Casting the Net

Jiang Chuan looked at the Steam Engine that had vanished from the ground and nodded. "Looks like anything that's touched a hero can be teleported. Pretty nice."

He had discovered this ability two days earlier, when he summoned Pyke. At the time, Pyke was deep underwater, holding a fish he'd caught. As usual, Jiang Chuan summoned him to cast the Purification Technique. But when he did, the huge fish beside Pyke had been summoned along with him. Jiang Chuan had been thrilled. After a series of tests, he found that this new ability had one drawback: the object had to be in physical contact with the hero, or it couldn't be teleported. Based on what had happened with Lux, the size of the object didn't affect how much of Jiang Chuan's energy it consumed.

Jiang Chuan smiled. "What a perfect skill."

From now on, goods going to and from Demacia could be teleported there in under a minute, saving a fortune in shipping costs and time.

Jiang Chuan left the warehouse and headed to the steelworks. The Machine Tool's base was being cast, and its shape was already taking form. Once it had cooled, they could add the parts.

Noah was still working on the Machine Gun and grenade designs. Neither was particularly complicated. A Machine Gun was similar to an ordinary firearm; its main problem was the barrel's ability to withstand heat. Since the gun fired in bursts, the barrel's heat resistance became a serious issue when bullets were fired at high speed.

Jiang Chuan decided to make the barrel detachable and use steel. Whenever it overheated, they could replace it. The swap would take only a few seconds, which could make a significant difference on the battlefield.

The grenade was similar to Bilgewater's Explosives, so Noah could handle it easily. Jiang Chuan considered himself lucky that this world had already developed Smokeless Powder and bullets. Developing them from scratch would have taken a great deal of time. For someone whose chemistry knowledge barely went beyond middle-school level, making Smokeless Powder would have been out of the question.

Jiang Chuan went to Laurie's office. "How's construction on the island coming along?"

Laurie sorted through some documents. "President, all the projects on the island are underway now. The Residential Housing is progressing much more slowly, since this is a completely new kind of construction for the workers. The city wall is going up relatively quickly. At the current rate, you'll see an imposing wall in the Demacian style in a month. The castle isn't going as well. It'll probably take another three months, and with all the smaller projects, everything will take five months to finish."

Jiang Chuan felt the pressure of the deadline and the shortage of manpower. "Understood. Step up recruitment. Ironworkers and laborers are still our top priority. Advertise widely throughout Bilgewater City, in the Bloodfang Gang's name."

"Yes, President."

Jiang Chuan went to Kendi's office. "Have the First Army assemble behind the square."

Kendi summoned everyone to the area behind the square.

Kendi reported, "President, all one hundred members of the First Army are assembled!"

Jiang Chuan sat down on the grass and nodded. "Sit down. I want to talk about our plans for the future. Everyone, take a seat."

Jiang Chuan said, "You can share any thoughts or opinions you have about Bilgewater as it is now."

Malzi grinned. "What's there to say? We've got food and drink on the island. That's why I came to Bilgewater."

Malzi's words made everyone laugh. Jiang Chuan smiled. "I'll organize you into squads of five. From now on, you'll fight and train as squads. You'll cover all kinds of combat: underwater, aboard ships, in alleys—in short, you'll learn how to fight in every kind of terrain in Bilgewater. Our next target is Hark!"

Kendi frowned. "President, Hark has a lot of men under him. He's one of the four major gangs in Bilgewater, after all, and he has a dozen smaller gangs working for him."

Jiang Chuan replied calmly, "We can start by taking on the gangs under him. Starting tomorrow, every month I want to hear that one of Hark's territories has been wiped out."

Bruno frowned. "President, those gangs under Hark aren't easy targets. I've standardized our equipment, but we're still badly outgunned."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "Right, firepower is a problem. I'm not going to send you to your deaths. In a month, each squad will get a new piece of equipment, and everyone will carry new explosives when they go into action. With the new gear, you'll have a chance."

A soldier named Jody asked, "President, what's the new equipment? Is it powerful?"

Jiang Chuan smiled. "The new equipment is called grenades and Machine Guns. A grenade is a powerful explosive weapon that you throw. It contains Explosives and Steel Balls. When it goes off in the middle of a group of enemies, the Steel Balls will tear them apart. The Machine Gun will be your squad's most powerful weapon. It takes two people to operate, and can fire six hundred rounds in a minute. After one belt of ammunition is used up, you'll need to replace the barrel. Later on, each of you will also get a close-combat weapon, like a Shotgun."

Malzi asked in astonishment, "President, is there really a gun that can fire six hundred rounds in a minute?"

Jiang Chuan smiled. "More than six hundred. The Machine Gun is already in development, but we won't know for sure until it's been tested. Remember, Laurie and I are the remaining members of the Bloodfang Gang, while you belong to the Dark Sea Throne. We need to keep our identities hidden. Whether you're operating or training, keep apart from everyone else. It's not time for us to reveal ourselves yet."

"Yes!"

Jiang Chuan waved a hand. "All right, that's all I had to say. Kendi, organize the squads today. I want to see them tonight. Starting tomorrow, you'll follow the training plan I've set for you."

"Yes."

Jiang Chuan went to the underground cellar where the children had once been held. It had since been converted into a training ground for Heaven's Punishment Squad and the First Army. When he arrived, Kelly was training Jenny, Donahue, Buck, York, and Joe. Jenny was learning management and infiltration from Novia, Buck was training with Kendi and the others, Donahue's daily routine consisted of shooting nonstop, and York and Joe were practicing hand-to-hand combat and firearms.

Jiang Chuan looked at them and called out, "Fall in!"

All five of them ran over and lined up in front of him.

Jiang Chuan smiled. "I'm here to tell you about your future assignments. Your first mission is here."

Kelly asked, "President, what's the mission?"

Jiang Chuan looked at Jenny. "To be precise, everyone has a different mission this time."

Jenny looked at Jiang Chuan in disbelief. "President, am I going alone this time?"

Jiang Chuan smiled. "What, are you scared?"

Jenny shook her head.

Jiang Chuan looked at Jenny. "You've been learning from Novia for quite a while now. Treat this mission as a little test. There's an Iron Hook Gang in Rat Town. Find out the gang leader's daily routine and report back to me. The leader looks like a rat. You won't forget his face once you've seen it."

Jenny thumped her chest. "Leave it to me, President."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "Good. Once you finish this mission, you can take a break. Go get ready, and remember to let Novia know."

Jenny waved without looking back. "Got it!"

Jiang Chuan said to York and Joe, "Your mission is simple: steal the key to the Iron Hook Gang leader's hidden stash. It's the one around his neck. Have you two lost your touch?"

Joe grinned slyly. "President, that'll be easy. We've already done it once." The grin looked especially comical on his young face.

York answered seriously, "President, before the Bloodfang Gang caught us, we stole his key once. But back then, he wasn't the Iron Hook Gang's leader yet."

Jiang Chuan said sternly, "Things are different now. The men around him aren't pushovers. Put your safety first. If you can't steal it, turn back immediately."

York and Joe stood straight and replied solemnly, "Yes, President."

Buck crowded over. "President, what about me? What do I do?"

Jiang Chuan looked at Buck. "You and Kendi's people will be the main force in the follow-up attack on the Iron Anchor Gang."

Buck grinned in satisfaction. "Yes, President."

Jiang Chuan said to Kelly, "This time, you'll coordinate with Kendi, draw up a detailed battle plan, and keep an eye on Jenny, York, and the others."

Kelly nodded. "Yes, President."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "All right, go find Old Jack for your lesson."

"Yes."