Watching Zhang Tian’s appearance, Fang Er was amused. After laughing for a while, he explained the function of the wingsuit to them.
Duke, you mean that by wearing this thing and jumping from a helicopter, one can glide like a bat and control the speed and direction of descent?
Although he couldn’t take off like a bat, Zhang Tian was already astonished by the ability to control his movement freely in the air.
Yes, this effect can be achieved with long-term training. Fang Er nodded affirmatively.
What are we waiting for, Duke? Why don’t we try it now? Zhang Tian’s heart was pounding uncontrollably.
The sky held a huge attraction for him. As a man determined to become a flying ace of the Great Tang, how could he refuse something like a wingsuit?
We will definitely try it, but not now. These newly selected paratroopers need to undergo training for a period before they have sufficient understanding of parachutes and wingsuits.
How many people under you have parachuted before? Fang Er asked Zhang Tian.
Zhang Tian scratched his head and replied sheepishly, Reporting to the Duke, including myself, there are only ten people.
Then let’s not rush the jump. You take them to familiarize themselves with the parachute packs. Get them acquainted with the old parachutes and these new ones.
I will arrange a dedicated training ground for the paratroopers. We’ll discuss it then. After rejecting Zhang Tian’s request, Fang Er took his men back to his residence.
Upon arriving at the residence, he had Yan Shuangying call Zhao Gang to the study.
Fang Er drew diagrams in front of Zhao Gang, explaining the contents of the diagrams as he drew.
The diagram depicted a wind tunnel, which would allow paratroopers to experience the sensation of soaring without the risk of falling to their deaths.
After the last stroke of the diagram, Zhao Gang asked some unclear points. After receiving clarification, he took the diagrams and left.
Duke, the Yan Yun cavalry has returned!
Less than ten minutes after Zhao Gang left, Yan Shuangying shouted excitedly from outside the study.
The Yan Yun cavalry is back?
Fang Er quickly put away the rocket diagrams he had just spread out, opened the study door, and saw a group of people in the courtyard.
The Yan Yun Eighteen Cavalry, all present and accounted for, stood in the courtyard. Upon seeing Fang Er, they bowed respectfully and then said in unison.
The Yan Yun Eighteen Cavalry have returned from pursuing Hou Jinji and are here to report to the Duke!
Report? So, Hou Jinji really died at their hands.
Fang Er was overjoyed. Good! Tell me how you found Hou Jinji on this journey.
Guan Chang recounted the events since leaving Chang’an in detail, then took out a piece of paper from his pocket.
Duke, I sent Hou Jinji’s head to the mausoleum.
This is a receipt written by Battalion Commander Qi. Please review it.
Fang Er took it and opened it. There were only two lines of small text.
Receipt: Received one head sent back by the Yan Yun cavalry today, confirmed to be the rebel Hou Jinji. It has been sent to the mausoleum for ancestor worship. We hope the Duke is aware.
Below was the signature: Defense Force, Qi Sui.
It was also stamped with his personal seal and the Great Seal of the Defense Force.
It seemed the Yan Yun cavalry had returned to Chang’an first, learned that he was in Shenyang, and then rushed all the way here.
Well done. Rest well for a few days, and I will reward you handsomely later!
Fang Er patted Guan Chang on the shoulder, then looked at the others in the courtyard besides the Yan Yun cavalry and asked curiously.
Who are these people?
Duke, these four men are monks we met in Tianzhu, Master Xuan Miao, and his three disciples, Wu Huan, Wu Xi, and Wu Chan, respectively.
The seven women are the daughters of the King of Tianzhu.
We also brought back the King of Tianzhu. We left him with the Ministry of Rites when we passed through Chang’an.
Good heavens, this isn’t just about defeating Hou Jinji; it seems they’ve conquered Tianzhu as well?
Fang Er could hardly believe his ears.
Hou Jinji, that scoundrel, caused the aristocratic families to disappear in Chang’an, and the Turks, Tubo, and Nanyue are gone too!
Fleeing all the way, he also caused the destruction of Biaoguo and Tianzhu!
I truly wonder what kind of crusade he will face in hell.
Also, why do these four monks look so familiar?
Fang Er walked curiously to the four of them and observed them.
A handsome monk, appearing to be in his early twenties.
A short fellow, holding a long staff.
A portly one, carrying a rake.
A bearded man, holding a magic pestle and wearing a string of beads carved with human heads around his neck.
These appearances, damn it, they’re not Xuan Miao and Wu Huan, they are clearly the quartet on the journey to the West!
Xuanzang? Fang Er tentatively called out to the handsome monk.
Namo Huānxǐ Fó, Xuanzang has passed. Please address this monk as Xuan Miao. The monk chanted Buddhist names, cupped his hands in salute, and replied to Fang Er.
Hey! Bald donkey! Whatever our Duke calls you, you are! Zhang De glared at him and roared.
Hey~ Sandezhi, speak nicely. These are enlightened eminent monks. Fang Er waved at him and said.
After speaking, he looked at Xuanzang’s three disciples. Wukong? Wu Neng? Wu Jing?
Although their Buddhist names had been changed, the three disciples reflexively nodded.
Having confirmed the identities of these four, Fang Er had no interest in the so-called seven princesses.
Guan Chang, you all go down and rest. Leave this master and his four disciples here. I am very interested in them.
Su Feng, go arrange their accommodation.