Armor-Piercing Munition: Face Me, Carbon-Based Monster!
Chapter 90 - 3: The Mission

Chapter 90: Chapter 3: The Mission

"They want to come and take a look..."

Inside the church, Zhou Qin looked anxiously at Chen Jian across from him and continued:

"I’ve done my best to explain to them what happened here, but the Holy Father hasn’t directly agreed to my request."

"Similarly, the Mechanical God Sect also expressed... suspicion about my statement."

"He believes I’m just exaggerating to obtain more aid."

"Please, Chosen One, you have to believe me, I’ve done everything I possibly can."

"The Mechanical God Sect initially intended to send a second Holy Temple Guard, but I persuaded them."

"I dissuaded their foolish actions and stopped their further provocations."

"So, in the end, they agreed to send a small delegation of no more than 30 people along with the Holy Blood Temple."

"Or you could say, it’s a diplomatic mission."

"I know such a visit is somewhat presumptuous... but I hope you can embrace the ignorance of the world with an open heart."

"At least until the mission arrives, which is four days from today, can we... continue to maintain the current peace?"

"If you can agree, I can also return to Han Shui City with peace of mind and bring this good news to the civilians there..."

After Zhou Qin finished speaking, Chen Jian furrowed his brow slightly and nodded.

In fact, he had already anticipated this outcome.

After all, people cannot imagine things beyond their understanding, even if Zhou Qin described the situation here as terrifying, or if a large army disappeared abruptly; to those ignorant rulers, this is just an excuse for a great defeat.

Especially in theocratic organizations, where inventing reasons like "Divine Punishment" for losing battles is quite common, isn’t it?

Who knows, they might have used such excuses in past battles.

And now, it’s just the story of the boy who cried wolf playing out again.

That they want to come is normal; it would be weird if they didn’t.

However, Chen Jian doubted how credible Zhou Qin’s claim of "convincing the Mechanical God Sect" really was.

Would they still send the Guard Brigade?

Chen Jian genuinely hoped they would come.

Because he was really tempted by the towed howitzers mounted on large ships.

As long as they dared to sail over, Chen Jian was willing to use up the remaining few mortar shells, the last dozen rocket launchers, and the final 20 recoilless rifles to sink their ships and seize those cannons!

Thinking of this, Chen Jian asked:

"You said the Mechanical God Sect decided not to send the Guard Brigade, how credible do you think this is?"

"Are they just placating you, or have they truly been persuaded by you?"

Upon hearing this question, Zhou Qin first remained silent and then shook his head with determined expression:

"Even if they aren’t persuaded now, once more information reaches the Holy Hall of the Mechanical God Sect, they will be."

"Chosen One, we also know that because of your mercy, the Church Protection Army from Xianning of the Mechanical God Sect wasn’t completely... destroyed."

"They’ll find ways to deliver messages to the Holy Hall too, their persuasive power might surpass mine."

"What a pity."

Chen Jian sighed in disappointment.

Zhou Qin’s heart clenched sharply as he realized what Chen Jian truly meant by that.

Yes, what a pity indeed.

If the Mechanical God Sect did send the Guard Brigade again, the man opposite him would surely obliterate them with ruthless means.

Not only would this reinforce the might of Yellow Stone City, but it would also significantly weaken the Mechanical God Sect.

Thinking from the opposite perspective, if he held the enemy’s strength and stood in his position, he might act even more decisively...

But fortunately, at least the other side has shown mercy.

As long as there’s no more provocation, they should hope for peace too...

Relieved, Zhou Qin asked with anticipation:

"Chosen One, can I assume we’ve temporarily reached a peace agreement?"

"If so, I can bring this exhilarating news back to Han Shui City now and begin preparing compensation to be sent to Yellow Stone City, along with gifts representing our sincerity."

"You may."

Chen Jian gestured to Zeng Yi, who released Zhou Qin and his companion from their restraints.

They didn’t attempt to resist, as two Type 201 light machine guns were aimed squarely at their heads.

Then, Xie Liu, who had been waiting, handed two tablets to Zhou Qin and his companion.

"These are slow-release drugs, they won’t affect you within 72 hours."

"But if you do not return within 72 hours as agreed..."

"I can’t guarantee your safety."

"Because the dose of these two bottles is enough to kill a giant beast."

"I understand!"

Zhou Qin obediently swallowed the pills, knowing he had no other choice.

Faced with the endless tactics of these Chosen Ones, he felt like a three-year-old child.

Aside from complying, he couldn’t imagine any way to confront them.

Finally free from restraint, Zhou Qin exhaled a long breath.

hours...

At least he had 72 more hours to live.

To understand, when he witnessed the aftermath of the explosion in Yuqing State, he approached this negotiation with the belief he would die.

With this thought, Zhou Qin’s face even showed a trace of a smile.

He looked at Chen Jian once more, expressed gratitude again for his mercy, and then walked with others’ "escort" towards the lakeshore.

"We’ve prepared a small boat for you."

Chen Jian pointed to the skiff by the shore and continued:

"At least this time, your attitude is what we hoped to see."

"Therefore, you don’t have to swim back."

"Thank you for your generosity!"

Zhou Qin wanted to perform the Holy Blood Ceremony for Chen Jian but thought it inappropriate, so he just bowed deeply before boarding the skiff by the shore.

The people by the shore watched him depart, not lowering their weapons until he reached the opposite side.

Xie Liu, deep in thought, watched Zhou Qin and his companion’s silhouette vanish into the forest, and spoke to Chen Jian:

"What if the drugs in their bodies take effect early?"

"If they die... though it seems like it wouldn’t be a big deal, it would still be a hassle, right?"

"It’s fine."

Chen Jian smiled and replied:

"What they took was merely vitamin C."

"In fact, even if they don’t come back, they won’t die."

"But I can guarantee they won’t dare not to."

"Because what can kill them is never just a pill."

"But rather..."

Chen Jian lifted the 191 in his hand and continued:

"This."

"Understood."

Xie Liu accepted with conviction and didn’t ask further.

Then, Chen Jian raised his hand to command everyone to return inside the city.

After everyone left, he found Lei Jie and said:

"Now that we have some time, go to the 7025 fortification again and bring us what we need."

"We have achieved victory; Yellow Stone City should have a celebratory feast."

"But at this feast... I want the people here to see something different."

"The materials left by the National Library should still be fairly intact, go find them and bring them back."