Chapter 228: Imperial Capital Crisis

Chapter 228: Crisis in the Imperial Capital

He Shuo brought both good news and bad news to Chen Jian.

The good news was that the Mechanical Cult's records of that creature were far more detailed.

From the dust‑sealed annals on the third floor of the Grand Library, Zhang Tao discovered that the so‑called “North Sea Whale‑Eel” was actually an amphibian, with a terrestrial counterpart—the one roaming the western outskirts of Jinmen City.

The two beasts had moved in lockstep from the beginning; although they did not appear together during the last beast tide, it was clear their actions were linked and their traits strikingly similar.

Or, more bluntly, the two creatures were of the same kind.

This also explained why electronic devices had failed during the previous beast tide.

The bad news, however, was that the Mechanical Cult neither knew the cause of the electromagnetic interference nor understood the creatures’ mode of operation.

Not only the Mechanical Cult; after contacting the Ring Consortium, He Shuo confirmed that they, too, knew almost nothing about the two beasts.

The information they lacked essentially meant that no one in the world possessed it.

Thick mists still lingered, and that night Chen Jian slept restlessly.

Only when the sun began to rise did he finally close his eyes for a brief moment.

Upon opening his eyes again, the group was already donning gear, ready to set out for the Imperial Capital as planned.

Early riser Lei Jie, together with the pre‑arrived Xie Yuan, discussed itinerary and routes; when Chen Jian approached, he said in a relaxed tone:

"Awake? I was planning to let you sleep a bit longer."

"You've been exhausted lately, under great mental strain; pushing on like this worries me you might break."

"It's fine."

Chen Jian massaged his slightly swollen neck and asked:

"What's the situation now? Have you found that creature?"

"No."

Lei Jie shook his head and said:

"That terrestrial whale‑eel has either vanished completely or entered a new dormancy; we can't locate it."

As the words fell, Chen Jian sighed in disappointment.

But before he could speak, Lei Jie continued:

"However, we have found the two creatures that disappeared near Ander City."

"Found them?"

Chen Jian asked, eyes bright with surprise:

"How did you find them?"

"You'd never guess the method they used to disguise themselves."

Lei Jie remarked with awe:

"I've truly never witnessed such precise cooperation on any creature other than humans."

"Do you recall the one among those two that took on a 'membrane' form?"

"That wasn't a single beast at all; it was an aggregation of tens of thousands of tiny insect‑like monsters."

"Much like locusts."

"The so‑called membrane is merely a thin swarm of insects."

"By reflecting light off their wing membranes, the swarm can flexibly mimic color patches that blend with the surroundings."

"It's natural camouflage; from an aerial reconnaissance viewpoint, it's nearly impossible to discern."

"And the true monster can indeed generate a relatively low temperature."

"Combined low temperature and camouflage can simultaneously mask both heat signatures and visible light."

"Moreover, that creature moves with great caution."

"Contrary to our expectations, its movements are not swift at all—up to now it remains near Ander City, drifting slowly toward the northeast."

"Add to that the limited range of our drones, so it's perfectly normal we couldn't locate them."

"Damn."

Chen Jian couldn't help but curse.

He truly hadn't expected...

Is this also an instinct born of biological evolution and mutation?

Clearly, that's impossible.

In the absence of survival pressure, what creature would devise such a baffling and extraordinarily complex disguise?

There is only one explanation.

Someone is controlling it.

Or perhaps someone taught it this method.

Chen Jian exhaled slowly, then asked:

"Where is its destination? Have you figured it out?" "Not yet, but it has indeed been moving northward."

"I've instructed Ji Xing to inform Lin Yu; he's leading a team there now."

"Afterwards, his squad will keep the creature under surveillance, reporting its movements to us in real time."

"If any anomaly arises, we'll be notified immediately."

"Very well."

Chen Jian replied with satisfaction.

In this way, the pressure on our side would be greatly reduced.

No longer distracted by the two "vanished monsters," we can focus on the Imperial Capital's situation.

Thinking that, he lifted his hand, donned his helmet, and said:

"Then let's set out; we must reach the Imperial Capital today and arrange a meeting with that Holy Father."

"First, obtain the information we need from him, then swiftly enter the Imperial Capital's ruins."

"If conditions permit, we'll split our forces into two columns."

"I'll go to 001; you head to the underground nuclear facility to retrieve the launch key."

"Once everything is ready, we can return to 011."

"Shen Yue can reach Huangshan today; as long as he successfully transports the nuclear bomb back, our chances of victory will be great."

"Understood."

Lei Jie nodded immediately, then gestured for the already‑prepared group to board the vehicles.

He circled the convoy once more, giving the equipment one final inspection.

Everything was confirmed, all was ready, the convoy stood poised to depart.

Chen Jian glanced at his watch; it read six thirty in the crisp morning.

By agreement, the men from the Sanctified Blood Hall should have already arrived to rendezvous and guide the way.

But… where were they?

Chen Jian turned to Ji Xing with a puzzled frown and asked:

"What about Xie Yuan?"

Ji Xing shook his head, equally bewildered, and replied:

"I don't know. He had come once before, but then vanished as if swallowed by the wind."

"Vanished??"

In an instant Chen Jian sensed something amiss; he flung open the car door and stepped out, intending to have Fuxi launch a drone to scout the surroundings, when a figure burst from the manor's rear, racing straight toward the convoy's front.

Chen Jian raised his gun without hesitation, yet the figure steadied himself and hurried forward.

It was Xie Yuan.

Panic was plainly etched on his face; the moment his eyes met Chen Jian's, he shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Sir!"

"The Imperial Capital is in crisis! We must alter our plans!"

"The capital?!"

Chen Jian asked, astonished:

"What has happened?"

"Monsters!"

Xie Yuan panted heavily, then answered:

"I have just received word from the Sanctified Blood Hall!"

"At least ten beasts are marching northward toward the capital!"

"They have already razed Guangning City, and its civilians are fleeing for their lives!"

"These monsters are heading straight for the capital!"

"Beast tide."

"The beast tide has already begun!"

(End of Chapter)