Chapter 184: Chapter 77: Earthquake in Steel Dome City
Xu Mo seemed to understand that the elder wanted to groom him in a different direction.
He was neither a student at the academy, nor would he join the army.
He was expected to become a unique existence.
Although Dean Tantai had retired, he still possessed strong connections. Dean Nanming was an old friend, but setting that aside, immediately upon his retirement, two commanders sought him out.
Neither spoke much of Dean Tantai’s retirement, a trivial matter to men of their stature.
The commanders approached Dean Tantai, ostensibly to invite Xu Mo, and perhaps it truly was to invite him—but it was also a matter of courtesy, a statement of their attitudes.
After all, the cooling of tea after a guest leaves was too common an occurrence.
In the following days, Xu Mo and the others were busy purchasing furniture.
They also bought a few devices from Ruins World, since it was inconvenient to travel to the ruins outside the city for trials.
Ruins World was an excellent place for trials.
Lin Xi continued to work at the academy and became a link between the elders and the academy.
Furthermore, the struggle against the Academy Faction had not ceased.
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This operation was not just aimed at Noah Academy and Dean Tantai.
The investigation results of the major Extraordinary Academies were gradually released, causing quite a stir in Steel Dome City. The investigation was extremely thorough, covering a variety of incidents, which put Extraordinary Academy in a precarious position.
However, with the academy’s strong influence, the public could only hope for stricter regulation.
The issues surrounding Dean Tantai were, in fact, also undesired by the public.
But just when everyone thought things had settled down,
another explosive piece of news was released.
The Southern Army decided to live broadcast a military cleansing operation in the ruins.
They would conduct a military exercise in the southern part of Steel Dome City, clearing out monsters on a large scale, and broadcast it to the entire city.
This news caused a huge sensation.
The Southern Army held an extremely high status in the hearts of the citizens of Steel Dome City, with the highest ranking military leader, General Shen Qianzhong, coming from a civilian background.
Shen Qianzhong administered his troops with strict discipline and an iron-blooded style, and was absolutely loyal to the citizens of Steel Dome City, hence he was hailed as a Military God by the city’s populace.
Among the four major military factions of Steel Dome City, only Shen Qianzhong hailed from a civilian background, making the Southern Army the most trusted by the people.
Shen Qianzhong’s status in the minds of the people was not inferior to that of Dean Tantai.
For a time, all the citizens of Steel Dome City were looking forward to this military exercise.
Dean Tantai also received the news right away.
The actions of Shen Qianzhong seemed to hold deeper implications.
Shortly after the investigation into corruption at the academies concluded, Shen Qianzhong announced the military exercise, a connection that seemed profoundly meaningful and likely preluded further actions.
Xu Mo also took note of this event, following his teacher’s suggestion to watch the live broadcast.
The day arrived quickly.
Countless citizens of Steel Dome City looked up at the screens.
Xu Mo also turned on the live broadcast at home.
In the land of ruins, a long line of armored vehicles transported the Southern Army out of the city and into the ruins.
This exercise was carried out by the ground troops.
A flying device followed and filmed the event live.
Moreover, the exercise covered a very wide area, with coordinates marked out for a large-scale cleansing of monsters.
Armored vehicles, Mechas, and mechanical troops pushed forward as the exercise officially began.
“Quite an elaborate setup,” Dean Tantai remarked with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
It seemed that Shen Qianzhong belonged to a different faction.
“However, the military competence of the Southern Army is indeed very high,” the old man praised.
Xu Mo watched the massive advancement of the troops on the screen, now engaging the monsters directly and exchanging fire.
The military discipline was indeed very high; the various teams were neither a bit disordered nor was their formation disrupted. They advanced in an orderly manner and did not waste a single round of ammunition.
He thought of the scene with Sun Xiaoxiao in the ruins, firing wildly; the difference was indeed significant.
Nevertheless, the other side was professional.
Though displeased, Dean Tantai watched the entire military exercise, and Xu Mo stayed with him throughout.
He saw a military unit of the highest standard; their tactics were clear, their coordination orderly, and they were composed in face of danger. Throughout the exercise, some squads encountered strong monsters during their dispersal, displaying extremely brave stances, cooperating in the best way to hold off the monsters while waiting for support, and even though they ultimately fell, they did not flee the battlefield.
Having watched the entire broadcast, Xu Mo couldn’t help but admire them.
This military unit was formidable.
When the military exercise concluded, all of Steel Dome City burst into applause, and the public held tremendous respect in their hearts, their adoration for the Military God growing even stronger.
“What do you think?” Dean Tantai asked Xu Mo.
“Beyond imagination,” Xu Mo replied.
He hadn’t expected such a military force in Steel Dome City.
“Among the four major military factions, Shen Qianzhong’s military administration is the strictest, and truly impressive,” the elder spoke, “but the academy is in trouble now.”
“Hmm?”
Xu Mo showed a hint of surprise.
Then he heard the elder say, “Shen Qianzhong is no simple man. Right after the investigation into corruption at the Extraordinary Academy concluded, he led his troops in a live combat exercise, demonstrating the military competence of the Southern Army. Don’t you see the stark contrast?”
Xu Mo nodded, indeed it was so.
“This is targeted at the academy,” the elder stated.
The screen switched to the outside of a military command room, where Xu Mo saw a distinguished man standing, dressed in military attire, his figure upright.
He looked very young, under forty.
“Shen Qianzhong,” the elder said.
Xu Mo looked at the screen. Near Shen Qianzhong, a reporter approached and asked, “General Shen, may I take a moment of your time for an interview?”
Shen Qianzhong did not respond but looked into the distance where someone was running towards him, carrying a report from the military exercise.
Shen Qianzhong looked on for a long time before handing the report to the newcomer, and then turned to the reporter, saying, “Yes.”
“General Shen, are you satisfied with the results of this military exercise?” the reporter asked.
“Not satisfied,” Shen Qianzhong replied.
“Why?” asked the reporter.
“Seven people died, thirty-one were severely injured,” Shen Qianzhong stared at the reporter, “They were all my soldiers.”
The reporter was momentarily speechless.
“Especially since I recently heard about the corruption scandal in Steel Dome City,” Shen Qianzhong continued.
The reporter was taken aback, quickly asking, “General Shen, what is your view on this incident?”
“Very disappointed,” Shen Qianzhong looked at the reporter and said sternly, “Steel Dome City’s government invested tremendous manpower and resources into Extraordinary Academy, exhausting all resources, resources that came from the sweat and blood of the ordinary people of Steel Dome City. Yet the ‘talents’ they cultivated only need to sit in front of instruments for immersive training, killing monsters in a virtual world. Now, such a severe corruption scandal has burst forth; I feel it’s unfair to my soldiers.”
Shen Qianzhong’s words caused Steel Dome City to suddenly quiet down; the entire city was listening to the voice of this iron-blooded general.
“Most of my soldiers come from the civilians of Steel Dome City, without backgrounds, ordinary talent, yet they are shedding their blood to protect the city, devoid of any luxury. In contrast, look at those spoiled elites from the academies: how much have they received, and how much have they given back? Is Steel Dome City’s investment in Extraordinary Academy worthwhile, does it hold any significance?”
“Steel Dome City has been too indulgent toward Extraordinary Academy. I suggest militarizing the management of Steel Dome City’s Extraordinary Academy. If there is no spirit of dedication to Steel Dome City, then they shouldn’t enjoy the resources provided by Steel Dome City.”
Shen Qianzhong’s words were resonant.
The entire city was speechless.
Irrefutable, and carrying great weight.
The speaker was a Military God.
Had Steel Dome City really been too lenient with Extraordinary Academy?
In the room.
Xu Mo was also shaken by Shen Qianzhong’s words.
This was, a strike at all the academies of Steel Dome City.
The teacher had indeed guessed right.
“What do you think?” the elder asked Xu Mo.
“Irrefutable,” Xu Mo started, “Shen Qianzhong approached from a moral high ground, for the public, for Steel Dome City.”
How to refute?
“Really harsh.”
Elder Tantai said, “Investigation first, this is the real killing move. This time, Extraordinary Academy in Steel Dome City is likely to stir up a storm.”
“Which faction is Shen Qianzhong?” Xu Mo asked.
“Radical faction,” Elder Tantai replied, “But also, half a Financial tycoon faction. The Shen Family Brothers both came from humble backgrounds, but indeed they are highly capable, maneuvering among various forces. Eventually, one became the mayor of Steel Dome City and the other one you see as Shen Qianzhong. But behind them, there has always been a mysterious force secretly supporting them; now, their motives have also been revealed.”
“What motive?” Xu Mo asked.
“Drive the tiger to devour the wolf, unite the factions,” Elder Tantai replied.
……..
As they expected, Shen Qianzhong’s words caused a huge uproar in Steel Dome City.
All the citizens joined in the discussion: does Extraordinary Academy need militarized management?
Extraordinary Academy also began to fight back, claiming that academies and the military are different and cannot adopt the same measures, treating students as soldiers — what a radical approach.
If so, what is the point of Extraordinary Academy’s existence?
Extraordinary Academy is for cultivating humanity’s future, it cannot be compared with the military.
The debate was huge.
Shen Qianzhong responded to the debate; since Extraordinary Academy believes they are cultivating the future of the academy, then first, let them have a face-off with our Southern Military District.
Southern Military District issued a challenge to the academy.
Steel Dome City was shaken.
The students of Extraordinary Academy were also boiling with enthusiasm, shouting their readiness for battle.
Han Yuan No. 18 Manor.
Lin Qingze came here, standing next to the elder.
“Old Dean, they have really hit hard this time,” Lin Qingze said, “Southern Military District has extremely strong combat discipline, and in equipment levels not weaker than the academies, their overall combat capabilities are superior. If it were individual combat, we could win, but the opponent has proposed fighting as a whole, Extraordinary Academy might lose.”
This time, having stirred up such huge public sentiment, they can’t avoid fighting.
There is no retreat.
But losing would also be disastrous.
In the backdrop of corruption and the exercise, if Extraordinary Academy faced a humiliating defeat, then there would be an earthquake targeting Extraordinary Academy.
The Academy Faction is likely to be completely suppressed.
Lin Qingze was of course aware of the seriousness of the situation.
“Don’t rush, consult with other academies, arrange meetings, deploy the strongest team,” the elder said, still appearing very calm.
“Yes, that’s the only way,” Lin Qingze nodded. This time, the opponent was not targeting a single academy but the entire Academy Faction.
In public opinion, they also were not in an advantageous position.
Shen Qianzhong’s prestige was extremely high.
After Lin Qingze left, Elder Tantai received a communication from Dean Nanming.
“Old friend, I want to discuss something with you,” Dean Nanming said straightforwardly.
“There’s nothing to discuss,” the elder replied.
“I haven’t even started yet,” Dean Nanming said angrily.
“Then go ahead,” the elder said.
“Lend me Xu Mo,” Dean Nanming said, “Old friend, this is not for personal reasons. You see the situation. If we lose, the Academy Faction might never recover and will be completely at a disadvantage.”
The elder was silent for a moment before saying, “I need to think about it.”
“Alright, old friend, don’t be foolish,” Dean Nanming said earnestly.
The elder knew his intentions well; once borrowed, it might not be easy to get him back.
He looked toward Xu Mo not far away, his gaze suddenly sharp.
This time, it was a huge opportunity!