Chapter 254 - 144: Water Race Demon Soldiers (2)

Chapter 254: Chapter 144: Water Race Demon Soldiers (2)

As his order was relayed, a low hum emanated from the Flying Shuttle’s underbelly. The cannon muzzles quickly adjusted their angle, locking onto the spreading patch of dampness.

"BOOM—"

The first incandescent beam of white light slammed into the seawater-soaked cliff face.

A muffled boom, the sound of a violent steam explosion, erupted instantly. The seawater at the point of impact was ionized and vaporized by the immense energy, causing a massive expansion in volume. White, superheated steam mixed with a shockwave blasted outward, flinging away and tearing apart a dozen or so nearby Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals, and sending scorching rock fragments and carapace shards pattering across a wider area.

"BOOM! BOOM!"

Two more, slightly thinner beams of light slammed down in succession, precisely striking two other areas packed with Water Race Demon Soldiers.

HSSS—

Even denser clouds of white steam erupted one after another, accompanied by the CRACKLE of carapaces being scorched and shattered by the intense heat and the ROAR of violently boiling seawater. Countless members of the Water Race were turned into charred fragments and roiling bubbles by the instantly boiling water and the immense shockwave before they even had time to scream.

The bombardment ceased after just over ten seconds. ’And just like that, hundreds of thousands down the drain. Good thing the New District branch is financially sound.’

The cliff face for hundreds of feet below the three cave entrances had become a steaming slope. The scorching rock surface sizzled as residual seawater rapidly evaporated into white vapor.

A pungent mixture of burnt flesh, the briny smell of the sea, and the scent of ozone filled the air. Besides a few charred limbs wedged in rock crevices and puddles that were still bubbling, no signs of living Water Race remained.

Throughout this, Yang Wenqing had been vigilantly observing his surroundings, his eyes fixed on the monitoring Array’s readings. There was still no feedback.

Just then, a call from Zhu Yunchuan came in. "Director Yang, is everything all right over there?"

Yang Wenqing replied in a firm tone, "No problem. I’ve already requested aid from the municipal bureau. They’ve agreed to dispatch a medium-sized armed Flying Ship. I’m holding the line outside the city, so I’m leaving internal matters to you for now."

"Understood!" Zhu Yunchuan said. "Section Chief Liu has prepared the invoice for the Provincial Hall’s technical team support list, and I’ve approved it. The preliminary survey report for the port expansion site has also been submitted. Furthermore, preparations for the exercise are proceeding on schedule, and all participating units have received their final orders..."

The two quickly exchanged updates on routine work. The call lasted nearly ten minutes. All the while, no more Demon Soldiers surged out from the caves below.

Two hours passed. The caves below remained silent. Everyone knew this delay might allow the key figures inside to escape, but no one brought it up.

Suddenly, a deep, sustained roar sounded from the horizon. Through the command cabin window, Yang Wenqing saw the clouds rapidly part as a grayish-blue Flying Ship emerged like a great whale breaching the water. Its hull was over three times the length of his ’Blue Luan-type’ Flying Shuttle, and the dense array of cannon ports and observation Arrays on its flank gleamed with a cold light.

It was a ’Xuanjia-type’ medium support Flying Ship, but Yang Wenqing couldn’t make out the specific model.

The Flying Ship hovered directly over Black Teeth Ridge, its massive hull casting a shadow that covered almost the entire combat zone. Several hatches on its flank slid open simultaneously, and a number of small scout Flying Shuttles swarmed out, beginning to circle and scan.

From the main hatch, a figure in dark blue flew out on a sword.

His flying sword was quite unique. The blade was broad and the color of deep-sea azure. As it flew, water vapor faintly condensed around it, forming illusory images of tiny waves. In the span of just a few breaths, the figure had landed on the deck of Yang Wenqing’s Flying Shuttle.

The man appeared to be in his mid-thirties, though his true age was unknown. He had handsome, well-proportioned features and a sharp jawline. His epaulets bore the three silver stars of a ’Police Inspector.’ The Flying Shuttle had scanned his aura instantly—it was indeed Lu Zheng, the man Director Qi had mentioned, a captain in the municipal bureau’s Security Division.

The Security Division was a department found only in municipal-level branches of the City Defense Bureau. The requirement for entry was reaching the Marrow Cleansing Stage. This department didn’t wield much real power, but the main benefit was access to public resources for cultivation. Many Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and even Entry-level Cultivators, liked to cultivate in this department in hopes of achieving a breakthrough.

Yang Wenqing immediately ordered the hatch to be opened and strode out to greet him. When he met the Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s gaze up close, he was momentarily stunned. The man’s eyes were incredibly clear, like those of a child.

This was a change that only came from reaching a certain level of spiritual cultivation. Unlike Yang Wenqing; no matter how he tried to act the part, he could never achieve such a state. His own desires were simply too numerous.

"Director Yang..."

The badge on Lu Zheng’s chest glowed faintly. Evidently, the other Flying Ship was also scanning Yang Wenqing’s identity.

Yang Wenqing immediately snapped to attention and saluted. "Captain Lu!"

Lu Zheng’s expression remained unchanged as his gaze quickly swept over the battlefield below. "Director Qi had me relay two things to you. First, I’m to take charge here. Second, you are to report to him at the municipal bureau immediately. There are urgent matters to discuss."

Yang Wenqing met the man’s eyes and dismissed the idea of asking for specific reasons. It was obvious Lu Zheng didn’t know much himself. A torrent of thoughts flooded Yang Wenqing’s mind, but he immediately banished the unnecessary ones and turned to Liu Qin, who had followed him out. "While I’m away," he commanded, "all matters are to be deferred to Captain Lu’s authority."

"Yes, sir!"

Liu Qin’s reply was crisp and clear.

With the handover complete, Yang Wenqing said to Lu Zheng, "Captain Lu, I’ll leave this place in your hands. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to contact Vice Director Chu or Section Chief Liu Min at the branch."