Chapter 17: Breaking the Formation

Qian Ye moved swiftly around the Unfallen City, using the Zhao Family’s camp as his central point. The majority of people passed by him without noticing a thing. Occasionally, Qian Ye would appear to stop a squad of Zhao Family soldiers, inquiring about the location of the military outpost.

The position of the military outpost was not a secret, at least not for the past two days, and since Qian Ye held a considerable reputation within the Zhao Family’s private army, he easily obtained the exact location.

Qian Ye glided through the streets and courtyards like a ghost, stopping in front of a seemingly unremarkable courtyard.

This small compound was originally modest, but after renovation, it had expanded to include several surrounding compounds, now occupying nearly half a block. The compound was heavily guarded, located in the heart of the Unfallen City, and even boasted two gun turrets. Coupled with patrolling soldiers, it was evident that this place was a critical site, even without any sign on the gate.

Standing before the courtyard, Qian Ye was slightly taken aback. Among the soldiers guarding the walls, there were two Red Scorpions. Though they were not rookies, they were still relatively inexperienced. Yet, Red Scorpions here?

A sense of nostalgia washed over Qian Ye, and then his gaze shifted to the broken-winged angel insignia on the turret gunners. This place was guarded by two elite corps, and both had a history of rivalry. In the present day, only the Imperial family and the military command had such capabilities.

Qian Ye took a step forward, instantly reaching the courtyard gate, and asked a guard, “Is this the military outpost?”

The guard, feeling an unnatural familiarity, replied subconsciously, “Of course, it is now personally guarded by Lord Li Fengshui.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the guard realized something was amiss.

Though Qian Ye’s bloodline was of high rank, his ability to charm humans, a natural vampire instinct, was almost unused, and thus, its effect was fleeting, working only on low-level soldiers.

But Qian Ye had already gotten his answer. His gaze toward the two large gates grew increasingly cold.

“Xiao Wu! Stop!” Zhao Yuying’s voice came from behind. She dashed towards Qian Ye, her heart racing as she saw him at the military outpost’s gate, and her speed increased even more.

At that moment, time seemed to slow down. Zhao Yuying saw Qian Ye turn back to glance at her, and then he delivered a powerful punch to the courtyard gate. The gate shattered into pieces!

By then, Zhao Yuying had just crossed one block, still tens of meters away from Qian Ye.

Zhao Yuying instantly realized that it wasn’t time slowing down or her slowing down; it was Qian Ye’s overwhelming strength and speed that made it seem so.

“Qian Ye!” She called out again, trying to accelerate. But the path in front of her suddenly stretched, and countless bamboo and trees appeared, their swaying branches sharp and intimidating, causing Zhao Yuying to instinctively slow down.

Song Zining appeared beside her, blocking her way, and shook his head, “It’s too late.”

“But Xiao Wu is still there!”

“It’s too late!”

Zhao Yuying’s face turned cold, and she snapped, “Move aside! If you don’t, I’ll break your domain!”

A bitter smile crossed Song Zining’s face. “Yuying, you are not only Qian Ye’s sister but also the direct descendant of Duke Youguo and a core member of the new generation of the Zhao Family. You are one of the future commanders of the family’s private army. If you go there now, will you stop him or help him?”

Zhao Yuying was speechless. As Song Zining said, her identity was special, and in the eyes of others, she represented the Zhao Family. In terms of status, besides the Three Dukes and Zhao Jundu, she ranked next, even above Zhao Junhong.

Qian Ye’s act of storming the military command to seize Nighteye was already a grave offense. If Zhao Yuying went to help him, it would bring disaster to the Zhao Family. But if she stopped him, how could she bear it?

“But, Xiao Wu…” Zhao Yuying stared at the distant courtyard, tears welling up in her eyes.

The thunderous sound echoed throughout the military compound, causing the ground, walls, and roof to shake. The impact of Qian Ye’s punch was unimaginably far-reaching, spreading to every corner of the courtyard. More than a dozen defensive arrays were activated, and the original force lights flickered chaotically, creating a scene of utter chaos.

A glimmer suddenly appeared in Qian Ye’s eyes. In the instant the original force arrays were activated, he finally sensed a familiar aura. Nighteye was here!

“Enemy attack!”

“Full defense!”

Shouts echoed, and the courtyard instantly erupted. The machine guns on the turrets immediately swiveled, aiming at the central courtyard. In a blink, they fired, turning into two streams of metal fire, blocking Qian Ye’s path.

The gunners, indeed elite members of the Broken-Winged Angels, showed their true mettle, quickly reacting to block Qian Ye’s path, compressing his space and giving their comrades time to react.

Qian Ye felt a pricking sensation at the back of his head and spine. This familiar danger signal indicated that two Red Scorpion soldiers had locked onto him with their scorpion needles, ready to unleash heavy projectiles and precise shots.

Other soldiers, though slightly slower than the Red Scorpions and the Broken-Winged Angels, appeared on the rooftops and walls, taking advantageous positions. Inside the compound, numerous soldiers rushed out of the buildings, while others armed themselves in the basement or rooms.

In a blink, the military outpost had become a den of dragons and tigers.

At that moment, the fragments of the destroyed gate began to fall.

Qian Ye suddenly charged forward, ignoring the streams of fire, and rammed into the courtyard! Instantly, dozens of machine gun bullets hit him, making him stagger. In moments, he endured over a hundred bullets. But with a low growl, he stepped forward, forcing his way through the fire, and reached the second gate.

His combat suit was now riddled with holes, and some bullet heads were embedded in his flesh. But with a shake, the bullets fell to the ground.

The guards were stunned, and even the officers forgot to issue further orders. The two machine guns guarding the outpost were special, high-caliber, and high-speed models, with specially designed rounds that could penetrate original force defenses. Continuous fire would even pierce a main battle tank. Under such bombardment, even Li Fengshui would not last long.

Yet, the crossfire of the two machine guns only managed to break a few patches of skin on Qian Ye?!

The top gunners from the Broken-Winged Angels, after a moment’s shock, continued firing. Two fiery whips chased after Qian Ye, striking his back with dozens more shots.

Unflinching, Qian Ye used the force to propel himself forward, smashing the second gate with a punch, and charged into the inner courtyard.

As he entered, two short blades suddenly stabbed at his sides. This attack was perfectly coordinated, ruthless, and infused with original force, nearly indestructible.

Still, Qian Ye did not dodge, meeting the blades with his flesh. This time, the blades pierced him, but only a few centimeters deep. The two warriors were startled, realizing they weren’t piercing flesh but a high-strength alloy. Before they could retreat, Dongyue’s roar sent them flying, spewing blood and cracking bones, incapacitated.

Disposing of the two warriors, Qian Ye pressed on.

The second courtyard was only ten meters deep, but in this short distance, Qian Ye was engulfed in a multitude of original force lights. Warriors from the walls and rooftops unleashed a barrage of original force bullets, which exploded on him. Nearly half of these warriors were from elite corps, their attacks swift and merciless.

Amidst the hail of bullets, Qian Ye charged forward, delivering a mighty punch. The second gate and its watchtower exploded, sending the soldiers on the tower flying, crashing to the ground, unable to rise.

Finally, Qian Ye’s body bore many small wounds, though most were closing. The constant barrage of original force bullets reopened the wounds, turning minor injuries into more serious ones.

Ignoring the wounds, Qian Ye charged into the inner courtyard without hesitation.

The inner courtyard was packed with warriors from the Broken-Winged Angels and Red Scorpions, all wielding heavy shields and sharp blades. As Qian Ye entered, a warrior from each corps stepped forward, blocking his path.

Qian Ye glanced at the Red Scorpion warrior, recognizing the Tiger-Scorpion Camp emblem on his armor. That was the first camp he joined in the Red Scorpions, and it was wiped out in an unnamed city years ago. He never expected the Red Scorpions to rebuild it.

Despite his feelings, Qian Ye knew that the true strength of the elite corps’ warriors couldn’t be judged by simple rank. In a complex battlefield, a single warrior from the Red Scorpions or Broken-Winged Angels could easily take on two opponents of equal rank.

The Broken-Winged Angel warrior bellowed, “Zhao Qian Ye, by intruding into the military stronghold, are you rebelling?”

The question was piercing, and Qian Ye’s gaze hardened. “I do not bear the Zhao name. Get out of my way!”

Before the echo faded, Qian Ye took a step forward.

The Broken-Winged Angel warrior roared, thrusting his long sword at Qian Ye’s heart. The Red Scorpion warrior sidestepped, swinging his heavy sword at Qian Ye’s waist.