ca-book Chapter 712 Trial
Chapter 712 Trial
Chapter 712 Trial
Battleship Serenity, meditation room.
This is an empty and silent cabin. There is no facilities except for a few cushions in the center. The floor and walls are covered with cold and hard black stone slabs, and the inner layer is a complex sound-absorbing material. There are vents and lighting strips on the ceiling above. This is the quietest cabin in the entire battleship. The vibration and noise deep in the core of the battleship will not reach here.
Fu Qinghai and Wo Kan sat cross-legged facing each other.
"This is the situation the empire is facing now."
Fu Qinghai looked at Wokan and said seriously:
“And the steps I took to deal with the situation.”
"I understand, Qingshan."
The Primarch nodded and said calmly:
"There's nothing wrong with your actions."
Vulkan Vulkan was the largest among the eighteen Primarchs. Even though both of them were sitting cross-legged, Fu Qinghai's figure still looked very "petite" in comparison. The Primarch in front of him was like a huge black wall.
"Inquisition representative Veritus and trainee Inquisitor Vera Nora are also on my ship. If you need anything, I can ask them to explain the situation to you."
Fu Qinghai then made another suggestion.
After all, everything Fu Qinghai said now was just his own one-sided statement. If Vulkan needed to know the details of the "Terra Spring" coup, Fu Qinghai also brought a person with a relatively neutral stance - Grand Master of the Inquisition Veritus.
"No need, Qingshan, I believe you."
Vukan shook his head and said:
"I don't need another High Lord to tell me how they got the Empire into such a mess."
"But I have a question."
Wokan looked at Fu Qinghai gently:
"You said you came for me. I'm curious how you found me? How did you know I was on Cordra?"
Fu Qinghai thought about it, and finally opened his five clenched fingers, revealing the nocturnal salamander tooth in his palm.
Wokan looked at the huge tooth with surprise. He took the tooth from Fu Qinghai, played with it carefully in his palm, and a hint of reminiscence appeared in his eyes.
"A few weeks ago a mysterious old man came to Terra, gave me this thing, and told me your location."
Fu Qinghai briefly described the situation.
Many key details were omitted.
"I see."
Vukan nodded slightly without asking any further questions. This tooth seemed to bring back many distant and vague memories. He stared at the exquisite triangular incisor in his palm with a deep red gaze, saying nothing. It was unknown what he was thinking at the moment.
Fu Qinghai didn't disturb him either.
After a moment, Vulkan raised his head.
"I have some impression of your name, Qingshan Khan. Chagatai mentioned you to me...Looking back, the last time I saw him was at the meeting that decided the future fate of the legion. Chagatai boasted to me privately that he had an Iron Khan under his command, whose forging skills were so superb that he could rival the most powerful technical sergeants of the Salamanders - although he may not know that every Space Marine in the Salamanders is the best craftsman. I didn't believe his words, but I didn't refute him. I just congratulated him on getting a capable general."
Vulkan looked at Fu Qinghai and slowly recalled.
"The Khan praises me too much."
Fu Qinghai lowered his head modestly.
Facing Vulcan, Fu Qinghai had to be more or less modest, after all, his character was the "Primarch of Craftsmen". Vulcan might not be as creative as Finus Manus and Perturabo in inventing new military equipment, but he was definitely unique in creating personal weapons and equipment.
Vulcan created countless top-notch weapons and equipment in his life, but most of them were destroyed by the Primarch himself before the Istvan Landing Massacre - because the Fire Dragon Lord had a bad premonition at the time, worried that these weapons and equipment would fall into the hands of traitors, which was quite foresighted in hindsight. Later, at the request of his descendants, he retained seven weapons and equipment, which are the famous "Vulcan Seven Artifacts".
In the 31st century, after the Great Purge, Vulkan also disappeared like Leman Russ, leaving behind a sentence "I will return at the end of time". The Salamanders have a position called "Father of the Forge", the only purpose of this position is to find the seven artifacts of Vulkan scattered across the galaxy, because the Sons of the Fire Dragon always believe that if the seven artifacts of Vulkan are found, their Gene Father will return. All the hardships experienced in the search for these artifacts are tests of the Primarch for his descendants.
Because the Lord of Fire Dragon once said:
"On the anvil of war, only the strong can withstand the hammering and the weak are doomed to perish. Therefore, the human soul must stand the test of the fire like metal in the forge."
This quote is from The Codex of Fire.
As a result, now, the Salamanders have not yet collected the seven artifacts of Vulcan, and Fu Qinghai has found the Primarch, which is really embarrassing. This makes the behavior of the Son of Fire Dragon in pursuing the seven artifacts of Vulcan look more like a kind of self-consolation - because they can't find their father, they set some very difficult goals as a so-called "test". There is no direct causal relationship between Vulcan's return and the seven artifacts.
"I observed the new weapon you invented."
However, Vukan said seriously:
"I realized that Jaghatai was not exaggerating. On the contrary, it seems that his original statement was too conservative. Your inventiveness is no less than that of Finus Manus or Perturabo. The new weapons invented by the two of them during the entire Great Crusade may not be as good as your creations. This is an incredible miracle!"
Is not this nonsensical?
Fu Qinghai thought to himself:
If I directly plunder new weapons and equipment technology from other reincarnation worlds, wouldn’t that be faster than those two inventors?
And this is just the beginning? What you see now are only the individual weapons in the hands of the Space Marines. The Iron Pagoda Regiment has many things that have not been shown. For example, the leader warriors, the broken army golden armor, the water of life, the twenty-two transformation operations, and the automatic medical platform...
"You are too kind, my Lord."
Fu Qinghai continued to maintain a humble attitude.
Strictly speaking, after all.
He didn't invent these things.
He just integrated, improved and upgraded the technology.
"Excessive modesty is hypocrisy, Qingshan."
Vukan shook his head and said:
"Your cabin is great. Can you leave it to me? I want to stay here by myself for a while. Also, there should be a personal forging room in your warship, right? Lend it to me. A big war is about to start. My power armor needs to be repaired, and my weapons need to be reforged."
"Of course, my lord."
Fu Qinghai stood up and nodded:
“All your requests will be met.”
Fu Qinghai understood what Wokan meant:
He wanted to stay here alone and quietly.
So Fu Qinghai didn't bother him anymore and stood up and walked towards the cabin door. Before leaving the meditation room, Fu Qinghai thought of something and couldn't help but turn back to look at Vukan who was still sitting cross-legged on the ground:
"Do we need to notify the Salamanders, my lord?"
Vukan shook his head slightly and said nothing.
……
During the entire voyage, Volkan stayed in the meditation room of the Rectification, except for occasionally asking for some materials and going to Fu Qinghai's forging room to tinker with something. Fu Qinghai occasionally went over to take a look, and it seemed that he was making a hammer-like weapon. Volkan did not shy away from watching from the side.
Vulkan has created numerous pieces of legendary equipment, many of which are hammer weapons, including: "Thunderhead" (the original weapon equipment), "Dawnbringer" (the hammer originally intended for Horus), "Burning Hand" (during the Nocturne Campaign), "Destruction Shock" (during the Beast Wars), showing his special liking for this type of weapon. The terminator troops of the Salamanders also all use thunder hammers.
If the records in the "Biography of the Primarchs" are correct, then the hammer that Volkan is forging now is the "Destruction Shock". Fu Qinghai stood at the door of the forging room, watching the Primarch forging his weapon with his back to him. Volkan's forging method looked a bit primitive, but he knew that the Primarch's body, his strength, his hands, feet, eyes and brain were the most sophisticated CNC machine tools.
Fu Qinghai watched quietly for a while.
Then he turned and left the forging room.
Overall, the Primarch's performance was somewhat negative and did not meet the Space Marines' expectations of him.
Many Space Marines hoped that the Primarch would stand up, make an impassioned and inspiring oath or speech, and then lead the Space Marines to attack and defeat the Orks - just like any loyal Primarch should have done more than a thousand years ago. But contrary to expectations, Volkan seemed to have no interest in commanding all the Space Marines, and stayed in the meditation room and forge room of the Rectification all day.
Some Space Marines even suspected that Fu Qinghai had put Vorkan under house arrest. In order to clarify this suspicion, Fu Qinghai convened a special meeting and announced publicly at the meeting that he would transfer command to the Primarch, but was rejected by Vorkan on the spot. The Primarch said that everything would be discussed after returning to Terra.
Vulkan's unpredictable negative attitude disappointed many Space Marines, which in turn affected the morale of the entire joint fleet. To be honest, Fu Qinghai didn't know what Vulkan was thinking, but he had some vague guesses in his mind about the reason why Vulkan was so negative.
A very simple reverse question:
If, if Vulkan had just returned to the imperial military sequence and immediately commanded all the imperial armies with high morale and high spirits, then why did Vulkan abandon his offspring, conceal his identity, and live alone in a remote mining world in the past thousand years?
As long as he wants, the Lord of Fire Dragon can return to the Empire openly at any time. At that time, as the only loyal Primarch alive, he can still command all the Imperial armies.
Now the vast majority of Space Marines in the two legions have not experienced the Great Crusade and the Heresy. If they were fortunate enough to participate in the Great Crusade, they would probably understand why Vorkan is so negative now - during that special period, from the Primarch to the Space Marines, including the recorders and preachers, everyone believed from the bottom of their hearts that the crusade initiated by the Emperor would make this galaxy a better place. They firmly believed that they were bringing civilization and light to the lost former colonies of mankind that were lost in ignorance, darkness and barbarism.
And look at the human empire today.
Instead, it has become more superstitious, ignorant and dark.
It is far from the original ideal vision.
Vorkan's negativity is understandable. Any imperial soldier who has participated in the Great Crusade would inevitably feel disheartened when looking at the current state of the human empire.
No matter how eagerly the other Space Marines waited, Vulkan remained in the meditation room and forge room of the Rectification until the combined fleet finally arrived at Holy Terra.
…………
Battleship HMS Rectification, captain's room.
"From what I remember, in the original novel, Vulkan was like this as well, isolated and negative. So the next part of the story is crucial, you have to listen to me carefully, Qingshan."
Vera Nora looked at Fu Qinghai and said seriously:
"In the original novel, Volkan only served as the supreme commander of the human coalition in name, while Kurland was the actual commander-in-chief. There were actually some disputes here. Kurland's prestige and qualifications were not enough to convince the public. Bosimond of the Black Templar and Quesadra of the Crimson Fist both wanted to compete for the position of 'commander-in-chief', so Volkan set a test - whoever could lift his hammer and swing it to destroy a gate of the palace would become the commander-in-chief."
"A test similar to King Arthur's Sword in the Stone?"
Fu Qinghai felt that this scene was somewhat familiar.
His thoughts immediately diverged:
Is it because the weapon of the Primarch itself is so massive that ordinary Space Marines cannot lift it or is it because Vulkan has set some psychic restrictions on the hammer, similar to Thor's hammer Mjolnir in the Marvel multiverse, so that unapproved people cannot lift it? The latter possibility is not small. Since the weapons created by the Lord of Fire Dragon are called "artifacts", they are likely not ordinary technological creations.
"more or less."
Vera paused and continued:
"Both Poseidon and Quessadra tried, but neither of them could lift the hammer. When it was Kurland's turn, he and his tactical team lifted the hammer together, and then threw it at the door to break it open - strictly speaking, this is cheating, right? But Volkan believes that Kurland knows how to cooperate with other warriors, which shows that he is not a dictatorial and self-willed person. He deeply understands that the Astartes Legion should act as a whole, not as individual warriors. This is why Kurland is more suitable than other chapter masters to be the commander-in-chief of the human coalition."
So it's really just because the hammer is heavy?
After hearing this, Fu Qinghai realized that he was overthinking.
After trying for a long time, they couldn't lift the hammer, simply because the hammer was too heavy, so it required a tactical team to lift it together... But this problem was not a problem at all for Fu Qinghai. With his extraordinary and strong physique after multiple modifications, his strength was by no means comparable to that of ordinary Space Marines. The hammer that other warriors tried their best to lift but couldn't, for him perhaps he could easily lift it with one hand.
"Now that I have told you the correct answer in advance, you know what to do next, right? If you still want to continue to serve as the commander-in-chief of the human coalition forces."
Vera stared at Fu Qinghai and said seriously.
"Thank you for your reminder and advice, Vera."
Fu Qinghai looked at the female judge and said sincerely:
“But I may not need to follow this approach.”
"What do you mean?"
Vera frowned and asked in confusion.
In her opinion, she had pointed out a key plot, which was crucial to whether Qingshan could become the commander-in-chief of the human coalition forces, and even more so to whether the beasts could be defeated in the end. But looking at the expression on his face, he seemed to be indifferent to it. Could it be that he had changed his nature and wanted to give up this position?
Fu Qinghai shook his head without explaining.
Yes, his power is beyond imagination.
But maybe he won't even need to lift the hammer.
…………
Terra, the palace.
The Hall of Admonition is located at the top of Stilicho's Tower. The huge curved balcony of the semicircular hall faces the dome of the Senate Hall. Every five meters at the entrance of the hall, there is a giant granite sculpture, which symbolizes the first batch of loyal Astartes Legions. This hall is a symbol of commitment and vigilance. These Space Marine statues hold weapons and stare coldly at the passage in front of them, which makes people feel awe.
The High Lords rarely set foot here.
Representatives of the Blood Angels, Ultramarines, Space Wolves, and Dark Angels had been waiting here long before Fu Qinghai arrived. Space Marines filled the hall, and around them were statues of the same style three times their size. When the four chapter masters saw Fu Qinghai, their expressions turned grim.
"Thank you all for answering Terra's call."
Fu Qinghai walked to the center of the training hall and his eyes swept across the faces of the commanders of the four newly founded regiments.
Sure enough, he saw a familiar face. The red-haired and red-bearded Space Marine grinned at him, revealing two obvious canine teeth at the corners of his mouth.
Another Space Marine with long flowing golden hair and a pale and cold face looked at Fu Qinghai deeply, his eyes were very complicated and he didn't know what he wanted to express. Fu Qinghai didn't know him, but he knew he was a Blood Angel by looking at the crimson power armor and the blood-drop-winged chapter emblem.
The Chapter Masters of the Dark Angels and the Ultramarines also looked at Fu Qinghai with a scrutinizing gaze, as if they wanted to know how this Chapter Master of the White Scars could serve as the temporary commander-in-chief of two reassembled Astartes Legions and successfully launch a military coup in the Throne World.
Fu Qinghai did not stand directly on the podium in the middle of the hall, but stopped beside the podium. Heavy footsteps came from behind him, and Wokan strode into the admonition hall.
The expressions on the Space Marines' faces changed. Fu Qinghai saw their awed gazes following the Primarch's figure, and then one after another they bowed their heads and knelt on one knee.
"Arise, warriors of the Empire."
As Vulcan spoke, he strode up the steps to the central podium, turned around and looked around the hall. He was silent for a full minute, and then said in a judgmental tone:
"I will be meeting with all the High Lords here."
……
The high lords and the empire elders formed a dark stream of people, walking along the long spiral staircase to the admonition hall. Wangerich heard the complaints of the Minister of the Interior.
“When will this coup end?”
No one else said a word, letting Ekas continue to talk nonsense. Although the entire outer city of the palace was still under the joint control of the 12th Company of the Iron Pagoda Regiment and the 2nd Company of the Fist of the Exemplary, after the two Astartes Legions left the throne world for a while, the Minister of the Interior seemed to have regained some courage to complain.
"Under the guise of saving us, Qingshan Khan gathered a legion and came to the throne world, expelled and imprisoned Chancellor Udo and the Pope of the Ecclesiarchy, and placed the entire Terra under his control. Now we are called over like a group of servants to participate in the ceremony of the Astartes, and the Primarch refused to even condescend to enter the Imperial Senate Hall. He made us wait for a whole day before summoning us, a whole day! Don't you understand? Don't you realize what is happening? Qingshan Khan will continue his rule! The Primarch does not intend to restore order, he does not intend to end this rebellion!"
The Minister of the Interior spoke quickly, anxiously and angrily.
This person is probably about to cry.
Wangerich thought to himself:
At this moment, he urgently needed an ally, another high lord or another imperial elder to speak up and agree with his ideas, to help him build up his momentum and courage.
Ekas pleaded with the people around him with his eyes, but all he got was silence. The imperial officials still lowered their heads and walked up silently, which made him embarrassed and panicked.
Wangorichi couldn't help but sneer when he saw this.
You are lonelier than you think, or maybe not as lonely as you think. No one comes out to refute you, they may agree with your point of view, but no one dares to say it out loud.
The Grand Master of the Assassin's Court thought to himself.
In an unbearable silence.
The group walked into the admonition hall.
When Wangerich finally saw the giant waiting for them, the Grand Master of the Assassin's Court could hardly suppress his awe and hope, and his breathing became rapid.
The other high lords presented a different scene: they were so overwhelmed by the Primarch's majestic figure and imposing aura that they were speechless, and all of them stood there frozen in place like wooden chickens.
On both sides of Volkan were the chapter masters of seventeen chapters. The Primarch in the middle had his arms crossed over his chest, his gray-black face was gloomy and his eyes were cold and ruthless.
In the distance, in the streets, squares and chapels of the outer city of the palace, some low-level administrative clerks and their families were lighting fireworks and cheering to celebrate the Empire's victory on the planet Cordra.
After the news reached Terra, it inspired many people. After Qingshan Khan reorganized the Council of High Lords and the Imperial Senate, the Empire immediately won a real victory. This was a good start and brought endless hope. It seemed that the Empire's complete victory over the Orks was just around the corner.
But those cheers don’t reach here.
There was only an increasingly dull silence in the hall.
And worse – the trial.
"Cough cough..."
The Minister of the Interior cleared his throat and spoke hoarsely:
"Lord Vulkan, we are honored to..."
"I have spoken to Chapter Master Aoyama."
The Primarch interrupted bluntly.
Ekas froze, his mouth half open.
"On the way back, I spent a day and a night thinking about what the High Lords had done."
Vulkan continued, his tone calm with infinite disgust, his eyes sweeping over all the imperial officials:
"You should be thankful to the orcs... If it weren't for unity, I would have killed you all."
Do it!
Wangerqi was overjoyed when he heard this:
Do it now! Purify the decay and create the new, this is what a Primarch can do.
If Vulkan decided to kill all the high lords and imperial elders present, Wangorich was willing to die for this feat. But unfortunately, the primarch had no such intention.
"We are preparing for the expedition to Ullanor."
Vukan slowed down his tone and said in a deep voice:
"You also need to make your own preparations."
Ugh……
Wangerich sighed quietly.
That moment has passed, and the frightened High Lords will soon begin to calculate again. Knowing that the Primarch is unwavering in his support for Qingshan Khan, each faction will now try to use Qingshan Khan to achieve their own goals. The endless political game has begun again.
The game continues.
Did the coup launched by Qingshan really change anything?
The Grand Master of the Assassin's Court couldn't help but begin to reflect at this point.
Does everything need to be completely uprooted to bring about a new life?
If the Primarch will not do this...
So can I do it?
…………