Chapter 389: Operation Crescent Moon (8k)

Outside the city gates, internal surveillance in Shuguang City was not strict; after all, there were too many disaster refugees, and the Federation's control within the city was limited to energy, public safety, food supplies, and dark invasion screening, plus the Federation used blood essence as a currency anchor for transactions—beyond these, any behavior not threatening public safety went unregulated.

Entertainment, commerce, including armed forces and psychic abilities—you could do whatever you wanted with no one interfering; it was less like a city and more like a massive refugee encampment, where the Federation's high command cared nothing about political stability, only city defense and resources.

After all, under the apocalypse, there was no future to see—everything grew savage just to survive.

Lin Xian didn't know what Dai Li You Hui was, but when the SUV entered a street lined with pink bar lights and packed with women dressed provocatively, he guessed.

This was a lawless zone.

Light rain drizzled; women on both sides of the street held umbrellas, their revealing outfits paired with firearms for self-defense—here, you saw women of all kinds, their attire varied, yet every face seemed to wear only one emotion: utter numbness and suppression, as if, beyond survival, they had lost all meaning in life.

As the vehicle entered the street, the women slowly edged toward the curb, forcing passing cars to slow down, compelling attention to fix on them.

The vehicle drove deeper into an old district—the former North City of Shuguang City—where buildings were dilapidated, cramped, filthy, and overcrowded, occupied by major truck fleets exploiting sex trade, gambling, illegal prosthetic modifications, and bizarre industries stemming from anomalies.

"This area has virtually no surveillance systems. The Federation doesn't watch here because the few truck fleets controlling it pay more 'security tax' than others."

Jiang Yun explained: "Shuguang City has no property system—residential areas are assigned by the Population Control Bureau by district, meaning you have to find your own place to stay."

"So if you have nowhere to live, you just sleep in your vehicle?" Kiki asked.

"Pretty much. Most habitable buildings were seized by the earliest truck fleets; scattered communities squeeze in, but they're hardly different from vehicle camps. This area's different—ordinary fleets can't enter unless absorbed by one of the big ones. The old district is ignored by the Federation unless anomaly attacks or faction clashes occur."

"The big fleets pay higher taxes and entry fees," Qian Dele said.

"Correct."

As they neared a certain area, Lin Xian's communicator received a message—an unknown signal guiding them into a former commercial underground complex. Through a tunnel, they entered a subterranean city, wildly growing amid concrete ruins, gasping between neon and shadow.

Jiang Yun told Lin Xian this was a small black market: multicolored neon lights, pornographic posters plastered on walls, ads for prosthetic modifications everywhere; the narrow alleyways crushed the air with oppression.

Soon, the vehicle pulled into a building; the rear iron door slowly lowered, lights flared, and ahead stood several fully armed men surrounding them, flashlights blinding.

"Identity confirmed," one said.

Lin Xian pulled out the Crimson Phoenix Token, pressed the switch, and quickly established connection.

The group lowered their weapons. Lin Xian and his team stepped out; the crowd parted, and from deep in the corridor came faint mechanical footsteps—then a tall woman emerged, her limbs entirely mechanical prosthetics.

Chu Yan.

This was Lin Xian's first official meeting with Chu Yan. In his dreams, he'd never been able to discern her true form; now seeing her in person, if not for the subtle rhythm of her breath, he'd have thought she was a robot like Mochi Shinji.

Chu Yan's voice was cold and hollow as she looked at Lin Xian: "Hello, Lin Xian. You look more alert than before."

"Probably because I'm awake now," Lin Xian smiled.

Lin Xian followed Chu Yan and her team into the building. No one knew a secret operational base, equipped with advanced gear, lay hidden within this underground black market. Even in the corridor, he saw a group already waiting.

At their head was a man in his forties, dressed in crisp military uniform, chest adorned with badges of the United Front and the Phoenix Society—lean, stern.

He scanned Lin Xian and his team in one swift glance, then calmly extended his hand.

"Xu Zhenyue, Chief of Staff of the North American United Front. I command this Operation Crescent Moon."

"General Xu, nice to meet you."

"We've been waiting for your arrival to begin the operational briefing," Xu Zhenyue said, glancing at Kiki and the others behind Lin Xian. "Glad you and your team are willing to assist us."

Xu Zhenyue and Chu Yan led Lin Xian's group into the hall. Besides the North American United Front team, there were four Phoenix Society Nightwalkers squads, led by a young man named Qino, pale-faced with sharp eyes, who immediately stepped forward to shake Lin Xian's hand and introduce himself.

Also present was a special operations team from the 83rd Tietie Brigade, led by Zhou Jin, a cold-faced, 1. -meter-tall hardened soldier.

"Lin's team has arrived. Let's get started," Qino said, not one for ceremony. He pulled out a chair, sat down, and lit a cigarette. Lin Xian glanced at him in surprise. Qino assumed Lin Xian disapproved, stood up, walked to the door, and turned on the exhaust fan. "In the apocalypse, cigarettes beat morphine and alcohol—they relieve stress, stabilize your mental defenses, and don't impair judgment or trigger psychic mutations."

"Lin, I'm Zhou Jin, commander of the 83rd Tietie Brigade's special ops team," Zhou Jin said directly, eyes fixed on Lin Xian. "You can trust us."

No formalities. The teams settled casually in the hall. Lin Xian's squad sat at the back. Qino lit his cigarette and said to Lin Xian: "I've heard of Konggang and Xilan City. Dude, you're impressive."

Lin Xian felt immense pressure, looking around at the room full of teams, and couldn't help asking: "So many teams—all for the same mission?"

"Pretty much. It's a saturation mission, so we've prepared five operational squads."

"Five?" Lin Xian blinked. "Including me?"

"No."

Qino shook his head, exhaled smoke: "You're special. Assigned by Commander Ye as a support asset. So I've got one squad here just to protect you."

Lin Xian was surprised. Honestly, he'd thought too simply.

He'd assumed this mission was handed directly to him—but now, seeing the room full of operational teams, his heart tightened. Saturation mission was a brutal term. The Phoenix Society's planning was meticulous; they weren't sending Lin Xian alone into danger.

At that moment, Xu Zhenyue, presiding over the meeting, glanced toward Lin Xian and tapped the table. The room fell silent.

"Let me briefly outline the mission background for Lin's team."

A holographic screen activated, displaying vast intelligence on the Crimson World. The image of Julius Lite flickered at the center.

"Based on our intel, we've confirmed that Julius Lite, the Asia-Pacific director of the Crimson World, collaborated for months with Wen Hui of Linglong Group and Shuguang City. Details aside, there's a critical issue now."

Xu Zhenyue adjusted the display. A massive humanoid anomaly appeared above the table, accompanied by data on Umbra-Cells.

"Class-S Entity #14, the Gray Walker, invaded the B2-B3 defense sector of Wall One two weeks ago, killing over 30, 00 and sacrificing over 2, 00 Garrison troops. Its corpse was recovered by a large truck fleet called 'Echo.' Investigation revealed this group was a Crimson World front. Our special ops team intercepted partial intel on Julius Lite's clone at the Bai Lu Tan Star Observation Base in Akse. We confirmed the Crimson World successfully extracted a live tissue sample of 'Umbra-Cell' from this Class-S entity and transported it to the Bai City base in Star Abyss #5 for proliferation—successfully."

"Through this cell, we've uncovered part of the mechanism by which dark creatures convert dark incursions—achieving a 18% shielding rate. But since the cell remains inactive, we lack full data. After joint discussions among research labs, we believe that if we can activate this cell and master its bio-energy side effects, we may achieve true shielding and filtration of dark incursions."

Xu Zhenyue continued: "But the problem is, humans lack the means to activate these dark biological cells—except one."

"Mycelium?" Lin Xian asked.

"Correct."

"Mycelium is fundamentally a type of dark creature. The Crimson World has established numerous research bases and conducted live studies—but never attempted mycelium linkage with a Class-S entity. This is an extremely dangerous signal: it means human consciousness is about to connect with the Star Abyss. This could trigger an extinction-level disaster. And we believe the Crimson World…"

"Has already done it."

Lin Xian's team all paled.

Kiki frowned: "So the attack this morning might be connected to this?"

"Not just that."

Xu Zhenyue tapped the screen. The hologram shifted to a regional map. The edges of Star Abyss #5 west of Shuguang City, #7 southwest, and #8 southeast now showed abnormal elliptical expansion. Near Shuguang City, the dark tides twisted as if pulled by a massive gravitational force.

"In the past 16 hours since last night, the Star Abyss edges have expanded abnormally—and simultaneously. Observations from Yunlan, Longjiang, Luling, Tianwei, and Shenli cities all report anomaly tide surges. We conclude this is linked to the Crimson World's current operation."

"Survivors in these directions are flooding toward Shuguang City. We don't yet know how many. This is a dangerous signal."

Lin Xian's face darkened: "If they've already acted, what exactly is Operation Crescent Moon supposed to do?"

Chu Yan turned her head, her voice sharp:

"Intercept the information."

"What does that mean?"

Xu Zhenyue looked at Lin Xian: "Shuguang City is preparing the Vanguard Plan, so it will require tissue from Entity #14. Activating the Umbra-Cell linkage may leak vast amounts of human data to the dark world. But conversely, whoever initiates this linkage may also extract information from the dark world through Entity #14. Everyone here understands the current situation. In Captain Zhou's words, humanity and the dark were once playing hide-and-seek in fog—but if the dark now knows our secrets, we must achieve information parity. No matter how this disaster escalates, only then can humanity gain a sliver of hope, only then can we seize the initiative. Our next objective is clear: before the Vanguard Plan launches in Shuguang City, intercept the information transmitted via the Gray Walker's mycelium connection. That information may hold the key to human civilization's survival."

"Currently, Shuguang City has completely blocked all communication channels. Most armed forces have retreated to Wall Two, likely to protect the upcoming launch at Xinggang. The information from a Class-S entity with an active brain may never be available again. We have two advantages: first, Chu Yan's squad possesses psychic abilities—once the target is confirmed, they can immediately intercept the information. Second, Lin Xian's mechanical psychic ability can directly trigger brain-machine system self-destruction and help us gain access to Shuguang City's weapon control core, preventing Crimson World or rebels from exploiting it."

"The biggest challenge is we don't know the exact timing of the Vanguard Plan or Chu Zhaonan's next moves. Our intel team has detected Zhou Mingyuan, Wen Hui, and other Federation elites conducting secret operations—they may be preparing to jointly seize control of the inner city and underground city after the Vanguard Plan. Garrison troops are partially tied down due to regional threats. So this meeting has two goals: first, investigate Crimson World activity in Shuguang City; second, find the Gray Walker!"

Zhou Jin, commander of the 83rd Tietie Brigade's special ops team, spoke up: "Could the Gray Walker be inside Xingcheng's underground city? After all, it's tied to the Vanguard Plan launch."

"Possible. Our operatives inside Xingcheng's underground city haven't detected any anomalies, so we suspect they're using only part of the Gray Walker's body for operations—more efficient," Xu Zhenyue said.

"I think we should first confirm who's linking with the Class-S entity," said Qino, head of the Nightwalkers.

"Easy," Lin Xian interjected. "Since Chu Zhaonan runs this plan, just hack his consciousness—we'll get not only the launch time but all operational details."

"No. Chu Zhaonan's activity data is the least accessible to us, and…"

"We've tried before," Chu Yan said beside him. "I was present during Commander Ye's meeting with Chu Zhaonan. His mental strength is immense. You can't extract anything unless he's asleep."

"Putting the Federation chairman to sleep is as hard as kidnapping him," Qino flicked ash. "Chu Zhaonan has Luo Ming's Seraphim team guarding him, layers of garrison troops, and we don't even know his whereabouts. This plan won't work."

"What about others involved in the Vanguard Plan?" Mo Nika asked first. "The list is sealed. No one else knows the launch time. We only know the manager is Su Jin, and the captain of the Starfarer-class vessel is Chu Jing, Chu Zhaonan's son—a former colonel of the Liaohai Fleet, graduated from the Naval Academy," Chu Yan replied.

"Whoa, the chairman's son—he must know something," Kiki asked.

"Same for Su Jin or Chu Jing—all involved are in absolute secrecy. No one knows their whereabouts."

"So they could launch at any second?" Qian Dele frowned.

"Yes," Xu Zhenyue nodded. "So we're racing against an unknown clock."

"Someone must know at least part of this," Lin Xian said. "General Xu, you said Zhou Mingyuan's group is preparing to ally with the Crimson World to seize control of the inner city and underground city. If so, they must know what the Crimson World is currently doing."

Xu Zhenyue replied: "You're right. We've considered this—and it leads to a more troubling question: what kind of alliance exists between the Crimson World and the two factions in Shuguang City?"

"Logically, the Federation is split into two factions. How can the Crimson World cooperate with Chu Zhaonan while also allying with Zhou Mingyuan against him?"

"Could the Crimson World itself have two factions?"

"Regardless of how many factions, isn't that irrelevant now?"

"I think we must consider it."

"Then targeting Zhou Mingyuan is a viable approach," Qino nodded.

"Then we start here," Xu Zhenyue said, scanning the room, then adjusting the hologram. "For efficiency, we'll execute multiple objectives simultaneously."

He turned to Chu Yan: "Chu Yan, your target is Zhou Mingyuan."

"Understood."

Qino raised his hand: "Wen Hui is critical. I'll handle her. My Nightwalkers have three squads—targeting key officials in the Night Patrol, Security Corps, and Population Control Bureau—all Zhou Mingyuan's allies."

"Also, Wen Dong. He participated in Crimson World operations at Bai City. He might have useful intel," said a squad leader.

"But Wen Dong hasn't appeared in the inner city recently."

"I know where he is," Jiang Yun, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "At Galagher Black Market. A mechanical psychic named Qin Feng is recruiting members using the Silver Star—huge buzz. You've noticed this. The Silver Star is our alliance's asset, previously controlled by Wen Dong at Xingcheng Orbital Station. Its appearance among survivor groups must mean close ties to the Federation."

"We did notice," Chu Yan said, glancing at Lin Xian. "Qin Feng has no record in the Phoenix Society. We have other operatives monitoring him."

"Because of his mechanical psychic ability?" Lin Xian asked.

"Yes. The Phoenix Society is very curious."

"So am I," Lin Xian said.

"I'll handle it," Zhou Jin, commander of the 83rd Tietie Brigade's special ops team, said. "I'll lead a team to capture Qin Feng—see if we can drag out Wen Dong."

"Agreed," Xu Zhenyue immediately ordered. "Set communication frequencies. Deploy immediately."

Lin Xian looked bewildered: "General Xu, what about me?"

Xu Zhenyue said to him now: "Captain Lin, as soon as there's progress on this side, we'll need your assistance. The investigation will be left to our action team."

"That won't do." Lin Xian suddenly objected, drawing glances from Zhou Jin, Qi Nuo, and the others.

Lin Xian raised his hand and pointed to the members behind him: "Since General Xu says this is urgent—humanity's survival—keeping us here waiting for updates feels overly polite. We came here knowing the dangers, and we're not even at the most dangerous point yet. Even just for reconnaissance, I can still help."

He turned to Zhou Jin: "Captain Zhou, let us join you on this mission with Wen Dong. The mechanical adept, the Silver Star, Wen Dong—all three are tied to us." Lin Xian smiled: "Honestly, we were planning to do this ourselves."

Xu Zhenyue nodded, his gaze sweeping over Lin Xian and Chu Yan, then said: "Fine. But conceal your identity as much as possible. If the Federation notices you, it could complicate the rest of the plan."

"That's simple enough." Lin Xian turned to look at his squad members.

"From now on, we're all members of Captain Zhou's team. We're here to join the recruitment rally and see if we can sign up under Captain Qin."

After the meeting ended, Lin Xian's squad prepared to head to Galag Black Market with Zhou Jin. Before the operation, Chu Yan found Lin Xian and spoke to him alone.

"I understand your thinking, but please believe—General Xu didn't assign you to act out of concern for your safety alone."

"What else?"

Chu Yan's expression was cold. Lin Xian looked at her. Though her body was entirely mechanical, a faint scent of gardenia clung to her, and her face bore traces of weariness.

"The most critical objective of Operation Crescent Moon is gathering intelligence—and I am the primary operational focus."

Lin Xian froze slightly, his gaze fixed on her. He seemed to understand.

"I see."

Chu Yan looked at Lin Xian. Though they had never met before, it felt as if they had shared countless life-and-death moments. She said: "The city may lose control soon. When that happens, no one will care about your identity. But before then, I must complete this mission. Time is short. Stay safe."

Lin Xian nodded: "You too. Stay safe."

Galag Black Market was also in the northern part of the city, home to the most crowded survivor encampments, where dense clusters of post-apocalypse-modified buildings rose like a jungle.

When Lin Xian and Zhou Jin's convoy arrived, they saw streets completely blocked with vehicles.

Most were heading north toward the city exit. To the north lay Qingbo City, the Phoenix Society's base—the direction with the highest volume of departures, mostly large convoys.

Lin Xian saw long lines of survivors begging to join the large convoys, clustered like beehives along the roadside. Others surged toward Galag Black Market, drawn by the Infinite Train recruitment rally. Numerous smaller convoys were also recruiting, luring crowds eager to latch onto any escape route.

"Large convoys are leaving the city. Smaller ones and scattered survivors are cramming inside. That's not a good sign."

On the road, Jiang Yun gazed out at the dense crowds.

"You're worried that once the large convoys are gone, the small ones will have no choice but to stay in the city and wait for the three Abysses to close in and kill them?" Lin Xian said.

Jiang Yun sighed deeply: "There's nothing we can do. Small people are tragic. They either cling to a large convoy and head for Dawn Center, or they gamble on the city wall holding. What other choice do they have? Even with Phoenix Society's help, they can only deploy one Iron Guard Brigade—maxing out at protecting a million people."

Lin Xian fell silent. Then his communicator crackled with Zhou Jin's voice.

"Captain Lin, we're almost there. Everyone, put on your powered armor masks. We observe first, then act."

"Understood."

The convoy of dozens entered a sprawling, chaotic cluster of buildings. As they slowly drove into Galag Black Market's boundary, the roar of engines vanished beneath the din of the crowd.

Stretching before them, the entire area resembled a colossal beehive. Countless survivor convoys jammed narrow streets. Tents, modified trucks, rusted armored vehicles piled chaotically together like a labyrinth forged from metal and despair. The air reeked of cheap fuel and rotting food.

Along the streets, many convoys had parked their flagship vehicles to form recruitment camps. These vehicles were almost all the convoy's elite combat units, their rooftops bristling with powerful cannons, electromagnetic guns, anti-aircraft artillery, and heavy machine guns—their best advertising. It was a vast human marketplace, each convoy surrounded by long lines.

"Please, let me join! My daughter's still waiting up north…"

A gaunt man knelt before the recruitment desk of the Dragon Hunter Convoy, gripping the table's edge with both hands, knuckles white from strain. His face was carved by wind and hardship; his left eye was covered by a grimy cloth—he was blind.

"Sorry, resources are limited. You're too old and disabled. We can't help you. Try the Federation or the Phoenix Society."

The recruiter didn't even look up, only waved dismissively. Two fully armed guards stepped forward, dragged him away like trash, and dumped him into a roadside mud pit.

"Next," the recruiter's voice was as cold as a machine.

At another recruitment line, a one-armed veteran carried a massive rifle: "I can shoot! I served in the Seventh Legion! Give me a gun—I'll defend the carriage!"

Thud.

At that moment, someone urgently knocked on Lin Xian's window. Outside, a mother hugged a toddler, two or three years old. The child's lips were cracked from thirst, eyes bright and innocent: "Can I join your convoy? I… I can sew, cook. My child is quiet, won't disturb anyone…"

Because their convoy's equipment looked exceptionally superior, more and more people began pounding on the doors. Lin Xian stared at the terrified faces outside and felt his breath stall.

The convoy drove through the crowd to a vast public park. The dead trees had long been cut down and turned into convoy camps. Here, hundreds of heavily armed heavy trucks clustered together—all equipped with heavy weaponry. Tens of thousands surrounded the area, packed so tightly not a breath could pass. In the center of the square, a silver nuclear-powered locomotive rested quietly, like a slumbering beast.

The Silver Star. Someone had deliberately placed this iconic Eternal-class nuclear locomotive here to showcase its power as the core of their strength.

Behind the Silver Star, another heavily armed heavy train stood parked, bristling with devastating weapons—impressively terrifying!

Above the square, unmanned airships floated, stretching massive banners.

【INFINITE TRAIN, RECRUITMENT EVENT】!

"Lin Xian, someone's recruiting teammates for you," Kiki remarked, unable to resist a snarky comment.

Lin Xian's pupils narrowed slightly. He nodded: "Let's go see what kind of person this 'kindred spirit' Infinite Train captain really is…"

(End of Chapter)