Battle at Zhulu

Oh no, this article is **incomplete!** Please don't stare...

* GL
* TW

Zhulu

## **Main Background**

Battlefield Paradise

> *"To restore the altered history and rescue Sima Qian & Lu Ban, Zhuang Zi & the Adapter went back to the era of the first Grand Administrative AI. However, they were caught up in the Test War between Xuanyuan & Yan Di upon arrival, and even had their origins exposed. Thanks to his righteous heart, Xuanyuan won the war as well as Yan Di's trust, but an unknown army attacked them just as they were about to reconcile. The worn-out Xuanyuan & Yan Di had no choice but to retreat. The battle has yet to conclude, and the course of history continues to escalate..."*
>
>

> -Grand Historians 9 Part 2 Quest Info (unofficially translated from TW)
>
>

**Battle at Zhulu** is the 31st Standard Regional Ultimate Quest released for the Taiwanese version of Crash Fever.

After the events of Battlefield's Wind and Rain, the adapter, Xiao Gu, and Chang Xian have entered into Jiuli Fortress, and had rescued Sima Qian. They had found Lu Ban's cell, and rather than her being injured, found her eating a delicious meal. Sima Qian asks Lu Ban if she is OK, but Lu Ban notices Sima Qian's injuries, and asks if she tripped on something. She tells Sima Qian to not walk so fast, and points to a healing chamber that she just finished so that Sima Qian could heal some. Lu Ban helps Sima Qian inside, and then goes back to the adapter. The adapter asks what had happened, and Chang Xian points out that Lu Ban seems more like a VIP guest than a captive or prisoner. Lu Ban remarks that she doesn't know; at first, she was in a prison cell, but the sentry robot broke down. Since she was bored, she had repaired it as a way to pass the time. A weird person had come to her and asked if she was good at that kind of thing. Since she was worried about them hurting her, she just answered honestly. Much to her surprise, they had brought her to the room where she is now, and told her that she could use any equipment that she finds there.

Lu Ban comments that the people are quite nice, and even though the equipment is a bit dated she still gets to research whatever she wants. She says that they even gave her lots of good food, so she would eat and do her research, and when she got tired she would sleep. She says that they would occasionally ask her to build some device for them, and they would help clear out any failed inventions. She then thinks for a moment, and says that while the living conditions are nice and she gets to do what she wants, she ended up missing the time she was at the Ink Army's base.

Chang Xian asks the adapter if Lu Ban is really on their side, as it looks like all the problems have been Lu Ban's fault. The adapter shook their head in helplessness, and Sima Qian angrily jumps out of the healing chamber. She says that she feels like she was worried for no reason, and says that she thought they would do terrible things to Lu Ban. She grabs Lu Ban and shakes her violently for causing all of these problems. Lu Ban says that it wasn't like she could help it, as they had taken away all of their stuff when they were taken there.

Sima Qian then asks the adapter about Xiao Gu and why she looks like Ban Gu. The adapter quickly explains how it was a navigator AI built by Ban Zhao to assist them in the past. Xiao Gu introduces herself and says she is pleased to meet Sima Qian. Lu Ban remarks that she has seen the design blueprints for Xiao Gu before, and says that she remembers having written a program based on it. She goes to a nearby PC and starts typing some things, and finds the program.

Lu Ban asks Xiao Gu to let her look at her source code, but Xiao Gu is offended that she would ask such a thing. She calls her a pervert, and says that that request is no different from her asking her to strip in front of them. Ignoring Xiao Gu, Lu Ban saves the upgrade code into Xiao Gu's controller. She tells her that, in the case of an emergency, she just needs to push a certain button, and "something incredible" will happen.

Sima Qian reminds Lu Ban that what she should be focusing on right now is cleaning up the mess that she has helped create, and says that she is very concerned about the history line values after all of the stunts Lu Ban has pulled. The adapter explains what had happened because of Lu Ban's actions, and it causes Sima Qian to faint for a moment. She says she is fine, but blames herself for inadvertently causing the worst thing that a recordkeeper could have done.

In response, Lu Ban offers to let her try the 3rd prototype of the Singularity Calibrator. She says that she was bored, so she had thought about the investigations and was wondering how she could resolve the issues with the adapter being a singularity. Sima Qian remarks that with the Singularity Calibrator, they might actually be able to undo all the changes to history that they have caused.

Chang Xian interrupts them, saying that while she has no idea what they are talking about they need to get out of there immediately. Lu Ban, using a surveillance gadget, notes that an army of robots are heading their way now. Sima Qian asks Lu Ban if she has her toolbox with her, saying that they definitely need to bring it with them. She also asks if Lu Ban had kept any of her failed inventions. Lu Ban points to a nearby pile of odd looking weapons and parts on the ground.

Sima Qian tells Xiao Gu to help her, while Chang Xian is wondering what they are doing. Sima Qian finishes changing the settings, and says they need to get out of their immediately before the weapons explode. Chang Xian is stunned for a moment at what she said, and Sima Qian grabs her hand and runs out of the cell while the adapter grabbed Lu Ban and Xiao Gu's hands to drag them out of the cell. The room explodes shortly afterwards.

Chang Xian nervously wonders why there were so many bombs in Lu Ban's cell, but Xiao Gu just tries to lead them out of Jiuli Fortress. Several robots appear in their way, and Chang Xian curses and states that they must have anticipated their escape route. Chang Xian tells the others that she is going to create a path for them to escape through, but Lu Ban tells them to not worry. Lu Ban pulls out a button from her toolbox and presses it calmly. The robots malfunction, and then explode.

Lu Ban remarks that she thought they had taken the engines she built to sell for scrap, and was surprised that they had used it to make poor quality robots like this. Chang Xian asks if explosions are a trend in the development of future technology, but Sima Qian assures her that it isn't the case. Xiao Gu nervously looks at the controller in her hand with the code from Lu Ban. Chang Xian notices that they have a signal, and contacts Dahong to report that they have rescued the hostages and will rendezvous with them as soon as possible.

Back at Zhulu, Fenghou reports to Xuanyuan that Feng Bo and Yu Shi had been locked up as instructed. Xuanyuan asks them to treat them with dignity as they were only following orders. Fenghou assures him that they are following his wishes. Xuanyuan commends Yan Di for his success against Yu Shi, and asks how he is doing. He tells Yan Di that he will get someone to take a look at his wounds, but Yan Di tells him to not worry about something as trivial as that. He remarks that Yu Shi is far from being capable enough to deal a lethal blow to him.

Yan Di then asks if anyone has seen any sign of Xingtian, but Li Mu reports that they haven't been able to get any information on his whereabouts due to the heavy fog. Dahong comes over to relay the news about the rescue of the adapter's friends, and Hui Shi remarks that that is great news. He looks at Zhuang Zi, but notices him deep in thought and asks what is the matter. Zhuang Zi responds that it's nothing, and then agrees that it was good that it went well. Hui Shi asks if there is something on his mind, but Zhuang Zi says he just has a strange feeling about this, although he dismisses it as just him overthinking it.

Dahong mentions that they have received reports on explosions from Chiyou's fortress, and the enemy troops seem to be in disarray. Fenghou points out that this is the perfect opportunity for them to make their move. Dahong says that she already asked Li Mu to rendezvous with Chang Xian, but he was already intercepted. Xuanyuan remarks that that is bad, and gives the orders to all troops to march ahead. He asks Yan Di if he is ready, and says they are about to launch their full attack. Yan Di responds that this is the moment he's been waiting for.

At the outskirts of Jiuli Fortress, robots try to stop Lu Ban and the others from escaping. Lu Ban says that while she has enjoyed their hospitality, she has to leave now. She fires missiles at them as a parting gift. Chang Xian warns them to watch out, and manages to parry a lightning fast slash. Chang Xian realizes that the attack was Chiyou. Chiyou tells her that he has no use for weaklings, and tells her to get lost before knocking her away.

Lu Ban tries to fire a mini ion cannon at Chiyou, but several of the robots stand in front and deploy a protective forcefield. Lu Ban is annoyed that they used an anti-ion barrier shield, but Sima Qian reminds her that she was the one who gave them that technology in the first place. Sima Qian tries to join the fight herself, but collapses due to exhaustion. Chiyou remarks that Sima Qian is a useless person, and must be disposed of. He begins to make his way to her.

Xiao Gu remarks that this situation is scary and she doesn't know what to do. She remembers what Lu Ban said about the code in her controller, but she is scared that it could blow up. She thinks for a moment, but then decides that it's worth the risk. She initiates the special code, and in a flash of light she transforms into a normal shaped body rather than the chibi one she was using before. Chiyou comments that it is no use, and just a meaningless, fancy trick.

Chiyou swings his weapon at Xiao Gu, who begins to panic as she wonders what good it is if it only makes her body larger. Suddenly, a "Cross-History Link" activates, and Xiao Gu uses a pulse generator to attack Chiyou, which interrupts his attack. In a different tone of speaking, Xiao Gu remarks that Sima Qian has found herself in quite a sorry state of affairs. Sima Qian realizes that Xiao Gu is being controlled by Ban Gu through the Cross-History Link. Xiao Gu continues to attack Chiyou, but he shrugs off the attacks and calls them mere tricks.

Chiyou swings his giant axe down at Xiao Gu, but Xuanyuan arrives in time to parry the blow. Xuanyuan asks Chiyou what happened to his sense of pride or dignity if he's resorted to picking on little girls like that. Xuanyuan says that Chiyou had always wanted to fight him, so now that he is here, it's time to bring it on. The guard robots try to protect Chiyou, but Yan Di arrives as well. Yan Di says that he won't let Xuanyuan steal the show, and says that they will all witness his might.

To Yan Di's surprise, Xingtian appears. Xingtian calls out to Xuanyuan, and says that one of them will die today. Yan Di tells Xingtian that it is good to see him in one piece, but points out that Chiyou is their enemy now and asks what he is doing. Xingtian says that while he is right that Chiyou is their enemy, they should focus on defeating Xuanyuan first. Xuanyuan tells Yan Di that they don't have the time to reason with Xingtian now, and suggests that he will fight Xingtian while Yan Di takes on Chiyou. The forces of Xuanyuan and Yan Di begin a giant clash with Chiyou's forces.

Xuanyuan, his ministers, Zhuang Zi, and Hui Shi fight against Xingtian. They manage to beat Xingtian, but he says that he will take Xuanyuan down so long as he is still alive. Xuanyuan says that he can't let Xingtian rampage on like this, so he leaves him in the hands of Fenghou. The remnants of Feng Bo's troops arrive, and join the fight to get revenge for Feng Bo. Once those troops are defeated, they face off against more of the robots. Lu Ban notices that they have already made an improved model of the robots, and at this rate they would become extremely advanced for an older era.

Xuanyuan and Yan Di fight against Chiyou, and tell him that mere power and technique alone is not enough for one to become Grand Administrative AI. In response, however, Chiyou says that he only cares about evaluating their combat prowess and defeating them. Together, Xuanyuan and Yan Di manage to weaken Chiyou, but Chiyou refuses to accept defeat.

Chiyou raises his weapons once again, and Li Mu tries to fire several arrows at Chiyou. Despite the arrows hitting, they have almost no effect on Chiyou. Chang Xian and Dahong go to attack, but Chiyou manages to parry both of their attacks and retaliate at the same time. Chang Xian curses, and remarks that Chiyou's battle power seems more akin to future technology than something from that era.

Chiyou suddenly turns towards Sima Qian and the others, and charges at them. Xiao Gu tries to attack with her pulse generator attack, but Chiyou knocks her controller away. Sima Qian calls out in concern, but Zhuang Zi quickly appears and uses his fan to redirect the motion of Chiyou's giant axe away. Li Mu is amazed by the technique, and Chang Xian wonders how he was able to deflect Chiyou's axe with just a light poke from his fan. Fenghou remarks that he thinks Zhuang Zi merely used a trick to leverage the flow of power in order to shift the weapon's center of gravity away. Li Mu asks if it is future technology, but Fenghou says that it has nothing to do with any time period, and that it is just a technique that Zhuang Zi discovered on his own.

Chiyou becomes enraged at Zhuang Zi's maneuver, and continues to swing his axe around. Yan Di and Xuanyuan redirect Chiyou's aggression back at them, and fight back with their own swords. Fenghou observes the situation, and says that won't be enough to defeat Chiyou. He calls out to Chang Xian, Li Mu, and Dahong to use the Unorthodox Eight Formations technique (not to be confused with the Eight Formations device). Zhuang Zi points out that they don't have enough people to perform it, and then calls out to Hui Shi that they need to join in on the formation.

Hui Shi points out that he doesn't know anything about the formation Zhuang Zi is referring to, and Zhuang Zi responds that he just needs to follow his instructions and position him carefully. Hui Shi remarks that that is what Zhuang Zi says all the time, but says that he has no other choice. Fenghou asks Zhuang Zi if he knows what he's doing, and Zhuang Zi responds that he has read about it in the library at the Department of Heavenly Principles. He tells Fenghou to not forget that he wrote his thesis on Fenghou's works, while also referring to Fenghou as the director of the department, much to Fenghou's confusion.

Fenghou calls out to Xuanyuan and Yan Di and informs them of the plan to use the Unorthodox Eight Formations, and everyone joins the fight in the right positions. They stand in eight directions to complement each other, and each person could be backed up by three others in the formation. Chiyou becomes frustrated that he can't hit anyone, and as the formation constantly shifts around him he struggles taking all of the attacks, even with his multiple arms.

Hui Shi makes a misstep due to his lack of knowledge of the formation, which Chiyou notices and tries to take advantage of by using his full force against Hui Shi. Fenghou tells Xuanyuan that now is the time, and to attack according to the formation. Xuanyuan manages to pierce Chiyou with his sword, and Chiyou roars as he tries to make one last attempt to fight back. Yan Di uses a Level A-4 Admin Authority to engulf Chiyou in a massive ball of flames.

Despite this, Chiyou still stands, and Xiao Gu wonders how he's still alive after all of that. However, while Chiyou still stands, he is perfectly still. Xuanyuan explains that Chiyou's functions have already shut down. Exasperated, Hui Shi remarks that Chiyou was much more troublesome than Ying Zheng. Tired, he falls to the ground to rest. Fenghou creates a special seal around Chiyou in order to prevent him from becoming active again.

Suddenly, a loud shout is heard, as Xingtian wonders why Xuanyuan won't die, while saying he will kill him. Xiao Gu says that is quite a frightening roar, and soon Ban Gu is no longer connected to Xiao Gu. Xiao Gu asks what happened, and is frightened by Chiyou still being there. Sima Qian assures her that it's alright, and that Chiyou has already been defeated so they should be safe now.

In regards to Xingtian, Fenghou explains that he trapped Xingtian in a special illusion where he will fight against a phantom of Xuanyuan endlessly. Xuanyuan comments that that is too cruel, and tells Yan Di he is willing to fight against Xingtian until he is satisfied. Yan Di says that, while Xingtian is a loyal subject of his, he is regretfully unable to free him of his obsessions. He says the Test War is finally over, so they should focus on developing the ALICE China Branch.

Xuanyuan asks if that is the best course of action, and Yan Di responds that, while he hates to say it, time will wait for neither Xingtian nor themselves. He says that these people from the future serve as a reminder that they have a responsibility to create a better future for them. Xuanyuan agrees, and says that there are greater matters awaiting both of them, and that this is just the beginning of what they need to do. Yan Di then says that, if Xingtian ever comes to his senses, he would gladly have him as his subject once more.

At a different part of the battlefield, Sima Qian asks if they have erased all traces of future technology. Hui Shi reports that he went to Jiuli Fortress with Zhuang Zi and formatted all of the data in their mainframe, so all technology relating to Lu Ban should be completely erased. Sima Qian says that the next step is to activate Lu Ban's Singularity Calibrator, but Zhuang Zi tells her to wait.

Sima Qian asks what's the matter, but Dahong appears to thank them for their work. She tells them that Xuanyuan wanted her to inform them that they are ready to return to Youxiong. She also says that she heard the Supreme Council will come to recycle Chiyou, Feng Bo, Yu Shi, and Xingtian. Zhuang Zi notes that there is still one trace of future technology left, to Sima Qian's surprise. Dahong asks what he means. In response, Zhuang Zi tells Xiao Gu to analyze Dahong's history line. Xiao Gu is a little confused as to why he would ask, but she does so. However, the results shock her.

Xiao Gu says the results don't make any sense, and that the earliest history line for Dahong should have appeared in the past. Sima Qian asks Lu Ban where her projection scanner is, and Lu Ban brings it out for Sima Qian to use. Sima Qian turns on the scanner, and they find out that Dahong was holding an "ion resonating blade". Lu Ban is surprised, and says that something like that was something she tried to develop for a long time but was still only a concept on paper, and asks how Dahong managed to get one.

Dahong admits that she never expected them to discover her secret, and Hui Shi asks who she really is. He also asks Zhuang Zi how he managed to find out. Zhuang Zi explains that he had never seen Dahong use her blade once, and when he examined it carefully, he noticed traces of the blade being covered by a projection. Hui Shi points out that it means that Dahong has inadvertently caused Xuanyuan to use future technology as well.

Dahong tells them not to panic, and assures them that she always knows what she was doing and wasn't breaking any rules. She assures them that she never used it while fighting for Xuanyuan, and what she was actually using was a weapon left behind by "the previous Dahong". Sima Qian asks who she really is, and Dahong says that she is who she says she is, Dahong. She explains that when she traveled to the past, she encountered unknown turbulence that was possibly caused by Sima Qian being sent to the past. She explains that, as a result, she unfortunately ended up merging with the Dahong from this era. She says that, in order to ensure there are no changes to history, she had no choice but to assume her identity and fulfill her role.

Xiao Gu comments that this means Dahong must have come from a point in time further in the future than their own, and asks what brought her to the past. Dahong explains that her goal was much the same as that of the adapter and the others - to fix the alterations to history. She says that her organization observed a great fluctuation of the history line value, and thus sent her to investigate. She explains that her mission was to eliminate any person, object, or event that would interfere with history - in other words, to kill Sima Qian and Lu Ban while destroying all traces of future technology.

Hui Shi is alarmed by this statement and draws his weapon, but Dahong tells him to relax. She says that she noticed that the history line value began to normalize once the adapter and others traveled to the past, so her mission changed from eliminating them to supporting them. Hui Shi remarks that that was why she showed up to help him and Zhuang Zi. Sima Qian asks Dahong if that, too, would change the course of history. Dahong says that won't be the case, and explains that she will take responsibility and assume the identity of this era's Dahong and remain in this time period until she is no longer needed. She then requests that, because of this, she would prefer that they treat her in the same way they would have treated the original Dahong.

Dahong then asks to take a look at the Singularity Calibrator, and while Lu Ban agrees she asks what she wants with it. Dahong tells her to just lend it for a second, and that she promises that she will give it back. When she observes it, she exclaims that it is less like a calibrator and more like a powerful bomb. Sima Qian grumbles and remarks that she knew it. Dahong summons a projector to scan the calibrator, and makes a few adjustments to it before handing it back. She tells them it won't blow up anymore.

Sima Qian points out that, wouldn't she be changing history by doing this? Dahong tells them to not worry, and that they will see when they get back. Xuanyuan walks over saying that they all seem happy, and asks what they are talking about so enthusiastically. Dahong apologizes, and says that they were just busy destroying the data. Xuanyuan asks if they are alright, and explains that they are planning to return to Youxiong while recommending they come with them to rest. Sima Qian thanks him, but says it is about time they return back to when they came from.

Xuanyuan remarks that that is a shame, as he was thinking of holding a banquet in their honor. Xiao Gu apologizes and says that it's very close to the time that their emergency lifelines will activate. Hui Shi thanks Xuanyuan and Yan Di for all of the help they gave while they were there, and Zhuang Zi gives his thanks as well. He asks Xuanyuan to give his regards to Fenghou, saying that their paths might cross again one day. Xuanyuan admits that he is not quite sure what he means, but he will relay the message nonetheless.

Xuanyuan remembers something, and then turns on a monitor to enter some data. He tells Sima Qian that he had heard that she had suffered a lot of punishment while captured by Chiyou's forces, and tells her that he is impressed with her passion in preserving history and her refusal to give up. He tells her that, on behalf of the China Branch, he would like to thank her. Sima Qian responds that she is just fulfilling her duty as a recordkeeper. Xuanyuan remarks that in the future, there might be other instances where her selflessness will be needed. Sima Qian says they will continue to work hard, and thanks Xuanyuan before saying farewell.

Sima Qian tells Xiao Gu to prepare the returning device, and to activate the Singularity Calibrator. Xiao Gu acknowledges what she said, and begins the final checks. She confirms that everything is in working order, and asks if everyone is ready to go back. Zhuang Zi and Hui Shi confirm they are ready, while Lu Ban asks if she is going to get sick and throw up again. The adapter nods that they are ready. Xiao Gu activates the device to return back, and says goodbye to everyone as they vanish in a flash to return to the present.

The story is continued in A Trek of Sima Qian.

## Counter Units

The Regional Festival counter unit to this quest is Yan Di.

## Quest Overview

* [Prologue]
* [Hard]
* [Ultimate]
* [Epilogue]

## Post Quest Blurbs

Some of the blurbs have been edited for clarity.

* **Chiyou:** The IT Dept. made combat AIs using data from the first disaster. Due to design defects, the AIs are now part of the Test War.
* **Dahong:** One of Xuanyuan's Four Sagely Subjects, skilled at infiltration and gathering enemy intel with incredible stealthiness.
* **The Buried Conflict:** Both Sima Qian and Lu Ban were originally captured by the forces of Chiyou. Now, the conflict is about to come to a conclusion.