ready?" Lu Heng quickly asked.

Since they had the Mechanical Tiger, taking this large beast out wasn't very convenient.

Mainly because a Mechanical Beast running around on the streets would attract attention and be filmed and spread all over the internet.

Therefore, Lu Heng considered getting a large off-road vehicle and arranging a space for the Mechanical Tiger inside.

Since its liquid metal carapace could deform freely, it didn't require much space, as long as the vehicle had sufficient load capacity.

"I've already ordered a 20-series Dongfeng Mengshi. It's quite rugged, but since you asked for increased load capacity, it needs additional modifications, so it will be ready in a couple of days." Lin Zeyu replied.

"Alright, bring it over once it's ready." Lu Heng nodded.

"No problem, I'll have it driven over directly." Lin Zeyu prepared to go back and prepare the necessary supplies.

Just as he reached the door, he remembered something and walked back. "Oh, by the way, I almost forgot. I received a message today. The guy who's called the Kiushu Shinryu School's Sword Saint arrived on a flight yesterday."

Lu Heng furrowed his brow and said, "Why such bad timing."

They were about to set off for Sulfur Valley and had no time to deal with this person.

"Exactly, he had to come at this time. I don't know if he's here for us." Lin Zeyu had only received the message and knew that the leader of the Kiushu Shinryu School had arrived, but he didn't know the specific purpose of his visit.

After the last conflict, the Asia-Pacific CEO of the Haruka Corporation, Ono Kenji, was eliminated.

However, such a large multinational corporation couldn't just shut down because one CEO was gone.

So, one CEO fell, and another would naturally take his place.

However, the new Asia-Pacific CEO of the Haruka Corporation learned from the previous one's mistakes and acted much more low-key, not daring to provoke trouble.

Thus, there had been no major incidents in the past two months.

In the following two days, Lin Zeyu investigated the background of the Kiushu Shinryu School's Sword Saint and shared the information with Lu Heng.

The current leader of the Kiushu Shinryu School, Saito Makoto, was considered a contemporary Sword Saint.

Tsukakawa Shugaku was his disciple.

If even his disciple was considered one of the top ten swordsmen in Japan, one could imagine the reputation and status of Saito Makoto, the leader of the Kiushu Shinryu School.

However, two days passed, and Saito Makoto did not appear.

Lu Heng was uncertain about his purpose in Coastal City and had no time to deal with him, focusing instead on preparing for the Sulfur Valley mission.

On the morning of the departure, the Dongfeng Mengshi that Lin Zeyu ordered arrived.

Lu Heng brought the Mechanical Tiger into the independent garage and arranged for it to get on the vehicle.

Even with the load capacity modifications, the Dongfeng Mengshi still visibly sank slightly when the Mechanical Tiger got in.

Lu Heng had never driven this vehicle and had no time to get a driver's license, so he planned to have Lin Zeyu drive today, as the destination was a formal place.

There was still some time left.

Lu Heng went out to buy water from the supermarket. Just as he stepped out of the door, he was stopped by a person dressed in Japanese attire.

This person had a stern face and, after confirming Lu Heng's name, handed him a challenge letter.

However, this person looked to be only in his twenties and was not Saito Makoto.

Lu Heng did not take the challenge letter but instead asked coldly, "Who are you?"

The Japanese person did not answer but gestured to a car behind him.

The rear window of the sedan rolled down, revealing a middle-aged Japanese man in his forties or fifties, who turned his head and shot a sharp gaze at Lu Heng.

With just a glance, Lu Heng could tell that this man was powerful, especially with his piercing gaze like a sword. The moment their eyes met, it felt as though countless sword rays were clashing.

Lu Heng's expression turned solemn, thinking that the timing was too precise.

Just as they were about to set off, this challenge had arrived.

The challenge letter had been delivered right before them, and whether they chose to accept it or not, this matter had to be addressed.

Lu Heng gave it some thought, took the letter, and checked the time.

The time was set for seven days later.

This timing was problematic; it would be challenging to resolve the mist situation in the Sulfur Valley region within seven days.

Lu Heng pondered for a moment and said to Saito Makoto in the car, "We can fight, but come back in fifteen days."

Saito Makoto didn't understand Chinese, so he listened to the translator's explanation and then muttered in Japanese, "Delaying it for a few more days won't help you."

"I've accepted the challenge, and the time has been changed to fifteen days later. If you disagree, go back to your island," Lu Heng said, turning to leave.

After hearing the translation, Saito Makoto coldly huffed, "Then I'll make you delay it for a few more days. The honor of the Kiushu Shinryu School is not something you can trample on."

...

This incident before their departure had Lu Heng deep in thought as he headed to the gathering point.

Upon reaching the meeting location, a member of the Crisis Response Team came forward to greet them, "On behalf of the nation and the people, we thank you. Please let us know if you need anything."

Lu Heng immediately took out the challenge letter and handed it over, saying, "Then help us deal with this matter."

The leader of the Crisis Response Team took the letter, which was written in two languages, so he could understand it without a translation.

After reading it, Agent Liu frowned and said, "This Japanese man is really looking for trouble. Alright, I'll put in a request to deport him."

Lu Heng was actually concerned about this group causing trouble for his family while he was away.

Hearing that deportation was an option, he thought it was a good idea.

"Sure, go ahead with the deportation. He can't re-enter within fifteen days. After that, it doesn't matter," Lu Heng agreed to the plan.

Agent Liu immediately assured him, "Comrade, rest assured. We will escort and protect your mission. Leave the rear to us; no troublemakers will dare to cause problems."

Lu Heng was satisfied with his guarantee and said, "Alright, once everyone has gathered, we can set off."

"There's one more team on their way; they'll be here soon, and you can all depart together," Agent Liu added.

It wasn't long before a transport truck arrived at the gathering point.

A squad of metahuman warriors jumped off the truck, led by a spirited female warrior.

This female warrior had short hair cut at her ears and approached to give a military salute, saying, "Special Forces Jian Qing reporting for duty!"

"Good, let me introduce you to Lu Heng. You can meet him; he's another warrior who will be entering the Sulfur Valley region with a separate team," Agent Liu introduced.

Jian Qing extended her hand to Lu Heng for a handshake and greeted him, "Hello."

"Hello," Lu Heng replied.

When Lu Heng saw this metahuman named Jian Qing, a look of surprise flashed across his face.

Because, in his past life, he had heard her name.

She had a nickname, "Wind Empress Jian Qing," and was a well-known wind manipulator in the future.

However, she was from the military, so she rarely appeared in public.

The rumors about her spread among the metahuman community, and her nickname was also spread by them. She herself had never engaged in such self-promotion.

This was quite different from Lei Jinhao.

Lei Jinhao was part of the metahuman circle and needed a reputation to maintain his prestige and gain more influence.

Therefore, his nickname, "Wind King," was something he and his team deliberately promoted.

Wind Empress Jian Qing was the opposite; she didn't need such fame, and the rumors about her were spread by outsiders.

Lu Heng quickly figured out why she was here.

Her nickname was "Wind Empress," so her metahuman type was naturally wind-based.

The Crisis Response Team had transferred her to the Sulfur Valley region, hoping she could use her abilities to disperse the mist there.

The idea itself wasn't a problem.

Ordinary mist would disperse with a strong wind.

However, the abyssal mist was different; even if it was temporarily blown away, it would quickly cover the area again.

Therefore, relying solely on wind to disperse the mist would likely be ineffective.

Of course, temporarily dispersing the mist would still aid their mission, so having her join the operation was not an issue.

However, Lu Heng noticed that she had quite a few stars on her shoulder, indicating a high rank within the organization.

If that was the case, a problem arose.

Who would be in command after entering the mist? This was crucial; if the chain of command wasn't clear, and disagreements arose once they were in the mist, it could become a significant problem.

"How will the teams be organized?" Lu Heng asked.

"You'll lead one team, and Jian Qing will lead another. You can either work together or split up," the leader of the Crisis Response Team explained.

Lu Heng understood immediately.

This was a saturation-style operation.

When a crisis emerged, one that threatened humanity's survival if left unresolved, a saturation-style rescue was indeed necessary.

To ensure the crisis was resolved, they couldn't put all their eggs in one basket.

In such situations, deploying multiple teams for the same mission increased the chances of success.

After listening, Lu Heng nodded, "I understand."

Since they would each lead a team, the division of authority was simple; they could cooperate if they got along or split up if they didn't.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end