Under one person: I, Zhang Zhiwei, the arrogant Zhang.

"Senior brother... you've gone a bit too far this time." Yi Qian swallowed hard, his eyes filled with shock and deep respect as he looked at Zhang Jingqing.

My senior brother has a courage and sense of responsibility that are hard for ordinary people to match when it comes to matters of principle.

As a Celestial Master, sending the most talented and powerful disciple down the mountain with two treasures when the sect is not facing a crisis of survival is not a simple "support"; it is gambling with the entire Celestial Master's Mansion's two thousand years of fortune.

If it weren't for the fact that the third treasure couldn't be touched, he would have suspected that his senior brother was going all in, or as that kid Zhiwei would say, "all in."

Zhang Jingqing said, "Since they're coming, they should come big. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. The Japanese pirates are going to wipe us out within three months. How can we remain indifferent?"

"Soldiers against soldiers, generals against generals, there's very little we can do to help on the battlefield, but we have to hold the line in matters concerning the supernatural."

"This time, the Japanese pirates sent a high priest from the Ise Grand Shrine. His position in Shintoism is equivalent to my position in Taoism."

"Logically speaking, I should be the one to meet him in person, but the student has surpassed the teacher. I have taught a good apprentice whose skills are even better than mine. It is safer for him to go than for me to go."

Zhang Jingqing was quite aware of this. Although he was the master, the Celestial Master, and possessed complete thunder magic, he was inferior to Zhang Zhiwei in both strength and subjective refinement. Under such circumstances, he naturally wouldn't try to show off.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiwei said, "Master, rest assured, this time I will let those demons and monsters who covet my land know that they are not allowed to run wild on this land!"

"Good! Well said!" Zhang Yi chimed in from the side.

"Alright, stop being so wishy-washy." Zhang Jingqing waved her hand. "Since you've made up your minds, let's set off right away. I won't throw you a farewell banquet. I'll throw you a celebration banquet when you come back."

"Yes, Master!"

"Yes, senior brother!"

Everyone agreed in unison.

The situation in Shanghai was changing rapidly. The sooner they arrived, the better their chances of winning. So the group left immediately.

Zhang Zhiwei opened the lightning channel, engulfing everyone, and transformed into a bolt of lightning that shot into the sky, flying towards the direction of Shanghai at lightning speed.

……

Although things have calmed down in the Tiantong Diocese of Shanghai these days, and no Japanese pirates dare to attack here anymore, the overall fighting is becoming increasingly fierce.

In a battlefield with nearly a million people, the influence of a few hundred superhumans is very small. Zhang Zhiwei's lightning incarnation, which had previously had a huge impact on the Japanese pirates, has also become less effective with the arrival of the Grand Master himself. It went out a few times, but was severely restricted each time.

However, perhaps fearing that revealing the power of the divine artifact too early would alert Zhang Zhiwei and deter him from coming again, the Shinto High Priest has not used the Yata Mirror to deal with the lightning incarnation.

Even if the Grand Master himself were to take action without using the Yata Mirror, it would be impossible to easily defeat the Lightning Avatar. In fact, if he were to enter the Tentong Diocese and face the Lightning Avatar empowered by the Yanghao Well, he might find himself in a difficult battle.

Therefore, during this period, he did not launch a major attack on the Tiantong Church. He made progress little by little while arranging some preparations in the surrounding area. Recently, he launched a general offensive on a suitable night.

Faced with the increasingly powerful offensive of the Japanese pirates, the soldiers of Shenzhou showed an indomitable will. The street fighting turned into a "house-to-house battle". Often, a small building would be attacked seven or eight times. The corpses of both sides were piled up at the stairwell, and blood dripped down the cracks in the floor.

The positional warfare between the two sides was even more brutal. The Japanese pirates concentrated hundreds of cannons and bombarded the defense line of China for three days and three nights, razing the positions to the ground.

As soon as the artillery fire stopped, the Japanese infantry hordes surged forward like a tide. The soldiers of Shenzhou crawled out of the shell craters and engaged the enemy in close combat with grenades and bayonets.

Some companies fought until only a dozen or so men remained, but they still held onto the order to "fight to the death and never retreat," and built human walls on the scorched earth.

Along the Suhe River, Japanese planes circled low, constantly dropping bombs. They attempted to cross the river, but were pinned down by a barrage of light and heavy machine gun fire from the Chinese army.

The river was filled with the corpses of Japanese pirates, turning it a dark red color. But the pirates, like a pack of tireless beasts, kept charging forward, determined to tear a hole in the front.

This offensive has been going on for quite some time.

But recently, the Japanese pirates' offensive has changed, from a linear offensive of frontal advance and positional assault to a pincer attack from both sides.

This sudden turn of events, like a sharp pair of scissors, cut through the stalemate on the battlefield, making everyone realize the urgency of the current situation.

A storm is brewing, and the air is thick with the impending dominance of the Japanese invaders. In front of the Tian Tong Church square, Lu Yusheng and others are giving a swearing-in ceremony to their hastily assembled patriotic guerrilla force.

As the saying goes, those who are righteous are often from humble backgrounds.

The National Salvation Guerrilla Force was a ragtag army cobbled together from street thugs, gang members, and peddlers.

Many of them had never served in the military or handled a gun before, but when their country was on the verge of collapse, they joined the resistance without hesitation.

Although they had fought several bloody battles against the Japanese pirates with the help of the Tiantong Church, they were still far inferior to the Japanese pirates in terms of combat skills.

Now, a major battle is about to begin, and no one can predict the future. In order to stabilize morale, a pre-battle mobilization is very necessary.

Those who are in charge must make sure that their subordinates know that their courage and righteousness will not be betrayed.

The atmosphere in front of the dilapidated square was oppressive, and the faces of the guerrilla fighters were filled with confusion and fear.

Lu Yusheng was still wearing his signature long gown, but instead of holding a folding fan as usual, he stood solemnly in front of the stage with his hands behind his back.

Behind him stood Huo Tianhong, Huoyun Xieshen, and several senior elders. Wang Ai, the archbishop of the Tiantong Church, even came here in person, bringing a lot of supplies and money.

The scene was deathly silent, with only the faint sound of artillery fire in the distance reminding everyone that war was all around them.

Lu Yusheng surveyed the entire room, his gaze sharp as a knife. He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet carrying an imposing, authoritative aura:
"Brothers, we're about to go to war. Let me tell you what's on my mind."

“I know we’re from the underworld. We rob docks, collect protection money, and run casinos—we do all sorts of shady business. In the eyes of respectable people, we’re thugs, hooligans, the lowest of the low!”

"But!" His voice suddenly rose, "Even thugs have their rules! Even hooligans have their bottom line! What are our rules and bottom line?"

"It's the word 'loyalty and righteousness'! We worship Lord Guan, and we talk about unwavering loyalty and righteousness!"

"Right now, the Japanese pirates are killing, burning, and raping women on our land, not even sparing children as young as a few years old! They want to turn us into their colony, they want to ride roughshod over us! Can you tolerate this?!"

"No!" someone in the audience shouted back, their voice filled with anger.

"Yes, no, we can't!" Lu Yusheng shouted, "Then let me ask you, do you have any weapons?!"

"Have!"

"Do you have any brothers around you who would share the burden?!"

"Yes!" "Are you still wearing that thing in your pants?!"

"exist!"

The shouts were deafening, the crowd was in high spirits, and a fiery passion ignited in everyone's eyes.

Lu Yusheng nodded in satisfaction. He walked back to the center of the stage, took a rifle with a bayonet fixed from one of his men, and raised it high.

He didn't say another word, but simply pointed the tip of his gun out of the warehouse and towards the north, where artillery fire was raging.

"Fine! If we can't tolerate it, then let's fight them!"

"Today, I, Lu Yusheng, am making this clear! This time, we're not fighting for territory, nor for that damned president. We're fighting for ourselves! For our wives and children! For this land!"

He paused, his tone becoming more practical and persuasive:

“I know we’re all risking our lives, and we can’t let our brothers die in vain. So, I’ve discussed it with Boss Huo and Bishop Wang.”

He pointed to the rows of wooden crates piled up behind him:

"Here are all silver dollars. Anyone who dares to charge up with me to kill the Japanese pirates will receive fifty silver dollars as a resettlement allowance! Kill a Japanese pirate and you'll get a hundred dollars! Kill a Japanese pirate officer and you'll get a five hundred dollars! If anyone is unfortunate enough to die, and has an elderly or young family, I, Lu Yusheng, will not treat them unfairly."

"Wow!"

Upon hearing this substantial reward, the eyes of the gang members below the stage lit up instantly. In this chaotic world, this amount of money was enough to buy a life.

But then, Lu Yusheng's face darkened, and his voice turned icy cold:

"However, let me make this clear beforehand! Once on the battlefield, you must obey orders! Anyone who dares to desert or become a traitor and lead the Japanese will face severe consequences. I, Lu, will show no mercy and punish them according to family law, leaving them with three cuts and six holes, without any leniency!"

"have you understood?!"

"I understand!"

Thousands of people roared in unison.

"it is good!"

Lu Yusheng nodded in satisfaction, took a bowl of wine from the side, and raised it high:
"This bowl of wine is a toast to all my brothers! We may not be good people in ordinary times, but today, let's be heroes! Let's be men that the whole of China will give a thumbs up to! Let those Japanese devils know that we have backbone!"

"Done!"

"Dry!"

With a loud "crack," thousands of volunteers downed the strong liquor in their bowls and then smashed them on the ground.

Fragments flew everywhere, and the smell of alcohol filled the air.

At this moment, many people who are usually considered marginalized in society, driven by both national and personal grievances and a sense of brotherhood, transformed into a suicide squad ready to die for their cause.

They may not understand strategy and tactics, but they know that at this time, cutting off the heads of those Japanese devils is the most satisfying and prestigious thing to do!

At the moment when the crowd's shouts reached their peak, thunder roared and lightning flashed in the sky, as if echoing their cries.

Seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder, the crowd cheered even louder.

In recent days, they had seen the manifestation of lightning more or less. In their view, thunder and lightning represented the Lord of Heavenly Connection. When there were no dark clouds or storms, the appearance of lightning and thunder was the Lord of Heavenly Connection manifesting himself, and the Lord acknowledging the voices they made.

"The leader is responding to us!"

A believer in the national salvation armed force shouted excitedly.

The others joined in the cheering.

On the stage, Wang Ai, A Xing, and the others looked back. The others didn't understand what the lightning bolt represented, but they did. It wasn't just a simple response; it meant that the Heavenly Tong Sect Master had truly descended.

When Senior Brother Zhang arrived, Wang Ai became restless. He had come because he knew in advance that Zhang Zhiwei would be arriving soon. Of course, he didn't come for nothing; he brought a lot of guns and ammunition, as well as a lot of medicine.

After obtaining several high-precision pieces of equipment through John's reliable connections, they were able to produce penicillin independently. Although the output was not comparable to that of foreign countries, it was still a step forward.

Wang Ai wanted to pay his respects to Senior Brother Zhang, but he couldn't leave at the moment because it was time for him to speak after Lu Yusheng finished.

As the archbishop of the Church of Heaven and frequently engaged in charitable work, he enjoyed considerable prestige, and could only speak according to the plan.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, Zhang Zhiwei and a group of his fellow disciples watched the scene unfold.

When he arrived, he didn't come directly to the scene.

He didn't want to cause trouble at a time when morale was being boosted.

He will only support from behind the scenes and has no intention of stepping into the limelight, because this is not a war of superhumans, but a war of the people.

A people's war naturally depends on the people.

Even though Zhang Zhiwei didn't show himself, his senior uncles Yi Qian, Zhang Yi, and others who were following behind him were still dumbfounded by the scene.

"Goodness...this...this spectacle..." Zhang Yi swallowed hard. "Even our Longhu Mountain Luotian Grand Ceremony didn't have this kind of spectacle."

Yi Qian's eyes were also filled with shock: "Just a clap of thunder and a bolt of lightning caused such a huge commotion. What would happen if you, kid, were to descend in your true form?!"

He had often heard that Zhiwei had the potential to become a saint or ancestor, but he thought it was just an exaggeration. But now, seeing that he had actually grown to this level and possessed such terrifying prestige and influence, he was astonished.

“It is inappropriate for me to come here. They are the protagonists of this war, and I cannot steal their thunder,” Zhang Zhiwei said.

A group of senior disciples looked at Zhang Zhiwei, their eyes filled with shock, but also with relief and pride.

After all, this was their nephew whom they had watched grow up, a prodigy from their Celestial Master's Mansion.

The stronger Zhang Zhiwei becomes, the higher his prestige, and the more honored they, as elders, will be. (End of Chapter)