Chapter 113: The World of Gobei, War on the Horizon

The Imperial Truth and four other vessels had arrived in orbit above the world of Gobei. When Wang Ming and the Transmigrators first laid eyes on the lush, verdant planet, they felt a wave of unease; it was immediately apparent to anyone that the planet’s green hue was fundamentally wrong.

At first, they had only been suspicious, but once the fleet reached orbit and Wang Ming and the others viewed the images of Gobei transmitted by the Imperial Truth’s planetary observation equipment, they were completely stunned. Nurgle’s daemonic legions and shambling corpses surged across the planet’s surface. All manner of putrid, repulsive monstrosities were frolicking on the ground, launching frantic attacks against human castles and fortresses.

Inside the observation deck of the Imperial Truth, Wang Xiaofa looked at the situation on the surface and asked Wang Ming, who stood beside him, "Should we just issue an Exterminatus order?" The situation on the planet was dire; Nurgle’s daemonic forces had descended, and the mortal inhabitants were utterly incapable of resisting the Great Father’s power.

"Not yet, it's not necessary," Wang Ming replied, shaking his head. He handed a data-slate to Wang Xiaofa, showing him the summary of Gobei’s status compiled by Captain Jiang Tao. "Captain Jiang's intelligence indicates that the daemonic legions and corpses aren't rushing to spread into the human settlements. They are merely attacking nearby cities, and the local humans have already begun to establish defensive lines against them."

"Besides," Wang Ming added, patting Wang Xiaofa on the shoulder, "we've kept Klorias Rengal locked up for months; it’s time he did some work." Klorias Rengal claimed to be an Ordo Malleus Inquisitor. With Gobei teeming with Nurgle’s daemons, it was the perfect opportunity for him to put his professional skills to use.

Wang Xiaofa nodded. After returning the data-slate, he headed toward the psychic suppression chamber. He walked up to the viewing window, intending to check on the prisoner. As he pressed his face against the glass, a pair of bloodshot eyes suddenly appeared right in front of him.

"By the Emperor!" Wang Xiaofa jumped back, startled. After composing himself, he walked to the main door and operated the control panel. As he entered the code, the heavy door slowly hissed open. A skeletal, emaciated man stood there, still frozen in the posture he had held while peering through the glass.

"Have you finally remembered me?" the man asked, his voice dull and listless.

During the months of his confinement, apart from daily checks to ensure he hadn't escaped, no one had paid any attention to his personal needs. Although the chamber was equipped with basic amenities, the Transmigrators had subconsciously neglected his dietary requirements, given his nature as a Perpetual.

"Thud." After speaking, Klorias Rengal collapsed face-first onto the floor. Wang Xiaofa winced just watching it. He hauled the man up, flipped him over, and dragged him toward the showers. He hadn't bathed in months, and the stench emanating from him rivaled that of a dedicated Nurgle cultist.

On the way to the communal baths, Wang Xiaofa encountered several mortal auxiliaries heading to wash up after training. Seeing an Astartes dragging a half-dead "mortal," the soldiers, fearing they had offended a Space Marine, immediately dropped to one knee and performed the Aquila. Wang Xiaofa was bewildered; the Transmigrators had always treated the auxiliaries as equals, and they had long ago requested that the soldiers stop kneeling.

"Stand up, why are you kneeling?" Wang Xiaofa asked.

"Respected Lord," a sergeant replied respectfully, "we saw you dragging this man and thought he was a soldier who had violated military law."

"Nothing of the sort. He’s an unsanctioned psyker who’s been locked up for months. I’m just getting him cleaned up. Carry on," Wang Xiaofa waved them off.

Once in the shower room, as Wang Xiaofa prepared to shove him into an automated cleaning stall, a faint, wispy voice came from the prisoner: "Respected... Astartes... Lord... could you... please... let me eat something first?"

Wang Xiaofa ignored the plea and activated the automatic cleaning cycle. Twenty minutes later, with the man scrubbed clean, he slung him over his shoulder and headed to the mess hall. After Klorias Rengal devoured three kilograms of rations, his body began to recover rapidly.

Wang Xiaofa gave him two choices: return to his cell, or join them on the surface to fight the daemons of Nurgle. Before he could even finish the second option, Klorias Rengal was practically begging to choose it. But when he realized what the second option entailed, he spat out his water and tried to backtrack, only to be reminded by Wang Xiaofa that this was his job as an Inquisitor.

"But... look, I don’t even have storm trooper gear or power armor. I’m just a psyker now. How can I possibly help?" Klorias argued. He knew the situation on Gobei was beyond a lone Inquisitor; it was an apocalyptic event that called for Grey Knights or an Exterminatus.

Wang Xiaofa simply called over an auxiliary, ordering them to fetch a set of standard-issue power armor and a power sword. "Is there anything else you need, Inquisitor? We have it all." Seeing the resolve in Wang Xiaofa’s eyes, Klorias sighed and nodded in resignation.

In the briefing room, Wang Ming pointed to the holographic display. "Captain Jiang has detected an anomaly at a castle surrounded by a massive concentration of Nurgle's forces. It’s highly suspicious. I suspect a Greater Daemon—or possibly Mortarion himself—has descended. We deploy in two hours. The First, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Companies will reinforce the human lines. The Sixth Company will provide medical support. I will take the Second Company to the castle. If Mortarion is there, I will do my best to kill him."

This was the Transmigrators' first large-scale combat operation. They brought everything: chainblades, Sicaran tanks, and Land Raiders equipped with heavy flamers. The armored divisions would act as the spearhead, pinning the daemonic legions in place.

Above the planet, the hangars of the Imperial Truth were a hive of activity. Dropships shuttled armor to the surface, and thousands of Transmigrators prepared in their drop pods. "Begin," Wang Ming commanded.

As the hundreds of drop pods streaked toward the surface like a magnificent meteor shower, a man sat atop the very castle that had drawn Wang Ming's attention. Li Yongkang watched the falling fire with a smile. He knew the man had come. "Come quickly," he whispered, "kill me, destroy my soul, and end this wretched agony."

Below the castle, a thick green fog coalesced, and the stench of decay filled the air. From the mist emerged the Death Guard, their bodies crawling with maggots. Behind them, a massive, winged figure loomed—a creature of pure rot and corruption, clutching a colossal scythe. It turned its milky, white eyes toward Li Yongkang, spread its decaying wings, and prepared for the arrival of the Transmigrators.