Chapter Thirteen: Interception in the Skies

As the villager went to deliver the message, Zhang Desen decided to go to the entrance of the mountain stronghold to take a look, accompanied by the village chief and others. Upon reaching the entrance, they found another group of fierce-looking bandits armed to the teeth outside. The deputy leader of the bandits gestured toward the gate, indicating to Zhang Desen and his companions the man riding a large black horse at the front.

"Hero, look, that leader is the master of Lingyun Stronghold—Black Beard. I didn’t expect him to come in person. He must have learned about what happened here and seized the opportunity to show up," the deputy explained.

The village chief, after a glance, asked Zhang Desen, "Hero, what should we do now?"

Zhang Desen inquired, "How much time are they giving us?"

Someone replied, "They said if we don’t welcome them before nightfall, they’ll level this stronghold. If we do, and follow them in the future, they promise us riches and comfort. Judging by their tone, it seems they don’t know we’re the ones controlling the stronghold now."

The village chief worriedly said, "Hero, shouldn’t we hurry and leave? After all that’s happened, there’s less than two hours left before dark. The villagers are all..."

Zhang Desen waved his hand, "I believe we have enough time. Don’t forget, most of the remaining treasures of this stronghold are in that secret chamber—the only entrance to the underground passage."

He turned to the village chief and continued, "As long as we move all the fallen treasures outside into the secret chamber before nightfall and shut its door—which is extremely well hidden—the people from Lingyun Stronghold won’t find it even if they turn this place upside down."

Turning back to face the outside, Zhang Desen said, "Let them make a mess out there. We can slowly transfer everything inside through the secret passage back to Wooden Stone Village, wasting their efforts. By the way, has anyone been sent to check the passage?"

The village chief was about to answer when a villager came running. "Village chief, hero, our people have checked the passage. Everything’s safe. It’s very spacious inside, and the exit is right near Wooden Stone Village."

Zhang Desen looked at the village chief. "Now you know what to do, right?"

The chief nodded immediately. "Of course."

Zhang Desen said, "Good. Once you’ve finished gathering everything and entered the secret chamber, shut the door at once. I’ll stay behind."

Everyone was startled. "Hero, why?"

Zhang Desen replied, "Think about it, village chief. Why didn’t they come to Wooden Stone Village before? Because this stronghold—what’s its name?"

The deputy answered, "Thunder Stone Stronghold."

"Right, Thunder Stone Stronghold. They agreed that Lingyun Stronghold wouldn’t encroach on its territory. Now that Thunder Stone is gone, they won’t care about those old rules. That’s why I’ll stay behind to meet Black Beard. Don’t worry, I’ll act as needed. If things get out of hand, I can escape safely without them ever knowing."

The village chief, reassured, said,

"Good luck, hero. Here’s the key to the secret chamber—keep it safe. If you can’t manage, slip inside when the time comes. We’ll have people waiting at the village entrance."

Zhang Desen took the key. "Thank you."

...

Meanwhile, high above the Solomon Islands on Earth in this universe, an unidentified flying object not belonging to the Tyrant Aurme Empire suddenly appeared, speeding toward the Zhoushan Archipelago.

At the same time, the radar system at Aurme Empire’s coastal base detected it and quickly reported the sighting. A sentry ran into the command center, reporting to Yuri Gotner:

"Report, my leader—a UFO has appeared over the Solomon Islands, heading rapidly toward the Zhoushan Archipelago."

Yuri Gotner asked, "So, it’s approaching our capital, the coastal base. Can you confirm which side it belongs to?"

The sentry replied, "Report, my leader—according to the relevant department, the UFO is likely from the ocean depths of this planet, from those creatures beneath the sea."

Yuri Gotner responded, "So, they’re here again. Looks like they intend to conquer the surface world anew. Very well—order the air defense units to cooperate with the air force. No matter the purpose of these sea dwellers, they must be shot down before reaching the Zhoushan Archipelago. Preferably, capture the pilot. Do we have air force units in that area?"

The sentry replied, "Report, my leader—pilot Dal Kind and his wingman are currently on duty in that airspace."

Yuri Gotner paused, "What? Where’s my intelligence director?"

The sentry reported, "My leader, the intelligence director wanted to observe whether any more UFOs would appear from unknown spatial channels, so he sent them back to patrol."

Yuri Gotner shook his head, "That Durr... Very well, send orders immediately. Let Dal Kind and his wingman form the first line of air defense—success is imperative. Have other departments prepare for battle."

"Yes, sir!" the sentry replied and hurried off to deliver the orders.

...

Soon, Dal Kind and his wingman, pilots of the Tyrant Aurme Empire, received their orders while on duty near the Solomon Islands. Dal Kind was delighted, calling to his wingman:

"Ha! Excellent, we finally have a chance to redeem ourselves, hahaha!"

His wingman replied, "Yes, leader. Ever since we failed to intercept the last UFO from the unknown spatial channel, I’ve been itching for revenge. This is our chance—to make sure the sea dwellers never return! Watch me!"

Dal Kind said, "Alright, wingman, the enemy is nearby. Let’s accelerate and close in. When we down the target, let’s show our comrades just how efficient we can be!"

"Yes, leader, I’ll follow you at once," the wingman replied.

"Good, let’s go!" Dal Kind commanded.

They coordinated their coordinates and radar data from headquarters, then sped toward their target.

Soon, they caught up with the mysterious craft from the ocean depths. Dal Kind immediately hailed it:

"Aircraft ahead, you’ve entered our air defense identification zone. Surrender by rocking your wings, or we’ll take necessary action. Don’t test our patience—it will do you no good!"

Dal Kind sent the warning several times, but the UFO gave no response. He stopped hailing and called to his wingman:

"Wingman, lower your altitude. Since the enemy ignores our warnings, we must attack at once. Based on previous experience, they tend to escape into the sea."

Dal Kind’s tone grew stern. "When you’re at low altitude, don’t let it slip into the sea. If the opportunity arises, launch a rapid ascent attack—understood? Reply at once!"

His wingman answered, "Don’t worry, leader. If they try to hide in the sea, they’ll be dead for sure. Leave it to me."

"Enough talk—let’s move!" Dal Kind said.

"Yes, leader!" the wingman replied, and they went their separate ways.

...

Meanwhile, aboard the mysterious craft from the ocean depths, its pilot was closely monitoring the two Aurme Empire space fighters attempting to intercept him, looking for a chance to shake them off or counterattack.

Suddenly, he noticed one enemy fighter drop altitude on his radar screen. His expression darkened as he thought, "Damn, they’re all veterans—getting ready near the sea surface. In that case, I’ll take them to battle above the clouds."

He piloted his armed scout craft in a rapid climb toward the clouds.

Dal Kind was momentarily surprised by the enemy’s sudden ascent, but quickly followed. The wingman, already close to the sea and waiting for an opportunity, asked Dal Kind,

"Leader, leader, should I climb as well? Should I climb as well? Please advise!"

Dal Kind replied, "No need. The enemy is probably trying to find a way back to the sea and escape us. Stay near the surface and stick to the plan—got it?"

"Yes, leader," the wingman responded.

Dal Kind continued climbing, tracking the mysterious craft from the ocean depths, hoping for a chance to shoot it down.

The pilot of the oceanic UFO, after carefully checking the radar, confirmed only one enemy fighter was pursuing him. He smiled to himself—the plan was halfway to success. If the enemy was so self-assured, they had only themselves to blame.

Entering the clouds, he used them as cover, executed a rapid 360-degree turn, instantly aiming his nose at Dal Kind’s aircraft and launched an attack.

Dal Kind, caught off guard by the enemy’s maneuver, was quickly hit and went spinning down toward the ocean. His wingman, seeing this, could only shout,

"Leader, pull up! Leader!"

But Dal Kind seemed to have no way out.