Chapter 874: Gaining 8 Forts!
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
Hearing this order, all the commanders exchanged looks. Such an order was extremely strange, it was the first time in the hundreds of years that such an order was given.
One of the captains could not help but ask, "General! This subordinate would like to know the reason!"
Qing Yuan's face turned cold, "This is a secret of His Majesty. You're not qualified to know. Immediately carry out my command, execute those who resist."
"Yes!"
The faces of all the commanders paled, and they responded quickly, not daring to ask any further questions.
Although they were at the borders, many of them had relations with the Capital, and they knew about the recent developments of the King Wei Ming Qing and his insanity recently. Those that had dared disobeyed his orders had already been eradicated. If they did not want to die, they had to maintain their silence, otherwise, if they were executed by Qing Yuan, no one would feel seek justice for them.
Many of them guessed that their deployment was likely to suppress the rebellion in Blood Red City.
Regardless of what they thought, they still had to follow Qing Yuan's orders, deploying the troops of the 19th Fort, and abandoning all their weapons, taking one day's worth of rations over.
The 20th Fort had more weapons and the equipment was advanced as well. The 19th Fort knew this well, and they drooled when they thought of equipping those amazing tech.
Just as the 19th Fort troops arrived at the designated parade square, suddenly, the various bunkers around opened up to reveal automated defenses, aiming at the soldiers from the 19th Fort.
"We're allies!! We're allies from the 19th Fort! Don't open fire!! Don't open fire!!"
Seeing the sudden appearance of the weapons as well as the Xue Luo troops holding weapons against them, the various commanders shouted out in shock and fear.
Their faces were pale and their hearts were filled with fright. They had no equipment nor weapons now. If the Xue Luo guards were to open fire, they would be slaughtered without a doubt. No one would survive.
Ouyang Wu Mie came in front of them, speaking with a strong, intimidating aura, "I am Ouyang Wu Mie! I have received intelligence that among you of the 19th Fort, there are a few commanders who had defected to the rebels. Do not resist, and accept our interrogations and checks. If there's nothing wrong, I will release you immediately. Resistance would be dealt with harshly!"
Hearing his words, most of the soldiers relaxed, if it was just an inspection, they had no fear.
One captain replied, "We're willing to be checked!!"
When he stepped out, the rest of the commanders also agreed to be investigated.
Ouyang Wu Mie then left a sentence, before turning around, "In that case, line up orderly."
The many commanders of the 19th Fort thus stepped forwards obediently, before being led by the Xue Luo guards into the cells.
In this manner, the troops of the 18th to the 13th Forts were all tricked by Yue Zhong into the 20th Fort, and thrown into jail. Just like that, the 20th Fort was filled with many captives, every single cell filled to the brim.
Yue Zhong gained 70,000 captives and 10,000 elite Xue Luo guards successfully.
He then brought Bai Yi to the 7 Forts, gaining control over their central computers.
At the same time, Yue Zhong stationed 2,000 Xue Luo guards at the 13th Fort to control the area carefully.
With them standing guard, even if the 12 other Forts were to force their way over, they could buy some time.
As for the 70,000 captives, they were not like the Xue Luo guards, who were a 100% loyal to the King, thus, Yue Zhong had no intentions of making them, all into his puppets. He just set aside 500 soldiers to oversee and stand guard over them.
In fact, with Bai Yi's help, if the 70,000 captives dared to escape, they would only be seeking death. However, just for precaution, Yue Zhong allocated 500 elites to watch them. After all, while Bai Yi might be a Super A.I., it was not impossible for someone to possess computer-related abilities.
After bringing the 7 Forts under his hands without causing a commotion, Yue Zhong heaved a sigh of relief.
He now had 7 Forts controlled together with the 20th, as well as 10,000 elite Xue Luo guards. He even had the support of logistics from Blood Red City. It could be considered a decent footing within Cloud Region. If anyone wanted to flee, they would have to pay a painful price.
Within the 20 Forts, from time to time, troops and mercenaries would leave through the forts to hunt Mutant Beasts outside, increasing their strength and assets.
The entire body of Mutant Beasts were treasures. The blood and flesh could strengthen, the fur and hide could be made into protection, while claws and teeth could be made into weapons. Nuclei were a strong currency, therefore, there would be hunters almost every day.
Blood Red City was near the border, and the Mutant Beasts near the city had already almost been hunted clean. That left those hiding in the swamps and lakes. Of them, there were a few Type 4 and Type 5 Mutant Beasts which most hunters were not willing to provoke.
If it were those land-based Mutant Beasts, humans could still deal with them. Even a Type 5 Mutant Beast could be brought down by weapons of humans if they did not have an innate ability.
As for those Type 5 Mutant Beasts within the swamps, even the toughest and most elite Xue Luo troops would be helpless against them. As long as the beasts remain in the water, most attacks would be ineffective. Furthermore, many of them had some form of toxin or poison, their attacks could corrode the Type 3 Battle Suits. The moment a person was splashed with the tiniest bit, he or she would be corroded to death.
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Forts continued to defend their own turfs, not leaving easily. Therefore, there were still many Mutant Beasts in the mountains near them.
Under such circumstances, the optimal hunting grounds would be mountain range nearby the 20th Fort.
On this day, a unit of 100 people wielding a number of Mutant Beasts heads and formed an entire line. The leader of this troop was precisely Yue Zhong's subordinate, Shao Yun.
Shao Yun handed an electronic name card to one soldier at the gate, "Sir, this is our identity pass!"
The soldier took a look at Shao Yun, before placing the card in the machine to verify. He then waved his hands, "Proceed!"
"Let's go!"
Shao Yun relaxed slightly when the soldier allowed them passage.
A hundred people were swiftly making their way towards the city.
After entering the Fort, the huge alloy doors closed shut with a loud boom, sealing the entrance.
A hundred warriors wielding ray guns and electromagnetic cannons suddenly emerged from some covers, their weapons pointed at Shao Yun and the rest.
A number of defense systems were also activated, locked on Shao Yun and his men.
When Shao Yun and his men saw this, their faces changed, but they did not make any sudden movements. Those weapons and firepower were enough to slaughter the whole lot of them. As long as the other side intended to, they would be killed instantly.
A middle-aged man stepped out, his figure burly and muscular, wearing a Type 5 Body Suit. He was like a sharp sword that was unsheathed, as he walked towards Shao Yun while eyeing them menacingly.
There were 16 personal guards around that man, each of them wearing Type 4 Body Suits, eyeing the 100 mercenaries as though they were prey.
Shao Yun saluted the middle-aged man while speaking respectfully, "This General, we do not know how we might have offended you, but if we did, we apologize sincerely."
The man spoke out coldly, emitting an intimidating might, "These few days, you people have been moving into Cloud Region under the guise of mercenaries, refugees, and other factions, numbering more than 3,000 people. Especially those mercenaries, just because you have 'proper documents', you guys really think that you can saunter around so unbridled?"
"Have we been discovered?" Shao Yun muttered before he lifted his head in a neither servile nor overbearing manner, replying, "This General, my lord does not think like that. He guessed that our movements would surely attract some attention sooner or later. May we ask if General Zheng Yan He is around? Our Lord would like us to pass a message."
The middle-aged man replied indifferently, "That is me! Speak!"
Shao Yun immediately continued, "Our Lord wants us to tell you, the 13th to 20th Forts are already under his control. We hope that both sides can coexist peacefully. After all, we are all humans, and should not engage in mutual slaughter."
When Zheng Yan He heard this, his impassive face immediately fell, as he lost his calm. He stared at Shao Yun, "Who is your lord?! Liu Yun Feng? Or Zhang Jin He?"
Due to the immoral actions of Wei Ming Qing, there were a number of rebel forces that had surfaced, especially Liu Yun Feng and Zhang Jin He, two extremely powerful factions. The moment Zheng Yan He heard that 8 Forts had fallen to someone else's hands, he immediately thought of those two.
Shao Yun replied, "Neither! Our Lord is called Yue Zhong."