Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1045: Section 663: Trip to Central South (Part 4)

Chapter 1045: Section 663: Trip to Central South (Part 4)

The convoy’s supplies were prioritized above all else, but after unloading in this region, it still needed to take on the city’s specialties and various collected raw materials. Therefore, the fastest departure would be in two days. Considering the convoy’s crew also needed rest, Chengshan didn’t overly pressure everyone.

She also knew that the presence of His Excellency Malin made this city as impregnable as a fortress.

Besides, reducing the timeline from a week to just two days had already bought five days for Mr. Malin’s schedule.

That was enough, as excess would be counterproductive.

So, letting everyone rest for two days wasn’t a bad idea. It also gave her a chance to see what kind of surprises the strange lich, named Ails, and his army might bring him—according to reports from soldiers observing on the city walls, the lich’s army didn’t just consist of the gunmen, archers, and cavaliers Chengshan had seen earlier. They also spotted hundreds of large cannons carried by giant beast skeletons, at least five hundred heavily armored skeletal colossi wielding oversized two-handed swords, and even a sizable formation of liches with white soul fire.

A force of this scale could wreak havoc across all of Thainan’s mainland, let alone destroy this city. Yet, this lich named Ails pursued along Chaos’s retreating route with such troops.

Furthermore, white soul fire—able to ignite sacred smoke without being extinguished—was something Chengshan had never seen in a lich.

In the memory of the Thanan people, liches were embodiments of evil. In Chengshan’s view, only a lich that had died one more time could be considered a "safe" lich by Thanan standards.

But today, a lich so distinctly different appeared before her as one of His Excellency Malin’s followers. This was truly... truly an utterly incomprehensible reality for Chengshan.

After His Excellency Malin’s departure, Chengshan specifically sought out Meng Quyi, the daughter of Meng the Scribe, hoping this girl could offer some clarity.

She became completely captivated by the tale Meng Quyi told.

The Western Human World had never succumbed; they had been resisting Chaos all along. Yet their ways of governance were rather outdated... Of course, Chengshan couldn’t fathom why these Western Human nations still adhered to kings and nobles—things swept into our historical trash heap before the Great Cataclysm—and why such systems would resurrect eight millennia later.

However, these musings were not Chengshan’s primary focus, as the narrative of His Excellency Malin was far too epic. He was so young, so powerful, and reputedly had many wives—all beauties.

What an intriguing Westlander indeed. Chengshan suddenly felt Meng Quyi’s elder sister was truly fortunate to have the opportunity to become a follower. Surely, she could witness everything this Legendary Excellency did to save the world. Regardless of the outcome, it would be far more colorful than the life Chengshan led as merely a disciple of the Sage.

It certainly would.

Thinking about this, Chengshan felt some envy—but more deeply, she reminded herself that this was the responsibility each person must bear. Some were legends; others were disabled. Each person’s inherent responsibilities differed. For Chengshan, her task was to truly become a disciple worthy of His Excellency the Sage’s pride.

Then, to inherit the Sage’s mantle—and one day, pass it on to a disciple of her own choosing.

This was the Sage’s mission.

We vow to guard the beauty of mountains and rivers, to bring forth the light of civilization, and to ignite the flame of true understanding.

......

A small childlike Westlander who arrived with the convoy turned out to be a legend. News that he single-handedly slaughtered a Great Demon during the recent battle in the north of the city spread throughout the entire city within half a day, transforming the previously wavering city into one bursting with vitality.

The tale of the Legendary Excellency slaying the Great Demon and forcing the Chaos Legion to retreat reached every teahouse by afternoon. Malin lounged in a corner with several envoys, listening intently. Occasionally, Meng Quyi would turn her head to look at Malin, as if suggesting that the storyteller might have been at the scene himself—how else could he weave such convincing tales?

"You’re just making stuff up," Malin retorted while peeling peanuts. "I didn’t exactly ’force’ the Chaos Legion to retreat. They fled on their own, alright?"

"But he did mention your pair of double-bladed swords," someone added.

"What am I now, Liu Bei, with his twin swords?" Malin quipped.

At this point in the banter, Malin noticed someone storming into the teahouse. The newcomer pushed past the guests and ran straight to the storyteller’s platform: "The troops chasing Chaos have returned! You won’t believe how many Chaos heads they’ve brought back!"

Oh, Ails has returned.

Mentioning Ails immediately piqued Malin’s interest, and the envoys expressed their desire to witness the spectacle. Malin then asked Meng Quyi to lead the way. The group took a shortcut to the north of the city, where they found the area atop the walls already packed with people.

Although the envoys were Transcendent beings, they didn’t dare to force their way through. Malin, however, spotted the bald-headed Preacher Zhang and squeezed over to tap his arm.

"Ah, His Excellency Malin! You and your companions wish to leave the city gates? No problem." Preacher Zhang recognized Malin and procured the gatekeeper, allowing the group to climb the rope ladder onto the fortress ledge and descend the other side.

Ails stood outside the city gates, holding the severed head of a Bleeder. Upon seeing Malin, he immediately spoke.