Chapter 533: Fish and Net IV
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Most of these materials were made of wood. Their physical uniformity was somewhere between skeletal materials and metals. They were better than skeletons, but not as uniformly dense as metals. This meant that the production of larger wooden structures can be automated, and Ye Chong need only tweak the smaller details later. The modern technology embodied in the photon processor provided a great convenience in this process. Ye Chong can design the structure on the photon processor, and the intelligent machines would process the raw materials according to the design's requirements. This saved him a lot of work.
Unfortunately, Ye Chong had very few photon processors with him. Only a few machines and some auxiliary mechs had photon processors, and all of them had only average performance. The only advanced photon processor he had was in Celest, but it was just a single one. Ye Chong needed Celest around him at all times for safety reasons, and could not leave it in his base for research purposes.
Ye Chong was skilled in mechanical work, but he only had a shallow understanding of photon processor technology. However, photon processors were exactly what he needed right now, and highly advanced ones in fact. Only powerful photon processors can perform accurate modelling and help him find his way home.
The only plan he had now was to build a bio-photon processor. However, bio-photon processor technology was one of the main content in the chip that Kui gave him. It would not be easy to understand it. He would need to learn things step by step. Fortunately, Ye Chong was not lacking of patience.
Recent events had also prevented him from focusing on the material in Kui's chip. He knew perfectly well that only by having the strongest weapons could keep his enemies at bay.
Hence, he decided to build a massive defence system this time.
…
Jay's fleet, the mysterious force that everyone had once put their hope on, had vanished as mysteriously as it first appeared. Soon, people began to forget about it. It was mentioned less and less in conversations. All eyes were now on Arwa's group.
Compared to Jay, Arwa seemed to have received Heaven's blessings. The man now had the strongest power in Gray Valley. Xiao Wan may not be a great leader, but she was a good diplomat and an excellent second in command. Arwa and Xiao Wan had now switched roles, as the woman had asked to serve as his second.
Indeed, Xiao Wan was competent in her role. She reorganized the existing organizations that had asked to join them so that Arwa may focus on military affairs. The truth was, Arwa had benefited the most from Jay's prophecy. He was able to showcase his military prowess to everyone in Gray Valley and built a solid reputation for himself.
He was much luckier than Jay. In fact, luck may have played a very important role in how events had played out.
After he successfully made his escape from the Calamitous Asteroid Belt, he had become a man of no equal, and Gray Valley's last hope. Thus, when he spread the word to recruit new members to his fleet, many had replied back enthusiastically. These smaller players all converged into his fleet. Many young people had come to protect their families and their homes. His fleet expanded rapidly. Almost all of the resources available in Gray Valley were now in his hands.
True to his reputation as a genius tactician, Arwa managed his fleet effectively. He led the growing fleet, absorbing new members day after day. The fleet made a roundabout way towards the vicinity of Kasent and began to fight back. They would engage in surround and destroy operations or more aggressive attacks. The war was hard, and they lost many times more lives than the red-tailed beasts that they killed due to a general lack of battle competence. Nevertheless, they won in the end!
They managed to stop the red-tailed beasts from advancing beyond Kasent.
Gray Valley was now separated into two regions, with Kasent marking the border. Compared to Ye Chong, Arwa was much more experienced in tactical operations.
Here in the vicinity of Kasent, the fleet had built many garrisons to defend the waves of attacks from the red-tailed beasts.
To prevent the red-tailed beasts from repeating their strategy, Arwa had placed many surveillance stations around the Calamitous Asteroid Belt.
The situation quickly stabilized. The victory had boosted Arwa's reputation even further. Gray Valley's residents worshipped him. However, Arwa did not relax himself. No one knew how long their current stability may continue. When the red-tailed beasts were finished devouring all the food within their territory, they would surely all converge at Kasent. That will mark the beginning of the final battle between both sides.
By then, who knew how much the red-tailed beasts would have evolved? Arwa could not say for sure, but he knew that the red-tailed beasts would definitely be much stronger than they were now. For now, they needed time to gather their strength. All the mech pilots needed training, especially the younger ones. He must do everything do to train them all to become close range mech pilots.
Factories churned without stopping, as they were all lacking precious resources for war.
No one complained. They all knew lay ahead if they lost this war. The Gateway that led to He Yue Galaxy was still under the control of the red-tailed beasts. Fortunately, the Gateway was too narrow for the red-tailed beasts to conquer the other galaxy as well. If they lost Kasent, the entire Gray Valley would fall into enemy hands.
This was a battle they cannot afford to lose. Desperation drove these people to do extraordinary work.
Everyone, be it human or red-tailed beast, was racing for the finish line. Could the humans gather enough strength and resources for war before the red-tailed beasts absorbed all the energy and metals and underwent evolution?
The first one to strike would have the upper hand.
…
Planet Spectre was busy with life when Jay and Arwa were both trying to cross the Calamitous Asteroid Belt. As time passed, the place reverted to its usual peace and quiet, as people no longer felt interested in the desolate and uninhabited planet.
No one knew that the seemingly lifeless planet was actually harbouring a starship fleet –Jay's mysterious fleet.
They had taken over the Research Consortium's former headquarters. Mu/Shang became the fleet's commander. Some in the fleet were unhappy with this change, but the earliest members of the fleet all remembered the mysterious partner of Sir Jay. With Shang's inclinations, he was able to solve these kinds of issues much more easily than Ye Chong.
The Research Consortium had left behind a highly advanced base with wonderful facilities. The things stored in the warehouse showed how rich the Research Consortium once was. These resources were more than enough for the midsized fleet. Even though Ye Chong had already emptied the central laboratory, the other labs still had valuable treasures of their own.
As the fleet settled down in the base, its members trained hard every single day.
Aside from close range mech pilots, Mu also began to train long range mech pilots. The Research Consortium's long range weapons were proven to be effective against the red-tailed beasts. Moreover, long range combat was Mu's specialty. Had Ye Chong not been so devoid of any talent in this field, he would have become an extraordinary long range mech pilot.
The current Spectre was now true to its legends. All mechs and starships that went close to the planet would mysteriously disappear.
All of them were kidnapped by Mu/Shang. Not everyone agreed with this forceful recruitment, but Shu had supported the idea adamantly, while Xi Qing agreed quietly. Thus, this kidnapping plan developed into a full blown operation. In just a short time, the fleet had grown three times larger. Those who were kidnapped had all chosen to stay when they found out that this was Sir Jay's fleet.
Compared to close range combat, long range combat training was easier. Besides, the grandmaster Mu himself had crafted a comprehensive training routine for the mech pilots. Xi Qing and Shu were in awe of their new leader.
Here in the base, everyone trained hard for the day when they would once again show themselves to the world and restore Sir Jay's glory.
…
Du Feng asked in a slow voice, "What you're saying, Sir, is that we should just let this go? That's 80 lives of our own! Sir, when has the 1st Legion ever suffered this much humiliation?" Beside him, Li Gui thought of adding something too, but did not say anything in the end.
Sitting in front of Du Feng was the 1st Legion's Legate, Ming Xiao. Ming Xiao was about 60 years of age. He had a clean shaven face, which made him look like an ordinary thin elderly. Sitting next to Ming Xiao was a middle aged man with a cold, expressionless face.
Du Feng had explained the entire incident to Ming Xiao, but Ming Xiao had forbidden them from exacting any kind of revenge. Du Feng could not understand it. He knew his superior well. The thin old man was in fact quick tempered and highly defensive. Du Feng had thought he heard it wrongly when the old man asked him to let the matter go.
Ming Xiao's face turned solemn as he glared at Du Feng and said, "It's not so simple. Let me tell you, I still haven't forgotten that you started this whole debacle. Humph, I'll deal with you later."
Du Feng could read between the lines that the old man was keeping him out of trouble, but the thought of those 80 men he lost just made him furious. He wanted to continue arguing, but suddenly felt a strong tug from behind him. He turned back and saw Li Gui shaking his head at him.
Du Feng trusted Li Gui, and knew that the man would not try to harm him.
"Alright, you're both dismissed. I have things to discuss with Sir Huang," Ming Xiao waved them off in dismissal.
Outside the office, Du Feng looked frustrated. He confronted Li Gui antagonistically, "Gui, why'd you stop from me from speaking just now?"
Li Gui was familiar with his friend's temper, and was not offended. He smiled and said, "Come on, don't XXXXX. What kind of man yells at his best friend?" Du Feng felt embarrassed. He knew that he was in the wrong.
Li Gui immediately turned serious and said, "Indeed, the situation's not that simple. Think about it, the Legate pays a sudden visit. That in itself is unusual. Besides, didn't you see how Sir Ming Xiao's expression changed when you were explaining how we got into trouble with the three newcomers? Maybe the Legate is here because of those three."
Du Feng recalled what happened in the office and felt riled up again.
Li Gui took a glance at Du Feng and continued, "There's something else. That Sir Huang was not properly introduced to us, but even Sir Ming Xiao seemed to offer him great courtesy. He must be someone important. You remember also, don't you, that Sir Huang seemed very interested when you were recounting the incident. He even interrupted you to clarify some details. I suspect that he is here because of the new owners of the manor."
"Those men came with Sir Huang, what do you think of them?" Li Gui asked abruptly to Du Feng.
Being absorbed in Li Gui's narrative, Du Feng replied without thinking, "They're strong!" Du Feng remembered all of them clearly. They all looked expressionless, but Du Feng could tell that those few men were definitely competent.
Li Gui continued asking, "What Level do you think those shooters are?"
"That's hard to say," Du Feng replied hesitantly.
Li Gui gestured the figure eight with his hand.
Du Feng looked shocked.
"Of course, it's just a guess, but I think they're not far from that," Li Gui added.
Du Feng kept silent. Li Gui's words were often prophetic.
"Certainly, these men are not your average shooters! No, they must be exceptional! Not everyone can command the powers of these men. Think about it, even our Legion has only but a few of them. Exactly three of them, I'm sure you know. But that Sir Huang has brought seven of them with him. That's eight in total, including Sir Huang himself. Who can possibly command a force like this?"
Li Gui did not hesitate to surprise his friend, "Only His Majesty!"
Du Feng was stunned.
He never imagined that those three commoners could gain the attention of the King.
Li Gui went silent. He knew that he needed to give Du Feng time to absorb the news. In fact, Li Gui could still feel his own heart thumping heavily as he too was surprised by his own conclusion.
Nevertheless, being seasoned as he was, he quickly composed himself.
He tried to delve deeper. There was something missing, he felt.
Suddenly, Li Gui's eyes lit up in realization.
"I understand now!" Li Gui's exclamation shook Du Feng out of his confusion. He quickly asked, "Gui, what is it?"
"I think I understand what Sir Huang and his men are here for. His Majesty must be very interested in these three commoners, that much is obvious from the people he had sent here. However, if the King only wanted to protect the manor owners, he could have just sent guards to the manor directly. Instead, the King had ordered Sir Huang to visit our camp on the quiet. This seemed to suggest something to me," Li Gui's eyes shined with wisdom as he explained.
"And what is that? Gui, stop keeping me in suspense!" Du Feng asked anxiously.
"I think that His Majesty has sent Sir Huang here partly to protect them. On the other hand –" Li Gui hesitated to continue.
"Just tell me!" Du Feng urged him.
Li Gui looked around them. Seeing that they were alone, he whispered, "On the other hand, I suspect that if those three people try to leave, or do anything suspicious …" Li Gui made a cutting motion with his hand.
Du Feng felt his heart went cold.
"It's only a suspicion. Who knows what the real story is? But if things are really as I suspected, then that will be the only time for us to make our move," Li Gui said, his eyes glistening brightly.
"What if they do nothing?" Du Feng asked.
"Then we will do the same!" Li Gui looked at Du Feng and replied, slowly but firmly.
Both men lapsed into silence.
After a moment, they both received orders from the Legate to return to the office.
They exchanged a quick look before making their entrance.
Sir Ming Xiao had reverted back to his inconspicuous look. The sharpness in his gaze had faded.
"Listen to me now, both of you. If I hear that you get into more trouble again, humph, I'll not let you off so easily! I think you've missed a good ol' whipping from me, you *sses! Humph!" Sir Ming Xiao berated them loudly.
Du Feng and Li Gui had both trained under the Legate personally. He would not go easy on them both. Both of them had received his whipping when they were younger, when he was only a Brigade Commander. Despite the fierce berating, it was clear that he meant to keep them out of harm's way.
"Yes sir!" Du Feng and Li Gui replied together, touched by his concern.
Ming Xiao nodded, satisfied. "That's more like it! Come, let me introduce to you, this is Sir Huang!"
Du Feng and Li Gui quickly bowed in greeting. Sir Huang took a glance at Ming Xiao and lifted his chin a little, "I've heard that you two are Sir Ming Xiao's beloved soldiers. Indeed, you look like excellent military men. My men and I will be staying here for some time, I thank you for your hospitality," he spoke coldly. His words were cordial, but it still brought a chill to his listeners.
The two men in question quickly returned the gesture, despite their discomfort, "You're most welcome, Sir Huang. Please let us know if there's anything we can do for you!"
Sir Ming Xiao smiled and said, "Sir Huang's position is unique, so you can stop with your guessing. As long as you obey his orders diligently, His Majesty will not forget your services. The camp will operate normally, as Sir Huang will not be interrupting with your affairs. However, any orders from Sir Huang must be carried out to the letter, understand?"
Both men accepted their orders in quiet surprise, "Yes sir!"
Sir Huang finally broke into a thin smile, but it only brought a sinister look on his face.