Armor-piercing bullets don't believe in carbon-based monsters

Chapter 226 The earth dragon turns over
After a short rest in Cangzhou City, Chen Jian led the team to continue northward as planned and arrived in Tianjin in the evening of the same day.

They did not encounter any obstacles along the way.

But perhaps, the biggest obstacle is the absence of obstacles.

Unlike when they set out from Jinling to Quancheng and killed as they went, even when they actively searched, they did not find many traces of monsters.

Even if they could find them, those monsters would quickly flee as if they were aware of their presence.

This made Chen Jian extremely uneasy.

He is not afraid of monsters, nor of intelligent monsters.

But if intelligent monsters not only have strategies, but also have highly organized abilities and the ability to make decisions "against instinct," then things would not be good.

Chen Jian clearly felt that the truth of the so-called "beast tide" was far from as simple as these forces in the wasteland thought.

The manipulator behind it may be a being so powerful that it exceeds the cognition of many forces.

It is precisely because of this that they know nothing about this "manipulator" and cannot even do the simple task of being aware of their existence.

If this is true, then the problems faced by the Chinese army will be extremely serious.

Can we really get rid of those monsters just by relying on nuclear bombs?
Chen Jian couldn't give an answer.

He could only put aside these meaningless thoughts for the time being and focus on the things at hand.

After ordering the convoy to set up camp outside the city of Tianjin, deploy sentry posts and set up stoves, Chen Jian took Ji Xing and Lei Jie with him and planned to enter the city of Tianjin to investigate the situation.

While walking towards the dim lights in the distance, Chen Jian said to Lei Jie:

"From the current situation, there is some good news."

"If we can confirm that the beast tide was caused by artificial use of mechanical parasites similar to the 'brain machine', then it is obvious that the electromagnetic pulse generated by the nuclear explosion must have an impact on the electronic equipment in their bodies."

"We don't even need a large equivalent or a large number. Just one or two nuclear bombs are enough to paralyze all the monsters within range."

"By then, the out-of-control monsters won't be able to coexist peacefully, right?"

"If they start a civil war among themselves, we will have a chance."

After the words fell, Lei Jie shook his head and said:
“But that’s just an ideal situation.”

"If the electromagnetic pulse doesn't work, or even if it does, the monster still has some kind of inertia, then we'll have to fight it the same way we did."

"So, there is absolutely no such thing as too many nuclear bombs. We must prepare sufficient reserves."

"Of course."

Chen Jian nodded and said:
"Not only nuclear bombs, but also the stockpiles of weapons must keep up."

"Fortunately, we have seized a batch of equipment from Huadu. Otherwise, if we rely on our own production, we don't know how long it will take."

"really."

Lei Jie sighed in agreement and said no more.

At this time, the three of them had already walked outside the city wall of Jinmen City. The dim light of the oil lamps on the city wall showed the uniqueness of this city.

Unlike the areas controlled by the Mechanicus where electric lights, electronic devices and various machines can be seen everywhere, life here can be said to be quite primitive.

Original earth and stone walls, original beacons, original clothing, original farmland and buildings
If it weren't for the pistols hanging around the waists of the guards standing on the city wall, and the huge radios on their chests for communication, Chen Jian would even wonder if he had traveled from the future apocalyptic world to a martial arts world.

Several people stepped forward and explained the situation to the guards at the city gate. When they learned that they were "important guests from Jinling", the guards immediately let them pass and respectfully performed the holy blood ceremony to them.

Chen Jian still hasn't gotten used to the "raising right hand" action, which makes him feel a strong sense of incongruity.

After learning that the predecessor of the Basilica of the Holy Blood was a serious research organization, he became more suspicious that this set of gestures was forcibly copied by a leader with a unique bad taste.

If this is true, what would a city under the rule of the Basilica of the Holy Blood be like?
Chen Jian walked curiously on the streets of Jinmen City, but he soon discovered that everything here was not much different from what he had seen in Jinling.

Except that the lights are a little dim, as an important city and one of the hubs for trade from the north to the south, the nightlife in Tianjin is not poor.

Large numbers of merchants gathered on the main streets, talking loudly and exchanging information in inns and restaurants along the street.

There was a faint smell of alcohol in the air, which was the smell of the rice wine that Chen Jian had drunk in Hanshui City when he first arrived there.

"It seems that the material conditions here are not scarce - the ability to use surplus grain to make wine, this alone has fundamentally distinguished the productivity level of this city from other small cities."

When Chen Jian finished speaking, Ji Xing on the side continued:
“That’s true, but it’s not entirely true.”

"The reason why they can make wine here is not because there is really a surplus of food, but because they rarely eat grains or other foods."

"From Tianjin to the imperial capital and then to Liaodong, everyone here eats meat as their staple food."

"There are too many prey around. In many cases, the threat posed by monsters is not as great as that posed by a herd of wild boars."

"I remember when I was in the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the first mission I received was to help the team clear out wild boars."

"There are thousands of wild boars in this herd, and we are only six people."

"The killing really made me numb. In the end, I didn't even recognize the appearance of a wild boar. If I saw anything moving on the snow, I would just chop it down with my knife. And this kind of hunting activity would be carried out several times every winter."

“So actually, it’s not that difficult to survive in the north.”

"It's just that compared to the territory of the Mechanicus, life here is not that convenient."

"I see it."

Chen Jian nodded in response, but then asked:

"Do you really have that many wild boars to kill? A herd of thousands of pigs would disrupt the ecological balance, right?"

"Where are there so many resources around here to feed such a large herd of pigs?"

"I do not know either."

Ji Xing shook his head and said:
"But it is true - after arriving in the south, I was still wondering why there weren't so many wild boars there."

"Not to mention wild boars, other prey is also much less available."

"Some people say it's because there's a mountain god in the north."

"But I vaguely feel that the so-called mountain god might be some kind of first-level monster."

"A monster that can create resources and nourish creatures?"

Chen Jian said thoughtfully:

"Then this kind of thing probably can't be called a monster."

"Who knows?"

Ji Xing sighed and continued:
"It is indeed supporting the humans living here now, but one day, it may kill all the people here."

"Perhaps, humans themselves are also its captives?"

After he finished speaking, Chen Jian couldn't help but fall silent.

Is this kind of thing really possible?
A monster that feeds humans?

What is its purpose?
This is obviously not in line with the survival instinct of living things.
Chen Jian's face was full of confusion, and at this time, the three of them had reached the end of the most prosperous street in Jinmen City.

"Let's go back."

Chen Jian said:
"Go to the meeting hall to find the people from the Holy Blood Temple. After arranging accommodation for them, notify the others to settle down in the city."

"Let's take a night off."

"Need not."

Ji Xing pointed forward and said:
"The people who are picking us up are here."

Looking in the direction she pointed, Chen Jian saw three Holy Blood Men wearing blood-red robes.

The other person's expression was solemn, but there was a hint of deliberate respect in his eyes.

He walked forward first, and the leader of the three Holy Bloods immediately came forward.

"Adults."

The visitor said:
"I come from the Holy Blood Temple. I am an attendant of the Holy Father. My name is Xie Yuan. I was chosen by the Holy Father to come and greet you adults."

"I didn't know you had arrived, so I couldn't come to greet you. Please forgive me." "The Holy Father has arranged accommodation for you in the city. If it is convenient, please follow me."

"can."

Chen Jian answered briefly, and Xie Yuan made a "please" gesture, then turned sideways to lead Chen Jian and the other two towards a small path beside the main street.

Chen Jian stared at his movements closely, and at this moment, a few lines of brief text appeared on his smart eyepiece.

"Three guards, not just one."

"Above the origin blood, very powerful."

"1."

Chen Jian sent a message in reply, then looked at Ji Xing who was standing by ready for action.

It was obvious that she had learned how to use the smart eyepiece and was quite skilled in using it.

However, Chen Jian also knew that her nervousness was unnecessary.

The Holy Blood Temple now has no reason to attack his team, nor does it have the courage to do so.

On the contrary, after meeting Lin Yu, Chen Jian clearly felt that the so-called "Holy Father" had something to ask of him.

Compared to himself, he is probably looking forward to this meeting even more.

Otherwise, he would not have shown such high sincerity in receiving his team.

The group of six bypassed the bustling main city area and walked along a path lit by oil lamps to an independent building.

Xie Yuan, who was walking in front, introduced in a soft voice:

"This was originally my private residence, but after returning to the Basilica of the Holy Blood, it has been vacant for a long time."

“Still, it’s clean and comfortable.”

“When I learned that the adults were coming, I arranged for someone to clean up.”

"Now, there is hot water, food, and electric lights, which your Excellencies may prefer."

"Please stay here tonight. Tomorrow morning, I will personally lead the team and take you to the imperial capital."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Chen Jian made a casual remark, but Xie Liu didn't let the words fall to the ground and continued:
"Thank you for your concern, my Lords."

"The great achievements you have made along the way have spread throughout the North. Even the Holy Father has praised the strength of the Chinese Army."

"Of course, what the Holy Father admires even more is your team's attitude towards monsters."

"That kind of consistent toughness is rare in this world. The Chinese Army's desire to 'destroy monsters' far exceeds their desire to 'compete for resources'. This alone is enough to prove the nobility of this team."

This flattery was not of a high level, but it was fair enough and did not disgust Chen Jian.

But he was right about one thing, his team really did kill all the monsters in this wasteland.

So, he didn't act too unkind.

After briefly agreeing with a few words, he led the team and followed Xie Yuan into the mansion.

The sound of the generator rang out behind the house, and the lights gradually came on.

The neatly dressed butler came forward, and after listening to Xie Yuan's whispered instructions, he greeted Chen Jian and the others, and then returned to the mansion to prepare dinner for everyone.

Xie Yuan took Chen Jian and the other two on a tour of the house and introduced the various facilities before saying goodbye and leaving.

After he left, Chen Jian notified the team waiting outside the city via radio. Half an hour later, all people, including the convoy and equipment, had assembled near the mansion.

"not bad."

Lei Jie said:
"To be honest, these Holy Bloods are quite polite."

"This development went quite smoothly. I hope they can maintain this attitude after entering the imperial capital."

"In that case, our negotiations might go much more smoothly."

"I also hope that."

Chen Jian nodded slightly, but after a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke:
"But I always feel that they are hiding something from us."

"Again, their attitude is a bit too much."

"Too respectful and too polite."

"Do they really have to be so polite?"

"I feel like they are laying the groundwork for something."

"The Holy Father must have something to ask of us, but right now, we don't know what it is that he wants."

"Then don't think too much about it."

Lei Jie pulled Chen Jian and said:

"If you keep it that tight, the string will break."

"Let's go, eat something and take a hot bath."

"Whatever happens, put it aside and wait until tomorrow."

"Woo——"

Before Lei Jie could finish his words, a low chirping sound suddenly came from the air.

Chen Jian's muscles tensed instantly, and his right hand immediately grasped the handle of the grenade launcher.

"what sound?"

"do not know."

Lei Jie said in a deep voice:

"Very far away, probably coming from the mountains in the west."

"Fuxi, release the drone and scout the situation!"

"understand!"

A puffer drone was immediately released. Chen Jian frowned as he looked at the image on the smart eyepiece, but as before, he did not see anything unusual.

"No abnormal heat signature was detected."

Fuxi's voice sounded again.

"However, I have detected unusual geological activity 26 kilometres to the west."

"Like a mudslide, or a low-intensity earthquake."

"Send the image over."

Chen Jian gave the order, and a moment later, an image was transmitted back which was still extremely blurry even though it had been processed by Fuxi.

"How do you know it's geological activity?"

Chen Jian asked.

"Aerial reconnaissance found that the color of the ground surface had changed, with an increase in khaki patches, similar to the manifestation of a mudslide."

"mudslide?"

Chen Jian pursed his lips.

"Late January, early February, mudslide?"

"Impossible. It must be a monster."

"Fuxi, fly the Sky-S out."

"Look for it and see what it is!"

(End of this chapter)