Milestone Victory

Dawn slowly crept over the horizon, casting a burning golden glow upon the virgin snow atop Blood Mountain. As the highest peak of Ten Peaks Mountain, it stood at an elevation of roughly three thousand meters. The mountain was rugged and treacherous, bristling with jagged boulders, with only two or three winding trails cutting across its mid-slopes. A gentle gust of wind swept past, and in the mere blink of an eye, two illusory silhouettes materialized upon the immaculate snow. Looking closer, neither figure left a single footprint behind. No one knew how they had reached such a height. "...I recall the Rock Axe Clan was your proudest masterpiece, along with that fellow named Oulong." "I said that two years ago. Your database needs an update." "Oh? Then what is your proudest masterpiece now?" "The next one." Gazing at the distant peaks, the Beast King uttered those words calmly. The Rock Axe Clan was still far from perfection. Oulong included. Yet that was precisely the purpose of its existence. Through competition with those decadent old powers, he would continuously refine his creations until he finally shattered the limits of organic life, achieving ascension in the physical sense. He would create a true "Beast King." "An interesting way to put it—the best is always the next one." Glancing at the Beast King beside him, the Human Emperor smiled faintly and continued in a casual, matter-of-fact tone, "However, I must remind you that you have already lost a third of your positions." "Three-tenths," the Beast King corrected expressionlessly, pointing out the lack of precision. The Human Emperor shrugged lightly. "In any case, I need you to hold out here for at least half a year, until Arzu successfully breaks through the stalemate in the south." "Half a year." The faint, almost imperceptible curve of the Beast King's lips carried a trace of chilling frost. Emotionless, he continued, "This mountain range beneath my feet shall be their final resting place." "Don't be overly radical, my friend," the Human Emperor remarked with a faint smile. "I would prefer our plan to proceed methodically, rather than rest upon a groundless assumption. An unforeseen outcome is not necessarily a pleasant surprise for us; more likely, it is a risk. I hope you keep that in mind..." Leaving behind those words, the figure standing next to the Beast King slowly vanished into the swirling wind and snow. Casting one last glance at the two banners fluttering atop the distant peak, the Beast King knitted his brows slightly, then turned and disappeared as well. ... With the Storm Corps planting their banners atop the summit of Broken Blade Mountain, the Battle of Broken Blade Mountain officially drew to a close. The Alliance rescued over a thousand survivors from the cavernous depths of the mountain, seized over a thousand tons of weapons and ammunition, and captured well over ten thousand tons of food and miscellaneous supplies. According to discoveries made by the frontline troops of the Storm Corps, these mutants cultivated certain varieties of fungi within their fortifications to supplement their food stores. Not only that, but the brutes had also utilized crude production equipment to modify weapons, and had even smelted ore to manufacture their own gear. These forged weapons were typically crude, and the DIY-modified firearms were often inferior in quality compared to their original state. Even so, compared to Scavenger, who could barely even hold a pair of chopsticks properly, their craftsmanship was remarkably dexterous. Moreover, far from being discouraged by the inefficiency of their modifications, they took great delight in the process, to the point where a specialized subgroup had evolved within their population. Certain large-caliber rifles, loaded with excessive powder charges and firing chromium-laced rounds, could punch through 45-millimeter hardened steel plate from a distance of one hundred meters. Such a thing could hardly be called a rifle anymore—it had firmly entered the realm of light artillery. Even for a human Awakened, wielding it without an exoskeleton would prove quite a challenge. "They're developing creativity, just like those mutants in the Great Desert and the ones we ran into back in Jinhe City..." Commander Spring fiddled with the massive gun—thick as a man's calf—pondered for a moment, and tossed it back into the cart of spoils. "You call this creativity?" I'm the Darkest said dismissively. "Don't underestimate these guys. Creativity is the prime driving force behind the birth of any civilization, regardless of its form. Knowledge, on the other hand, is merely one of the fruits borne by it." As he spoke, Commander Spring glanced around at the manufacturing equipment inside the cave, a faint trace of worry surfacing between his brows. The trouble left behind by the Church of the Torch was likely far more than a few strands of coded genes and a handful of Na fruits... Regardless, this battle had concluded with an overwhelming Alliance victory. Although remnants of the mutants still lurked within the subterranean tunnels, wiping them out was only a matter of time, just like on Black Cloud Mountain. Of the ten natural fortresses across Ten Peaks Mountain, three were now firmly in the hands of the joint forces. Currently, construction crews from the Southern Construction Corps had already begun marching toward Fushan, preparing to tunnel through the mountains, lay concrete highways, and build railways cutting straight across the range. Opening a gateway from Jinchuan Province to Haiya Province was just around the corner! Word of the glorious victory quickly spread from the front line to the rear, echoing throughout the entire Fushan Military Base. The Alliance's Storm Corps had made a resounding name for itself among the joint forces! As for the Legion, they had unfortunately played the fool. While their combat prowess was undeniably formidable and their ferocious offensive had indeed inflicted massive casualties on the mutants, it was also an undeniable fact that they had launched an unauthorized assault without coordinating with their allies. Had they won, it might have been excused. The critical issue was that not only had they failed to secure the peak, but they had also nearly been driven off their positions on Black Cloud Mountain by the mutants' counterattack. This time, even General Babita of the Xilan Empire was at a loss for how to spin it in their favor... ... The Storm Corps handed over the positions on Broken Blade Mountain to Enterprise's 100th Mountain Division. The next peak ahead was both the highest and the most treacherous mountain in the Ten Peaks range. In the old days, it was called Snow Peak, but wastelanders knew it as Blood Peak. Rumor had it that the Blood Hoof Clan entrenched there was the largest and most heterogeneous mutant branch across the entire mountain range. They bred all manner of bizarre "grotesqueries." Unlike those "stumpies," these half-human abominations were exceedingly dangerous. Ordinary survivors would rather take an arduous detour through perilous paths than pass anywhere near their territory. However, while ordinary merchant caravans could detour, the joint forces could not afford to bypass them and leave their supply lines directly beneath the enemy's nose. The assault on this position was assigned to the Academy's Alpha Mobile Task Force. Having witnessed the "strength" of the Legion and Enterprise, their friends from the north seemed eager to show off their own hand. Around the same time, the *Heart of Steel* arrived at the perimeter of the Weifu Military Base, docking not far from the airship *Loyalty*. Meanwhile, inside the meeting room of the Joint Operations Command Center at Weifu Military Base, a bustling crowd filled the seats. Enterprise officers had arrived early and taken their seats at the conference table. A single division headquarters had brought five or six officers, second in headcount only to Xilan—which had sent thirty thousand troops, lost an entire ten thousand along the way, and whose chiliarchs had dragged themselves along to puff up their numbers simply because the lunchboxes were free. The Academy's Alpha Mobile Task Force had sent only one commander. The Free State's "Hound" Special Forces had sent two, a commander and a deputy. The remainder consisted of over twenty commanders representing the Lion, Honey Badger, Camel Hump, Golden Lizard, and Falcon Kingdoms, as well as various other survivor factions. The Legion's representative was the last to arrive, and General Lium came entirely alone. Watching the tardy General Lium enter, Lin Shangwen said nothing, but the two officers seated beside him exchanged a glance, their faces breaking into knowing smirks. One of them tore off a sheet of paper from his notepad, folded it into a paper airplane, and gave his colleague a sly wink. "Watch closely. I'm only demonstrating this once." With a light flick of his wrist, he tossed the plane. It deliberately dived straight under the table, but instead of reaching down to pick it up, he let out an exaggerated cough. "...That one didn't count. Let me try again." The representatives of the other survivor factions had no knowledge of the previous night's phone call, so the performance art went completely over their heads. The Enterprise officers, however, understood perfectly, every one of them suppressing their chuckles. Even Lin Shangwen's adjutant could barely keep a straight face. Lin Shangwen himself coughed softly, using his eyes to remind the paper-airplane flier what kind of occasion this was. Lium's eyebrow twitched violently. Keeping a sullen face, he refused to look in their direction and silently took his seat all by himself. The commander of the Alpha Mobile Task Force cast an emotionless gaze over him. Those cold eyes seemed to see through everything, yet he offered no comment. The two Free State commanders exchanged glances and whispered to each other, seemingly weighing the situation. Sensing the hostile atmosphere arrayed against the Legion at the table, General Babita of the Xilan Empire keenly sniffed an opportunity to curry favor. Wearing a fawning grin, he attempted to butter up Lium. Yet after several rebuffs from a cold Lium, he could only withdraw in sheepish embarrassment. Seeing that everyone was present, Vannus, seated at the head of the conference table, stacked his documents and stood up. "Very well. Let us begin the meeting—" Before the words had completely left his mouth, a voice from the floor cut him off. "Hold on." Vannus turned toward the speaker, finding General Lium looking right at him. His expression remained utterly unperturbed. "Is there a problem, Mr. Lium?" Lium stared hard at Vannus for a long moment, but the latter showed no reaction whatsoever, merely returning his gaze with unflinching calm. Seeing that Vannus was entirely unbothered, Lium suddenly smiled, his tense expression seemingly easing. Yet the ease was purely on the surface. His tone was as rigid as ever as he asked each word distinctly, "Where is Chu Guang?" Vannus looked at him and answered, "The Administrator is currently receiving General Li Jinrong's report and inspecting conditions across the military base." Evidently dissatisfied with the answer, Lium narrowed his eyes. "Why is he not presiding over a meeting of such importance?" Vannus continued with meticulous formality, "Precisely because it is important, he has chosen to entrust it to a professional like me." "A professional?" Lium let out a chuckle, his face steeped in derision. He hardly believed that a mere former millenary of cannon fodder could possess any grand insights. Still, harping on past ranks would only make him look petty. Laughing it off, he launched an attack from another angle instead. "And what about him? As the supreme commander of the joint forces, what is his function?" Vannus answered succinctly, "In the Administrator's own words: getting you to sit here is his job. If you feel you are inadequate for this assignment, you may voice it now. We will coordinate with your superiors and arrange for someone who is up to the task." Lium glared at him with piercing fury, but in the end, he swallowed his anger and sat obediently before the table. Vannus nodded to him without another word, cleared his throat, and said, "Now then, the meeting shall begin." ... In a corner of the Weifu Military Base, by the entrance of a three-story concrete building, Chu Guang was inspecting the forward field research institute, accompanied by Li Jinrong. Specimens sent back from the front line were stored here. Among them were specimens from the Stone Horn Clan, as well as the Rock Axe Clan that had just been routed by the Storm Corps, along with that massive creature that had constantly bellowed "Oulong." Transporting that behemoth from the front line had been no small feat; Enterprise had specifically dispatched an Orca transport plane for the job. Presently, a joint research team from Enterprise and the Alliance was dissecting the specimens, attempting to unravel the secrets within. Leaving the facility in Heya's capable hands, Chu Guang led Li Jinrong, Lyu Bei, and their entourage toward the military base's largest mess hall. As they walked, Xiao Qi spoke in a faintly anxious voice. "Is it really alright to leave that meeting to Vannus?" It recalled that before arriving here, Chu Guang had once mentioned the Legion's attitude toward Vannus and the other Wilante who had chosen to remain with the Alliance. While Vannus was undeniably capable and his loyalty to the Alliance was beyond reproach, Xiao Qi still worried that having him chair the meeting might provoke the Legion's displeasure. Detecting the concern in Xiao Qi's tone, Chu Guang smiled faintly and replied in a soft whisper, "Like Yin Fang, he is an expert in his field, unsurpassed in strategic deployment and cross-branch coordination. Leaving it to him is the best choice. As for the Legion, their opinions are important, but not so important that we must cater to every individual's personal feelings. If Lium can't even overcome a petty grudge, it only proves he isn't cut out for the job, and I will recommend that their Marshal replace him." Chu Guang was well aware that his own strengths did not lie in mapping out the minute tactical details of a battle or micromanaging the conduct of a war. It was just like how his players knew what kind of games were fun, but might not possess the expertise to code a game that suited the majority's tastes. Delegating specific tasks to specialized talents was always the best course of action. As for himself, so long as he comfortably served as the joint forces' mascot, there was no need to personally position every single machine gun nest or oversee every skirmish. Doing so would not only give the soldiers a headache, but the generals would also find it unbearable. With that spare time, he would much rather stroll through the settlement and see how his little players were developing the area. Noticing the satisfied smile on Chu Guang's face, Li Jinrong gathered that he was in good spirits. After turning the matter over in his mind, he spoke up. "My Lord, there is a matter... that wasn't convenient to discuss over the phone. I must report it to you in person." Chu Guang replied, "Go ahead. No need to ask for permission." "Understood..." Pondering how to phrase it, Li Jinrong continued with a hesitant tone, "Some time ago, the Xilan expeditionary force began clearing wasteland and farming north of the Wei River. At first, we didn't think much of it, assuming it was just their peculiar training regimen. But later... they seemed to have put the cart before the horse." A bizarre expression settled over his face the moment the Xilan Empire's expeditionary force was mentioned. He had wanted to complain about them ever since they first arrived. Those fellows didn't look like they had come to fight a war at all; they looked like a traveling comedy troupe. Leaving aside the ten thousand who had somehow wandered off to Baiyue Province, none of the twenty thousand who had reached the front line looked remotely like soldiers. Particularly after suffering a defeat a while back, that General Babita had simply procured a batch of farming tools and distributed them to his men. At first, Li Jinrong hadn't wanted to interfere, but the land they cultivated grew larger and larger, until they had claimed forty to fifty square kilometers along the riverbank. Some of that land had originally been earmarked by the Southern Construction Corps for soldiers who had helped construct the Weifu Military Base, leading to several friction points between the two sides. Upon learning that the farming tools in their hands had been sold to them by vault residents, Li Jinrong hadn't been sure whether this had been the Administrator's intention, so he took this opportunity to ask. Chu Guang was mildly surprised to hear this, though he didn't mind. "If they truly aren't suited for combat, staying in the rear to farm is fine too." He had heard that the expeditionary force's 3rd Myriad had performed admirably in the Baiyue Strait, having established a second harbor, Youtiao Port, under the leadership of his little players. If these men could contribute to the reconstruction of the Weifu region, it wouldn't be a bad thing. Attacking Ten Peaks Mountain was a short-term tactical objective; eradicating the Church of the Torch was a medium-term strategic necessity. Yet at its core, "wasteland reconstruction" was the Alliance's ultimate, long-term undertaking. Whether it was developing Baiyue Province, rebuilding Jinchuan Province, or reviving Bolo Province, the Southern Sea, Haiya Province, and every other corner of the wasteland, it all fell under this long-term goal. It was merely a question of order and priority. "However... how should the land ownership be handled?" Li Jinrong asked, raising the question that concerned his soldiers the most. Many in the Southern Construction Corps were reformed convicts sent from the penal battalions, while others were nearby vagrants or volunteers who had migrated from other Alliance territories. Aside from a small minority driven by the ideal of rebuilding the wasteland, most people held far more pragmatic aspirations. Namely, the land promised by the Alliance. Many of them had no place left to call home, and all pinned their hopes on a fresh start. The Alliance had promised to help them carve out homes of their own in the southernmost part of Jinchuan Province. Yet the sudden influx of massive numbers of outsiders had left many feeling disoriented, particularly when those outsiders began encroaching upon what should have been their living space. The most glaring example was the Xilan expeditionary force. Having supposedly come to fight a war, they had instead set their sights on the fertile land north of the Wei River. Then there were merchant groups from survivor settlements like Mafu Town. Unable to ride trains to the front line, they rode horses and drove ox carts just to hawk goods at the front, even moving in to occupy abandoned villages that the Construction Corps had already surveyed. From the Alliance's perspective, this was naturally a good thing. But from the perspective of the grassroots personnel, it was an entirely different story. They welcomed the freeloaders from Ideal City and the Academy, felt neutral toward the Wilante of the Legion, but harbored deep irritation and outright hostility toward the Rat Clan of the Xilan Empire and the outside merchants muscling in on their livelihood. As the head of the Southern Construction Corps, Li Jinrong found himself caught between the rank-and-file and the upper leadership. He had to carry out his duties, yet he could not ignore the sentiments of his men. Above all, the Administrator's attitude was what mattered most. Thus, he had sought out a less sensitive angle to test Chu Guang's intentions. Seeing right through Li Jinrong's thoughts and dilemma, Chu Guang refrained from calling him out directly, merely smiling as he spoke. "It will be settled naturally, as it should be. The wasteland has no shortage of land; whoever clears it owns it... Of course, putting it that way wouldn't be fair to you and your men. After all, you poured immense sweat into building this military base." Li Jinrong quickly explained, "We wouldn't dare complain... It is our duty." Noticing his anxiety, Chu Guang chuckled. "Nothing is merely 'your duty.' Since I promised that virtue and merit would shine in Alliance society, I will ensure your contributions receive ample reward. You need not worry about that." "Jinchuan Province doesn't have just one river. There are over a hundred tributaries along the Tianshui River, and countless arable fields to go around. Besides, farming isn't the only livelihood in the Alliance. In the future, the Weifu Wasteland will become a thriving settlement, and the land beneath your feet will be the 'Changjiu Farm' of Weifu City. I've said this much; you understand what I mean, don't you?" Li Jinrong straightened up and nodded solemnly. "I understand!" "Like hell you understand," Chu Guang said with a laugh, patting his shoulder before adopting a grave, heartfelt tone. "I want you all to look further ahead. Don't always fixate on the petty interests right in front of your eyes. Squabbling with vagrants over plots of dirt and fighting with peddlers over market stalls—is that what you should be doing?" "Don't assume that because I sit inside a vault, I know nothing of what happens out here. I'm not blind to the frictions between your men, the expeditionary soldiers, and the residents of Mafu Town. Bickering over a field by the Wei River or a dilapidated building in Kun Town—to be honest, I find it laughable." "Remember your name: you are the Construction Corps. Your mission is not merely to erect a military base, but to ensure that those who wish to farm have fields to cultivate, and those who wish to trade have an environment to conduct business. One day they will leave, but not all of them will. You must ensure that those who stay do so with gratitude toward us, and those who eventually depart carry admiration for us back to their homelands." "And what you will gain is not merely honor, but a brand-new settlement, a new home where you can start your lives anew! Don't many of your men have no way back to Boulder City? And some made mistakes in Dawn City and lack the face to see their families there. Including yourself—you can't return to Haiya Province. While that was not your fault, you were once part of the Iron Tower Organization, so you cannot say their collapse had nothing to do with you!" "Never say the Alliance or I haven't given you a chance. The land beneath your feet is your Dawn City. What you are doing now is identical to what we did back then: rebuilding a new order—a better order—upon an anarchic wasteland!" Looking at the pensive Li Jinrong, Chu Guang withdrew his hand from his shoulder and locked eyes with him, speaking with intense gravity. "That is my greatest expectation for you, for your men, and for the entire Southern Construction Corps." "I apologize..." Li Jinrong lowered his head in shame, speaking with genuine self-reflection. "I have failed your expectations." So many people who could have been united were already standing right here, yet they had failed to unite them. Seen in this light, the ones who had put the cart before the horse were neither the Xilan expeditionary force nor the bumpkins from Mafu Town competing for trade, but rather themselves—the ones who possessed the power to effect change. Only at this moment did he truly understand where the problem lay. "Haha, it's not that dire! Your contributions are plain for all to see," Chu Guang laughed, casting his eyes over the surrounding installations. "To be fair, this military base is built exceptionally well. The hardware is beyond reproach; it is the soft foundation built atop it that requires strengthening." Li Jinrong declared resolutely, "Once I return, I will convene officers of all ranks across the corps for a thorough self-examination! We will enforce discipline from top to bottom!" Chu Guang advised, "Don't just enforce discipline. Aside from setting demands, you must also genuinely resolve the concerns of the rank-and-file. The Southern Construction Corps is not a regular army, after all. Aside from a few who hold formal ranks and postings, most are here to pioneer new land. These men will work for two or three years at most before transitioning to civilian life locally. Seeing vagrants come in to pluck the fruits of their labor, it would be strange if they weren't anxious. You need to secure their future." "For instance, the construction equipment used to build the military base is still here. Now that the base is complete, you can take those idle workers and refurbish the nearby infrastructure. While paving roads, construct houses to distribute to the pioneers who shed sweat and blood opening this frontier. That way, they won't fret over latecomers reaping what they sowed, and they will better understand and support your work." "Such things cannot rely on slogans and mobilization alone. You must unite your own people first before you can hope to unite others." If Refugee Home was designed to absorb the vast, volatile population of wastelanders and help those disconnected from civilized society reintegrate, then the Southern Construction Corps was Chu Guang's experiment in actively driving the Alliance's outward expansion. If utilized properly, it could transform individuals who had undergone reform through labor in "penal battalions" and "POW camps" into units akin to "settlers" from *Civilization VI*, establishing more base areas for the Alliance. Baiyue Company was essentially a similar concept, differing only in name, operating agents, and internal mechanics. It was a playstyle the players had gradually carved out for themselves across game patches. In truth, Chu Guang hoped the Alliance's NPCs would become as proactive as the players, taking the initiative to explore the path of rebuilding civilization. Yet having served as the Administrator for so long, he had come to understand the sheer difficulty of such an endeavor. Their loyalty was beyond question, as was their devotion to the unity and equality he advocated—after all, most of them were beneficiaries of those very ideals. Loyalty aside, their faith and conviction bordered on fanaticism; some even wished to elevate him to a divine pedestal alongside the Great Horned Deer God. Yet whenever he mentioned that the Alliance's ultimate goal was to bring an end to the Wasteland Era, whether it was Lyu Bei standing behind him, Wrench guarding the frontiers, or Luca dutifully governing as mayor, they inevitably displayed expressions of bewilderment. Just like real NPCs. He could sense that their confusion did not stem from doubt regarding the Alliance's philosophy, nor did they question his words—otherwise, they would never have followed him this far. Rather, in the eyes of many, the wasteland had already ended for the Alliance. Why strive to end something that no longer seemed to exist? They had even gained the recognition of venerable survivor factions like the Legion, the Academy, and Enterprise, alongside the respect of younger survivor powers. Continuing along the current path was already good enough; venturing into new territory would only incur unnecessary risks. Aside from the players, the only ones who truly understood him were perhaps Yin Fang, Heya, Old Charlie, Vannus, and a handful of others... For some reason, Chu Guang suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for the Legion's Marshal. Though he did not know what kind of life that man led, if he had truly lived until now as the Legion claimed, the Wilante comrades who had stood beside him in the beginning had long turned to dust... Whether it was Vannus presiding over the meeting, or Lium sitting gloomily at the table, they were merely the great-great-great-grandsons of that man's old comrades-in-arms. Chu Guang could hardly fathom how grueling this game of chess would have been without those fearless little players... Watching Li Jinrong's receding figure in the distance, Chu Guang let out a long, quiet sigh. "Xiao Qi, our journey is long, and the burden is heavy." As if picking up on the melancholy in his voice, or perhaps sharing his sentiment, Xiao Qi whispered softly in his ear. "Indeed, Master."