novelraw Chapter 971 - 300: This Intelligence Was Provided by the Demon King of Thunder County
Chapter 971 - 300: This Intelligence Was Provided by the Demon King of Thunder County
The cabinet ministers and members of Hell will make their decisions here.
Although this detail did not appear in the meeting brief, it was an open secret among all the demons present.
The Minister of Internal Affairs turned to face the audience, saying in a deep voice, "The Supreme Council Hall officially enters the first phase of the agenda—intelligence briefing."
As he slightly turned sideways, a demon flame rose from thin air, illuminating one side of the conference hall.
It was a granite platform located at the foot of the Demon God Statue.
A master of ceremonies, wearing a deep purple robe and holding a scroll, slowly stepped forward, stood on the stone platform, cleared his throat, and began to read in a steady voice.
"The first top-priority intelligence is provided by Demon King of Thunder County, Baron of Black Wind Castle, and Lord Luo Yan."
"According to his servants, who were caught in the vortex of the Vast Ocean, the storm incident originated from a seal rupture in the midsection of the Vast Ocean. The aftermath swept across the entire sea area, affecting the coastal regions of the New Continent and causing significant losses to multiple imperial military strongholds, including Seldo Port, as noted in the frontline battle report of the Blood Red Wilderness..."
After a pause, he continued.
"A large area of land has emerged on the sea surface in the storm's central region. After field surveys and comparisons with historical documents, it has been preliminarily confirmed to be the Gana Continent without a doubt!"
The members' seats were in uproar.
Several senior members whispered among themselves, while a few young demon kings in the audience had noticeably tense expressions, their eyes filled with disbelief.
The name Gana Continent had appeared in countless dusty documents, yet no one had truly witnessed its existence, leading most who read about it to regard it as a legend.
Faced with the whispers in the meeting hall, the master of ceremonies paused for a moment and continued speaking.
"According to historical records, the Gana Continent was the Dragon God's battlefield in the First Epoch, and it has been isolated from the world by the Great Barrier. Now, due to an unknown storm, the Great Barrier has collapsed, and the land has re-emerged."
"Multiple native tribal states exist on it, currently governed by the 'Gutaf United Kingdom.' This authority possesses a complete military system and belief structure, having demonstrated strong military power in several clashes with the Aus Empire, forcing the Imperial Fleet to avoid its edge... It is apparent that their relationship with the Empire is not harmonious and is currently in a truce."
At this point, he added a sentence.
"This intelligence is also provided by Lord Luo Yan."
Upon hearing this, many demons simultaneously looked at Luo Yan, especially some senior demon kings seated in the audience.
Unlike the members who were already aware, these individuals, although having seen the meeting brief, were unaware that all this valuable information came solely from Luo Yan.
How does this guy's reach extend so far?
Under the gaze of all the demons, Luo Yan sat quietly, his expression unchanged, merely resting his fingers lightly on the table, as if listening to a story unrelated to himself.
The master of ceremonies continued speaking.
"The third piece of core intelligence is still provided by Lord Luo Yan—his servants have successfully infiltrated 'Withered Wood Port,' the Imperial's colonial outpost established on the Gana Continent coastline."
"At present, it is confirmed that the area has become a zone of overlapping dual forces. An Imperial Navy ship temporarily docked after the storm, seemingly investigating the storm's cause and assessing the possibility of restarting colonial routes."
"The Empire's next moves remain unclear, and further intelligence on Withered Wood Port awaits further observation."
With the three pieces of intelligence successively read, the entire council hall fell into a brief silence.
The looks directed at Luo Yan were no longer just of surprise; some even carried respect and admiration.
Of course, there were also looks of doubt and scrutiny—
How could this guy know so much?
Could it be fabricated?
They were half right.
The intelligence indeed had Luo Yan's embellishments.
Although none of it was entirely false and could stand the test of history, they, like the flags fluttering above Withered Wood Port, were actually planted by the Demon King's servants themselves.
Moreover, it was under the Demon King's guidance.
Yet, these outside demons would never expect this.
After all, the truth was far more unimaginable than they imagined, or it was gentler in the latter.
For instance, the Demon King of Thunder County intended to seize the opportunity to gain more bargaining chips.
For instance, this was an attempt to please Caesar Colin and exert pressure on Goliath, who held opposing views.
To think in these terms was too narrow-minded.
Luo Yan ignored the looks of suspicion or admiration directed at him, quietly waiting for the meeting's agenda to continue.
The master of ceremonies continued flipping the scroll, speaking in a calm tone.
"Below are the reported damages from various demon kings after the storm:"
"A partial collapse of the Black Crystal Ore Vein on the fourth level of Silver Helmet City Maze, with an estimated 23% reduction in annual Demon Crystal production."
"The smuggling route to the Sereite Duchy from the 'Abyssal Tide Cave' on the seventh deep level of the maze near Wulan Port has collapsed, and the demon beasts are out of control and require clearing... Currently, the Imperial adventurer guild has intervened, but they have yet to realize they are inadvertently working for Hell."
"In the northern Broken Spine Cliff, the wreckage of an Aus Empire messenger ship was discovered, with remaining scrolls containing tax records for the northeastern coastline of the New Continent. It is unclear if the ship's wreck is related to the 'Great Storm,' and currently, the scrolls have been taken over by the Intelligence Department."
Although this information seemed fragmented, it also revealed, to some extent, the comprehensive impact of the storm on both surface and underground orders.
The demon king members and ministers listened intently.
However, some were dozing off.
After all, that person knew best in their heart.
The so-called Great Storm was merely the aftermath of the Barrier's removal and had nothing to do with the Chaos Evil Gods behind the Subspace.
It was nothing more than an echo from a thousand years ago—
Of course.
Compared to Hell's major misjudgment of the Gutaf United Kingdom's strength, this minor misjudgment seems insignificant.
Mr. Feistin pondered with a frown.
Luo Yan lightly rotated the feather pen, observing the expressions of the other members, analyzing the positions they might hold.
This was crucial.
He had to discern a segment worth attracting and then draw the line of interest distribution within the sphere of "Thoughts of All."
At least the majority's thoughts.
The elderly master of ceremonies finished counting his scrolls and cast his gaze towards the Minister of Internal Affairs.
Seeing the latter nod slightly, he surveyed the entire hall, asking in a hoarse voice:
"Above is all the confirmed intelligence at this stage."
"Is there any error or supplement?"
A moment of silence.
No one spoke.
"If that's the case," he nodded slightly, continuing with a solemn and respectful tone, "the intelligence summary phase concludes, entering the formal discussion session—"
Before he could finish his words, a heavyweight voice interrupted.
"Let me say a few words."
Putting down the arms he had folded, Caesar Colin slowly rose from the tall granite seat and placed both hands on the circular meeting table.
Luo Yan realized the moment he saw him that this was also someone who did not follow conventional routines—
"For me, the only important information is that there is a territorial dispute between the Gutaf United Kingdom and the Empire, and they are currently in a ceasefire."
His gaze swept across Luo Yan's face, then like a sharp spear, pierced straight into the Soul Fire swaying within Goliath's skull.
"Uniting all forces that can be united is the teaching of Bayele, His Majesty. I believe any demon of sound mind would agree with my strategy—"
"Those crawlers may indeed be unlikable, but they are absolutely worth uniting with!"