Chapter 157: Where the Spearhead Points

Chapter 157: Where the Spear of War Points

After severing the radio link with Huangshi, Chen Jian found himself mired in a storm of contradictory doubts.

On one hand, he could not bring himself to believe that these mercenaries actually possessed a “railgun” of such high‑tech, almost science‑fiction caliber.

Yet on the other, according to Huang Yu’s description, the device might indeed be some kind of miniature railgun.

Coiled windings, a massive power cell, electronic components that Huang Yu could not decipher, and, most clearly described, a hulking capacitor exposed like a small water bucket.

Apart from a railgun, what other weapon could assemble all those elements?

Chen Jian furrowed his brow, stared at the nonchalant expression on Lei Jie’s face, and asked:

“Aren’t you surprised? The enemy used to toy only with smoothbore rifles and cannons, and now they’ve even produced a railgun!”

“This world grows more incomprehensible to me each day.”

“What’s so incomprehensible about it?”

Lei Jie chuckled and shook his head:

“Did you forget? When we first arrived, we were still wondering whether cavalry armed with laser rifles might be roaming here.”

“In truth, these so‑called high‑tech marvels aren’t that lofty; set lasers aside, is a railgun really that exaggerated?”

“The core technical hurdles of this contraption are only two: a gigantic capacitor and a material that can endure extreme heat and erosion.”

“Solve those two problems, and fabricating a railgun is easier than building an ordinary smoothbore cannon, you see.”

“Twenty years have passed since our era and the Great Cataclysm; fusion power is mature now, which proves the first‑wall material issue has been solved.”

“If the first‑wall material can be mastered, then finding a heat‑resistant alloy for a railgun should be a breeze.”

“.You make a good point, yet something still feels off.”

Chen Jian sighed helplessly, and Lei Jie offered consolation:

“Don’t overthink it; have we not already encountered wonders beyond imagination these past few days?”

“We once dwelt in a remote corner, far from the true heart of humanity’s settlements.”

“From now on, such circumstances will become the norm.”

“Indeed.”

Chen Jian ceased his rumination.

In any case, he had already ordered Huang Yu to borrow the Ring Trade Guild’s routes and ship the contraption to Jinling first.

Whether it truly is a railgun or not, we’ll see when it arrives.

If it isn’t, that’s fine; but if it is…

In the upcoming battle against the monster lurking in the Jinling ruins, this device might prove unexpectedly effective.

After all, our squad cannot fashion a large‑bore rifled cannon in short order; even a modest railgun would outclass the rocket launchers and automatic grenades we currently clutch.

With that thought, Chen Jian felt a weight lift from his shoulders.

At the same moment, Shen Yue, who had just ended his call with the Ring Trade Guild, stepped forward.

“I’ve confirmed with the guild’s contacts; they have no usable large‑caliber weapons either.”

“It’s not that they refuse to give them; they simply don’t have any.”

“Those tech‑obsessed fanatics don’t grasp the very purpose of weapons; unlike the Mechanical Cult, they have little interest in pre‑cataclysm war tools.”

“Artillery, firearms—they treat them as mere trade goods; only missiles and other seemingly precise devices catch their eye.”

“This time, we can’t realistically count on them.”

“No matter; we saw it coming.”

Chen Jian waved a dismissive hand, fell silent for a moment, then asked:

“What about the Fuxi project? Have they sent any further feedback?”

“None.”

Shen Yue replied:

“I hinted to Wang Li about clues concerning nuclear fusion, but his reaction showed he knows nothing of it.”

“He understands that fusion exists, can roughly picture what it is, yet he fails to link that notion to the Fuxi project as they conceive it.”

“They chase blindly; given their method, they’ll likely never reach a conclusion.”

“One thing, however, is that they have ventured farther than we have.”

“They’ve dispatched agents to Luzhou, intending to stitch the broken thread there.”

“.We never told them the next clue lies in Luzhou.”

Chen Jian said gravely.

“Exactly—that’s the crux of the matter.”

“We didn’t tell them the clue was in Luzhou, yet they know it is.”

“That shows their approach is opposite ours.” “We chase a single thread outward, while they gather the scattered strands inward.”

“I feel we will inevitably meet in Jinling.”

“When that moment arrives, both sides will lay their cards on the table.”

“Whether we cooperate or clash, the answer will soon become clear.”

“Understood.”

Chen Jian nodded slowly, then asked:

“Any other information?”

“Yes.”

Shen Yue answered:

“Finally, the most crucial piece of intelligence.”

“Huadu is massing an army to march south.”

“Their target, too, is Jinling.”

Meanwhile, within Jinling City.

Inside the Mechanical Cult’s Trinity Sanctuary.

The Pontiff sat upon his lofty throne, a totem of the Trinity’s supreme sanctity hanging above his head.

The cold glare of electric lights bathed the entire sanctuary in stark illumination, yet his face remained perfectly concealed in shadow.

Bishops and priests knelt at his feet, their expressions devout as they received his blessing.

After a low‑toned hymn had been sung to its conclusion, they each withdrew, exiting the sanctuary one by one.

Only a black‑clad Grand Bishop lingered where he stood.

He stepped slowly up the steps, coming to stand before the Pontiff.

Then, he spoke up:

"According to reliable intelligence, Huadu has assembled a force of over two thousand men and is marching south, with the Jinling Ruins as their objective."

"They intend to wrench the Jinling Ruins from our grasp. A clash is perhaps already inevitable."

"We must reach a decision as swiftly as possible."

"Whether we launch a crusade against them based on the atrocities of Huadu uncovered within the Anqing Ruins, or beat them to the punch by entering the ruins first—these two strategies will yield vastly different outcomes."

"We require your resolve."

As the words fell, the Pope slowly rose to his feet.

Then, he spoke up:

"Those people of Huadu remain forever obsessed with that lore of theirs, which reads like celestial script."

"Why can they not comprehend that the overly arcane knowledge from before the Great Cataclysm holds absolutely no meaning for us?"

"Even if they manage to breach the Jinling Ruins, defeat that monster, or even unearth the so-called buried treasure, what good will it ultimately do them?"

"No one can truly master what they call 'genes.' Knowledge that cannot be put into practice is nothing more than futile, empty talk."

"Compared to them, it is actually that newly emerged 'Huaxia Army' that possesses greater clarity."

"They, just like us, are in pursuit of absolute, unadulterated power."

"And it is power alone that can resurrect this dying world."

At this point, the Pope exhaled a heavy breath.

Then, he spoke up:

"We are left with no further choices."

"The Jinling Ruins must not fall into their hands."

"By the Holy Trinity above, we shall safeguard the future that belongs to us!"

"Take my emblem, and command the Guards Brigade to assemble!"

"In three days' time, we shall enter the ruins and slay that monster!"

"As you command!"

The Archbishop reached out and accepted the emblem.

And upon that so-called "emblem," four large characters were strikingly impressed:

Sany Heavy Industry.

(End of Chapter)