Chapter 925: Communication Game between Regions
Li Tianyang obtained the intelligence he wanted and left Zhang Yi's room quite satisfied.
They didn't see the faintly mocking glint that flashed deep in Zhang Yi's eyes after they departed.
He couldn't quite understand why these people preferred hearing lies over the truth.
When he told them the actual location, they suspected deception.
Yet when he provided a vague, ambiguous place, they believed it was genuine.
What Zhang Yi didn't realize was that Li Tianyang's confidence stemmed entirely from the fact that Zhang Yi had been injected with Compound 3, which suppressed his superhuman abilities.
Under such conditions, consuming truth serum would guarantee one hundred percent honesty.
However, nobody knew that Zhang Yi could mentally connect to his Dimensional Space, allowing him to utilize it even with his abilities suppressed.
Over the past few days, he had appeared to accept all food delivered by the East Sea Region without refusal, but in reality, he had secretly transferred everything through the Dimensional Gate in his throat.He actually consumed his meals covertly under his blankets during nighttime rest.
Even the truth serum Li Tianyang made him drink today—he hadn't swallowed a single drop.
Nevertheless, Zhang Yi felt extremely displeased about Li Tianyang's methods.
Resorting to truth serum tactics was truly despicable behavior.
"This feeling of being at someone's mercy—like fish on a chopping block—is utterly infuriating!"
Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes slightly.
"If only I were stronger, would they dare act so boldly?"
"Ultimately, it boils down to not being powerful enough. In this world, personal strength truly matters most, no matter the circumstances!"
A subtle shift occurred within Zhang Yi's mindset.
The East Sea Region.
Every humiliation they had inflicted during this visit would be repaid a hundredfold someday.
Naturally, this premise was that he would possess the capability to do so.
Zhang Yi held grudges quite fiercely.
...
After obtaining what he believed to be the "correct answer," Li Tianyang eagerly went to report to Li Guangxiao.
On his way, he encountered the bewildered Liang Simiao returning from his diversion.
Qu Liangshao had summoned Liang Simiao to another location earlier and engaged him in rambling, meaningless conversation for quite some time without addressing any substantive issues.
Only when he encountered Li Tianyang midway did he finally learn the truth.
Apparently, this had been Li Tianyang's deliberate tactic to sideline him.
"I used the simplest method—just forced truth serum down his throat. He confessed everything!"
Li Tianyang's face radiated smug satisfaction.
"I told you before, he's just a prisoner now! No need to waste effort on elaborate approaches. Direct force gets the job done."
Liang Simiao's expression transformed dramatically upon hearing this.
"Li Tianyang! Have you lost your mind?"
"You administered truth serum to the Jiangnan Region's investigation captain... Do you... do you realize what this implies?!"
A captain-level superhuman would inevitably possess access to core intelligence within their region.
Forcing truth serum upon them equated to probing another region's classified secrets.
This was precisely why Liang Simiao had never dared entertain such ideas.
Only a madman like Li Tianyang would employ such extreme measures.
Li Tianyang remained completely unfazed, smiling as he patted Liang Simiao's shoulder:
"Don't worry so much! The Jiangnan Region's capabilities are what they are. Right now, they need our military support more than we need theirs."
He clasped his hands behind his back, speaking calmly: "Besides, even if we don't intervene, do they realistically possess the strength to acquire the Divine Source on their own?"
With matters already reaching this point, Liang Simiao had little left to say.
He could only sigh deeply, "Very well then, report this intelligence to the commander immediately. Let him make the final decision!"
Li Tianyang departed triumphantly.
After some contemplation, Liang Simiao first returned to the intelligence department.
An investigator approached to brief him on a development.
"We've investigated the survivors who arrived with Chaos. One named Li Zongyu has been confirmed as the discoverer of the Divine Source."
"The location he described matches exactly what Chaos previously provided."
Liang Simiao frowned momentarily before his expression smoothed naturally.
"Someone of Chaos's caliber wouldn't leave such obvious loopholes. Whatever information comes from his mouth must have been prearranged by Chaos himself."
"Still, we should maintain vigilance. Compile this intelligence and forward it to the commander along with the other report."
Soon enough, Li Guangxiao received both reports submitted by Li Tianyang and Liang Simiao.
Both documents pointed toward the nation of Star Island.
Li Guangxiao leaned more toward trusting Li Tianyang's report.
He found it difficult to believe that Zhang Yi, stripped of his superhuman abilities, could possibly resist the truth serum's effects.
Modern interrogation drugs employed by the military far surpassed those from decades past.
Once administered, even the strongest willpower couldn't withstand their influence.
"Thus we can determine the Divine Source lies within the maritime region between Star Island and Malaya. Hmm... this presents rather troublesome complications!"
Li Guangxiao recognized this situation's complexity.
Malaya currently maintained close relations with the Columbus Ocean nation.
As for Star Island—it was merely a small nation of over ten million people.
Post-apocalypse, the country existed in name only, with minimal population surviving within its territories.
For the East Sea Region to bypass the Colombian Navy and access those waters to obtain the Divine Source would prove exceptionally challenging.
Li Tianyang offered his recommendation:
"We could deploy an elite unit via nuclear submarine to conduct thorough reconnaissance in those waters. Since an ordinary person discovered the Divine Source's existence, it must possess relatively identifiable characteristics."
Chief of Staff Qu Liangshao countered: "However, such action might expose our intentions. We cannot afford carelessness here. Considering potential detection by the Colombian Navy, we must prepare for every contingency."
He looked toward Li Guangxiao, speaking gravely: "We must remember that if we deploy forces to Star Island, we might face opposition beyond just the Colombian Navy."
"The most likely scenario involves encountering joint forces assembled by the Columbus Ocean nation. Engaging them directly with our current strength would be extremely risky."
Li Guangxiao regarded Qu Liangshao: "What's your suggestion then?"
Qu Liangshao responded: "Both we and the Jiangnan Region possess knowledge of the Divine Source. Now that we hold the initiative, we shouldn't overplay our hand."
"If we attempt to monopolize this, the Jiangnan Region might disclose everything, potentially creating a lose-lose situation."
"Therefore, we should return the Rose Squad and Chaos to reopen negotiations. If our two regions combine forces, we significantly improve our success probability!"
Author's Note