The White Olive Tree

Chapter 59

There was no Spring Festival in Dongguo.

On the day of Chinese New Year, Song Ran was woken up by the sound of artillery fire, kicking lightly under the thin blanket. Li Zan also woke up, squinting at his watch, it was ten in the morning local time.

Song Ran had an interview scheduled in the residential area that day, while Li Zan needed to rejoin his unit.

After a simple brunch, they left the house.

Li Zan said he had some time before the afternoon and would accompany her for a bit.

Song Ran knew he was worried about her. Recently, the situation in Cangdi had become increasingly turbulent, with multifaceted powers clashing and terrorist attacks happening every other day, not to mention street battles.

Despite the dangers, Cangdi was rich in stories. It was the largest city in the northern part of Dongguo, a center of economy and culture. More importantly, it was a stronghold for the anti-government forces, which had swiftly occupied it at the start of the war.

For most of the eighteen months since the war began, Cangdi was under the control of the anti-government forces. Although it once became a hub for terrorist organizations, the anti-government forces continued to fight against them, effectively restraining the terrorists' power.

For this reason, the civilian resistance and combativeness within Cangdi were not very strong, and the arrival of government forces was met with some indifference.

Recently, there had been frequent battles between government and rebel forces in the southern city, resulting in destroyed streets and paralyzed municipal services, causing many people to move from the south to the north.

Riding northward on the motorcycle, they encountered a large-scale battle. Shells flew and bullets were fired incessantly.

Li Zan had no choice but to take a detour east.

"Don't get too close to the east side, that's terrorist territory," Song Ran warned.

"I know," Li Zan reassured her.

He was well-versed in the city's power distribution, weaving through alleys within the rebel-controlled areas.

Song Ran, holding onto his waist, looked around cautiously and noticed a white dome in the distance.

The local residential buildings were generally low, and with the clear skies, they could see Cangdi Temple clearly from a kilometer away. The majestic white square building stood out against the blue sky.

"Is that Cangdi Temple?" Song Ran marveled. "It's beautiful!"

"Yes," Li Zan glanced briefly.

"I've wanted to visit it since before the war broke out. It's said to be five hundred years old, built over the queen of ancient Cangdi's King, constructed in marble for her."

Li Zan said, "It was built beautifully, with a very intricate design. Such a large tomb, all built seamlessly with marble."

"You know about it?" she leaned forward to ask him.

"I just looked at its architectural plans the day before yesterday."

"Why?"

"That place is now a major stronghold for the terrorists. We're planning to take it down. But it'll take a week or two of planning, needing at least seven or eight squads to coordinate."

"Is it difficult?"

"Similar to the Ale Castle, indestructible. Plus, there's a five-hundred-meter-long driveway leading to the front entrance."