Chapter 829: Arrangements from All Sides (1)

Same Time · Family Residential Area · Small Library

Sunlight filters through the tall stained-glass windows, casting mottled light and shadows upon the floor.

A man wearing a simple white linen robe sits quietly at a desk by the window, with a book bound in red leather spread open before him; the cover bears an emblem of crossed tools.

His expression is calm, his gaze focused and devout, as if he were reading not mere words, but sacred proverbs.

His slender fingers brush lightly over the strange symbols and illustrations on the pages, while he silently murmurs something to himself.

"People-oriented... the people..."

Beside him, many similar classics are stacked, most of which were provided by Yingzhou regarding human history, philosophy, and summaries written by Luojia himself.

"The power of the individual has its limits; only faith and the collective will... can... hmm?"

Luojia's train of thought is interrupted by the vibration and notification sound of the personal terminal on his wrist.

He frowns slightly, somewhat displeased by this intrusion that breaks the tranquility.

But when he sees it is an emergency communication from Magnus and hears the urgent content, the serenity on his face is instantly replaced by gravity.

"The barrier..."

Luojia closes the book in his hands with a gentle motion.

He stands up, the hem of his pure white robe brushing against the floor.

"The path guided by Father... is the moment of testing finally here?"

He whispers a prayer and walks quickly toward the door.

Xiuluo Holy Star · "Tianqiong" Shipyard Area · Central Command Tower

Yingzhou has already returned to the ground Command Center.

A massive holographic star map floats in the center of the command hall, clearly marking the location of Xiuluo Holy Star, the Sky Dome Shipyard, and the patrol fleets scattered in orbit.

At this moment, the area representing the psionic barrier at the edge of the star map is showing an unstable phantom image.

The sound of Magnus's urgent report still echoes in his ears.

The atmosphere in the command hall is heavy; officers and technicians of all levels are performing their duties, nervously monitoring various data.

"His Majesty!"

The voice of the communication head rings out.

"Patrol fleet reports that its ship-borne psychic detection array has captured large-scale, high-intensity energy disturbances at the outer edge of the barrier! The characteristics... the characteristics are highly suspected to be the precursor to the opening of a warp channel! The quantity... at least three sources! The distance... is closing rapidly!"

"It has finally come."

Yingzhou's voice is calm and waveless, his gaze sweeping over the violently fluctuating phantom of the barrier on the holographic star map, as well as the several rapidly flashing red dots at the edge of the map representing unknown threats.

"It doesn't matter; they won't be able to discover us for a while yet, we still have time to prepare. Angron and Guilliman have recently arranged the affairs of the Outer City properly, though even if Angron leaves, Guilliman can handle those matters alone."

Robert Guilliman, the reward Yingzhou obtained in the second-year settlement, which had also made Yingzhou happy for a while at the time.

After all, he was a primarch he knew relatively well—something about Papa Smurf, or the fact that Guilliman's sons were attacking the webway...

Luojia walks with hurried steps, the hem of his pure white robe fluttering gently behind him.

He tightly grips the red-covered book in his hand, which is imprinted with the emblem of crossed tools.

The chapters in the book about "the people," "collective will," and "service" echo in his mind, intertwining with Magnus's urgent warning.

"The weakening of the barrier... the external threat..."

He mutters to himself, his calm face masking surging thoughts.

"What is being tested is not just strength, but whether the path we follow is indestructible. Father... did you foresee this day long ago?"

That red book, before the coming storm, guides the direction of his thinking.

How to transform the power of the collective and the faith of the people into a steel Great Wall that guards their home.

Xiuluo Holy Star · Ninth Defense Zone · Outer City Administrative Management Center.

Robert Guilliman stands before the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the orderly city below.

His deep blue eyes scan the holographic data stream.

Over the past year, he has worked with Angron to organize the Outer City's civil administration, logistics, and infrastructure in perfect order.

Several light screens float on his desk, displaying resource allocation, factory output, and construction progress of new districts for different defense zones.

His fingers operate rapidly on the virtual keyboard, sending out clear and explicit instructions.

"The second phase of the new water purification plant in the Fourth Defense Zone must be completed on schedule; livelihood security has the highest priority."

"The construction machinery requested by the Seventh Defense Zone has been coordinated; notify their person in charge to start construction as soon as possible."

"Civil Affairs Department, the social integration report on the third batch of 'Core Producers' (formerly 'Biological Processor' survivors) is to be on my desk by three o'clock this afternoon."

His communication device lights up; it is an emergency channel access from Yingzhou.

Guilliman connects immediately, without any unnecessary pleasantries.

"Father."

"Guilliman,"

Yingzhou's calm voice comes through.

"The barrier is fluctuating violently, and external threat signals have appeared. Angron will return to the 'Tianqiong' Shipyard Area immediately to prepare for battle. All civil administration, logistics, and mobilization systems in the Outer City and the rear are to enter the 'Great Wall' contingency state. You are fully responsible for ensuring that everything continues to operate as normal during wartime."

Guilliman's eyes instantly turn sharp; he straightens his posture, his voice steady and powerful.

"Understood, Father. The 'Great Wall' contingency is activated immediately. After Brother Angron leaves, I will seamlessly take over the affairs of the Outer City. The logistics supply chain, civil defense system, and Reserve mobilization are ready. Please rest assured, the rear will never become a burden to the front line."

He pauses, adding in a businesslike manner.

"May the Emperor guide our Sharp Sword."

The communication ends.

Guilliman does not pause for even a second, immediately pressing the internal communication button.

"Notify all Department Heads, emergency meeting in ten minutes! Activate the highest level of the 'Great Wall' contingency! Repeat, activate the highest level of the 'Great Wall' contingency!"

Under Guilliman's efficient management, the procedures for responding to emergencies throughout the administrative center had long since become deeply ingrained in everyone's minds.

The staff began to act in an orderly fashion, with directives being passed down through layers of networks.

Watching the various indicators representing the city's operational status on the light screen, Guilliman began to make subtle adjustments.

Xiuluo Holy Star · "Tianqiong" Shipyard Area · "Indomitable" Dreadnought-class Light Cruiser · Bridge.

The alloy deck beneath his feet transmitted the low hum of the engines warming up.

Angron's massive frame stood in the center of the Bridge, his crimson Power Armor appearing even more vivid under the reflection of the red alarm lights.

He had just arrived from the Outer City via a high-speed transport craft, still carrying a trace of the weariness of travel.

"Engine output increased to combat cruise status! Charge the Void Shield Generator! All weapon arrays, disengage safety locks!"

The captain's roar echoed throughout the Bridge.

Angron did not look at the star map, but instead closed his eyes.

An invisible, massive mental perception spread out, instantly enveloping the entire Cruiser and faintly connecting with the mental threads of other ships in orbit.

This was not psychic power, but his unique ability of absolute perception and command over "emotions" and "will."

He felt the tension of the officers and men on the Bridge, as well as a hint of excitement in the face of the unknown; he felt the near-fanatical focus of the Tech-Priests in the engine room; he felt the murderous intent of the Astra Militarum soldiers on the lower decks as they prepared for battle.

All these emotions eventually flowed into his ocean of will.

"Anger..."

Angron slowly opened his eyes, his lenses sweeping over the people on the Bridge who were standing at the ready; his voice, transmitted throughout the ship via loudspeakers, was deep and full of power, striking directly at everyone's soul.

"I feel your anger! Anger at past enslavement! Anger at those who threaten our home! Very good! Maintain it! Condense it!"

His voice suddenly rose.

"But remember! This anger belongs to the Emperor! It belongs to Xiuluo Holy! It belongs to every compatriot behind you who needs protection! It is not blind destruction! It is the wrath of protection! It is the sword that slays the enemy! Hear my command! Will is our shield! Wrath is our blade! For the Star Alliance! For the Emperor!"

"For the Star Alliance! For the Emperor!"

A deafening roar erupted instantly from the Bridge and was transmitted to every corner of the warship through communication channels.

All tension and distracting thoughts, under the command and guidance of Angron's will, were instantly ignited, purified, and condensed into a fierce, indomitable battle intent directed at the foreign enemy.