Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 219 Tianshi Battle Group
With the training of the army, the situation of the expeditionary force can be described as thriving.

The originally large number of Crusaders received some rewards, which could not be said to be enough, but at least allowed them to reach the level of ordinary planetary defense forces. On the battlefield, they were no longer cannon fodder who only knew how to charge fanatically, but qualified fillers who could play a certain role.

Their training gradually changed from the initial disorderly charge to an organized tactical advance, and they learned how to protect themselves under fire coverage.

Although their equipment and quality still cannot be compared with elite troops, they are at least no longer a burden on the battlefield, but can contribute to the overall battle situation.

The Astra Militarum had also become familiar with how to fight alongside the Imperial Knights after several months of emergency training.

At least now, they have learned how to use the Imperial Knights as a useful cover to defend against various attacks, while also cooperating with the Imperial Knights to eliminate targets that are inconvenient for the knights to eliminate.

The soldiers of the Astra Militarum gradually mastered the rhythm of coordination with the knights, knowing when to hide behind the shield and wait for the opportunity, and when to take the initiative to attack and clear the threats on the flanks for the knights.

This tacit cooperation greatly improved their combat efficiency.

In general, the goals that Chen Xi originally hoped to achieve by training the troops have now basically been achieved, and the combat effectiveness of the expeditionary force has been greatly improved compared to when it first arrived.

During this period, another Space Marine Chapter also responded to the call of the expedition: the Celestial Lions Chapter, a subsidiary of the Imperial Fists.

Chen Xi's expression was the strangest when he saw the arrival of this group of warriors.

The reason is simple. The Celestial Lions are as unlucky as the Lamenters. Because they offended the Inquisition, even their leader was beheaded by people sent by the Inquisition.

Moreover, in the future Third War for Armageddon, the Celestial Lions were plotted against by the Inquisition, and not only were almost all of their members killed, but even the pharmacist was shot by an assassin arranged by the Inquisition, resulting in a large amount of precious gene seeds not being successfully recovered.

This war became a nightmare for the Celestial Lions. They originally thought they were fighting for the Empire, but they didn't expect that there was a conspiracy of the Inquisition behind it.

The warriors of the regiment fought bravely on the front line, unaware that they had been abandoned long ago.

The death of the pharmacist cast a shadow over the future of the chapter. The loss of the gene seed meant that rebuilding the chapter would become extremely difficult.

So much so that the last ninety-five soldiers of the Tianshi Regiment were planning to launch a desperate charge and sacrifice their lives for their country.

If it weren't for the Black Templars helping them, this regiment might have been completely wiped out.

Even later, when Roboute Guilliman was distributing the Primaris all over the galaxy, the Celestial Lions were deliberately blocked from receiving information by the Inquisition, so that they almost didn't know about the Primaris.

The emergence of the Primaris Space Marines should have been a major innovation for the Imperium, but for the Celestial Lions, it became yet another proof of their isolation.

The blockade of the Inquisition has almost isolated the Celestial Lions from the outside world, and they don't even know what kind of changes the Empire is undergoing.

It was for this reason that when the regiment arrived, Inquisitor Wayne approached Chen Xi and explained the situation to him.

"Sir Chen Xi, although I don't expect you to do anything to this regiment, please don't interfere in some matters. This is related to the reputation of the Inquisition." Inquisitor Wayne was very polite and sincere, and almost said directly that it was the Inquisition's Antarctic Hotel that was targeting Tianshi.

There was a veiled warning in his tone, as if reminding Chen Xi that the will of the Tribunal could not be challenged.

However, his words were extremely cautious, clearly not wanting to directly conflict with Chen Xi. Chen Xi, however, remained silent on this matter. After a moment's reflection, he simply asked, "If I wish to offer them sanctuary and recruit this chapter to serve me, what price would I have to pay to ensure that the Inquisition Headquarters ceases its suppression of this chapter?"

His questions were direct and to the point, without any beating around the bush, as if he was testing the bottom line of the tribunal.

"This question... are you sure you want to protect them?" Inquisitor Wayne was not surprised why Chen Xi asked this question. Every Inquisitor has his own little secrets, so it is not surprising that Chen Xi wants to control a Space Marine regiment in his hands.

After all, no one knows how long the next expedition will last, and having a war group in hand is always a trump card.

Judge Wayne did not directly answer Chen Xi's question, but looked at him with a meaningful look, as if waiting for Chen Xi to name his price.

He knew that Chen Xi would not make such a request without reason, and the Inquisition would not easily give up suppressing the Tianshi Corps.

"The Knights of Embers, who have a good relationship with me, are also a subsidiary of the Imperial Fists. Master Gutres of the Death Watch is also from the Imperial Fists. They are all sons of Dorne. There are some things that I can't just stand by and watch." Chen Xi just showed a helpless expression to Inquisitor Wayne, as if he was forced to do so.

There was a hint of helplessness in his tone, as if he was forced by the situation to stand up and speak for the Tianshi Corps.

This gesture both seemed reasonable and cleverly concealed his true intentions.

His explanation also made Inquisitor Wayne mistakenly believe that Chen Xi offered to shelter the Celestial Lions in order to avoid any disturbance among the Astartes in the expeditionary force.

After all, the existence of the Knights of Embers and Master Gutres makes Chen Xi's relationship with the Imperial Fists lineage appear particularly close.

If he turned a blind eye to the plight of the Lions, it might indeed cause dissatisfaction among the other Sons of Dorne.

Inquisitor Wayne thought for a moment and said, "This matter is neither big nor small. Ultimately, they have offended the authority of the Inquisition. If you are truly willing to protect them, the matter can actually be easily resolved.

Give up some of the interests, then let the Tianshi Corps take the initiative to apologize to the Inquisition, and then do a few dirty work for the Inquisition.

The reason they've been targeting them is simply to set an example. The Inquisition simply wants these so-called demigods to know the price of offending the Inquisition."

There was a condescending contempt in his tone, as if the fate of the Celestial Lions Chapter was just a tool used by the Inquisition to make an example of them.

"That's all? Then I'll send someone to talk to the Tianshi Corps later. I think they should listen to my advice." Chen Xi felt that maybe he could really help these unlucky guys.

There was a hint of relief in his tone, as if the matter was not as complicated as he had imagined.

"The sons of Dorne are notoriously stubborn. Can you really persuade them?" Inquisitor Wayne expressed his concern at the right time.

There was a hint of sarcasm in his tone, and it was obvious that he had heard about the stubbornness of the Tianshi Regiment.

"We have to try it to know." Chen Xi shrugged, indicating that he still wanted to give it a try to get Wanshi to nod.

(End of this chapter)