In front of the machinery inside the cabin, Zhou Feng cupped his hands over the earphones, carefully listening to the faint murmurs coming through.
—— “President of the World Ark, the fleet command office just inquired whether the Campfire Ignition Ceremony from Heiwen Zike is truly effective. “
The messenger’s voice carried a slight tremor, as if he was struggling to control his emotions.
But Zhou Feng could understand the emotions of the faceless messenger. Tonight, even he, as an outsider to this world, felt a chill run down his spine. Soon, the voice of the young man replying in the identity of Chairman Yang came through the earpiece.
“We must initiate the campfire lighting plan immediately. “
“Why? “
Suddenly, the signal started to become unstable again, primarily due to interference from the receiving end on the ground.
The new enemy that had emerged from cracking the campfire problem had not given up on the signal assault.
Zhou Feng removed the earpiece, which was emitting a piercing background noise, and said, “Let’s switch to another signal segment. “
“Okay. ” A person beside them nodded and reached out a hand to turn the knob on the machine, manually adjusting the frequency of this extremely primitive signal transceiver, manufactured by the people of the current era on the surface.
This would temporarily foil the enemy’s intrusion into this signal set from the other end, and launching a new same-frequency attack would take them some time again. Through this back-and-forth process, communication would alternate between clear and noisy transmission.
As his finger turned the knob, the static noise once again temporarily drifted away.
Although this was just a little trick learned during the time spent with Ning Jiajia protecting the Tafkov Electric researchers, compared to tracking down the remaining opponent’s location or countering the signal with the special ability or energy module twisted knobs, having and turning a knob was actually the most efficient method right now.
Zhou Feng put his earphones back on and let out a deep breath. Why. That was also a question he wanted to know the answer to. Based on the phone call so far, all he had gathered was that “Campfire ” and the aircraft were supposed to make the apocalyptic demon that was about to erupt back off.
— “This is the extent of the intelligence we can summarize. “
Through the electrical current came Bai Zilong’s voice, mimicking Chairman Yang’s composed tone, but it was fragmented and intermittently cut off due to signal noise.
— “Hmph, maybe the demon has no interest in reaping the civilization of primitives. “
On a distant land, inside a heavily guarded building in a city amid a heavy military presence, the man holding the phone put it down with a blank expression, looking around at the few military officials who had also heard that response.
“What kind of answer is that? “
“This… ” The two soldiers thought about the reasons behind it. The hum of a propeller-driven civilian aircraft gliding across the night sky came in from outside.
They turned their heads to look outside, their hearts filled with suspicion as they pondered the truthfulness of this answer.
……
“Heat… a safe application of heat is a signal to the underground Iron Vine that the world and civilization have not been destroyed. “
In the Special Defense Command of Heiwen Nike, General Ross, dressed in a general’s uniform, spoke solemnly to the person on the other end of the phone. In the room at that moment, aside from the middle-aged guards, anyone else, no matter how urgent their message, had been shut out of the office.
Through the phone came the voice of the Great Prince, laced with regret: “So, that’s the reason the aircraft had to be deployed? “
Upon hearing these words, General Ross felt his lungs convulse involuntarily, as if sealed boxes had been jerked open, “Yes!” He gave a definitive pledge of commitment to this course of action proposed by Chairman Yang Buchen, without a moment’s hesitation.
“Very well, I hereby announce that the Air Force of the Kingdom of Heivenzike is, from this moment onward, placed under the command of the Special Command for Territorial Defense and Technological Heritage. General Ross, you must protect our military well, and… our world. “
“Yes, Prince Sarigion Hazel. “
As the faint voice sounded from the earpiece, the middle-aged guard at the other end of the room lifted his head and shared a glance with General Ross, who had looked over. A contemplative look appeared in his eyes.
The thought of how to efficiently utilize this unexpected trump card burst into his mind, igniting a rapid burst of reflection.
Many “Fog Men ” who had lurked in this world for many years never imagined they would gain complete control over a world-leading nation’s air force.
But now, it’s within arm’s reach!
This opportunity must be seized, and this military force must be utilized efficiently!
It was an opportunity spread by the young man Zorro brought along, stirring the butterfly wings of fate.
The man’s breath quickly steadied.
……
At a mansion in Teranasi.
The red-faced king, in his fifties or sixties, slightly trembling as he placed a monocle over his eye, glanced down at the report delivered before him.
Several figures stood before him, draped in flowing, vertically structured cloaks for warmth. By the sea, even on an early summer night, the temperature was little higher than that of Shidefen, on the other side of the continent.
The man finished reviewing the report and said:
“Indeed, there has always been a Miss Golmos, protecting our nation. “
A woman in the room, who appeared to have traveled in great haste, said: “But this time, she actually… because of Chairman Yang… leaked… “
“The existence of Miss Golmos has been known for a long time. ” The man gently set down the lens of his glasses, cutting her off. “She helped my ancestors selflessly back when our kingdom was founded, providing them, our founders in those hard times, with crucial intelligence on several occasions. “
The woman across from him opened her mouth slightly.
Tranasi had existed for over two hundred years before joining the Golden Shell League and later becoming a member of the Golden Shell Federation. Now, it had been three hundred.
The King opened the document and continued, “The information she has leaked tonight to the high officials of our nations is very important. This information cannot be shared with ordinary people, and must not be spread, otherwise a great danger may arise. None of you are to investigate it, either. “
“Yes. ” The group bowed in unison.
Having said this, the King frowned and tapped the paper lightly twice. “Ha, I was still thinking in a rut. We’re not to investigate it onlybeforewe know exactly what it is we’re dealing with. “
“Is Your Majesty referring to the story of cracking the Luminous Cup?“
“Mist Maiden and the Colored Glaze Cup… ” The King muttered, then said, “Immediately find the propaganda team. Starting today, begin large-scale rehearsals of this play and perform it as a non-profit charity event in all shelter camps. “
His voice grew heavier: “Also, search for more historical materials related to the story of the Colored Glaze Cup. Compile them into a volume as quickly as possible, especially regarding the story’s popularity and spread in our nation and the Golden Shell Federation back then, as well as the composition of the relevant theater troupes and scriptwriters. Collect as complete a set of their relevant information as possible. Send it to the World Ark, immediately. “
After speaking in one breath, the King coughed several times. The royal physician, standing formally beside him in a suit, immediately approached and quietly advised him that it was time to go back and rest.
……
By a wind-swept reef, seawater churned and crashed against the black rocks.
On a milk-white boat clad in iron sheeting, a finger-thick rope extended from the mast above the cabin, from which hung numerous colorful shells, spiral shells, and small ribbons threaded with tiny holes.
A young girl’s back view sat at the bow, her shoulders hunched from the sea breeze blowing into her neck.
The girl, her cheeks puffed out as she gnawed on a hard piece of bread, suddenly froze in place, her entire body stiffening. Her unfocused yet expressive gaze broadened. Her nostrils suddenly twitched rapidly and uncontrollably a couple of times.
Then, with a slight twitch of the fine lines on her chin, she chewed and swallowed the bread, hastily got up, clutched the remaining half of the loaf, and ran toward the cabin. At the doorway, she snatched down the wall lamp, went inside to look for a hiding spot, then carried the lamp and stuffed the bread into a cup of water.
She dashed forward into a small room, pushed open the door, quickly scooped up water to rinse her mouth, glanced around, and then rushed over to a cabinet. Inside, she grabbed a new scarf she had bought from that uncle at the lighthouse—one she had barely worn—and wrapped it around her neck. But realizing it was a bit strange to be wearing a scarf in the summer, she had to take it off and hang it back up.
A little flustered, the Maiden couldn’t help but stamp her foot hard. Her gaze lost focus as she stared ahead. “Huh? ” She looked back at the small cabin on the ship where she lived, knowing it would be too late to rush in and find a pretty top.
She turned and took two steps back out of the cabin. Just as she stepped outside, this delicate figure suddenly felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her. She swayed slightly, bracing herself against the doorframe.
“Woo— “
In the air, a gust of wind, as if stirred by an invisible giant fan, surged forth, spreading specks of sea foam and debris as it expanded outward. The figure of the train appeared in front of her.
“Lena. “
A voice came to her, dazed and distant. The Maiden slowly opened her eyes, as if waking from a dream, and saw that the figure was indeed standing right before her—on top of a monster!
The maiden stepped back in fright, while Yang Zicang leaped down onto the bow of the airship.
The maiden, who had stumbled back unsteadily, suddenly felt herself steady, but the next second she rushed forward, closed her eyes, and with a cry of “Ah!” threw herself into the young man’s arms.
“It’s so scary. What is it?“
-｛Distributor February. Di’an expressed a strong question: “Huh?“｝
{Huh? } The massive body of the train curved and turned around on the surface of the sea.
{Yang Ma Chao, the only platform you ever saved was stuffed into your mind. Couldn’t you feel a little more familiar with me? }
“Don’t scare her,” Yang Zicang’s voice sounded. “Also, my name is not Yang Ma Chao. My name is Yang Zicang.“
Lena lifted her face from Yang Zicang’s moist chest, looked sobbing at the strange monster on the side of her boat, then looked up at the White Violet Hero gazing down at her.
“Yang… Zi-zang,” the little girl’s eyes were moist. “Mm, your face… it’s healed now.“
-｛Distributor February. Di’an gave me a “Favorable Review“.｝
Yang Zicang patted the maiden’s head. “Yes,” he said. He then looked at this vessel beside him, which was somewhat similar to the boat of that ferryman, Aqiang, who had fished him out of the Mist Sea long ago.
“Did you just come up from the sea?“
Lena looked at the Mist Sea water automatically draining from Yang Zicang’s body and asked, “Would you like to go inside the cabin? I can get some charcoal to warm you up.“
“No need. ” Yang Zicang said. “I’m still very busy. Hmm, why are you up so early? “
-｛Distributor February. Di’an is busy marking new nodes in the glorious prelude that I am gestating overall.｝
-｛Distributor Di’an raised the price of the glorious prelude I am gestating to 150%.｝
He glanced at the sky. Although this was out at sea, they were still close to the latitude of the Grand Duchy. Thus, at the sea level on the horizon, there was already an indigo blue that differed slightly from the dark greenish-black of the night sky.
“Me~ ” Lianna rolled her eyes a little. “Hmm, I couldn’t sleep today, so I got up a bit early and wanted to try controlling this ship again. “
Yang Zicang immediately felt he had almost killed the conversation.
The light emitted from the distant lighthouse was reflected from the other side of the black, wet reef.
-｛Distributor February. Di’an looks forward to me conducting a supply transaction with Supply Station A-4 of the Maritime Bureau for trade with the Fogfolk Sea.｝
“Let’s go see Mr. Di’an. “
Yang Zicang said with a smile.
“That uncle, huh. ” Lianna nodded. “That captain uncle has been pretty nice to me. Mr. Hero, are you going to go sell some of your experiences? “
-｛Distributor February. Di’an, in a jubilant and exultant mood, indicates that I am gestating a brand new glorious prelude.｝
Lianna already knows the core secret about the Fogfolk. Yang Zicang nodded with a slight smile. The little girl was a bit shy as she pinched the corner of her clothes and smiled. The last time he saw her act this way was beside Ebiser, as a pure, innocent girl marveling at everything.
“Let’s head down then.” Yang Zicang stepped toward the edge of the boat, then reached back to help the girl who carefully jumped onto the reef, saying to Lieche, “It’s almost dawn over here. Don’t send the designs from the scientists we received this afternoon to the other side of the sea yet. Take them with Cheng Yunze and head back to the inn for now.“
After walking just two steps, Yang Zicang turned back with concern and said, “You must never, ever tell anyone about my matters or the situation at our inn, got it?“
{I have always been tight-lipped. }
-｛Distributor April Odyssey expresses intensely that he is watching my current life experience.｝
-｛Mr. Lai’s custom private ring indicates: Mr. Lai displays “Inquiry.“｝
Yang Zicang slightly lowered the perception ability of the branch school beacon.
At this moment, the stalwart sanctuary building perched amidst the sea breeze, with its solid and heavy brick and stone, appeared rather desolate. Compared to the last time, there were even fewer boats here.
Outside, apart from a patrol team whose numbers had nearly doubled compared to before, only a couple of three Crossing People were moving about within the Reef Cove.
Seeing Lianna, the young girl, appearing with a Fogfolk at this moment, these people looked over with some confusion, but none of them recognized Yang Zicang.
The captain stationed here, Long·Qiula, did not notice that Yang Zicang and the maiden had pushed open the door to the small tavern on the first floor, bypassing the crowd. Inside, a strange man behind the bar raised his head sleepily and glanced at the two. Seeing the maiden, he assumed she had fished up another Fog Man and promptly buried his head to sleep again.
As soon as the pair reached the second floor, they spotted the distributor’s assistant eagerly waiting there.
“Come with me quickly,” Yang Zicang now recognized—the man in military uniform was a corporal.
The distributor’s assistant chatted cheerfully, leading the two up the stairs. They soon arrived before a door engraved with the words, “Baolou Port Maritime Bureau & Mist Ocean Trading Company Joint Supply Station.“
“Oho, my old friend!“
Di’an, standing about one meter sixty tall, had already been waiting at the doorway. Spreading his arms wide as if greeting a long-lost friend, he embraced Yang Zicang.
“Oh, you’ve gotten much more solid.“
Yang Zicang did not refuse the Moon Man’s embrace. Just like last time, this hug carried a lingering chill, a body temperature utterly unfitting for summer’s human warmth.
“Hello, Mr. Di’an. It’s been over three months.“
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