Chapter 261: with translation of chapter title

Splash—

Whoosh—

The instructor strapped to Mu Cheng opened the parachute.

Translation: "The instructor tied to Mu Cheng opened his parachute." Need to keep meaning: "The instructor who was bound together with Mu Cheng opened the parachute." Use "instructor". Could be "The instructor bound to Mu Cheng opened his parachute." Let's do: "The instructor bound to Mu Cheng opened his parachute."

Their falling speed decreased sharply.

Translation: "Their falling speed slowed sharply."

Another instructor also opened his parachute after keeping a safe distance from them; at that moment, the three were less than three hundred meters above the ground.

Translation: "Another instructor also opened his parachute after keeping a safe distance from them; at this point the three were less than three hundred meters from the ground."

As their speed slowed, Mu Cheng regained consciousness.

Translation: "As the speed decreased, Mu Cheng woke up again."

"General Mu, you're safe now, there's nothing to fear," said the instructor, steering the parachute while comforting him.

Translation: "\"General Mu, you are safe now, there's no need to be afraid. \" The instructor, controlling the parachute's glide, comforted him."

Mu Cheng felt as if his heart were about to burst, feeling terrible, gasping for air, his face drenched in large beads of sweat.

Translation: "Mu Cheng felt as if his heart were about to burst, feeling terrible, he kept panting heavily, his face covered in bean-sized sweat."

Nevertheless, he struggled to stay conscious, staring wide-eyed at the rapidly approaching ground.

Translation: "Nevertheless, he struggled to stay conscious, staring wide-eyed at the ever-approaching ground."

Finally, the two landed safely.

Translation: "Finally, the two landed safely."

Mu Cheng collapsed completely to the ground, as if he had just walked through the gates of hell, his face as pale as snow, his clothes soaked with sweat that could be wrung out.

Translation: "Mu Cheng collapsed completely to the ground, as if he had just walked through the Ghost Gate, his face deathly pale like snow, his whole body drenched in sweat that could be wrung from his clothes."

Up in the sky, the roar of the propeller grew louder.

Translation: "Above, the roar of the propeller grew ever closer."

Mu Cheng then came to, painfully rolled onto his side, propping himself up with his hands and knees, trying to stand.

Translation: "Only then did Mu Cheng regain his senses; he struggled to turn over, bracing himself with his hands and knees on the ground, trying to stand up."

The instructor wanted to help him up.

Translation: "The instructor wanted to help him up."

Mu Cheng waved his hand, "Please... please let me do it myself..."

Translation: "Mu Cheng waved his hand, \"Please... please let me do it myself... \""

He tried several times, but his legs were weak and trembling; although he had strength, he couldn't exert it.

Translation: "He tried several times, but his legs were weak and trembling; although he had strength, he couldn't muster any force."

Only when the helicopter landed, the hatch opened, and the Xuanjia Armor Armor Armor Armor soldiers rushed out.

Translation: "Only when the helicopter landed, the hatch opened, and the Xuanjia Armor Armor Armor Armor Soldiers rushed out."

"General Mu!"

Translation: "\"General Mu! \""

"How are you?"

Translation: "\"How are you? \""

"Just now seeing you kicked out by the lord scared us out of our wits!"

Translation: "\"Just now seeing you kicked down by His Majesty scared the wits out of us! \""

"General Mu is amazing; if it were me, I'd have been scared to death mid-air!"

Translation: "\"General Mu is amazing; if it were me, I'd surely be scared to death mid-air! \""

「…」

Translation: "\"…\""

Seeing dozens of soldiers gathering around, Mu Cheng gritted his teeth, summoned all his strength, and finally managed to stand.

Translation: "Seeing dozens of soldiers gathering around, Mu Cheng gritted his teeth, exerted all his strength, and finally managed to stand up."

At that moment, his intense physical and mental discomfort began to fade quickly.

Translation: "At that moment, his intense physical and mental discomfort began to fade quickly."

Ning Jingli and Xiao Qidi also came to his side.

Translation: "Ning Jinli and Xiao Qidi also came to his side."

Ning Jingli smiled and said, "As expected of General Mu, you showed no airsickness or vomiting from start to finish, proving your physical condition remains excellent; all your discomfort stems from psychological fear, but I believe that once you've passed this first hurdle, you'll be fine—look, your hands aren't shaking anymore, are they?"

Translation: "Ning Jinli smiled and said, \"As expected of General Mu, you showed no airsickness or vomiting from start to finish, proving your physical condition remains solid; all your discomfort stems from psychological fear, but I believe that once you get past this first hurdle, you'll be fine—look, your hands aren't shaking anymore, are they? \""

Mu Cheng slowly spread his hands flat, fingers outstretched, and indeed saw that he could keep his fingertips perfectly still.

Translation: "Mu Cheng slowly spread his hands, palms up, and indeed saw that he could keep his fingertips perfectly still."

A look of surprise appeared in his eyes.

Translation: "A look of surprise appeared in his eyes."

Xiao Qidi said, "General Mu, what we just did to you was due to pressing time, so we resorted to extreme measures; please don't take offense. Although it looks frightening, we are fully confident we won't let you come to harm—the two instructors protected you throughout, and Jingli even shielded your pulse with her inner energy."

Translation: "Xiao Qidi said, \"General Mu, we did that to you earlier because time was pressing, so we resorted to extreme measures; please don't take offense. Although it looks frightening, we were fully confident we wouldn't let you come to harm—the two instructors protected you throughout, and Ning Jinli had beforehand used internal strength to shield your pulse. \""

Upon hearing this, Mu Cheng finally understood that the lord and the fairy had considered everything so thoroughly.

Translation: "Hearing this, Mu Cheng finally understood that His Majesty and the Fairy had considered everything so thoroughly."

Recalling how he had been kicked out of the cabin just moments ago, frightened into shouting insults at Xiao Qidi, he felt embarrassed, his face flushing red.

Translation: "Just thinking back to when he was kicked out of the cabin moments ago, frightened into blurting out insults at Xiao Qidi, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed, his old face flushing red."

"My lord... I certainly don't mind, and I even ask you to punish me for my rude and disrespectful nonsense."

Translation: "\"His Majesty... I certainly don't mind, and I beg Your Majesty to punish me for my rash, disrespectful words. \""

Having said that, Mu Cheng knelt down.

Translation: "Having said that, Mu Cheng knelt down."

Before his knees even touched the ground, Xiao Qidi steadied him.

Translation: "Before his knees even touched the ground, Xiao Qidi caught him."

"Did you spout nonsense?" Xiao Qidi feigned innocence, "What did you say? I didn't hear anything."

Translation: "\"Did you speak nonsense? \" Xiao Qidi feigned cluelessness, \"What did you say? I didn't hear anything. \""

Mu Cheng blinked, then quickly said, "Ah... nothing, nothing, hehe."

Translation: "Mu Cheng stared for a moment, then quickly said, \"Ah... nothing, nothing, hehe. \""

Xiao Qidi told the instructors, "Thank you, please continue the training."

Translation: "Xiao Qidi told the instructors, \"Thank you for your continued training. \""

Having experienced his first flight, and with Mu Cheng forced to overcome his acrophobia, the subsequent ascent practice went much more smoothly.

Translation: "Having experienced his first flight, plus Mu Cheng being forced to overcome his acrophobia, the subsequent ascent practice went much more smoothly."

Mu Cheng and the Xuanjia Armor Armor Armor Armor soldiers are brave and skilled; in less than a morning they mastered parachuting techniques and can now perform high-altitude jumps under the instructors' supervision.

Translation: "Mu Cheng and the Xuanjia Armor Armor Armor Armor Soldiers are brave warriors with excellent skills; in less than a morning they mastered parachuting techniques and can now perform high-altitude jumps under the instructors' supervision."

Ning Jingli and Xiao Qidi, of course, needed no further explanation—they also picked it up quickly.

Translation: "Ning Jinli and Xiao Qidi, needless to say, also picked it up quickly."

By the end of that day's training, everyone could already jump solo, though the procedural proficiency, mutual coordination, and control of landing points still required more practice.

Translation: "That day's training ended with everyone able to jump solo, though the proficiency of procedures, mutual coordination, and control of landing points still required more practice."

Three days passed quickly.

Translation: "Three days passed quickly."

Members of the special operations team told Ning Jingli about the team's training results: they could meet the basic operational requirements, but a few more days of practice would improve effectiveness.

Translation: "A member of the Special Operations Team told Ning Jinli about the team's training results: they could meet the basic operational requirements, but if they could practice a few more days, the effect would be even better."

Ning Jingli thought it would be safer to let everyone get more familiar.

Translation: "Ning Jinli thought it would be safer to let everyone get more familiar."

However, Xiao Qidi told her that tomorrow presented a great opportunity, as it was again the day the Daxuan army would deliver grain supplies to the Huang Kingdom's capital, and the Huang Kingdom's garrison had requested alcohol this time.

Translation: "However, Xiao Qidi told her that tomorrow was a great opportunity, because it was again the day the Daxuan army sends grain and supplies to the Wasteland Nation's Royal City, and the Wasteland Nation's Royal City garrison had requested alcohol this time."

Alcohol is a good thing.

Translation: "Alcohol is a good thing."

Ning Jingli immediately understood the implication.

Translation: "Ning Jinli immediately understood the implication."

In this era, brewing technology is primitive; the wine is not only sour and astringent but also very low in alcohol content.

Translation: "In this era, brewing technology is terribly backward; the wine is not only sour and astringent, but its alcohol content is also extremely low."

All that's needed is for Ning Jingli to bring high-proof modern liquor; then we can guarantee the Huang Kingdom's garrison soldiers will get roaring drunk.

Translation: "All that's needed is for Ning Jinli to bring high-proof modern fine liquor; then we can guarantee the garrison of the Wasteland Nation's Royal City will be dead drunk."

This method is also the safest, as it won't harm the city's civilians.

Translation: "This method is also the safest, as it won't harm the city's civilians."

Thus, Ning Jingli quickly procured a batch of baijiu from her factory, selecting high-alcohol, good-tasting, strong varieties, packed them in sturdy large jars, and sent them to the Daxuan army camp.

Translation: "So Ning Jinli quickly got a batch of white liquor from her factory, specially selected for high proof, good taste, and strong kick, packed it all in sturdy large ceramic jars, and had it delivered to the Daxuan military camp."

Thousands of half‑person‑tall big‑belly wine jars were placed together, their aroma continually wafting through the air.

Translation: "Thousands of half-person-tall big-bellied wine jars were placed together, their aroma constantly wafting through the air."

The soldiers, smelling it, began to drool with desire.

Translation: "The soldiers, smelling it, drooled with desire."

In the army, every soldier drinks, and they usually have a decent tolerance.

Translation: "In the army, every soldier knows how to drink, and they usually have a decent tolerance."

But although they crave it, they would never rush forward to seize it, not only because the lord and the fairy are present, but also because Xiao Qidi has imposed many rules on the Daxuan army, and Ning Jingli can supply ample provisions.

Translation: "But although they craved it, they could never rush forward to seize it en masse—not only because His Majesty and the Fairy were present, but also because Xiao Qidi had imposed many rules and restrictions on the Daxuan army, and Ning Jinli could provide ample grain and supplies."

They fundamentally do not need to rely on plundering like the former Daxuan army or other contemporary nations' armies to sustain their marching and warfare needs.

Translation: "They fundamentally do not need to, like the former Daxuan army or other contemporary nations' armies, frequently rely on plundering to sustain the resources required for marching and warfare."

With ample, high‑quality logistical support plus disciplined adherence to regulations, the soldiers' qualities are continually improved in an invisible way.

Translation: "Adequate high-quality logistical support, combined with rules and restrictions, invisibly continually raised the soldiers' quality."

"Want a drink?" Xiao Qidi looked at the surrounding soldiers.

Translation: "\"Want a drink? \" Xiao Qidi looked at the surrounding soldiers."

The soldiers all gave a hehe laugh.

Translation: "The soldiers all gave a hehehe laugh."

Mu Cheng quietly swallowed his saliva and said, "My lord, the fairy's gift of this liquor must be supreme nectar; even with the jars sealed I can smell its tempting fragrance… it's practically a bargain for those riffraff in the Huang Kingdom's capital."

Translation: "Mu Cheng quietly swallowed his saliva and said, \"His Majesty, the liquor the Fairy sent must be supreme nectar; with the jars sealed, I can still smell the tempting fragrance... It's really a bargain for those riffraff in the Wasteland Nation's Royal City. \""

Xiao Qidi asked, "How is General Mu's drinking capacity?"

Mu Cheng wore a proud look, "In my youth I could drink all night without getting drunk—drinking was as easy as water. Now I'm older, my tolerance has fallen, but even this big vat of ordinary liquor, after I finish it I should still be able to ride and shoot."

"Jinli, let him try," Xiao Qidi said with a smile.

Ning Jinli estimated that, two thousand plus years ago, alcohol strength was generally around one to three degrees; the liquor ordinary folks could occasionally get was hardly different from slightly alcoholic sour vinegar; reaching three degrees already counted as good liquor, and if distilled to four or five degrees, only royal nobility could afford it.

Given Mu Cheng's former status in the Wasteland Nation, he should have been able to regularly drink liquor of three to five degrees, i. e., "good liquor."

When he was young, being able to drink all night nonstop was quite normal.

"General Mu, please," Ning Jinli said, handing him a small cup.

Mu Cheng held the cup with his fingertips, sniffed, his eyes lighting up: "Good wine! Truly good wine! Clear as water, rich and mellow! I've never seen anything like it in my life… but… Fairy, this is far too little—less than half a sip, not even enough to wet my throat."

Ning Jinli smiled and said, "General, please try the flavor first."

"Yes, Fairy!" Mu Cheng exclaimed, draining it in one gulp.

The surrounding soldiers all stared at him longingly; seeing his blissful, intoxicated expression, they couldn't help but envy him greatly.

Mu Cheng's cheeks flushed slightly, and, still wanting more, he said, "Your Majesty, Fairy, I'd like to try another."

Ning Jinli then gave him another small cup.

The more he drank, the more he liked it; after two cups he still felt unsatisfied.

Ning Jinli then gave him a third cup.

After the three cups were down, Mu Cheng became drunk.

He went from being unable to stand steadily, to being unable to stay upright even with support, and finally lay on the ground snoring.

The soldiers who witnessed this exclaimed in disbelief.

Ning Jinli smirked to herself; the liquor was over sixty proof, that small cup equaled one tael, and Mu Cheng had downed three taels at once—of course he'd be drunk, passing out would be no surprise.

Such high-proof liquor is overly potent for ancient people.

"First take General Mu to the tent, don't let him get chilled; I'll give him an antidote later," Ning Jinli told the remaining soldiers, "then bring a few dozen who think they can hold their liquor, and I'll test the effect further."

Having seen how potent the liquor the Fairy brought was, most soldiers dared not try it casually, but seventy or eighty were willing to give it a taste.

Ning Jinli then arranged for people to serve them drinks.

Soon the test results were in.

Out of the several dozen, more than half passed out after just one cup.

Of the remaining less than half, they were knocked out after two cups.

Not a single one could finish three cups.

Although none passed out as deeply as Mu Cheng had, they all lost their combat ability and, still slurring, said they wanted more.

Clearly, the effect of this batch of high-proof liquor was just right.

——

The next evening.

Following Xiao Qidi's arrangements, Mu Cheng led a detachment of troops, bringing large amounts of grain and liquor, to the gates of the Wasteland Nation's Royal City.

On the walls, rows of archers stood ready with their bows.

Moreover, dozens of civilians from the Wasteland Nation's Royal City were tied to the wall.

"General Mu!" the commander of the wall-guarding troops shouted, "If you show up any later, these dozens of civilians will be dead!"

Mu Cheng roared coldly, "Release them!"

The commander gestured with his hand.

Only then were the civilians untied and led away.

Mu Cheng added, "I've brought the grain and the liquor you wanted; leave it outside the gate and you can carry it in yourselves."

The commander narrowed his eyes, scanning the countless large liquor barrels from afar, his mouth splitting to his ears: "Xuan Guo is indeed wealthy—so much liquor, just saying they'd send it and they did—but in our Royal City we have over a thousand royals, nobles, and officials, plus tens of thousands of elite garrison troops; these few thousand barrels won't be enough to drink, so please, General Mu, keep sending more over the next two days."

Mu Cheng had personally experienced this the day before; he knew full well that a few thousand barrels could knock out most of the garrison in the Royal City, yet he verbally agreed, saying, "If you can finish it, I'll send not just a few thousand barrels but tens of thousands—just don't harm the civilians."

"Hahaha! General Mu, you're seriously underestimating our drinking capacity!" the commander laughed loudly. "All right! Take your troops and get out! Don't delay our collection, and don't forget to keep delivering tomorrow!"

Mu Cheng snorted coldly, issued the order, and led his troops away.

After the Daxuan supply convoy disappeared from sight, the Wasteland Nation Royal City's garrison flung the gate open and rushed out, hurriedly hauling back inside the loot they'd extorted once again by holding the city's civilians hostage.

As night fell.

The city's garrison celebrated as if it were a festival, overjoyed beyond measure.

Nowadays they merely need to hold the Royal City, with over a hundred thousand civilians as hostages; they don't even have to fight, yet they can sit back and collect abundant grain and supplies, even fine liquor—such days are actually more comfortable and moist than before.

They divided the liquor and set up grand banquets in the various garrison camps throughout the city.

In the main camp of the garrison commander-in-chief.

A officer laughed, "Damn! If I'd known all of the Great Wilderness had been swallowed by Xuan Guo, leaving only the Royal City, I'd have wished Xuan Guo would attack sooner so we could live this good!"

The garrison commander-in-chief slapped him, saying, "However you think, I can't control it, but you're not allowed to talk nonsense!"

"Hahaha, yes yes yes! I misspoke—I'll punish myself!" the other picked up the bronze wine cup on the table.

By now, those several thousand barrels of liquor had been distributed to the various garrison camps, each major camp holding anywhere from a dozen or so barrels down to four or five.

Under normal circumstances, it's clearly insufficient to let every soldier drink his fill.

Therefore, the officers of each camp should first be allowed to drink their fill; only if there's any surplus would it be doled out to the ranks.

Of course, the garrison commander-in-chief noticed that this liquor Mu Cheng sent seemed out of the ordinary; even before tasting it, he decided to satisfy the officers first, not giving any to the nobles, officials, or even His Majesty, whom he also had to keep in the dark.

"Put it down!" the commander-in-chief snapped, grabbing the nearby officer's arm and glaring, "I haven't even taken a sip yet, and you're already thinking of sharing it with everyone—how dare you let him have the first taste?"

The officer gave a sheepish laugh and presented the cup with both hands, "Commander-in-chief, please go first."

The commander-in-chief took the cup, examined and smelled it, then praised loudly, "This liquor is truly unprecedented; our Sovereign has surely never tasted anything like it—Xuan Guo does have something special; let me savor it properly."

He seized the cup with both hands, tipped his head back, and gulped it down like a cow drinking, downing most of it in one go.

"Ah… good wine! Good wine!"

The remaining generals stared, eyes wide, gulping saliva.

Just about to ask the President whether everyone could also have a taste.

The President, however, with drunken, hazy eyes, grinning, fell flat with a thud, smacking his mouth and bleeding, still muttering: "It's… really delicious… give me… another… pour…"

The half‑pot of wine in his hand also spilled, making the wine aroma in the air even richer.

Seeing this, the others were astonished; although they were extremely thirsty, seeing that the President got drunk after just a little, they became cautious, fetched small cups and shared the drink.

Approaching midnight.

Black reconnaissance drones descended one after another in the night over the Wasteland Nation's Royal City.

Within the Daxuan army's camp, the drone scout observed the situation via the remote‑control screen; it could basically be judged that the Royal City's defense system had been paralyzed because the vast majority of its garrison were drunk.

The news was quickly reported to Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli.

The two summoned Mu Cheng and mustered forty Xuanjia Armor Armor Armor Armor Soldiers who had completed training.

At the same time, the special operations team members and military transport helicopters were also ready.

"General Mu, have these forty Xuanjia Armor Armor Armor Armor Soldiers all memorized the internal map of the Royal City you drew?" Xiao Qidi asked.

Mu Cheng clasped his fists: "Yes, they have all memorized it!"

Xiao Qidi nodded: "Then proceed according to the plan; you will lead them to secure all key areas outside the palace, while I and Jinli will take the palace—now board the aircraft and depart!"