Chapter 116: The Raid
Chapter 116: The Raid
Upon entering the center of the camp, Chen Chuan learned from his guide that this was merely a logistics and backup personnel station. The actual combat team was already on the mountain.
Chen Chuan glanced upwards, observing the yellowish-green mountain ahead, which stood approximately four to five hundred meters tall. Despite it only being February, many weeds had already grown, and trees sprouted new buds. From this vantage point, he could vaguely see figures moving on the mountain.
Just as he was observing, another employee from the commission company approached respectfully and said, "Are you Expert Chen? I'm Pan Zhong, the assistant from Stone Commission Company. The team leaders are all waiting for you up there. Would you be so kind as to join us?"
"Then I'll trouble Assistant Pan to lead the way," Chen Chuan replied.
"Please follow me."
Chen Chuan asked his driver, Xiao Wei, to wait below, and he followed Assistant Pan along a narrow path carved out by tools, heading upwards. After walking for a while and circling around the mountain's waist, they reached a relatively spacious natural platform on the back slope near the summit. There were also numerous tents here.
"Expert Chen has arrived," someone called out from a distance.
Chen Chuan recognized him as one of the commission company's employees from the previous flying head monster incident. He responded in kind.
In reality, the commission companies formed a tight-knit circle. After handling numerous commissions, one would inevitably encounter familiar faces. Moreover, when dealing with similar matters, the government hall tended to favor those with a more memorable appearance.
Many people came forward to greet him, and one of the commissioners smiled and said, "We've been waiting for Expert Chen. Without you, we couldn't handle this matter."
"You're too kind," Chen Chuan said. "The ones who did the heavy lifting are all the people present here. I'm just here to wrap things up."
"Expert Chen is so humble."
The commissioners in the tent all laughed. A person of Chen Chuan's age, with his skills and capabilities, usually had their eyes set on the heavens, making them difficult to please. Moreover, they were indispensable, which complicated matters. Fortunately, Chen Chuan wasn't like that.
Many of them had personally witnessed his efficiency in dealing with the flying head monster, his abilities, and his humility in interacting with others. He didn't hog the spotlight, and that's why they had to treat him as an expert, no matter what!
A middle-aged man with a faint stubble on his chin stepped forward and extended his hand, introducing himself with a mature and steady voice, "I'm Gu Mingde from Stone Commission Company. I'm honored to lead this operation as the team leader. Expert Chen, welcome to the team."
Most of the violent commission companies in Yangzhi City were established businesses. Everyone knew that without a unified command, they would only hinder each other and drag each other down, resulting in nothing getting done. Therefore, when multiple commission companies joined forces for a mission, they would first divide the tasks to ensure future cooperation opportunities.
It was common knowledge that a bad reputation among peers could ruin everything. Others would unite to boycott and refuse to collaborate with you. After all, the commission companies had intricate connections with the Yangzhi City government hall and even the parliament members.
Chen Chuan shook Gu Mingde's hand and asked, "May I ask, Mr. Gu, what's the current situation?"
Gu Mingde invited him into a military tent large enough to accommodate a dozen people. In the center was a long table with a map of the area, along with folding stools and various portable tools on both sides.
"Please take a look, Expert Chen."
After entering, Gu Mingde moved the folding stool aside and pointed to a spot on the map, "This is our current location. And up here is the Wilderness Mountains, just seven or eight miles away. It's very close. We've found out that their stronghold is located in a village there.
"We've had someone investigate, and the village has around a hundred people. The innermost part is an ancient-era secret sect temple. A few years ago, someone went inside to collect mountain products, and everything seemed normal back then. But we don't know when the villagers became followers of the Flying Head Sect.
"This place is well-hidden and relatively isolated from the outside world, which might be why the cultists aren't very vigilant. This is advantageous for our operation."
"Our plan is to launch a raid early tomorrow morning and take them down in one go. We know how to handle living opponents, but this is our first encounter with the flying head urban legend. Although the advisor has provided us with some protective gear, I wanted to ask Expert Chen if there's anything specific we should be aware of?"
Chen Chuan considered this and said, "The flying head monsters can influence one's mind and unleash inner desires, driving people into madness. So, it's crucial to control your emotions, and those at the forefront should preferably use Chi Power to enhance their resistance."
Gu Mingde nodded, as this information aligned with what the government had told them, and they had made some preparations.
Chen Chuan added, "If a flying head appears, I'll handle it. Others should try to maintain some distance to avoid getting too close." He thought for a moment and continued, "Regarding the old temple you mentioned, when was it built?"
"I'm not sure, but it's a stone structure, very ancient." Gu Mingde gestured, and his assistant searched and produced an old photograph, explaining, "This is it."
Chen Chuan took the photograph and examined it. Despite its age, the image was clear, revealing a stone-built architecture distinct from the local style, possibly renovated later to incorporate some native elements.
"These flying head monsters tend to inhabit ancient and long-used sacrificial sites. If this is the case, it's good news. Flying head monsters generally don't stray far from their altars, and with sufficient sacrificial offerings, they might not even leave their lair."
Chen Chuan raised his voice, "Have you noticed any villagers making sacrifices?"
"Could it be some sort of unusual activity?"
Someone replied, "We only know a portion of what's happening on the mountain, but we can hear strange chanting and the sound of drums being beaten every day. It's like the shamans of the mountains dancing, once in the morning and once in the evening, and the duration is always fixed, around three quarters of an hour."
Chen Chuan nodded and said, "That should be when they're performing a sacrifice." He looked at Gu Mingde and continued, "My suggestion is that it's best to launch the attack when the villagers are in the middle of their sacrifice or just before it ends. During the ceremony, the flying heads usually won't pay attention to anything else, so that will be our opportunity."
"In that case, we might have to push back the original timing," someone said.
Gu Mingde was decisive, "Then let's postpone it. We'll follow Chen's expert advice."
Everyone in the room nodded in agreement. To be honest, even if the number of villager believers doubled, it still wouldn't be enough for them to fight. What they feared the most was the bizarre flying head, and with a targeted approach, they wouldn't have to be so cautious.
"Does Chen have any other suggestions?"
Chen Chuan spoke solemnly, "The flying heads are very likely to cause emotional and rational confusion. So, when I'm dealing with the flying head, I hope everyone will stay as far away as possible. If we can keep it confined within the temple, that would be best."
"But once it flies out of the temple, it'll be difficult to handle. So, we must act quickly and end the outer battle while it's still enjoying the sacrificial food."
"Also..."
He glanced around, "The flying head's resistance might be fierce, and there's a high chance that someone among us will lose self-control. So, everyone should be mentally prepared."
Everyone's hearts skipped a beat.
"Last time, Chen's expert was able to hide. We also prepared large nets, throwing darts, and ropes. Shouldn't we be able to use them?" someone asked.
Chen Chuan said, "That was likely just a transformed human head, which can be expelled and destroyed with conventional methods. But it's incomparable to a real flying head. That thing can't be harmed by ordinary attacks, and can only be dealt with using special techniques."
He looked at the map, "If we confirm that the root cause of everything is here, then at that time, I'll go into the old temple alone. You all will block the entrance, leaving only a few people outside, and the rest should quickly retreat down the mountain. After I've finished dealing with it, you can then lift the blockade."
Gu Mingde asked more details about the flying heads and then said, "Originally, I thought the situation was hard to predict. But with Chen's expert guidance, I now have some confidence. And I still rely on Chen's expertise."
Chen Chuan returned the gesture and said, "Definitely."
After the discussion, the group dispersed. Chen Chuan went to the solo tent arranged by Gu Mingde. He carefully wiped down the Snow Lady Sword and checked his gun and ammunition. He also did some routine breath control exercises and then went to sleep when the time was right.
The next day, everyone started to gather. Although the original plan was canceled, they still set off before dawn.
Several Commission Agencies sent a large number of people, around fifty, not including the support staff. Since the operation was in the mountains, far from the city, they had received temporary authorization from the Government Hall. Everyone was equipped with crossbows and guns, and even smoke grenades.
Gu Mingde organized the team into several groups, spreading them out. Despite the large number of people, their movements were swift and stealthy, like a stream flowing by, and it was hard to notice unless one paid close attention.
Chen Chuan was assigned to Gu Mingde's group. He wore a yellow-green cover garment, suitable for traveling in the forest, which was rainproof and scratch-resistant, yet breathable and comfortable, providing excellent camouflage.
Fortunately, it was still February, and the forest was cold, with no snakes or wild beasts to worry about, so they didn't need to apply any additional medicinal paste.
After nearly two hours of hiking, the group reached the foot of the Wilderness Mountains. They had scouted this hidden location beforehand, and it couldn't be seen from above.
Upon arrival, everyone except those on guard duty started drinking water and consuming nutrition paste.
Chen Chuan leaned against the mountain wall, glancing at his watch. It was just past six in the morning, and if there was a ceremony, it should be happening at this time.
Indeed, after a short while, faint sounds emerged from the mountains, along with strange drumbeats and knocking sounds. The song was also peculiar.
But at that moment, he suddenly noticed signs of virtualization on his Second Self. He immediately warned, "Hide!"
Gu Mingde reacted swiftly, making a hand gesture. Everyone nearby immediately crouched down, hiding themselves. After a while, they saw a group of black dots flying out from above, circling in the sky, and then flying back.
Chen Chuan's gaze intensified as he saw clearly that they were flying heads. A rough estimate put their number at nearly twenty. He hadn't expected so many flying heads, which explained the impact even from this distance. It was clear that the root cause of the flying heads was here!
Gu Mingde gave him a questioning look, and he nodded in response.
Gu Mingde immediately turned to his assistant and said, "Send a message to the rear, informing them that we've encountered a large number of flying heads and that the urban legend is here. Ask them to send more people to our location."
The assistant quickly took out the radio from the box and put on the headphones to start transmitting.
Gu Mingde already knew that this was the best time to launch the attack. He instructed, "Wait a moment, and then we'll act according to the pre-arranged groups. Don't panic, and act quickly. Did everyone understand?" After all the team leaders responded, he gave the order, "Everyone, move out!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
