The Long Lamp! The Bright Dawn! Join Me in Slaying the Foes!

Ten minutes ago.After Jiang Xiaoci hung up the communication, she couldn't help but exhale deeply.Wang Chen and the command center had re-established contact. This was the best outcome.As long as Wang Chen could be fully mobilized, the enemy's offensive could be shattered to a great extent, perhaps even paving the way for a counterattack."The deadlock is alive again. They should be getting anxious by now, right?"Jiang Xiaoci thought to herself as she stood and walked toward the door.This time, she didn't take up pen and paper. She left everything on the desk and walked out alone.

"Miss Jiang."A guard was waiting at the door and spoke in a hushed tone, "The researchers and key gifted individuals from Guangling and Dantu have successfully gathered the first batch, and they are about to leave for Jinling.""Miss Jiang, your transport has also been arranged. Let me show you the way.""Who arranged it?"Jiang Xiaoci looked at the guard with a calm yet intimidating gaze. He lowered his head, unable to meet her eyes. "It was Chen Xun's arrangement. He said that you need to leave with the first batch. Your position is crucial, and you shouldn't stay at the most dangerous front.""He's quite crafty, still trying to score points even at this moment," Jiang Xiaoci smiled faintly, her eyes distant. "Let Chen Xun take the lead, and bring Wang Shi along. Get the key personnel back to Jinling as soon as possible.""I'll stay. I won't leave until everyone from both cities is evacuated."The guard wanted to say more, but Jiang Xiaoci had already entered the waiting military vehicle, softly commanding, "Head to the outskirts, to the patrol zone.""Yes, Miss Jiang."The soldier nodded and started the vehicle.The military vehicle moved steadily and quickly through Dantu's streets. The mist that had once covered the city had been cleared by Wang Chen, and the city was once again bathed in light.But sadly, this light didn't last long. Under the warm sunlight, the streets were filled with hurried crowds, each carrying their luggage, quickly escorted by rescue teams heading northward out of the city.Jiang Xiaoci silently watched the people lining the streets, as though watching scenes from an old movie in reverse. The military vehicle passed by, and occasionally someone would look up, their eyes filled with confusion as they watched the vehicle heading south."This vehicle is heading south?""But there are enemies to the south, right? I heard they're preparing missiles.""I don't know, it looks like it's from Jinling. The people inside probably need to help set up a second defense line in the south.""The commander said we should retreat first, and they'll cover us from behind.""Jinling... sigh, they're really not afraid of death. Can they hold on?""I don't know, but I heard from someone named Chen that we should be safe before they're all gone."There were murmurs of conversation on the street. It wasn't just Jiang Xiaoci's vehicle moving; military vehicles passed by in silence, heading to different destinations. Some were heading south to form new defense lines, others went north to evacuate the people from Guangling.Each had a different mission, but all were faithfully carrying out the grand evacuation plan.

For a brief moment, it seemed like people could feel something familiar.In the past, there had always been groups of soldiers who tried their best to provide them with a sense of security.Though that army was no longer there, it felt like there were new inheritors—people continuing the same mission, carrying the same will.

"Miss Jiang..."Xiaoyan, seated beside Jiang Xiaoci, suddenly spoke up, holding several communication devices to help Jiang stay in contact with the various teams evacuating."Mm?"Jiang Xiaoci turned her gaze back to Xiaoyan."Do you think... we'll be safe this time?"Xiaoyan lowered her head, looking a bit anxious, unsure of how to phrase it. "It's not that I'm afraid of dying... It's just... why is there still infighting when it's the end of the world?""Are you worried about Captain Chen?"Jiang Xiaoci raised her hand and gently patted Xiaoyan's head. "Don't worry. He's strong. He won't die.""I'm not worried about him. I just..."Xiaoyan looked up at Jiang Xiaoci's gentle eyes, her own eyes reddening. Her voice trembled, "Lü Nianxin told me that during the evacuation meeting, everyone silently accepted that he would die.""He has to block tens of thousands of people by himself... Even if he dies, he'll still be our hero.""Mm, he's a hero. And so are you."Jiang Xiaoci nodded and lightly patted Xiaoyan's small hand, offering no further explanation or comfort."At least, once he dies, it'll be our turn."Jiang Xiaoci looked out the window, her smile still calm. "Don't be afraid. Every era has people who die. To die in front of the people is to reflect our faith.""I know. I'm not afraid."Xiaoyan took a deep breath, knowing this was not the time to show weakness. The enemy wouldn't show mercy because of tears."Miss Jiang, Miss Lin is in the south district.""Didn't I ask her to oversee the retreat in the north?"Jiang Xiaoci furrowed her brow, but her expression remained unsurprised. "What's she doing in the patrol zone?""She said she wanted to stay behind to boost the soldiers' abilities. You mentioned in the meeting that the enemy will come after us, and we can't stay with the crowd, or it would bring danger.""She's probably not being targeted. Why insist on being stubborn?"Jiang Xiaoci's expression remained impassive, but her eyes showed a hint of appreciation.She had already known that Lin Yue shouldn't have come to Dantu.With Lin Yue's personality, when danger reached the people, she would step forward even without the order of a commander."Then who are they targeting?"Xiaoyan muttered softly, confused. "Shouldn't we just send the people out? At least we can secure the safety of these hundreds of thousands...""Oh?"Jiang Xiaoci glanced at Xiaoyan with a slight smile, not speaking, but turning to look out the window.

After a while, they arrived at the outskirts, where soldiers were already busy fortifying the defense lines.Air defense weapons were being positioned at the front, preparing for missile barrages once Chen Dafeng's forces were defeated.Drones and helicopters were on standby, ready to launch support missions for Chen Dafeng's area, attempting to prevent the enemy's relentless bombardment of the city.

"Arrived."The military vehicle stopped. Jiang Xiaoci got out but paused before entering the patrol zone, turning to look back at Xiaoyan."Xiaoyan.""Huh?""They want me."Jiang Xiaoci's gaze was steady as she whispered, "They want to kill Chen Dafeng, but they also want me, Lin Yue, and all the high-ranking officers here.""Hand us over, and the commander will lose even more terribly.""I... I don't know!"Xiaoyan was panic-stricken, trying to explain, but Jiang Xiaoci smiled to reassure her. "Don't be afraid. At least we didn't leave.""They want me, and I'll stay here to wait for them.""If your Captain Chen can be a hero, I want to be one too."Jiang Xiaoci stepped out of the vehicle and, with a stunned Xiaoyan looking on, walked into the patrol zone, where Qin Dashan was already waiting.He lowered his head to report: "Miss Jiang, it will take us twenty more minutes to finish the second defense line's basic construction.""Captain Chen has encountered the enemy. It's been six minutes, and the first batch of air support is ready to take off.""Mm, let them go."Jiang Xiaoci took the defense report from a nearby soldier, scanned it without lifting her head, and issued an order: "Tell all pilots that if they detect the enemy entering the bombing sequence, they are to engage immediately!""Even if they die on the frontlines, they must disrupt the enemy's bombing campaign.""Miss Jiang."Qin Dashan hesitated and reminded, "If Chen Dafeng hasn't died yet, should we activate the backup plan to assist him with air support?""No backup plan!"Jiang Xiaoci raised her head, her gaze calm as she looked at Qin Dashan. "You're a soldier. You know better than I do that hesitation and softness are our biggest enemies in war!""Miss Jiang, they're carrying small tactical nuclear warheads. If Captain Chen is at the center of the explosion, he may not survive...""Execute the orders!"Jiang Xiaoci's voice grew colder: "I only care that Dantu is not threatened! I don't care about Chen Dafeng!""Yes!"Qin Dashan's eyes darkened, and he turned to the flight line, gritting his teeth as he issued the order: "First flight squadron, take off immediately! Head to the frontlines! Execute the combat plan to intercept!""Vroom! Vroom!"Armed helicopters shot into the air, and a swarm of drones followed, rising like bees from a hive.Reconnaissance planes immediately took off, speeding towards Chen Dafeng's battlefield.

It was now or never.Jiang Xiaoci stood alone in the shadows as the battle raged on.