Shackles of Humanity

Luo Kai wanted to ask Hongyun more about how to use Hydro Power, but when he went outside, she had already vanished.

Outside, dark, oppressive clouds filled the sky, unleashing a torrential downpour. For a mountainous region like Tieheng Mountain, a storm like this was a once-in-a-century event. The rain washed away the stench of gunpowder from the war, and the air grew fresh once more.

Luo Kai walked aimlessly for a while before stopping in a small alley, where he stood quietly in the downpour. He suddenly understood what made Elemental Masters so formidable. Their true strength wasn’t in their physical bodies or even their combat prowess, but in their ability to control local weather. Take today’s storm, for example. If the deluge he and Hongyun had summoned together were to continue, it would surely trigger floods, or even flash floods and mudslides.

On deeper reflection, he realized water was also a crucial weather regulator. It could bring humid air or, just as easily, cold fronts. When it was gone, drought would blanket the land.

Although Elemental Masters like them could only affect the weather locally, all of humanity—all life, really—was dwarfed by the power of nature. If a massive flash flood were to erupt, even this fortress, hailed as impregnable, would crumble.

Having come to this understanding, Luo Kai let go of his desire to ask about using Hydro Power in combat. He tilted his head back and looked at the dark clouds. His heart began to race as his consciousness seeped into the cloud layer, guiding them to disperse. Under the influence of his will, the thick clouds gradually thinned, eventually vanishing from the sky.

The sky cleared, and sunlight returned to the land. After it was all done, a weary Luo Kai rubbed his brow. He felt that dispersing the clouds was far more exhausting than gathering them. The main reason was that he had summoned the storm with someone else’s Power, but now he was acting alone.

At that moment, in the central strategy room of Ironwood Castle, Hongyun stood at a window, staring at the sky in utter astonishment. When she saw the clouds disperse completely, she couldn’t help but mutter to herself, ’Such powerful Spiritual Power. I’ve really hit the jackpot this time.’

"Ms. Hongyun, what did you just say?"

Several men in military uniforms were also in the conference room. The epaulet on one man’s shoulder bore one flower and three stars—he was, shockingly, a full general. The Xingma Kingdom had only one such general: Chang Yuan, Commander-in-Chief of the Tiger Soul Army. Unbeknownst to most, he had secretly returned to Ironwood Castle.

"It’s nothing. Please, continue." Hongyun turned and returned to her seat at the table.

Chang Yuan was a middle-aged man with graying temples who looked somewhat old for his years. He glanced at the rain, now subsiding outside the window, and a look of understanding dawned on his face. He smiled and said, "Thank you for the rain, Ms. Hongyun. Tieheng Mountain is a very arid region, so this storm will do wonders for this year’s vegetation."

Seeing that Hongyun didn’t seem inclined to speak, Chang Yuan cleared his throat and continued, "As it stands, Ironwood Castle is completely surrounded by the enemy, and my Tiger Soul Army is cut off. One could say we’ve reached our most perilous moment. However, I believe this presents a great opportunity. I have already ordered the Tiger Soul Army to storm White Bone Ridge. Once we take it, we can bombard the Southern Camp of the Nanzhao Kingdom, forcing the army besieging Ironwood Castle to fall back and provide relief!"

An older lieutenant general seated further down the table paled. "A classic diversionary tactic—attacking their rear to relieve the front. It could work, but it’s incredibly risky. General Chang, have you sought the Great Lord’s approval?"

Chang Yuan shook his head. "The situation on the battlefield is fluid; there was no time to ask the Great Lord. We all know that in this terrain, defending is far easier than attacking. It would be more difficult for the Tiger Soul Army to break the blockade and relieve Ironwood Castle than it would be to storm White Bone Ridge. Besides, the Tiger Soul Army only has three days of rations. Our only choice is to burn our bridges: take White Bone Ridge and assault the Nanzhao Kingdom’s Southern Camp."

"General, this is too reckless! If the Tiger Soul Army can’t take White Bone Ridge quickly, and Ironwood Castle falls to the Nanzhao Kingdom in the meantime, we’ll be doomed. Not only will our two-hundred-thousand-man army be annihilated, but control of the entire Tieheng Mountain will fall into Nanzhao hands. I recommend the Tiger Soul Army fall back and reinforce Ironwood Castle. As long as the castle holds, the Nanzhao Kingdom is powerless against us."

"The walls of Ironwood Castle are forged from ironstone. They are indestructible. The castle has never been breached in countless wars. As long as you all guard against infiltration and sabotage by Nanzhao spies, it is impossible for it to fall."

"General, the problem is we can’t get resupplied with provisions or ammunition. Moreover, the defenders are mostly Government Army soldiers and new recruits drawn from all over, none of whom have any real experience."

The subordinate generals all voiced their opposition, but Chang Yuan was adamant, refuting their points one by one. The conference room immediately erupted into a cacophony of argument.

Hongyun remained silent throughout the entire exchange, quietly spinning the teacup in her hands. She only rose to her feet when she saw dusk falling outside the window. "Generals, I have matters to attend to. I must be going."

"Ms. Hongyun, please wait a moment."

Chang Yuan quickly stopped her. He hesitated for a second before asking, "Ms. Hongyun, forgive me for asking, but how many times can you summon a downpour like that? And how long can you make it last each time?"

Hongyun understood what he was getting at. A heavy downpour would severely impede aircraft, and the combat effectiveness of various war machines would be drastically reduced. Some of the cruder ammunition and artillery might even become completely useless. While Ironwood Castle’s structures offered protection from the elements, the Nanzhao forces were completely exposed. The flimsy army tents they relied on would offer little protection from the rain, and their combat strength would plummet.

The other generals present also grasped Chang Yuan’s meaning, and they all turned to look at her with expressions of hope.

Hongyun’s brow furrowed. She was clearly displeased but explained patiently, "General Chang, we Elemental Masters are only human. A storm like that one is the absolute limit for a single person. Summoning one requires several days of rest to recover. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you."

Chang Yuan quickly waved his hands dismissively. "Having Ms. Hongyun here to lend her aid is already a blessing for our Xingma Kingdom. Forgive my presumptuousness."

After Hongyun left, Chang Yuan’s gaze remained fixed on the doorway. A long moment passed before he sighed, "Such a remarkable woman. A true pity, a pity indeed."

"General, if you’re interested, why not pursue her? If you could win over an Elemental Master, it would be a true blessing for the Xingma Kingdom!"

"Enough of that. I must return to the Tiger Soul Army’s main camp tonight. You must defend Ironwood Castle at all costs. You can report to the Great Lord and request assistance from the Military Punishment Department for the city’s defense!"

...

As night fell, the small mercenary squad began to gear up. Luo Kai awkwardly donned a black combat suit. It was a bulletproof design with ceramic plates stuffed into the chest and abdomen, making it very uncomfortable.

He picked out a rifle, a semi-automatic assault model equipped with a magazine and a scope. It had a larger caliber and packed a serious punch. Most importantly, the magazine held nearly thirty rounds and automatically chambered the next, unlike the old-fashioned, bolt-action rifles he was used to, which required reloading after every single shot.

Next, he selected two tactical daggers and strapped them to his calves. He glanced in a mirror and saw that he looked just like a special forces soldier from the movies of his past life—imposing and heroic. ’It’s true what they say,’ he thought, ’clothes really do make the man.’

Once they were geared up, the six of them gathered in an underground garage. Gao Gang held a military map and briefed them on the mission. Their objective was to break through the Nanzhao Kingdom’s blockade and make their way to Ping Mountain Port. Along the way, they were also to scout out the specific layout of the enemy’s blockade.

For Martial Artists, this mission wasn’t particularly difficult. No matter how tight the enemy’s blockade was, it couldn’t be completely without holes.

After he finished, Gao Gang kept glancing at his watch. Finally, he said, "Alright, it looks like Sister Hong isn’t coming. Let’s move out!"

Under the cover of the pitch-black night, the six of them departed from Ironwood Castle. Once they were beyond the range of the city’s defensive artillery, enemy figures began to appear.

Bear walked at the point. The man, built like a tower of iron, not only possessed astonishing Power, but also had an exceptionally keen sense of smell. He could distinguish the scent of animals from that of humans at a great distance, allowing them to silently bypass enemy sentry posts and patrolling soldiers.

Luo Kai brought up the rear. His Perception was even more acute, and the darkness had little effect on him. Compared to the caution of the others, he looked as if he were on a leisurely stroll.