A line of Mongol cavalry rode out from the vast encampment, their horses kicking up powdery snow as they approached.
At their head rode a broad-shouldered general clad in lamellar armor, a riding whip coiled in his hand.
His gaze settled first on Qiu Chuji and his disciples—then, inevitably, on the enormous steel vehicle behind them.
He slowed his horse, then dismounted with practiced ease.
"By order of the Great Khan," the general announced in Mongolian, "I have come to welcome Master Changchun, Qiu Chuji, and his disciples—along with Mr. Chen, the man said to have entered the dwelling of the gods."
Chen Rong listened carefully.
Over the past five months, he and Liu Zhonglu had spent nearly every spare moment learning Mongolian.
During rest stops, he deliberately sought out soldiers to practice conversation.
His pronunciation was still imperfect, but he could now follow ordinary speech.
So he understood every word.
"General Zha Tuohua," Liu Zhonglu stepped forward, cupping his hands respectfully.
"By order of the Great Khan, I have escorted Master Changchun and Mr. Chen safely. Fortunately, I have not failed in my duty."
The general nodded slightly.
"Well done, Imperial Physician Liu.
The Great Khan instructed me to prepare four tents. Master Changchun will occupy one alone. His disciples will take two.
The remaining tent is prepared for Mr. Chen. Everything has been arranged. Please follow me."
They had received Liu Zhonglu's messenger the previous day, so preparations were already complete.
Chen Rong inclined his head politely.
"Thank you, General."
Zha Tuohua continued, "The Great Khan wishes to summon Master Changchun first. As for Mr. Chen, you will wait in your tent for now.
After the Great Khan has received Master Changchun, you will be summoned tonight."
His eyes shifted again to the steel vehicle.
"The Great Khan specifically requested that you bring your steel mount. He wishes to see it with his own eyes."
Chen Rong nodded calmly.
"That will be no problem."
Yet inwardly, he understood the deeper meaning behind this arrangement.
Rumors had spread throughout the Mongol army about the man who had "entered the dwelling of the gods." Some believed him to be favored by heaven.
Others suspected deception.
Several Han officials had already warned Genghis Khan that charlatans in the Central Plains often used tricks to deceive rulers.
Genghis Khan, however, had only replied that he would judge for himself.
Tonight's audience was clearly meant as a test.
If he failed to impress… the consequences would likely be fatal.
Chen Rong's expression remained calm, but his mind was already calculating.
The vehicle alone might not be enough. Tomorrow, he would release the drone.
That would be the true shock.
"Please follow me," Zha Tuohua said.
Chen Rong climbed back into the driver's seat and began unfastening the ropes attached to the three exhausted horses that had been pulling the vehicle.
The animals were thin now, their ribs faintly visible beneath their winter coats.
Dragging several tons of steel across desert and mountains had taken its toll.
Liu Zhonglu glanced at him.
"Mr. Chen, will you not use horses anymore?"
"We've reached the Great Khan's camp," Chen Rong replied. "The general has already helped me obtain black oil. Once I refine it, I'll be able to drive again."
With that, he turned the ignition.
The engine, silent for nearly half a year, suddenly roared to life.
The violent mechanical growl shattered the quiet.
The headlights flickered on, casting twin beams across the snowy ground.
Nearby horses panicked instantly, rearing and snorting in alarm. Several Mongol cavalry tightened their reins, struggling to calm their mounts.
Zha Tuohua's eyes widened slightly.
The steel monster… moved.
Zha Tuohua looked at the off-road vehicle in front of him with interest, and comforted his horse by the way.
That move almost frightened his horse.
The deep, unnatural roar seemed to vibrate through the air itself. Even battle-hardened warhorses recoiled from the sound.
Liu Zhonglu hurried forward, his expression tense.
"Mr. Chen! Please keep the noise down.
When they first met, the roar of this big steel guy scared the horses. More than a dozen horses were instantly frightened.
There are many warhorses in the camp. And If there was any chain reaction in the military camp, and they horses panicked, the consequences could be disastrous!"
Chen Rong nodded.
"Rest assured, General Liu. I understand. Please lead the way. I'll follow behind you."
Looking at their expressions, it was clear that many did not believe him. But that did not matter.
His strange iron carriage was proof enough, and by tomorrow, he would reveal an even greater trump card. The flying devices (drone) would have to be released.
That would be the true shock.
In any dynasty, people of the past held deep reverence for those who could fly.
Flight was often associated with immortals and divine beings, symbols of heavenly power beyond mortal understanding.
If something rose into the sky before their eyes, they would not see it as mere machinery, but as a sign connected to immortals and gods.
He eased the vehicle forward slowly.
Even at low speed, the steel machine attracted every eye.
As they entered the Mongol encampment, Chen Rong observed carefully.
The outer perimeter consisted of ordinary Mongol soldiers. About ten men shared each felt tent, arranged in orderly rows.
Further inside lay the slave camp.
Wooden fences enclosed hundreds of prisoners—men, women, and children. Many wore iron shackles. Their faces were hollow with exhaustion and fear.
Younger adult men were incorporated into the Mongolian servant army and were generally used as cannon fodder and siege troops.
Chen Rong's jaw tightened slightly.
He had already witnessed the devastation across Khwarezm. Now he saw the machinery of conquest up close.
Everywhere, people stared at the moving steel vehicle.
Mongol soldiers frowned in curiosity. Servant troops whispered uneasily. Prisoners looked on with a mixture of fear and hope, as if witnessing something beyond their understanding.
No one had ever seen such a thing.
Was it a weapon? A divine artifact? A monster forged from iron?
Chen Rong kept driving forward slowly, careful not to startle the horses again.
At last they reached the central command area, where the tents grew larger and more widely spaced.
Guards stood at regular intervals, their armor gleaming faintly in the cold light.
Zha Tuohua stopped.
"These three tents are for Master Changchun and his disciples," he said.
"You may rest here. Someone will come shortly to escort Master Changchun to meet the Great Khan."
As for Mr. Chen, please come with me. Your tents In another place.
Qiu Chuji bowed slightly.
"Thank you, General."
He turned to Chen Rong.
"Mr. Chen, we part here. If you have time, come visit my tent. Your steel carriage draws much attention—it is best to remain cautious."
Chen Rong smiled faintly.
"Of course, Master Changchun. I will visit when I have the chance."
Qiu Chuji nodded, then watched as Chen Rong slowly drove away.
One of his disciples spoke quietly.
"Master… it seems Mr. Chen's situation may not be easy."
Qiu Chuji sighed.
"That is not for us to interfere with. Prepare our belongings. I must also make ready to meet the Great Khan."
Meanwhile, Chen Rong followed Zha Tuohua deeper into the camp.
After some distance, they arrived at a separate black tent standing slightly apart from the others.
"This is your residence," Zha Tuohua said. "Roasted beef, mutton, kumiss, and some fruits have been prepared. Rest for a while.
After the Great Khan meets Master Changchun, you will be summoned."
Chen Rong inclined his head.
"Thank you, General."
Zha Tuohua gave one last glance at the steel vehicle before departing.
After he left, Chen Rong parked beside the tent and shut off the engine.
The sudden silence felt almost heavy.
He stepped down, stretching his stiff limbs. The cold mountain air cut sharply across his face.
Inside the tent, food had been prepared—roasted meat, fermented mare's milk, dried fruits, and flatbread.
Yet Chen Rong did not eat immediately.
Instead, he returned to the vehicle and began unloading several carefully selected items.
He moved deliberately, his thoughts racing.
Tonight's meeting with Genghis Khan would determine everything.
If he failed, he would likely die.
If he succeeded…
He might gain influence powerful enough to change history.
He looked toward the distant central tents, where the Great Khan awaited.
My fate depend on what happened tonight.
Chen Rong took a slow breath, then carried the supplies into the tent, preparing quietly for the coming audience.