Chapter 500 - 345: Joining Forces

Chapter 500: Chapter 345: Joining Forces

Divert the disaster! This was the only solution he could think of now.

The duo of Wu Liangchen and that blind Swordsman was already beyond what their level could handle. Rather than lose all their forces here, it was better to pass this hot potato to their superiors and let the big shots deal with them.

「Within the town.」

The so-called Plan B, the high-energy pulse cannon, never even had a chance to fire.

Wu Liangchen and Jian Yi were like two unstoppable torrents. Wherever they passed, all resistance was instantly crushed.

The Resistance Army’s carefully arranged fire points, traps, and even a few cumbersome modified mechs were like paper-mâché before them.

Wu Liangchen’s saber techniques were bold and sweeping, while Jian Yi’s sword was astonishingly fast. As for Song Ling’Er, she provided support from the periphery.

Though it was the first time the three had fought together, they seemed extraordinarily in sync.

In less than ten minutes, the Resistance Army’s presence in Black Stone Town was completely wiped out. The streets were filled with the smell of smoke and blood, littered with broken weapons and bodies.

"Looks like they got away fast," Wu Liangchen said, sheathing his blade. His gaze swept over the obvious signs of a hasty retreat.

Jian Yi said nothing. He simply wiped his blade, despite the fact that not a single drop of blood had stained it.

His hollow, gray eyes "looked" toward the depths of the town, as if he were sensing something.

"We need to get out of here, and fast," Wu Liangchen said. "The Alliance military will probably be here soon."

Jian Yi nodded.

They found plenty of useful supplies in a temporary outpost abandoned by the Resistance Army, including high-energy compressed food, medical supplies, some Alliance currency, and weapons and ammunition.

To Wu Liangchen’s greatest surprise, a modified all-terrain vehicle was parked in the outpost’s garage. The thing looked tough and durable, perfect for the long trek ahead.

"Our luck’s not bad," Wu Liangchen said, patting the vehicle’s hood.

After a brief rest and resupply, the trio loaded their supplies onto the vehicle. Wu Liangchen took the wheel with Song Ling’Er in the passenger seat. Jian Yi opted for the back, cradling his sword and closing his eyes to rest, as if the fierce battle moments ago had expended none of his energy.

The off-road vehicle’s engine let out a low roar as it departed the small town, fresh from a short and brutal battle, and sped toward Zhongjing.

A temporary silence filled the vehicle, with only the hum of the engine and the sound of the tires rolling over the road.

Wu Liangchen glanced at Jian Yi in the back via the rearview mirror. After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke up, "Jian Yi, what business do you have in Zhongjing?"

Jian Yi didn’t answer immediately, and the atmosphere in the vehicle seemed to grow more tense. After a moment, he slowly uttered four words, his voice still icy but carrying a trace of imperceptible weight: "To avenge a friend."

Those four simple words seemed to carry immense weight.

Wu Liangchen could sense there was an untold story behind them. Seeing that Jian Yi seemed unwilling to elaborate, he didn’t press further, just nodding. "Understood."

’Everyone has their secrets and burdens. We only met by chance; no need to pry.’

The rest of the journey was exceptionally smooth.

Perhaps it was because the Resistance Army had suffered a crushing defeat in Black Stone Town and was severely weakened. Or perhaps they had already passed information about Wu Liangchen on to Zhongjing and decided there was no point in setting up further ambushes.

Whatever the reason, they met no other obstacles along the way.

The all-terrain vehicle’s performance was superb, traversing mountains and ridges as if driving on flat ground. After just two days, the magnificent, imposing silhouette of a massive city appeared on the horizon.

Zhongjing! The capital of the Alliance!

Even from a great distance, they could feel the city’s prosperity and majesty.

Skyscrapers piercing the clouds stood packed together. Maglev trains zipped along sky-tracks, while massive holographic advertisements flickered between buildings, casting a mesmerizing glow.

The sight was far more spectacular than any city Wu Liangchen had ever seen.

Yet, this prosperity was matched by a level of security so strict it was suffocating.

The closer they got to the city, the more checkpoints they encountered. Armored hovercraft patrolled at low altitudes, while Alliance soldiers in exoskeletal armor stood guard with live ammunition, their sharp eyes scanning every person and vehicle attempting to enter.

On the road to the city gate, vehicles formed a long line, each one required to pass through extremely rigorous scans and inspections.

"Getting into the city isn’t going to be easy, it seems," Song Ling’Er said with a worried tone, her eyes on the fortress-like city gate and the line of vehicles that stretched beyond sight.

The all-terrain vehicle slowly pulled over to the side of the road, a good distance away from a checkpoint.

"Let’s part ways here," Jian Yi suddenly said from the backseat.

Wu Liangchen and Song Ling’Er both looked at him in surprise.

Jian Yi had already opened the car door and slung his longsword over his back. On his perpetually stone-cold face, a rare, though faint, hint of complex emotion showed. "Farewell."

Wu Liangchen looked at him, realization dawning.

Jian Yi was choosing to leave here, clearly not wanting to implicate them in his personal affairs.

He was going to seek revenge, and his enemies were surely powerful figures in Zhongjing. The path ahead would be fraught with peril, a mission from which he might not return. Acting alone was his best option.

"Take care." Wu Liangchen didn’t try to stop him, just saying two words in a deep voice.

Jian Yi gave a slight nod and said no more, turning to walk in another direction. His figure quickly merged with the shadows at the side of the road. With a few flickers, he vanished, as if he had never been there at all.

Watching Jian Yi depart, Wu Liangchen found himself reflecting. That Swordsman may have been cold and aloof, but he was a man of principle, unwilling to drag innocents into his affairs.

’I hope he gets the vengeance he seeks.’

Drawing his gaze back, Wu Liangchen looked ahead at the massive, heavily guarded city and the long line of vehicles slowly crawling forward for inspection.

Zhongjing. They had finally arrived.

But with their arrival came a new problem: How were they to enter the capital of the Alliance, a city that appeared to be fortified to an impossible degree?