https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1024-Unlocking-the-Secret-Repository/13110036/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1026-Stepping-into-the-Enemy-s-Formation/13110038/
Chapter 1025: Dispersing the Fog and Unveiling the Legacy
Chapter 1025: Dispersing the Fog and Unveiling the Legacy
After several hours, several black dots appeared in the distant sky, accompanied by the sound of propellers, as two dirigibles gradually approached Jiao Mountain.
Soon after, another dirigible appeared in the eastern direction, visibly bearing the insignia of the Oceanic Development Group.
The villagers on Jiao Mountain also noticed this spectacle from afar. They were familiar with dirigibles but had never seen one up close, so many of them gathered at the front to witness this rarity.
However, the village leader sensed a certain threat, and a subtle fear gripped his heart.
Ever since the Handling Bureau established various stations and facilities on the mountain's slopes, they had felt something amiss. Yet, they could still hold their own on the mountain, but they had no chance against the fully armed military personnel and martial artists below. They could only watch as the facilities were gradually constructed.
Now, with the arrival of the dirigibles, the villagers were unsure of the Yangzhi Municipal Government's intentions. The village leader sent his trusted aides to scold and drive away the curious villagers, forcing them into the pit caves.
Although they couldn't confront the dirigibles, they believed that as long as they could hide in the mountain and cave passages, the Yangzhi forces would have no means to deal with them.
As the two dirigibles drew closer, Xu Can waited for Mr. Zuan to disembark first, followed by Mr. Chen Chuan. Both men walked towards Chen Chuan.
Unconsciously, their gazes turned to the two men standing behind Chen Chuan, Zalnik and his companion. The villagers had never seen these two before, and they didn't seem like typical martial artists from Dashi. Moreover, they exuded a wildness distinct from contemporary martial artists.
Upon seeing the gathering of martial artists, Zalnik and his partner felt not fear but a surge of excitement, sensing that they might be on the cusp of a grand battle.
They were born fighters, and their purpose in life was to clash with powerful opponents on the battlefield. The stronger the enemy, the more it ignited their fighting spirit.
Mr. Zuan and Masked Gentleman turned their attention back to Chen Chuan. It had been half a year since they last saw him, and this time, he seemed slightly different. Even without displaying any Field Spirit, he exuded an indescribable pressure.
This change might be attributed to Chen Chuan's significant progress in cultivation over the past six months, perhaps with a hint of influence from the Xuan Kong Fire.
However, they didn't consider another possibility, as an instinctive intuition rejected this answer.
The three men approached Chen Chuan and greeted him. At that moment, the other dirigible also arrived, and a figure leaped from above, landing with a loud thud, raising a cloud of dust. A boisterous laughter followed, and a bald, burly man emerged.
Hu Kan glanced at Chen Chuan and then surveyed the surroundings, his eyes widening in surprise as he touched his bald forehead. "Wow, what a grand scene!"
When he was informed of this mission, he thought it would be another confrontation with a troublesome martial artist. He never imagined that so many martial artists would be present, a lineup capable of waging a war of annihilation.
He couldn't help but mutter to himself, wondering which faction was so fortunate as to warrant the service of such a formidable force.
As he approached Chen Chuan, he said, "Brother Chen, with so many colleagues here, it seems I've been given a great honor this time."
Chen Chuan replied, "This time, the opponent is extraordinary. With Brother Hu's presence, we have an added advantage."
As he spoke, he tapped his intercom and sent some information to Hu Kan.
"Thank you all for coming. Let me brief you on the situation. According to interrogations and internal intelligence, the Old Imperial Court may have organized a massive army on the other side, with the involvement of several high-ranking military officers. The leader of this army is likely to be General Su Kuo, the Eastern Expedition General of the Old Imperial Court."
"The Eastern Expedition General?"
Upon hearing this title, everyone present felt a chill down their spines. In the Old Imperial Court, where hierarchy was strictly enforced and ranks clearly distinguished, the position of a military officer directly indicated their martial prowess.
Chen Chuan continued, "Due to the constraints of the various integration zones, the Old Imperial Court couldn't muster a substantial high-ranking force. This time, they've likely deployed their maximum available strength.
If this force is annihilated, it will deal a severe blow to the Old Imperial Court. Therefore, I've decided not to wait for them to make the first move. Instead, we'll open a rift and charge in to eliminate them."
He addressed the group, "I've submitted the plan to the Administrative Office. Before we launch our attack, there will be a coordinated offensive from the Shannan Province direction, forcing them to divide their attention.
As for General Su Kuo..."
He paused, "Leave him to me. I'll keep him occupied, so you all must swiftly deal with the high-ranking military officers assisting him and try to destroy the surrounding Secret Rituals."
Within the massive army, various Secret Rituals would undoubtedly be in place to empower the martial artists stationed there. However, this advantage would be negligible if one side deployed a substantial force.
Xu Can was the first to respond, his voice solemn. "Director, Xu Can obeys your command."
Mr. Zuan nodded and said, "Member Chen, Mr. Lao Tang and I will support you this time."
"Rest assured, I won't let you down," Hu Kan assured them.
Zalnik and his partner didn't understand what they were discussing, but they could sense the atmosphere. They pounded their chests and let out a mighty roar.
Chen Chuan nodded, "Then, everyone, get ready. We depart in ten minutes."
(End of Chapter 1025)
Ten minutes later, Chen Chuan and his team were ready and headed up the mountain. The Handling Bureau had already taken the initiative, sending people to secure key passages on the mountain and clearing some traps and roadblocks along the way. They also used loudspeakers to inform the villagers that the area was only temporarily occupied and to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. Compensation for any losses would be provided later.
To deter potential hostile saboteurs and unruly villagers, combat dirigibles hovered overhead, intimidating the area. Most villagers had already taken shelter under the village head's orders, ensuring no one was exposed outside.
Soon, the group reached the entrance to the secret repository, where Cheng Shang and the Lan Shenggu group were waiting. Upon seeing Chen Chuan and his team, they instinctively felt a sense of breathlessness and mental oppression. The Masked Gentleman sensed this and proactively released a surge of spiritual power, providing some relief.
Chen Chuan asked, "Elder Cheng, Counselor Lan, what's the situation?"
Cheng Shang glanced at Lan Shenggu, who stepped forward and replied, "Director Chen, the enemy leader destroyed the key lock before being eliminated. Although we've discovered the rift, we need to perform some secret rituals to control it. We're working as fast as we can."
"How long will it take?" Chen Chuan inquired.
Lan Shenggu estimated, "With our current manpower, it'll likely take a day. However, if we can secure certain locations, we might speed up the process, but there could be potential dangers."
Cheng Shang added, "I've been there; it's a place where one feels powerless upon approaching, without exception."
Chen Chuan nodded, "Let's go and take a look."
Lan Shenggu immediately turned and led the way, guiding them into the secret repository. Inside was a massive temple, and their group entered without feeling cramped.
After walking for a while, Cheng Shang stopped and said, "The boundary is just ahead. Anyone who approaches will feel a loss of strength and be unable to proceed."
The group looked ahead, but a thick mist obscured everything.
Zuan Xiansheng, wearing his mask, observed the situation. His mask flashed with a bright light, and the mist dissipated like a gentle breeze, revealing a startling sight—countless skeletons, at least thousands, densely packed. It was a scene none of them had anticipated.
Lan Shenggu, maintaining his composure, explained, "The secret repository sometimes opens on its own. These are likely people who inadvertently stumbled upon it in the past."
Someone with sharp eyes exclaimed, "Look, there's a gun!"
Fen He stepped forward, picked up a gun, and examined it. "Chenxing-style, an old imperial court firearm," he identified. He looked beneath it and added, "I recall during the overthrow of the old imperial court, a force of over two thousand imperial troops retreated here. We pursued them with our own troops, but they all vanished without a trace. Despite multiple searches, they were never found. Perhaps these are their remains."
"Look at this," said a member of the Handling Bureau, who had discovered something else. He dug around and expressed surprise, "It seems to be a flag."
The flag was covered in dust. He picked up a corner, causing dust to fly, and waved it a few times. "This flag is enormous," he remarked in astonishment as he tugged at it.
Cheng Shang's eyes lit up at the sight. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed the other corner of the flag, and brushed off some of the dust with his hand. He slowly unfurled it, revealing eight characters to everyone: "Pacify the World, Revolt Against Tyranny"! He couldn't contain his excitement, "This is the... First Expeditionary Force's flag!"
Everyone present had studied history and knew that during the overthrow of the old imperial court, the first to stand up were a group of civilian martial artists who shouted the first slogan against the imperial court.
Cheng Shang's voice trembled slightly, "Back then, my ancestors held this very flag and fought the imperial court's armored cavalry with iron hammers and axes."
Upon hearing this, Fen He asked, "Counselor, was it the Battle of Shen Yuan Valley?"
Cheng Shang nodded, "Yes."
The others in the group couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence.
The Battle of Shen Yuan Valley—where three thousand elite imperial cavalry were annihilated by seven thousand civilian martial artists gathered from various regions.
Although the martial artists also suffered over half casualties, this battle greatly inspired the anti-imperial forces across the land. It was this momentum that led countless people to sacrifice themselves in the struggle, eventually overthrowing the imperial court. This army was later honored as the "First Expeditionary Force" after the establishment of the new nation.
Many Handling Bureau members present gazed at the flag, as if hearing the battle cries and the sounds of fierce combat from that day. Their eyes glowed with passion, and their blood boiled.
Cheng Shang continued, "There were originally two flags. One is now in the National Museum, but the other's whereabouts were unknown. It seems it ended up here."
The group assisted in raising the flag vertically, finding it to be over seventeen or eighteen meters tall. The pole was as thick as a tree, crafted from ironwood, making it incredibly heavy. It was not something an ordinary person could lift back then.
Chen Chuan looked up at the flag and said, "Since we're facing the old imperial court again, let's take this flag with us."
Hukan stepped forward and said, "I'll carry it." He took hold of the pole and hoisted it onto his shoulder.
...
...
[End of Chapter]
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