58: Reinforce Yuancheng
It was already dark.
Jiang City was several hundred kilometers from Yuan City.
If they drove, it would take at least ten hours.
He did not know what Rank President Wu’s cultivation was, but even a Rank 4 powerhouse would face some danger when traveling through the wilderness at night.
Why would they arrange to depart at night?
President Wu patted Jiang Fan’s shoulder.
“Hahaha, we’re taking a train this time!”
After he finished speaking, he added, “A military train!”
Seeing Jiang Fan’s confusion, President Wu continued to explain, “The team dispatched this time is from our Jiangcheng Military Sub-district!”
“There’s a military train line between Jiang City and Yuan City!”
“The President just communicated with the military, and they agreed to let us ride in their transport carriage!”
“This train will depart in about half an hour!”
After he finished speaking, President Wu checked his watch.
“It’s almost time now; we need to head to the Military Sub-district!”
“Let’s go; we can discuss any questions as we walk!”
...The Jiang City Military Sub-district was located about 5 kilometers from the Jiangcheng Martial Arts Association.
As the group exited the Martial Arts Association’s main gate, a jeep was already waiting on the road. Seeing them emerge, the driver quickly opened the door and invited them in.
About ten minutes later, the car stopped at the entrance of the Jiangcheng Military Sub-district.
After President Wu explained their purpose, a Soldier ran out from the compound a short while later.
After confirming their identities, he led the group deeper into the compound.
Jiang Fan curiously surveyed his surroundings and asked, “The train drives directly inside here?”
President Wu chuckled, “That’s right. You know, the fastest way for the military to deploy troops is by plane, but within the train’s range and in less urgent situations, the most important mode of transportation is still the train!”
“On one hand, trains can transport more troops and equipment!”
“On the other hand, to some extent, it’s safer than planes, for example, when encountering a Flying Exotic Beast!”
“So, there are direct train lines between every Theater/Military Region and Military Sub-district, forming a network for troop deployment to facilitate rapid deployment at any time!”
Jiang Fan’s heart tightened.
“Will there be Flying Exotic Beasts this time?”
President Wu shook his head.
“Our information came from the Headquarters Association, and their information came from the military!”
“The military didn’t mention anything about it!”
“But I think the scale of this deployment isn’t large, and they still chose the train, so there must be some reason for it. It’s better to be careful!”
Jiang Fan nodded...The group walked and chatted. After about 5 minutes, they saw from a distance that a large number of Soldiers were loading weapons onto a train on a makeshift platform.
Beside them, a lieutenant in military uniform was busily giving commands.
This train was not long, with only four carriages in total.
The two rear carriages were for equipment, and the two front carriages were presumably for the Soldiers to ride in.
The Soldier led President Wu and the others. When they were several tens of meters from the lieutenant, he left them, ran forward, came before the lieutenant, saluted, and then announced loudly, “Reporting, sir! The Martial Arts Association personnel have arrived!”
The lieutenant turned to look at President Wu and his group, then waved to the Soldiers nearby and shouted, “The train is departing soon! Everyone, hurry up!”
“I want all work completed within 10 minutes!”
“Otherwise, don’t bother getting on the train!”
After giving his orders, he turned around and walked towards President Wu.
“President Wu, a pleasure to meet you!”
“I am Jiao Yang, Company Commander of the 9th Company, 28th Regiment, 11th Division of the Central Theater Command Jiangcheng Military Sub-district, in charge of eradicating the exotic beasts in Yuan City this time!”
“Are all your people here?”
Jiao Yang glanced at President Wu, and at the same time, looked at Jiang Fan and the others beside him, without showing any expression on his face.
President Wu extended his hand and chuckled, “Everyone’s here, just the four of us!”
“Company Commander Jiao, you’ve worked hard!”
After Jiao Yang shook hands with President Wu, he gestured with an outstretched hand, inviting them to proceed.
“You’re welcome!”
“This way, please!”
Throughout, he did not utter a single unnecessary word!
After the group was seated in the carriage, Jiao Yang excused himself and returned to the platform to continue directing.
The shouting of him reprimanding the Soldiers reached their ears through the train window.
Li Yutang couldn’t help but say, “Uncle Wu, how could he...”
As the words left his mouth, he didn’t know how to describe it and got stuck.
President Wu knew what Li Yutang was thinking and prompted him, “You want to say... cold?”
Li Yutang immediately slapped his forehead.
“Yes, exactly! Cold!”
“You are the Vice President of the Jiangcheng City Martial Arts Association, and even a Rank 4 powerhouse, but it feels like he doesn’t show you much respect!”
President Wu smiled slightly and looked at Jiang Fan.
“Do you feel that way too?”
Jiang Fan shook his head.
“I just feel like he doesn’t seem to care much about us!”
President Wu and Wei Xin exchanged glances, then suddenly laughed, “You two are still too young!”
“This time, the Jiangcheng Military Region is the main force reinforcing Yuan City!”
“Originally, they could handle it themselves, but now they have to bring along ‘burdens’ like us, so it’s natural for them to be a bit displeased!”
“However, this is an order from a superior, and they have no choice but to comply, so a cold attitude is normal!”
“In my opinion, the fact that they aren’t speaking harshly is already a sign of great respect!”
Li Yutang was stunned.
“Us? Burdens?”
President Wu shook his head.
“In their eyes, for our Martial Arts Association to use the battlefield for practice, aren’t we just burdens!”
“But you don’t need to overthink it!”
“The military’s style has always been like this: focusing on the task, not the person!”
“Even if I am the Vice President of the Martial Arts Association and stronger than him, we belong to two different Systems and have no subordinate relationship, so they don’t need to accommodate us!”
“And...”
President Wu paused and said, “And the military has always been on the front lines in China blocking exotic beasts. They hold a special status in our China, so a bit of arrogance is also normal!”
Upon hearing this, Li Yutang nodded and let the matter drop...About ten minutes later, the equipment was loaded onto the train.
Under Jiao Yang’s command, all the Soldiers lined up neatly and boarded the train in an orderly fashion.
In less than two minutes, everyone was seated, in perfect unison.
Almost at the same instant, the train’s whistle sounded.
A massive object billowing thick steam slowly pulled out of the Military Sub-district.
Upon reaching the Jiang City wall, a huge gate in the wall opened.
After the train had left Jiang City, the gate slowly closed.
This was Jiang Fan’s first time taking a train through the wilderness at night, and he unconsciously looked out the window, feeling a sense of novelty!