Outside Shanhai City.
Zhanhuo · Ji, one of the generals of the Starfall Army, stood outside the camp, directing the deployment of troops.
Black Star mechs took off one after another on the Ascension tarmac ahead, the scene filled with violent winds and deafening noise.
He had just withdrawn his tens of thousands of troops from Xianxia and had not yet had time to rendezvous with Mu Ye · Xingchen, when he heard the news of Commander Xingchen's predicament.
From the brothers-in-arms returning from the Black Star Empire's civil war battlefields, he learned that Commander Xingchen had encountered an unexpected and unprecedented mecha combat group, even more numerous than the eight hundred thousand troops who had attacked Xianxia.
As the general of an independent army with the most complete troop types and establishments, Zhanhuo · Ji undoubtedly became the de facto commander of Shanhai City.
He was faced with two paths:
Either negotiate a peace with Lai Jing · Fa Nan.
Or go to war to reclaim Shanhai City, consolidate his forces, and demand honor and titles from Lai Jing · Fa Nan.
After assessing the situation, Zhanhuo · Ji temporarily chose the latter. Firstly, he felt a sense of gratitude towards Mu Ye · Xingchen for recognizing his talent. Secondly, possessing military power and control of the city allowed him to extend his authority to the extreme, becoming a new regional commander.
Of course, there was a third, seemingly impossible path. Zhanhuo · Ji pondered for a long time but could not make up his mind.
At this moment, a deputy general approached him from behind and shouted loudly over the deafening noise, "General, there are two Xianxia mechs waiting outside the camp to see you."
"Two?" Zhanhuo · Ji asked doubtfully, "Are you sure there are only two?"
"Yes, one is a heavy-duty all-purpose combat mech of deep blue, and the other is a dilapidated fighter jet-like mech," the deputy replied calmly.
Zhanhuo · Ji's eyes suddenly lit up. In Xianxia, there was only one person who piloted a dilapidated fighter jet-like mech!
"Let's go meet them," Zhanhuo · Ji said, shaking off the black cloak wrapped around him and striding towards his flagship mech.
More than ten minutes earlier, outside the Starfall Army camp of Shanhai City, Gu Ya had just arrived piloting the Thunderstorm Meteor. Before he could even enter the enemy formation, he saw another Xianxia mech that had been waiting there for him.
If it weren't for the Xianxia Divine Cauldron War Zone insignia on the fighter's fuselage and wings, Gu Ya would not have believed it was a Xianxia mech.
"Who would pilot such a mech?" filled with confusion and doubt, Gu Ya retracted the Thunderstorm Meteor into his Void Pack and walked towards the fighter jet.
Perhaps sensing Gu Ya's presence, the fighter jet suddenly began to transform.
The old-fashioned forward-swept metal wings folded back.
From the air intakes under the canards, two slender mechanical arms extended.
The dual main thruster nozzles at the tail retracted, and two mech legs extended from them.
The nose cone split in the middle and flipped backward, revealing the mech's head.
A series of crisp mechanical deformation and transmission sounds came from within the fuselage. Judging by the sounds, although the exterior of this transforming mech was old and dilapidated, its interior was very well maintained.
By the time Gu Ya reached it, it had completely stood up, its height of 21.2 meters towering over the ground like a small mountain.
The cockpit armor on its chest sprang open, and a tall, rugged-looking middle-aged man, probably in his forties, leaped down from a height of eight meters. He slightly bent his knees, and his combat boots made of special material allowed him to stand steadily on the ground.
"Shu, Shu Feizhang?" Gu Ya exclaimed, looking at the man.
He was the second-ranked God of War in Xianxia, and his mech model was "Eight Remnants," a name that indeed matched the dilapidated transforming mech behind him.
"Little Gu," Shu Feizhang said meticulously, his expression serious.
Gu Ya had met him once at the New Gods of War conference, and his impression of him was that of someone serious, cautious, and diligent. He never expected to see him here.
"Senior Shu, why are you here?" Gu Ya asked immediately.
Shu Feizhang glanced at the Starfall Army camp and said in a strong voice, "To incorporate them. If incorporation fails, we will destroy them."
"You alone? Uh..." Even Gu Ya couldn't imagine that he alone could destroy tens of thousands of enemy troops? And piloting a fighter jet-shaped transforming mech from a hundred years ago.
"I alone am enough. What are you here for?" Shu Feizhang looked at Gu Ya, his gaze calm.
Gu Ya quickly explained his plan to Shu Feizhang, but he did not mention the mission to rescue Mu Ye · Xingchen, as it was a top-secret mission.
The other party merely nodded calmly, saying nothing more.
"Senior, I'm very curious, if they refuse to be incorporated, how do you plan to destroy them?" Gu Ya pressed.
Shu Feizhang simply said one word: "Fá Mówéi" (attack the strategy).
Just as Gu Ya was about to ask something else, a tremendous noise suddenly erupted in the sky.
A proud Black Star flagship mech, accompanied by three escort mechs, flew from the Starfall Army command camp.
The black base coat, adorned with golden decorative patterns and trim, made this flagship mech imposing and majestic. The Eight Remnants mech seemed too battered and old in comparison.
As soon as the black flagship mech landed, Zhanhuo · Ji jumped out of the cockpit and walked steadily towards Shu Feizhang and Gu Ya.
He first glanced at Gu Ya, then shifted his gaze to Shu Feizhang, his attitude a mix of humility and a hint of arrogance that displeased Gu Ya.
"Shu Feizhang, I knew it was you," Zhanhuo · Ji said calmly.
A Black Star subordinate took out a portable tent from a large backpack behind him. After pulling the inflation valve, the tent automatically inflated, forming a simple silver-clad makeshift barracks with only one door.
"Let's talk inside," Zhanhuo · Ji led the way, entering the barracks first.
To Gu Ya's surprise, the inflatable barracks also contained inflatable tables and chairs, which were soft and quite comfortable to sit on.
"Since Xianxia has sent you, I'll get straight to the point. All the conditions I proposed are non-negotiable, and the Xianxia troops stationed in Shanhai City will be under my command. After all, a small Shanhai City cannot accommodate two leaders," Zhanhuo · Ji spoke first.
It was clear that Xianxia had already contacted him privately.
Shu Feizhang said with a composed expression, "Do you still have a way out? Lai Jing · Fa Nan's troops are ravaging Shanhai City, and in a few days, it will become a ruined city."
"Even if you lead your troops to reclaim Shanhai City, the post-war reconstruction will require a large amount of manpower and resources."
"There's no guarantee of what other offensive strategies Lai Jing · Fa Nan might have."
"Do you want to possess a ruined city besieged on all sides, living in constant fear, or do you want a bright and righteous future?"
"Zhanhuo, among the generals of the Starfall Army, I have always greatly admired your character and strategy. But your grasp of power must be based on a careful assessment of the situation."
Shu Feizhang delivered a combination of gentle words, clearly explaining the advantages and disadvantages, and Gu Ya felt a surge of admiration.
Zhanhuo · Ji's gaze was calm as he stared at Shu Feizhang and said, "I can voluntarily surrender to Lai Jing · Fa Nan and still earn honor and merit."
Shu Feizhang nodded gently in agreement, then added, "There is an ancient saying in Xianxia, 'When the birds are gone, the bow is put away; when the hares are dead, the hounds are cooked.' Lai Jing · Fa Nan has just seized absolute power and is in a phase of decisive pruning.
"As the largest remnant force of the Starfall Army, and one of Mu Ye · Xingchen's confidants, do you think Lai Jing · Fa Nan will not resort to treachery? To pacify first, then purge, is common to all strategists. Those who rely on luck will eventually walk a path of no return."
"Besides, don't you want to see Mu Ye · Xingchen again?"
Shu Feizhang said, looking at Gu Ya, it was clear that he had deduced from Gu Ya's plan that Xianxia had entrusted the mission of saving Mu Ye · Xingchen to Gu Ya.
Following his gaze, Zhanhuo · Ji also looked at Gu Ya and asked calmly, "And who is this...?"
"Xianxia's Unregistered God of War, one of the main planners and ultimately the implementer of the counterattack on Shanhai City. A mysterious youth carrying unknown technology, nicknamed 'World Glitch,' Gu Ya."
Gu Ya's heart sank. Who gave him this nickname "World Glitch," and how did even Xianxia's second God of War know about it?
"It's you," Zhanhuo · Ji said with a hint of surprise. "You were rescued from Shanhai City more than two months ago, and I didn't expect you to return so soon."
Gu Ya nodded and responded calmly, "I have a confidential mission and cannot stay long. My plan is to use your army to counter Lai Jing · Fa Nan and feign defeat to be captured."
Zhanhuo · Ji sighed softly and said with a hint of disdain, "Use? Heh heh."
"Then it seems you have come with the intention of conquering my army," Zhanhuo · Ji said to Shu Feizhang, looking at him calmly. "Can you guarantee that Xianxia will not hold me accountable? After all, I am also on your list of war criminals for invading Xianxia."
Hearing the final question posed by the other party, Shu Feizhang no longer hid anything and said, "In this vast world, only what is beneficial matters. The higher echelons of Xianxia made this decision after careful consideration."
"A unified mecha legion, tens of thousands of combat mechs and countless engineering mechs, plus a city, and the surrounding sea areas of Shanhai City will all become part of Xianxia. This is the first point."
"Actively aligning with Xianxia is beneficial for both of us, a win-win situation. This is the second point."
"Thirdly, Xianxia gains a strategist, commander, and tactician with exceptional strategic vision. You are broad-minded, loyal to your subordinates, and can assess the situation. Talent like yours is invaluable to Xianxia."
"However, you must personally bear responsibility for the numerous crimes committed against Xianxia. Regarding rewards and punishments, those are matters for later, but Xianxia will never treat any meritorious person unfairly."
Zhanhuo · Ji chuckled softly and said, "You've brought a blank check to talk to me. Why should I believe you?"
"Then do you want to be attacked from both sides? My first sentence stated your predicament. Do you still have a way out?" Shu Feizhang's tone suddenly became stern.
A single sentence caused the previously somewhat harmonious atmosphere to cool down abruptly.
Gu Ya could feel the tense confrontation between them, a great battle hanging on the brink of their decisions.
After a long silence, Zhanhuo · Ji finally sighed deeply, his erect posture relaxing, and he nodded gently, "I am a warrior. I am willing to die for Black Star with no regrets, but with great cause yet unfinished, I dare not speak of what comes after."
"Black Star has changed, and it is no longer the glorious era it once was."
As Zhanhuo · Ji uttered his final words, the atmosphere in the room gradually warmed up.
"Good," Shu Feizhang finally showed a hint of a smile and said, "I will report to the higher-ups as soon as possible. Within three hours at the latest, tens of thousands of Xianxia troops will assist your forces in eradicating the Lai Jing · Fa Nan troops and reclaiming Shanhai City."
"With this time, let's help Gu Ya perfect his plan."