This.

Is the Artillery.

This.

Is the Artillery on the battlefield, the wielders of the Human Race's massively destructive firearms.

Though they are not Martial Artists, and no matter where they are or what circumstances they face after leaving the battlefield, they absolutely cannot compare to a Martial Artist.

But it doesn't matter.

As long as they remain on the battlefield, their importance—these artillerymen—will always be greater than that of the Martial Artists!

Because not only is it a recognition of their abilities by the Federation, but also an expression of the Human Race's trust in and reverence for the powerful firearms technology invented by their ancestors.

At least, in the two preceding ancient eras—including recent antiquity, remote antiquity, and even the era of High Antiquity—the Human Race's heat-based weapons had repeatedly demonstrated their powerful destructive capacity, proving to everyone that they should never be underestimated!

However, when Jin Botao heard the Tower Commander daring to brazenly lie to his face, Jin Botao didn't get angry but instead laughed.

Goodness! Trying to deceive him, a crafty old fox? That was like assuming a tiger was a sick cat just because it wasn't showing its fangs!

Therefore, Jin Botao immediately pointed at the nearest gunner, fuming with anger. "Is this the man you say can last another hour? Look at his hands! Look at the blood on them! That's clearly an injury from the cannon recoil. At most, half an hour more. If he doesn't come down, his hands will be crippled, if not completely useless!"

Then, Jin Botao turned his gaze to another gunner slightly farther away, again casting rebuke. "Look at his shoulders; they're completely slumped now! What does that prove? It proves he's no longer strong enough, that he even has to force himself to muster strength just to withstand the recoil of the turret! One false move, and he'll die instantly here!"

Of course, in response to Jin Botao's assessment, the gunner immediately tried to rally his spirits. He then forced a seemingly energetic appearance and shouted aloud, "Reporting, sir! This is my way of regulating my energy! Sir, I can last at least another half hour!"

Afterwards, he straightened his back. Then, once again, there was a resounding blast, causing his body to tremble visibly from the shock. But he still quickly pretended to be unfazed, sitting as steady as a mountain.

If this scene were witnessed by those bureaucrats who were truly clueless about the battle's status, perhaps they would genuinely think their soldiers were incredibly imposing and full of fight.

However, quite obviously, Jin Botao only responded with a scornful, icy smirk.

As a result, the man before Jin Botao, a soldier his entire life, was truly at a loss for words this time. He could only stare blankly at his subordinates, a helpless, bitter smile on his face.

At least, the Tower Commander of No.12 cannon tower figured it out, or perhaps had heard as much. Whether Jin Botao, the State Governor, is capable or not is another matter, he thought. But he's certainly not as easily deceived as he might appear. Simply by virtue of that gaze alone, I can feel an intense pressure emanating from Jin Botao, sharp as a hunting eagle.

Perhaps, he mused, this is what my superiors often referred to as 'aura'!

At the same time, he also knew his subordinates were indeed as Jin Botao had described. They wouldn't be able to hold out much longer!

Artillerymen are not disposable warriors; they should be rotated and used continuously. It's just that everyone understood the enemies before them were simply too numerous. They were stubbornly holding out, hoping to make things a little easier for their comrades who would follow.

Therefore, the Tower Commander had to abandon his original plan. He didn't try to flatter Jin Botao with pleasantries to persuade him to give up. Instead, he immediately changed his strategy, earnestly explaining the pros and cons to Jin Botao and trying his best to dissuade him.

"State Governor, State Governor! This really isn't a job for you! Besides, with us Artillery here, how could we let you personally take part? And the cannon platform is no joke. What if there's a misfire or the cannon explodes? What would happen to all of Quan State then?"

In the final analysis, he still didn't trust Jin Botao. Not his abilities or competence, per se, but this sudden, impulsive action of his!

In fact, he truly believed, deep in his heart, that as the Governor of a state, Jin Botao should be at the rear of the battlefield, coordinating the overall situation, rather than acting as a frontline soldier. Leading the charge should be left to those like us, mere pawns, he thought. That should be enough!

However, how could he know Jin Botao's true thoughts? There is no rear left in Quan State! Jin Botao knew. The entirety of Quan State is one massive battlefield!

Otherwise, as the State Governor, if Jin Botao could have thought of any other solution, why would he be so adamant about manning a cannon platform himself?

It was primarily because his heart was already filled with a grim apprehension for the future, and a helpless, raging fury towards the Beast Clan before them. These emotions were almost too much for him to bear.

Therefore, he, the State Governor of Quan State, did not wish to wait until the critical moment when Quan State was about to fall, only then to choose to stand alone, dying helplessly under the claws of the Beast Clan! This should not be my Fate!

Because Jin Botao knew that even if it meant death, he wanted to die as a true warrior—to go out in a blaze of glory! Otherwise, how could he face the people of Quan State who were holding firm at this very moment, not retreating a single step?

Therefore, no matter how sorrowful Jin Botao felt, he had to suppress his emotions. He maintained his arrogant and self-willed demeanor, rudely and mercilessly berating the Tower Commander before him, his anger erupting uncontrollably.

"Bullshit! So what if I'm the State Governor of Quan State now? When I was young, I was a soldier too! I was an Artilleryman! I didn't get myself blown up beside a cannon barrel back then, so you think these inanimate hunks of metal can take my life now? You little punk, I'll tell you this: back in my youth, I was the King of Artillery!"

At that instant, a wave of disdain swelled within the gunners. King of Artillery? they scoffed internally. What era does he think this is? At least forty years have passed since the State Governor was young! This 'King of Artillery,' put beside proficient and nimble operators like us, would just be a green recruit. No, worse than a green recruit! At least a fresh recruit is nimble. But an 'Artillery King' who's been idle for decades? His body would have long since decayed, forgetting all the hard-earned instincts from past training!

However, despite their grievances, they couldn't hinder Jin Botao's zeal or the pressure he exerted. Under this pressure, the Tower Commander was forced to give way.

After all, even if he, the Tower Commander, was being difficult, he didn't dare refuse Jin Botao, who was now obviously enraged. This old man, the Tower Commander thought, is dead set on making me find him a spot to play hero.

Therefore, in the end, the commander had no choice but to obey. He quickly located an artilleryman who, on the surface, seemed no different from the others. In reality, however, one of this gunner's fingers had already been broken by the cannon's powerful recoil.

Then, after the injured artilleryman reluctantly vacated his position, Jin Botao immediately took his place without any hesitation.

Instantly, the atmosphere in the entire cannon tower seemed to cool, as if a chill had descended.

At that moment, it felt as though the world had gone completely silent. At that very same moment, it felt as if a tempest of blood and steel, an era of clashing arms and warhorses, had ignited in the hearts of everyone present. And also, in that instant, everyone felt that this was a scene that would forever be etched into their memories.

Of course, this wasn't because of Jin Botao's supposed valor. It was because they, mere soldiers, felt the sting of helplessness and indignation at having to yield to authority, despite their unwillingness and their dedication to fighting the enemy.

Ignoring their reactions, Jin Botao immediately peered through the rangefinder. After decades away from a cannon platform, he spotted his first target.

Instantly, CLICK! With a look of intense concentration and meticulous care, Jin Botao pressed the firing button for the cannon.

CLICK.

The next moment—BOOM!

A deafening explosion thundered out, accompanied by the violent shaking of the cannon barrel and a fleeting flush of red across Jin Botao's face as he strained to steady the platform.

Ignition!

Fire!

Launch!

HIT!!

BOOM…

High in the sky, a small cloud of smoke blossomed unexpectedly. Then, before everyone's eyes, it gradually dissipated, revealing the clear, vast sky behind it.

The shell itself was small, but its destructive power seemed earth-shattering!

But soon, the heated excitement stirred by Jin Botao's shot began to cool.

Because, in the patch of sky right before their eyes—that expanse of pale blue which seemed like a vast curtain—there was no trace of any enemy. It looked utterly empty.

A miss!

Without a doubt, even the Tower Commander could tell. Jin Botao had clearly fired into empty air. Not only had he failed to hit an enemy, but he had also wasted a precious shell.

Even the commander thought so, let alone the other gunners. Although Jin Botao's high-ranking status was undeniable, and his importance clear, these artillerymen had endured years of carnage and intense pressure. Already dissatisfied with Jin Botao, how could they, after witnessing such a result, look favorably upon this man? He was clearly just an incompetent figurehead, a domineering, obstinate, and self-centered bureaucrat who was all bluster and no substance!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.