Chapter 177: How Many Combined Arms Battalions Does Huadu Have anyway?

Chapter 177: How many synthesis camps does a flower have?

Meanwhile, twenty kilometres away.

Colonel Jin Zhong, commander of the Fourth Guard Brigade of the Mechanist Cult, cloaked in a blood‑stained mantle, led the surviving fifty warriors of his brigade toward the depths of the eastern Jinling Ruins.

All the warriors had already removed their helmets; for them, it was a rite performed when undertaking a “certain‑death” mission.

Of course, they also understood that against the foes that awaited them, helmets and armor were meaningless.

Even the weapons in their hands seemed futile.

How could anyone hope to stand against such terrifying adversaries?

The monsters that have claimed the lives of nearly two thousand Mechanist Cult soldiers were, to those men, nothing more than a handful of cannon shells.

Even now, Jin Zhong could not fathom how the “mimetic heretics” achieved their feats.

Indeed, the artillery at the Mechanist Cult’s disposal could reach far beyond a few kilometres.

In rare instances, when the cannon’s spirit was appeased by a priest, it could hurl projectiles tens of kilometres away.

But such occurrences were exceedingly rare.

Moreover, under those conditions, the accuracy of the bombardment could not be guaranteed.

You cannot see the target, you cannot see the point of impact; how could you know where the shells land, let alone how to correct them?

Jin Zhong once suspected that such precision stemmed from the “iron birds”—or drones—employed by the mimetic heretics, yet upon reflection he realized that a mere observation device, coupled with a reconnaissance team at the impact site, could achieve the same effect.

That, however, was not the crux of the matter; they must have mastered a technology beyond our comprehension.

Jin Zhong was curious about this technology, yet he knew he would likely never glimpse its secrets.

For the two sides had already become de facto enemies.

Even if not outright enemies, they were at least rivals.

And a rival would never share the technology he possessed with you.

With that thought, Jin Zhong let out a long sigh.

He lifted his gaze, surveyed the road ahead, and spoke:

“The core of the Jinling Ruins lies another twenty kilometres away; ahead, no monster tracks remain.”

“Everyone, quicken your pace; we must reach it before dawn.”

“We do not know whether the mimetic heretics have already seized the vault within the ruins, but this is our final chance.”

“If we can…”

He paused, sighing again, and did not continue.

There is no “if”.

Everyone can perceive the tremors within the ruins.

The violent explosions, the overwhelming tremors, and the abrupt reshaping of the terrain.

They must have already taken the vault, must have

already activated the treasures within.

Our squad’s mission was meaningless from the start, merely a dying struggle of the lofty elders.

—

Yet even so, I could not abandon it.

It was the final task of my life.

Whatever the cost, I must be worthy of the exalted San Yi the Supreme.

Jin Zhong’s stride grew firmer, while his hastily promoted adjutant, worry etched on his face, stepped beside him and asked:

“Commander, do we truly still need to go?”

“We have already witnessed their strength; they fear not even second‑tier monsters. If we go, it will be a death march.”

“This is not guidance from San Yi the Supreme; it is a ludicrous command from the elders. We are loyal to San Yi the Supreme, but loyalty need not be blind.”

“Silence!”

Jin Zhong barked in a deep voice, then said:

“This is our destiny!”

“We have no other choice; we must go!”

“Jinling City faces an unprecedented threat; if we do not uncover the true power they wield, the entire city may be razed in an instant!”

“Almost all the Sanctified Blood have marched to the northern front; only we remain!”

“Do not worry, as long as we remain unseen.”

“Bang bang bang bang——”

Jin Zhong’s words had not yet

been finished when a sudden volley of gunfire erupted beside his ear.

Instinctively he turned, seeking the careless soldier who had pulled the trigger, but after a fleeting confusion he realized the fire came from

the sky!

Jin Zhong looked up in horror, and at that moment, several beams of intense light descended from above.

Accompanying them, a calm yet undeniable voice rang out.

“You have entered the territory of Huaxia. Lay down your weapons and surrender on the spot, or I will take decisive action to expel you!”

“This is the first warning, and also the last!”

“Lay down your weapons!”

As the voice fell, Jin Zhong’s adjutant instinctively raised his weapon.

But in that instant, Jin Zhong’s heart was enlightened.

He realized that resistance now was meaningless.

His mission was merely to venture forward and uncover intelligence about the core of the Jinling Ruins.

Since that place was already under the mimetic heretics’ control, why should he enter by “confrontation”?

The two sides had not yet torn the veil of civility!

At least I have not!

I had once met their leader, and during that encounter both sides exercised great restraint.

This time, I believed it would be the same.

Otherwise, they would not have offered a warning.

Jin Zhong’s thoughts flickered, just as the squad was about to

Jin Zhong’s thoughts flickered, just as the squad was about to fire in retaliation, he suddenly raised both hands and shouted:

“Lay down your weapons!”

“Everyone, lay down your weapons!”

In an instant, the guard brigade’s warriors froze in place.

Immediately, Jin Zhong was the first to cast aside the weapon in his hand.

The other warriors followed his example, and he continued, raising his voice:

“We bear no malice!”

“The peace accord between the Mechanical Cult and the Huaxia Army remains unbroken! We are grateful for your assistance in battling the monsters!”

“We have come only to negotiate!”

“We merely wish to confirm whether you are willing to continue cooperating!”

As his words faded, a pillar of light focused upon Jin Zhong’s face.

The blinding glare forced his eyes to shut involuntarily, yet he spoke on as if shedding all fear:

“I know you doubt me! But I have met your leader! Right within the Anqing Ruins!”

“He must know me! I must speak with him!”

When his voice fell silent, the beam withdrew from his body.

After a brief pause, a calm voice intoned:

“Remove your armor, lay down your weapons.”

“Follow the glow of the drones in the sky.”

“You have been granted temporary permission, but should any hostile act arise—”

“Boom!”

A massive explosion thundered less than a hundred meters ahead of Jin Zhong.

The opponent’s formidable threat needed no further words.

Two hours later, guided by the drones, Jin Zhong led his fifty‑man squad toward the heart of the Jinling Ruins.

He was certain beyond doubt that this was the true core.

He was equally certain that those so‑called “mimetic heretics” and the “Huaxia Army” had already opened the final treasure.

The reason was simple.

He had seen it.

He had seen a radiant brilliance that eclipsed even the Trinity Sanctum, silhouettes of figures moving faintly within the light, and the colossal machines bathed in it.

Once, the Mechanical Cult possessed such wonders.

Yet time corrodes all; as the saints’ relics rusted, the Cult itself grew ever more decayed.

Perhaps this ruin was meant to herald the resurgence of the Trinity’s holy light.

But now it lay in the hands of the Huaxia Army.

Do they know how to wield the holy machines?

Do they understand how to soothe the machine souls?

Regret and discontent stirred within Jin Zhong, yet in the end he simply pressed on in silence.

——

Yet when he finally stepped beneath those lights, his discontent was instantly swept away by terror and awe.

He could not comprehend what he beheld.

Clearly it was unmanned humanoid machines, swarms of hovering drones, and the armors he had only ever seen in Jinling City—now immobile, reduced to “sculptures.”

Jin Zhong staggered forward in bewilderment.

For a fleeting instant he fancied himself already within the divine realm of the Trinity.

Perhaps that would be a fitting ending?

He thought so.

But a voice emanating from the four armors shattered his reverie.

“I never imagined we would meet again.”

“It seems fortune smiles upon you, surviving the clutches of that monster.”

Jin Zhong instantly recognized the voice. He bowed his head slowly, then spoke with measured calm:

“Survival was never my desire; I should have marched to the divine realm alongside those warriors.”

“Nevertheless, I must thank you for the aid you bestowed.”

“In the final moment, you saved my life.”

“Thank you.”

Jin Zhong inclined his torso in a shallow bow, and when his words ceased, Chen Jian standing before him nodded and replied:

“Your words are not offensive, and your mind has not been wholly consumed by religious zeal; most importantly, you showed true bravery against the monsters.”

“To be frank, I hold little prejudice against you.”

“That is why you are able to stand here now.”

“Yet I am curious—why do you still come here?”

“Do you not realize that each encounter with us is a dance with death for you?”

“I know.”

Jin Zhong straightened, gazed at Chen Jian still wearing his helm, and answered:

“But I have no choice but to act.”

“Before you, I need not conceal my intentions.”

“Our mission is simple: to ascertain your strength and confirm your stance.”

“The Mechanical Cult—no, more precisely, Jinling City—must know whether you intend to assault Jinling.”

“And whether you possess the capability to capture the city.”

“I imagine, as a fellow soldier, you can understand my task.”

“Even if our peace treaty endures, vigilance remains a virtue we must uphold.”

“Indeed.”

Chen Jian nodded in agreement, then asked:

“Do you think this holds any meaning?”

“Vigilance is a virtue, and foresight in peace even more so.”

“Since you have treated us as a hypothetical enemy, you must always be ready for attack.”

“Your mission is futile; better to stay in Jinling than to come here to die.”

“Perhaps your fifty‑man squad can grant Jinling an extra minute of endurance?”

Arrogance.

Chen Jian's remarks, on the surface, seemed arrogantly extreme, yet Jin Zhong sorrowfully realized that his judgment already carried a hint of self‑deprecation.

One minute?

Not even a minute—before the enemy, the elite Guard Brigade we pride ourselves on would probably not survive ten seconds.

He lifted his gaze to the six‑barreled rotary cannon perched on the hillside to his side, already trained on his position, smiled wryly, and then replied:

“Indeed, it is nothing more than the wishful thinking of some great men.”

“How could you possibly spare Nanjing City? Just as you would not spare Huadu, they will not spare Nanjing either.”

“If that is so.”

Jin Zhong suddenly raised his head, his eyes hardening with resolve.

“If that is so, I ask you—no, I beg you—”

Saying that, Jin Zhong half‑knelt, then continued:

“I beg you, launch the assault on Nanjing without delay!”

The words hung in the air, and Chen Jian was taken aback.

He had never expected Jin Zhong to utter such a plea.

Had he already resolved to betray the Mechanical Church?

No, this was clearly not betrayal.

Chen Jian opened his mouth to inquire, but at that moment Jin Zhong pressed on:

“Huadu’s main force has already reached the north of Nanjing City, less than thirty kilometres away.”

“They have learned that the Nanjing Ruins have fallen, and have turned their sights on Nanjing City.”

“Like locusts they scour the surrounding towns, slaughtering countless civilians whose numbers we cannot count.”

“Our losses within the Nanjing Ruins are so great that we can no longer hold back their onslaught; reinforcements from other cities cannot arrive in time.”

“On the northern front we can at most stall them for another day.”

“After that day, even if reinforcements arrive, they will be thrust into a battlefield already collapsing.”

“Nanjing will inevitably fall; though the Sage may not have foreseen it, I have already seen the end!”

“No one can stop Huadu’s advance—except you!”

“I implore you, show mercy to the civilians of Nanjing!”

“Capture Nanjing City, defend Nanjing City!”

“At the very least, do not let the innocents there die beneath Huadu’s atrocities!”

Jin Zhong, like beans spilling from a bamboo tube, poured out the entire situation of the Mechanical Church in Nanjing City to Chen Jian; Chen Jian stared at him in astonishment, and then a voice of Fuxi rang in his ear.

“Vital sign identification complete; lie‑detection algorithm yields 89% credibility.”

“Comrade Commander, the counterpart is highly likely not to be lying.”

Chen Jian blinked slightly and whispered, “Understood.”

Then, fixing his stare on Jin Zhong, he asked:

“Do you truly wish to save the civilians of Nanjing City?”

“Yes, otherwise I would have no reason to explain the situation to you!”

Jin Zhong declared with unwavering certainty:

“Huadu’s troops are astonishingly powerful; once they seize Nanjing City, their next move will inevitably be to use its supplies to press the attack on the Nanjing Ruins.”

“If it were not for the civilians inside Nanjing, letting them be used as shields while the enemy brings those terrifying weapons to assault your ruins—causing both sides to be destroyed—would be the most advantageous choice for the Mechanical Church.”

“But I know the Holy Trinity will never stand idle while civilians perish.”

“I can betray the Church, I can betray the Sage, but I cannot betray the Holy Trinity!”

“Understood.”

Chen Jian exhaled a long breath.

After a moment of silence, he spoke:

“You are fortunate; you have made the same choice as us.”

“Our philosophies differ, yet like you, we refuse to watch civilians be slaughtered.”

“In this world, population is a precious resource.”

He paused there for a heartbeat.

Then he continued:

“We will block those Huadu men.”

“As for the ownership of Nanjing City, we can discuss that later.”

When Chen Jian’s words faded, Jin Zhong sprang to his feet and asked:

“You don’t want Nanjing City?”

“We do; of course we do.”

Chen Jian gave a faint smile and replied:

“But our methods differ.”

“In any case, you may return now.”

“When the sun rises, we will launch the attack.”

“Those Huadu folk are nothing more than ants.”

“Ants?”

Jin Zhong furrowed his brow slightly, then said:

“I advise you not to underestimate the enemy.”

“As I have said, those Huadu are formidable.”

“You—”

“Formidable?”

Chen Jian sneered:

“How many synthetic battalions do they have, anyway?”

“Come now, look up and see what this is!”

With that, the lights in the corridor behind Chen Jian flared to life.

Immediately, a massive machine roared into view.

Jin Zhong stared at the gigantic war engine, hesitated a moment, then suddenly fell to his knees.

Afterward, his lips trembled as he said:

“The sacred, sacred visage”

“Triune holy apparition!”

(End of this chapter)