Chapter 315: Rapid Response

Chapter 315: Rapid Response

“Enter terminal interception range!”

“Launch sixteen Red Flag‑16 anti‑air missiles!”

“Land Shield system tracking!”

“Lock on!”

The thunderous roar of the anti‑air missiles erupted, and at that instant the defensive array of Base 011 finally found its true purpose.

Their first adversary was a swarm of more than twelve high‑speed cruise missiles!

Each of those missiles breached the terminal defense at speeds exceeding Mach 2; Chen Jian could not identify their model, and even the radar built into the Red Flag‑16 interceptor failed to read their signatures.

Yet the rugged Red Flag‑16 held steady, maintaining lock on the incoming threats.

A volley of fire emptied the sky of Base 011’s anti‑air firepower.

After launch, the Red Flag‑16 executed a near‑sharp turn, diving straight toward the descending missiles that were cutting altitude.

“Boom!”

“First shot hit!”

Brilliant flashes erupted against the dimming heavens.

Then the second, then the third.

“Boom!”

“Boom!”

Sparks blossomed one after another, and for a heartbeat the sky above Base 011 seemed to stage a dazzling fireworks display.

Yet behind that splendid tableau lurked the very threat of death.

“Four incoming targets breaching!”

“Missile interception failed!”

“Close‑in system locked!”

“Fire!”

“Dudududududud———”

Under a sound like tearing silk, thousands of bullets surged forth in an instant.

A dense net of fire stitched itself across the sky, and wherever the flaming threads crossed, missiles within visual range detonated instantly.

“Boom!”

Rain of fire fell like meteors.

Amid the fragmented hail, a massive, burning object plummeted from above!

“Boom!”

The explosion roared on the ground.

A shockwave swept past, and Chen Jian instinctively bowed his head.

Then, the next second.

Shards of stone and clouds of dust rained down; the missile launchers on the perimeter of Base 011 lay shattered, and a huge crater yawned in the earth beside them.

Direct hit!

Over a thousand kilometers away, the error was less than five meters!

Though only one of the twelve cruise missiles managed to pierce the defense, had Chen Jian not issued the immediate launch order with such resolve— even a delay of twenty seconds— that hopeful nuclear missile would have been destroyed on its launcher!

And if that nuclear missile had been destroyed, the catastrophic fallout would have been beyond what the current Huaxia forces could bear!

Chen Jian’s heart hammered wildly.

In that moment he felt as if he had survived a calamity.

“How many anti‑air missiles remain?! Load quickly and prepare to fire!”

“Twelve Red Flag‑16 missiles left, second wave being organized.”

“Active radar online, no other incoming targets detected.”

“Airspace clear.”

“Understood.”

Chen Jian exhaled.

This round of strikes must be over.

Yet even this single barrage revealed the might of Mountain City.

A saturated assault of twelve cruise missiles!

Such an onslaught could obliterate any city on the wasteland.

Had Chen Jian not remained vigilant to aerial threats and had he not kept the seemingly useless anti‑missile system online, the fate of Base 011 would have been no different from any other city’s.

But why?!

If they possessed such long‑range strike capability, why didn’t they use it from the start?

Or perhaps their aim was solely the nuclear missile?

It was a paradox.

The beast tide came from Mountain City, clearly intended to annihilate the Huaxia forces.

The missiles also came from Mountain City, yet their purpose was merely to test Huaxia’s nuclear deterrent.

This contradictory targeting left Chen Jian with the illusion that his own opponent was fighting itself across the left and right hemispheres of his mind.

——

Yet now there was no time for further contemplation.

Inside Base 011, the civilians watching the screens were reduced to a chaotic mush.

They had never witnessed such a scene before.

Divine punishment descended, then was destroyed by Huaxia forces themselves?!?!

To some, it even seemed like.

A battle between two “gods”.

Chen Jian ordered Huang Yu, Ji Xing and a few others to maintain order within the base, then quickly patched through to He Shuo and asked:

“He Shuo!”

“Can we obtain the results of the nuclear strike?”

“Cannot obtain, cannot obtain!”

He Shuo’s voice crackled through the headset.

“How’s the base situation?!”

His tone betrayed a hint of urgency.

“Don’t worry, only one shot missed; we aimed straight at the missile launch rack.”

“Their target is clear, we’ve suffered virtually no losses.”

“Good, good, good!”

He Shuo uttered three “good”s in succession; it was evident that he, too, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“The nearest human settlement to Mountain City is Bazhong Town, where a squad of Sanctified Blood still operates.”

“We’ve dealt with them before; it’s that Lin Yu.”

“When we were in Huadu, he was dispatched by the Holy Father of the Sanctified Blood Hall to assist us, and later, per plan, he slipped southwest to probe the beast tide’s movements.”

“They have just arrived at Anhan.”

“I’ll contact them at once, urging them to rush toward Mountain City to conduct close‑range reconnaissance on the missile strike’s effectiveness.”

“Understood, execute promptly.”

Chen Jian spoke briefly.

From Anhan to Mountain City is nearly 150 kilometers.

How long will it take?

Ten hours?

Twenty hours?

Too slow.

Yet, given Mountain City’s demonstrated long‑range strike capability, Chen Jian could not rashly dispatch aerial forces for reconnaissance.

“How soon can they arrive?”

Chen Jian asked again.

“Uncertain; I’ll have them go full speed.”

“Have you considered sending bombers for high‑altitude reconnaissance?”

“Not considering it!”

Chen Jian declined decisively, then said:

“We’ll also launch long‑endurance UAVs, first to the Han River, refuel, then proceed to Mountain City.”

“You handle the logistics and en‑route resupply; if all goes well, we can be over Mountain City within ten hours.”

“Understood!”

He Shuo replied curtly, then the communication cut out.

After a brief silence, Chen Jian ordered Fuxi:

“Open the main corridor doors, but keep the anti‑air alert active.”

“Prepare for shelter, and resume normal work and life simultaneously.”

“Copy that.”

Fuxi’s voice faded, and the gates of Base 011 creaked open slowly.

In the instant the doors swung, the first to burst out was Ji Xing.

“You alright?”

She hurriedly sprang to Chen Jian’s side.

Chen Jian waved his hand and replied:

“It’s fine.”

“Their attack vector is unmistakable—they’re aiming straight at the nuclear missiles.”

“It seems the missiles pose a significant threat to them; we must forge a second missile without delay!”

“Understood.”

Ji Xing exhaled a long breath, as if to say more, but remained silent.

She glanced at Chen Jian, then said, “I’ll organize the residents to evacuate Base 011.”

“Go ahead.”

Chen Jian didn’t even turn his head.

His gaze was fixed, unflinching, on the west where Mountain City lay.

What, exactly, resides there??

Meanwhile, inside the gates of Base 011.

Yu Qian dragged his trembling steps to the doorway; the darkness beyond seeped like water, eroding the light behind him, stirring an inexplicable dread.

Not a single companion dared to step into the gloom; everyone lingered, hesitated.

Murmurs rose behind them.

“What’s that? A divine punishment?”

“It is a punishment, but it seems harsher than the one the Huaxia forces summoned in Jinling City.”

“Yes, I saw an explosion.”

“If it’s a punishment, why are we still alive?”

“Are you out of your mind?! The Huaxia army never believed in gods!”

“I know, I know—didn’t you hear? That attack came from Mountain City.”

“Mountain City—that’s the abode of the Holy Trinity.”

“I don’t know, don’t ask me!”

“What do we do now? Should we leave?”

“The commander told us to go out; they say the crisis is over?”

“I don’t believe it.”

“Then what do you want? To just wait here?”

“We’ll wait.”

The clamor unsettled Yu Qian; he turned, glared at the debating crowd, and his voice immediately softened.

Yet even so, Yu Qian had no certainty himself.

He tentatively stepped outward, trying to match the stride of the regular Huaxia troops that had already withdrawn.

But as his foot entered the darkness, he recoiled as if struck by electricity.

It must be said, he was frightened.

Is that terrifying power truly of this world?

Yu Qian drew a deep breath, his mind replaying the scenes of his own battles, the words the commander had once spoken to him.

He sought to summon his courage anew.

But at that moment, a clear voice rang out from the doorway.

"All personnel, evacuate Base 011 and return to the residential sector!"

"The air‑raid siren will remain active; everyone must prepare for shelter!"

"Effective today, the gates of Base 011 shall remain open."

"In the event of an emergency, all must proceed immediately to the base for refuge!"

The words hung in the air, and the crowd surged into a restless stir.

Yu Qian's withdrawn foot stepped forward once more.

The sky has not yet fallen!

He marched resolutely into the looming darkness, and with each step, the lights flickered to life.

The blackout lifted; when he finally reached the perimeter of Base 011, the surroundings shone as brightly as ever.

It seemed as if what had just transpired were merely a fleeting interlude.

Perhaps one should say that, for this unit, nothing could ever shake their resolve.

Yu Qian approached the woman at the front issuing commands, drew near, and asked:

"Commander, what is it you need me to do?"

Hearing his voice, Ji Xing turned, a hint of surprise in her gaze, and replied:

"Wounded?"

"Yes, but they have largely recovered."

"I am now the captain of the Volunteer Company; should the need arise, I can rally them to help maintain order."

"Understood."

Only then did Ji Xing truly see Yu Qian's face.

"I know you, Yu Qian."

"Gather every member of the Volunteer Company and assemble at the main corridor entrance."

"The first wave of air strikes has ceased, yet we cannot be sure whether a second or third will follow."

"We must swiftly erect shelters and camouflage to minimize the damage from further raids."

"Moreover, all factories and civilian dwellings must be reinforced, and fire‑prevention measures readied."

"These tasks must be completed before dawn tomorrow; haste is essential!"

"Understood!"

Yu Qian stood at attention, saluted Ji Xing; she returned the nod, then shouted once more:

"Jin Zan!"

"Where is Jin Zan?"

"Report to me here!"

This round of missile strikes seemed to leave Base 011 unscathed, yet in truth it had altered many things.

Immediately after the attack, the entire base entered its highest state of mobilization, drafting extensive air‑defense measures that were swiftly implemented.

After a night’s toil, Base 011 erected a rudimentary air‑defense framework, and the chaos wrought by the raid gradually subsided under firm suppression and guidance.

When the sun rose, the base returned to its familiar order.

Yet at that moment, everyone sensed a sword hanging ominously over the head of the base.

In the operations command room.

Chen Jian stared intently at the screen displaying the latest Beast Tide movements; after a long silence, he finally spoke:

"We need not wait for the long‑range drone imagery."

"The Beast Tide's formation shows signs of disarray, proving its link to Mountain City has been severed."

"Or at least we can say the Tide’s commander has lost contact with Mountain City."

"This is our opportunity."

"We must seize it, overturn our defensive plan, adopt an offensive stance, and exploit the precious vacuum created by the nuclear strike to disperse the Beast Tide in the southwest!"

"If we can eradicate the bulk of the Tide’s living forces, even a reconstituted enemy will be unable to threaten us again."

"This will be the decisive battle that ends the Beast Tide once and for all."

"Aside from retaining essential defensive troops and the Volunteer Company aiding Jinling City, we must mobilize every weapon at our disposal."

"We need no longer worry about spare equipment."

"Shells, bullets, explosives—use whatever is at hand!"

"This time, we will empty every last resource we possess."

"Now that the cards are on the table, we must dare to go all‑in."

"Therefore, I resolve to lead the Assault Company and the Interleaving Company southwest to meet the Beast Tide head‑on."

"Now, vote!"

As Chen Jian’s words faded, everyone in the command room instantly raised their hands.

Unanimously approved.

Chen Jian rose, about to speak further.

But at that instant, the ever‑silent Ji Xing spoke up:

"Commander, I think we should wait another two hours."

"Our drone still has three hours of flight to Mountain City, yet Lin Yu’s Sanctified Blood squad is already quite close."

"We can give them a chance."

"If we can obtain their feedback, our confidence will increase."

"How far is Lin Yu from Mountain City?"

Chen Jian asked immediately.

"Forty‑two kilometers."

"They will close in to within ten kilometers for reconnaissance—that is the farthest they can manage."

"Within an hour, at most an hour, they can arrive."

"Understood."

Chen Jian nodded slowly.

"Then we shall wait for them a full hour."

"Within that hour we must marshal all our forces together."

"Once the confirmation arrives, we shall set out at once!"

"Understood!"

(End of Chapter)