Yama Reborn-Chapter 579 - 576: Heaven’s Punishment?

Chapter 576 [Heaven’s Punishment?]

Searching for the hiding place of The Fourth Seed.

First, we need to draw out the [Guard] left by The Fourth Seed.

The Octopus Monster, for this purpose, made a big deal of gathering so many people and organizing such a large-scale operation, complete with a comprehensive plan: to immediately call for support and quickly concentrate forces to crush the [Guard] upon encountering the enemy.

So here’s the issue.

The guard has surfaced.

What about the Octopus Monster?

If the intent is to crush the guard, what could be more reassuring than the [Seed arriving in person]?

Sending two or three Controllers to besiege one Controller is not as effective as having one Seed arrive personally and take direct action!

But...

Tonight, the guard appeared and disabled Diamond Queen Lillian.

The Octopus Monster did not show up.

·

In Chen Nuo’s view, gathering so many Controllers to go together makes sense if used in the final battle against The Fourth Seed—the Octopus Monster and The Fourth Seed should be evenly matched, but after The Fourth Seed was seriously injured by the Seed, its power declined, giving the Octopus Monster a certain advantage.

However, in a confrontation, The Fourth Seed wouldn’t stupidly stand and fight till death—if it can’t win, wouldn’t it escape?

At this moment, having more Controllers would be useful.

They could use a siege method to hold The Fourth Seed, while the Octopus Monster, as the main combat force, delivers the decisive blow.

But... to deal with one [Guard], scattering a group of Controllers over tens of thousands of square kilometers of Africa’s wilderness is somewhat pointless.

You create a signal transmitter; upon combat, other Controllers rush over.

How to rush over?

The Controllers with spatial abilities, count them, it’s just Chen Nuo and Lu Xixi.

Wizard and the others have to rely on their own flight.

Moreover, the Octopus Monster itself has spatial abilities!

If anyone encounters the guard, the Octopus Monster could directly break through space and suppress it with one blow, wouldn’t that be the most efficient?

Yet it doesn’t!

So... Chen Nuo feels that this Kamisou Ichiro is definitely up to something.

·

"So what do we do now?", the Son of the Sun frowned at Chen Nuo: "You seem to have thought of something? Let’s hear it. Do you know where the Octopus Monster is tonight?"

Chen Nuo glanced at Lu Xixi, who understood and casually set up a spiritual power barrier, enveloping the three of them within.

Even though Wizard and the others had left, both Wizard and Nolan are crafty old wolves; who knows if they might hide and eavesdrop?

Chen Nuo took a deep breath: "Earlier, when we were split into several groups searching this area, we encountered two attacks in total, right?"

The Son of the Sun nodded: "Yes! The first time was with Wizard and Nolan’s group. When the two took the flying team out to search, their camp was attacked."

Chen Nuo laughed: "And then? How did they handle the attack?"

The Son of the Sun replied: "They didn’t do much, just warned other groups to stay alert, continued their search mission, and conducted a small-scale sweep of several armed factions in the attacked locality."

As he spoke, he shook his head vigorously, understanding something was amiss.

"So, this is the first suspicious point," Chen Nuo sighed, "We came to find the place where The Fourth Seed sealed itself for healing, and the guard is the security left by The Fourth Seed, right?

In general logic, why would searchers encounter attacks?

The logical judgment is: could it be that the place we are searching for is close to the target, making the target feel threatened! Thus taking action to try and delay our search!"

The Son of the Sun nodded.

This reasoning isn’t hard to understand.

We are searching, the enemy attacks us, indicating we found the right place, the enemy is anxious!

So what should we do next?

Since we possibly found the right place, we should increase manpower and forces to intensively scour the nearby area!

Even if it’s searching every inch, turning every inch of the land over!

How did the Octopus Monster act?

Organized mercenaries to sweep the nearby armed factions.

What significance is there?

The Octopus Monster didn’t plan to unify this small African country as a king.

It came here to find The Fourth Seed!

"Then, came the second wave of attacks on our camp," Chen Nuo looked at the Son of the Sun: "Just a few days after the first wave."

"Yes," the old man nodded.

"But this wave of attacks made me more puzzled."

Chen Nuo shook his head.

He continued slowly: "If the first wave of attacks was because one group of ours found the right place, making the enemy anxious, and they took measures to delay and stall our search.

Then, what was the intention of the second wave of attacks?

In other words, if The Fourth Seed’s hiding place is near the first wave attack location.

But the second wave of attacks happened several hundred kilometers away, why attack us?"

The Son of the Sun blinked and said: "Is there a possibility... the first wave of attacks was a deception.

We had four groups in total, right? Perhaps one group was close to finding The Fourth Seed.

The guard got anxious.

But attacking the [close group] directly would expose The Fourth Seed’s coordinates.

So, he chose to attack a group far away to confuse our sight.

Making us think: the attacked place is the correct place.

This tactic is also common in warfare."

Chen Nuo nodded: "What you said makes sense.

But then, what’s the purpose of the second wave of attacks?"

The Son of the Sun didn’t quite understand: "What do you mean?"

Chen Nuo smiled bitterly: "I mean, there are two situations, right?

The first situation is where the first attack location was correct. They’ve noticed that we touched their lifeline, thus they launched the attack to stall us. In such a situation, why launch another attack several hundred kilometers away, organizing manpower and resources, to strike at another innocent search group?

We’ve already touched their lifeline; having made one delaying attack, shouldn’t subsequent behavior be to concentrate forces and decide to resist at the lifeline’s location?

Why go hundreds of kilometers away and attack our group stupidly? Wasting effort and resources?"

The Son of the Sun and Lu Xixi couldn’t help but nod: "It seems to be the case."

Chen Nuo continued: "The second situation is the first attack was deception. That is to say, another group indeed touched the lifeline, and the opponent, being cunning, attacked another group to interfere with our sight, trying to lure our forces far away.

This means, of the four search groups, one found the lifeline.

But, the group that got attacked wasn’t the one, right?

Yet, having completed one deceptive attack for distraction, why launch a second one?"

The Son of the Sun’s eyes brightened: "Because the Octopus Monster wasn’t fooled! As you said, regarding the first attack, it didn’t immediately retract forces, meaning, the Octopus Monster saw through the attempted distraction!

And the other three groups continued with their original search plans...

Where the group possibly getting close to the lifeline, continues advancing towards it!

Hence the opponent got anxious and arranged a second attack!

Attempting to draw our attention! To protect the real lifeline location."

Chen Nuo rolled his eyes: "If the guard left by The Fourth Seed is that dumb, then even if The Fourth Seed dies this time, they deserve it."

Saying this, Chen Nuo lowered his voice: "The first deceptive attack; the Octopus Monster didn’t fall for it—indicating the opponent’s tactic was already seen through by the Octopus Monster.

Seeing through means: the attacked place was instead the wrong target we’re searching for! Right?

Having been seen through already, they still want to play it again?

Come on, there are just four groups!

Making two attacks, what’s the plan? Help us eliminate two wrong options, reducing difficulty?

Four groups in total, attacking two. Eliminating two wrong choices?

Reducing difficulty by 50% at once?"

The Son of the Sun was stunned.

Chen Nuo sighed, "So, regardless of whether the first attack was because the Wizards found the right place or the wrong one, the other side attacked the Wizards to conceal the real crucial location...

But in either case, they shouldn’t have launched a second attack.

It doesn’t make sense."

The Son of the Sun widened his eyes, "So... why did that guy attack our group?"

Chen Nuo smiled, "Maybe it just doesn’t like the look of you?"

"F*ck!"

The Son of the Sun cursed jokingly.

Chen Nuo whispered, "By the way, how’s your Premonition? Any changes?"

"Still not feeling great, but... the intensity hasn’t lessened or worsened."

"Then it means it’s temporarily safe." Chen Nuo exhaled slowly, "In that case, what’s our rush? The task is Octopus Monster’s, and it’s the one that wants to achieve its goal. We’re just here for the benefits it offered us.

Why should we be more anxious than the Emperor?

Since it’s playing tricks, let it play. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

We should eat, drink, and watch carefully, staying vigilant."

The Son of the Sun frowned, "Isn’t that a bit too passive?"

"We have to see and understand things clearly first." Chen Nuo shook his head, "Just like I said tonight, what concerns me the most is, tonight, at this very moment, when Lillian the Diamond Queen was attacked by that guard and seriously injured...

where did the Octopus Monster go?

Logically, it should have been the first to slap the guard to death.

Finding the guard means finding the Fourth Seed!

The matter it should be most anxious about, it is absent for and no one knows where it’s gone."

Lu Xixi suddenly said, "Could it be... it has already found the Fourth Seed? So..."

"It can handle the Fourth Seed alone, but to subdue it would be hard. If the power gap isn’t big enough, it needs our help.

So even if it has found the Fourth Seed, it should take us along to confront it, not run off alone. Otherwise, why are we called here?"

It was the Son of the Sun who said this.

Looking at the old man’s smug and confident face.

Chen Nuo nodded, "Hmm, you’re finally starting to use your brain."

The Son of the Sun rolled his eyes, "So what now... where do we go?"

"Back to the Mayor Mansion.

It’s late, let’s go back and make a midnight snack.

What do you guys think about hot pot?"

·

In this line of work, trust is crucial!

If we say we’re having hot pot, then hot pot it is!

So when Chen Nuo and the others returned to the mansion, the cook was quickly woken up to prepare the hot pot base, along with sliced lamb and top-grade beef slices.

While dragging someone out of bed in the middle of the night to work does seem a bit inhumane.

But after Chen Nuo pulled out a hundred dollars in cash, the plump black cook said: Sleeping is not important at all!

In 2004, in this poor African country, the average annual income was just over a hundred dollars.

Imagine you’re a miserable worker earning 6,000 a month, and your boss asks you to work overnight. Just as you’re filled with resentment, your boss slaps down 70,000 on the table and says, here’s your overtime pay for tonight?

Would you still be angry? Still want to curse?

You’re most likely to say, "Boss, I can keep working overtime tomorrow!"

·

The lamb had just gone into the pot when Chen Nuo picked up a piece and placed it on Lu Xixi’s plate...

Outside the dining room, a figure timidly poked his head in for a glance, and then fearfully withdrew.

Chen Nuo took a look, recognizing it was the Mayor’s brother-in-law he met today.

His name... oh, right, Enke.

Chen Nuo then remembered that after meeting Enke tonight, he specially allowed Enke to stay temporarily in the Mayor Mansion.

He was originally the Mayor’s brother-in-law and had always lived here, so technically, this was his home.

Chen Nuo also didn’t want to be indifferent.

"Mr. Enke, why aren’t you asleep in the middle of the night? Is there something you need?" Chen Nuo asked with a smile.

He swirled a piece of beef tripe in the pot with chopsticks, smiling at Enke.

Enke swallowed hard and said with a forced smile, "I, I just couldn’t sleep at night and wanted to find something to eat in the kitchen."

After a pause, he quickly explained, "Tonight, after our conversation, I was truly inspired and stayed up preparing the speech for tomorrow’s meeting with the local citizen representatives, so I couldn’t sleep."

Chen Nuo didn’t mind, casually nodding: "Since you’re awake and we’re having a late-night snack, why don’t you join us, Mr. Enke?"

Enke’s eyes lit up, rubbing his hands together enthusiastically, he giggled and approached: "That would be so grateful!"

Lifting his gaze to glance at the stunningly beautiful Star Sky Empress, his eyes were clearly glazed for two seconds before quickly lowering his head.

Hmm, at least he has some sense.

In Enke’s habitual understanding, this dazzling woman must be the exclusive property of the man before him.

Just like his own mayor, who has seven or eight wives, each one is his exclusive possession, and if others look too much, he would be displeased.

Local officials in these war-torn small African countries are basically emperors of their own domains.

Although Lu Xixi’s beauty was mesmerizing, Enke still knew the rules.

However, he couldn’t help but sigh in his heart: This Asian yellow-skinned man must have substantial power! To have such a beautiful woman in his grasp—his own mayor may have seven or eight wives, selected from the local elite, but compared to this woman, even tying all seven or eight together wouldn’t match her at all!

The Son of the Sun and Lu Xixi were too lazy to engage with strangers, and continued eating self-indulgently.

Enke, after all, is African, and though educated, his natural exuberance is hard to conceal. Despite his respect for Chen Nuo, after a few bites he gradually let loose, eating heartily with gusto, moving with animated excitement.

Lu Xixi didn’t like eating from the same pot with strangers, so she put down her chopsticks, smiled at Chen Nuo in greeting, and went back to her room.

The Son of the Sun didn’t mind, and after finishing a plate of lamb, patted his belly and went upstairs.

Chen Nuo, looking at the African brother before him, suddenly had an idea: "What’s your plan for tomorrow?"

Enke said straightforwardly: "I made a list of important figures among the local citizens, including businessmen, tribal elders, and wealthy households.

Tomorrow, I’ll have my guards go door to door inviting them to the mansion for a meeting."

Chen Nuo nodded, then casually put down his chopsticks and stared at Enke, gently asking: "By the way, what do you think about this military action?"

Enke was stunned.

Chen Nuo continued nonchalantly: "Thousands of foreign troops, together with your government army, launched quite an impressive military operation against the local armed groups, tribal armed forces, and anti-government forces in your country who don’t obey the government orders... This military action must have wiped out quite a few forces, right? There are thousands of refugees just outside town; there probably aren’t few in other places either.

Being a local, what do you think of such a large military operation?"

Talking about these sensitive topics, the playful and exuberant look on Enke’s face suddenly gathered seriousness, a flash of apprehension in his eyes, he cautiously said, "I, I’m just a small figure, I don’t have any opinion."

Chen Nuo smiled, picking up a bottle of beer from the table, opened it, and casually handed the bottle to Enke: "We’re just idle chatting anyway, no harm."

Enke took the beer but didn’t drink, only shaking his head: "I’m not qualified to discuss these matters."

"You’re not a small figure anymore; this city is your country’s fourth largest city, and you’re the mayor’s brother-in-law, considered one of the upper circles in this city, aren’t you able to chat?"

Enke reluctantly smiled: "I just rely on the mayor’s power to run errands for him, handling small matters, not really high-level."

Chen Nuo looked at Enke, thoughtfully: "Then let me ask you... I’m purely curious. The thousands of refugees outside, they come from different nearby tribes and different local armed groups, right?

As far as I know, many of them were previously unresponsive to your commands.

Your mayor is the strongest tycoon here, you have your own guards and troops, you’ve taken control of this city, but the nearby tribal armed forces may not necessarily heed you.

Aren’t you tempted to, taking advantage of this opportunity... break them all down and swallow these forces altogether?

If you could absorb them, your mayor’s power would definitely expand a lot when he returns, wouldn’t it?

What do you think? Planning to seize the opportunity to expand?"

But Enke turned serious, after looking Chen Nuo in the eyes twice, took a deep breath:

"Sir, that’s impossible! It simply won’t work!

If our mayor intended to take the opportunity to annex them, it wouldn’t be me coming back with so few people to settle refugees!

The leader of the mayor’s Guard Team would be leading several truckloads of troops here instead!

The mayor sent me only hoping I could quickly settle these refugees and send them home, without lingering in our city."

"Why, isn’t the opportunity good enough?" Chen Nuo frowned.

"Sir, you don’t understand our place... it’s not about the opportunity not being good enough, it’s simply impossible.

These tribes, you can’t touch them! It would bring Heaven’s Punishment."

·