Extraordinary Realm from Persuasion System-Chapter 663 - 238: Grandmaster Zhang, West Out of Hangu Pass!
"Out of control?"
Upon hearing Huo Honghao's words, Zhang Beixing was taken aback and sat up straighter. "Brother Huo, what's going on? When you say 'out of control,' what exactly do you mean by that?"
The fact that Huo Honghao had called to warn him indicated the situation must be significant. He needed to ask for specifics so he could plan ahead and prepare.
Hearing this, Huo Honghao didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point.
"After you introduced that plan, the Martial Artists did indeed unite and launch a counter-attack against the D&E Group's people."
"But likewise, the D&E Group didn't just sit back and watch."
"They've bolstered their forces and personnel. According to our investigations, over ten criminal organizations are now operating under their direction and have joined the battle." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
"Among them, the fighting is fiercest in the Middle East."
He relayed the recent foreign developments in one breath.
Hearing this, Zhang Beixing furrowed his brows. "The Middle East? If I remember correctly, there aren't many Martial Artists there, are there?"
Martial Arts is a killing art that originated in Great Xia and can be traced as far back as the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. It is revered for its ability to strengthen the body and dispatch enemies with unparalleled skill. It is esteemed for allowing the highest practitioners to 'establish the Dao through martial prowess, and pacify the world; intermediate practitioners to reach understanding, steadying mind and body; and lesser practitioners to perfect technique, and guard against aggression.'
Inevitably, neighboring countries learned and spread it, each benefiting and developing new forms of kung fu. Tai Luo, India, Shenzhao, and Korea, for example, each developed their unique martial arts from it.
But here was the problem. What does that have to do with the Middle East?
Indeed, during the Silk Road era, Great Xia's Martial Arts had spread there. But due to the passage of time and endless warfare, Martial Arts in the Middle East had long since declined, with few Martial Artists remaining—barely countable on one hand.
"How did it become the main battlefield?" Zhang Beixing voiced his confusion.
In response, Huo Honghao provided an answer, "Because of transportation!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Beixing was slightly startled, then understanding dawned. He had been so preoccupied with wondering why the Middle East, with its apparent lack of Martial Artists, had become the main battlefield that he had completely forgotten about the region's actual situation.
As a junction between Ouzhou and Asia, the Middle East is vast, rich in resources, and strategically significant due to its geographical location. Therefore, since the last century, it had been targeted by Western powers who sought any pretext to wage war, plunder its resources, and attempt to claim it for themselves. In the wake of such conflicts, countless people were displaced, forced to leave their homes. What was once a land of peace had become a cradle of crime. Many opportunists amassed great wealth there through any means necessary, including but not limited to kidnapping, human trafficking, drug dealing, smuggling, and organ trading... And the kidnapped Martial Artists were mostly transported through this region to the D&E Group's laboratories.
"No wonder," Zhang Beixing muttered, grasping the situation. Then, resting his forehead in his hand, he gave a wry laugh. He realized that the Middle East becoming the main battlefield was partly his doing.
Due to the never-ending chaos and turmoil in the Middle East, even when people knew that most of those kidnapped were taken there, few would risk a rescue mission before this. The risks simply outweighed the potential benefits. But now, after Zhang Beixing had issued the missions, the nature of the situation had changed. To maximize the Martial Artists' motivation to undertake these missions, Zhang Beixing had issued a diverse and comprehensive range of tasks. Among them, naturally, was the rescue of kidnapped Martial Artists. Other Martial Artists, eager to complete missions and earn Ability Points, naturally flocked to the Middle East. Thus, conflict and clashes with criminal organizations there were inevitable.
"How far has it escalated?" Zhang Beixing asked.
After a moment's thought, Huo Honghao replied, "It's reached a critical stage. At this point, whether it's the Martial Artists or those criminals, a life-and-death struggle is guaranteed the moment they meet."
"Have they resorted to heavy firepower then?" Zhang Beixing pressed.
Huo Honghao shook his head. "No, the fighting hasn't reached that stage yet. By the way, do you need us to provide individual weapon support? We have a batch of equipment that was phased out several years ago still in our warehouse. If you want it, I can sell it to you at cost."
Zhang Beixing was startled by this. Although he knew his collaboration with Huo Honghao must have received approval from higher-ups, he found this level of accommodation truly unexpected. After all, those 'ancient treasures' gathering dust in storage, even if phased out by Great Xia, were still advanced weapons in the Middle East. If not capable of outright domination, they would at least provide a significant advantage.
It seems they trust me quite a bit, Zhang Beixing thought, then replied, "There's no need, Brother Huo. It hasn't reached that point yet. Providing weapons prematurely wouldn't be very effective."
"Let's wait and see for now. When they truly start playing with fire and want to wage a formal war against our Martial Artists, we can discuss this then."
Huo Honghao nodded. "Alright, just contact me when the time comes."
"Definitely," Zhang Beixing acknowledged. Then he asked, "By the way, Brother Huo, aside from this, did you call about anything else today?"
"Well... there is actually one other thing. Didn't you ask me a month ago to forge a Weapon for you? It's ready now. Should I have someone deliver it?"
