Chapter 504: Danger from the Starry Sky

Chapter 504: Chapter 26: Danger from the Starry Sky

“Now that Fortress Mountain City is completely controlled by the Alliance Country, I’m afraid their army will enter the Northern Territory wasteland from there and threaten our flank.”

“Are we really going to hand that flank base over to Old Ghost Tan?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the other Law Enforcement Officers present all looked over, a trace of worry appearing on their faces.

After all, he had joined them halfway, and it had been too short of a time. Previously, with Suo Hui around, they could still keep an eye on him. Now that Suo Hui was dead, if Old Ghost Tan turned his coat…

“It doesn’t matter,” the leader finally spoke, his tone flat. “He’s a smart man. As long as he wants to make a comeback, he can only rely on us.”

They prospered or fell together. The confidants roughly understood the meaning and didn’t dare to ask more.

“How are things on Legos’ end?” the leader suddenly asked.

The men exchanged glances before one stepped forward and nodded. “Everything is ready.”

“Good,” the leader nodded. “Then let him go ahead and do it.”

He turned around and looked at the map of Earth Star hanging on the wall. The Northwest Wilderness, the Northern Territory wasteland… every frontline was clearly marked. Even the logos of the megacorporations in every city circle were pointed out.

“Since these megacorporations want to join forces with the Alliance Country?” His voice was very soft, but it carried a bone-piercing chill. “Then let them cause a ruckus among themselves first.”

As soon as his words fell, the confidants present all understood tacitly and revealed expectant sneers. They had already lost quite a few battles, but this time, it was time to let the Alliance Country feel the pain.

***

Several days passed, and the Mountain City underwent a purge.

The morning mist had yet to fully dissipate, but a long queue had already formed in the square. The Political Affairs Department’s temporary office was set up in the former Rock Mountain Army camp. Several long tables were lined up in a row. Staff members in dark uniforms sat behind them, thick stacks of citizenship certificates and registration books piled high in front of them.

On one side of the square, several giant electronic screens had been temporarily erected, broadcasting the day’s news.

“[It is reported that the Five Major Enterprises have officially responded to the Alliance Country’s call, drawing security personnel to form a joint force to assist the Alliance Country’s army in marching north to attack the Rebel headquarters…]”

“[Lianwei Heavy Industry has announced that it will invest a portion of its bio-armor weapons to support the Alliance Country’s army…]”

“[Dark Crystal Bank has publicly announced that it will launch an investigation in the near future and freeze suspected Rebel Al-Qaeda accounts…]”

The broadcaster’s voice echoed above the square, causing many Mountain City residents to stop and look up.

“The Five Major Enterprises? What’s that?”

“I heard they’re massive companies in the Alliance Country. Very rich.”

“They’re coming to fight too?”

“Seems like it…”

Buzzing discussions broke out. Some people looked bewildered, while others frowned.

At the same time, inside the command center.

Fortress Mountain City’s original Unity Hall had been transformed into a temporary command center. The long sand table had been replaced by a more spacious metal conference table. The walls were covered with detailed maps of the Northwest Wilderness, with the distribution of various factions marked in different colors. Several light screens floated in mid-air, updating the troop deployments of the seven major Northwest City Circles in real-time, including the Rhombus Ring City Circle and the Iron Mountain City Circle. Assistants and clerks treaded lightly, bustling back and forth.

Lu Chao sat in the seat of honor, a stack of documents spread out before him. His black trench coat hung over the back of his chair. He wore a simple black combat suit. Ghost Element lay at the corner of the table, its ruby-like beast eyes narrowed as it dozed.

“Inspector Chen, the Iron Mountain City’s relief troops have arrived,” Yue Zhenhong stood before the table and reported respectfully. “A total of two elite legions have been dispatched, along with a batch of munitions and supplies. They will garrison Fortress Mountain City together. This is Commander Xu from the Iron Mountain City’s City Defense Department…”

He took the opportunity to introduce a Superpower Level expert beside him.

The man wore a camouflage military uniform and was exceptionally burly. He was considered a big shot in his respective city circle, but at this moment, the look in his eyes as he looked at Lu Chao was full of reverence. He actually took the initiative to stomp his feet and salute. “Reporting to Inspector Chen! Commander of the Iron Mountain City’s Fourth Legion, Xu Yefeng, reporting for duty! Awaiting your instructions!”

His resonant voice echoed throughout the room, prompting Ji Lanhua, who was acting as an assistant, and several other clerks to stop their work and glance over quietly. The Superpower Captain guarding the door out in the corridor also subconsciously pricked up his ears.

In the past, they would have been extremely surprised by a Superpower Level expert saluting so respectfully. But now, considering Special Commissioner Chen’s promotion to Inspector and his astonishing strength, they were gradually getting used to it.

“Commander Xu,” Lu Chao nodded, putting down the document in his hand with a smile. “You must be exhausted from the journey. Thank you for your hard work. I’m only inspecting on orders from Yao Capital, so I can’t really give instructions… However, Fortress Mountain City is crucial to the Northwest defense line and the northward passage. I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you in the days to come.”

“It’s no trouble, no trouble at all!” The man named Commander Xu was filled with trepidation and quickly waved his hands. He had heard the legends about this man. He had personally killed Lu Weilong, a Transcendence Level expert. This was true peak combat power. Furthermore, glancing at the black cat lying on the table, his heart skipped a beat as he recalled the rumors about the Beast King. The reverence on his face deepened.

“Garrisoning the Mountain City is my duty. I will definitely order the troops to be strictly on guard. It’s Inspector Chen who is busy with countless affairs every day, shouldering the important matters of the Alliance Country’s Northwest. Please make sure to take care of your health!” His tone was sincere, as if he couldn’t wait to share some of Lu Chao’s burdens, worried that he would exhaust himself.

These incredibly ingratiating words fell into the ears of everyone present. Yue Zhenhong’s expression remained normal. Although Ji Lanhua and the others were already used to this, they still had to hold back their laughter. Quite a few troops had come to garrison the city over the past few days, and basically every commander and Superpower Team leader acted like this, exceedingly eager to please.

Seeing this scene, Lu Chao felt a bit helpless, but he still waved his hand gently. After a few simple words of small talk, he watched Commander Xu leave.

“This person is quite interesting,” Lu Chao shook his head and sighed slightly.

This was the change brought about by strength, as well as the influence of the important position of Northwest Inspector. His appointment had already been published by Yao Capital and announced to the entire Alliance Country.

“Inspector Chen holds a high and powerful position; naturally, they are in awe,” Yue Zhenhong grinned and chimed in.

“Old Yue, aren’t you afraid of me?” Lu Chao offered a half-smile. After spending these past few days together, everyone had become much more familiar with each other. As a fellow Martial Artist, Yue Zhenhong’s fiery temper actually suited his tastes perfectly.

“Inspector Chen, please don’t tease me.” Yue Zhenhong’s expression stiffened, and he hurriedly changed the subject. “Actually, I have one more matter to report.”

“Oh?” Lu Chao’s smile faded. He naturally understood what the other party was referring to. He glanced to his left and right.

Ji Lanhua and the others sensibly stepped out and left the room. Before long, the room fell silent, with only the two of them remaining.

“How is the situation?” Lu Chao asked as the sound of the wind blew in through the window.

“Old Yan just sent back news,” Yue Zhenhong’s expression turned serious as he pointed at the sand table map on the long desk. It marked the detailed terrain of the Northwest Wilderness. A red line started from Fortress Mountain City, snaked northwards, and finally stopped at a northwestern entrance near the Northern Territory wasteland, which looked like a canyon area.

“According to the intelligence you provided, Inspector Chen, combined with on-site surveying, Old Yan tentatively concludes that Tan Shanzhong’s branch base should be inside this canyon. On the surface, this place is a mine that has been abandoned for more than twenty years, located on the edge of the Northern Territory wasteland. If it weren’t for precise intelligence, it would be very difficult to spot anything unusual…” Yue Zhenhong looked stern as he provided several detailed analyses.

Hearing this, Lu Chao nodded. He naturally wouldn’t forget his old enemy, Tan Shanzhong. Therefore, after obtaining the intelligence from Suo Hui and taking over the Mountain City, he had immediately ordered Yan Zhengfeng to lead people to survey the surrounding area. From the looks of it now, there was no problem with the location of this base. It happened to be situated at a crucial position for the northern crusade.

“Tell him to stand by and continue monitoring the environment,” Lu Chao instructed after pondering for a moment. “If anything unexpected happens, he should prioritize his own safety and report the situation at all times.”

He knew that attacking this place wasn’t something that could be achieved overnight. They would have to wait until Fortress Mountain City assembled its military forces before they could crush the enemy like bamboo.

Yue Zhenhong nodded in acknowledgement. After receiving a few more instructions, he finally took his leave.

Lu Chao then sat back in his seat, his gaze lingering on the sand table’s projected map for several breaths.

The Jinggang Chamber of Commerce, the Tan family, Tan Shanzhong…

These grievances were also due to come to an end.

Immediately after, he swiped across the light screen. The 200,000 contribution points had long since arrived in his account. He had already exchanged them for a batch of resources on the intranet, and was just waiting for the people from the Rhombus Ring City Circle’s Superpower Bureau to deliver them. When the time came, as long as he could comprehend the Qi Explosion technique, breaking through to the Transcendence Level would be a matter of course.

Thinking of this…

Hmm?

His gaze sharpened. Lu Chao suddenly stood up and looked out the window. Clearly, everything was perfectly normal. People were coming and going on the streets of the Mountain City, and figures from the Political Affairs Department and the city circle army appeared from time to time. However, as he looked beyond the fortress walls, an unseen intuition of danger suddenly spiked, becoming exceedingly intense.

It was as if a profoundly powerful lifeform was approaching this place.