Chapter 358

"An unexpected situation, I cannot guarantee anything."

Pacquiao responded coldly: "Besides, in a struggle of this magnitude, who can guarantee that not a single problem will arise? Is this your first day on the job?"

For a moment, the questioner fell silent. Sighs or mocking voices came over the communication channel. In the chaos, someone spoke up first: "Since that's the case, why not..."

Why not preserve our strength, why not retreat first, why not keep the green hills...

"Run?!"

Before Pacquiao could speak, someone sneered: "You damn fool, can you run? Why don't you demonstrate for everyone how to do it?"

You've already charged to point-blank range, and you want to show your backside to the enemy and turn around to run?

You'd better take a look at the situation before you!

Running away now will only lead to the enemy pursuing the victory. In a place like the open sea with no cover or scruples, guess what kind of exaggerated firepower the other side can pull out?

Those with quick minds had already realized that this dog Pacquiao probably knew the other side's situation all along and had incited so many people to come just to use them as cannon fodder!

But cannon fodder is cannon fodder; the water ghosts below were cheap goods recruited at will anyway, so their deaths didn't hurt, everyone was just pained by the loss of capital.

"Things have reached this point, there is no retreat, only advancement. Besides, Outside Xinquan is right before us; with so many losses, won't we be able to make up for it after looting?" Pacquiao warned coldly, using both carrot and stick: "I can bear the repairs and losses of all allies single-handedly. However, if you want to abandon me now, you'd better fend for yourselves from here on out!"

"If you really want to participate, bring something to the table. Otherwise, don't blame me for not being able to tolerate you!"

To still expect these cannon fodder used for scouting and attrition to achieve anything was pure wishful thinking, but even if these things were wiped out, would it really cause any loss to the strength of your respective ship groups!

Stop hiding and holding back!

Either work with me, or wait for me to finish and bring everyone to deal with you. The logic is just that simple!

In an instant, the communication channel fell silent, followed immediately by a succession of promises, fawning praise, and flattery. To this, Pacquiao remained deaf.

Then, the previously thin sea fog suddenly thickened.

Eerie flute sounds and horns suddenly rang out, echoing and spreading. The sharp, piercing sound reverberated over the battlefield. Wherever it passed, the sound seemed like a living thing, drilling into eardrums, causing dizziness and even making the movements of heavy exoskeletons sluggish. Some operators, in their trance, even went into shock and fainted, triggering the system's electric wake-up and automatic injection of potent stimulants.

But the flute sound was not just that; it didn't even care about the battlefield, but transmitted underwater, surging incessantly.

And then, the stagnant Longjiang River actually boiled and surged once again!

Hissing sounds erupted, and eerie shadows surged from the thick fog, soaring into the air like birds. After their massive bodies left the water, they actually swam through this water-like mist.

Famished, like a tidal wave, they lunged at the battlefield!

There were giant sharks, sea snakes, and even wriggling jellyfish, one after another—countless sea monsters, led by the bait along the way, shed the shackles of the ocean at the call of the flute and soared in the sky.

Overwhelmingly, they charged toward Outside Xinquan!

The reason of the beasts had long been obscured by drugs and the flute sound. Now, under the stimulation of the Heart Pivot, they were already famished and desperate, devouring the shattered flesh and blood, and infiltrating the town.

Besides that, on the Longjiang River, among all the pirate ships, a plain and eerie modified ship suddenly opened its giant gate, and then the sound of chains rubbing together rang out.

A ten-meter-long monster fish hissed, its long, fish-like tail suddenly wrapping around a water ghost who had gotten too close, pulling it over violently. Then, its upper body, which resembled a human, extended four arms, grabbed the victim, tore it to shreds, and lifted the severed limbs to feed into its mouth, which was filled with sharp teeth.

Its scale-covered face was fish-like, its two eyes devoid of spirit, filled only with a void of famished hunger.

Merfolk!

And three adult merfolk at that!

Under the clamor and control of the flute, the three merfolk snapped their iron chains, leaped out, and approached rapidly as their long tails swam through the air.

Ignoring the firepower of numerous heavy machine guns, they moved with ease. Massive amounts of water vapor gathered and attached to their huge bodies, forming what looked like a layer of eerie armor, impervious to blades and bullets.

As their four arms waved, they immediately gathered water into shapes, turning them into various eerie weapons, with wisps of electric light even trailing on the weapons.

The innate blessing unique to the Disaster Beast species!

With these chaotic sea monsters causing trouble and three famished, fearless merfolk leading the way, the Chosen Ones among the water ghosts finally showed their heads. Relying on the cover of the cannon fodder or their own abilities, they moved forward silently.

The few heavy tactical exoskeleton squads defending the outskirts of Outside Xinquan, after suffering their initial casualties, began to cover each other and retreat under orders.

For a time, it looked like a steady retreat.

Within just a few minutes, the water ghosts had already slaughtered their way into the main thoroughfare of Outside Xinquan. After breaking into the town, they began to spread out excitedly, looting and searching for wealth everywhere.

It was just a pity that the rooms behind every door were empty, and not a single person could be seen.

Outside Xinquan was vast, but it had long since become a ghost town!

The moment the alarm sounded, everyone had already evacuated with their valuables to various underground shelters. At this critical juncture, even those who were slow to grasp the situation wouldn't delay. Moreover, those who could survive in the wilderness until now included those with deep schemes, those with outstanding abilities, and those with deep-seated evil who refused to repent—the only thing they weren't were giant babies!

If there really were such people... then they deserved to die.

At this moment, watching the enemy drive straight into the main thoroughfare of Outside Xinquan, Ji Jue calmly picked up the walkie-talkie.

"Mr. Slan, can you hear me?"

On the other end, a low voice immediately replied: "I am here, my lord."

"It's time for you to take the stage," Ji Jue asked. "Is there anything else you need?"

"Everything is ready!"

Slan replied decisively: "If there are any details, please feel free to instruct me, my lord."

"No instructions. Do not have any scruples or mercy, and there is no need to leave any prisoners. Just do what you are best at."

Ji Jue told him: "I have only one requirement—exterminate them all!"

Slan paused slightly, subconsciously turning his head to look at the high building behind him. He couldn't see the figure on the roof, nor could he imagine his expression.

Those words were devoid of any stirring emotion, calm from beginning to end.

Yet for some reason... it made one's heart surge!

The moment he realized it, a smile couldn't help but appear on his face.

Which one of us is actually the pirate?

The only thing he could do was to answer with ironclad certainty.

"As you command!"

On his Blood Flame Horse, Slan raised his hand and put on his helmet. Under the cover of the faceplate, his human features were no longer visible, only the coldness and cruelty of the Iron Beast Face.

At this very moment, behind the gates of Coastal Industry, the vast factory area was in dead silence.

It was like a ghost realm.

But in the dark domain, which was like fine rain, pairs of scarlet eyes lit up from behind Slan. The Blood Flame Horse snorted, its horseshoes scraping against the concrete ground, and sparks erupted from the rainwater.

The sound of clashing metal echoed.

It wasn't just the knights; the monsters summoned by the holy relics had also long been impatient!

There was no need for long-winded speeches to boost morale, nor was there any need to describe the significance of victory. There was only one thing that needed to be known!

The enemy was right in front, and the enemy was going to die!

"Witnessed by the Sacrificial King—"

Slan drew his scimitar and roared:

"—This battle, this victory, is dedicated to the Great Herd!"

In an instant, endless blood-fire surged from the bodies of the Great Herd Chosen, connecting with each other into one. The ferocious and violent light of spiritual quality shot into the sky like a giant pillar.

It was even enough to be mentioned in the same breath as Pacquiao's Poison Flame Blood-Dyed Banner on the other side!

Declaring its existence so brazenly, without any scruples, and the moment everyone felt the violent ripple of spiritual quality, a violent roar that shook the heavens and earth erupted from within Outside Xinquan!

The gates of Coastal Industry suddenly fell apart.

And right on the main thoroughfare of Outside Xinquan, the rampaging water ghosts saw the cruel and surging blood-fire flowing out like a waterfall.

The chaotic sound of iron hooves was like thunder, one after another, and in the thin rain and mist, eerie and violent figures wreathed in blood-light gathered together, as if one entity, pushing forward!

The earth shook crazily like an iron plate, and countless puddles vibrated, sending ripples and spray into the air.

In just a single instant, the few water ghosts at the very front didn't even have time to react before they were trampled into mud; even the Chosen Ones had no power to resist!

Countless people's expressions changed abruptly.

The Returning Home Knights!!!

Among the high-ranking water ghosts, countless people were stunned and hesitant, and many who had just stepped out the door had already shrunk back...

Go out and fight to the death? Seize the flag and behead the general?

Are you crazy!

Do you want to see what kind of pig-headed nonsense you're saying?

Those aren't some wandering knights working alone, or war dogs carrying AKs to make a living; that is a proper Great Herd Legion!

They are a Chosen army with heritage, holy relics, a Sacrificial Lord, and comrades who coordinate with each other!

If you want to talk about numbers, everyone certainly has more people than them, but are numbers useful at a time like this?!

In the ancient language of the Chaos Era, "Great Herd" had the meaning of "Legion," referring to the chaotic and cruel phenomena of war that were like mad dogs.

There is no path more suitable for cluster combat than the Great Herd. Even Great Herds that are strangers and have never met can achieve unified movement and act as one after exchanging their blood-fire. Not to mention this orthodox Great Herd heritage, which has undergone rigorous training under the same tradition and is integrated through nations, faith, and even blood ties.

Just like the Federation's Extinction Heaven Weight or the Empire's Imperial Guard... this is a terrifying power that can only be cultivated through the strength of an entire nation and countless foundations!

What they are best at is this kind of head-on, face-to-face slaughter!

And the Returning Home Knights before them were the war machines created by the four powers of the Central Plains.

Even though the Red Federation is in decline and is now just a puppet of two countries, tracing back to their ancestors, they were the Divine Guards painstakingly created by the four sacrifices who were second only to the Emperor during the Eternal Empire era! Even if limited by resources and the constraints of being away from home, when they are few in number and weak, they can only be used as ordinary Great Herd foot soldiers. But now, these dog bastards are a combat legion equipped with holy relics, sacrifices, military flags, and the blessing of the Sacrificial Lord!

One hundred and seventy!

One hundred and seventy people, holy cow!

More than a full-strength company, those who counted the number of people on the other side were already feeling their scalps tingle.

If Ji Jue wanted to rid the people of a scourge, these one hundred and seventy fearless Returning Home Knights, fully equipped with armor, holy relics, sacrifices, and supplies, would be enough to charge all the way from Outside Xinquan to Yacheng, cut off Xu Chaoxian's dog head, and then charge to Chaocheng to hang his head on the city gate!

At this moment, everyone's brains were buzzing, and only one thing remained in their minds: to grab Ji Jue by the neck and question him:

How much capital did you spend on this?!

How much money did you give them to make the Returning Home Knights dare to defy the world, bear the risk of offending the Federation, ignore the repulsion and consumption of holy relics by the Heaven Inspector's Law, and fight fully armed in the territory of the current bipolar powers!

They even took out the Factional Burnt Offering of the Bacterial Herd?!

You must know that among all the Sacrificial Lord heritages of the Great Herd, the Bacterial Herd ranks in the top ten. It is especially good at large-scale gifts and blessings. With the assistance of sacrifices, it directly maxes out the stats of its Chosen Ones; the more people there are, the stronger the increase.

Now, the moment the organized Returning Home Knights appeared on the battlefield, everything else became meaningless.

All that could be seen was the devastating ravaging under the iron hooves, pushing forward in a straight line.

Like a rolling torrent of blood-fire!