Chapter Summaries

Jiang Yan Hai secured approval for his plan to investigate the Star Gate, and the state prepared equipment, troops, and supplies for an expedition. With the equipment completed, the team was ready to begin analyzing the Star Gate and exploring what lay beyond it.

• After the video call, Jiang Yan Hai returned to his quarters while the military dealt with the aftermath of detonating two Hydrogen Bombs and confined the Red Mad Wolves to the island.
• Jiang Yan Hai told Li Ruo Bai that he might enter a new world through the Star Gate, and she agreed to stay and wait for him.
• The next afternoon, the higher-ups approved Jiang Yan Hai's proposal and arranged to provide the Star Gate ore while his team built the required equipment.
• During the following week, the state readied military forces, helicopters, and supplies as Professor Li and other researchers prepared to study the Star Gate.
• The completed equipment included detection, analysis, and energy-injection systems, and Jiang Yan Hai's team was ready to examine the Star Gate.

Jiang Yan Hai and the scientists prepared the factory for an experiment to activate a new Stargate, while a special operations squad stood by. The experiment succeeded, opening a second Stargate beside the original, with its settings configured to allow travel from their side and the Great Qin world but prevent outsiders from entering.

• The team spent weeks dismantling and reinforcing the factory so a second Stargate could appear without endangering the scientists inside.
• Jiang Yan Hai and a sixteen-person special operations squad waited as Li Ruo Bai, Professor Li, and the researchers prepared the experiment.
• Professor Li started the experiment, and the laser struck the Energy Ore while Er Dan extracted its energy.
• Professor Li ordered the laser shut off when the energy peaked, and the ore crumbled into ash as a bright spot appeared beside the Stargate.
• Er Dan opened the new Stargate with settings that allowed people from Jiang Yan Hai's side and the Great Qin world to travel through but blocked people from the other world.

Jiang Yan Hai led an advance team through the new Stargate into a Gobi Desert world and discovered the Great Wall nearby. A drone revealed an armored army and strange machines stationed along the wall.

• Jiang Yan Hai led the advance team through the Stargate and ordered Yang Rui and the Jiaolong team to secure the northern high ground.
• Scientists confirmed that the air was safe to breathe, and Jiang Yan Hai's team removed their oxygen masks.
• Jiang Yan Hai and his team spotted the Great Wall about 3,800 meters away and reported flags resembling ancient military banners to the base.
• Logistical personnel set up signal transmitters and launched a drone toward the Great Wall.
• Jiang Yan Hai watched the drone feed reveal strange machines and a neatly organized armored army atop the wall.

Jiang Yan Hai recognized the world beyond the Star Gate as resembling The Great Wall, where an army guarded a valley containing Taotie. After ordering defenses and continuous reconnaissance, he returned to report the discovery and discuss how to make contact.

• Jiang Yan Hai recognized the Great Wall and the female soldiers in blue armor from the film The Great Wall, and suspected the valley held Taotie.
• Jiang Yan Hai considered how the Taotie compared with the Red Mad Wolves and concluded that intervention would require careful planning.
• The drones mapped the Great Wall and recorded its troops, while soldiers camouflaged the Star Gate and established defensive lines around the valley.
• Jiang Yan Hai ordered round-the-clock infrared drone surveillance and told He Zhi Jun and the others to prepare for a meeting.
• Jiang Yan Hai returned through the Star Gate, reassured Li Ruo Bai, and began a video conference to show the drone footage to his superiors.

Jiang Yan Hai briefed the leaders on the symbiotic Stargate and analyzed the Great Wall footage, concluding that the local army was defending against enemies like the Red Mad Wolf rather than nomadic peoples. The meeting ended with the leaders considering the threat hidden beyond the valley.

• Jiang Yan Hai reported that the drone footage and Professor Li’s spatial-distortion data supported the Stargate information, though decryption remained slow.
• Jiang Yan Hai argued that the new world’s lavishly equipped, color-coded troops and immense fortifications were not intended to repel nomadic peoples.
• He Zhi Jun questioned Jiang Yan Hai’s claim, but agreed that cavalry could not plausibly breach the Great Wall’s formidable defenses.
• Jiang Yan Hai showed that the main defensive position faced a long valley bordered by near-vertical cliffs and ending at a vast cave.
• Jiang Yan Hai concluded that the defenders faced enemies similar to the Red Mad Wolf.

Jiang Yan Hai proposed contacting the soldiers at the Great Wall and set out alone to seek their cooperation. He reached the wall, where the Eagle Army’s general ordered arrows fired around him, and Jiang Yan Hai called out to ask if he was an Eagle Army general.

• Jiang Yan Hai argued that the cave might contain a Stargate and that the group would need to cooperate with the people guarding it.
• He Zhi Jun and the others approved Jiang Yan Hai’s plan to make contact, and Jiang Yan Hai chose to go alone.
• Jiang Yan Hai armed himself, rode an off-road motorcycle toward the city wall, and drew the attention of its defenders.
• The general in dark red armor ordered arrows to land in a circle around Jiang Yan Hai.
• Jiang Yan Hai bowed and asked the general whether he was an Eagle Army general.

Jiang Yan Hai introduced himself to the Shadowless Imperial Guard as a military leader from the Great Qin Empire and offered to join forces against the Taotie. After General Chen brought him inside the fortress and his weapons were searched, Jiang Yan Hai met Commander Shao Xiong and gave him his name and rank.

• Jiang Yan Hai told General Chen that he came from the Great Qin Empire and had come because of the Taotie.
• General Chen reacted to the mention of the Taotie and agreed to bring Jiang Yan Hai to the Commander, provided he followed their rules.
• Jiang Yan Hai pushed his motorcycle through the fortress gate and entered the Shadowless Imperial Guard's military settlement.
• The soldiers searched Jiang Yan Hai's equipment, setting aside his daggers and flashbang grenades while returning his magazines and leaving his pistol with him.
• Jiang Yan Hai met Commander Shao Xiong and introduced himself as Colonel Jiang.

Jiang Yan Hai negotiated with Commander Shao and the Shadowless Imperial Guard about the approaching Taotie attack, offering the Great Qin Empire’s army as potential support. The guards agreed to seek his help if they failed to stop the Taotie.

• Jiang Yan Hai confirmed that the Taotie’s next attack was expected to begin in half a month, and noted that the gathered generals had never fought them before.
• General Lin declared that the Shadowless Imperial Guard would not retreat, while Commander Shao asked how Jiang Yan Hai intended to help.
• Jiang Yan Hai proposed stationing the Great Qin Empire’s army inside the Great Wall, and General Deng accused him of being a spy.
• Commander Shao and General Wu questioned whether Jiang Yan Hai might secretly sabotage the defenses, but Jiang Yan Hai argued that the guards could easily watch him and would detect any approaching army.
• Commander Shao accepted Jiang Yan Hai’s offer of help if the Shadowless Imperial Guard could not stop the Taotie.

Jiang Yan Hai discussed the Great Qin Empire’s support with Commander Shao and Advisor Wang, who questioned his motives, forces, and equipment. After agreeing to be watched, Jiang Yan Hai claimed he could kill the gathered generals and asked for five suits of armor to demonstrate his ability.

• Advisor Wang questioned Jiang Yan Hai about how quickly his forces could arrive, how many soldiers he could provide, and what he knew about the Taotie.
• Jiang Yan Hai said he could provide at most ten thousand troops, knew no more about the Taotie than they did, and had only followed orders.
• Commander Shao ended Advisor Wang’s questioning and told Jiang Yan Hai he would be watched while staying with them; Jiang Yan Hai agreed.
• Commander Shao questioned why Jiang Yan Hai wore no armor and asked him to demonstrate his weapons and equipment.
• Jiang Yan Hai claimed he could easily kill the generals and escape, then asked Commander Shao to bring him five suits of armor.
• Commander Shao ordered a soldier to fetch the armor.

Jiang Yan Hai demonstrated that his pistol could pierce the Shadowless Imperial Guard’s scale armor, persuading Commander Shao and the generals of its deadly power. He then went to inspect the Great Wall while they examined the bullet and the dead pigs.

• Jiang Yan Hai had five pigs fitted with scale mail to test the armor against his pistol.
• Jiang Yan Hai fired five shots in quick succession, piercing the armor and killing each pig with a shot to the heart.
• Commander Shao and the generals were stunned by the demonstration, and Commander Shao allowed Jiang Yan Hai to inspect the Great Wall.
• Jiang Yan Hai reclaimed his belongings and followed a soldier to the Great Wall.
• Advisor Wang and the generals examined a pig’s armor and body, uncovering a deformed bullet and its shattered heart.

Jiang Yan Hai’s powerful weapon alarmed Commander Shao’s officers, who debated whether to trust him and decided to keep his presence secret while maintaining friendly relations. Commander Shao assigned Lin Mei to guide Jiang Yan Hai, leaving him on the Great Wall as they prepared for the Taotie threat.

• Advisor Wang reported that Jiang Yan Hai’s metal pellets had pierced scale armor and killed five targets almost instantly, prompting the officers to discuss the weapon’s power and ammunition.
• General Lin proposed seizing Jiang Yan Hai to learn how to make his weapons, but Commander Shao warned that his army of ten thousand could retaliate.
• Commander Shao ordered the officers not to report Jiang Yan Hai yet, to avoid offending him, and to prepare supplies and defenses against the Taotie.
• Commander Shao assigned Lin Mei to show Jiang Yan Hai around the Great Wall and learn about the Great Qin Empire.
• Lin Mei introduced herself to Jiang Yan Hai and told him she had arranged his food and lodging.

Jiang Yan Hai explained his pistol and assault rifle to General Lin Mei, demonstrating how quickly he could reload and revealing the amount of ammunition he carried. After she realized how deadly his weapons were, Jiang Yan Hai asked why the Taotie kept attacking the wall.

• Jiang Yan Hai accepted Lin Mei's offer of a room and estimated the number of soldiers and support personnel stationed near the Great Wall.
• General Lin Mei asked about Jiang Yan Hai's pistol, and he explained that it held fifteen rounds.
• Jiang Yan Hai demonstrated reloading his pistol in just over a second, shocking Lin Mei with how quickly he could fire again.
• Jiang Yan Hai explained that his assault rifle held thirty rounds per magazine, and Lin Mei calculated how much ammunition he carried.
• Jiang Yan Hai asked General Lin why the Taotie were so determined to attack the wall, catching her off guard.

Jiang Yan Hai discussed why the Taotie kept attacking the Great Wall and assured General Lin Mei that his people had come to help, not invade. He left Lin Mei reconsidering her suspicions about his intentions.

• Jiang Yan Hai asked General Lin Mei why the Taotie attacked only the Great Wall, and she admitted that the historical records gave no clear answer.
• Jiang Yan Hai guessed that the Taotie could sense food only within a limited range, but he had no way to confirm it.
• Jiang Yan Hai told Lin Mei that he had come to help fight the Taotie and protect his homeland, not to invade her people.
• Lin Mei asked whether Jiang Yan Hai intended to reclaim lands his people once ruled, and he replied that the world was too vast for any one nation to rule alone.
• Jiang Yan Hai pointed out that an invading force would have targeted weaker sections of the Great Wall rather than the heavily defended Shadowless Imperial Guard post, leaving Lin Mei unable to dispute his reasoning.

Jiang Yan Hai and Lin Mei discussed their countries, their loyalties, and whether they would defy their rulers to fight the Taotie. After settling into his quarters and contacting home, Jiang Yan Hai learned that two Westerners had been captured and brought back.

• Lin Mei asked whether Great Qin had come for black powder, and Jiang Yan Hai replied that the world was vast.
• Jiang Yan Hai asked whether Lin Mei would allow help against the Taotie if her emperor forbade it, and she admitted she did not know.
• Jiang Yan Hai explained that he was loyal to his country and people, and that Great Qin had no emperor because its leaders were elected.
• Lin Mei took Jiang Yan Hai to his quarters, where he sent a message home after receiving a phone signal.
• Jiang Yan Hai planned stronger defenses around the Star Gate, and a few days later he learned that two Westerners had been captured and brought back.

Jiang Yan Hai watched the Great Wall prepare for a Taotie assault and assessed the creatures and the defenders’ tactics. As the battle began, he observed the Crane Army’s costly flying-rope attacks without joining the fight.

• Jiang Yan Hai saw two Westerners arrive, bringing back a Taotie leg and signaling that the Taotie had begun moving.
• Jiang Yan Hai stayed apart from Commander Shao, the generals, and Advisor Wang while drones recorded the Great Wall’s defenses and the Taotie attack.
• Jiang Yan Hai took position on a central watchtower as the Taotie swarm approached, estimating that nearly one hundred thousand were charging toward the wall.
• The defenders launched flaming stones and arrows, while Jiang Yan Hai studied the Taotie’s appearance and identified their eyes as vulnerable points.
• Jiang Yan Hai watched the Crane Army attack from flying ropes and saw several female soldiers die as the Taotie fought back.

Jiang Yan Hai witnessed the Taotie Beast King direct its forces and saw Guardian Taotie withstand a barrage of heavy iron balls. The Beast King then ordered the Taotie to pile up against the city wall, and Jiang Yan Hai shot the first one to leap onto it.

• Jiang Yan Hai spotted a Beast King surrounded by massive Guardian Taotie whose head membranes seemed to communicate with the ordinary Taotie.
• Commander Shao ordered the catapults to bombard the Beast King, but the Guardians’ Bone Shields blocked dozens of heavy iron balls without damage.
• The enraged Beast King emitted a violent buzz, stopping the Taotie before directing them to charge and stack themselves against the city wall.
• The Taotie built several rising torrents of bodies and nearly reached the wall in less than two minutes.
• Jiang Yan Hai shot the first Taotie to leap onto the wall, killing it with a bullet through its eye.

Jiang Yan Hai helped defend the Great Wall from the Taotie before deciding that his group should wait to intervene unless asked. After arranging medical support for future battles, he received a visit from General Lin Mei, who thanked him for saving soldiers.

• Jiang Yan Hai shot Taotie climbing onto the wall, killing more than twenty as William and Pero helped defend the soldiers.
• The Beast King ordered the Taotie to retreat, and they carried away their dead companions.
• Jiang Yan Hai received intelligence from the base about the Taotie's population, temperature, and communication range, then ordered the base not to intervene unless invited.
• Jiang Yan Hai told the base to prepare an operating room, doctors, and medical emergency vehicles in case leaders were injured.
• General Lin Mei visited Jiang Yan Hai to thank him for saving hundreds of soldiers, and he suggested she treat him to something delicious.

Lin Mei and Jiang Yan Hai discussed the two Westerners joining the defense and the Shadowless Imperial Guard’s need for combat experience. Jiang Yan Hai explained that the Crane Army’s key battlefield role was to lure Taotie away from the wall, leaving Lin Mei troubled by the truth.

• Lin Mei agreed to make a deal with Jiang Yan Hai later, after the threat of another Taotie attack had passed.
• Lin Mei told Jiang Yan Hai that Commander Shao wanted the two Westerners to serve as heroic fighters who could help the inexperienced Shadowless Imperial Guard grow.
• Jiang Yan Hai explained that the Taotie threat had left the northern lands sparsely populated and that his main reason for intervening was to investigate and possibly close the Taotie’s Star Gate.
• Lin Mei asked whether Jiang Yan Hai resented the Westerners receiving recognition despite his own fighting, and he replied that he had not come to be a hero.
• Jiang Yan Hai said the Crane Army helped balance the other armies, supported soldiers stationed at the frontier, and performed useful work in camp.
• Jiang Yan Hai identified the Crane Army’s combat mission as baiting the Taotie away from the wall, and Lin Mei’s expression darkened.

Jiang Yan Hai spoke with Lin Mei about the women of the Crane Army and described the equality between men and women in Great Qin. Four days after the Taotie attack, he rushed to the Great Wall when his warning system detected an assault and found Commander Shao gravely injured.

• Jiang Yan Hai called Lin Mei and the Crane Army women heroes, and Lin Mei explained why women were sent to serve in the Shadowless Imperial Guard.
• Jiang Yan Hai told Lin Mei that men and women were equal in Great Qin, and Lin Mei said she wanted to stay and fight the Taotie.
• Lin Mei went to speak with William and his companion, while Commander Shao treated the two foreigners well over the following days.
• Four days after the Taotie attack, Jiang Yan Hai's Active Warning System alerted him that Taotie had climbed the wall, so he armed himself and ran to the western arrow tower.
• Commander Shao had been bitten while saving Lin Mei, and soldiers carried him toward Jiang Yan Hai as the other generals rode over.

Jiang Yan Hai stabilized Commander Shao’s severe wounds and offered to save him with modern medical aid. Lin Mei accepted command of the Imperial Army and authorized the rescue, leaving Commander Shao on his way to emergency surgery.

• Jiang Yan Hai removed Commander Shao’s armor, applied tourniquets, and directed Lin Mei and soldiers to press his wounds.
• Commander Shao gave Lin Mei the Military Tally and named her the Imperial Army’s new Commander before the generals and soldiers pledged to follow her.
• Jiang Yan Hai offered to summon medical help and said Commander Shao had a sixty-to-seventy percent chance of survival.
• Lin Mei and the generals approved the rescue, and Jiang Yan Hai called for an emergency medical vehicle.
• Lin Mei ordered soldiers to carry Commander Shao to the city gate, where military doctors transferred him into an armored ambulance and prepared him for surgery and a massive transfusion.