Sand Dune Tower, the headquarters of the 1st Division.
Many soldiers patrolled in formation with their guns in hand, and armored vehicles occasionally drove out of the main gate of the military camp. The troops stationed in the first district were undoubtedly the most powerful force in Sand Castle.
Walking through the gate, you can't see any city buildings. Half of it is a plain, and the other half is a barren mountain. Beyond the mountain is the boundless desert. However, the First Division is also the closest to Dune Tower, located on the edge of the city, connected to the urban area by an old-world highway.
The place is majestic and solemn.
The soldiers' equipment was also completely different from that of the Third and Fourth Divisions.
Sandcastle's elite troops are equipped with powerful standard rifles, and in addition to regular infantry, they also have a relatively complete range of other military branches.
The reorganized force of over 10,000 men guards the heart of the sand fortress and rarely engages in external military operations.
Due to the rampage of the biker gangs and the tense situation during the major election, the second, third, and fourth divisions went to the fourth and fifth districts, as well as the Black Street, to suppress the rioters.
Compared to the inferno surrounding the outer city walls and the various street battles and urban warfare, the First Division's garrison was much quieter.
Li Jiuyuan, a radical official who was a key figure in the Sand Castle, learned of the riot in the Black Street at noon that day.
In a military cadre office building directly in front of the training ground, Li Jiuyuan was sitting in a seat with his back to the window, listening to Lu Bin's report, who had just come from the Black Street.
Because of the backlighting, Li Jiuyuan's face was not clearly visible. He had a cigarette dangling from his mouth, wore a military cap and uniform, and carried a badge with patterns, stars, and a sandcastle on his shoulder to prove his status in the military.
Just sitting there quietly gives people a strong sense of oppression.
Inside the room, a man sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, while a woman with a voluptuous figure stood lazily against the wall to his left.
Both were dressed in military uniforms and caps; the only thing they had in common was their pair of deep blue eyes—
Psionicist!
Li Jiuyuan's trusted assistant, who was both his mentor and friend, was said to have saved his life several times.
In Sandburg, it's common for any powerful official to recruit psionicists to serve them.
Relying on their powerful strength and various magical techniques, Li Jiuyuan's martial prowess is enough to make him a formidable figure within the Pavilion, and no one dares to underestimate him.
"...That's the situation."
After listening to Lu Bin's report in silence, Li Jiuyuan fell into a long silence before asking, "So, apart from the mining area, all your forces in Black Street have been routed?"
"In my opinion, the fall of the mining area is only a matter of time. The opponent is very powerful, a rare superhuman. We... are no match for him."
As soon as Lu Bin finished speaking, the man on the sofa couldn't help but sneer, showing great disdain.
But he didn't say anything.
The woman leaning against the wall had a slightly serious expression. Her beautiful face remained solemn, and she seemed tense all over. She said in a low voice, "Extraordinary... I haven't seen one for many years."
Li Jiuyuan waved his hand, "The Black Street wants to confront the military, and its purpose is very clear. This is a protest against the Radical Party. The population of that street, including the fourth and fifth districts, is nearly 100,000. I said long ago that the Radical Party is playing with fire."
Lu Bin bowed and said, "Commander Li, the problem now is how to handle this matter. The Fourth Division and the Third Division have suffered heavy losses, and the Second Division is blocked outside the Fourth and Fifth Districts. It seems that we are surrounding Black Street, but in fact Black Street has the initiative. The situation is very bad."
Li Jiuyuan shrugged and laughed, "Handle it? I can't handle it. If what you say is true, that extraordinary person who possesses the techniques of 'teleportation' and 'object manipulation' is currently in command in the Black Street. Unless the entire First Division is taken out, we won't gain any advantage."
Lu Bin gritted his teeth and lowered his head, remaining silent.
The man on the sofa suddenly spoke up: "Li Shuai, don't worry. This has nothing to do with us. Let's push the responsibility to Number One and let him figure out a way to handle it. We'll just follow orders. There's nothing more to say."
Li Jiuyuan sighed, "That would be the best outcome, of course. Besides, it was the radicals who went astray and provoked the extraordinary. Hehe, we're in for a good show."
As the military commander of Sand Castle, Li Jiuyuan had suspected from the beginning that his career and rise to power were so smooth that there must be something fishy going on.
He was initially planted in the military by the radical party. After years of maneuvering, he became one of the commanders of the First Division. After accumulating more seniority, the radical party seized power and, amidst the general atmosphere of unease, pushed him into the position of military commander.
And the process went very smoothly.
There are as many as five people competing with Li Jiuyuan, all of whom are high-ranking officials in the military system, and one or two of them even have the support of veteran crocodile bosses.
Later... they all gave up on their own initiative.
Or perhaps they orchestrated a scheme, manipulated it a bit, and managed to make a graceful exit.
The crocodile's head behind him had one eye open and one eye closed.
Everything seemed perfectly natural.
Li Jiuyuan immediately realized how hot his position was, and that the radical party was likely using him as a tool to get through the election period.
No one would fawn over someone like that.
They even try to shift blame onto each other, hurl insults at each other during grand rallies, and nitpick at Sand Dune Tower, all to prove that they are not on the same side as the radical parties.
However, it's not that easy.
If the radical party wants to use the military and Li Jiuyuan himself, they must give something in return.
Now is the time for a major election. Li Jiuyuan has taken this position and it's a done deal. It's impossible to change him on the spot. Therefore, his status in the cabinet is very important.
He wreaked havoc in Sand Dune Tower, exerted immense pressure on Crocodile Head and top officials, and dispatched troops to suppress Districts 4 and 5 and the Black Street. Li Jiuyuan only carried out these actions after he had eaten and drunk his fill.
Now... the radical party can't do anything about that supernatural being.
Li Jiuyuan, of course, wouldn't be foolish enough to rush forward and become the scapegoat.
“Lu Bin, you should go back first. I believe the higher-ups will make a decision soon. After you go back, you should withdraw the troops stationed in the mining area to the Third District. I will have the Third and Fourth Divisions cooperate with you to keep them away from them. Sigh…” Li Jiuyuan rubbed his forehead, but he had a bad feeling.
Lu Bin said nothing and left to carry out the order.
The man on the sofa immediately said, "Li Shuai, the radical party will let you go."
“That’s right, but this is also a great opportunity for us.” Li Jiuyuan tapped the table with his fingers and said, “After we finish this job, we’ll withdraw. Black Street is the territory of the Conservative Party. Let their people take this position; they are much more suitable than me.”
"By the way, Shaoheng, could you guys go and make contact with that extraordinary person? Let's bring some gifts, have a talk, stage a fake battle, no need to make a scene. After the fight, we'll leave, Black Street will return to normal, and let the higher-ups continue their infighting."
The man slowly stood up and smiled, "You can give it a try."
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