In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 133 The Path of Our Fathers

The command post at the front line.

Both Liu Hanwen and Chen Yunming, the two military commanders, have arrived at the front line.

The federal leadership must be powerful superhumans, so they need to be on the front lines in any emergency, or even go into battle to fight the enemy.

As is customary in previous years, Liu Hanwen and Chen Yunming take turns to oversee the situation to ensure that no one is present if problems arise within Nankaido.

This year's situation is a bit special, so just in case, both of them came.

If something happens in the South China Sea, it won't cause too much of a commotion, but if something happens in Tuen Mun military town, the entire South China Sea will suffer.

Also present was a soldier from Jungnam Province, and a female officer who looked to be only in her twenties, with the rank of senior colonel and a life force development level of three.

Liu Hanwen explained, "She is Tang Zishan's disciple. When she heard about the incident in Nankaido, she was immediately sent here for training."

The female officer stood up and saluted.

Chen Yunming nodded slightly, then ignored the other party and said, "The Wood Beast just moved again, it seems to really want to land. So far, apart from the Water Beast, the other four giant beasts have been appearing in the near sea."

This is why Chen Yunming and Liu Hanwen were stationed together at the front line.

The Water Beast Cave is home to five water beasts at the Martial Marquis level, each corresponding to one of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. This is a common feature in many ancient god realms, where powerful demonic beasts corresponding to these elements are present.

In ancient times, the Five Elements were considered the foundation of heaven and earth and the origin of all things.

Whether using ancient or modern methods, the essence of cultivation for those with extraordinary abilities is based on the Five Elements.

Liu Hanwen pondered, "In previous years, only one beast would appear. Even if multiple beasts of the Five Elements appeared, there was still a pattern. Yesterday it was metal, today it's wood, the order is completely messed up."

The five elements generate and restrain each other: wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, metal generates water, and water generates wood.

According to this theory, they can predict the patterns of most of the Five Elements Beasts. If the Wood Beast appears, then the Fire Beast will follow.

Similarly, one can also use some astrological and supernatural methods to predict and determine changes in the ancient divine circle.

To this end, the Federation also specially recreated the ancient astronomical observatory to specifically monitor the movements of the ancient god circle.

Chen Yunming said, "The Five Elements are completely in chaos, and even the Astronomical Bureau can't calculate it accurately. We can only take it one step at a time."

Liu Hanwen nodded and said, "If they force their way onto the ground, the two of us should be able to stop them."

Once the ancient creatures lose their home-field advantage, they are often no match for humans. Now that the water beasts have come ashore, Liu Hanwen and Chen Yunming can hold their own against five opponents.
-
3pm.

The rescue team dispatched from the city first arrived in the Ant Ridge area.

The advance team consisted of only five people who rushed over in two cars, which were loaded with various antibiotics.

The disaster struck so suddenly, and Wei Jiahong's chaotic management left the city completely unprepared. They didn't have much time or planning, so many cadres found their own cars after the meeting and took whatever they could think of along the way.

Most people who can become federal deputy officials are quite capable.

Let them take initiative and consider what would be most useful to bring to the disaster area in the shortest time. Of course, it would be medicine, especially various cold medicines and fever reducers.

Many officials go to the pharmacy to move medicines as soon as they finish a meeting.

Then, carrying a bunch of medicines, he set off directly to the area he was responsible for.

Not far away, a group of people were struggling to walk along the roadside in the heavy rain. Tractors were carrying goods, women were carrying children on their backs, and the elderly were walking with difficulty.

The vehicle stopped, and the official leaned out and asked, "Which village are you from?"

No one responded to him; they just stared at him coldly and continued walking forward.

His companion slapped him on the head and yelled, "How dare you talk like that? Get out of the car and ask!"

The disaster relief arrived late, and the farmers had to flee for their lives. At this point, it was already quite good that no one came up to them and spat on them.

During the meeting, Mayor Zhao clearly stated that the city's chaotic management over the past two days had led to untimely disaster relief efforts, which might cause public discontent.

When cadres go down to the local area, they should speak more politely and not be as arrogant as they are at work.

As he spoke, his companion braved the heavy rain to get out of the car and found someone whose face didn't look so sour. After some questioning, he learned the truth.

The local border station has already organized its own disaster relief efforts, and they are currently heading to Hanshan, five kilometers away. The area is high up, and there is a Taoist temple and a large karst cave there.

If the reservoir breaches its banks, staying on the mountain will at least prevent you from drowning.

Meanwhile, because the border station had notified them yesterday, the villagers had basically prepared enough dry food to last for a week.

If they can get to the mountains now, they will most likely survive.

He ran back to the car and relayed the message to the other cadres, who all looked delighted.

"So that means we don't need to do anything?"

"Theoretically, that's how it is. If all the villages and towns in the Ant Ridge area are prepared, then we basically won't need to get involved."

"The flood control work at this station is really good; they've thought of everything."

There are two major challenges in this work: one is the communication problem, and the other is the communication problem with local residents.

Getting the public to obey has always been a thorny issue. People won't necessarily flee with their families just because you say something.

Every disaster relief effort inevitably encounters stubborn individuals who refuse to cooperate with the relief work.

At that moment, a border guard rode a bicycle at high speed from a distance.

"Which unit are you from?"

With roads constantly at risk of being buried by landslides and mudslides, bicycles have become the most ideal mode of transportation.

If you encounter a collapsed area, you can carry your bicycle and climb over it.

The cadre replied, "Comrade, we were sent by the city to direct the rescue efforts."

Upon hearing this, the soldier scoffed, "I thought everyone in the city was dead. The rescue operation doesn't need your command now. If you want to help, you can report to the camp."

"It's ten kilometers along this road, but when I came here, a section of the road was buried by a mudslide. I don't know if it has been cleared now."

Just as the soldier was about to leave, he was immediately stopped.

"Wait a minute, take these cold and fever medicines with you. A lot of people will catch a cold and fever after getting caught in this heavy rain."

The officer unloaded a box of medicine from the car, and the border guard's initially somewhat disgusted expression instantly turned friendly.

"Thank you very much."

The soldier rode his bicycle to catch up with the evacuation team ahead and directed the crowd to leave.

The five city officials decided to go to the border station first.

The car started and drove along the road, where evacuation teams could be seen continuously.

People trudged through the torrential rain like ants carrying loads of food.

They would take some of the medicine out of their vehicle and distribute it to each group they encountered.

We encountered a group of soldiers clearing the road, so we cleared the way for them.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, they arrived at the border station. After explaining their purpose, they were led to Lu Zhao's office.

Lu Zhao skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point: "When will the city rescue team arrive? We need a lot of medicine and food."

One of the cadres answered truthfully: "Commander Lu, the city has only just begun preparations."

Although Lu Zhao had expected this, he still couldn't help but curse, "Is Wei Jiahong an idiot who's just sitting around doing nothing? He's only starting to prepare now."

Disaster relief is as urgent as fighting a fire. It has been 55 hours since the heavy rain started and 24 hours since the weather bureau issued a warning.

Even if someone is slow to react, they should have been prepared long ago.

The city official replied somewhat awkwardly, "Mayor Wei collapsed due to excessive work pressure, and Mayor Zhao has taken over."

"..."

Lu Zhao was speechless for a moment.

He felt he could take back what he had just said; how could he have insulted an idiot like that?

Playing dead when disaster strikes is a method even teachers have taught us.

When faced with a problem that one's job responsibilities cannot resolve, and which is bound to cause serious consequences, then playing dead is the only option.

If you can just shift the blame, you might be able to get through this safely.

Conversely, the teacher also taught him how to spot these parasites so he wouldn't be deceived.

Suppressing his disgust for Wei Jiahong, Lu Zhao asked, "What specific arrangements does Mayor Zhao have?"

The city officials recounted the fifteen-minute meeting.

Lu Zhao agreed after hearing this.

Zhao De's abilities are not in question. Many things require decisive action rather than grand pronouncements and lengthy discussions.

"The border station welcomes anyone willing to participate in flood control and disaster relief. I will assign you to a suitable position."

20:00
Basic power supply was completely paralyzed, and even urban areas began to experience large-scale power outages.

The torrential rain showed no signs of abating, and fearing that the border station's telephone lines might be damaged, Lu Zhao had informed the city authorities of the situation beforehand.

The team led by Zhao De was highly efficient and immediately granted Lu Zhao autonomy in the rescue efforts.

If communications are interrupted, Lu Zhao has the right to take any action to provide rescue or refuge.

21:00
Lu Zhao received a call from Zhao De, whose first words were praise.

“You have done a great job in flood control, which has relieved a lot of our pressure. I was worried about the flood discharge, but now that you have evacuated the people, we have a safety net.”

Are they trying to turn my hometown into a flood discharge area?

Lu Zhao's lips twitched. He suspected that the other party was using his position to settle personal scores, but then he thought that Ant Ridge was indeed the most suitable place.

They connect to three rivers outside the city, and the water recedes quickly once the rain stops. However, after the heavy rains, countless families are destroyed.

He asked, "The federal government should provide funding for disaster reconstruction, right?"

He has no right to refuse the federal government, but he has the right to seek compensation from the people.

Zhao De laughed and said, "It seems that becoming the top leader has made you grow a lot; you've even learned how to ask for money. Don't worry, the Federation will provide disaster reconstruction funds."

While administrative leaders may seem glamorous, they often play the role of a patriarch, having to consider all aspects of the situation.

The fact that Lu Zhaoneng was able to consider post-disaster reconstruction issues shows that he is already a competent official.

"Now I need all the companies of the border station to go to Yunshan Reservoir to build a temporary dam."

Lu Zhao refused, saying, "I can move the other companies, but I want to keep the reinforced platoon."

Upon hearing this, Zhao De showed no anger and patiently asked, "Tell me why?"

Lu Zhao explained, "The rising water level during the flood season allows the water beasts to enter the country against the current, and their range of activity will be even larger after the flood discharge. Therefore, I need to take the reinforced platoon to the outpost to occupy the water beast entry point and use the lure to prevent a large number of water beasts from entering."

Zhao De had always worked in the city and didn't know much about water monsters and flood control. Lu Zhao, on the other hand, had been there for almost five years and knew very well how dangerous these monsters were.

The most common aquatic creature in the Ant Ridge area is an amphibian with the body of a frog and the head of a catfish. They can grow up to three meters tall and leap seven or eight meters at a time.

They often hide in the water, and when they see a creature on the shore, they pounce on it and swallow it whole.

If they were allowed to enter Ant Ridge in large numbers, the consequences would be unimaginable.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

“After the floodwaters are released, you may have no way out. I cannot guarantee that the flood will recede immediately.”

Lu Zhao replied calmly and firmly, "It is our duty, and we have no choice but to do so."

Zhao De said, "I will come to your aid after I finish dealing with this matter."
-
On August 5th, the rain lessened slightly, but it still remained at around 500 millimeters, equivalent to two super-heavy rainstorms combined.

At seven o'clock in the morning, the sun was still absent.

On the Yunshan Dam, farmers on both sides of the mountain were desperately wielding hoes to seize stones, while soldiers carried sacks and trudged through the muddy roads to the dam. Countless people went one after another to build the dam, construct secondary dikes, and plug the seepage.

At the Ant Ridge Border Station, the sixty reinforced platoon soldiers who remained on duty assembled. Dressed in raincoats and holding rifles, they stood in neat rows in the pouring rain.

They had already learned the details of the mission and had written their wills.

Lu Zhao's voice, louder than the rain, shouted: "Comrades, the time has come for the country and the people to test us. Do not let any water beast cross the border. Let's go!"

"Yes!!!"

A unified response broke through the rain curtain, and six military trucks left the camp, speeding along the winding mountain road.

In the distance, the faint sound of gunfire could be heard in the night sky, as tracer bullets pierced the darkness.

The vehicle kept bumping along, and Lu Zhao sat in the passenger seat, gripping the handle tightly.

"Brother Lu, have a cigarette."

Liu Qiang, sitting behind Lu Zhao, offered him a cigarette. Lu Zhao glanced at him and said, "Smoke if you want. We're not so formal these days."

Liu Qiang scratched his head sheepishly and said, "If you don't smoke, no one else will dare to smoke either."

Not wanting to spoil the fun, Lu Zhao took a cigarette and offered it to the other person to light. Then, the other people in the car also took out their own cigarettes or asked others for one.

It seems that taking a puff makes you fearless.

Lu Zhao took a deep breath. He suddenly remembered that it was also raining heavily on that day ten years ago, and his father had also set off after finishing a cigarette.

He said nothing, and left no last words.

Years later, like my father and brother, I also embarked on the road to protect my hometown.

Perhaps they took the same path back then.

(End of this chapter)