A Calculated Victory and an Unexpected End

Tracing an opponent’s address through the network cable was hardly a novel feat in an age of widespread internet access.

However, the kingdom had only achieved such an advanced standard of living within the past decade. Many were still acclimating to these new technologies.

Li Tianming’s ability to conceive of this method was thanks to Xie Shenhong’s guidance from years past.

“Though remote-controlled magic boasts advanced technical complexity, it inherently carries risks of exposure,” she had advised. “My suggestion is to establish puppets capable of independent judgment and action to a certain extent, then encrypt them deeply to prevent counter-manipulation.”

As for the Western Faction, their situation was far more innocent and helpless.

Sakamoto Gyuma’s swift deduction of the reason indicated his keen awareness.

His audacity in still contacting Li Tianming stemmed from several factors. Firstly, he had openly killed his comrade in broad daylight.

Secondly, his relationship with Crimson Eagle, a figure highly valued by the kingdom’s upper echelons, was strained, even bordering on hostility.

Thirdly, he maintained an ambiguous connection with the Shogunate Faction.

Considering these three points, even if Li Tianming had no intention of defecting, he certainly wasn’t aligned with the kingdom’s interests.

It was clear he was secretly plotting something.

Furthermore, Sakamoto Gyuma, as the controller of the Marquis-tier puppet Susanoo, possessed mid-tier Knight-rank combat prowess himself.

He was also deeply skilled in the art of concealing his whereabouts.

The kingdom’s intelligence agents capable of tracking him undetected were few and far between.

In fact, there was only one: Duanmu Yun.

As for Li Tianming’s suspicious actions earlier, it was already a stretch that Duanmu Yun wasn’t tracking him.

Yet, he had sought Duanmu Yun’s help?

Even if such a collaboration were possible, it would only occur during a second meeting, after extensive preparation.

Their current encounter with Li Tianming had been impromptu, a sudden development.

By any measure, it seemed incredibly unsafe.

However, the reality defied all expectations.

The moment Sakamoto Gyuma contacted him via a remotely controlled shadow, Li Tianming immediately found Duanmu Yun for tracking.

Who could have predicted such a profound level of trust?

“Protect our lord! Break through the encirclement!”

The loyal guards cried out.

The puppet masters transformed one after another.

Under their cover, Sakamoto Gyuma fled into the sewers.

Only sixty percent of the Western Faction’s forces had gathered at the mansion that day. Though their losses would undoubtedly be severe, as long as Sakamoto Gyuma survived, the Western Faction could rise again.

He had not gone far before a figure emerged ahead of him.

Spotting a streak of crimson in the newcomer’s bangs, Sakamoto Gyuma’s fury ignited, quickly followed by a mocking laugh.

“Do you truly believe you can stop me?”

“In such a confined space, I do not fear you.”

Li Tianming drew out Eagle Soaring the Skies.

Sakamoto Gyuma was, of course, privy to this information. He knew that even if he transformed, a direct hit would be difficult to withstand.

Unfortunately for him, Li Tianming likely only knew he was a puppet master, not the full extent of Susanoo’s abilities.

“Transform!”

Sakamoto Gyuma swiftly changed into a tall, brawny man clad in battle armor. He charged at Li Tianming like a wild bull.

It was as if he intended to tackle him down before a shot could be fired.

However, this was precisely where Sakamoto Gyuma’s cunning lay.

Among puppets, Susanoo’s attack power, defense, and speed were not its strengths.

But it possessed the ability to use reflection magic.

Most magical and physical attacks could be bounced back by Susanoo’s armor, with a reflection limit reaching the peak of the Marquis-tier.

In such a confined space, anyone below the Duke-tier attempting to attack Susanoo would merely be offering their head on a platter!

A loud ‘Bang!’ echoed.

Yet, no gunshot followed.

Li Tianming had merely used a sound effect to bluff him.

But just as Sakamoto Gyuma prepared to mock his bluster, his body crashed to the ground.

More accurately, the puppet had suddenly malfunctioned and ceased to operate.

“It seems the Empire doesn’t value you highly after all.”

Li Tianming walked up to Sakamoto Gyuma, looking down at him from above.

To use Eagle Soaring the Skies and clash head-on with him?

Li Tianming had long since learned about Susanoo’s abilities from the Shogunate Faction. Even if he hadn’t known about the reflection magic, he would never have committed such a foolish act.

The correct approach was to avoid their sharpest edge, strike unexpectedly, exploit their unpreparedness, or wait for their momentum to wane before delivering a decisive blow.

That person had said so.

And experience had proven it true countless times.

Therefore, he had deployed a device here, utilizing technology captured by the kingdom from the Lihuo battleship, to emit interference waves.

This rendered Sakamoto Gyuma’s puppet unable to function properly.

Swiftly, Li Tianming bound Susanoo with anti-magic chains, then crouched down.

“So, what will you do next? Will you abandon the puppet and fight with your true body? Or is it as the intelligence suggests—that all your nation-guarding puppets are old models, lacking transfer capabilities?”

Sakamoto Gyuma, who had been struggling fiercely moments before, saw his expression subtly shift.

Then, he erupted into a torrent of curses.

Li Tianming conjured a chair, settling leisurely beside him.

He then produced a teacup, filled it with cola, and savored it slowly, utterly unaffected by the stream of vulgarities.

Realizing his insults were futile, Sakamoto Gyuma resorted to threats.

“You bastards, don’t think you’ve won just like this! Our Sakura Nation samurai will annihilate you all!”

Li Tianming couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Annihilate… a grand slogan indeed. Yet all you’re capable of is prostrating yourselves before the Empire, begging them for a mere territory, aren’t you?”

“Silence! Do not use your vile thoughts to question the relationship between us and the Empire!”

“As for your subordinates avenging you, or your organization spontaneously continuing to operate, I can only say you’re deluding yourself.”

Li Tianming recalled someone’s past teachings, a smile playing on his lips that held both nostalgia and mockery.

“Surely, you don’t believe your exiled organization can truly sustain itself without you, its very soul?”

Sakamoto Gyuma’s defenses crumbled. He unleashed an endless barrage of curses, continuing even as the Knight Order arrived to take him away.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.

Such was the way of the world, especially for an illicit organization like the Western Faction.

Why would anyone abandon a good life to rebel with Sakamoto Gyuma? From where did their conviction truly stem?

Without Sakamoto Gyuma as the source of their confidence, with only unstable profits to bind them, could this organization truly endure?

It was just as that person had said:

“Humans are both foolish and wicked. Foolish, because they will collectively commit incredibly stupid acts; wicked, because if you genuinely treat them as fools, you will be the only one to suffer the consequences.”

Li Tianming had every reason to believe that every member of the Western Faction was intelligent.

They certainly wouldn’t foolishly become cannon fodder, nor would they pledge loyalty to just anyone who replaced Sakamoto Gyuma.

Even if Sakamoto Gyuma were to return to the organization, having once failed, he wouldn’t command the same trust as before, would he?

Finally, it was over.

Silently stowing away Eagle Soaring the Skies, Li Tianming felt refreshed as he returned to the surface.

“Captain, I truly apologize for misunderstanding you earlier today.”

Marco approached him.

The moment Li Tianming’s spear pierced his chest earlier, he had received a telepathic message instructing him to feign death.

Though Marco had his doubts, he complied.

The result was that he had just been able to join the punitive expedition, successfully personally slaying his subordinate’s enemy.

“It’s alright.”

Li Tianming waved a dismissive hand.

After a brief report to Duanmu Yun, he quickly departed the area.

These matters were not his concern, nor were they his responsibility to care about.

He had to see that person.

From Marco’s transformation earlier in the day, it was clear that person had intervened.

This implied that the despondency that person had displayed before had all been an act.

That person was still targeting him.

But now everything was over, and it proved that person’s hypothesis was wrong.

If nothing unexpected happened, that person was likely seething with frustration.

Yet, it didn’t matter.

Regardless of how that person treated him, he was already mentally prepared to be scolded.

“You’ve worked hard, Tianming. You did exceptionally well.”