Chapter 35: Fireworks_2

"Zzz... Dr. Wei Na, this is the all-channel command system, you've connected to the wrong channel; your helmet's communication unit seems to be part of our equipment."

"Uh, sorry! Eh? Is that my ex-ex-ex-ex-ex-boyfriend?"

Riding her motorcycle on the spiraling downward highway, Wei Na immediately made an excuse:

"I'm actually reminding everyone that there's one of our people below, he couldn't stand what the gang was doing and is... 'fighting demons and defending the Dao'."

Commander: "Continue your rapid descent, don't chat on the command channel! All captains switch to 99230! Wei Na! Make your new boyfriend leave that area fast if he doesn't want to face my jealousy!"

"Okay, okay, you guys do your best."

On the motorcycle, behind the helmet, Wei Na's cheeks visibly reddened.

It wasn't because she was shy; she hadn't had that kind of girlish emotion in many years.

It was purely from embarrassment over her own amateur mistake.

She continued calling out for Mu Liang on the channel, subconsciously looking toward the center of the 47th layer, where she was obliged to slow down.

A huge noise erupted from that location.

The shouting of gang members surrounded her:

"Look quickly!"

"Damn! It's cracked open!"

"The regular army from the Fortress! After more than twenty years! It's them! The Clean-up troops... it's the Clean-up troops! Woe is us!"

"That block in the middle can open? No wonder they never let us touch it!"

In the very center of the 46th, 47th, and 48th layers, cracks appeared synchronized with the position of the central elevator shaft above the 45th layer. Giant fan leaves misaligned vertically, slowly rotating, and finally enclosed within a twenty-meter-wide circular frame.

A vertical 'well' now connected the top and bottom.

Around the edge of the well, multiple high-strength material ropes rapidly descended.

Accompanied by an intense buzzing sound, drones swarmed into the middle like a hive, each spherical in shape, equipped with short-barreled machine guns, micro-missiles, and other firepower units.

Following them were sixteen three-meter-tall all-terrain combat robots, their bodies bristling with gun barrels and cannons, as they descended vertically along the ropes.

One by one, soldiers clad in camouflage combat suits, with tactical helmets and tactical backpacks, began to descend at a steady pace with the help of the rope support system.

Drones, combat robots, fully armed soldiers...

The gang members' eyes cleared up instantly.

Wei Na couldn't help but curse and frantically shouted, "Mu Liang! Mu Liang! Mu Liang can you hear me? Is this communication system faulty?"

This might have been due to a passage opening up and down the middle.

"Zzz... Dr. Wei Na? Is that you?"

"This is the helmet's built-in communication system! Mu Liang, run quickly! Get out of the Black Fire Gang's territory! The further from the Black Fire Gang, the better!"

Wei Na shouted urgently:

"The Clean-up troops have suddenly made a move! They won't distinguish whether you're with the gang or not; anyone with a weapon who dares to resist will be shot! Go now!"

"I've seen it, lots of drones are heading my way," Wang Jixuan's voice carried a trace of wind, "Get in touch with the Wanli Gold people on Captain Zhou's side for me. I owe Captain Zhou another favor; I need to take about a dozen kids away from there."

"A dozen?" Wei Na swore, "So you have that many illegitimate children! And you still pretend to be innocent with me!"

"These are some orphans; I think Middle City can offer them some help."

Wang Jixuan instructed:

"Remember, first get in touch with Wanli Gold, don't put yourself in danger trying to save others.

"I can get away from here, and later I'll blow up the Black Fire Gang leadership's escape route... I'm on their escape route right now, installing some trick mines..."

"Alright, alright, you still don't like listening to others. I'll make the call! Who asked you to be the big shot."

Wei Na complained.

Deep in the tunnel, Wang Jixuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Was Wei Na saying he was wilful?

His movements swift, he threw down a series of small grenades wrapped in fine wire.

There were no more sounds in the helmet.

Reluctantly looking at the sniper rifle he'd have to return shortly, he disassembled it, slung it over his shoulder, and ran at full speed.

A few minutes later.

Fire?

Wang Jixuan's Spiritual Sense suddenly detected rolling waves of fire ahead.

With a casual flick, he formed a magic formula, his sword finger pressed against his forehead, chanting:

"Heaven round, earth square, nine chapters of edicts, golden light appear speedily, protect my true body!"

A thin layer of light gold film appeared around him.

Wang Jixuan, rushing forward, slapped the edge of the corridor with his hand, moving as if flying, darting up the slanted steps ahead, crashing into a sea of flames.

Wang Jixuan paused.

The entire wooden house was burning fiercely.

He immediately wanted to rush to the second floor, but his steps suddenly halted.

He did not detect any living being's Qi.

The central beam of the wooden house was about to collapse.

Wang Jixuan darted out the window in a flash, after several leaps and bounds, stood steadily atop a large shed, looking around.

Thomas's car was also on fire, the air filled with the smell of charred meat.

A streak of white appeared in Wang Jixuan's line of sight.

By the side of the rugged concrete road, a young girl sat docilely next to a carry-on suitcase, her white dress blooming like a lotus in the night.

"Ye Zi... Ye Zi!"

Wang Jixuan leaped over directly, raising his hand to remove his helmet and hold it by his side.

The originally dazed Ye Zi looked up, her lifeless pupils brightening slightly, excitedly shouting, "Tian!"

Wang Jixuan landed, surged forward a few steps then instinctively froze, his pupils sharply constricting.

Ye Zi, laughing joyfully, opened her arms to greet him, but upon getting closer, she noticed Wang Jixuan's complexion was somewhat pallid under the firelight and slowed down uneasily.

On her clean little face, there was a hint of what seemed like an invisible bloodstain.

"Welcome home, Tian! I've cleaned it up, you really came back for me, Ye Zi will be diligent in doing chores from now on!"

"Where... where are your brother and sister?"

Wang Jixuan's voice trembled.

"They've left," Ye Zi replied crisply.

"Your brother and sister, where are they!"

"They've left!"

"What does 'left' mean? Answer me! What does 'left' mean!"

Wang Jixuan gripped the pistol in his right hand, pointing at Ye Zi's forehead:

"Speak! What does 'left' mean! How did the malevolent Qi come to be on you! What have you done, what have you done!"

"Tian..."

Bang!

A bullet crater appeared next to Ye Zi's foot.

Wang Jixuan's breathing grew erratic, his right hand and arm holding the pistol shaking uncontrollably as he suddenly turned and ran into the darkness.

His pupils were slightly shattered, his Dao Heart trembled relentlessly.

"Tian..."

Ye Zi's lips quivered, tears blurring her vision as she slowly crouched down, covering her face.

"Couldn't we just leave together... we couldn't take care of them by leaving this place... Ye Zi cleaned up for you, isn't Ye Zi good enough... Tian... don't you want Ye Zi anymore... Tian... come back..."

Far away, the burning handmade car emitted a massive boom.

The wooden house, with a series of crackling sounds, collapsed thunderously.

The girl's sobs gradually turned into light laughter.

The fire, intensified.