World's No. 1 Swordsman-Chapter 359: The One Who Controls the Situation

Below the top floor of the Special Investigation Unit headquarters.

In a vast dispatch hall filled with hundreds of staff, Chi Ling stepped onto the main command platform. The 3D projections of the Special Warfare Unit's senior figures appeared beside her, all dressed in military uniforms.

—The six Daoist masters of the Kongdong Daoist heritage have already arrived at Warfare Unit Base No. 28!

—There are sixty-two cultivators gathered at the assembly point. Shall we dispatch the first wave of reinforcements?

—Chief Chi Ling, at such a critical moment, the investigation unit must focus on assisting the Special Warfare Unit and trust in the effectiveness of our soldiers.

Chi Ling signaled for them to quiet down and quickly took over command.

"All Daoist heritages are to continue gathering their forces. We have to amass our strength! Those who perished on the snowy plains have barely grown cold. We can't have a repetition of that mistake! How much progress has been made with the air routes?"

"Sixty percent have been cleared. Several nations have yet to respond, but our transport fleets have already reached Bases No. 27 and 28. The Special Warfare Unit's mobilization is thirty percent complete!"

Chi Ling said, "Even if we can't open the air routes in time, apply for the deployment of fighter squadrons for escort!"

A new projection appeared beside her. Qin Yishen, captain of the Special Affairs Unit, strode forward.

—Chief Chi Ling, the enemy likely has satellites monitoring our movements, considering they have threatened to massacre the hostages if we act. We're up against ruthless foreign criminals. Do we have any means to evade their surveillance?"

Chi Ling turned to him. "This is not the time to raise questions. If you have a proposal, state it. Otherwise, cooperate with the Special Investigation Unit."

—I do have one.

Qin Yishen's hesitation faded as he firmly voiced his idea.

—I suggest we split into three routes. One group will move through the Saros' border, while another detours south.

A military officer shut him down.

—The Special Warfare Unit's operation plan has already been set, Captain Qin. We'll get to the hostages the fastest if we approach this head-on. Making sudden changes will only waste more time.

—Our soldiers fight precisely to safeguard the lives and property of the people. Are you suggesting we obey those corrupt cultivators and simply wait here for news, forcing Daoist Master Fei Yu to cripple his cultivation in exchange for mercy? That is the gravest of mistakes!

Qin Yishen's expression grew heavy as he turned his gaze to Chi Ling.

—Then why not adopt a different rescue plan? If we field over a dozen top-tier experts, we can deceive their surveillance, reach the site as fast as possible, and wipe out those corrupt cultivators in one strike.

The atmosphere above the command platform stiffened slightly.

Remaining composed, Chi Ling nodded. "Captain Qin, I grant you approval. You may forgo a written application and report your idea directly to the higher leadership. If you can persuade them, proceed with your plan. But I must remind you, just because a cultivator is strong doesn't mean they are always trustworthy."

Qin Yishen frowned slightly. By then, Chi Ling had already begun issuing new commands. A projection of the battle map appeared before her, and several warfare unit officers gathered around it to discuss strategy.

Qin Yishen bowed slightly before his projection vanished.

***

In the captain's office of the Special Affairs Unit headquarters.

Qin Yishen, dressed in a formal suit, stood with his hands behind his back, frowning in deep thought.

From a corner, a young secretary in a professional skirt walked over quietly and whispered, "Captain, should we apply to the higher-ups?"

Qin Yishen shook his head. "Not yet. Chief Chi Ling's stance is already clear. Whether those veterans can break free from their oath-bound shackles rests on her word.

"Jiuqian, notify every department to fully cooperate with the investigation unit. If they are short in manpower, send our people over to assist."

"Yes, sir," Zhang Jiuqian answered quickly and returned to her desk.

Qin Yishen thought for a moment, then pressed a button on the remote in his hand.

Beams of light interwove, illuminating the dim room. A full projection of the investigation unit's command room appeared before him.

He walked toward the battle map. Chi Ling looked up at him briefly, then lowered her head to continue working.

***

"The Dark Faction has declared war on us. They probably have as many cultivators as we do, if not more, and their elites may rival ours as well," Chi Ling stated. "They also hold the terrain advantage and likely have unconventional weapons set for ambush. Nevertheless, we have to remain calm.

"I know you wish to rescue the hostages quickly, but we cannot gamble with the lives of our soldiers. The greatest problem now is their unconventional weapons. Special Warfare Unit, do you have a plan in mind?"

An officer quickly answered her.

—We've formed three plans, but they all require locating the nuclear warheads and sending experts to disarm them. The most effective way is to release a swarm of nanobots to invade the control structure. Unless the enemy possesses the Dami Empire's latest warhead, we can disable it with ease.

"Use all three methods at once if possible. More insurance is always better."

—That has already been arranged. We have also selected the cultivator who will infiltrate the warheads. We have to contact Daoist Master Fei Yu immediately. He could be planning to rush in recklessly and throw his life away.

"Don't worry." Chi Ling tapped lightly, and a virtual screen appeared above the map. It displayed five figures sitting cross-legged in a forest, apparently in discussion. "Fei Yu has become a lot more patient. He has been waiting for our message."

The officers all nodded.

—Daoist Master Wang has certainly become very reliable.

—Should we ask Daoist Master Wang to delay the enemy for us? If he can delay them from massacring the hostages, we will gain the initiative.

Chi Ling considered their ideas for a few seconds, then ordered them to call Wang Sheng. Meanwhile, she began compiling the intelligence to share with Wang Sheng, including the countermeasures for the nuclear threat.

In the dispatch center, Wang Sheng's image appeared on the giant screen. Even after several seconds of ringing, they still didn't get a reply.

"Force the connection," Chi Ling instructed.

Before they could carry out her order, the screen lit up. The phone's camera was facing the sky.

"Fei Yu?" Chi Ling called.

Huai Jing, an old acquaintance of the investigation unit, popped into the frame.

—Amitabha. Greetings, Chief Chi Ling. Fei Yu has just gained a sudden insight and is undergoing a breakthrough."

Huai Jing then turned the camera to a person shrouded in white mist. The flowing outlines of a Celestial Robe could be faintly seen.

Chi Ling simply frowned.

The camera then panned back to Huai Jing.

—Amitabha. I can take a message for him if you want. I'll tell him once he's done breaking through.

"Wake Fei Yu up," Chi Ling commanded. "I have to speak with him personally."

—That's...

Huai Jing frowned.

—Interrupting his breakthrough now may drive him into a devilish deviation, ma'am."

"Fine. Where are Liu Yunzhi and Dale?"

Dale quickly responded.

—Here!

Huai Jing turned the phone, bringing her and Liu Yunzhi into view.

Seemingly getting her answer, Chi Ling's tone turned cold. "Where is Shi Qianzhang?"

—Erm...

Wrath flashed in Chi Ling's eyes. "Where is he?"

Huai Jing looked embarrassed. He stalled before turning the camera past Liu Yunzhi. Beside him was a figure that resembled a popular inflatable toy from twenty years ago. It wore a Daoist robe over its puffed and swollen body, and its face was unmistakably Shi Qianzhang's, though his expression was vacant.

Huai Jing still tried to salvage the situation.

—He absorbed too much primal qi and... swelled up... Heh....

The dispatch hall fell silent.

Chi Ling frowned. "When did Fei Yu leave?"

—Fei Yu is right here.

Huai Jing pointed at the white mist.

Within the mist walked out Shi Qianzhang, who was dressed in a Flowing Celestial Robe, had a longsword strapped to his back, and had long hair cascading down his back. He immediately began scolding Liu Yunzhi.

—That's your puppet talisman? Don't disgrace the word 'talisman!' Shut it down, now!

Liu Yunzhi remained calm.

—We may not be able to fool Chief Chi Ling, but we can still mislead those corrupt foreign cultivators. Trust me, to those foreigners with no eye for faces, you look at least seventy percent like the puppet.

Shi Qianzhang was completely speechless.

"Enough!" Chi Ling sharply shouted, silencing them.

They lowered their heads like guilty disciples awaiting punishment.

Regaining composure, she repeated, "When did Fei Yu leave?"

Dale's tone hushed into a whisper.

—Sixteen minutes ago. Daoist Master Wang said only a surprise maneuver could destroy the enemy's most dangerous weapons and lower casualties. He told us to draw attention here while he used an invisibility talisman to infiltrate enemy ranks alone. We believe his plan is feasible.

"Then tell me, how many lives can one man save?!"

Chi Ling exhaled slowly, then only waved her hand. Their images vanished from the screen.

She immediately ordered, "Maintain contact with their squad. Even if Fei Yu cannot be reached, have them continue posing as him. Divert part of our resources to support Fei Yu's plan and draw the Dark Faction's experts toward them."

"Yes, ma'am!" the investigation unit members answered.

Chi Ling fell into thought again. To make such a decision in only a few seconds was no small feat.

"Report on Bu Yu's movements."

"Fairy Bu Yu is with Xi Lian and Daoist Master Fei Yu's younger sister. They'll arrive at Northwest Base No. 28 in half an hour."

"Report on Daoist Master Bu Yan."

"Daoist Master Bu Yan has left seclusion and will reach the same base in forty-five minutes."

Chi Ling nodded slowly. "I want Fei Yu's movements to be classified. Until this hostage rescue is concluded, not a word should leak, not even internally."

"Yes, ma'am!" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

She returned to the officers and continued studying the terrain of the Aukuili Mountains, exploring every possible strategy.