122: Chapter 122 The Crow Takes Flight

In the shadows of the Bell Tower.

On Chen Xi's retina, a translucent 3D model of the Command Center building was quietly rotating.

A fragile green thread, representing the only way out, meandered into the heart of the building.

And the three blood-red crosses on the route were like three Swords of Damocles hanging overhead, emitting a lethal chill.

A five percent success rate.

(No, now it's not even one percent.)

Chen Xi's thoughts were as cold as a computer's.

His gaze fell on the periphery of the model, on several light spots moving along fixed routes, representing patrols and armored vehicles.

(These are the biggest variables, drifting outside the chessboard.)

(Before I climb that building, I must move all these mobile 'eyes' away.)

His consciousness connected to the encrypted channel of the "Great Wall."

"Director Long."

"I need to create chaos."

"A chaos sufficient to lure that tin-clad mad dog at the entrance away from its nest."

On the other end of the communication channel, Director Long's voice rang out immediately without the slightest hesitation.

"Understood. Intelligence Team, History Team, perform target screening immediately."

"We need a high-value target. A target that the Sixth Division headquarters deems more important than the division commander's residence."

Inside the 2026 Command Center, the massive state machine began to operate frantically.

Historians flipped through dusty archives, while intelligence analysts conducted rapid regional value assessments on the map of Nanjing.

In less than three minutes.

A location marked with a red circle appeared on Chen Xi's retinal map.

"South of the city, the Third Granary."

Old Qian's voice, tinged with excitement and hoarseness, came through.

"According to the Japanese Army logistics archives we decrypted, this place stores all the supplies for the Sixth Division for the next half month, including a large amount of canned food, sake, and... opium."

"Its strategic value far exceeds that of an empty headquarters."

Chen Xi couldn't help but sneer.

(Very well.)

(Then let's light a fire and treat them to a drink.)

From his system space, he took out the item disguised as an [Insect Specimen Box].

He opened it.

Inside were hundreds of mechanical "Moths" quietly lying in wait.

No, this time, they were no longer Moths.

Using his mind, he quickly modified the shell parameters of these micro-Drones.

The form of each "Moth" began to change; their wings grew wider, and their color shifted from grayish-white to a pure, pitch-black that could blend into the night.

[Armed Swarm - Night Owl Mode]

(No, calling them crows would be more appropriate.)

Chen Xi grumbled inwardly.

He set half of the "Crows" to carry high-explosive payloads.

The other half carried high-combustion white phosphorus payloads.

Target: Locked onto the Third Granary in the south of the city.

"Go."

He opened the specimen box.

Hundreds of black "Crows" rose silently like ghosts, their wings flapping as they instantly merged into the pitch-black night sky of Nanjing.

The audience in the Livestream room was completely stunned the moment the Drone's first-person view was activated.

[Holy crap? What is this? Has Master Xi changed careers to become a birdman?]

[This perspective... is it a crow? In the middle of the night, it's so damn creepy!]

[I have a bad feeling; something big is about to happen.]

[Stop arguing, you lot, and watch closely! This is Master Xi playing chess! A grand game of chess!]

The "Crows" flew at high speeds at a low altitude, hugging the contours of the city's ruins.

They precisely avoided the Japanese Army's lookouts and searchlights, like a swarm of messengers from hell, charging straight toward the south of the city.

Five minutes later.

They arrived above the Third Granary.

Chen Xi didn't hesitate for a second and issued the attack command.

"Execute 'Judgment'."

The first batch of "Crows" carrying high-explosive payloads, like arrows of the Grim Reaper, dove precisely into a well-disguised small ammunition and fuel supply depot next to the granary.

There was no earth-shattering roar.

Only a series of muffled thuds, like a heart being struck by a heavy hammer.

Immediately following.

The second batch of "Crows" carrying white phosphorus payloads dove down.

Their targets were not the sturdy warehouses, but the blasted openings and the splashed fuel.

The next second.

"BOOM—!!!!!"

A massive, pale-white fireball soared into the sky.

The terrifying high temperature instantly detonated the entire fuel depot.

The violent explosion blew the entire roof off the granary, and countless burning rice bags and wood chips scattered in all directions like falling flowers.

The entire southern part of Nanjing was illuminated as bright as day.

Piercing sirens instantly echoed throughout the city.

Chen Xi remained lying in the shadows of the Bell Tower.

He like a patient hunter, coldly watched the prey's nest.

As expected.

In less than a minute.

The heavy steel gates of the Command Center were slammed open.

Two trucks full of Soldiers and the Type 94 Armored Vehicle that Chen Xi was so wary of roared their engines and rushed out of the gate in a panic, speeding toward the south of the city.

[Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit! Master Xi is awesome!!!]

[A diversion! A textbook diversion! Those bastards really fell for it!]

[Trading a granary to draw away the headquarters' strongest mobile defense force! This trade is worth it!]

[Master Xi: I predicted your prediction!]

Chen Xi watched the receding headlights, his face devoid of expression.

On the retinal map, the red spots moving at high speed were getting further and further away from the Command Center.

(Golden window of opportunity: thirty minutes.)

He stowed away the [slingshot] and checked his equipment.

Then he stood up and pulled up the hood of his [Chameleon Cloak].

His figure, like ink dropped into water, slowly merged with the surrounding darkness.

(Court is in session.)

(Now, it's time to go and collect our evidence.)

He leaped down from the Bell Tower, landing silently.

A true ghost, he began to sneak toward that demon's nest, which seemed poorly defended but was still fraught with lethal danger.