Chapter 279: Fuel in Position

Chapter 279 – Fuel Secured

Upon receiving He Shuo’s report, Chen Jian promptly issued the order to withdraw from Jinling City.

Though there is still insufficient evidence to prove that Zhang Tao might have turned against the Huaxia forces before the great battle, Chen Jian trusts He Shuo’s judgment.

If he has already sensed that the Mechanical God Cult’s trajectory is veering toward an uncontrollable direction, then keeping distance and avoiding contact is the final choice in the face of a looming enemy.

Yet this evacuation has completely shattered Chen Jian’s confidence in the Mechanical God Cult.

He had believed that installing a relatively trustworthy leader could change the cult’s condition, gradually “reforming” and “purifying” it, but clearly the inertia of religion proved too strong.

The conspiracies of the ambitious can never be extinguished by metaphysical theory; they must be washed away by solid artillery fire.

It seems that after resolving the Beast Tide crisis, the Huaxia army’s next step will be to use force to reclaim the lands and peoples held by the Mechanical God Cult, eradicating the poisonous sores that spread toxin.

This is destined to be an arduous task.

Yet on this wasteland, what could possibly be easy?

——

The good news is that Jiang Yu has successfully completed her mission.

Beside the airfield of Base 011, Chen Jian watched silently as Jiang Yu, with somewhat clumsy motions, landed the bomber.

After she crawled out of the aircraft, ground crew who had undergone brief training rushed forward and began unloading the cargo.

He followed Lei Jie’s steps toward Jiang Yu’s direction; she ran a short distance, then stood at attention, saluted, and spoke in a resonant voice:

“Report, commander! I have completed the transport mission! Awaiting orders!”

“Very good, thank you for your effort.”

Lei Jie gave a slightly perfunctory nod, then sprinted to the plane to inspect the rocket fuel Jiang Yu had brought back, while Chen Jian stayed put and said to Jiang Yu:

“Take it easy; this trip was hard work.”

“How was it, smooth?”

“Very smooth!”

An excited smile blossomed on Jiang Yu’s face; she opened her mouth, momentarily unsure what to say.

How could one describe a thousand‑kilometer flight?

If the previous missions had felt like mechanically following Fuxi’s guidance to bomb fixed targets— even when she personally piloted the plane—leaving her with a sense of being “restricted,” then this mission truly left her isolated and alone.

Yet that very isolation granted her an unprecedented sense of control.

Although the flight path lay mostly within the honey‑comb network’s coverage, she had to climb higher to achieve greater range.

Raising the altitude, however, meant losing contact with the rear base.

At first, when Fuxi’s voice vanished from her headset, she felt a fear unlike any she had known.

But soon, the terror was swept away by the breathtaking vistas thousands of meters above.

The mountains, the rivers, the human settlements that resembled ant colonies—

She had never seen her world from such a perspective.

The extreme distance gave her an inexplicable sense of detachment, yet quickly she felt an unprecedented “reality.”

This world is beautiful; it should not be occupied by monsters.

The world lies before her eyes, and humanity is its master.

In the instant that thought surged, Jiang Yu suddenly understood the deeds of the Huaxia army.

She had thought that, even though the Huaxia forces were far more noble than other wasteland factions, fundamentally they were just a stronger team.

Now she fully comprehended.

The difference between the Huaxia army and other powers lies not in strength or weakness, but in their view of this world.

They have always believed themselves to be its masters.

They have also always believed that, as masters, they bear responsibility for the world.

In that moment, every mystery that had eluded her found an explanation.

Every motive that once seemed illogical now aligned with reason.

The so‑called “integration” often occurs in a single instant, and even she could clearly feel the process.——

By contrast, the act of carrying out the mission seemed less important.

“I flew over Changshan, landed at the designated temporary airstrip, and used the power generators supplied by the Ring Chamber of Commerce to refuel.” “After refueling, I took off again; the return trip was smooth.”

“However, after loading the cargo, the aircraft’s range was reduced.”

“When we touched down, only 2% of the battery remained—dangerously low.”

“In fact, if we could jettison the depleted batteries mid‑flight, the weight reduction would extend the range by at least 200 kilometers.”

“Commander, we should consider incorporating this design into the next aircraft.”

“…let’s wait until we can build an aviation engine before that.”

Chen Jian shrugged helplessly and explained:

“We don’t even have the capability to produce the high‑energy‑density batteries used on the bomber; losing one is a huge loss—these cells cost more than an entire plane.”

“So you’d better abandon that idea early; we can’t afford such luxuries.”

“Understood.”

Jiang Yu nodded thoughtfully, then, with a face full of anticipation, asked:

“Commander, when will we be able to manufacture an aviation engine?”

“Once we have an aviation engine, we’ll be able to build real fighter jets, right?”

“We’re already ahead of schedule.”

Chen Jian walked with Jiang Yu toward the base entrance, explaining:

“Making a fighter jet is far more complicated than you imagine; even a single material issue can cripple us.”

“When we finally manage to produce a true fighter jet, human civilization should be on the brink of revival.”

“That’s the plan.”

Jiang Yu sighed with a hint of disappointment, then pressed on:

“Will I still be able to pilot a fighter jet?”

“You should be able to.”

Chen Jian smiled and gave a non‑committal answer.

Yet even that answer was enough to thrill Jiang Yu.

“I’ll strive to live until that day!”

“Don’t set such flags; after these two flights, take some rest.”

Chen Jian said helplessly.

“The second aircraft has already completed its test flight, and the pilots' training is about to conclude.”

“You are the first pilot we have cultivated, and also the most successful of all.”

“Have Lei Jie arrange for you to give a lesson to those pilots who have yet to truly take to the skies.”

“Starting from zero as they did, your experience may prove even more valuable.”

“Understood! I will see the task through to its end!”

Jiang Yu answered solemnly, and at that very moment, hurried footsteps echoed from behind the two of them.

Chen Jian turned his head and saw that the newcomer was none other than Lei Jie.

“How does it look?”

Chen Jian asked, his voice cutting through the tension.

“No problem at all!”

Lei Jie, breathing rapidly, spoke up:

“The fuel is correct, but the quantity falls short!”

“The route has been charted; two bombers will take turns, and within a day we can bring back all the fuel.”

“Once the fuel arrives, we will commence the pouring at once!”

(End of Chapter)