Chapter 115: Preparing to Depart

Just as Li Longfang, Zhao Chengming, and the others were making preparations, Prime Minister Zhang Chengwei and Master Liu came to see Zhang Desen together.

They simultaneously urged Zhang Desen to marry Liu Yuting immediately before his departure. They insisted the ceremony could be brief and low-key, but it had to be completed at once.

This left Zhang Desen feeling perplexed; why had things suddenly become so urgent? However, Zhang Chengwei and Master Liu quickly explained the reason, which, surprisingly, was connected to Zhang Desen’s recent victory over the Liao Ancient Kingdom.

It turned out that in this universe, beyond nations like the Great Xing and the Liao Ancient Kingdom, there were many powerful magnates and factions. These forces possessed their own private armed groups.

Some of these magnates were powerful enough to threaten the existence of certain nations. In other words, although these magnates had not established formal kingdoms, their influence was often no less significant than that of a sovereign emperor.

There had once been an emperor of a small nation who offended a powerful magnate and was subsequently destroyed by that very magnate shortly thereafter.

Consequently, rumors circulated among these nations that it was better to offend an emperor than to cross these magnates. Furthermore, those magnates with the power to rival nations were unwilling to see a new force emerge that could stand on equal footing with them; after all, they did not want their share of the cake to shrink.

By leading the joint family guard of ten thousand soldiers from the Zhang and Liu estates to defeat the 800,000-strong invading army of the Liao Ancient Kingdom, Zhang Desen had effectively announced the rise of a new power capable of challenging some nations. Those magnates with sufficient private military strength would surely attempt to crush this perceived threat in its cradle.

Moreover, since the force used by Zhang Desen to defeat the Liao army was the combined guard of the Zhang and Liu families, these other clans would likely try to achieve their goal by preventing the two families from uniting.

The best way to prevent this union was to stop the marriage. Yet, the heads of the two families, Prime Minister Zhang Chengwei and Liu Youde, were precisely the ones who wanted their houses to become stronger.

When they learned that Zhang Desen had defeated the Liao army with almost zero casualties, they were overjoyed. Thus, they demanded that Zhang Desen finalize the marriage before his departure, lest it be sabotaged by waiting too long.

Once Zhang Desen understood, he agreed. Therefore, the two estates made rapid arrangements, and Zhang Desen cooperated immediately.

...

At the same time, inside the frontline command headquarters of the Galactic Empire in Sharga, Jilong Kende was issuing various instructions.

Due to the urgency of the situation, the meeting consisted mostly of issuing orders rather than opening discussions. Jilong Kende commanded:

"The First Tank Company and the First Infantry Company will depart first as the vanguard, coordinating with each other to attack and advance toward the Uliastai region. If you successfully link up with the garrison there, hold your positions!"

"Yes!"

"The First Anti-Aircraft Vehicle Company will provide cover."

"Yes!"

Jilong Kende continued:

"The Second and Third Tank Companies, along with the Third Anti-Aircraft Vehicle Company and supporting infantry units, are to proceed to the Altai region and assemble to await orders!"

"Yes!"

"All other units remain in place and prepare to move at any time!"

"Yes!"

Just then, a guard rushed in to report:

"Report! The enemy, finding they could not quickly take the Uliastai region, has dispatched over ten thousand troops to envelop it. The Uliastai garrison is now under attack from both front and rear, and is in imminent danger!"

All the Saurians were shocked. Jilong Kende immediately ordered:

"Everyone, proceed with the deployment according to the previous orders immediately. No delays!"

"Yes!!!"

The frontline commanders of the Galactic Empire immediately departed to their respective posts.

However, another guard rushed into the conference room and reported to Jilong Kende:

"Report, Commander, new intelligence!"

Jilong Kende asked:

"What is it?"

The guard replied:

"Report, our radar units have discovered an unidentified flying object. It is suspected to be an Atlantean reconnaissance aircraft that has intruded into our territory from the eastern human lands, flying toward Hyesan and Kanggye. It is currently approaching Hyesan. We suspect the Atlanteans may have discovered our war and have sent a scout to investigate."

Jilong Kende couldn't help but remark:

"Damn it, one wave passes only for another to rise. Report this to the Leader immediately and have all standby anti-aircraft units on the front line prepare for engagement."

"Yes!"

Of course, Dadu Kuer in Bulunai and Zhang Desen, who was about to lead his team to Bulunai, were also informed of this at the same time.

Some time later, at the Joint Industrial Park south of the Western Capital, Zhang Desen finished his brief wedding with Liu Yuting and immediately began his final preparations for departure.

The radar units suddenly reported an unidentified flying object appearing in the Hyesan area, heading toward Kanggye. Zhang Desen immediately verified this using the satellites of the Saurian Orme Empire.

Seeing this, Li Longfang asked:

"Captain, are we still proceeding as planned?"

Zhang Desen replied:

"Of course. If anything, this UFO is likely an Atlantean scout; our departure will actually serve as cover. However, since the Atlanteans can scout there, they might scout us here as well. Therefore, while we are in action, our anti-aircraft missile units must seal off this airspace. Under no circumstances can we let the enemy discover the location of our industrial park so early, or they might strike preemptively."

Zhao Chengming then suggested:

"Captain, should we move one or two of the anti-aircraft laser cannons left behind by the ultra-ancient humans? That would give us another powerful weapon."

Zhang Desen thought for a moment and said:

"That is a good idea. To be safe, let’s bring one or two."

Just then, a guard entered to report:

"Report, Captain, latest update: the UFO flew past Kanggye and suddenly accelerated toward Chusang. It may reach the grasslands earlier than expected."

Zhang Desen asked:

"How are the preparations for the spacecraft?"

The guard replied:

"Everything is ready. The necessary equipment left by the ultra-ancient humans has already been moved into the *Crater*."

Zhang Desen said:

"Good. Brother Chengming, go and complete your task immediately."

Zhao Chengming said:

"Yes!"

Zhang Desen then added:

"Comrades, as soon as Brother Chengming returns, we set out immediately."

"Yes!!!"

...

At the same time, in Bulunai, a guard ran into the Orme Empire's frontline command room and reported to Dadu Kuer:

"Report, Commander, our troops have successfully entered the Uliastai region. Aside from sporadic resistance, the area is now under our complete control."

Dadu Kuer said:

"Good, very good. How many of the enemy were neutralized?"

The guard replied:

"Report, the frontline reports that we have successfully neutralized nearly 4,000 enemy soldiers. Only a small number managed to break through to the south and are fleeing toward Otgon. We are in full pursuit."

Dadu Kuer said:

"Excellent. Order all units to mobilize and pursue the enemy at all costs. Capture as many as possible alive so we can find Gorbachev. Also, prepare everyone to relocate the command center to Uliastai. Once I have destroyed that Atlantean scout, I will come directly."

"Yes!!!"

...

At that moment, the Galactic Empire's Uliastai defense officer, who was personally covering the retreat, saw the majority of his remaining troops successfully break through and breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking at the encroaching Orme Empire forces and his own fallen subordinates, he realized there was no chance of escape. He picked up his pulse thermobaric grenade, pulled the pin, and said with grief and indignation:

"I have failed as a warrior of this nation. Even as ghosts, our warriors will never let you go!"

The officer triggered the grenade. With a loud "Bang!!!" the resistance in the Uliastai region of the Galactic Empire temporarily came to an end.

Likewise, Jilong Kende at the command post received news of the fall of Uliastai. He picked up the phone to consult with his deputy, Li Ger, who was inspecting the front line.

The call connected, and Jilong Kende spoke first:

"Ger, where are you now?"

Li Ger replied:

"Sir, I am in the Otgon region, comforting the brothers who retreated from Uliastai."

Jilong Kende said:

"Good. Organize a new defense immediately. Uliastai is completely lost; we must make the enemy pay a heavier price. By the way, how many of the enemy did we neutralize in Uliastai?"

Li Ger replied:

"Apologies, sir. According to existing intelligence, we only neutralized a little over 2,000 of the Orme Empire's troops."

"And how many did we lose?"

Li Ger replied:

"We lost nearly 4,000..."

Jilong Kende asked with great displeasure:

"How could this be? Why did we, in a defensive position, lose so many more men than the enemy?"

Li Ger replied:

"Sir, it is because most of our troops are new recruits, while the enemy forces are experienced veterans. Also, they have far more space warships than we do..."

Jilong Kende interrupted:

"Enough, no more excuses. Listen, organize the brothers in the Otgon region to neutralize as many enemies as possible. I will speak to the Leader immediately to get approval for using electromagnetic railguns from the rear to support us..."

Li Ger said excitedly:

"That is great! With the railguns, the enemy's space fleet will surely be finished."

Jilong Kende added:

"Don't get too excited yet. Do not forget that we haven't built our satellites yet, and only the Orme Empire has them. You must organize observers on the front line to guide our railguns, otherwise, our railguns will be blind and deaf, unable to help even if they wanted to. Do you understand?"

Li Ger replied:

"Understood."

"Good, move out!"

"Yes!"

Jilong Kende then began to contact the Leader of the Galactic Empire, Gorbachev.