Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1736

“They’re moving?”\n\n”Yes!”\n\nGao Xun’s eyes narrowed.\n\n’Finally.’\n\nThe intelligence network he had spread like a dog’s fur [a metaphor for being widespread and thorough] in Korea was about to shine.\n\n”More details!”\n\n”Hundreds of buses have entered the headquarters. Buses carrying troops are moving towards the West Sea all at once.”\n\n”The docks? Which docks are they heading to?”\n\n”It’s not that.”\n\n”Answer properly! What does that mean?”\n\nThe person reporting broke out in a cold sweat and shouted.\n\n”The buses aren’t moving to one place! It’s towards the West Sea, but it doesn’t seem like they’re using one dock!”\n\n”…Any related information?”\n\n”We haven’t figured that out yet.”\n\nGao Xun tapped the desk anxiously.\n\n’They’re dispersing to multiple docks?’\n\nThat would be logical.\n\nSince they’re all martial artists, they wouldn’t have much trouble boarding. They could just jump on without needing to use the entrance.\n\nBut even so, the capacity of the ships is limited, and the number of ships that can dock at the pier is also limited.\n\n”Report to King Chang immediately!”\n\n”Yes!”\n\n”Tell the military to strengthen the border! Don’t let even an ant get through!”\n\n”…That’s not something I can do.”\n\n”Damn it, can’t you just say it when you report to King Chang! Do I have to tell you everything? If that thing on your neck is useless, should I just tear it off?”\n\n”Ah, I understand.”\n\n”Get out now!”\n\n”Yes!”\n\nWatching the reporter run out, Gao Xun’s brow furrowed.\n\n’Ships?’\n\nHe had prepared for every situation.\n\nAnnihilating the General Assembly bastards who landed in China wouldn’t be difficult. Their power would easily overwhelm the General Assembly.\n\nBut that would be extremely inefficient.\n\nThe first priority was to prevent them from setting foot on Chinese soil.\n\nEspecially at sea, even martial artists can’t do much. If the ship they’re on is destroyed, they’d have to swim to China, and they’d just be killed as soon as they landed.\n\n”Were they more stupid than I thought?”\n\nThey had already infiltrated ships heading to Korea and massacred Japanese martial artists. Yet they were using the same method.\n\n”Something smells fishy.”\n\nGao Xun tapped the desk with his finger.\n\n”Well, fine. I’ll make sure not a single one of them sets foot on Chinese soil, no matter what it takes.”\n\n’It’s eerie.’\n\nChen Weilong looked around, feeling the cold sea breeze that felt particularly chilly today.\n\nAs science advanced and the world became more illuminated, people forgot the night.\n\nThe only places where you can experience true night in today’s world are remote areas or here, on the sea.\n\nEspecially on a night like tonight, when there’s no moon, you can really feel what it means to not see an inch ahead.\n\n”Visibility is almost zero.”\n\n”I know.”\n\n”But I don’t know what this means. After all, with radar…”\n\n”I said I know.”\n\nChen Weilong’s voice snapped out irritably. His subordinate flinched at the reaction and lowered his head.\n\n”I’m sorry. I made a mistake…”\n\n”It’s okay, just go and keep watch.”\n\n”Yes!”\n\nWatching his subordinate turn and return to his position, Chen Weilong irritably took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.\n\n’Does anyone think this is a stupid thing to do?’\n\nHis affiliation was the People’s Liberation Army Navy of China. Specifically, the Northern Theater Command [one of the five joint theater commands of the People’s Liberation Army].\n\nThe Jinan Military Region is responsible for defending the Yellow Sea between China and Korea. So, guarding the sea is a natural thing to do.\n\nThe problem is that this guard duty is not logical.\n\n’What the hell is going on?’\n\nStarting a week ago, an order was issued to mobilize all the warships of the Northern Theater Command to guard the sea. Even ships from other theater commands are flocking to the West Sea.\n\nWhy is it strange for naval ships to guard the sea?\n\n’The problem is that they are warships.’\n\nBasically, a fleet goes out to sea on a mission. And ships without missions dock for repairs or stand by.\n\nSince Chen Weilong joined the military, this is the first time an order has been issued for all ships of the Northern Theater Command to guard the sea.\n\nWhat’s even stranger is that they don’t know what they’re guarding against. They just received an absurd order to attack any ship approaching the coast without permission.\n\n’Is a war breaking out?’\n\nSuch an order would only be given if they had prior information that an enemy country was launching a surprise attack without a declaration of war.\n\nOr maybe a large-scale drug fleet is coming in.\n\n’Neither is logical.’\n\nBut what can he do?\n\nHe is a soldier. Soldiers are meant to follow orders. No matter how bizarre the order may be.\n\n”It’s just a pointless exercise.”\n\nClick.\n\nHis Zippo lighter ignites.\n\nChen Weilong, shielding the sea breeze and lighting his cigarette, frowned as he looked at the sea.\n\nIt’s dark.\n\nIf it weren’t for the light coming from the destroyer he was on, he wouldn’t even know where the cigarette in his mouth was.\n\n”Captain.”\n\n”Hmm?”\n\n”It’s dangerous to be out on deck. The waves are high.”\n\n”Why? You think I’ll fall and die?”\n\n”I’m not joking…”\n\n”Okay, I’ll go in soon.”\n\nChen Weilong sighed.\n\nWhile the ship is in operation, the captain should not leave the bridge if possible. But when the operation is this long, the stuffy air of the bridge can feel suffocating.\n\n”Just one more.”\n\n”Yes.”\n\nBut his adjutant didn’t return to the bridge and stayed by his side.\n\n”I don’t know what the intention behind this order is.”\n\n”We just follow orders.”\n\n”That’s right, that’s how it should be. I’m not saying I won’t follow them.”\n\nChen Weilong, realizing that his thoughtless words were a bit dangerous, chewed on the cigarette filter.\n\n’I must be under a lot of stress.’\n\nThat’s how it is when you’re on a ship.\n\nBeing in an isolated space and under various pressures makes it difficult to maintain a normal state. Especially on a dark night like this.\n\n”Is the radar working properly?”\n\n”Of course.”\n\n”Be especially careful at night…”\n\nAt that moment, someone rushed onto the deck in a hurry.\n\n”Captain!”\n\n”Hmm?”\n\n”You need to come see! Something is approaching!”\n\nChen Weilong threw the cigarette in his mouth into the sea and ran to the bridge.\n\n”What’s the size?”\n\n”It seems to be medium-sized.”\n\n”Is it a destroyer?”\n\n”We don’t know yet.”\n\nChen Weilong’s blood began to run cold.\n\n’A destroyer? No. It could just be a merchant ship. It could be a patrol boat, even if it’s big. It’s not good to jump to conclusions yet.’\n\nBut he had to do what he had to do.\n\n”Report the situation and request support! And check if there are any ships reported on this route!”\n\n”There are no ships reported on the route! I’ll request support right away!”\n\n”Check one more time!”\n\n”Yes!”\n\nChen Weilong’s mind began to race.\n\n’What should I do if it’s an unidentified ship?’\n\nShould he launch a preemptive strike?\n\nNo, no. First, he should try to communicate…\n\n”Support is not possible!”\n\n”What?”\n\nChen Weilong’s head turned as if it had been snapped.\n\n”They say support requests are coming in from all over. Simultaneously! They can’t move troops until the situation is fully understood. They’re telling us to handle it ourselves…”\n\n”This is insane!”\n\nChen Weilong grabbed his baton.\n\n’Simultaneously in all areas?’\n\nThen this is something that is happening under someone’s plan. There’s no way ships sailing in this vast sea could suddenly appear simultaneously like this.\n\n’Is a real war breaking out?’\n\nThe word ‘war’ made his head feel like it was being bleached white.\n\n”Captain?”\n\n”Wait!”\n\nChen Weilong closed his eyes slightly.\n\nAfter organizing his thoughts, he opened his eyes wide and shouted.\n\n”Go to first-level alert! Attempt to communicate with the approaching ship, and be prepared to fire if its purpose is unclear!”\n\n”Yes!”\n\n”Move it!”\n\nTension began to fill the bridge. At the same time, the sound of the siren pierced his ears. That sound would be echoing throughout the entire fleet.\n\nChen Weilong, feeling his blood start to flow faster, sat in the captain’s seat and took a deep breath.\n\n”Attempting communication! No response! There is no response on any channel!”\n\n”Enemy ship! Approaching! Entering firing range! Captain!”\n\nChen Weilong’s face flushed red.\n\n”What should we do?”\n\n”It’s dangerous if the enemy attacks first!”\n\n”Wait.”\n\n”Captain.”\n\n”Wait. The approaching ship could be a merchant ship. Why are you thinking about attacking first! Calm down!”\n\nChen Weilong bit his lip slightly.\n\nIf he launched a preemptive strike carelessly, there could be problems.\n\n’If they’re in their right minds, they wouldn’t attack unless they’re prepared for war.’\n\n”What’s the speed of the approaching ship?”\n\n”…It’s slower than expected.”\n\n”We’re also approaching. Get close enough to identify it visually!”\n\n”It’s too dangerous.”\n\n”That’s an order!”\n\n”Yes!”\n\nThe destroyer carrying him slowly began to move forward.\n\nChen Weilong’s gaze began to focus on the radar and the sea visible through the window at the same time.\n\n’Is my judgment correct?’\n\nAttack first…\n\n”Message from headquarters! Cease fire until the other side attacks first. The priority is to identify the approaching parties!”\n\nChen Weilong clenched his fist. His judgment was not wrong.\n\n”Increase speed! Identify them!”\n\n”Yes!”\n\nThe destroyer cut through the rough sea.\n\n”Approaching!”\n\n”Shine the light!”\n\n”Yes!”\n\nThe large light installed on the ship aimed at the sea. A large, white circle appeared in the area captured by the radar.\n\nAt the same time…\n\n”We’ve spotted it!”\n\nChen Weilong’s mouth twisted as he looked through the binoculars.\n\n’What is that?’\n\nIt’s smaller than he thought. And it’s not a warship.\n\nAt most, a small cruise ship was approaching them.\n\nA cruise ship, looking like a ghost ship with its lights off, was slowly approaching them.\n\n’What should I do?’\n\nThis is causing more confusion.\n\n”First, a warning…”\n\n”It’s not slowing down! It’s approaching!”\n\n”What?”\n\nThere’s no risk of collision, but they’re not slowing down even after seeing them?\n\n’Fire…’\n\n”Captain, the radar! The radar!”\n\n”What’s wrong?”\n\n”It’s not just one! There are more ships on the radar!”\n\n”What?”\n\nChen Weilong’s eyes shook.\n\n”What is…”\n\nIt was at that moment.\n\nWhoosh!\n\nLight burst out from the cruise ship. It was just turning on its lights, but in this dark sea, the sight was so vivid and clear.\n\nAt the same time, several lights appeared from the back of the cruise ship.\n\n”W, what is this…”\n\nThe lights began to increase.\n\nThere were dozens of ships that could be seen with the naked eye. Those ships were all heading towards China.\n\n”F, fire!”\n\n”Don’t talk nonsense! This is international waters! How are you going to handle the aftermath of firing on a civilian ship in international waters!”\n\n”T, then what should we do?”\n\nChen Weilong couldn’t answer and clenched his fist.\n\nSomething was happening.\n\nSomething he couldn’t imagine was happening right now.