Chapter 356: Technological Wonder Soldiers

Xiongzhou, the field headquarters of the Northern Front Pacifying General.

Unlike the grand layout of the Bureau of Military Affairs in Bian Liang, the atmosphere here is more direct and rough, filled with the tense feeling before swords are drawn.

On the drill field, the soldiers' training shouts, the muffled thud of hooves striking the ground, and the officers' coarse commands intertwined, forming a stern, killing aura.

But in a tightly guarded, temporarily demarcated area beside the headquarters, the atmosphere was somewhat different.

This place resembled an open-air workshop.

The clinking of metal strikes, the artisans' low discussions and arguments, and a deep humming like a bowstring pulled to its limit formed another layer of melody.

Zhao Lao Nian squatted on the ground, a sheet of paper covered in complex structures spread before him, holding a specially made wrench, personally debugging a newly assembled, peculiarly shaped crossbow.

This is the Demon-Dispelling Crossbow urgently prototyped by the Ministry of Works' Investigation of Things Institute and the Armory Supervisor, based on the vortex principle.

This crossbow is slightly smaller than an ordinary bed crossbow, but its structure is more complex.

The bow stave is not plain hardwood but a mix of metal framework, with key parts inlaid with smoothed jade or specially made metal pieces engraved with fine disturbance runes.

The bow limbs are made of multiple layers of composite material, with astonishing elasticity, requiring a winch to draw the string.

Most special of all are the bolts it uses.

The shaft is straight; the head is not a typical cone or barbed shape but a spiral-patterned armor-piercing tip, hollowed out to house a minutely engraved Repel-Demon rune, sealed with a special adhesive.

The whole crossbow exudes a cold, precise industrial beauty, starkly different from the usual weapon styles of this era.

"Old Minister, the twenty of this third batch delivered have been mostly debugged."

A Ministry of Works veteran artisan with burn scars on his face came over to report, his tone proud yet with a hint of barely perceptible worry.

"These bolts… they take too much effort to make; even a skilled artisan can produce only about ten qualified ones a day."

Zhao Lao Nian didn't lift his head, tightening a joint with his wrench, and said in a low voice: "It's troublesome, but we must do it! This is the gear to deal with those black-armored monsters! Tell those behind: spare no materials, spare no labor, only seek speed and quality!"

He rose, brushed dust from his hands, and gazed at the twenty neatly arranged Demon-Dispelling Crossbows gleaming with cold metal and rune light; a complex flicker passed through his eyes.

These are the fruits of labor from the Investigation of Things Institute and Armory Supervisor artisans, who, upon learning of the front's peril, worked day and night without rest to painstakingly "gnaw" them into existence.

"Go, invite General Shi to come inspect."

He ordered his attendant.

Soon after, Shi Dun, clad in heavy armor and moving like a dragon and tiger, came over with several core commanders.

His gaze was first drawn to those peculiarly shaped crossbows.

"Minister Zhao, is this the Demon-Dispelling Crossbow you spoke of?" Shi Dun walked up to one crossbow, his large hand stroking its cold stave and the faintly glowing runes, sensing the energy within, different from ordinary weapons.

"Exactly." Zhao Lao Nian nodded, personally picking up a specially made bolt, and explained: "General, please observe: when this crossbow fires, the runes on the stave activate, creating a special vortex field that gives the bolt tremendous penetrating power and rotational stability."

"The Repel-Demon rune inside the bolt's head, upon striking highly condensed demonic-energy armor, will instantly trigger, producing strong repulsive interference; theoretically, it can weaken or even shatter its defense."

"Theory?" Shi Dun raised his thick brows, seizing on the key word.

Zhao Lao Nian sighed, speaking frankly: "General, don't hide it from you—this crossbow is still a prototype, not yet tested in large-scale combat."

Earlier, we only tested it at the Investigation of Things Institute using captured, weakly reactive demonic-energy plates; the results were passable.

But facing the False Song's complete Divine Martial Army, its true power, how much damage it could inflict—I, the old minister, dare not guarantee.

Shi Dun fell silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the silent crossbows, then turning to Zhao Lao Nian's bloodshot yet resolute eyes.

He slammed the crossbow's stave hard, producing a dull thud.

"Having an idea is better than fighting bare-handed!"

"Minister Zhao, you and your brothers at the Ministry of Works have managed to produce these in such a short time—a tremendous merit!"

He turned to his deputy behind him and ordered: "Immediately select strong-armed, steady-minded veterans to form the Demon-Dispelling Crossbow Battalion, under your personal command!"

"Get a grip on this thing quick—learn how to cock it, aim it, maintain it—master it completely!"

"When the time comes, make those turtle grandsons taste its might!"

"Your orders will be obeyed!" the deputy exclaimed, clasping his fists, and immediately began selecting personnel.

Shi Dun then looked at Zhao Lao Nian, his tone softening: "Minister Zhao, if you need anything, just speak up."

"Manpower and materiel—I will prioritize allocating them for you."

Zhao Lao Nian thought, then said: "First, the bolts—the more, the better."

"Second, we need some artisans who understand basic rune maintenance to accompany the army; this device is delicate, and battle damage requires prompt repair."

"Third, it would be best to find an opportunity to conduct a few live-fire drills, so the troops can become familiar with its performance and range."

"Good! I'll follow your lead!" Shi Dun readily agreed.

Just then, a personal guard hurried over and whispered a few words into Shi Dun's ear.

Shi Dun's face slightly tightened as he told Zhao Lao Nian: "Minister Zhao, the Emperor's carriage has arrived thirty li outside the city."

Zhao Lao Nian's spirits lifted: "This old minister will go greet the carriage!"

Chen Wen's imperial procession was not ostentatious; with a light retinue and under the protection of elite guards, it quietly reached Xiongzhou.

His first move was not to occupy the prepared temporary palace, but to come directly to this makeshift Demon-Dispelling Crossbow test field.

"Your subjects greet Your Majesty!" Shi Dun, Zhao Lao Nian, and the others hurriedly bowed.

Chen Wen waved a hand, his gaze falling directly on those Demon-Dispelling Crossbows.

He stepped forward, carefully examining the runes on the crossbow's stave, then picked up a bolt to feel its weight and balance.

The vast Fortune Momentum within him seemed to faintly sense the unique vibration within the crossbow that subtly opposes demonic energy.

"Is this crossbow the Ministry of Works' plan to counter the Divine Martial Army?" Chen Wen asked, his tone calm.

"Your Majesty, exactly." Zhao Lao Nian hurriedly reiterated in detail the crossbow's principle, performance, and current limitations.

Chen Wen listened, then fell into contemplation for a moment.

He extended a finger and lightly touched the core rune on the stave of a Demon-Dispelling Crossbow.

A minuscule, pure thread of Fortune Momentum flowed from his fingertip into the crossbow's stave.

Hum—!

That Spirit-Dispelling Crossbow seemed infused with life; its body's runes suddenly lit up, shining several times brighter and stabler than when Zhao Lao Nian had previously tuned it.

A stronger energy wave spread out, even causing the surrounding air to produce faint ripples.

The artisans and generals present were all stunned.

Zhao Lao Nian widened his eyes, as if seeing something unbelievable.

Chen Wen withdrew his finger, and the runes' light gradually faded.

He looked at Zhao Lao Nian and Shi Dun, calmly saying: "The design concept of this crossbow is excellent."

However, the runes'activation can also be bolstered by Fortune Momentum."

"In wartime, I will pay attention to this as needed."

He didn't say more, but Shi Dun and Zhao Lao Nian instantly understood His Majesty's meaning.

His Majesty's inscrutable Ability Granting can affect not only soldiers, but also these new devices!

This will undoubtedly greatly increase the power and stability of the Spirit-Dispelling Crossbow!

"Your Majesty is sagacious!" Zhao Lao Nian exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement.

If His Majesty's Fortune Momentum backs it, this Spirit-Dispelling Crossbow's power might truly exceed expectations!

Shi Dun also felt invigorated, clasping his fists and saying: "With this beneficial weapon and His Majesty's personal presence, our army will surely win!"

Chen Wen gave a slight nod.

He scanned the crowd, his gaze finally falling upon that solemn northern expanse.

"The Ministry of Works has exhausted all efforts to forge this technological wonder weapon."

"Next, it's up to the soldiers to turn this wonder weapon's advantage into battlefield merit."

Technology is merely shield and spear.

True victory or defeat will ultimately be written in blood and fire.

But at least, Great Chen now has another trump card capable of shocking the enemy.

This technological wonder weapon will soon make its debut in the impending blood battle.