Heroes' Prison

Chapter 1057 - 1001: Arrow on the String

Dao Feng’s eyes lit up at Huang Yi’s words: "So you had a plan all along. Why are you just telling us now? You’ve kept us in the dark so thoroughly!"

"Plans depend on timing. A plan only has value if implemented at the right moment; otherwise, it would be prematurely exposed." Huang Yi pursed his lips and looked around at everyone. "I’ve already assigned each of you to your respective roles. You will lead the guilds to their postings. Right now, there are too many guilds within the Hero Empire with varying degrees of quality. There are all sorts of people, and some with ill intentions might deliberately stir things up and disrupt morale. You must do your best to keep them in check. Do not let them go out to stop the invading army; it’s merely sending them to their deaths, which is meaningless. With the protection of the guardians of the Hero Empire, the enemy wouldn’t dare come in to deal with you."

"Alright, we will do as you say," Thunder God nodded.

Then, Huang Yi discussed some details with a few others before letting them start the operation.

An hour later, the Hero Empire initiated the largest troop mobilization in its history!

Currently, nearly all Chinese guilds and players have retreated within the Hero Empire’s boundaries. The Hero Empire represents all of China’s remaining power in The Second World.

This troop mobilization is equivalent to mobilizing all Chinese players!

These Chinese players have diverse identities in real life, including common folks, business executives, students, teachers, street thugs, prison inmates, and government officials. But in The Second World, they shed their real-world identities to become ordinary players. As long as they have time to log in, they are mostly influenced by this nationwide mobilization atmosphere and voluntarily head to the Hero Empire’s border areas to contribute their bit to this war.

Orders from the Hero Empire’s high command were issued to guild leaders of thousands of guilds, and then relayed down to the hundreds of millions of grassroots players. The armies began to rapidly gather into large corps.

The teleportation circles in various cities started operating at full capacity, teleporting troops to different border areas of the Hero Empire.

Especially in key frontier areas, players covered the hills and plains, and the vast banners stretched endlessly, while the thunderous hoofbeats shook the earth.

As for the navy, Thunder God acted as the commander-in-chief, and Tian Lock Blood Moon, the captain of the Hero Fleet, acted as the deputy commander. Under their command were fleets from all guilds including the Sun Fleet, the Hero Fleet, the Xuanyuan Clan Fleet, the Famous Generals’ Fleet, and the Styx Sect Fleet.

The ports of the Hero Empire were bustling, especially the largest Hero Harbor and Sun Port. Thousands of warships sailed orderly out of port, and the sound of steam whistles echoed incessantly.

Regarding the air force, currently, only the Hero Guild possesses a fleet of airships. Led by commander Wen Xiange, airships fully loaded with ammunition and magic stones took off swiftly from the airship grounds, flying towards the border areas in a sky-darkening swarm.

The entire Hero Empire was fully mobilized, and a tense pre-war atmosphere rapidly swept through it.

Numerous Chinese players had long held their breath, now eagerly sharpening their blades, filled with killing intent and high morale, thinking they were finally going beyond the empire to kill the enemy and decide the outcome of this national war.

However, when they reached the border regions, they received orders to rest and wait, forced to bottle up their pent-up energy.

Players logged in continuously, and then were continuously teleported to the border to garrison, like arrows placed on bowstrings but not yet released.

...

On the other side, the invading army also learned of the Hero Empire’s troop deployments. Heads of various countries discussed it but didn’t pay much attention.

With the Demon Clan involved, they believed it was impossible to lose this national war, even if the Hero Empire gave its all in the battle, it would be to no avail.

However, for caution’s sake, all the super-first masters led their most elite troops to the outskirts of the Hero Empire, ready to confront them.

The remaining forces continued to build rapidly in the occupied areas, consolidating the seized land.

...

Time ticked away second by second, closing in on the deadline set by the system for the war’s conclusion.

The world’s eyes were fixed on the Hero’s Continent, with nearly ten billion players watching this final battle.

The internet, TV stations, and media worldwide covered the event extensively. Reporters camped in The Second World, abstaining from eating or drinking to provide updates at any moment.

Yet, as the initiator of it all, Huang Yi seemed unconcerned with any of it, logging out as usual to have a meal.

The cafeteria was noticeably quieter than usual, filled with tension. Everyone hurriedly finished their meals and returned to their cells to log in and await orders.

"Ah-Yi, at this critical moment, you still come to the cafeteria to eat instead of overseeing things in The Second World. This is just wasting your time! Let us bring the food to you!" At the cafeteria table, Wang Jin, Tang Yunfei, Overlord, and others expressed their surprise upon seeing Huang Yi.

"It’s okay!" Huang Yi shook his head with a smile, unconcernedly saying, "Some things, if you only strive at the last minute, it’s already too late. As long as arrangements are made regularly, then there won’t be panic when big things happen."

At this moment, Tang Yunfei, the vice president of the Sun Guild, pursed his lips and asked, puzzled, "Brother Yi, why are we just stationed in the border areas, but not going out to kill the enemy? If your plan is to strive for the last glimmer of hope for victory, then time should be very important to us. The national war is about to end, and we should be engaging in battle as quickly as possible, not wasting time by holding the troops! Now, the enemy is building fortresses and strongholds all the time, very quickly. Every hour of delay could see countless fortresses rise and defensive works perfected, making it ever harder for us to attack them. And if you give up on this national war, why bother to mobilize the army at all? We might as well wait for the national war to end, as it’s certain we’ll lose now, and not deploying troops is normal."

"Indeed!" Overlord also nodded, his old and cloudy eyes fixing on Huang Yi, "Since you’ve issued the troop mobilization order, it’s like giving everyone hope in despair, touching everyone’s heartstrings. Those of us who understand you can hold back, but some ordinary players can’t. Most of the players involved are young hot-blooded men, filled with anger, willing to fight to the death, even knowing there are Demon Clan experts outside. There have already been several mutiny incidents, with some guilds disobeying orders and going out to battle the invading army on their own. If you don’t order the battle soon, once the national war ends, people will vent their anger on you, thinking you’re the reason for the national war’s failure."

The other cellmates also turned their heads to stare at Huang Yi, waiting for his answer. No one knew why Huang Yi made such an unusual plan.

Under the gaze of all those eyes, Huang Yi slowly finished his last bite of food, wiped the corner of his mouth, and smiled slightly: "Everyone, please be patient. There will definitely be opportunities to kill the enemy, but going out now to fight is merely futile suicide. This battle is no ordinary matter. If we do it, we must do it thoroughly. Just wait for my orders at ease! I have arrangements in place."

With that, Huang Yi stood up and left, returning to his cell, leaving the cellmates looking at each other in bemusement.

Huang Yi went to the restroom, relaxed a bit, lay on the bed, and began to recuperate.

He finally logged on when the national war had only 3 hours remaining.

This was the last time he would log in during the national war!

By the time he logged off, this protracted national war would be over.

Huang Yi first went to check the forums.

Upon entering the forums, it was almost entirely posts about the Hero Empire’s national war—

"On the last day of the Hero Continent national war, the God of Slaughter finally mobilizes forces, launching actions. Up to now, involving over a billion Chinese players, the greatest in history!"

"God of Slaughter ordered troop mobilization but has been slow to engage, accused of being unable to turn the tide, hiding within the Hero Empire, relying on Guardians to survive!"

"Hero Continent’s national war is on the verge of failure! The Demon Clan’s eight demigods, dozens of top-level Heavenly Domain experts, and endless Demon Army have already blocked the Hero Empire’s borders. Even if the Hero Empire deploys troops now, victory is no longer possible!"

"Demand the God of Slaughter exhaust the Hero Empire’s resources and fight the invading legion to the death. The national war can be lost, but dignity cannot be abandoned!"

"Interview with one of the Top Ten Chinese Masters, [Unbeaten]: The God of Slaughter must take responsibility for the Demon Clan’s invasion and the war’s failure! He should die to apologize!"

"Renowned Chinese master [Second Brother Who Studies Medicine] forms a ’Counterattack Alliance,’ plotting to counterattack and reclaim lost ground. Already one million Chinese players have joined, collectively demanding the God of Slaughter relinquish command of the Hero Legion and hand over all Hero Empire resources and wealth, to be distributed by the alliance for resisting the invading legion!"

"Poet supports the God of Slaughter, fiercely condemning some of the populace: Without the God of Slaughter’s protection in the Hero Empire, you would’ve long perished at the hands of the Demon Clan!"

...

Everywhere there were related messages about Huang Yi, with some accusing him and others defending him. The debate between the two sides almost drowned out the entire forum. His solitary figure stood at the center of public opinion, surrounded by tremendous controversy.

The wishes of some of the populace have always been very harsh. When Huang Yi won battles before, there were praises everywhere, worshiping him as a god! But once he didn’t meet the people’s expectations, they began to denounce him, as if he were a villain.

It’s like the Olympics; some athletes win gold in the previous games and receive endless praise. But if they don’t win gold the next time, they immediately become sinners, worse than an ordinary person who has never made any contribution.

People often say the public’s eyes are discerning, but in reality, it’s the opposite. The public’s eyes are blind. Truth is held by a few, but the minority must obey the majority, or else face condemnation.

People yearn for the appearance of heroes, yet they themselves choke the life out of heroes.