I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 191: Chapter 116: Mutation, and a Smooth Clean-up Operation

"A miscalculation..."

Wu Yan looked at Liu Rong, who lay in a pool of blood beside him. As his life faded, a trace of guilt and regret flashed in his eyes. He had calculated everything, yet he hadn’t anticipated they would be so bold as to attack them directly.

When the alarm echoed across the sky, Wu Yan could no longer hold on. His vision went completely black as he pitched forward, falling heavily into the dust not far from Liu Rong’s side.

The forest path returned to silence.

Only that strange breeze seemed to linger, gently blowing, rustling a few fallen leaves to cover the two bodies that were rapidly losing their warmth.

In the distance, the roar of machinery from the Hongyuan Trading Company’s depot continued its rhythmic drone. A dozen or so workers, drawn by the sound of the alarm, all turned to look.

...

「In the Sentry Tower Command Room.」

On the split-screen image of the water mirror, points of light representing the energy signatures of each reconnaissance team were extending deep into the mountain forest along their predetermined routes. Simultaneously, a pale blue ripple, representing the advancing range of the specialized monitoring Array vehicle, expanded across the map. In the air, two Flying Shuttles transmitted real-time images.

"Team One has advanced five li along the northern route. No abnormal man-made traces found. Encountered sporadic corrupted vines, which have been cleared."

"Team Two is scouting the edge of the deep valley to the east. Terrain is complex, advance is slow. Discovered a simple, recently used shelter. Currently investigating."

"Team Three reports normal perimeter surveillance. Nothing abnormal detected."

The comms soldier’s voice was steady as he reported.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

Yang Wenqing stared intently at the advancing pale blue ripple on the water mirror.

Suddenly, a piercing crimson spot of light flared up at the edge of the monitoring Array’s ripple on the water mirror.

The technical officer reported urgently, "High-intensity Spiritual Attribute reaction detected! Location: south of the eastern deep valley’s edge, approximately ten zhang underground!"

Yang Wenqing’s eyes flashed. ’This easy?’ he thought, then asked, "Energy intensity? Is it moving?"

The technical officer immediately reported, "Peak energy intensity reaches the late Qi Cultivation Stage. Six of them. No large-scale movement detected. Life signs are indistinct, experiencing interference!"

’Qi Cultivation Stage?’

’With all the trouble they’ve caused, this doesn’t seem like the kind of power someone at that level could possess.’

Almost as soon as Yang Wenqing received confirmation, another communication water mirror lit up before him. Vice Director Gao’s figure appeared, his voice coming through the encrypted channel, decisive and sharp, "Wenqing, order Zhao Tieshan to prepare for artillery fire. Cover that area with the predetermined coordinates!"

"Understood!" Yang Wenqing didn’t hesitate for a second. ’At a time like this, following a superior’s orders is absolutely the right call,’ he thought.

He turned to the communications team. "Get me Sentry Chief Zhao, now."

The connection was made instantly. Zhao Tieshan’s gruff voice came through. "Yang Group Leader."

"Sentry Chief Zhao, coordinates have been marked. Southern sector of the eastern deep valley’s edge, ten zhang underground. Suspected heretical cult base or sacrificial site. Vice Director Gao’s orders: artillery saturation. Execute immediately!"

"Roger. Target confirmed, coordinates locked. Firing warning..."

A signal flare for the artillery strike shot into the sky first, a warning to friendly forces.

Then, Zhao Tieshan’s voice came over the comms, "All batteries, attention! One ranging shot, then fire for effect! Load explosive rune shells. Ready—"

In the command room, everyone subconsciously held their breath, their eyes fixed on the red-marked area on the water mirror.

「A few seconds later.」

"Fire!"

"BOOM—"

A dull roar transmitted through the ground. In the distant sky above the forest, a few small pillars of smoke rose first, and then the entire area was engulfed in the continuous flashes of explosions.

The bombardment lasted for three salvos.

The technical officer reported urgently, "Six Spiritual Attribute reaction points detected moving in the target area! Bearing: deep within the valley and through a fissure in the eastern mountain! They’re moving extremely fast!"

At almost the same time, the Flying Shuttles in the air transmitted real-time images of the smoke gradually clearing from the bombarded area. There was only a scene of devastation—scorched earth and toppled trees. No clear figures could be seen for the moment.

Yang Wenqing’s expression hardened. He immediately contacted the Government Soldiers’ position. "Sentry Chief Zhao, have your snipers on alert! High-speed moving targets detected east of the coordinate zone and in the direction of the deep valley. You are cleared to engage at will, using the feed from the Flying Shuttles!"

"Right!"

"BANG! BANG! BANG!"

After several gunshots, two of the moving energy signatures suddenly vanished. The other one changed direction rapidly, seemingly taking cover or going underground.

"Team Two reporting!" Wu Qianjun’s voice came through, the sounds of a firefight already in the background. "A cluster of armed Little Demons has appeared on the eastern ridge! Visual estimate is over twenty, led by at least three Qi Cultivators. They’re forming a defensive line to block our advance into the deep valley!"

On the water mirror, the Flying Shuttle’s camera quickly zoomed in, finally capturing a clear image. Amidst the jumbled rocks and trees on the ridge, dozens of bizarrely-shaped Little Demons wielding crude weapons were skittering about. Three figures in dark clothing, their Spiritual Qi faintly visible, were directing them.

"Team One is approaching the bombarded area. Encountering sporadic resistance. We are engaged!" Team One’s report also confirmed contact.

The reconnaissance mission had instantly turned into a live-fire engagement!

"Team Two, suppressive fire!" Yang Wenqing ordered rapidly. "Team One, accelerate and clear the bombarded zone! Once complete, advance east to provide support as the situation dictates! Team Three, extend artillery fire to cover the area behind the enemy forces on the ridge in front of Team Two!"

"Yes, sir!"

The battle was joined.

The sounds of gunfire, explosions, and roars immediately echoed through the mountain forest.

Just then, a communication from Director Zhang came in. "Yang Group Leader, two patrol inspectors have been dispatched from the Government Army Camp. Pin the enemy down with firepower until they arrive!"

"Understood!"

Yang Wenqing felt a great sense of relief after receiving Director Zhang’s message, because these two patrol inspectors were at the Foundation Establishment level of Cultivation.