Chapter 521: Move Out!

Several days later, at the Fortress Mountain City.

The roar of steel had echoed since dawn, never ceasing even as dusk approached.

Row after row of main battle tanks rolled over the newly laid concrete, their tracks leaving shallow ruts in the road. Camouflaged armored vehicles followed closely behind. The barrels of their mounted heavy machine guns gleamed coldly under the sunlight, looking like rows of fangs ready to strike.

TRAMP TRAMP TRAMP!

Soldiers of the Alliance Country from the Northwest City Circle marched through in formation. The buckles on their tactical vests clattered against each other, and their footsteps merged into a muffled drumbeat within the narrow alleys of the Mountain City.

Witnessing this scene, the locals whispered among themselves.

“It looks like war is starting again.”

“Exactly. I heard they’re continuing north to crusade against the Rebels.”

“Will it affect us here?”

“Who knows? I really wish the war would end sooner…”

On both sides of the streets, the residents of the Mountain City stopped to watch. Old men stood under the eaves with folded arms, their gazes complex as they watched the continuously assembling troops, subconsciously recalling the alien visitors who had appeared not long ago. Children, oblivious to the true nature of war, leaned on the windowsills and traced the silhouettes of the tanks with their fingers, while the women behind them frowned in silence, their faces etched with worry. The news of the northern expedition against the Rebels had long spread throughout the Alliance Country, and they had heard plenty of rumors recently. Now, more and more people fell into silence, standing mutely by their windows to witness the spectacle.

In the command room at the center of the Mountain City, Lu Chao sat behind the command desk. Clad in a black trench coat, he took a glance at the outside world.

“War…” he muttered.

It was a heavy word, yet it was something the Alliance Country had to do. Just as a severely ill patient needed to excise a malignant tumor, sometimes they had to endure a period of sharp pain. With this thought, Lu Chao sighed inwardly and turned back to the command desk.

“This base of Tan Shanzhong is the only passage for our Northwest Army to head north. If we want to go from the Mountain City to the Northern Territory wasteland, we have to fight!”

“Nonsense, who doesn’t know we have to fight? I think it’s better to launch a massive artillery bombardment first, and then send the ground troops in…”

“I agree. There’s barely anyone in the Northern Territory wasteland anyway, so we won’t harm the innocent.”

Various Superpower Team leaders and army commanders sat on both sides of the command desk, fiercely debating the upcoming northern war and discussing tactics. A holographic sandbox projection was deployed on the desk, accurately restoring the terrain north of the Mountain City into a miniature model. It displayed mountains, river valleys, wastelands, and mines, with every high ground and pass marked with dense tactical symbols. Since he broke through to the Transcendence Level, the atmosphere in the Fortress Mountain City had become increasingly heavy. Up until now, the forces of all seven major Northwest City Circles had completed their initial assembly and were about to depart for the north.

STEP STEP!

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, footsteps approached.

“Sir,” Yue Zhenhong said as he stepped forward at the right moment. Wearing the black combat uniform of a Superpower Team leader, his shoulder insignias reflecting the light, he spoke in a deep voice. “I have already confirmed it with Old Yan.

“Tan Shanzhong’s base received military support from the Rebel headquarters three days ago. They likely want to stop us from heading north.”

Amidst his report, the discussions around the command desk quietly settled down. Countless gazes turned toward them. Even the Special Envoy from the Superpower Bureau, Zhu Chen, the only Peak Transcendence Level expert present, sat to the side and looked at Lu Chao.

“What else?” Lu Chao looked at the sandbox, his gaze landing at the end of the northwestern wilderness passage, a location marked with a red tag.

“No other anomalies.” Yue Zhenhong understood what he meant and responded solemnly, “Tan Shanzhong is rather conservative. His tactic should be to station his troops and hold his ground.

“The only thing worth noting is that the number of their Armored Transformers has increased by a third compared to before. According to the Alliance Country’s intelligence, this should be the result of the latest research technology from the Rebel headquarters.”

Hearing this, Lu Chao nodded. He then looked at Zhu Chen to the side. The man was wearing a loose trench coat and hadn’t spoken much the entire time. However, as a Special Envoy, he also held considerable command authority.

“Special Envoy Chu,” Lu Chao spoke up, asking politely, “Do you have any command requests?”

Zhu Chen smiled slightly and waved his hand. “Before leaving, Mr. Ji specifically instructed that everything on the northwest frontline is up to Inspector Chen.

“We are only here to await your orders.”

He showed immense respect, taking the initiative to lower his status. Yue Zhenhong and the others exchanged glances. Although they were no longer surprised by it, they still found his level of respect somewhat astonishing. Thinking of this, they admired Lu Chao even more in their hearts, privately burning with curiosity about his true relationship with Celestial Hunter.

“However…” Zhu Chen suddenly paused, seemingly recalling something. “There is one situation that I feel is necessary for Inspector Chen to know.”

“Please speak, Special Envoy Chu.”

Zhu Chen weighed his words carefully. “The allied forces of the Five Major Enterprises… might be delayed in their march north.”

Oh?

Lu Chao frowned. This was different from the original plan. He then turned his head to look at Yue Zhenhong. A trace of imperceptible awkwardness flashed across the latter’s face as he shook his head, signaling that he didn’t know either. Piqued, Lu Chao looked at Zhu Chen again.

As their eyes met, Zhu Chen didn’t beat around the bush. “I just received the temporary notice as well.” He quickly tapped his communicator, projecting a light screen, and said, “There’s been a slight hiccup over in the Alliance Country.

“As for what happened…”

BUZZ!

The projected screen suddenly lit up, and a video began to play.

It was a city block in one of the Alliance Country’s city circles. The crowd on the streets scattered in panic, while the sounds of gunfire and explosions echoed one after another. Several burning vehicles blocked the middle of the road, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Right in the center of the smoke and fire, a figure was engaged in a fierce battle with Biotechnology’s security forces. He was wearing a black combat uniform, appearing to be twenty-three or twenty-four years old. He had sharp facial features and wore silver alloy fist armor. With every punch he threw, a Biotechnology security guard would be blown back, their flesh and blood exploding on impact.

“Stop him!” someone shouted, their tone filled with shock and fury.

The “Lu Chao” on the screen remained expressionless. With a single punch, he shattered an incoming Qi Flame Fist Seal, then turned around and charged into another building.

The footage ended there.

The expressions of the Superpower Team leaders in the command room changed slightly. Staring at the screen, Lu Chao’s eyes also darkened. He naturally recognized that this was “himself.” Or to be more precise, someone was masquerading as him.

“It’s not just the Biotechnology Company,” Zhu Chen said, his face rather serious as he shook his head. “The other four major enterprises have also been attacked by various individuals, suffering significant casualties. Coincidentally, every single attacker is affiliated with our Alliance Country.

“If I’m not mistaken, this should be the Rebels’ doing. They want to spark internal conflict between us and the Five Major Enterprises, thereby delaying the time for the allied forces to march north.”

He didn’t know that the person in front of him was the real Lu Chao, but even so, he still managed to deduce the situation accurately.

Hearing this, Lu Chao nodded. He already had a more specific answer in mind.

Legos.

It was highly likely to be him.

Only that man possessed such a disguise ability. Furthermore, during the war in the Red Maple City Circle, he was the only one whose whereabouts were unknown, suspected to have escaped.

“What a perfect scheme to use another’s knife to do the dirty work,” Lu Chao thought to himself, a cold light glinting in his eyes.

This definitely involved the orders of the Rebel leader, or Legos wouldn’t have acted this way. With this in mind, he tactfully pressed for more details.

“The Five Major Enterprises are making quite a fuss,” Zhu Chen sighed and shook his head. “Although they know it might be the Rebels causing trouble, they don’t mind taking this opportunity to demand more benefits and conditions.

“The Biotechnology Company, in particular, has ramped up their efforts to issue arrest warrants for Leader Lu, even trying to pressure the Superpower Bureau…”

At this point, his tone carried a trace of complex emotion. Clearly, he had heard about Lu Chao being a wanted man. As for the other Superpower Team leaders, their expressions were also complicated. They knew the reason behind this matter. The members of the Superpower Bureau from the Rhombus Ring City Circle, such as Yue Zhenhong, were especially downcast, secretly cursing Biotechnology for being utterly unreasonable. The atmosphere grew heavy in the silence, but Lu Chao’s expression remained as usual, revealing little of his thoughts.

Eventually, the topic came to an end.

The tactical meeting lasted for a full half-day. It wasn’t until the very end, following discussions among the professional commanders, that the battle plan was finalized.

Amidst the sound of retreating footsteps, Yue Zhenhong, Zhu Chen, and the others took their leave one after another. The command room fell silent once more, leaving only the holographic sandbox silently floating on the desk.

“Yoo~”

Ghost Element, who had gone out hunting in the wilderness for the past two days, quietly returned. It leaped in through the window, and Lu Chao could intuitively sense that its Life Energy had grown a bit more. He stood up and walked over.

“The Rebels…” he murmured.

Stroking its soft fur, his face returned to a calm state, but his eyes were exceptionally profound. He looked out the window, his gaze sweeping over the Alliance City Circles and the northern territories.

The Biotechnology Company, that old ghost from the Tan family…

He would deal with them one by one.

Three days later.

A massive fleet of armored vehicles began to assemble, preparing to depart the Mountain City. Lu Chao stood at the city gate. Looking at the black-clad figure in front of him, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

“Stationing here at the Mountain City is supposed to be a good assignment,” he said, staring at Brother Hao in confusion. “Why do you want to head north with us?”

The Red Flame Army had already been incorporated into the Alliance Country. Most of them were left to guard the Mountain City, overseeing the rear alongside the remaining city circle armies. This was a good thing for Brother Hao. Lu Chao couldn’t understand why the man had suddenly sought him out, insisting on joining the risky northern expedition.

“I have something to do.” Unaware of Lu Chao’s thoughts, Chen Junhao puffed on a cigarette, a black general’s overcoat draped over his shoulders. The battle with the Clare people that day had left him heavily injured; his left arm was still wrapped in bandages even now.

“What is it?”

“I have a friend up north,” Chen Junhao replied, his gaze somewhat complex. “I have to find her.”

Lu Chao raised an eyebrow at this. The Northern Territory wasteland was severely irradiated. There were barely any settlements or cities left, only ruins and underground bases.

His friend?

“Is that so,” Lu Chao said. He silently made a note of it without overthinking, simply planning to have someone look into it later. He didn’t try to persuade him otherwise. He knew Brother Hao’s character; once he made a decision, he wouldn’t change it easily. In this regard, the two of them were strikingly similar.

Soon after, surrounded by several Superpower Captains, Lu Chao led Brother Hao toward the command vehicle parked at the city gate. Every Superpower Team leader and commander had gathered there, waiting on both sides. Behind them stood intelligence specialists and elite commanders, their faces respectful as they awaited his orders. This included Zhu Chen, the Peak Transcendence Level expert, who was personally leading the powerhouses of the Superpower Bureau to wait there.

RUSTLE…

For a moment, amid the subtle sounds, a frigid wind swept by. Winter had arrived, and the calendar of the Alliance Country had once again turned to a new page. Lu Chao paused his steps and looked out at the vast expanse beyond the city gates. Amidst the howling winds, helicopters and hovering hovercars lifted into the sky one after another, churning the air currents. An endless armored unit had already assembled. Tens of thousands of highly trained, camouflaged soldiers stood in formation, heavily armed and flanking the armored vehicles and tanks.

The air stilled as tens of thousands of gazes locked onto him simultaneously. Lu Chao’s face was solemn. For the first time, he felt just how immense the weight resting on his shoulders truly was. Subconsciously, he glanced back at the Fortress Mountain City behind him. Countless residents stood atop buildings and along the streets, casting cautious glances their way. Some wore expressions of hope, yearning for a swift end to the war, while others looked fearful, terrified that the flames of battle would engulf their home.

All these emotions reflected in his heart, leaving Lu Chao silent for several breaths.

“Yoo~”

Ghost Element laid on his shoulder, letting out a low cry.

Lu Chao’s stray thoughts were snapped back, solidifying into a focused, almost absolute calm.

“Everyone,” he spoke slowly, looking at the crowd. His gaze seemed to envelop all the Superpower Commanders and the rank-and-file soldiers, yet at the same time, it looked past them, toward the distant northern wilderness. “Let us end this war. Together.”