In the three days that Yi Beidou was missing, no one was particularly surprised. After all, people had grown accustomed to his habit of appearing and disappearing without a trace.

Everyone’s attention was focused on what stance the Japanese government might take after the three-day deadline. Some believed Japan’s leader could never publicly bow to a single individual and would likely initiate a new round of conflict. However, most people felt that Japan should, and must, yield.

Most importantly, although he was originally from Donghua, he had since defected and held no specific nationality.

He might only be one man, but he was a being unique in all the world—someone who could potentially usher in a new era.

Even the names and statuses of Japan’s current leader, or even the Emperor of Japan, would likely pale in comparison to Yi Beidou’s in the annals of human history. For them to bow to such a figure was no disgrace.

In fact, it could even be an honor. After all, if future generations spoke of this great transformation, they would have to mention Japan.

This line of thinking actually resonated with many of the Japanese people.

After all, Japan is a peculiar country. It’s a nation that would erect a monument to invaders from the Starry Sky Country, viewing them as the ones who opened their gates and brought them a new civilization. It wasn’t surprising they would think this way.

As long as you are strong enough, you will be surrounded by nothing but praise.

Furthermore, if the Japanese government yielded, it would also ensure that Yi Beidou wouldn’t vent his anger on Japan and wreak havoc in its cities. This would maintain stability, killing several birds with one stone.

Faced with this wave of public opinion, the high-ranking Japanese officials hiding in their underground bunkers were at their wit’s end. Some even began to worry, indirectly proposing an apology to avoid major chaos after the three-day deadline, which could threaten their own positions.

However, Japan’s leader quashed these suggestions, simply telling them to wait patiently.

As public speculation continued to mount, the three days passed quickly.

Everyone was waiting for the Japanese government’s response, as well as Yi Beidou’s next move.

Some netizen started a countdown thread online, precisely timing from the moment Yi Beidou rejected Japan’s Minister of Defense and posting real-time updates on the time remaining.

Some foreign powers even opened betting pools, taking wagers on whether Japan would apologize.

Amidst this public frenzy, detailed information about Cultivation and the Saint Realm began to spread across the world, becoming increasingly known to the general public.

It had to be said that Yi Beidou’s actions had genuinely spurred the popularization of Cultivation.

Time flashed back, to the point when the three-day deadline was drawing near.

On the most popular countdown thread, the timer had already dropped to under an hour.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government remained silent, giving no indication whatsoever. The comments below the post scrolled by in a blur.

"Looks like the Japanese government is planning to resist to the very end this time. To be honest, I’m a little impressed. I didn’t expect those Japanese bigwigs to be so stubborn. Are they really preparing for another large-scale battle in the Tokyo City District and willing to accept the price of destroying at least a third of the city?"

"The Great Demon King’s hunt is about to begin! I have a feeling something big is about to go down. To my friends in Tokyo, I’d say get out of there while you still can. If a massive urban battle really breaks out, everyone in Tokyo will be in grave danger."

"I can almost smell the blood in the air. I just wonder how many people will die this time. And how is this all going to end?"

"..."

Relevant organizations in Donghua were also closely monitoring the situation.

Dechang University. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

The Martial Arts Club had grown even larger. After their daily training, it had become a habit for everyone to gather in the sparring room and scroll through the latest news on the incident.

"Damn, didn’t think the Japs would be this stubborn."

Jiang Yiyang watched the countdown on the thread tick down to less than fifteen minutes and couldn’t help but smack his lips.

"That’s because they haven’t been hurt enough. Did they forget the atomic bombs from the Starry Sky Country? Once the time is up, Mr. Yi will just have to kill a few more high-ranking Japanese officials. Then they’ll learn to be afraid."

Shen Jiayue scoffed.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Most people in Donghua following the matter felt the same way. Having followed his journey from the start, they had developed a blind faith in Yi Beidou, believing no one could stand in his way.

But inside the Special Security Bureau, the mood was grim.

"Still no concrete news on Yi Beidou?"

Wei Cheng asked Zhao Ping.

"None. And we have intelligence that almost all of Japan’s top officials have hidden themselves away in underground bunkers. It looks like they don’t plan on showing themselves anytime soon. The strange thing is, their military shows no signs of mobilizing. It doesn’t seem like they’re planning any forceful action. It’s more like... they’re waiting?"

Zhao Ping reported the intelligence in a low voice.

As the responsible government agency, they had access to far more information than the general public. In their original assessment, the Japanese government should have yielded quickly.

Only an enemy truly understands their enemy.

Honor, dignity, bushido—it’s all bullshit. It’s just stuff the Japanese aristocracy uses to trick common people into dying for them. In reality, the high-level officials who truly rule Japan are more terrified of death than anyone.

The moment something appears that truly threatens their lives, they’ll fold faster than anyone.

And clearly, Yi Beidou was just such a threat.