It seemed the Miao King had anticipated potential danger and was preparing defensive measures, hoarding explosives. Fortunately, these grenades and assault rifles were not standard issue but replicas, significantly weaker in both firepower and destructive power.
In response to these weapons, Governor Lin immediately supplied the special operations team with a batch of helmets, bulletproof vests, and anti-riot shields to prevent unnecessary casualties. Previously, they had assumed this was merely a matter of suppressing a martial arts faction and hadn't taken it too seriously, equipping themselves solely with offensive weapons and virtually no defense.
"We must also be cautious. Even the most skilled martial artists fear a cleaver, let alone firearms," he mused.
Another half-hour passed before Bai Qingcheng finally made contact. It turned out she had gone to seek reinforcements from a sect in a neighboring province, venturing deep into the mountains to find a master. Her phone had died, and the sect, living in seclusion, had no power. Bai Qingcheng could only contact them after emerging from the mountains and recharging her phone.
Including the few masters she had enlisted earlier, Bai Qingcheng had gathered a total of eight experts, a mix of humans and demons, who would arrive near their location in approximately twenty minutes.
"Twenty minutes suggests helicopters. I recommend they land a considerable distance away to avoid detection by Chi You."
Lin Xi seized the opportunity to report her unauthorized troop deployment. To her surprise, Bai Qingcheng not only refrained from reprimanding Lin Xi but even praised her excellent work.
Lin Xi, in turn, reciprocated by attributing the idea to Wu Chengfeng.
"Oh," Bai Qingcheng's tone immediately turned cool. "Then there's nothing more to say. That's just typical of him."
"...Can I interpret that as a compliment?" I asked with a wry smile.
"Why would I compliment you? If you lacked this resolve, how could you possibly succeed me in the future?"
"Whoa, whoa! You can't say that. I have no intention of taking your place!" I quickly protested. I still planned to pursue postgraduate studies; where would I find the time to be her successor, running such a demanding operation?
"What, do you plan to become the Yama King's son-in-law?"
"...I'm not going anywhere. After this conflict, I intend to retire from service." I stated my honest intentions.
"You truly mean that?"
"Absolutely."
Bai Qingcheng contemplated for a moment. "In that case, you won't be participating in this battle. My original plan was to help you accumulate some military merit."
"That's a separate matter. The true hero serves the nation and its people. Eliminating the Miao King is the least I can do, regardless of whether I'm affiliated with Sabia. Besides, since I'm already here, it wouldn't feel right to observe from the sidelines while a group of young ladies charge into battle."
"That is true," Bai Qingcheng chuckled. "Very well, I'll see you shortly."
Twenty minutes later, I didn't hear any helicopters. However, using my physiognomy technique, I detected nine powerful presences, all above Purple Qi cultivation, approximately three kilometers to the rear.
Those above Purple Qi cultivation possessed qinggong, and within five minutes, they arrived at the cave one after another, joining forces with us.
Among the current group of humans, demons, and ghosts, I was undoubtedly the weakest, followed by the fox demon, then Lin Xi. Everyone else was an elite master, capable of engaging the Miao King in several rounds of combat. Based on this power distribution, I did not overstep my bounds and suggested dividing into three teams. Xiao Nu and Zheng Baobao, the two ghosts, would form their own team, circling around to the copper mine to lead the special operations team in a frontal assault.
Dianna, Shao Chen, Xu Ran, myself, and the fox demon would form the second team, infiltrating through Furong Town. Using my physiognomy, we would bypass patrols and sentries, penetrating the enemy's core. Then, utilizing Dianna's formidable offensive capabilities, we would create a central breach. Among us, Dianna was the sole combatant; Shao Chen and Xu Ran were primarily there to protect me and the fox demon, ensuring zero casualties.
It wasn't that I was overly concerned about my own safety; rather, my physiognomy and the fox demon's charm techniques would become increasingly effective as we neared the core of the Chi You organization.
Bai Qingcheng would lead the third team. The forces she brought would be dispersed to guard the ground level perimeter outside Furong Town. Once the special operations team launched their attack from the copper mine on the other side, it would be like pouring water into a confined space; excess water would inevitably seep out through the gaps on the Furong Town side. Bai Qingcheng's responsibility would be to intercept and eliminate any remaining Chi You organization remnants that emerged.
"So, you've completely overturned the previous plan?" Lin Xi asked, frowning after I finished explaining.
The original plan had been designated by Bai Qingcheng, focusing solely on eliminating the Miao King rather than encircling the entire Chi You organization.