Chapter 221: The New Version of the Ship Appears

The road to the strait was blocked by rusty iron railings, with many cut-out gaps allowing free passage.

Nangong Saye crouched through an opening and walked along the roadside. Soon, the crashing of waves against rocks reached her ears.

Descending to the shoreline under hazy moonlight, she spotted a modest-sized boat bobbing with the waves near the shore, surrounded by about a dozen shadowy figures on the beach.

These were nightly smugglers bound for Hokkaido. Similar operations happened elsewhere too—nearly a hundred people crossed illegally each night.

This was the aftermath of the government’s years suppressing news about Mechanical City. During its peak popularity, thousands reportedly attempted nightly crossings, forcing round-the-clock patrols of the strait.

Carrying her suitcase, Nangong Saye joined the scattered groups along the shore.

A few lone travelers like her stood clutching their belongings.

“Crossing the sea?”

The weathered boat boss jumped ashore, barking at her: “Payment first.”

Pushing through the crowd, she murmured, “How much?”

“Ten thousand. No bargaining—we sail in an hour,” he snapped.

Without arguing, she bent to rummage through her suitcase.

As she searched, the surrounding figures gradually stopped talking and began encircling her.

“Take it!”

She slammed a cash bundle against the boss’s face.

Blinded momentarily, he took a direct hit from her swinging suitcase. The CRACK of impact dropped him like stone.

“GET HER!”

The crowd froze briefly before surging forward.

Whirling around, Nangong Saye raised her mechanical arm. Flame erupted from her palm as a grenade launched into the mob.

BOOM!

Flames roared skyward. The explosions’ shockwave rippled across beach and sea.

Half the crowd died instantly. Others collapsed, stunned.

Bracing against lingering heat and shockwaves, Nangong Saye vaulted the smoldering pit and raced inland.

Tires screeched as vehicles smashed through broken railings—dozens of cars swarmed the road.

Darkness birthed countless new figures, over a hundred strong, sealing every escape route.

Behind her, survivors from the blast rose to block the seaward path.

She pivoted toward the eastern beach.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Intense gunfire erupted. Bullets kicked up sand behind her fleeing form as her enhanced speed outran the shots.

Her mechanical arm snapped up. Each bullet found its mark—ten enemies fell within seconds.

“Who told you to shoot?”

Someone roared furiously, “Take her alive!”

Nangong Saye retreated while returning fire, swiftly maneuvering around the beach only to find dozens emerging from the rocky outcrop ahead, cutting off her escape.

Simultaneously, boats raced through the strait to block any seaward retreat.

Trapped completely, Nangong Saye pressed herself against a massive rock.

A hundred enemies closed in from shoreline, beach, ocean, and stone formations – surrounding her entirely.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunfire cracked through the air as she dropped the nearest attackers, forcing others to dive for cover.

The darkness hid her muzzle flashes, making her shots unpredictable.

Searchlights from approaching boats suddenly bathed her hiding place in harsh light.

A bald middle-aged man shouted from the prow: “Surrender the items and password! We’ll spare you!”

Bang!

Her answer struck his chest with metallic clang, the bullet deflecting harmlessly.

“Damned bitch!” he spat, clutching his armored vest. “You’ll pay for that!”

Crouching behind stone, Nangong Saye assessed her remaining arsenal: twenty rounds and one grenade in her mechanical arm. Maximum casualties? Maybe thirty. Then they’d swarm her.

Survival was impossible. Even if she complied, they’d execute her after extracting secrets.

As she strategized, the bald man snapped: “Don’t flatter yourself! Maim her! Leave breathing enough for interrogation!”

The horde advanced, shielded by riot gear this time. Nangong Saye’s bullets ricocheted uselessly until her ammo depleted. Only the grenade remained.

Sweat beaded her forehead as she drew a dagger.

“Now!” the bald man barked. “She’s dry!”

They surged over the rocks. Her mechanical arm smashed faces while the dagger slit throats – ten fell before they overwhelmed her.

Boots crunched sand as the bald man stomped her head into beach grit. “Pretty face won’t save you. Talk!”

She glared silently. Any confession meant death.

“Wrench off her limbs! Hack that metal arm!”

As she prepared to detonate her final grenade, a crimson sparrow alighted on her nose.

Sudden Gatling roar split the night. Bullet hail shredded the mob. Screams erupted as survivors scrambled.

BOOM!

A scarlet steel combat suit slammed into the beach like wrath incarnate, sand exploding around its descent.