Chapter 35#
Insomnia#
Since he had decided to compete, he had to aim for a ranking.
The selection tournament was very simple: group stage followed by elimination rounds, with the winning teams advancing upward. Each victory earned a certain amount of star coins and ten points, and the higher you went, the more prize money and the better your recommendation ranking.
It was just a small selection competition, and Ning Feng felt it was no pressure at all.
But this was Waste City after all, where every mercenary was a veteran battle-hardened old hand. To beat them, you couldn’t just talk on paper—they had to train and work together.
So the Blasting Sheep squad began their first intensive training session.
This was Ning Feng’s first time outside Waste City.
He had visited mercenary tournaments before, but only the upper districts, never such a dirty and chaotic environment like this.
Waste City wasn’t so much a giant city as it was a giant garbage dump. Here, abandoned spaceships were transformed into rusty metal shacks, like anthills scattered across the land, with bars, casinos, brothels, and gyms scattered in between.
Most planets should have at least some trees, but the “scenery” here consisted only of countless rusted ships, vehicles of all sorts tearing about recklessly, and insects, rats, livestock, and humans scurrying everywhere.
Ning Feng followed the others along the main road. Even in broad daylight, scantily clad sex workers stood by the roadside, striking various obscene poses. Many people crouched in the shadows, all looking cautious, hungry, and dangerous.
The people living here were like maggots hiding in the human trash heap. Nothing here was eternal.
Except strength.
In this chaotic city, only enough strength could guarantee your own safety. So the training facilities here were the best in the surrounding star systems.
For that, Shamir had somehow found someone and obtained a one-month usage permission for the training room—normally, the rent would be a full thirty thousand star coins. For reference, their monthly expenses were only three thousand.
This display of wealth shocked Mad Rat.
Ning Feng patted the anti-gravity device in the training room, thinking that these mercenaries really knew how to invest. The equipment here was almost as good as the base’s training facilities.
He mused that the base’s training gear had been used for quite a while; it was time for an upgrade. Adding a climate simulation system and gun training setup, a standard machine gunner training package would…
His finger suddenly stopped. Ning Feng’s mechanical eye narrowed.
“Radish, what’s wrong?” Wen Qianyong was the first to notice something off about the robot. “Are you out of juice again?”
“Tch, must be his first time seeing such high-end stuff, scared stiff, huh?” Mad Rat scoffed disdainfully.
“Shut up! You dragging hunk of stinking rat!” The man glared.
“Me, dragging? Ha!” Mad Rat spat. “I’m the lone-soldier god of war. Who can out-sneak me?”
“A god of war ranked dead last?” Ning Feng shot a sideways glance.
That’s right: Blasting Sheep was second to last, and Mad Rat’s one-man squad was dead last.
“What’s your problem, you hunk of junk? Careful, I’ll dismantle you!”
But as soon as Ning Feng turned his head, Mad Rat scurried away clutching his mechanical arm.
Ignoring him, Wen Qianyong patted his chest. “Don’t worry, Radish. I’ll teach you how to use this—it’s super easy.”
His camera moved, and Ning Feng curled his lip. “Don’t call me Radish.”
They selected training terrain, input the existing mecha data, and started today’s session.
This place couldn’t compare to a military base; the variety and quantity of mecha were limited. Currently, the three best-performing mecha were a heavy-firepower mech, a speed mech, and a medical mech—enough to make up a minimal iron-triangle formation.
Ning Feng had been hesitating between the heavy-firepower and speed types, but Shamir had already decided the assignments—
Wen Qianyong on the heavy-firepower mech, Mad Rat on the speed mech, and Ning Feng on the medical mech.
“Why am I the medic?” Ning Feng was very displeased.
He was, after all, the pilot of the Blade. What offensive mech couldn’t he use? Now reborn, he was stuck playing a support. If it had to be split, Wen Qianyong would definitely be more suitable.
Shamir held his data pad, expression troubled.
“Sorry, but Xiao Yong has always operated the heavy-firepower mech. He might not be able to handle something else. As for Mad Rat…” He blinked and smiled. “I’ve thought about it a lot. Maybe you’re the only one suitable.”
Ning Feng: …
Tch. Such a hassle!
Though a bit annoyed, it was just a competition. When they actually carried out real missions, he could switch back. Besides, this was just a practice match—what could possibly need healing?
But soon, Ning Feng realized he was sorely mistaken.
BOOM!! -
A deafening explosion kicked up a dust screen. The next moment, a roar shook his eardrums, and a massive machine with glowing red eyes charged out of the mist.
“Hahaha! Bring out the big guns and let’s go!”
Wen Qianyong hoisted two giant fire-lances and started blasting the training mecha indiscriminately. In no time, every mecha blocking the path was reduced to slag.
Particle defense shields? Break through! Laser turrets? Tank them! Nano mines? Step on them—oh, that one was probably buried by Mad Rat.
“Hey! Don’t run!” Ning Feng, unable to keep up, could only dodge enemy attacks while struggling to follow behind, constantly replenishing the precarious shields. “We need to regroup with Mad Rat!”
“No time. He’s too slow.” Wen Qianyong shrugged, climbed to the edge of a rooftop, and surveyed the patrolling AI mecha below. He turned his machine gun to maximum firepower, excitement undisguised in his tone.
“Oh, you see this baby in my hand? I call her ‘Truth’!”
With that, he leaped off the roof.
After one round, they hadn’t even reached half the objective, and Ning Feng’s energy was completely drained. All he could do was pull out a small pistol and try to keep up.
Ning Feng: …
What’s wrong with this guy?!
The moment he gets in a mech, he becomes a different person!
And where the hell did Mad Rat go? He vanished as soon as they entered.
Was this how they used to do missions? No wonder the squad’s name was Blasting Sheep—combustible and explosive!
Taking a moment to open a comm channel to Shamir, Ning Feng’s tone was dead serious.
“Honestly, have you ever given him any kind of physical checkup?”
Shamir’s voice carried a hint of laughter. “It’s true that Xiao Yong gets a little… excited when he’s on the battlefield.”
“Excited? This is a complete personality change!”
“Heh, but he’s perfect for the heavy-firepower mech, isn’t he?”
“… Perfect my ass.”
In the end, the enemy’s fortress was blown wide open by the heavy-firepower mech’s cannon. The group rolled over everything, completing Blasting Sheep’s first joint training match. As for everything else…
Well, at least it was done.
In the following training sessions, Ning Feng’s battered medical mech chased after the heavy-firepower mech nonstop to apply shields, all while trying to dodge stray missiles and friendly fire. As for Mad Rat, he performed decently for now—disappearing as soon as the battle started, no worries there.
Ning Feng had thought that with his years of military experience, even managing a few thousand people at the base was a breeze. These two squad members? He’d have them wrapped around his finger in no time. Then, forget just winning Furnace Town—dominating Waste City would be a piece of cake.
And now… Now Ning Feng only prayed that in the first match, he wouldn’t get hit by Wen Qianyong’s cannon fire or step on one of Mad Rat’s mines…
See? Sometimes a person’s wishes could be that simple and down-to-earth.
As long as they were willing to face reality.
Watching Wen Qianyong slam into the gate before the countdown even ended, and seeing Mad Rat vanish the moment the countdown hit zero, Ning Feng forcefully wiped his face, activated his energy shield, and resignedly followed.
“A-Yong, don’t get too far from me—don’t block my line of sight. Strong electrical signal at ten o’clock, half a kilometer away, there’s an ambush—”
“Whoa! I love ambushes!”
“… Mad Rat, bury your mines farther away.”
“Tsk, can’t you just go around?”
…
Watching the big screen from outside, Shamir quickly recorded mecha parameters while monitoring everyone’s vital signs. His gaze swept over their focused, determined faces, finally settling on the square, iron-plated face, his eyes curving gently.
“Good luck, Blade.”
**
SLAP!!
Thick documents were slammed onto the table and bounced twice. Several department heads flinched along with their shoulders.
“What’s with these reports?” Yin Beichen’s face was cold and grim.
“Sorry, sir!”
“Incomplete content, miscalculated data, untimely submission, incomplete procedures.” His cold voice carried anger. “Is this your first day doing audits?”
After a few days of adjustment, things were gradually getting back on track. But with Ning Feng’s communication role missing, everyone’s coordination costs had multiplied.
This was mainly evident in the handover with the Major General.
Even a trivial matter would be nitpicked by their superior, and this situation had been getting worse lately. In the past, they just threw it to Feng Ge to handle. Now, not only did the Major General drag everyone into dealing with military affairs late at night, but he also chewed them out over the slightest thing.
Seeing their superior’s worsening expression, the staff exchanged glances and pushed a poor soul forward.
“The subordinates are doing this for the first time—”
“I’m asking you.”
“I am also… also doing this for the first time…”
“First time?” Yin Beichen’s brow twitched.
This kind of report was reviewed every month. As a department head, how could it be his first time?
The unlucky head was drenched in sweat but didn’t dare wipe it. “We used to compile the data and submit it upward, and Feng Ge was responsible for verification…”
Yin Beichen was taken aback. His deep, dark eyes instantly filled with piercing cold, and his voice sent chills down spines.
“So without Ning Feng, you can’t do your jobs?”
“I’ll handle it immediately!”
The group grabbed their documents and scurried away.
The large office immediately fell silent.
Yin Beichen furrowed his brows, sinking deeply into his chair.
He scrolled through his optical brain, but the message board remained empty. He rubbed his temples forcefully.
In the past few days, aside from handling military affairs, all his remaining energy had gone into searching for the aircraft.
But days had passed with no progress.
Occasionally, terrifying thoughts surfaced in his mind, pressing like a huge stone on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
On one hand, he worried about Ning Feng’s safety; on the other hand, he wanted to see proof. Reason and emotion wrestled back and forth, two conflicting feelings like battling beasts, clashing within him.
He had delayed his work for a few days and knew he couldn’t go on like this. To keep up with progress, he had appointed a temporary adjutant, but soon found that the person couldn’t keep up with his rhythm and everything felt clumsy, which only made him more irritable.
His fingers traced the optical brain. Before he realized it, he had called a certain channel.
[Hello~ I’m your Ning Feng. Please leave a message.]
Yin Beichen froze but didn’t hang up. He just listened quietly to the rest.
[Oh dear, I know you’re anxious, but don’t be just yet. When I come back, I’ll reply with the sexiest, most magnetic voice~ Bye~]
“… So boring.” He closed his eyes lightly and ended the call, though his mood eased somewhat.
Yin Beichen knew his emotions were fluctuating.
Being led by emotions like this was a major taboo for a battlefield commander. But after thinking it over, he still couldn’t figure it out. He could only blame his recent poor sleep quality.
Maybe he should turn in early tonight.
Suppressing the fatigue in his heart, he packed up and headed to his dormitory.
**
The base was very quiet late at night. No one was around. The only sounds in the hallway were the echoes of his own footsteps.
The night breeze blew gently, carrying a faint floral fragrance.
These flowers were part of the greenery Ning Feng had added when expanding the dormitory building, saying that more green plants would refresh the mind. But when clarity reached its peak, some might prefer to sink into intoxication.
The subtle fragrance soothed the restlessness in his heart. Yin Beichen slowed his pace, gazing at the distant nebulae entangled in the sky. He looked up and realized he had unconsciously walked to Ning Feng’s door.
The location wasn’t remote, but it was directly opposite his own room at the south end, separated by a long distance. He was startled, about to turn back, but then stopped.
Since he was already here, why not take a look inside?
Mm, just a look.
After a moment’s hesitation, Yin Beichen turned and walked to the door. With a beep, he used his authority to open Ning Feng’s room.
This was his first time inside.
The room was pitch black. Many days had passed, but there still faintly lingered a subtle scent in the air. He recalled that the man himself carried this same scent—light, with a trace of warmth, making one’s nerves involuntarily relax.
Like the breath of a flame.
The furniture was simple but neatly arranged. Apart from the soft bed, the most eye-catching item was the oversized full-length mirror beside the wardrobe.
So narcissistic.
His fingertip traced the cold mirror surface, and for a moment, Yin Beichen seemed to see a certain man striking all sorts of flashy bodybuilding poses in front of it. He was about to smile when he saw only his own reflection in the mirror.
His eyelids trembled slightly. He withdrew his hand, and his gaze fell on the large bed.
The base actually had standard-issue beds, but for better rest, Ning Feng had spent a fortune on the Star Net to buy the latest breathing mattress, which supposedly could induce deep sleep within seconds.
[Only when you’ve rested well can you better carry out the tasks assigned by Little Chenchen.]
That was his reasoning at the time, as he tried to persuade Yin Beichen to get one too, claiming it was a “couple’s set” that could roughly count as sharing a bed.
Of course, it had been firmly rejected.
Yin Beichen sat on the edge of the bed, his palm touching the mattress. It was soft, cool, and very comfortable. He stared down at it for a long moment, then slowly lay down.
As expected of an expensive sleep mattress. The moment he lay down, his body sank into the soft padding, and the faint scent enveloped him completely.
Suddenly, Yin Beichen remembered the day he came and found Qu Yan also in this room. He shifted uncomfortably, as if trying to expel someone else’s presence.
The sheets were washed clean, still faintly carrying Ning Feng’s scent. Only his.
Having known Ning Feng for so many years, his circle of friends included Ning Feng as the closest besides family.
Though there were occasional minor frictions, Ning Feng had always occupied a special place in his heart. Reflecting on it all, those words of Ning Feng’s weren’t that annoying after all. Maybe once they found him, if the man said something boring again, he would try not to mock him.
Mm, when he came back, he would be nicer to him.
Yin Beichen’s heart was calm. Unknowingly, the night passed without a single dream.