Chapter 27: Water Ghouls

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Water Ghost

On the wasteland, treasures lie scattered everywhere, though those who dwell here know nothing of them.

Their knowledge has suffered a severe rupture, to the point they can no longer recognize even the most standard latitude‑longitude format.

To them, it might merely be gibberish spawned by some arcane force, like the strange markings they see in tattered books and scraps of paper.

Perhaps it holds value, perhaps it marks a hidden hoard, but because it cannot be deciphered, it ends up as a child's toy.

Chen Jian stepped onto the deck under the pretense of needing fresh air, and a few minutes later Shen Yue followed, joining him there.

The two leaned on the deck’s simple rail, gazing at the river view, much like the Mechanicus crewmen who, after chanting their hymns, had nothing to do, exchanging weary whispers.

“Where are the coordinates?”

Shen Yue asked.

“Two coordinates.”

“30.528427 N, 114.349564 E.”

“31.970967 N, 118.816572 E.”

“Do you know where this is?”

After Chen Jian finished speaking, Shen Yue pondered briefly and replied:

“Hanshui and Jinling—both lie within the city limits; the exact spot would need a map.”

“No need to look.”

Chen Jian tapped the rail lightly and said:

“The first is near the Hanshui Military Ordnance Academy; the second is near Jinling’s Army Engineering University.”

“After each coordinate follows a 32‑digit code; the refresh interval is unknown, but it will certainly refresh.”

As his words fell, Shen Yue’s expression shifted instantly.

Though he wasn’t familiar with those schools, he knew that seeing these coordinates on a cipher device of unknown origin, still functional after centuries, meant something extraordinary lay at those points.

What could it be?

Gear, fortifications, shelter, or some kind of weapon?

After a moment of silence, Shen Yue spoke again:

“I don’t recall any major installations there, but the Ordnance Academy does keep a small cache of training equipment.”

“Could it be that, after our time, new works were built there, storing vital gear or strategic resources?”

“Anything is possible.”

Chen Jian exhaled, a faint smile touching his lips, and said:

“Now we have yet another reason to head for Jinling.”

“I had thought that, if Hanshui were in decent shape, we might linger there awhile to grow.”

“But now it seems Hanshui will stay behind, while ultimately we must still go to Jinling.”

“Indeed.”

Shen Yue likewise let out a breath and then said:

“Going there is fine, after all, the more people a place holds, the safer it tends to be.”

“Our fighting strength is still too weak; to gain a foothold in this wasteland we must ultimately follow the path of the Mechanicus and the Scarlet Sanctum.”

“The popular base is most important; otherwise, with just a handful of us fighting alone, when will we ever slay all the monsters on this ground?”

“Even if we emptied the nuclear arsenal and hurled bomb after bomb, we could not wipe them out completely.”

Hearing that, Chen Jian chuckled and said:

“Forget the nukes—honestly, I’m not even sure the nuclear stockpile still exists.”

“That tactical warhead from 1102 is clearly primed for launch—what circumstance would make someone fire a tactical nuke without hesitation?”

“I think the DF‑5Bs may have all been expended; that great catastrophe must have driven humanity to a final, all‑out struggle.”

“Not necessarily.”

Shen Yue shook his head and countered:

“Preparedness does not guarantee war; if the so‑called cataclysm was indeed a virus, humanity might have lost its basic organizational capacity before mounting an effective response.”

“Otherwise, how would you explain the large cities that show no signs of devastation? If there had been a nuclear war, Chuansha would already be flat ground.”

“That’s true as well.”

Chen Jian nodded thoughtfully, his mind drifting.

He could not picture what the apocalypse looked like when it fell, just as those Mechanicus sailors could not imagine what true technological might really is.

But such questions are best left to the future.

For now, the most important thing is to gather supplies at any cost, to amass stronger gear and provisions, and find a way to survive!

First, let’s go to Hanshui, to the spot marked by those coordinates, and see what lies there!

With his resolve set, Chen Jian’s mood steadied instantly.

He lifted his gaze toward the direction the steamship was heading, intending merely to stare off into the distance to rest his eyes, but as his sight swept past, he spotted an unusual dark speck.

That speck rapidly expanded, gradually taking on the shape of a vessel.

Chen Jian clapped Shen Yue on the shoulder, signalling him to come to the bow. But before they had even taken a step, the lookout Mechanicus crewman at the prow cried out suddenly.

“Water ghost! The water ghost is coming!”

Chen Jian’s heart clenched.

Water ghost?

What sort of monster is this?!

The whistle shrilled sharply; a few civilians on deck scrambled back into the cabins, while the crew poured from every corner, seizing weapons and bracing for battle.

Close behind them, the four members of the Scarlet Squad, plus Lei Jie and He Shuo, burst out of the hold.

Everyone fixed their eyes on the small boat that kept drawing nearer—battered and broken, yet moving with astonishing speed—faces tight with tension.

“How can this thing be so fast? Are they going against the current?”

Chen Jian asked, astonished.

“Something’s in the water; the water ghost is towing the boat!”

Xu Lie answered briefly, then drew his pistol and dagger.

“You’d better not reveal your gear; water ghosts aren’t hard to deal with, but their numbers make them a nuisance.”

“Leave it to us; stand behind us!”

Hearing that, Chen Jian obediently stepped back a pace.

He was not the sort to throw himself into heroics regardless of circumstance; if others could handle it, why should he intervene?

Just watch!

In just two minutes, the makeshift boat cobbled together from planks and sheet metal loomed into view.

At the bow, the Mechanicus crewmen raised their motley assortment of weapons and unleashed the first volley.

Bang!

Small-caliber single-shot rifled guns, smoothbores loaded with lead shot, and even a muzzle-loading smoothbore cannon typical of the age of sail!

Yet these underpowered weapons inflicted no harm on the speedy, maneuverable boat; at best, a twelve-pound shot merely sent a splash of water up a few meters away.

In an instant, the boat drew alongside the steamship.

Then—

Boom!

A deafening crash accompanied by a grating screech as the boat slammed into the steamship.

Boarding.

They're coming aboard!

In a heartbeat, every combatant on deck sprang into action, rushing toward the enemies scrambling up the side.

Only then did Chen Jian realize the boat's purpose was not to sail—it was merely a makeshift boarding plank.

A horde of water-ghosts surged forward; even with the Mechanicus crew wielding heat weapons, their slow rate of fire could not stem the tide.

Only the four Holy Blood warriors, formidable in close combat, managed to hold them back—barely.

Yet their line was on the verge of collapse.

Chen Jian remained in the rear, silently observing.

After a moment, he spoke:

These water-ghosts aren't strong fighters; they're worse than the converts we've been facing.

Besides, they hardly have any weapons; it's just sheer numbers.

We can't let them get below decks; even one getting in would cause serious trouble.

Come on, let's go lend a hand.

As his words fell, the other three members of the squad sprang into action.

Chen Jian gripped Shen Yue's hand as he reached for his gun, and said:

Don't draw your gun.

Not draw?

Shen Yue blinked, confused, and asked:

Should we use daggers?

Chen Jian chuckled and replied:

Are you crazy to use daggers? Do you think I'm some idiot?

Didn't we just scrounge up a few thermobaric grenades?

Toss a couple down below!

(End of chapter)