Chapter 84: The Sun Ought to Rise

Chapter 84: The Sun Ought to Rise

"Is this the encirclement you spoke of?"

On the shores of Yùqìng Zhōu, Zhōu Yán stared sternly at opposite Xú Liè, his eyes brimming with anger and doubt.

"We lost eleven Holy Blooded, one Source Blooded, and still let our enemy escape unscathed in this encirclement?"

"Xú Liè, I think you ought to reflect seriously."

"How long has it been since you returned to the Holy Blood Hall to pray to the Holy Father?"

"Your arrogant nature has already brought you great trouble, and now this foul character sends our brothers to die in vain."

"The protection of Holy Blood is important, yet I often advise you to wisely use the wisdom granted by the Holy Father."

"Otherwise, what difference is there between you and the filth‑blood‑tainted monsters? Between you and the savage, stupid blood‑skulls?"

"Those mimetic heretics are formidable foes; facing them, we cannot afford any luck."

"This is the last time."

"From now on, I no longer need your counsel."

"All forthcoming actions will be under my direct command."

"You, leave Huangshi."

"When the vessel of the Machine God Temple’s Vanguard Brigade arrives, return immediately to Běipíng and beg forgiveness from the Holy Father."

As Zhōu Yán’s words fell, Xú Liè, face flushed with shame, dropped to one knee on the ground.

He wanted to speak, but did not know where to begin.

Indeed, this crushing defeat stemmed from his own miscommand.

Yet, given the circumstances, aside from rallying troops for the encirclement, was there any better option?

The Machine God Temple and the Holy Blood Hall had joined forces precisely to exterminate the mimetic heretics trapped in Huangshi City.

If we let them break out and flee, what purpose would this alliance serve?

Xú Liè’s eyes flickered with reluctance; he lifted his head, drew a deep breath, and said:

"Overseer Sir, grant me a chance to atone."

"I will be the first to charge the enemy when the general assault begins; even if a heretic’s bullet pierces my body, I will not retreat a step."

"I will die alongside my brothers; the blood bestowed by the Holy Father shall not be shed in vain."

Hearing him, Zhōu Yán’s expression finally softened a fraction.

He gazed silently at Xú Liè, after a few seconds of silence, finally spoke:

"It is unnecessary."

"The Vanguard Brigade of the Machine God Temple’s Holy Hall will arrive in an hour; their flagship, the Blade Sea, is now threading the last river bend."

"Although we often clash with the Machine God Temple, even the Holy Father must admit their combat prowess is not inferior to ours—especially against humans."

"The Vanguard Brigade will end this disaster; the heavy artillery they carry could level the whole of Huangshi City."

"So do not squander your lives needlessly."

"The Holy Blood granted to you by the Holy Father has a greater purpose."

"Return to Běipíng; there you will be promoted to Source Blooded."

"Henceforth, you shall bear the duty of spreading Holy Blood."

Having spoken these words, Xú Liè’s expression instantly turned to delighted surprise.

He turned to Zhōu Yán and asked:

"Source Blooded?"

"Me?"

"Exactly."

Zhōu Yán nodded, then waved his hand and said:

"No need to discuss this further."

"The Vanguard Brigade is imminent; come, let us go meet them together."

"This is the proper courtesy of the Holy Blood Hall."

Elsewhere, inside Huangshi City.

Uninterrupted bombardment had persisted for a full six hours; the black‑powder smoke nearly enveloped the entire island.

The acrid stench made breathing difficult, and amidst the haze, occasional Mechanical God Temple miners surfaced from the water, each wielding a single‑shot rifle—though each landing afforded only one shot, they still vexed the already exhausted defenders of Huangshi.

Two militia members were struck in combat by filthy‑smeared, possibly poison‑coated pellets; their wounds became infected at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Under heavy doses of antibiotics the infection was barely contained, yet those two militiamen could no longer fight.

The city’s defensive strength suffered another reduction—already bad news.

When word spread that the Machine God Temple’s Vanguard Brigade was approaching, most faces hardened with grim resolve.

They seemed to see their own inevitable death; before the battle even began, they had already decided to abandon everything and follow their ancestors into the grave.

Even after the temple’s artillery ceased and they finally caught a breath, they refused to rest.

For if they knew they would die soon, who would waste their last moments on sleep?

They greedily chatted, boasted of their recent exploits, and flaunted the faint glow that seemed to illuminate the last brilliance of their impoverished lives.

To them, this felt like their final consolation.

Chén Jiàn did not stop them, nor did he order everyone to seize the moment to rest.

He knew that even ample rest would not markedly improve the combat ability of these poorly trained "new recruits" in the looming battle.

On the contrary, when they faced the trial of life and death with desperate resolve, their chances of survival actually increased.

The principle that desperate troops prevail is understood by all.

Thus, Chén Jiàn merely told everyone that victory would be decided when the sun rose.

——

But he did not tell the recruits which sun would rise.

Standing outside the highest Machine God Temple in Huangshi City, Chén Jiàn inspected the steel shielding box brought forward by Léi Jié from the 7025 fortifications, then raised his binoculars toward Yùqìng Zhōu some five kilometres away.

The flagship of the "Holy Hall Vanguard Brigade" had entered the narrow channel between Yùqìng Zhōu and the river sandbar; clad in polished steel armor and bearing fine rifles, the Vanguard troops filed down the deck one after another.

The priests solemnly swung their censers, flames flickering, blue smoke curling around the troops, as if truly augmenting their martial might.

Next, a priest resembling a bishop lifted both hands high, mouth opening and closing, leading the Vanguard in a hymn as they donned their helmets.

Chén Jiàn could not hear what they sang; his attention was wholly captured by the two guns on the flagship.

These were not the oversized smoothbore cannons he had imagined.

They were two proper, rifled howitzers equipped with recoil brakes.

Although the exact caliber could not be determined, Chen Jian could basically judge from the reference that it was most likely two 152mm howitzers.

No wonder they call themselves the Guards Brigade.

Just these two guns are enough for them to sweep away many enemies!

So where on earth did they get this stuff?

Will they use it?

Chen Jian's questions were almost impossible to answer.

What a pity.

Those two guns would never end up in his hands.

Lowering his binoculars, Chen Jian opened the radio and once again confirmed the position with Lei Jie.

"Lei Jie, are the delivery conditions ready?"

"The conditions are ready; I am approaching the river channel, everything is going smoothly."

"The measured flow speed is about 1.8 meters per second, slightly lower than the previous estimate."

"The device is expected to reach the ignition point in twenty minutes, give or take five."

"The IFF has been set and is currently working well."

"The parcel is packed; should we send it?"

Chen Jian took a deep breath and replied:

"Send it out."

"It is half past five; the sun should be rising soon."

(End of chapter)