Medical instruments were arranged in rows beside the operating table, reflecting a cold, metallic glint under the surgical lights.
He knew instantly what was about to happen—he was about to be vivisected.
"No! You can't do this! We signed a contract! You can't do this!"
The assistant smiled. "That's right, you signed a contract with us. But during the ability test just now, you unfortunately died of a sudden collapse. We're just investigating the cause of death, to give your family an explanation. Hahaha..."
"No... no!" Ma Baojia's face turned deathly pale as he roared.
"I don't want your money anymore! I'll return it all! Please, spare me! Please, let me go..."
"Ah..."
His pleas gradually gave way to screams.
Since Eagle Country wanted firsthand data to study the relationship between spiritual energy and meridians, it was best for the subject to remain conscious throughout the procedure.
Thus, Ma Baojia was not given any sedatives or psychotropic drugs during the entire process.
***
Such things were happening in other dark corners of Blue Star.
In the Prime Minister's Office of Cherry Blossom Country, the Prime Minister was reviewing an autopsy report.
"Information on the Qi Refining Manual could not be obtained."
"The Meridian System cannot be verified using current Western medical theory."
"No spiritual energy was collected from the human body!"
The Prime Minister slammed the report onto the table with a violent thud.
His aides, standing to either side, trembled in fear, daring not speak.
Two minutes later, the Prime Minister finally spoke.
"Go! Hire more Dragon Kingdom nationals!"
The aide replied, "Sir, several Martial Arts Masters have disappeared from Dragon Kingdom communities. Won't they become suspicious and refuse to come?"
"Hmm?"
The Prime Minister shot him a cold glance, and the aide immediately lowered his head, kneeling properly.
"There are plenty of traitors among the Dragon Kingdom nationals—those they call Han Traitors. They'd sell their ancestors for money. Why would they refuse? Hurry!"
"Yes, Mr. Prime Minister!"
***
Compared to the brutal experiments conducted abroad, the Dragon Kingdom's research into spiritual energy was far more gentle.
Though there had been no substantial theoretical breakthroughs, practical applications had advanced significantly. This was due to the Dragon Kingdom's extensive collection of related texts and the recruitment of reclusive Martial Dao Masters from their mountain retreats.
Martial Dao cultivation was now systematically promoted in all major military regions, even leading to the formation of special Martial Dao commando units.
In civilian society, reverence for the Martial Dao reached unprecedented heights.
Online, as long as Qin Feng wasn't causing trouble, keyboard warriors would endlessly debate Martial Dao.
Even discussions about attractive women had diminished, and some men obsessed with "watching the ball games" had begun practicing self-discipline in hopes of joining the Martial Dao commando units.
In the National Warfare Department, Li Tai dozed off with a cigarette in hand.
Less than ten minutes later, the cigarette burned down to its end.
"Damn it! That's hot!"
Li Tai jolted awake, scalded by the cigarette butt, and frantically shook his hand.
Just then, his deputy entered the office, accompanied by an ordinary-looking old man.
This man would be utterly unremarkable in a crowd.
His name was Liu Zhong, the second-in-command of the Dragon Kingdom's covert operations.
"Director Li, here's the latest secret report."
The major powers on Blue Star had been in a state of constant tension for years, their mutual infiltration running deeper than ordinary people could imagine.
Moreover, with the advent of the National Destiny Battlefield—a crisis unseen in a millennium—espionage activities had reached their peak.
"Good work. You've earned your rest."
"It was nothing, Li Ke. You're the one who should be resting."
"Sigh," Li Tai sighed deeply. "Even if Qin Feng and the others are handling the National Destiny Battlefield, we can't catch our breath. The enemies on Blue Star won't let us."
The old man shook his head helplessly, a hint of sympathy in his eyes.
Li Tai took the classified report and tore open the "Top Secret" seal.
The document contained intelligence on recent experiments by Eagle Country, Cherry Blossom Country, and other nations regarding the *Qi Refining Manual*, spiritual energy, and the Meridian System.
"Damn it, they're moving fast!"
After reading the report, Li Tai tossed it into the shredder.
The machine whirred, and within ten seconds, the thick stack of documents had been reduced to rice-sized fragments.
Even the shredded fragments couldn't leave the National Warfare Department.
Every day after work, a designated person would get the shredded paper approved by multiple levels of management before taking it to the basement for incineration.
Staring at the fragments, Li Tai pondered for a moment before saying, "At least they haven't made any substantial progress."
The old man nodded in agreement. "It's fair to say there was no substantial gain, but they couldn't resist employing Han Traitors overseas who had obtained the *Qi Refining Manual* as their lackeys."
Li Tai scoffed at such people.
*Let them run rampant abroad, fine. But now that they dare help the Japanese and harm the Dragon Kingdom's interests, don't blame me for being ruthless!*
"Lao Liu, please communicate with the higher-ups and activate the Traitor Elimination Plan as soon as possible."
Liu Zhong nodded solemnly. "Understood. However, the scope of this operation is vast, and manpower might be tight. Moreover, the Dragon Kingdom can't openly engage in assassinations. If they catch us, it could be used for negative propaganda..."
The Han Traitors were employed not only by the few major powers but also by dozens of smaller nations.
Even hundreds or thousands of overseas corporations were involved.
For the Dragon Kingdom to take drastic action would be impractical both in feasibility and consequences.
Li Tai pondered for a moment, then retrieved a thick stack of documents from his drawer.
"Here are records of major and minor martial arts sects within the Dragon Kingdom. Those traitors overseas are all connected to them—either through disciples and descendants or as independent practitioners they've recruited. By having these sects purge their own ranks, we can act with legitimacy!"
Li Zhong smiled. "As always, Li Tai, you have a way to get things done."
"Also," Li Tai continued, "we're establishing a Martial Arts University in the country. Have your people spread the word and lure talented individuals from abroad back home!"
"No problem!"
Li Tai sighed. "With the National Destiny Battlefield ongoing, Eagle Country and others will eventually obtain the Qi Refining Manual reward. Before that happens, we must widen the gap between us and them in the Martial Dao as much as possible!"
Qin Feng and his team on the National Destiny Battlefield had already given the Dragon Kingdom a significant head start.
To stay ahead in the Martial Dao and outpace other nations, the Dragon Kingdom needed to launch a comprehensive offensive, blooming in all directions.
"There's one more thing I need your help with, Old Li."
After outlining the first two tasks, Li Tai moved on to the third.
Liu Zhong replied, "Go ahead, Li Tai. I'm listening."
As a veteran intelligence officer, Liu Zhong naturally committed every word to memory.
"To attract martial artists scattered across Blue Star back home, we'll be holding a National Martial Arts Tournament in the Dragon Kingdom in a week. You need your overseas contacts to promote this as widely as possible!"
-----------------------
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