CHAPTER 423: CHAPTER 204

The smoke cleared.

With the sound of a massive explosion, the old order of Han Shui City was blasted to pieces.

The Supervision Team of the Supreme Army hiding in the basement turned into minced meat in a can, and when Li Xian led the charge into the basement, he could only rely on the number of remaining armors to determine the final kill count.

"38, 39, 40..."

"The number matches up."

Li Xian let out a long sigh of relief.

"All 40 members of the Supervision Team have been killed—how about your side? What’s the situation?"

Hearing Li Xian’s question, Zhou Yan, who stood beside him, nodded slightly, then replied:

"All that needed to die are dead, and due to some unexpected situations, we also killed some who weren’t originally on the list."

"Overall, Han Shui City is now quite clean."

"If in such an environment, you still can’t complete the full control of this city, then you should really reflect on your own problems."

"That’s good then."

Li Xian’s expression was somewhat grave.

"Our losses are also not small."

"The death toll of the Church Protection Army has reached 170 people, and now, there are only a mere 280 people with combat ability left in the city."

"Moreover, among these 280 people, only less than 60 are ’soldiers’ in the true sense."

"The others are just temporary conscripted armies made up of civilian believers."

"Their combat ability is quite low... we can’t entirely rely on them to hold Han Shui City."

"The next step, the Huaxia Army should take action as soon as possible."

"Otherwise, even if just an ordinary class-four monster comes, we wouldn’t be able to withstand it."

"Don’t worry."

Zhou Yan patted Li Xian’s shoulder, comforting him, saying:

"They never disappoint."

"Now, they are likely already mobilizing what they call ’unmanned combat clusters,’ heading toward Han Shui City."

"If nothing goes wrong... they’ll arrive within an hour?"

"I hope so."

After saying this, Li Xian suddenly gave a self-deprecating smile.

Looking at the Church Protection Army cleaning up the aftermath, he said with a sigh:

"A few months ago, when we first realized the threat of the Huaxia Army, we attempted to snuff them out in the cradle before they grew strong."

"Then, just days later, because of that massive defeat, we started praying that the Huaxia Army wouldn’t strike at us."

"But now, the situation is completely reversed."

"We hope they can attack soon, to quickly occupy this city."

"We are like a stalk swaying in the wind, seemingly without a firm stance, nor any real direction of belief."

"Do you think that those in the Huaxia Army see us like a joke, or a clown?"

"Perhaps we are just being toyed with?"

"Even if we turn to the Huaxia Army, how can we ensure that the treatment we’ll receive will be better than under the control of the Mechanical God Sect?"

As he spoke, he unconsciously stroked the pistol in his hand.

There was only one bullet left in the chamber, and this last bullet was the one that jammed during the final battle and didn’t fire.

By the time he cleared the jam, the battle was over.

He didn’t know where this bullet could still be used.

Perhaps, it should be used on himself?

Zhou Yan keenly noticed his motion, so he spoke:

"You shouldn’t be so pessimistic."

"At least from my perspective, the commanders of the Huaxia Army have a rather high regard for you."

"I once had the privilege to hear them comment on you."

"They said you are also a thorough opportunist, but an opportunist with purpose."

"A joke, what opportunist doesn’t have a purpose?"

Li Xian shook his head with a smile.

"All opportunists are for profit, and I’m no exception."

"But it’s clear that you might not be in it for your own gain, isn’t it?"

"Perhaps."

Li Xian didn’t speak further, and at this moment, outside the eastern side of Han Shui City, dust began to rise.

Meanwhile, several drones flew low, passing over the heads of the two.

Gunshots rang out, the weapons mounted on the drones spat out deadly bullets, but consistent with the intelligence Li Xian and Zhou Yan received, not a single bullet landed on the Church Protection Army, nor on the civilians of Han Shui City.

This was just a form of deterrence.

The Huaxia Army had arrived, declaring their presence in this manner, and announcing the terrifying power they wielded.

The city instantly fell into panic and chaos; those members of the Church Protection Army who had just finished a brutal battle fled blindly, trying to find reliable cover to evade the Huaxia Army’s attack.

And clearly, such efforts were entirely futile.

Under the cover of aerial firepower, the ground-based unmanned combat units of the Huaxia Army quickly approached Han Shui City.

A few minutes later, the unmanned combat cluster entered Han Shui City, setting up an impenetrable wall-like perimeter around the outskirts.

The Huaxia Army arrived as expected, ready to take over Han Shui City.

Li Xian took a deep breath, then made a public announcement to the city.

"Everyone, lay down your weapons."

"Do not attempt to resist, we are incapable of resisting."

"To repeat, by my order, lay down your weapons!"

"I will personally go out to negotiate, I assure you, no one will die here!"

As the orders were given, the people, terrified to the extreme, gratefully laid down their arms.