Chapter 208: Eccentric

Chapter 208: The Odd One

“Four kilometers ahead, a small cluster of monsters detected, roughly thirty in number.”

“Understood. Upon closing in, the first squad will dismount and engage with rifles for extermination.”

“Six kilometers ahead, a large monster sighted, about five meters tall, swift, approaching a Level‑4 threat.”

“Copy. First squad, three teams; once near, employ sleeve‑arrow missiles to strike and clear the target.”

“Twelve kilometers ahead, a colossal monster, sluggish in movement, meets Level‑4 criteria.”

“Deploy 107 rockets in staggered fire, three per volley; if they miss, close in and a team from the first squad will finish it with a rocket launcher.”

“Approaching Zhuolu City, five kilometers away.”

“Drone reconnaissance shows heavy civilian activity within the city, bustling commerce, relatively stable order, and the presence of Mechanist Cult’s guard forces; entry is permissible.”

“Roger. In ten minutes we’ll encamp at the city’s fringe, rest briefly, then send Xie Liu and Ji Xing forward to scout.”

“Proceed into the city after risk assessment.”

“Understood.”

“Ji Xing acknowledges.”

After a long trek, the massive convoy finally reached the outskirts of Zhuolu City.

At that moment, every soldier of the Huaxia forces, Huang Meng included, was utterly stunned.

Not from the fatigue of riding.

Purely from the bewildering combat.

Throughout the day’s itinerary, they scarcely paused a single moment.

Spotting monsters, tracking them, and hunting with the most fitting weapons.

Two hundred‑forty kilometers, a full nine hours, spent in this relentless cycle.

At first, everyone was exhilarated.

New weapons tested endlessly, overwhelming firepower, robust cover, commanders’ meticulous guidance, and the wailing of slain monsters.

All of this felt fresh and thrilling, as if erasing the decades of suffering they had endured.

They darted about, frantically pulling triggers, shouting newly learned tactical commands, raining artillery and bullets upon foe after foe.

Yet they emerged unscathed from start to finish.

Though at moments they truly sensed danger.

Once or twice, it was the commanders or the Saint‑Blood warriors beside them who intervened to avert disaster.

Overall, their operations proceeded with uncanny smoothness.

This gave them a visceral sense of personal growth and of the unit’s might.

The feeling of merging with the collective enthralled them, even intoxicating them.

——

Yet gradually, their voices grew hoarse.

Their shoulders began to ache, limbs grew sluggish, and the ever‑fervent spirit waned inch by inch.

Combat did not become dull; it became loathsome.

In the final bouts, they forced themselves to finish with waning resolve.

At last, after Fuxi’s final transmission confirmed a lull in hostilities, everyone teetered on the brink of collapse.

Ten soldiers of the first squad leapt from their vehicle, collapsing onto a thin blanket of snow.

Their body heat melted the snow instantly, icy water seeping into their garments, yet rising proved impossible as their bodies betrayed them.

It was finally over.

Wait.

Is tomorrow’s itinerary to mirror today’s?

In that instant, the crowd felt an unprecedented weariness.

Yet Chen Jian had no intention of sparing them.

“Everyone, stand up!”

At the command, even the utterly exhausted surged upright.

“Set up sentries as I taught, stay vigilant, maintain surveillance.”

“Don’t let me catch any of you dozing!”

“Those who excel will receive commendations and rewards, influencing future promotions.”

“Underperformers, return to Huangshi City on your own!”

“Yes, commander!”

A chorus of crisp replies rose from the ranks; Chen Jian gestured, and the troops scattered, each seeking a watch post.

Watching their stumbling gait, even Ji Xing clicked his tongue in awe:

“The training methods feel oddly familiar.”

“Back at the Sanctum of Saint Blood we used a similar routine.”

“But here, the tools seem far more useful than those taught in the Sanctum.”

“Of course.”

Chen Jian chuckled, replying:

“These are centuries‑old lessons; they cannot be useless.”

“Alright, we’ll hold the line here; you go into Zhuolu City to recon.”

“If you verify no issues and that the guard forces have received the Mechanist Sanctum’s orders, we’ll enter the city to rest.”

“Should any anomaly or suspicion arise, we’ll fall back five kilometers to the second encampment for rest.”

“Understood.”

Ji Xing answered succinctly, without pause, steering the cat‑cart with Xie Liu, racing toward Zhuolu City a kilometer away.

Chen Jian reviewed the drone feed, found no irregularities, then called Li Shi to gather dry timber nearby and kindle a fire.

The bright flames lit the night, the air warming swiftly; Chen Jian ordered the Huaxia troops to rotate watches, while the idle began preparing supper.

Meanwhile, Lei Jie clambered from the tank, gave a quick inspection, and said contentedly:

“This contraption is remarkably sturdy; at this pace, I reckon we’ll reach the Imperial Capital before the first maintenance is even due.”

“However, our artillery shells are running low.”

“Including the truck’s stock, we have only sixty‑one rounds left.”

“If you truly intend to assault Huadu, that ammo count becomes precarious.”

“Tomorrow, conserve your resources along the way; today we’ll fire eleven rounds, which is rather extravagant.”

“Modern warfare is just like that—no trouble at all.”

Chen Jian waved his hand and said:

“According to Fuxi’s account, 001 is also a massive fortification, its layout essentially mirrors that of 011, yet on a grander scale.”

“By my reasoning, I would also cram at least one tank inside.”

“But no one knows the true state of 001.”

Lei Jie spread his hands and said:

“Although Fuxi confirmed that the 001 structure remains undamaged, it is evident that the integrated communications have been shattered.”

“Who can tell whether inside it is as pristine as 011, or already half‑ruined like the 006 of Spring City?”

“A half‑damage would be tolerable; but what if it is completely destroyed?”

. If we were that unlucky, we could take the nuclear‑bomb unlocking key and just go home.

Chen Jian spread his hands and said:

“Moreover, the true value of 001 lies not in its armaments, but in the records it holds of the cataclysm that followed.”

“According to the logs uncovered at 7025, the degradation to the north proceeds noticeably slower than in the south.”

“Given that, I am convinced the organization of that era possessed means to physically preserve far more information.”

“If we can locate it, perhaps we will unravel the secret of the great cataclysm.”

“But it may not be that easy.”

Lei Jie could not help but sigh, and at that moment lights flickered in the distance as Xie Liu and Ji Xing returned.

“How’s the situation?”

Chen Jian asked.

“There are some issues, but nothing serious.”

Ji Xing replied:

“We met the commander of the guardian troops stationed here—a bishop.”

“Alongside him, a monitor from the Hall of Sacred Blood also oversees Zhuolu City.”

“Both have already received notices from the Mechanical Sanctuary and the Hall of Sacred Blood, and understand our intentions.”

“They welcomed us into the city, yet I can’t shake the feeling that that monitor is somewhat off.”

“Off, you say? In what way?” Chen Jian furrowed his brow and asked:

“Is it his behavior that’s odd, or his attitude?”

“Neither—no, the strangeness I speak of isn’t about us; simply, as a member of the Sacred Blood, he seems off.”

“Xie Liu, can you sense it?”

“I can.”

Xie Liu nodded instantly, thought a moment, then said:

“His oddness isn’t a logical inconsistency.”

“I feel he does not seem like a Sacred Blood at all.”

“Commander, you probably already sense that most Sacred Blood lack distinct personalities.”

“From childhood we endured extraordinarily harsh and unique training, erasing individual traits for years.”

“Only when we ventured out, undertook missions, chased bounties, did the human side begin to re‑emerge.”

“Yet the imprint is hard to erase—indeed, it was only after joining the Huaxia army that I sensed a faint human flavor within myself.”

“Ji Xing fares better than I; as a guard she meets more people, and her personality has recovered more fully.”

“But she remains an exception.”

“Yet the monitor in Zhuozhou City exhibits personality traits that are far too conspicuous.”

“Traits too obvious?”

Chen Jian was taken aback.

“In what way are they obvious? What kind of personality?”

“Lively, enthusiastic, even a touch flamboyantly comic”

“Madness.”

Ji Xing interjected:

“A kind of mentally unhinged frenzy.”

“He is a monitor, the most central administrator beneath the Holy Father.”

“How could a Sacred Blood develop such a temperament?”

“They have spent more time in the Hall of Sacred Blood than anyone; even when posted as lords of other towns, they could not so swiftly acquire such a disposition.”

“Understood.”

Chen Jian gave a slight nod, pondered briefly, then asked:

“Before this, have you ever encountered a similar Sacred Blood?”

“Never.”

Ji Xing instantly shook her head, stating firmly:

“And I am certain the Hall of Sacred Blood could never produce such a person.”

“His transformation must have occurred after arriving at Zhuolu City; something here must have influenced him.”

“It may be a latent risk—we may enter the city, but we must stay vigilant.”

“Understood.”

Chen Jian weighed his words for a moment, then said:

“Enter the city.”

“It is a risk, yet also a clue.”

“In this wasteland, anything out of the ordinary may become a clue.”

At that point he paused, then ordered:

“Everyone, gear up and prepare to enter the city!”

At the command, the group sprang into action.

The campfire was extinguished, gear and personnel re‑boarded, and within minutes the party stood before Zhuolu City.

After dismounting, Chen Jian saw the guardian troops awaiting at the city gates; with a single glance—no further introduction needed—he instantly recognized the “unusual Sacred Blood” Ji Xing had spoken of.

There was no denying it; his traits were conspicuously, almost excessively, evident.

He was dressed in the dark‑red standard blood‑garb that Chen Jian had once seen the Holy‑Blooded commonly wear, yet upon that garment, intricate lines embroidered a labyrinth of ornate, flamboyant, even somewhat uncanny patterns.

Chen Jian could not fathom what those motifs signified—perhaps they were meant to mean nothing at all?

He stepped forward, and before he could speak, a slightly manic laugh from the Holy‑Blooded opposite rang out.

“Hahahahahahaha!”

“Gentlemen of the Huaxia army!”

“At last you have arrived; we have waited for you far too long!”

“I hear you have slain the Saint of the Mechanical Cult? Tsk tsk tsk, how utterly astonishing.”

“Oh? Bishop, why the sour look? Is that expression aimed at me?”

“No, no, no, I mean no disrespect to the Saint, but as everyone knows, the previous Saint was a villain, correct?”

“A slap! I ought not have spoken such things.”

“Come, come.”

“Gentlemen of the Huaxia army, I have prepared a modest wine for you.”

“You should rest well; after a long trek you need to drown your fatigue in drink, let the alcohol seep through you.”

As he spoke, the attendant strode directly toward Chen Jian and his companions.

The squad of warriors instantly raised their muzzles, the clatter of loading guns filling the air, forcing the attendant to halt abruptly.

He nearly fell, stumbling over his own foot.

Then, with a self‑deprecating grin, he said:

“Dammit, my old cold legs.”

“You are overreacting, my friends.”

“I am merely enthusiastic; I have no intention of opposing you.”

“Everyone knows that anyone who opposes you ends up dead, does it not?”

“By the way, I have prepared a specialty from Jinling City for you. Do you know what it is?”

“Iron‑skewered meat!”

“Hahahahaha.”

Chen Jian watched his performance with cold eyes, his vigilance never wavering.

The more exaggerated the display, the more he suspected something was amiss.

Lei Jie felt the same.

He stepped a pace closer to Chen Jian and asked:

“Is this fellow completely high‑on something??”

“Or perhaps suffering from some mental ailment?”

“He does indeed seem to be high.”

Chen Jian answered in a low voice, then gave a signal; Ji Xing and Xie Liu immediately moved forward, placing themselves between him and the attendant.

“Oh? A Holy‑Blooded?”

“A betraying Holy‑Blooded. A clever Holy‑Blooded!”

The attendant clapped his hands, then slipped to the side, bowing and making a gesturing motion of ‘please.’

“Then, please, enter the city.”

“Believe me, we harbor no ill will; Bishop, I trust you bear none either, do you not?”

Upon hearing this, the Mechanical Cult bishop, who had not spoken until now, finally nodded.

He then said:

“I obey the Saint’s command.”

“Regardless of who the Saint may be?”

Chen Jian asked sharply.

“A Saint is a Saint.”

That cryptic answer, as mute as a riddle, ultimately earned Chen Jian’s trust.

He gave a slight nod, then spoke:

“Come, let us enter the city.”

“But you—especially you—stay back!”

(End of chapter)