There was no other way; the scale of this operation was immense. The military was taking a huge risk, hence this grand mobilization. Bombing had already commenced, leaving no room for retreat; they had to raze this place to the ground, with no turning back. Bai Qingcheng said.
I had to admit, this scheme of mine was indeed perilous. Causing such a massive stir, what would the global public think?
"Perhaps we should call it off?" I suggested. "The fortifications and traps inside are likely mostly destroyed by the bombardment. It should be our turn to reap the rewards."
"You decide." Bai Qingcheng handed the command over to me.
However, before the order to cease bombing could be issued, the next wave arrived. Since they were already here, might as well finish dropping their payload before leaving.
After the final round of bombing, the entire hillside of Furong Town, along with the woodland above the long tunnel stretching from the abandoned copper mine to Furong Town, was engulfed in raging infernos, showing signs of spreading.
Just as I was contemplating whether to extinguish the fires to prevent a forest conflagration, heaven seemed to aid the self-reliant. The clear sky from half an hour ago suddenly turned overcast. A strong gust of wind whipped up scorching sand and stones, pelting down with a rustling sound. Before long, a torrential downpour began, shrouding the entire Furong Town in rain, forming a colossal curtain of water.
Taking advantage of the heavy rain to quell the flames and reduce the temperature, we simultaneously infiltrated the underground space from both the tunnel and our position. The ground-penetrating bombs were truly formidable. The underground complex was virtually turned into a disaster zone, resembling a mine collapse. The once wide passages were now half-blocked by rubble and debris, with many sections becoming semi-enclosed spaces, though still passable.
I was unaware of the combat situation at the copper mine, but our progress was exceptionally smooth. Although the members of the Chi You organization were not killed by the "Flame Bomb," many were crushed by falling roofs and beams. Those captured were apprehended, and Bai Qingcheng showed no mercy to those who offered futile resistance, eliminating them all.
Advancing about three hundred meters, we encountered the arrogant woman from before. Unfortunately, she had already met her end, crushed by a collapsed stone beam.
What a shame. Although this woman's cultivation level wasn't high, her martial foundation was extremely solid. If she had joined Shabiya, she might have become the next Chu Qi.
We continued our search and advance. After about an hour, we successfully rendezvoused with the members of the special operations team. After exchanging information, we had apprehended or killed a total of 204 members of the Chi You organization, essentially annihilating them.
Only one person was not accounted for: the Miao King. Neither side had found any trace of him.
"What does the Miao King actually look like?" I asked. I had always considered him a formidable enemy, yet I had never seen him.
Bai Qingcheng opened her phone and showed me a picture of a man. He had handsome features, a tall and slender physique, and wore a gray outfit. He carried a dark wood staff, exuding a somewhat chivalrous demeanor.
"Is the Miao King a Miao person?" I asked.
"Guess?" Bai Qingcheng chuckled.
"A child," I guessed, "Why guess? Looking at his features, doesn't he seem like a Han person?" I inquired.
Bai Qingcheng shook her head. "No, not Han, but..."
She spoke two words, and I understood.
In the Miao territory, there was a special profession called Miao Wu. Their primary duty was to inherit Miao sorcery and蛊术 (gu-arts), and to protect the Miao people's faith and ancestral lineage. Therefore, Miao Wu were highly esteemed in Miao territory. Miao Wu not only inherited bloodlines but also possessed formidable power. Every disciple of a Miao Wu could become an elite member of the Chi You organization, serving as its most crucial source of strength. The so-called Four Protectors and Eight Heavenly Kings were, in fact, Miao Wu.
However, even the most powerful sorcerers couldn't withstand ground-penetrating bombs. In a way, this could be understood as a form of "sorcery," though we were more accustomed to calling it "technology."
"With their stronghold destroyed, the Miao King likely won't be able to stir up much trouble. Let's withdraw," Bai Qingcheng ordered.
The battle concluded rather abruptly. I still felt somewhat disoriented. The most powerful organization of the Shan Hai demon race had been eradicated just like that.