1390 - 1398
Chapter 1390: Conquering No.1 Camp of Air Cavalries
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
The no. 46 air cavalry base was ruled by a lieutenant colonel. This officer was a slightly fat Hua man called Xing Xiangtian, the regimental commander of No. 46 air cavalry regiment. On the way here, Stone told Zhang Tie that the regimental commander of No. 46 air cavalry regiment was always proud of his name as he felt that his name could bring him good luck. It was said that more than one candidate competed for the position of the regimental commander of No. 46 air cavalry regiment. As his name was auspicious, Xing Xiangtian was enrolled.
After clarifying his identity, Zhang Tie was instantly brought into the office of the regimental commander by a second lieutenant.
Zhang Tie's CV satisfied Xing Xiangtian very much. According to the CV, Zhang Tie was once a member of BlackArmor Army. He was one of the first batches of officers assigned to the pilot academy in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory of Youzhou Province. Zhang Tie touched airplanes even earlier than Xing Xiangtian, not to mention those air cavalry coaches in the theater of operations. Zhang Tie gained very exceptional marks in training. Additionally, he was a LV 9 fighter. According to his identity, Zhang Tie could definitely lead a camp of air cavalries.
However, at the sight of the name "Zhang Tie" on Zhang Tie's CV and certificates, Xing Xiangtian revealed a painful look.
'That name is really unpretentious…'
Xing Xiangtian worried that this name "Zhang Tie" might bring troubles to this air cavalry regiment. Although his name was auspicious, he didn't want to incur troubles because of another person's name. What if those moguls who were in charge of the supply of Fiery Oil and incendiary bolts had some bad thoughts after knowing that there was such a "famous person" in the no. 46 air cavalry regiment? No matter what, commoners had better not share the name with great figures in Taixia Country.
After skimming over Zhang Tie's certificate of an officer, Xing Xiangtian glanced at Zhang Tie for a few more times as he thought, "He's too young. Such a young officer in BlackArmor Army who has received training in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory might be assigned by a major clan to further beautify his CV."
Xing Xiangtian didn't think that Zhang Tie's CV was fabricated. However, he was not sure whether someone was dominating Zhang Tie's transfer order. Some things couldn't be avoided even in the army.
The military exploits of the battle between air cavalries and wing demons one week ago had already spread over Taixia Country. It was those major clans that were most excited about this result; instead of the imperial court of Taixia Country. Those major clans were busy establishing their private air cavalry troops while those provincial armies were establishing their air cavalry regiments. Even Xing Xiangtian had heard about that in the theater of operations. 'If this Zhang Tie is really here for beautifying his CV, only after staying in the theater of operations for a few months and fighting wing demons for a couple times with good military exploits, he would be assigned back. It would be a glorious experience for him to take charge of a program in the army or his clan in the future.'
"Did you receive training in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory?" Xing Xiangtian watched Zhang Tie with a bizarre look as he stroked his jaw.
"Yes!"
"Did anything special happen in training? Weren't you beaten or forced to change your name…" The regimental commander asked him like a gossiper.
Gossip was not exclusive to women. Almost everyone was gossipy. Therefore, the name of Zhang Tie aroused the curiosity of this lieutenant colonel greatly.
With a calm look, Zhang Tie said, "I know what you're worrying about, officer. However, "Zhang" is a popular family name in Taixia Country. So many people share this family name in the country. Additionally, knights have their special character. Therefore, I didn't meet anything abnormal in Fire-Dragon Bountry Territory. Nobody told me to change my name either. I think General Mushen would not mind that others share his name…"
Xing Xiangtian threw a glance at Zhang Tie for a couple more times. After being silent for a second, he stood up from his chair behind the desk and gave the certificate of officer back to Zhang Tie before saying, "Hmm, I will introduce you to those fighters. You're now the battalion commander of the no.1 camp of No. 46 air cavalry regiment!"
"Okay!" Zhang Tie took his certificate and put it inside his pocket.
Xiang Xiangtian then left the office, followed by Zhang Tie. At the same time, he said, "Oh, you could have an orderly. What's your request on your orderly?"
"The driver who drove me here today is not bad. He's smart. If possible, I want him to be my orderly!"
"What's his name?"
"Stone!"
"Stone? Haha. I know that brat. Okay, I will have people arrange it for you���"
As they talked with each other, they had left the regimental headquarters. Stone was still waiting for them in the vehicle. Xing Xiangtian then came to the front of Stone's SUV and pulled open its door. After getting on, he told Zhang Tie to get inside. After that, he ordered Stone to drive them to the camp of No.1 camp of air cavalries.
"The former battalion commander of No. 1 camp of air cavalries is called Long Haitao. He's an able subordinate of mine. In the air combat one week ago, Long Haitao and his shooter killed 4 wing demons. However, due to adjustment of personnel of air cavalry regiments, Long Haitoa and some fighters of No. 1 camp have been assigned to other air cavalry regiments for instructing newbies. After being replenished, over 1/3 of the fighters of No. 1 camp are tough guys who have fought wing demons in the sky one week ago. They're tricky. Therefore, if you're not something, you could barely win their respect!" Xing Xiangtian told Zhang Tie meaningfully in the vehicle.
"I see, don't worry about that, regimental commander!" Zhang Tie said calmly.
Xing Xiangtian then replied with a smile, "That would be great!"
In less than 2 minutes, they had already arrived at the camp of No. 1 camp of air cavalries.
The camps of air cavalries were close to those airstrips. In this case, they could set off as soon as possible in emergencies. 500 silvery air cavalry I airplanes were in their places besides those airstrips.
After getting off the vehicle with Zhang Tie, Xing Xiangtian immediately told the administrator to assemble all the air cavalries in front of tarmac.
After the administrator sent a signal of two long calls and one short call, a great batch of people had run out of their dorms and all the other places. In less than 1 minute, almost 1,000 fighters had assembled tidily on the tarmac. As it was just an emergency muster instead of a combat muster, someone only wore a pair of military short pants with bubbles on their hair as if they were taking a bath just now. Some were stripped to their waist.
Everybody had fixated onto Xing Xiangtian and Zhang Tie.
Zhang Tie nodded inside, 'Not slow.'
"Regimental commander, the no. 1 air cavalry camp has 1,000 people in total; 986 people are present. 14 are absent due to injuries as they're receiving medical treatment in the hospital." The administrator reported loudly.
"Fine!" Xing Xiangtian nodded as he continued, "I muster you up to introduce your new battalion commander, Major Zhang Tie. From today on, Major Zhang Tie will be responsible for the no. 1 camp. You will continue to fight demons in the theater of operations under his leadership. Show your applause…"
Everyone clapped their hands; however, it didn't sound fervent. Only after 2 seconds, the applause had gradually faded away while a lot of dubious, curious and exploratory eye light fixated onto Zhang Tie.
Xing Tian threw a glance at Zhang Tie as if he was saying, 'Look, I didn't cheat you. It's not easy for you to be their battalion commander.' "Do you want to say something?"
Zhang Tie threw a glance at those air cavalries as he realized that action was much better than words at this moment.
"I've not touched the operating arm for a long time. I want to try the performance of these airplanes first…" Zhang Tie told Xing Xiangtian as he fixed his eyes onto an airplane which was covered by a piece of cloth on the tarmac.
Xing Xiangtian raised his eyebrows at once as he had not imagined that Zhang Tie could be so straightforward. Watching Zhang Tie's calm expression, Xing Xiangtian was also curious about him as he wanted to check the ability of this officer from BlackArmor Army who had received training in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory.
"No problem!" Xing Xiangtian nodded directly.
Zhang Tie then strode towards the nearest air cavalry I airplane. Without using an access ladder, he directly jumped onto a wing of the airplane dexterously. Closely after that, he pulled open the cockpit cover and turned on the accelerator. Then, he jumped off and came to the fore. He grasped a blade of the propellor and jerked it forcefully. With a boom, the propeller of the airplane started to rotate rapidly. The engine was started at once with a noise, "Tu, tu tu…" while emitting hot steam. Zhang Tie then came to the front of the cockpit seat, creeping to the abdomen of the airplane and removing the trigger. After doing all this, he creeped out and jumped into the cockpit nimbly. After closing the cover of the cockpit, he drove the airplane to turn a corner and slid out of the track.
Watching Zhang Tie's fluent movements, Xing Xiangtian nodded inside. Given his movements, this Zhang Tie was not a newbie. However, it was not enough. His driving skills could only be judged when in flight.
All the air cavalries of the no. 1 camp just widely opened their eyes to watch their new battalion commander's performance.
After moving over 200 m on the airstrip, the airplane raised its head as it flew off.
Only after 1 minute, those air cavalries and Xing Xiangtian had widened their mouths.
'What the hell! Is he driving a plane? He's more like playing acrobatics…'
Zhang Tie was having the plane roll and accomplish various movements of super great difficulty. His movements were as constant and fluent as flowing clouds and water. The air cavalry I plane was like a dexterous monkey in the sky…
As a result, those onlookers were all dumbfounded.
With a buzz, the plane nosed down vertically. When everybody held their breath and felt that the plane was going to crash against the ground, Zhang Tie instantly elevated the plane's nose. He then flew over their heads at a bit higher than 3 m, blowing off their hats..
"Danger, elevate it right now…" Xing Xiangtian shouted loudly as he changed his face before picking up his hat.
Right in front of Zhang Tie, there were two flagpoles. Zhang Tie's plane directly rushed towards the flagpoles.
'No, it's too late…��
When everyone thought that there would be an air accident, the plane suddenly tilted. When its wings almost touched the ground, it penetrated through the gap between the two flagpoles.
'No way!' Everybody thought that they had blurred vision. The distance between the two flagpoles was fewer than 4 m, precisely 3.7 m while the height of the plane was 3.56 m. It was a superb driving skill for him to drive the plane to penetrate through the space of 3.7 m vertically when it almost hit them. It was challenging the ultimate driving capacity of the air cavalry…
Everybody became stunned.
'Is that a coincidence?'
However, soon after this whim occurred to someone's mind, the plane had come back. When it almost hit the ground, it raised its nose once again. At the same time, it made a half circle in the air before penetrating through the gap between the two flagpoles for the second time…
This time, everybody saw it clearly. When Zhang Tie's plane penetrated through the gap between the two flagpoles, the narrowest distance between the airplane and the flagpoles was fewer than 10 cm.
If it were a coincidence for the first penetration, the second penetration would never be a coincidence. Additionally, the second penetration was much more difficult than the first one. Because when Zhang Tie elevated its nose, he had it tilt and penetrate through the gap between the two flagpoles. Each detail of the flight was extremely marvelous, impeccable and unimaginable.
Even Xing Xiangtian had widened his mouth as it was his first time to see such a perfect driving skill.
After accomplishing two penetrations, Zhang Tie finally had his plane land on the airstrip and slowly stop in front of them.
After the propellor stopped rotating, the cover of the cockpit was opened while Zhang Tie jumped out of it dexterously.
"The torque nut on the left side of the dual-drive balanced convex axis of the second piston cylinder of the dual-drive engine is a bit overtight. As a result, the dual-drive balanced convex axis couldn't transmit rock evenly. When the revolving speed of the entire engine reaches above 800 rad/s and enters a complete supercharged state, it would consume 1.5% more energy. There's a special tool for tightening torque nut. This torque nut must have been tightened illegally by ground mechanician using an ordinary tool when in maintenance. There should be some trace on the torque nut…"
Before Xing Xiangtian opened his mouth, he had been shocked by Zhang Tie's words. He instantly tipped those mechanicians the wink. Two mechanicians instantly rushed forward, opening the protective cover of the engine and starting to check it…
When Zhang Tie was performing his flight, those mechanicians who were responsible for maintaining airplanes stopped their work and watched Zhang Tie's performance.
The result of the check soon came out. It was as same as that Zhang Tie had described, namely the same torque nut was slightly overtightened, leaving some traces on it…
When they reported the check result, the two mechanicians watched Zhang Tie as if they were looking at a deity.
'Are you kidding me?' Xing Xiangtian swallowed his saliva as if realized that the no. 46 air cavalry regiment had got a treasure…
Before Xing Xiangtian uttered any word, a thunder-like applause had sounded. Those air cavalries of No. 1 camp applauded forcefully that their palms had been red. Over 1,000 people immediately swarmed up as they bowed and drooled like dogs, pushing aside the regimental commander.
"Battalion commander, where's you luggage? Oh, it's on the vehicle. Why not notice us in advance so that we could go pick you up…"
"Yes, yes, yes…"
"Yes, battalion commander's dorm might have not been cleaned…"
"Hurry up, have someone tell the canteen. We will hold a reception dinner for battalion commander tonight…"
"Battalion commander, I will follow you from now on. Please don't blame for my stupidity…"
"We will all follow battalion commander…"
Chapter 1391: The Journey of Heart
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
Water elements were gradually drawn from water element crystals by Zhang Tie like a trickle and were filled into the sophisticated geometric patterns on Zhang Tie's water chakra. As a result, those empty geometric 3D patterns were gradually becoming solid at a conspicuous speed…
Zhang Tie had already lit 357 scales of his water chakra, with only 3 to go before a circular object was completely closed.
At this moment, only Zhang Tie could sense that his emperor-level water chakra was slowly rotating like a huge millstone in the peripheral of his void. Like a huge whale that was going to jump out of the tranquil sea level, it silently disrupted the water elements in the elements realm. Being close to the water chakra from its inside was earth chakra. Being close to the earth chakra from its inside was the first chakra that Zhang Tie had formed when he promoted to a black iron knight. The first chakra had many appellations, such as surging points chakra, black iron chakra, the chakra of heart and light of dragon, etc… The energy core of the first chakra contained the secrets of the secret method that each knight was cultivating. The great power of knight's consciousness originated from this core.
Even though Zhang Tie had not completely lit his water chakra, he still experienced some abnormal phenomena. Mysterious and powerful energy had already started to flow gloomily between water chakra and earth chakra. After being lubricated by water chakra, the earth chakra had started to be more vibrant while it was emitting some strange brilliance, in which, mysterious feather-shaped runes loomed one after another. Right in the middle of the energy core, a huge bird loomed there as if it was going to hatch any time.
Zhang Tie knew that the huge bird that was going to hatch was the virtual image of King Roc. When he fully lit his water chakra, the virtual image of King Roc would integrate with his body.
…
It seemed that it had been too long or transient when Zhang Tie fully absorbed the water elements from the crystal in his hand and lit a corner of a tiny geometric pattern on his water chakra, Zhang Tie finally opened his eyes.
For several weeks consecutively, Zhang Tie absorbed 4 water elements crystals before getting up each day. Such a cultivation efficiency might be terrifying for other earth knights; however, it was too slow for Zhang Tie.
As Zhang Tie had adapted to the terrifyingly high cultivation efficiency brought by Purgatory Samsara Method, when he formed water chakra by absorbing water elements from crystals, he felt like returning to the Stone Age from the human society before the Catastrophe. Additionally, as each scale on the water chakra of King Roc Sutra would require a lot of water elements, even though Zhang Tie had been cultivating and absorbing almost 100 water element crystals since he joined the no. 46 air cavalry regiment, there was still a long way to go before he lit the 358th scale.
However, Zhang Tie became especially calm in this case. He told himself to be carefree. 'Patience is a virtue. It's the best time for me to cultivate my disposition. Besides being powerful physically, knights should also have a strong mind and self-discipline. Since I promoted to a knight, I had been promoting to higher levels faster. Additionally, I could absorb water elements dozens of times faster than others. As I don't lack water element crystals and would promote to a shadow knight only after lighting 3 more scales. If I couldn't wait to lit them with such good conditions and couldn't stand the temporary loneliness outside the threshold of shadow knights' world; and just want to seek for the shortcut in a faster way, such a mentality would definitely leave an irreparable loophole and shortcoming in my soul for the rest of my life. It would definitely become the hurdle for me to reach higher peaks. It might even become a fatal shortcoming that my enemy would use to capture me.'
As for the reasons that he joined No. 46 air cavalry regiment, besides the reaon that Zuoqiu Mingyue knew, Zhang Tie wanted to strengthen his heart in a purely traditional manner in the identity of an ordinary officer and promoted to a shadow knight step by step.
It was his original intention to become an air cavalry while a calm cultivation was to purify his heart. By changing his identities, Zhang Tie was actually making a bizarre journey of purifying his heart.
…
After opening his eyes, Zhang Tie sat on a simple camp bed with crossed legs. The four water element crystal on the bedside had been empty. It was an officer's dorm, which was almost as constrictive as his attic in Blackhot City. However, such a dorm was already a luxurious configurement in the camp. It was also matched with a private washroom where the officers could take a bath; instead of queuing up in the bath house.
The dorm was clean and tidy.
The head of Zhang Tie's bed was facing the only window of the dorm. When Zhang Tie opened his eyes, he saw the dim sky through the gap between the curtain and the wall.
Zhang Tie waved his arm, teleporting the 4 empty water element crystals into Castle of Black Iron at once. After that, Zhang Tie entered the washroom. After a short while, the sound of the shower had drifted from there.
10 minutes later, Zhang Tie walked out of the washroom naked while drying his wet hair using a towel. He then put on clothes and arranged his dorm well before leaving.
It was still dim outside, except that the eastern skyline was a bit yellowish.
Two fluorescent lamps lit up the corridor. There was a lawn and a parterre outside the dorm. The verdant cypresses were evergreen while the grass in the lawn had turned yellowish while being covered with thick frost. Like a snowy day, the moment Zhang Tie exited his dorm, he had felt chilly as the desolate chill in late autumn drilled into Zhang Tie's collar.
Unconsciously, Zhang Tie had joined No. 46 air cavalry regiment for over 1 month. Through daily training with air cavalries, Zhang Tie had been constantly absorbing water elements from crystals and learning the Big Sword Sutra . It soon came to November.
Strangely, over the past 1 month, demons didn't launch any battle which involved over 1,000 people in the air and on the ground, although skirmishes never stopped during this period. The entire battlefield seemed to be the stage of knights. After the dogfight over 1 month ago, brave knights would pose a challenge to the opponent's knights of the same level for a duel each day. As such duels underwent under the gaze of hundreds of thousands of knights of both parties, neither participant would retreat…
The duel between two knights on the same level was the stage that could mostly display the courage and power of knights of both parties as the most heart-wrenching mode in the holy war. Through such a combat mode, many heroes presented themselves to the public while many elites and powerhouses lost their lives. Since the first holy war, such heroic combat had become the most splendid and fiercest mode between human and demon knights. A lot of renowned legends and popular names among human knights came from such duels. In the Western Continent, such combat mode was the source of bardian poems and the realistic reason for the appearance of knight novels.
Such duels were called combats of honor. After Zhang Tie joined No. 46 air cavalry corps for 1 week, the news, that battles of honor had started, spread over the camp through various channels and became the most frequent topic among fighters in the air cavalry regiment.
Battles of honor happened everyday. Black iron knights and earth knights were the main forces of battles of honor. Both parties would win, lose or tie. At least neither party could have an overwhelming advantage given the current military exploits.
When everybody was talking about the news of daily battles of honor, Zhang Tie just focused on his own job quietly as an onlooker and audience.
Over the past 1 month, Zhang Tie only did two things in the first air cavalry battalion of No. 46 air cavalry regiment. In the daytime, he led all the air cavalries of his battalion to carry out ultra-low altitude jump intensive training and the drill and coordination of formation of air cavalries in the air. In the evening, Zhang Tie mustered up all the officers above team leader to reduce tactics in a conference room and concluded their views. After doing all this, Zhang Tie would return to his dorm, where he would further light his water chakra and comprehend the secret of Big Sword Sutra besides short deep sleep.
Such days were so rich for Zhang Tie that he had not realized that it had already been 1 month.
Lately, Zhang Tie always felt a bit restless when he exited his dorm and breathed the increasingly chilly air. Demons' ground forces and air cavalries were both too quiet which was not a good omen…
Chapter 1392: A Higher Fame
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
In camp, Zhang Tie's routine was as precise as the gears of a difference engine. When he went down the steps of his storm, the wake-up call of No. 46 air cavalry regiment had just been blown. Under the dim lamplight of fluorescent lamps in the camp, Stone trotted towards him from the playground.
"Morning, sir…"
Zhang Tie threw a glance at Stone. Closely after that, he nodded and walked towards the playground of the camp, followed by stone.
"Did you go to bed after 1 am last night?" Zhang Tie asked.
"Ahh, how do you know that, sir?" Stone scratched his head with an amazed look as he threw a surprised glance at Zhang Tie and explained, "I didn't see anybody over the tumbling frame last night; therefore, I practiced alone for a while…"
Tumbling frame training was a basic skill for air cavalries. A qualified air cavalry should stay awake and stood steadily after 10 minutes' training on the tumbling frame. It was very difficult for commoners to do that; however, a warrior above LV 3 could soon adapt to various movements on the tumbling frame after training. As Stone wanted to be an air cavalry very much, he spared time in training on tumbling frame each night stealthily.
"You'd better not go to bed later than midnight. Young men like you should go to bed before midnight. If you burned the night oil, your health would be severely undermined as you would overdraft your physical potential. You'd better get up early than go to bed late if you want training…"
"Yes, sir!" Stone bore Zhang Tie's words close in mind as he treated Zhang Tie's words as authoritative as the Bible for Stone.
When Zhang Tie and Stone came to the playground of the no. 1 battalion, everybody else had already mustered up over there only after the wake-up call was blown for a few minutes.
Air cavalries had to run about 6 km every morning. Since Zhang Tie became their battalion commander, he would arrive at the playground on time and finish the 6 km running every morning, regardless of weather.
Today was not an exception.
Under Zhang Tie's leadership, the entire battalion's morale rose rapidly. Over the past 1 month, none of them complained about their hardship and tiredness no matter how hard they trained.
After Zhang Tie finished 6 km running with the fighters of the no. 1 battalion, it was still dim, except that the skyline was getting light faintly in the east. After running, everybody went to the canteen for breakfast. Starting from the first day when Zhang Tie joined this battalion, he had been taking breakfast with the fighters of no. 1 battalion. He never sought for any personal privileges.
The moment they entered the canteen and got their service plates, they had turned relaxed.
The moment they smelt the aroma that filled the entire canteen, all the fighters' bellies had started to coo.
"Ahh, what's that? It smells so good! Pork braised in brown sauce. Hahaha, it's my first time to eat that in the theater of operations…" Guo Haichao, a subordinate battalion chief of Zhang Tie said as he burst out into laughter. At the same time, all the battalion chiefs escorted Zhang Tie to get the breakfast.
Old Gao the director of the canteen was making an inspection tour in the canteen with a big smile in a chef hat like a Maitreya as he guided some cooks to serve the breakfast. When Old Gao saw them coming here, his smile became more genial.
"Old Gao, it's nice today. You even got us braised pork in brown sauce. You should request to try jump training as a reward…" Fang Shiming, another battalion chief made a joke with Old Gao.
"Look at my shape. If I got on the airplane, I'm afraid that the airplane would consume oil by two more times. Our battalion commander would never agree with that…" Old Gao grinned while patting his round belly.
"From where did you get the braised pork in brown sauce today?" Zhang Tie asked as he took over his service plate from Old Gao.
"Some farmers from peripheral farm villages sent us dozens of fatty pigs and a flock of sheep to us. I will make sheep soup for you tonight. As a tonic, it could drive away the chill from your body…"
"If you cook mutton tonight, don't forget to send some to our brothers in the hospital…" Zhang Tie told Old Gao.
"Yes, sir. Even battalion commander is concerned about those assholes, not to mention this Old Gao!" Old Gao nodded with a smile.
Over the past month, as the no. 1 battalion intensified low altitude and super low altitude jump training, an increasing number of people were suffering wounds, although nobody died. Over 10 people had broken their limbs. However, Zhang Tie didn't give up jump training at super low altitude.
As Zhang Tie jumped ahead of them each time, all the fighters and officers followed him to do that at their full efforts.
After getting their breakfast, Zhang Tie and those battalion chiefs then sat at the same table and started to enjoy it.
Besides braised pork in brown sauce, the breakfast also included steamed maize bun, porridge, rice, vegetables, pickled vegetables and some preserved fruits.
The battalion canteen was large. Even though there was no inferiority or superiority at the table, team leaders didn't feel proper to swarm up when they saw those battalion chiefs were surrounding Zhang Tie, not to mention ordinary fighters.
Compared to those battalion chiefs who all filled their bowls with braised pork in brown sauce, Zhang Tie just added a bit into his bowl.
After putting a piece of aromatic braised pork into his mouth, Guo Haichao closed his eyes in an intoxicated way as if he was taking drug. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes and sighed with full emotions, "Damn it, I finally got an orthodox piece of braised pork after coming to the theater of operations for 2 years…"
Among Zhang Tie's subordinate battalion chiefs, Guo Haichao was relatively forthright. The other battalion commanders had their distinctive traits too. Those tricky guys that Xing Xiangtian warned Zhang Tie one month ago referred to these battalion chiefs. However, these tricky guys had almost become Zhang Tie's loyal followers, who would follow Zhang Tie's order immediately.
"We have to appreciate General Mushen. Otherwise, we could only take porridge and radish strips…"
"Yes. We could barely be full last year. I've not imagined that we could take meat this year…"
Those battalion chiefs sighed with emotions as they enjoyed the braised pork in brown sauce.
Before Zhang Tie took the office of Weiji General last year, the troops in the theater of operations were pretty poor. At that time, frontline troops could be full; however, they could barely take any meat. Although some meat cans were delivered to troops, after being mixed in the big pot, they would become very diluted while ordinary fighters could only get a bit oil. It was definitely a matter of luck whether or not someone could enjoy a piece of meat. Secondary troops were poorer. Last year, each fighter of secondary troops could only get rations. They could barely be full. Grains supply in the theater of operations was very tight. Many grains were transported from top 6 warehouses from surrounding cities in the theater of operations, some were even transported from places outside the theater of operations. Besides a high cost, they even occupied a lot of transport resources in the rear end. Due to the grains supply shortage, the deployment, allocation and normal training of forces in the Western Theater of Operations were greatly influenced.
After Zhang Tie took the office of Weiji General, the four provinces in the Western Theater of Operations made their first bumper crop harvest. The grains supply shortage facing the entire theater of operations was then alleviated. Especially after the second bumper harvest, the depression and famine that many people predicted previously never appeared anymore.
If not in a chaotic world, people could barely comprehend the important function of grains. Crop harvest could lead to the stability of everything and would slowly bring industrial and agricultural production to the right track. Fewer people would outflow. Later on, people would even flow in. With the recovery of agricultural production, dietary in camps would be richer. After autumn harvest, pork, mutton, chicken egg, aquatic products even beef appeared on the menu of the canteen in troops.
As the helmsman was responsible for navigation, of course, the improvement in the logistics supply of the theater of operations was owed to Zhang Tie by frontline fighters.
Before Zhang Tie joined the troop, he didn't know that the fame and prestige of Weiji General could be so high among the hundreds of millions of ordinary fighters in the theater of operations. Especially after Zhang Tie got the essence of sword song in the combat with demon knights and killed a handful of demon knights one month ago, undoubtedly, Zhang Tie had been the hero widely accepted by the countrymen and the pillar of the country.
Zhang Tie enjoyed such a high prestige in ordinary troops while his prestige among air cavalries could even catch up with that of Zuoqiu Mingyue.
Because all the air cavalry troops across the theater of operations were almost established by Zhang Tie, including airplanes, Fiery Oil, airports and logistics.
Those battalion chiefs of no. 1 regiment just discussed about General Mushen; however, they didn't know that General Mushen was sitting at the same table with them and listening to their praise. Those battalion chiefs didn't think that their battalion commander would be jealous of Zhang Tie as they thought there was a great difference between General Mushen and them.
Hearing their talks, Zhang Tie felt a bit strange and bashful; meanwhile, a warm feeling surged in his heart. Zhang Tie found that what he had done in the theater of operations was all worthwhile. It was already worthy to have so many people keep your contributions in mind. Justice was in people's hearts. Precisely, Zhang Tie didn't like awards and vanity.
"If General Mushen was here, those earth demon earth knights would never be that rampant…"
"Yup, it's said that General Mushen alone penetrated through the large battle formation of demons by sword. As a result, most of the demon knights were afraid of him. He was even at deuce with a shadow demon knight!"
"Oh, battalion commander, have you heard that news?"
He Jiajun, a battalion chief, suddenly approached Zhang Tie and whispered to him when Zhang Tie was listening to their talk quietly.
"Which news?" Zhang Tie threw a glance at He Jiajun while all the other battalion chiefs moved closer as they pricked up their ears.
Compared to forthright Guo Haichao, He Jiajun was more gossipy and well-informed. He was born in He Clan, Starlight Prefecture, Kangzhou Province. Additionally, he had an uncle who was serving as local supervisor of a corps in Ningzhou Province.
"It's said that Taixia Country plans to establish an exclusive air cavalry army, which would be on the equal footing with top 4 armies. Commander-in-Chief Zuoqiu intends to appoint General Mushen as the leader of the air cavalry army!"
"From where did you get the news?" Zhang Tie asked with a frown.
He Jiajun revealed a mysterious smile as he further lowered his voice, "When my uncle followed his corps leader to attend a conference, some corps leaders chatted about that. It's said that Commander-in-Chief Zuoqiu had already submitted a written statement to Xuanyuan Hill; however, the crown prince has not agreed with his proposal. It seems that the resistance comes from the Gobbling Party…"
Such vivid gossip could really frighten many people. However, it was far-stretched for Zhang Tie. 'If it was true, Zuoqiu Mingyue must have told me about that. How could he suddenly pose it to Xuanyuan Hill without my consent? Zuoqiu Mingyue knows that I don't even want to be Weiji General, not to mention leading Air Cavalry Army of Taixia Country.'
However, except for Zhang Tie and a few people, most of the people almost believed this gossip because it was too vivid. Additionally, what made Zhang Tie reassured was that at least the Gobbling Party had already been in a disadvantageous position in such gossip. Although it was not a reliable gossip, it manifested the opinion of people in the theater of operations…
'I really wonder who fabricates such a news!'
Zhang Tie threw a glance at He Jiajun. After pretending to think about it for a short while, he said calmly, "This news might be fake. The air cavalry troops have just been established in the Western Theater of Operations. There's even no establishment of air cavalry troops in other provinces of Taixia Country, not to mention the leader of air cavalry army being on equal footing with top 4 armies of Taixia Country. You know, all the leaders of the top 4 armies of Taixia Country are heavenly knights. Zhang…Mushen is just an earth knight. I don't think that he could be on equal footing with them for the time being…"
"If General Mushen really becomes the leader of air cavalry army of Taixia Country, I don't think that anyone would doubt his ability. To be honest, all the air cavalries who drive planes in the air are General Mushen's apprentices and apprentices' apprentice. It could be said that General Mushen is the first human air cavalry. Additionally, I don't think that anyone else in Taixia Country fits this position better than Elder Mushen!' Guo Haichao said while wiping his mouth.
"Old Guo is right. It's our great honor to have General Mushen become the leader of our air cavalry army. I would approve him for sure!"
"Haha, your words don't work. You're just a battalion chief in charge of 100 air cavalries. When you promote to a knight and have 1 million air cavalries, your words might be convincing…" Fang Shiming said before bursting out into laughter.
"Damn it. Even though this father is not a knight, I would also approve it. You bite me…"
When He Jiajun wanted to say something, he saw a regimental adviser at the entrance of the canteen. After noticing Zhang Tie, that adviser walked over here and whispered to him. Zhang Tie nodded towards him. Then, the adviser left.
After that adviser left, Zhang Tie ate up all the food and dishes inside his service plate before putting down his tableware and throwing a glance at those battalion chiefs as he said, "The corps leader told me to attend a conference. If I'm not back in time for the training, you just proceed routinely…"
Chapter 1393: Unbelievable
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
Not until Zhang Tie finished his breakfast and was sent to the regimental headquarters by Stone did a faint light appear in the east skyline.
Despite incomplete daybreak and those roadside fluorescent lamps in the camp which had already been turned on, all the personnel of no. 46 air cavalry regiment had already been busy.
The moment the vehicle parked, Zhang Tie had opened the door and jumped out of the car. Watching Zhang Tie coming here, some guards being on sentry duty outside the regimental headquarters hurriedly gave a salute to Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie gave a salute to them too as he entered the building of the regimental headquarters leisurely. Over the past 1 month, the "marvelous flight skill" that Zhang Tie performed when he came to the no. 46 air cavalry regiment at the beginning had long been spread across the regiment. Wherever it was, those real talents would always be discovered and respected by people. Therefore, Zhang Tie had already become a renowned person in the no. 46 air cavalry regiment. Of course, nobody would treat this person as the same hero in the large-scale battle between human knights and demon knights in the sky. It was just a topic for them.
When he came to the conference room of the regimental headquarters, Zhang Tie found that 2 of the 4 battalion commanders in the air cavalry regiment had already arrived. After greeting with each other, Zhang Tie took his seat.
No. 46 air cavalry regiment contained 5 air cavalry battalions. Each battalion contained 1,000 air cavalries and 500 operational aircraft. As Xing Xiangtian also served as the battalion commander of the battalion which was subsidiary to No. 46 air cavalry regiment, there were only 4 battalion commanders in total in this regiment, including Zhang Tie.
"Zhang Tie, do you know why our regimental commander called us here?" Xiang Yusheng the battalion commander of the no. 3 battalion asked Zhang Tie on his side.
"I've just received the notice. I have no idea about what our regimental commander wants to say…" Zhang Tie shook his head.
After joining the air cavalry regiment for 1 month, Zhang Tie had been familiar with those battalion commanders in the air cavalry regiment. They got along well with each other. Nothing embarrassing had ever happened to him. The other battalion commanders had already known the training that Zhang Tie advocated in the no. 1 battalion. They just watched aside and observed the training effect; instead of deriding him. Of course, they would not follow Zhang Tie doing that so easily. As they were of the same rank, although they admired Zhang Tie's flight skills, it was not necessary for them to follow Zhang Tie's opinion for the time being based on Zhang Tie's prestige and comprehensive ability. The plot that the strong vibe of the main character of a knight novel allowed some subordinate heroes to kowtow towards him didn't happen to Zhang Tie.
When Zhang Tie and the battalion commander of no. 3 regiment chatted with each other, Zhu Huaien the battalion commander of the no. 2 regiment also arrived. After greeting them, Zhu Huaien also took his own seat.
Soon after they had a brief talk, Xing Xiangtian the regimental commander of the no. 46 air cavalry corps had entered the conference room.
The moment Xing Xiangtian entered, Zhang Tie and the other battalion commanders had stood up.
"Sit down���" Xing Xiangtian threw a deep glance at Zhang Tie before waving his arm casually.
Except for Zhang Tie who was new here, Xing Xiangtian had been very familiar with the other battalion commanders. Therefore, the atmosphere here was not that solemn.
"Regimental commander, do we get a new task?" Xiang Yusheng asked.
Xing Xiangtian remained silent. He just peered at his adjutant while the latter opened a portable briefcase and took out a document before passing it to Xiang Yusheng.
After skimming over the document, Xiang Yusheng immediately looked at Zhang Tie amazingly as if he saw a ghost.
"Old Xiang, what do you mean by that expression…" Before Xiang Yusheng passed it to the next, Zhu Huaien had grabbed the document away from his hand.
As it was just a page, Zhu Huaien finished reading it soon as he revealed the same amazed look towards Zhang Tie like Xiang Yusheng…
When the document went to Zhang Tie, 4 of the 5 people at present had already fixated onto Zhang Tie.
After throwing a glance at the document, Zhang Tie remained as calm as before. The document was delivered by the air cavalry headquarters of the Western Theater of Operations, which requested them to properly increase or enlarge the training programs of low altitude and super low altitude jump.
The document was issued yesterday, namely November 19th, the 905th year of Black Iron Calendar. However, Zhang Tie had already carried out the same training programs for about 1 month. This document made Zhang Tie a prophet. Therefore, all the battalion commanders including Xing Xiangtian watched Zhang Tie full of shock as if he was a ghost.
That was definitely something for him to predict what the headquarters of the Western Theater of Operations was going to do. With such an insight and talent, Zhang Tie was even qualified to be the assistant or adviser of those generals, not to mention a battalion commander of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment. Actually, the no. 46 air cavalry regiment had never got such a weirdo before.
"I received this document last night and knew the reason of this document. 3 weeks ago, all the pilot academies in the Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory and the four provinces in the theater of operations including many pilot academies in other provinces across Taixia Country had remedied their training guidelines by adding the training program of low altitude and super low altitude jump to their training guidelines. As a result, the 3-month training is now dropped in favor of a 4-month training!" Xing Xiangtian watched Zhang Tie with a strange look as he slowed down his tone, "However, the similar training that you carried out in your battalion was 1 week earlier than the others. Tell me, how did you do it? Why did you think about increasing such a training program for the no. 1 battalion…"
Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory was the cradle breeding air cavalries in Taixia Country. In the hearts of all the air cavalries, Fire-Dragon Bountry was the holy land and the most authoritative existence for them. After hearing that Zhang Tie carried out the training programs 1 week earlier than Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory, all the other battalion commanders could never conceal their amazed look.
However, Zhang Tie was not shocked by the revise of the pilot training guidelines in Fiery-Dragon Bounty Territory and the theater of operations, because it was him who sent the order…
Chapter 1394: Alarm
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
"It's some genuine figures that pushed me to add the two training programs in the no. 1 battalion!" Zhang Tie explained it to Xing Xiangtian and the other battalion commanders seriously.
"In the first large-scale air combat between human knights and demon knights, 57% of the air cavalries of Taixia Country were killed by wing demons in the sky after they jumped off their planes…"
"However, on the battlefield, 96% of air cavalries fought wing demons between 3,000 m and 7,000 m in the air. During this height range, it would take an air cavalry at least 50 seconds to stay in the air since he ejected out of the cockpit. Most of them would stay in the air for longer than 2 minutes. However, after jumping off their airplanes for 1 minute which was the time of Death God for air cavalries, over 90% of them would be killed by wing demons. During this period, air cavalries would be naked targets of wing demons when they could only wait for death…"
"By reducing the period that air cavalries stay in the air after jumping off their airplanes, we could spare less time for wing demons to attack our air cavalries. As our planes could move faster than wing demons, even damaged airplanes which couldn't be normally manipulated would also fall rapidly and be barely caught up by wing demons!"
"Therefore, after planes are damaged by wing demons, as long as air cavalries could jump off their planes properly between 200 m and 400 m, they would have a greater chance to survive after jumping off!"
"I've made a calculation. As long as our cavalries are familiar with low altitude and super low altitude parachuting skills between 200 m and 400 m and limit the period that they stay in the sky to 20 seconds, fewer than 30% of them would be killed by wing demons after jumping off their planes. In order to meet this target and survive more fighters, I felt that it was necessary for us to strengthen fighters' parachute skills in low altitude and super low altitude when in danger. Therefore, I carried out such training programs in my battalion…"
Zhang Tie explained it to them calmly.
Xing Xiangtian watched Zhang Tie with a sigh, "It's a nice opinion. However, you're too audacious. If someone wants to find you trouble, they could blame you for suspecting the training pattern of air cavalries in the pilot academies in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory and the theater of operations. That would be big trouble and ruin your prospect!"
How could a tiny air cavalry battalion commander find Weiji General trouble and question the absolute authority of air cavalries of Taixia Country? It was a taboo wherever it was. Xing Xiangtian the regimental commander of no. 41 air cavalry regiment was warning Zhang Tie slightly.
"It's said that the teaching material and training guidelines in the pilot academies in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory and the Western Theater of Operations was compiled by General Mushen. As the first human air cavalry, his experience and ability in air fight are unquestionable. However, he also has loopholes. Because Zhang Mushen had not been brought down by wing demons in Selnes Theater of Operations, his experience in emergencies is different than that facing most of the fighters. This leads to some loopholes in training guidelines!" Zhang Tie explained as he threw a glance at the others at present. After hearing Zhang Tie's words, all the people at present were shocked by his "audacity". However, Zhang Tie had not finished his words, "I'm not questioning General Mushen's training ideas, neither am I finding him trouble. As human air cavalry is a wholly new armed service, the relevant training and tactic exploration are a long-term, changing process that constantly adapts to war requirements. It's not gonna be improved in all aspects within a short period by one person. Many problems could only be discovered and solved through combats. We should seek truth from facts. Zhang Mushen is a knight; instead of a deity. Therefore, he would also make mistakes and have loopholes. He alone couldn't fully predict all the changes on the battlefield in the future. He just introduced this armed service for us. We shouldn't entrust all of our hope to him…" Zhang Tie added after being hesitant, "If one day Zhang Mushen is dead, would the air cavalries' development be stagnated?"
"It's enough…" Xing Xiangtian reproached Zhang Tie loudly while all the other officers in the conference room had changed their face.
The entire conference room instantly deteriorated to embarrassingly and icily silence.
Not until 2 minutes later did Xing Xiangtian recover his composure by taking a deep breath for a few times and say, "As you've already read the notice that was delivered by the headquarters. I believe that the powers of Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory and the Western Theater of Operations have already paid attention to the problems facing the first combat between us and wing demons and are trying their utmost efforts to solve them. Thankfully, they've already got the solutions. It's a good news. We all should have confidence in the headquarters and our air cavalry training system. Therefore, from today on, those battalions of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment could carry out distinctive training programs according to their own situation. The regimental headquarters would also support you on materials and logistics services…" Xing Xiangtian threw a glance at those battalion chiefs as he said, "The training that the no. 1 battalion carried out was a beneficial exploration. Their general orientation is right. However, we'd better not spread the news that the no. 1 battalion has started such similar training programs 1 month ago to the public. As Zhang Tie is a new battalion commander, it's not bad for him to have good thoughts. However, It's not necessary for us to expose it to the public…"
Only after being silent for a short while, those battalion commanders had already got the meaning of the regimental commander as they all nodded. The regimental commander was not suppressing Zhang Tie's deed, but protecting it. Although Zhang Tie was talented, he was too impulsive and hard-edged. Given his temperament, if he was exposed to the public, what he said just now could completely ruin his prospect or even kill him in the sky if someone else disliked him. Even a lot of human knights had fought to death in the theater of operations, not to mention a LV 9 battalion commander; especially in the holy war.
Zhang Tie maintained a glassy-eyed look as he revealed a bitter smile inside about Xing Xiangtian's consideration.
"Okay, adjournment…"
After glancing at Zhang Tie's face, all the other battalion commanders stood up and exited the conference room.
"Zhang Tie, wait a minute…" Xing Xiangtian stopped Zhang Tie as he peered at the later's ordinary face solemnly.
Not until the other battalion commanders left the office did Xing Xiangtian open his mouth, "Besides low altitude and super low altitude jump training, it's said that your battalion is undergoing other training programs."
"Yes, the no. 1 battalion is exploring a new tactic!"
"What tactic?"
"I call it air wolf pack tactic…"
"Air wolf pack tactic?" Xing Xiangtian smacked his lip without making any comment, "Your prospect is never limited to the no. 46 air cavalry regiment. It's good for young men like you to be hard-edged; however, don't be blind by that. Otherwise, your prospect might be declined. As you're wise, you should understand what I mean…"
"Thanks for your advice, regimental commander!" Zhang Tie gave a salute to Xing Xiangtian.
"Hmm, you can leave now. There're a bit more injured ones in the no. 1 battalion recently. You'd better properly control your training rhythm…"
"Yes, sir!"
Zhang Tie left Xing Xiangtian's office, then the building of the regimental headquarters. Stone was still waiting for him in the car. Not until Zhang Tie got on the vehicle did he reveal a bitter smile and shake his head.
Nobody else knew what Zhang Tie was feeling at this moment.
"Battalion commander, you've finished your conference?"
"Yup, let's go back to the camp…"
"Yes, sir…"
Stone opened the door and jumped off the vehicle. Closely after that, he started the vehicle using his manual crank handle rapidly. Then, he drove toward the camp of no. 1 battalion.
…
In the following week, all the battalions in the no. 46 air cavalry regiment started their low altitude and super low altitude jump training programs.
Although Xing Xiangtian prevented those battalion commanders from exposing the news that no. 1 battalion had already executed the special training programs 1 month ago to the public, the phrase time of Death God that Zhang Tie concluded in that conference instantly spread over the no. 46 air cavalry regiment.
The so-called time of Death God referred to the 1 minute before air cavalries fell onto the ground after jumping off their plane. This phrase was too vivid and profound that everybody who heard it would bear it in mind.
The target of low altitude and super low altitude parachute training programs was to avoid from the time of Death God.
In this world, there weren't idiots, not to mention those who sought for death on the battlefield. If they could win the time of Death God, of course, they would try their utmost efforts. In this case, all the members across the no. 46 air cavalry regiment were at full blaze and in high morale…
It soon came to December when it turned colder. When Zhang Tie wondered when would he encounter wing demons in the sky again, that day finally arrived…
At noon of December 3rd, the shrill battle alarms suddenly reverberated across the camps of no. 46 air cavalry regiment when the fighters of the no. 1 battalion were having lunch in the canteen…
Chapter 1395: Demons' Vicious Countermeasure
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
Ear-splitting battle alarms immediately spread across all the camps of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment like air raid alarms, causing shrill and distant sound "Wuh wuh wuh wuh…"
In the canteen of the no. 1 battalion, the moment Zhang Tie took a seat with his service plate and moved his chopsticks, he had heard the shrill alarms…
After hearing the alarms, Zhang Tie immediately shouted, "All the teams, prepare for battle. Follow me…" Zhang Tie roared as he rushed out of the canteen towards the tarmac ahead of all the others.
All the air cavalries of the no. 1 battalion immediately rushed out of the canteen closely after Zhang Tie…
"Ahh, what's happening…what's happening…" Old Gao who was responsible for the canteen swore loudly when he came out of the kitchen with a basin of hot fried dishes and saw everybody rushing out the canteen, 'B*stard demons, couldn't you wait till we finished the lunch…'
"I will ascend at first. All the teams, follow me up in order according to the tactic that we used to train these days…" Zhang Tie issued an order as he zipped up his combat uniform. Zhang Tie didn't run too fast; he was just ahead of all the others. Seeing Zhang Tie rushing forward, all the other fighters roared and rushed out closely after him. At that time, a person instantly caught up with those battalion chiefs as dexterously as a monkey as he came to the side of Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie then called him, "Fei Hao…"
"I'm here, battalion commaner, I'm with you…"
Although being short, Fei Hao was pretty capable and vigorous. He was Zhang Tie's shooter, one of the best shooters in the no. 1 battalion.
After hearing the battle alarms, even those ground forces who had been staying glued to the tarmac and airstrips instantly became busy running across the tarmac and on both sides of the airstrips. As the ground forces of air cavalry battalion, they had to be in place and prepare well for the coming ascension before pilots reached their aircraft…
Zhang Tie's aircraft was in the first parking space in the no. 1 battalion's tarmac. He was also the first one who arrived there. After stepping on the ladder, he opened the cover of his cockpit and entered it. After sitting down, he started the engine, put on his battle helmet and fastened his safety belt. After Zhang Tie accomplished all these movements, the ground forces of no. 1 aircraft had already started the propeller. Closely after that, the land forces moved away from the no-slipping device and the ladder before making a gesture to Zhang Tie, implying that he could fly off…
Fei Hao who closely followed Zhang Tie to the airplane on his back was also ready. After checking the steam ballista, he patted the ballista to indicate that Zhang Tie could fly off.
Zhang Tie then had the aircraft turn a corner dexterously. After leaving the parking space, it rushed into the airstrip and ascended ahead of all the others.
A pattern of wolf head widely opening its mouth had been printed on the fore of every aircraft compared to that one month ago, making it grisly and aggressive.
Closely followed by Zhang Tie's aircraft were the aircraft of the other air cavalries of the no. 1 battalion, which flew off the other airstrips. After ascending, they were all circling above the airstrips of the no. 1 battalion, waiting for their brothers.
Only after Zhang Tie made two circles in the sky, all the 500 air cavalry aircraft of the no. 1 battalion had flown off and entered the sky like 500 wild wolves.
The operations tower of the air cavalry regiment sent decrees using lamplight signals. After receiving lamplight signals, Zhang Tie led 500 aircraft of the no. 1 battalion towards the west.
In this age, operational aircraft were not matched with radio stations like those before the Catastrophe. Across the no. 1 air cavalry battalion, only Zhang Tie's aircraft was matched with a crystal remote sensing device which was used to contact the regimental headquarters after leaving the camp.
When in emergencies, in order to enhance combat efficiency, the air cavalry regiment headquarters would send decrees using the signal lamplight on the control tower.
The crystal remote-sensing device in the army was similar to Zhang Tie's remote-sensing finger rings. However, there was a sharp difference between them. Knight's remote-sensing finger rings were matched with small and portable top-quality remote sensing crystals. However, the remote-sensing crystal device on battalion level was as large as an alarm clock. Zhang Tie had not used that device ever since he joined the air cavalry battalion.
In the sky, as the head of all the aircraft of the no. 1 battalion, Zhang Tie would send his decree to the other aircraft by waving his wings or making circles in the sky when in need. It was similar to how bees transmitted information. Although being not advanced, it was the mere choice that officers of air cavalries made in the air.
Zhang Tie had not imagined that only 6,000 operational aircraft were assigned to join the battle this time, namely 12 air cavalry battalions, 3 from no. 46 air cavalry regiment while the other 9 from the other air cavalry regiments.
It indicated that at most 5,000 wing demons had been assigned by demons, which scale was much smaller than that over 1 month ago.
'What could 5,000 wing demons do?' Zhang Tie had a question in mind. 'Such a bit number of wing demons was far less enough to break through the first airline of humans' defense. Is it a tentative strike or provocation of demons?'
Nobody could answer Zhang Tie's question. As Zhang Tie was just a battalion commander of air cavalries, nobody would explain it to him.
The distance of over 150 miles between the base of air cavalries and the billowy Weishui River was fewer than half an hour's journey for those air cavalries.
In the sky, they found that the earth was full of killing intent. The eastern and western banks of Weishui River were covered with lofty battle fortresses of humans and demons. Neither party could be overwhelming.
Above the formation of operational aircraft were the magnificent Xuanyuan Fortress and the other air battle fortresses. When they watched Xuanyuan Fortress and those huge battle fortresses from inside their aircraft, they immediately sensed that the magnificent and bulky Xuanyuan Fortress was pretty oppressive. As for air cavalries of Taixia Country, this great sense of oppression represented great confidence. As long as all the air cavalries could still see Xuanyuan Fortress and those huge battle fortresses, they would not be worried.
The formation of air cavalries then flew by Xuanyuan Fortress and the other battle fortresses.
In the sky above the west bank of Weishui River, those wing demons were hovering sparsely hundreds of meters high instead of forming a combat formation. Those wing demons didn't approach Weishui River. All the aggressive 6,000 air cavalries were in a daze at the sight of that. 'What're the demons doing? Just now, we received the order to block wing demons above Weishui River. However, it seems that the wing demons don't mean to fly over the river at all. Will we fly across the river?'
Although fighters could be fraught, the head shouldn't. At this moment, only Zhang Tie took out the remote-sensing crystal device to contact the regimental headquarters.
The decree from the regimental headquarters was pretty simple, namely, the air cavalries of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment would just stay hovering above the east bank of Weishui River and check what those wing demons intended to do. If wing demons didn't fly over the river, the air cavalries would not take any action either in case of falling into their trap.
Although this decree was a bit conservative, it would not bring any unprecedented trouble.
All the other air cavalries should have received the same decree like Zhang Tie as all the 6,000 aircraft were just hovering in the sky above the east bank of Weishui River and waiting for the coming battle seriously in a battle formation…
Only after a few minutes, Zhang Tie had already known those wing demons' intention. After seeing those people walking out of the camp of demons, Zhang Tie's heart froze at once…
Chapter 1396: Being Extremely Brutal
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
On the ground, a whopping team lasting about 6,00 miles was driven out of the camp of demons, which was composed of millions of wailing Hua civilians in shabby clothes, old or young, male or female.
Those wing demons were monitoring these Hua civilians while iron-armored demons and ox-head demons were lashing them brutally from behind.
As it was December, it was pretty cold. Those Hua civilians in shabby clothes quivered in the chilly wind. Being threatened by the sabers and axes of demons, they were watching afar in a daze as they crawled with fear towards the wilderness. They didn't know their destiny at all.
"Keep going. After crossing Weishui River, you will enter the territory of Taixia Country. Don't you want to be the citizens of Heavens Reaching Empire? Don't you bear Taixia Country in your mind? Here's a chance for you! As long as you could rush over there, you will be free. The army of Taixia Country is right on the other bank of Weishui River. They could provide you with food and drinks. Look at that fortress over the sky in the east, that's the Xuanyuan Fortress where Hua fighters are encamped…" Some people in brilliant official silk robes, who were different than natives of Taixia Country, were shouting loudly by huge iron sheet trumpets behind those Hua civilians.
After hearing the words, although the millions of Hua citizens were still doubting its veracity, someone looked up at the looming bulky Xuanyuan Fortress in the distance as their eyes shone with hope…
'As long as I could rush over there, I would enter the territory of Taixia Country, leaving the hell and regaining my freedom.'
"Taixia, we could finally return to Taixia Country…" Those old men among the crowd dropped tears as their lips quivered. Gazing at the east, they held deep affection in eyes, "I've not imagined that I could survive back to Taixia Country…"
The mother in shabby clothes tightly cradled her baby as she peered at the east with a faint, hopeful brilliance in eyes, "Baby, as long as we reach that bank, we would have food…"
"Mom, will I be well fed then…" The baby who looked poor and weak asked.
"Yes, you will be. Because that's Taixia Country…" The mom's words brought faint brilliance to the baby's naive face…
Those male citizens panted heavily…
Being in an uproar, the Hua citizens poured out of the camp. Finally, someone couldn't stand sprinting towards the east, closely followed by more and more people. Within 600 miles, the Hua civilians were rushing towards the east like a surging tide…
Some were even cheering up as they couldn't help weeping due to extreme pleasure.
Whereas, in the blink of an eye, the brutal reality had shattered all the beautiful dreams…
A flame rose up, turning a Hua male who was rushing forward into a fireball. The male just screamed miserably as he rolled on the earth.
Another flame appeared while the second Hua male turned into a fireball.
Those who screamed and rolled immediately soon became still as they gradually burned like trunks quietly yet miserably…
Over 600 miles, more and more flames rose up as more and more incendiary mines were detonated. After being burned, those Hua civilians were wailing miserably and rolling over the ground. Closely after that, they became quiet.
The quiet and cold wilderness was full of killing intent which was pretty terrifying…
Those Hua civilians being driven out of the camp of demons were scared so much; especially those in front who were all shocked and stopped their footsteps with pale faces as they just gazed at the ground with panic…
"Hurry up, rush forward…" The voice in the trumpet became fierce at once as if it was a jackal or wolf whose hypocritical mask had been torn off, "The army of Taixia Country is right in front of you; if you don't rush forward, you will die…"
Those demons instantly raised their huge sabers as they started to slay the last Hua civilians one after another.
As LV 9 demons, they had terrifying battle strength and could split a person into two halves from head to feet, spraying blood and guts everywhere. As for ox-head demons, they could shatter half of a Hua civilian's body by mace and heavy hammer.
With abyss in front and brutal holocaust behind, those Hua civilians were scared so much. In order to secure themselves from being killed, those in the end of the contingent exerted their utmost effort to move forward, pushing those ahead of them to surge forward…
"Don't surge forward, those lackeys of demons and Heavens Reaching Empire want to kill us. No matter what, we will die. Let's fight them to death…" A middle-aged man in shabby literal long robe shouted loudly in front. Right then, a wing demon descended from the sky as it penetrated through the middle-aged literate's chest by a steel fork. With his miserable scream, the wing demon lifted the man to over 100 m high in the air before dropping him off…
Being stuck in limbo, more than one Hua person resisted the demon's violence. However, in the blink of an eye, these dauntless people had been killed by wing demons or ox-head demons.
In the panic of death, all the Hua civilians were driven towards the wilderness.
"Don't fire. Don't attack us. We're Hua civilians…" An old man with a completely pale beard and hair roared exhaustively towards the wilderness in quivering voice while being pushed forward as if he hoped that Taixia army could hear his words.
Since their homes were collapsed by demons, these Hua civilians had been in custody and became slaves who could get the latest news. These Hua civilians basically didn't know that those flames rising from the earth were caused by incendiary mines that Taixia Country invented to deal with demons. That old man thought that Hua soldiers and powerhouses were hiding somewhere in the wilderness and preventing them from drawing near…
At this moment, another flame rose from the earth, engulfing that old man and two people near him at once. They shrieked miserably at the beginning; closely after that, they were burned into ashes.
Being pushed by someone behind, a mother who was cradling her baby staggered forward a couple of footsteps. Closely after that, she was engulfed by a flame.
"Ahh, my baby…" The mother tossed her baby out of the flame; however, her baby had already been burning and shrieking loudly. The mother wanted to put out her baby's flame regardless of the flame on her body as she kept flapping her baby's body. However, incendiary mine's flames could even burn in water and could barely be put out on earth. As the mother kept flapping her baby, they both gradually became still…
"My God, what bad things have we done…" An old woman with pale hair immediately knelt down as she raised her hands and cried miserably with tears all over her face, "Demons are killing us. But why is Taixia Country killing us too?"
The other Hua civilians passed by the old woman hurriedly. At that moment, an ox-head demon arrived as it raised its mace and ferociously smashed the old woman into a pump of flesh…
They would die, whether they moved forward or backward…
Over the vast land, Hua civilians' cries shocked the merciless wilderness, which became their purgatory…
…
"Ahh, battalion commander, the ground forces of demons are launching an attack towards us…" Fei Hao who was sitting on the back seat of Zhang Tie's aircraft shouted when he noticed the constantly sparkles on the ground in the distance out of excitement, "Burn those sons of b*tches to ashes…���
As for air cavalries who were loafing in the sky near the east bank of Weishui River, they could see those sparkles over 120 miles away due to their altitude. However, due to the great distance, they thought those flames were detonated by demon's ground forces. Therefore, some air cavalries were cheering up in the sky…
However, as Zhang Tie owned lotus flower eyes, he could see the miserable scene over 120 miles away clearly.
Feeling cold and heart-wrenched, Zhang Tie couldn't help pouring out his tears as he was so in pain…
With quivering hands, Zhang Tie took out the remote-sensing crystal device as he sent a message to the headquarters of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment——Zhang Tie the battalion commander of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment asks to launch a strike towards demons…
——Veto!
——Stay where you're for the order!
The headquarters of No. 46 air cavalry regiment sent 2 messages to Zhang Tie immediately in a scathing and succinct manner.
Military orders were forbidding!
Facing the tens of thousands of Hua civilians being slaughtered by demons and incendiary mines, Zhang Tie felt weak once again…
As a result, Zhang Tie pinched the remote-sensing crystal device into pieces at once!
The other air cavalries couldn't actually see what was happening over there. However, Zhang Tie knew that Xuanyuan Fortress must know. Even air cavalries didn't make any response; at least knights in Xuanyuan Fortress and Zuoqiu Mingyue could do something…
In the sky, Zhang Tie kept his eyes close on Xuanyuan Fortress and the other battle fortresses…
One minute…two minutes…ten minutes…twenty minutes had passed… Besides some battle qi smokes and tornadoes in the sky within 6,000 miles, Xuanyuan Fortress still remained as icy and irresistible as a steel city…
Zhang Tie became completely disappointed…
Chapter 1397: Assassination
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
What happened on the ground in the west of Weishui River was completely a holocaust.
After receiving the order, all the air cavalries just hovered above the east bank of Weishui River and monitored the movements of wing demons. Xuanyuan Fortress and the other human battle fortresses above air cavalries didn't make any response to it as if they had not discovered what was happening on the ground.
Right under Zhang Tie's gaze, tens of millions of Hua civilians were being killed. The death of these Hua civilians paved a "safety belt" with 6,000 miles in length and 24 miles in width for demons. All the landmines in this safety belt had been cleared by Hua civilians at the cost of their lives…
Except for Zhang Tie, the other air cavalries didn't know what was happening on the ground.
Zhang Tie flew back to the base of no. 46 air cavalry regiment in a trance. Although being in the sky, his mind had been filled with that tragic scene of desperate tears, wails and exclamations of a mass of people on the ground where soil and human flesh had been mixed. Like a sharp saber, the scene tore apart Zhang Tie's soul, almost suffocating him in the tide of despair…
That was the real hell.
That was the real brutal side of the holy war.
Zhang Tie operated the plane and had it land on an airstrip of the no. 1 camp adroitly in a daze based on acquired reflex and instinct. After parking it in the fixed stand, he turned off the engine and opened the cover of the cockpit before getting off the plane like a zombie…
The stand of Zhang Tie's plane had long been surrounded by bystanders. The other air cavalries who had landed before Zhang Tie had long run over here as they would like to check whether their battalion commander was okay. Because Zhang Tie's performance in the last hour of this flight task was very abnormal, which was far worse than the standard in usual training. Additionally, when they were called back, Zhang Tie seemed to have not received the decree of the regimental headquarters. Not until Xiang Yusheng the battalion commander of the 3rd battalion of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment superseded the regimental headquarters to pass the signal of return in the air did those air cavalries of the no. 1 battalion "escort" Zhang Tie's aircraft back to the base in a protective formation…
Nobody knew what happened to Zhang Tie. Therefore, when Zhang Tie's aircraft parked, all the other air cavalries of the no. 1 battalion swarmed up out of concern.
However, Xing Xiangtian the regimental commander of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment and two soldiers from the Law Enforcement Center had been waiting for Zhang Tie earlier than those fighters of no. 1 battalion.
Xing Xiangtian looked furious as if he was going to burn up. The moment Zhang Tie got off the aircraft, he had seen Xing Xiangtian's bad look, which reminded Zhang Tie of a volcanic eruption.
At the sight of this scene, Fei Hao just stood aside in a daze.
"Colonel Zhang Tie, where's you remote-sensing device? Why didn't you receive the order from the regimental headquarters?" Xing Xiangtian questioned Zhang Tie loudly.
Zhang Tie watched Xing Xiangtian, pulsing his mouth.
Watching Zhang Tie's pale face, dejected expression and strange silence, Xing Xiangtian became more irate. He threw a glance at one of the two fighters coming from Law Enforcement Center. The fighter then entered Zhang Tie's cockpit. After checking it for a short while, he took out of a piece of metal in an irregular shape.
"Regimental commander, the remote-sensing device of Zhang Tie the battalion commander of the no. 1 battalion has been damaged…"
"Colonel Zhang Tie, do you know what crime have you committed by damaging remote-sensing device in wartime on purpose, leading to failure of contact between the superior and the junior?"
Zhang Tie still remained silent. However, after hearing Xing Xiangtian's words, all the bystanders finally understood what happened. However, they didn't know why Zhang Tie would damage the remote-sensing device which was used to contact the regimental headquarters. If Zhang Tie's aircraft was brought down in wartime, damaging the remote-sensing device, the no. 1 battalion could initiate the corresponding emergency response plan and establish a temporary leadership and guidance mechanism of the no. 1 battalion in case of being flurried. However, Zhang Tie damaged his remote-sensing device on the premise that his aircraft was not brought down. This made people perplexed.
Of course, none of them knew what Zhang Tie felt when he pinched his remote-sensing device into pieces.
"Guo Haichao…" Xing Xiangtian roared.
"I'm here…"
"From now on, you will supersede Zhang Tie to be the battalion commander of the no. 1 battalion of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment for the time being…"
Guo Haichao threw a glance at Zhang Tie. When he saw Xing Xiangtian's sharp eye light, he chested out and replied loudly at once, "Yes, sir…'
"You two, take Zhang Tie away. Put him in custody for one week. He needs to premediate it…" Xing Xiangtian told the two members from Law Enforcement Center out of fury.
"Colonel Zhang Tie, please follow us…" A soldier then talked to Zhang Tie icily.
Zhang Tie remained silent as his face looked very solemn. He just followed the two members from the Law Enforcement Center. Fighters of the no. 1 battalion gave way to them as they watched Zhang Tie getting on a vehicle being cuffed with complicated expressions…
Xing Xiangtian got on a vehicle too. Closely after that, the two vehicles left the base of the no. 1 battalion.
"Ahh, why would our battalion commander damage his remote-sensing device?" The moment the two vehicles left, the fighters of the no. 1 battalion had started their discussion as they didn't believe that Zhang Tie could do such a silly thing in that case.
"Could it be that our battalion commander was a bit…a bit nervous as it was his first time to attend a fight?"
"Fart!" The team leader's reason was immediately inundated by swears, ���How could an anxious pilot penetrate through the narrow gap between two flagpoles? Additionally, wing demons were far away from us at that time. Even this father was not nervous, how could Battalion commander Zhang be nervous?"
"Even if you brat had peed in your pants, our battalion commander would not even blink his eyes…"
The team leader instantly shrugged as he dared not say anything anymore.
"Fei Hao, you were staying with our battalion commander, do you know what happened?" Guo Haichao asked Zhang Tie's shooter about the reason.
"I…I have no idea…" Fei Hao scratched his head. After being hesitant for a couple of seconds, he added, "But battalion commander…battalion commander…"
"Cut the crap, what happened to our battalion commander?"
"When we arrived at the sky over Weishui River, I found that…battalion commander was dropping tears…" Fei Hao stammered.
"Dropping tears? Impossible!" Someone shouted, "We're so happy to see those demons detonating land mines, why did our battalion commander drop tears? You must have an illusion…"
"No wonder our battalion commander's eyes were red…" Someone else realized it at once.
"No way…"
"Is it because of heavy wind?"
"But the cover of our battalion commander's cockpit is closed…"
Those fighters of no. 1 battalion were in an uproar…
…
In his vehicle, Xing Xiangtian was still angry as Zhang Tie's performance in this move was too disappointing. Xing Xiangtian even doubted that Zhang Tie had falsified his CV. 'How could a colonel behave so abnormally on the battlefield? Is it because that Zhang Tie has not seen any demon before?'
'Impossible! I remembered that Zhang Tie even asked to launch a strike towards demons using his remote-sensing device. However, I vetoed his proposal.'
'Is it because I vetoed his proposal that he damaged the remote-sensing crystal out of fury?'
When he recalled what Zhang Tie said in the conference, Xing Xiangtian felt this might be the very reason. 'Zhang Tie is an able man; however, he's too pretentious and ostentatious. He's too self-centered. I should tackle his weakness so that he could be a qualified battalion commander…'
As he thought about Zhang Tie's temperament, Xing Xiangtian fixated onto the wreck of that metal bracket as he slightly frowned. He could also break that metal bracket by pinching it; however, Zhang Tie's strength seemed to be a bit too great as the wreck of this metal bracket seemed to have been fully glued together. Additionally, the edge of the metal bracket seemed to have melted slightly…
At the sight of that faintly melted trace, Xing Xiangtian's frown intensified. However, a few seconds later, he became relieved as he muttered, 'Impossible. He's just a LV 9 fighter. I prefer that this remote-sensing crystal device was not well processed at the beginning…'
…
The two soldiers directly drove Zhang Tie to the guardhouse of the Law Enforcement Center of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment and closed him inside.
The guardhouse only covered about 2 square meters, which only contained an extremely simple camp bed and a toilet bowl. The camp bed was made of cold wire. There was neither a quilt nor a window. After the iron door was closed from outside, Zhang Tie sunk in darkness, coldness and silence at once.
Sitting on the camp bed, Zhang Tie lowered his head as he covered his face by palms. At the same time, he gripped his hair tightly. After a while, he roared in a muffled and painful manner like a lonely wild beast…
…
Two days later, Anxi City, Xinglin Prefecture, Military Province…
That day, the exclusive airboat of Weiji General arrived at Anxi City, causing the entire city to be boisterous, including local major clans and commoners.
Anxi City was an important agricultural town and the traffic hub in Xinglin Prefecture. 'Zhang Tie' came here to inspect the military equipment in Anxi City.
Zhang Tie had been pretty dignified in the theater of operations while his marvelous talent of touching stones and turning it into gold had long been spread across the country.
Wu Chunlai the prefectural governor of Xinglin Prefecture, Qiu Youjin the weiji envoy of Xinglin Prefecture, the other high-level officials in the prefecture, the mayor of Anxi City, some major clans in Xinglin Prefecture and some local tycoons and civilians in Anxi City had been gagging for Zhang Tie's arrival out of excitement.
They accompanied Zhang Tie to tarry quite a while outside Anxi City by inspecting an airport, a granary for war preparedness, a Fiery-Oil production base and an arsenal near Anxi City. Noticing Zhang Tie to keep nodding satisfactorily on the way, those officials and heads of major clans of Xinglin Prefecture who had been accompanying Zhang Tie meticulously finally became reassured.
Zhang Tie arrived there at noon. They finished the inspection when the sun was going to set. With the insinuation of those heads of major clans of Xinglin Prefecture, Wu Chunlai the prefectural governor of Xinglin Prefecture pretended to cough twice as he asked 'Zhang Tie' meticulously, "General, where else do you want to inspect…"
"I'm very satisfied with the war preparedness and production in Anxi City. Therefore, I think the other places in Xinglin Prefecture should not be bad either. You really did a good job…" 'Zhang Tie' made a comment while all the others grinned.
"It's owed to general's strict guidance, meritorious services to the consolidation of the country. Without general's Fiery-Oil airplane and good farming policies, we really couldn't imagine about the current situation facing the theater of operations, not to mention Xinglin Prefecture. Given meritorious services, the general is worth to rank first. We just share the general's glory in according with our commitment…" Wu Chunlai the prefectural governor of Xinglin Prefecture replied eloquently. Wu Chunlai was famous for being strict and selfless; however, his attitude also varied with people. He usually treated his subordinates and civilians strictly and selflessly while in front of Zhang Tie his eloquence made the other officials and local tycoons bashful.
A mass of civilians was onlooking them from far away as they were blocked by soldiers who were responsible for maintaining order.
"Yes…yes…" Someone else chimed in with Wu Chunlai immediately in case of an embarrassing atmosphere.
After Wu Chunlai finished his words, he threw a glance at Qiu Youjin the weiji envoy of Xinglin Prefecture stealthily.
Qiu Youjin had already met Zhang Tie in Kangzhou City. It was his second time to see Zhang Tie. Last time, he just stood far away and watched Zhang Tie. This time, he finally got a chance to stand on Zhang Tie's side. Qiu Youjin didn't feel that this 'Zhang Tie' was different than the one he saw last time, except for that this 'Zhang Tie' was more forbidding and dignified.
Of course, Qiu Youjin understood Wu Chunlai's eye light.
"General, as you've been busy for a whole afternoon, you must be a bit tired. Right at the foot of Anshan Mountain in front of us, there's a spectacular courtyard. We've made an arrangement for you to take some rest over there…" Qiu Youjin said. As he had met Zhang Tie before, it would be a bit intimate for him to suggest Zhang Tie to do that.
All those at present thought that at least they could entertain Zhang Tie with supper so that these officers and major clans could leave an impression in Zhang Tie's mind.
"This humble man has already arranged my family members to prepare a simple banquet for general and the other officials in the spectacular courtyard." A local tycoon of Anxi City said as he bowed his body.
"No need, I will go to other prefectures tonight. It would take me at least half a year to travel around all the prefectures in the four provinces, even one day for one prefecture. I will not waste time here…" 'Zhang Tie' said as he waved his arm, "Let's apart here…"
As the airboat was right above them, Zhang Tie could leave at any time.
After hearing Zhang Tie's reply, all the other officials and heads of major clans felt pitiful. However, they dared not urge Zhang Tie to do that; instead, they could only see Zhang Tie off modestly.
"General is worried about the national affairs. We really admire you. We will have to bid a farewell to general here. Bon Voyage…'
"It's not easy for Xinglin Prefecture and Anxi City to get such a rosy situation. Hopefully, you could continue to work hard and avoid from being frivolous and restless. If you live up to Taixia Country, Taixia Country would live up to you too!" 'Zhang Tie' even mustered them up before leaving. After that, 'Zhang Tie' ascended into the air and entered his exclusive airboat…
Right under the gaze of so many people, Zhang Tie's exclusive airboat flew towards the south…
However, before onlookers moved their eyes away from the airboat, a terrifying qi descended from the heavens and hit Zhang Tie's airboat as fast as a lightning bolt after Zhang Tie's airboat left for less than 6 miles. In a split second, Zhang Tie's exclusive 600 m longer airboat had been cut into pieces by tens of thousands of battle qi.
At this moment, a purple-golden 4 m longer heavenly wing demon knight with a unicorn, a crown on head and 6 feather wings on back appeared in the sky. Only by waving its claw, a powerful battle qi storm lasting miles long had covered the broken pieces of Zhang Tie's airboat completely. Closely after that, the heavenly demon knight entered its own battle qi storm…
At this time, Zhang Tie's growls reverberated in the sky while a silver battle qi tornado rushed into the sky. However, in a split second, the battle qi tornado had disappeared…
The heavenly wing demon knight reappeared in the sky as it threw a glance at those officials and heads of local major clans icily like looking at ants. Even being about 10 miles away, its casual look could almost freeze the blood of those people below knight level, which felt overwhelming and breathless.
The heavenly wing demon knight then revealed a faint ignorant smile. Closely after that, it ascended and disappeared in front of everyone in terms of light.
Not until then did the pieces of the airboat fall onto the ground with blood rain…
Witnessing all this, everybody on the ground felt like being struck by a lightning bolt as they all turned pale and felt cold all over. Many of them almost fell down.
"Hurry…hurry up, go check…check…ge…general…" Wu Chunlai who was very eloquent just now stammered at this moment as he staggered forward.
There were various pieces over the crashing site, including metal pieces, pieces of human bodies. Among those pieces, someone discovered shredded flesh being covered by boa silk robe of Zhang Tie…
Half an hour later, the news that Zhang Tie the Weiji General of the Theater of Operations was ambushed and killed by a heavenly wing demon knight in Anxi City, Xinglin Prefecture had spread over the theater of operations…
Chapter 1398: Succor from Xuanyuan Fortress
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
It was pitch-dark and quiet in Zhang Tie's cell. In the darkness, the time flew by; especially for a knight, two days flashed by…
Darkness drove away brightness while silence shielded uproar. In darkness and silence, the images in Zhang Tie's mind became increasingly clearer.
Burning corpses of Hua civilians…
The mother who was burned to death with her baby…
Numerous whines…
Endless blood penetrated through the ground in the west bank of Weishui River as if it was going to flow out of the floor of the guardhouse. After reaching Zhang Tie's instep, it kept going upward as it almost made Zhang Tie suffocated.
It was the quivering remote-sensing finger rings that Zhang Tie carried that broke this sense of suffocation. In the beginning, those remote-sensing crystals in the finger rings started to quiver one after another. In the end, all the remote-sensing finger rings that Zhang Tie carried were quivering constantly and repeatedly…
It was Zhang Tie's first time to meet such a situation. The urgent, constant waves from the crystals in the remote-sensing finger rings shattered the images in Zhang Tie's mind, drawing him back to the reality as he raised his head in the bloody darkness.
Zhang Tie knew that something crucial must have happened outside.
In this case, Zhang Tie contacted Zhang Yang first, "Elder brother, what's up…"
"Who are you?"
"I'm Zhang Tie, why…"
"Where're you?"
"I'm in Ningzhou Province!"
"Are you alright?"
"I'm okay…"
"I've just received the news that you were ambushed and killed by a heavenly wing demon knight when you inspected Anxi City, Xinglin Prefecture, Military Province. You scared me…"
"Tell our parents that I'm fine. I'm very good…"
"Okay. Take care of yourself. Don't loaf outside recently. Your safety comes first. If you got hurt, what about our parents…"
Zhang Tie finally knew what happened. His stunt was inspecting Anxi City, Xinglin Prefecture, Military Province under the arrangement of Zuoqiu Mingyue. Zhang Tie had not imagined that demons could assign a heavenly demon knight to ambush and kill him.
After finishing the contact with his elder brother, Zhang Tie instantly injected his spiritual energy into 10 more remote-sensing finger rings and told them that he was safe and sound…
At this moment, Zhang Yang was not the only one who was gagging for confirming Zhang Tie's existing situation. Zhang Tie's family members in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory, elders of Huaiyuan Palace, Bai Suxian, Feng Cangwu, Immortal Deyang, Lord Guangnan's Mansion, Mountain Lifting Hermit, Lu Zhongming and Lin Huanxi, Zhang Tie's disciples, Zuoqiu Mingyue, Agricultural Administration of Kangzhou Province, Pontiff Sarlin…almost all those who could contact Zhang Tie were hurriedly trying to contact him to confirm that he was safe.
Since Yan Feiqing defeated Zhu Qianqian, one of the four elders of Taiyi Fantasy Sect a few months ago, she had been in closed cultivation for a secret method of Fantasy Lady Sutra. Therefore, she didn't know what happened to Zhang Tie for the time being.
Feeling those vibrating remote-sensing finger rings, Zhang Tie was in a trance as he had not imagined that so many people were concerned about him. The moment he was "murdered", the news had already spread over the country and made everybody intense. By contrast, 2 days ago the death of tens of thousands of Hua civilians outside the camp of demons seemingly didn't arouse too much attention in the Western Theater of Operations.
However, the reality always went like that.
'Which is more valuable, my life or the lives of tens of thousands of people?' Zhang Tie retrospected…
At the same time, Zhang Tie realized that he couldn't stay in the no. 46 air cavalry regiment any more.
…
When Zhang Tie was contacting those people who were concerned about him using remote-sensing finger rings, two human knights appeared outside the regimental headquarters of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment as fast as lightning bolts, driving those fighters which were on sentry duty dizzy.
"Where's Xing Xiangtian, come out!" The moment they arrived, a black-faced knight had urged in a stentorian voice, regardless of the dumbfounded fighters outside the regimental headquarters.
After hearing that voice, Xing Xiangtian hurriedly rushed out of the regimental headquarters. At the sight of that black-faced knight, Xing Xiangtian instantly gave a solemn salute to him.
"General, I'm here…"
The black-faced knight was Wei Jingxian, the supreme officer of air cavalries in the theater of operations and the former Cheji General of Ningzhou Province. He was the immediate superior of Xing Xiangtian. All the independent air cavalry troops around the theater of operations were under his leadership. In usual days, Xing Xiangtian was not even qualified to meet Wei Jingxian.
As Wei Jingxian came here without any advance notice, Xing Xiangtian became dumbfounded as he didn't know why would the general suddenly come here all of a sudden.
"I wonder whether a major called Zhang Tie came here for registration as the battalion commander of no. 46 air cavalry regiment a month ago?" Wei Jingxian asked urgently.
"Yes!" Xing Xiangtian nodded as he was shocked inside. He had not imagined that Wei Jingxian knew Major Zhang Tie. 'Does Major Zhang Tie have any special background?'
After hearing Xing Xiangtian's words, the two new arrivers seemingly let out a sigh of relief at once.
"Your excellency…" Wei Jingxian then looked at the silent knight on his side.
The moment Wei Jingxian opened his mouth, Xing Xiangtian had already realized that the other knight on Wei Jingxian's side might have a higher position than Wei Jingxian. 'Is that a shadow knight? My god! What a day…'
"Where's the camp of no. 1 battalion? Lead us there!" The other knight said calmly as he threw a glance at Xing Xiangtian.
"Are…are you looking for Major Zhang Tie…" Xing Xiangtian asked as he scratched his head.
"It's none of your business. Just lead us to Zhang…Zhang Tie!" Wei Jingxian stammered.
"But Major Zhang Tie is not in the camp of no. 1 battalion!" Xiang Xiangtian said. Soon after the two knights heard his words, they had widely opened their eyes and become intense. Xing Xiangtian hurriedly added, "Major Zhang Tie is in the guardhouse of the Law Enforcement Center of the regimental headquarters…"
"What, guardhouse?" The two knights became both stunned with splendid facial expressions.