AZI Volume 3 Chapter 23

(Four Executioners… Mother was always curious as to how the military is able to keep so many Sinners on the frontline in check, I guess—this is the answer?)

Hearing about the Four Executioners, Qing Yue frowns with discomfort, while turning to Li Xue, and with an innocent tone, she asks—

"Vice-captain, is it true that those four have really existed for a thousand years? Wouldn't they be monsters instead of Sinners?"

"Who can say really?"

Thinking for a bit, Li Xue adds—

"...…A deserter on the frontlines returned, and said—that he spotted a figure, that was almost three meters in height, roaming around. Maybe that was an executioner?"

Unsure of this herself, Li Xue isn't able to put any confidence in her tone.

However—

"Chen Lan, you know what to do later."

Li Zi Xiang looks over to Chen Lan, who answers by raising his right hand—which is making an "OK" gesture.

Gathering his thoughts, Ye Chen says—

"Surnamed Chen wasn't willing to answer this, but I guess I'll try my luck with you. Where did you guys come from? Since you're holding onto tech from the Immortals, I'd assume—you all came from the same world as them?"

Downing a cup of whiskey, Shao Tianming answers—

"Afraid we aren't."

"Then, why do you have Immortal tech?"

"Surnamed Ye, your… Uh, your world's archaeological abilities, how are they?"

"Uh?"

Towards how random this question is, Ye Chen responded with an odd expression on his face, whereas Long Hua remarks—

"Oh. Now I see."

Finished with refilling his glass, Long Hua raises his head, and sees both Ye Chen and Shao Tianming staring at him, with the latter of the two saying—

"Surnamed Long, let's hear it."

Lifting the glass, and leaning back on the sofa, Long Hua fans himself, and answers—

"Wisdom of the ancients, paves light upon the predecessors' road."

"Your-?"

Before Ye Chen can ask anything, Long Hua adds—

"Ancient ruins possess Immortal tech. Plunder what's left of the stuff that's there, and bring them back to the modern world. As for whether or not—the modern world is able to replicate their tech, well, that's not my field of expertise."

Towards Long Hua's answer, Shao Tianming smiles, and looks back at Ye Chen, and says—

"There's your answer, surnamed Ye."

It would be a lie to say that Shao Tianming wasn't surprised to hear—that much of the ancient ruins in this land have yet to be excavated.

Turning back to Shao Tianming, Ye Chen remarks—

"So basically, graverobbing?"

"What's wrong with that? They're dead, they can't use it; why not take it for ourselves then? Besides, don't Sinners on the frontlines take whatever weapons the Immortals are using, and keep it for themselves?"

"…"

This isn't something that Ye Chen can argue against—for it is the truth. Weapons from the Immortals are generally auctioned off, and if they're not, then Sinners on the frontlines would use them for themselves.

"In any case, interested in heading down to one of those ruins for yourself?"

In response to Shao Tianming's question, Ye Chen blinks his eyes before leaning back on the sofa.

Eventually, Ye Chen asks—

"Other than plans for an uprising, I'm assuming—you and your group have ideas on the ancient ruins as well?"

As far as Ye Chen is aware of, archaeology is an unpopular field to get into—for Grounded Cities are not the dominant form of residence in this world.

Much of the cities in this world are Mobile Cities, cities that move from place-to-place—by attaching itself onto a platform with caterpillar treads.

The reason for Mobile Cities being in high abundance is because the barrier systems—that protect Grounded Cities are expensive; hence, not every settlement is able to afford them.

At the same time, it's arguable—as to how good the barrier system is, when there are numerous Immortals bombarding it.

With that being the case, there is a vast majority—who believes that being able to move from place-to-place, is far better than being a sitting duck, should the barrier system of Grounded Cities fail.

Having said all that, archaeological work requires a team to stay in one place for prolonged periods of time, and since Mobile Cities are more popular, it's not a surprise for this profession to die out—especially so with how harsh the environment outside of the cities are.

As for the idea of parking an entire Mobile City near the site of a ruin, it would only be doable—if Immortals do not appear so randomly.

Towards Ye Chen's question, Shao Tianming replies—

"Isn't that obvious? Why leave perfectly usable resources—in the hands of those, who cannot appreciate them?"

"I think, if I take this information back, the higher-ups will be forced to learn to appreciate them."

Towards Ye Chen's response, Shao Tianming smiles, while the former asks—

"Surnamed Shao, you planning to force us to stay?"

"What do you think?"

"You wouldn't be giving us all this information for no reason."

"Getting minor information regarding the Four Executioners out of your mouth was quite worth it. At least now, my side would have a better idea of what we're dealing with. You asked where I came from—this isn't a major secret, or anything. I came from another world—that is also suffering from Immortal attacks."

Hearing this, both Ye Chen and Long Hua constrict their eyes, with the latter recalling—

(Lack of spirit Qi is one, but that's only limited to this world's current area.)

Recalling Bai Wen's words, Long Hua closes his eyes with a sigh before downing his glass of whiskey, while Shao Tianming continues to say—

"In any case, you're free to give this information to your higher-ups."

Blinking his eyes, Ye Chen asks—

"Can I ask why?"

"My side and your side—we have a common goal, and that is to defeat the Immortals."

"But you dislike our side's way of having the ordinary standing above the extraordinary."

Shrugging a shoulder, Shao Tianming replies—

"Of course. But that aside, for the moment—my side isn't able to send in enough manpower into this world."

"So, you want to cooperate in digging up those ancient ruins for the time being?"

"Exactly."

"I get the feeling you're not giving me the full story."

Blowing out a mouthful of smoke, Shao Tianming asks—

"And why would I?"

As Ye Chen heaves a sigh, Shao Tianming points with his thumb, and says—

"Exit's that way. The magic array will take you back to where you came from."

Taking that to mean that Shao Tianming is no longer willing to answer any more questions, Ye Chen frowns, but before leaving, he asks—

"Final question, what do we call your group?"

"Ashen River Hall."

Without asking anything else, Ye Chen stands up from the sofa, and heads for the exit.

Momentarily Li Xue, Yu Ji, and Qing Yue follow after him, whereas Long Hua—

"I'll be taking this as a souvenir."

"Feel free to."

Grabbing the whiskey bottle—which is still half-full, Long Hua follows after the others.

On the way out—

"Our contact information—if you ever feel like saying screw the military."

Chen Lan hands Ye Chen a card with their contact information written onto it.