The Ultimate War Of The Apocalypse-Chapter 646 - 639 Iron Horses and Armored Spears

A weapons system was damaged beyond repair, leaving only a broken Mecha capable of movement.

Two consecutive bullet holes created by armor-piercing rounds were repairable, but there was no time for repairs.

This Mecha is now called Tai Chi.

Lizhizi affectionately reached out to touch the Mecha temporarily assigned to him. His gaze was firm and content, his movements slow and tender.

"Some say that in times of peace, Taoists retreat to the mountains to cultivate, and in times of chaos, they descend to save the people," he mused. "This saying... is somewhat biased."

Lizhizi lowered his hand and looked at the Mecha as if in a trance, "I pursued Taoism not to seek immortality, but to learn martial arts. I just wanted to be like the heroes in novels, to save the world. But then things changed, the era changed. Wuxia was no longer popular, acts of chivalry went out of fashion. I considered returning to secular life, but I couldn’t find my place in the world, so I couldn’t become an immortal nor return to secular life."

Gao Yuan didn’t speak; he just quietly observed Lizhizi.

Lizhizi spoke softly, "I dropped out of school at fourteen, went to Wudang at fifteen, and studied there for twenty years until my master passed away. I thought about returning to secular life, but I couldn’t adapt anymore. So, I returned to Wudang. This time, I didn’t aspire to be a hero but to genuinely devote myself to Taoist cultivation."

Lizhizi touched the bullet hole and then whispered, "The year I turned thirty-nine, a secular brother funded the construction of Queen Mother Temple. He invited my uncle, a Taoist priest, to oversee it, and I went too. It was deep in the mountains with scarcely any visitors, an ideal place for cultivation. But then the aliens came..."

Lizhizi turned to look at Gao Yuan, and said gravely, "My uncle was a Taoist healer with excellent medical skills, but he seldom treated people, because even in the countryside, few people sought out traditional Chinese medicine. He didn’t need to heal or save anyone, but when the aliens came, he felt he had to help, and then he was bitten by a zombie. He couldn’t save anyone, not a single person."

Lizhizi took the long sword from his back, drew it, revealing only half of a broken blade, then whispered, "My uncle was unrivaled in both boxing and swordsmanship, unparalleled in medicine, but he died just like that. Before he died, he said to me, ’Lizhizi, we cultivate immortality for ourselves, but we save lives for all beings. Turmoil is coming to this world. Go down from the mountain. Save whoever you can, and do not waste the years of practice and study. As for becoming an immortal, if it happens, it happens. If not, let it be.’"

"And then?"

The speaker was Luo Xingyu, who was curious since she didn’t know Lizhizi before.

Lizhizi swung the broken sword and said in a deep voice, "With this sword, I pierced my uncle’s chest. Then I wanted to save people, but when I saw the entire village had become zombies, I ran back to the mountains, to the Taoist Temple, and spent my days in distress."

Lizhizi placed the jagged end of the broken sword on the Mecha and dragged it forcefully, but it didn’t leave the slightest mark on the Mecha.

Lizhizi retrieved the broken sword and said distantly, "I’ve lived for forty-five years, practicing boxing for thirty and sword-fighting for twenty-seven, but I’ve never fought with anyone, never even argued. I want to save the world, but I don’t know what I can do. Should I draw talismans to drive away evil spirits? I can do that, I can form the hand seals, but what’s the use? I toiled away on the mountain until I saw a large number of soldiers below, and that’s when I finally felt I had a chance. So I came down and sought you out."

Gao Yuan nodded and said, "You didn’t go into such detail last time."

Lizhizi sighed, "I guess I’m part of your team now, but I don’t know what I can do. Yet, I really want to do something."

Luo Xingyu sincerely said, "Taoist Priest, you’re forty-five? You really don’t look it. I would have guessed you were only thirty at most."

Lizhizi offered a bittersweet smile, "I... know I’m not really useful. Even fortune-telling, I don’t fully believe in it myself. I’ve joined Spark Squad, but along the way, what can I do? At most I assist with things, help take care of the wounded. What else can I do? The era of swords and knives is over. A lifetime of training doesn’t compare to just the flick of your fingers. All I have is a sword, and it’s broken..."

Gao Yuan said gravely, "No, Taoist Priest, you are still very useful."

Lizhizi exhaled and touched the Mecha again, then said tenderly, "There’s no need to comfort me. It was only with this Mecha that I realized what I could do. You... view Mechas as weapon platforms, like tanks or helicopters. Ultimately, it’s about solving problems with guns and cannons. But to me, it’s different. This Mecha... it was made for me, made to measure for a martial artist. Do you believe me? Sooner or later, war will revert to its old ways. The Electromagnetic Cannon will only be auxiliary. The Mecha itself will be the strongest weapon!"

Lizhizi’s words gave the others pause for thought. Then, another Mecha pilot stepped forward, opened his helmet to reveal a transparent visor, showing a face Gao Yuan did not recognize.

"Taoist Priest, I don’t think you’re right. You don’t understand what electromagnetic..."

Lizhizi smiled, "I’m not well-educated. I don’t know about electromagnetic weapons or armor types. I just look at the Xinghe Mechas and understand. If this Mecha can perfectly mimic every human movement, then it’s certainly not just a platform to carry weapons. Looking at the Xinghe Mechas, you should know this."

After speaking, Lizhizi turned his back to his own Mecha, smiled and said, "Martial Arts will once again come into people’s sights, especially when those with a martial arts foundation can effortlessly control Mechas, and others cannot. Then martial arts will surely be valued."

The chest armor of the Mecha opened. Lizhizi stepped back, moving into the Mecha. As his arms made slight motions, the Mecha mimicked them and closed up. The Mecha then rotated in place, a full-sized replica of Lizhizi, arms shaking with a swipe and a fierce kick of the right leg, landing with a thump as he turned around, completing a set of movements as smooth as clouds and flowing water. Lizhizi’s voice floated from inside the Mecha, "Future wars will not only consist of gunfire and artillery but also knights in combat. I think that weapons suitable for close combat will eventually be developed."

Luo Xingyu and the other Mecha exchanged glances. Suddenly, Luo Xingyu said, "Actually, such weapons exist now, but after several trials, they’ve been temporarily abandoned because they’re not as practical as the Electromagnetic Gun."

Xiang Weiguo emerged from the 59-update cockpit, smiling, "I wasn’t planning to come out, given the circumstances. It’s really careless to be chatting out in the open like this. But, Taoist Priest, have you heard of the plasma state?"