Stepping on the Demoness to become the strongest

After returning to Jinling, what awaited the members of the Zhenhai Team was not a commendation ceremony or any sort of cash reward, but secrecy regulations regarding this mysterious realm.

"This regulation is extremely important, you must remember it well," Instructor Qi Changping emphasized repeatedly, "especially you, Yan Yu. Don't accidentally let it slip out just because you're trying to show off."

"What do you mean by 'showing off'?" Yan Yu asked, puzzled, "If strength is prestige, I see no need for me to pretend deliberately..."

"Alright, that's enough from you," Qi Changping also started to feel a headache, and holding his forehead, he said, "I'm not joking with you, you must never mention anything about this mysterious realm, regardless of whether it's family or friends asking, or media journalists interviewing you."

"Then what should we say?" Lin Ning asked, "Say 'don't know' or 'can't say'?"

"Just say 'military secret, no comment,'" Qi Changping replied.

"Got it." Everyone nodded and signed their names on the confidentiality agreement.

"The rest of you may leave," Qi Changping told the girls, then looked at Yan Yu, "You, come to the principal's office."

"Understood," Yan Yu said.

After every trip to the mysterious realm, Li Weiguo would call him to the office for a chat; it had almost become a team tradition.

Familiar with the route, he quickly made his way to the administrative building, hastened up the stairs, and as he neared the principal's office, he suddenly heard a rich, resonant middle-aged man's voice from inside:

"...Yeah, don't worry. Alright, my dear, I have my plans."

Yan Yu immediately furrowed his brow, sensing that things were getting complicated.

Ah, who could be talking inside there?

He knocked on the door of the principal's office, and heard that voice say:

"Come in."

Yan Yu pushed the door open and saw a middle-aged man standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, who had just hung up a call on his cell phone.

The man's facial features were well-proportioned, and the details in his eyebrows and eyes bore some resemblance to Chen Lingyun, neatly dressed from head to toe, hair combed without a strand out of place, sporting a thick mustache and a beard under his chin (modern men in Lu Country still considered beards to be a sign of beauty)—just by looking, one could tell this man was definitely mature, reliable, and politically astute.

Or to be more precise, this middle-aged man present here was none other than Chen Father, the head of the Chen Family, the venerable Elder Chen of Mount Taishan, plus Chen Lingyun, the second-ranked Governor of Jiang Hai, Chen Tianming.

"Sit," Chen Tianming said to Yan Yu, gesturing with his hand.

There was always a chair in front of the principal's desk, which Yan Yu was familiar with; he pulled the chair over and sat down without a word.

Chen Tianming took out some tea leaves from the cupboard and casually asked:

"Would you like some tea? I roasted these leaves myself; I brought some for Li Weiguo."

"Sure," Yan Yu nodded.

Chen Tianming brewed the tea and handed a cup to Yan Yu.

Yan Yu, without being courteous, picked it up and slowly drank, while Chen Tianming sat down in the principal's chair and said:

"You've done well this time, not only wiping out the enemy cultivators but also capturing the core of Changbai Mountain's mysterious realm, and incidentally putting the Dingbei Army in its place."

"It's what we should do," Yan Yu nodded and said.

"Indeed," Chen Tianming interlocked his fingers elegantly and placed his hands on the desk, pondering for a moment, then continued, "Can you guess why the secrecy is necessary?"

"It must be due to considerations regarding international diplomacy," Yan Yu replied.

The reason he had shared his foresight advantage with Chen Lingyun was firstly that he thoroughly understood her and was sure she wouldn't talk outside, and secondly, to use her information channels to confirm his own judgments.

However, Chen Tianming was completely different, a political animal; it was best to avoid entanglements where possible.

The so-called "speaking deeply on shallow acquaintance" has always been a taboo throughout history... The reason Chen Lingyun could be an exception was purely because he had truly formed a deep relationship with her, and Yan Yu was one hundred percent certain of what kind of person she was deep down.

"Mm—" Chen Tianming drew out his words in a meaningful tone, giving Yan Yu an intense and thoughtful look, "That's one way to put it."

"Yan Yu, do you usually pay attention to international affairs?" He scrutinized Yan Yu's expression carefully.

"Not really," Yan Yu denied emphatically, "I've never been involved in internet politics."

"That's a pity," Chen Tianming said offhandedly, "I think it's better for young people to be more informed about current affairs."

Such thoughts could only come from someone of your level... Yan Yu couldn't help but mentally retort.

Chen Tianming stared at Yan Yu for a long time before finally continuing:

"The geopolitical situation in East Asia mainly refers to the triangular relationship between Lu Country, Ying, and Goryeo, with its roots in the overall confrontation between Lu and Miti in the Pacific Ocean region."

"Our long-term strategy in this area is to dismantle Ying from Miti's alliance system and prevent the formation of the first island chain. This goal is extremely difficult to achieve because our overall strength is increasing, which tends to make Ying feel threatened and thus more inclined to side with Miti."

"The requirement for secrecy in the Changbai Mountain Mysterious Realm is also due to the need to dissolve international friction with Goryeo. I hope you and your teammates can understand this point."

"Of course." Yan Yu readily agreed, "I'll act as if I never fought in that Mysterious Realm."

"Hmm." Chen Tianming nodded and continued, "After that Goryeo Cultivator returns home, he will claim he defeated Lu Country's team and captured the central hub of Changbai Mountain's Mysterious Realm."

"We will publicly deny this, but since the Changbai Mountain Mysterious Realm is tightly sealed by Lu Country, it will seem to the outside world that we can't develop the Mysterious Realm. When the time comes, there will certainly be many international rumors favoring the notion that Goryeo captured Changbai Mountain... Speaking of which, you don't visit foreign forums, do you?"

"Circumventing the firewall is illegal." Yan Yu reminded him with composure.

Are you trying to fish for information here?

"That's good, though. Civilian attempts to bypass the firewall are incessant, so it's not guaranteed that someone won't use this to speak ill of you guys in the future," Chen Tianming said slowly, "But then again… A moment's pride counts for little. Only those who have the last laugh are the true winners.

Besides, you are all still very young, and there will be plenty more opportunities to earn glory in the future."

"Yes, yes." Yan Yu echoed repeatedly, also understanding the intention behind Chen Tianming's talk with him.

After all, from the team's perspective, they had completely annihilated the Goryeo Cultivator and captured the Changbai Mountain Mysterious Realm, yet the other side claimed victory, and they were even unable to win the debate in international public opinion. It felt as frustrating as seeing someone else successfully registering a cultural heritage that belongs to you.

Loss!

But after all, Yan Yu had the advantage of foresight, knowing that Park Changmin, the low-quality goods, really became the Sword God of Goryeo later. Relying on his lofty reputation and transcendental status at home, he enjoyed the full support of national resources, yet he couldn't beat Lu Country in international competition.

Considering he had leverage over Lu Country now, many preposterous events from his past life began to make sense—Park Changmin, you don't want your country, people, and legions of fans to learn about our secret cooperation, do you?

Lu Country merely surrendered a useless Changbai Mountain Mysterious Realm, and successfully capped Goryeo's top-tier Cultivation force, eliminating them early from future geopolitical competition. East Asia's strategic goal, unachievable for decades, was met halfway with this divine maneuver.

Win! Big win!

Of course, if facts are to be set aside, Yan Yu personally dislikes such methods.

After all, the older generation always believed in the maxim "endure suffering before enjoying success." If future happiness was assured, enduring the present was tolerable. But Yan Yu was not comfortable with this approach—if he had a choice, he would prefer to beat Goryeo and Goryeo heavily. You can't beat me so you resort to huddling with Miti?

Then I'll just go after Miti too and obliterate you all!

What does 'endure suffering before success' mean? I want 'sweet now, sweet later'! I want to win in the future, and I want to win now; damn it, I want to win from start to finish!

"If we're going to keep it a secret, can we make it more thorough?" Yan Yu suggested proactively, "For instance, erasing the record of the Zhenhai Team's participation this time?"

"Don't want a public defeat on record, huh?" Chen Tianming smiled faintly, instantly seeing through Yan Yu's intent, "If it's like that, it's as if let the Dingbei Army bear the brunt of this bad reputation alone... But that can be arranged. Under the Qiantang River is the Six-Fold Pagoda; your achievement might not be mentioned, but rest assured, the state certainly remembers."

"Then I have no objections," Yan Yu nodded reservedly, thinking to himself, Sorry Old Liu, I really owe you one this time.

After all, you've lost our bet. You lose to me, and you lose to Goryeo either way, so just bear the burden with dignity. 'Sacrifice for the sake of the country,' right?

"Now that the formalities are out of the way." Chen Tianming stood up and continued to pour tea for Yan Yu, "Let's talk about something else."

"What do you think of Ling Yun's performance in the team?"

"Pretty good, outstanding," Yan Yu replied, "She perfectly fulfilled her duties."

This was not just lip service. Chen Lingyun, as a second in command, truly did perform flawlessly. In her previous life, she was mainly a team leader because of insufficient strength; she had to rely on her intellect and strategy to compensate, often giving off the impression of being fragile like "running around causing trouble but then getting knocked out with a direct punch."

"That's good to hear." Chen Tianming's face showed neither happiness nor anger, just a calm contemplativeness.

After a long pause, he took a sip of tea and asked slowly:

"The domestic teams are about to expand on a large scale. If I transfer Ling Yun from your team to form her own team, to stand on her own, what would you think?"

"I would wholeheartedly support it," Yan Yu said solemnly.

"Oh?" Chen Tianming chuckled in surprise, "I thought you would ask me to keep her."

"There's no need," Yan Yu said candidly, "For the nation, having Chen Lingyun lead a new team and nurturing more elite Cultivators maximizes overall interest; but for her personally, staying on my team will help her improve faster, maximizing personal interest."
Continue your adventure with empire

"Both outcomes are irrelevant to my interests, so I support either way. As for what you decide, it depends on your starting point, whether you plan to act as a leader or as her father."

Chen Tianming's expression remained unchanged. After listening to Yan Yu, he showed a faint smile and said deliberately:

"You are mistaken about one thing: as one of the most elite Cultivators, accelerating the improvement of her strength also constitutes a part of the national interest."

Once Yan Yu heard this, he immediately guessed the answer:

This old timer never intended to transfer his useless daughter away; he's just equivocating and testing me!