Chapter 52#
Confession#
“Commander!” The guards were shocked, their gun muzzles all aiming at the robot. A few anxious ones opened fire on the spot, but before their triggers could be pulled, the guns were crumpled into small iron balls by Ning Feng’s electromagnetic energy with a splat. They immediately dared not move.
“Do you know who I am?” Rex’s expression twisted ferociously.
“Guess whether I know or not?” Ning Feng snorted lightly.
“This is Titus. Do you realize what the consequences of taking me hostage are?”
“I’m best at decapitation, Mr. Rex, since you’re standing so close to me.”
Rex’s eyes narrowed, his fingers stealthily reaching toward his pocket. But the moment he moved, the pressure on his neck surged, and a bloody gash instantly appeared.
“You can try—see if you can press faster than my blade.” Ning Feng whispered in his ear, each word dripping with suffocating murderous intent.
Rex’s breath hitched, and he stopped moving.
“What do you want?”
“Prepare a shuttle and let us go.”
“And if I refuse? Do you dare kill me?”
“I’m just a broken robot, a mercenary trading my life for money. Are you willing to bet your life against me?”
Rex frowned, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.
For some reason, he felt the robot’s tone behind him was familiar—an annoying sensation, as if he’d encountered it somewhere before.
Seeing this, Ning Feng chuckled twice. “I know what you’re thinking. So what if he’s an Empire Major General? What use is capturing him? Would you torture him for information? Have you considered that he’s the only son of General Yin of the First Military Region? If anything happens to him, what would the Empire’s military do?”
“That’s none of your business!”
“True, none of my business. But I’m someone who can’t stand seeing others act foolishly.” Ning Feng shrugged. “I suggest you decide quickly, or it’ll be too late.”
Rex’s face darkened. “What do you mean?”
At that moment, a comm came through the optical computer: “We’ll be there in five minutes!” It was Shamu’s voice.
“Roger.” Ning Feng’s tone remained light, but he knew time wasn’t on their side. Once the nearby guards regrouped, extraction would become costlier, and the electromagnetic pulse had drained a lot of energy—his battery was running low.
He thought for a moment, then smiled. “Mr. Rex, since we know each other, I don’t want to make things difficult for you. Let me go, and I’ll give you a free piece of intelligence.”
“What intelligence?” Rex remained unmoved.
Ning Feng smiled without answering, tightening the blade in his hand.
“What exactly do you want?” the adjutant glared viciously at Ning Feng.
“I said, prepare a shuttle and let us go.” Ning Feng tilted his head, pondering. “Hmm… I want the latest KA31 model shuttle. I saw it yesterday—pretty good performance.”
“That’s last year’s model. This year they have the KB31.”
Suddenly, a cool voice rang out from the alleyway. Under everyone’s burning gaze, Yin Beichen stepped out steadily. Though covered in blood and his steps slightly unsteady, his back remained straight, his face expressionless.
In an instant, all guns aimed at him.
But Yin Beichen didn’t seem to care. Instead, his eyes were locked on the robot, his gaze intensely focused.
The moment he saw the target, Rex tensed up entirely, glaring at him.
“Yin Beichen! You—”
“Boss He, why did you come out? You’ve got the hostage all riled up—how am I supposed to negotiate?” Ning Feng pressed down on the struggling Rex, curling his lip. In a flash, the blade’s tip pressed tightly against his chin, a cold smirk flickering at the corner of his mouth.
“Adjutant, I don’t have much patience. I’ll give you three seconds to decide.”
Rex pressed his lips together, silent.
“Three.”
The crowd exchanged glances, guns raised, not daring to act.
“Two.”
The pressure on his neck gradually increased. The cold blade cut through his skin, bringing sharper and sharper pain. Rex’s face turned livid, his teeth clenched.
“One—”
“Do as he says.” Finally, Rex raised one hand.
“Commander!”
“Go now?!”
His subordinates suppressed their anger and reluctantly arranged a shuttle—not a KA31 or KB31, just an ordinary model.
“Adjutant, you’re quite stingy.” Ning Feng didn’t actually care, as long as it could fly.
Soon, Wen Qianyong arrived in the God of War mech, followed by a large group of guards.
Seeing the adjutant taken hostage, everyone stood on alert. But under Rex’s warning glare, they held back from reporting and retreated a hundred meters away.
When leaving the cockpit, Wen Qianyong reluctantly patted the mech. “Carrot, can we take it with us?”
Glancing at Rex’s furious face, Ning Feng smiled meaningfully. “Forget it. He might need it to save his life later.”
After clearing out all the crew, the group boarded the fighter.
Anything the Federation “loaned” out was bound to have plenty of small toys. Shamu tinkered in the cockpit for a while, cut off all monitoring systems and control devices, and reprogrammed the commands. Once everything was ready, he signaled Ning Feng.
Scanning Yin Beichen, who still stood motionless behind him, Ning Feng raised an eyebrow. “Boss He, why aren’t you getting in? Want to hang around a few more days?”
Yin Beichen gave him a long, deep look, then finally stepped into the cabin.
“Satisfied?” Rex ground his teeth.
“Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Rex.” Standing at the cabin door, Ning Feng twisted the man to shield himself. “As thanks for your generosity, I’ll secretly tell you a little piece of intel.”
Rex didn’t want to listen, but curiosity made him prick up his ears anyway.
Ning Feng ignored his attitude, leaned close, and whispered.
“Check the flight routes. You’ll find a surprise.”
Hearing this, Rex froze. He turned to ask, but Ning Feng shoved him hard and slammed the door shut with a bang.
Rolling expertly on the ground, the adjutant barked orders in fury, “Attack!”
The guards raised their guns to fire, but at that very moment—no one knew who screamed first—sharp alarms blared from all over the city.
It was an enemy attack alarm!
Rex was stunned. How could there be an enemy attack out of nowhere?
As his mind raced, the comm crackled with an urgent report.
“Commander! First-stage Zerglings have appeared in the central square! Numbers unknown!”
“Zerg?!”
Why were there Zerg in the city? He was shocked as if a thunderbolt had struck, his face turning pale.
The alarm echoed through every street, shaking everyone’s hearts.
Countless Zerglings surged from the darkness, attacking civilians indiscriminately, catching everyone off guard.
The crowd, still immersed in the festival, fled in panic, bewildered by the sudden turn of events. Many had never seen Zerg before, causing severe stampedes. The injured groaned in pain, lost children wailed under the crush…
In an instant, the entire city plunged into unprecedented chaos.
The others heard the alarm too, but without orders, they didn’t know whether to stop the escapees or mobilize for the emergency.
A dozen comm requests came through the optical computer, including one from the general. Clenching his fists, Rex’s eyes burned with rage as he watched Ning Feng in the cabin wink at him.
“I’ll treat you to a meal next time, bye~”
The next moment, space folded rapidly around them. The shuttle didn’t activate any flight command; instead, it made a long-distance spatial jump. With a loud hum, the massive shuttle vanished before everyone’s eyes.
“Damn it!”
Rex’s teeth ground together, but with more urgent matters at hand, he turned and gave orders to the crowd.
“All personnel! Proceed to the central square immediately for support!”
“Yes, sir!”
**
After several short-range long-distance jumps, the shuttle avoided the Federation’s high-orbit interception, broke free from the planet’s weak gravity, approached the vortex outside the atmosphere, and plunged into the darkness, flying higher.
Having just used the electromagnetic pulse and now affected by the starfield’s magnetic field, Ning Feng’s body swayed. He felt the energy in his battery pack becoming unstable.
“You okay?” Shamu came over to steady him.
“I’m fine.” Ning Feng waved a hand. He knew he should stop and let Shamu do emergency repairs to extend the battery’s lifespan, but he also knew there was another pressing issue.
“Where’s the boss?”
Mad Mouse gestured toward the rear cabin. “He went straight in as soon as he got on and won’t let anyone near. These rich clients are such a pain. If not for the final payment, I’d have kicked him out already.”
Ning Feng twisted his mouth, grabbed the medical kit. “I’ll handle it.”
“Wait, use this.” Shamu handed him a small bottle.
Ning Feng checked the ingredients and saw it contained sedative and calming effects. He understood immediately, silently pocketed it, and walked toward the rear cabin.
**
Compared to the cockpit, the rear cabin was much simpler.
The walls were densely lined with cables. All seats had been removed, leaving only a few thin sleeping pads in the corner. The space had only two small high windows, and the overhead fluorescent lights were harsh and glaring, flickering occasionally due to poor contact.
Yin Beichen sat against the cabin wall, eyes closed, resting.
He breathed lightly, the bloodstains on his clothes darkening slightly. Even so, he still held the bundle tightly in his arms, as if guarding something more precious than life.
The moment he heard movement, his eyes snapped open and looked over.
“Time for medicine, Boss He.” Ning Feng shook the medical kit, sealed the cabin door, and walked over slowly.
But the moment he crouched down, his wrist was seized tightly. He tried to pull free but couldn’t, raising an eyebrow. “Could you let go first? How am I supposed to work if you’re gripping so tight?”
Yin Beichen stared at him for a long time before slowly releasing his fingers one by one.
From the earlier struggle, the wound had reopened, the skin a bloody mess. Bright red liquid oozed out, with purplish bruises around it.
Ning Feng dipped a cloth in the medicine and skillfully cleaned the wound.
The muscles twitched under the sting of the disinfectant, but Yin Beichen didn’t even frown. His gaze remained fixed on the robot’s face, studying it intensely—as if confirming something, or recalling a memory.
The other wasn’t talking, so Ning Feng didn’t want to say much either.
He could feel the scrutinizing gaze roaming over him, but the mission was done. There was nothing left to say. Too bad about that double tip—probably not getting it now.
The atmosphere between them grew quiet.
After a while, Yin Beichen broke the silence. “Your bandaging technique is very professional.”
“I’m a mercenary. I bump and scrape a lot. Practice makes perfect.” Wiping away the grime on the skin, Ning Feng began applying the medicine.
“I’ve dealt with many high-level mercenaries. They’re capable, but few have an overall combat mindset.” Yin Beichen’s voice was flat, unreadable. “I noticed your marksmanship is good, your operational awareness is excellent, and your on-the-spot adaptability is strong. Did you train somewhere specific?”
“I’m studious. I downloaded action tutorials from the Starnet when I was bored.”
“It seems the Starnet’s data is more complete than the Empire’s database.”
“Oh, those built-in commands are just program-coded.” Ning Feng shrugged noncommittally. “Maybe the manufacturer referenced some military combat moves when programming them?”
“I see.” Yin Beichen’s eyes turned cold, sharp as a blade.
“And recognizing a high-ranking officer like Rex—was that built-in, or did you look it up on the Starnet?”
Ning Feng froze.
No matter the country, unless it’s an external affairs department, military high command rarely release names, let alone photos. So how could he have recognized Rex at a glance?
Suddenly, a strange tension filled the air between them.
Yin Beichen lowered his head, his deep eyes boring straight into the robot’s camera lens.
“Who are you?”
Hearing this, Ning Feng smirked.
“Did you hit your head? I’m Carrot, the bodyguard you hired.”
“Who gave you the name Blade?”
“A niche brand specializing in cleaning robots.”
Ning Feng continued bandaging calmly, tightening the gauze firmly. “But the model’s too old—discontinued. You definitely won’t find it now.”
Yin Beichen’s breath hitched from the pressure, and he sat up slightly.
“Last night while you were charging, I checked your components. Although the model is old, all the parts are the latest versions. Interestingly, I couldn’t find a manufacturing date.” He moved the bundle aside and looked at the robot. “Are you truly a mass-produced robot?”
Ning Feng kept his head down, silent, his hands moving steadily.
“Or let me rephrase.” The next moment, Yin Beichen grabbed his wrist, his eyes gleaming with a piercing light.
“Are you truly a robot?”
The engine hummed through the cabin, mixing with the flickering lights, stirring up agitation.
Ning Feng didn’t move from that position. Suddenly, he let out a soft laugh.
“What’s got into you today? So talkative—rare.” He grinned. “What? Impressed by my versatility? Want to buy a cleaning robot?”
“I want to buy your chip.” Yin Beichen’s eyes were unfathomable.
Hearing this, Ning Feng sighed dramatically, casually shaking off the grip.
“Can’t do that. If you bought it, I’d have to go with you.” But then he smirked. “Still, since you’re a big spender, I’ll make an exception and let you see.”
With that, Ning Feng’s body emitted a buzzing sound, followed by a click as something opened.
Yin Beichen paused, then leaned in to look.
A square opening appeared at the back of the robot’s head. A thumb-sized, glowing green chip sat on the motherboard, blinking occasionally. But the chip’s size and color didn’t match the slot in the small black box.
This wasn’t a memory chip.
Yin Beichen froze, staring at the chip without speaking. His expression gradually stiffened, the muscles in his cheeks twitching faintly.
Seeing this, Ning Feng’s smile grew even brighter. “See clearly, Boss He? Need me to move closer?”
Yin Beichen’s eyelashes trembled. His hands at his sides curled briefly, his whole body rigid as stone. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice strained.
“No need.”
“Really sure? Want to—”
“I said no need!”
His chest heaving violently, he slowly raised his head, staring hard at the robot, his eyes shooting icy chills.
“Who the hell are you?”
“Just a name.” Ning Feng began packing up the medical kit. “Carrot, Blade, anything else—it doesn’t matter. You’re the boss. Call me whatever you like.”
Yin Beichen lowered his head, silent. Ning Feng didn’t care and continued, “I’ve been wondering since the first time we met—why are you so hung up on my name? Did you mistake me for someone else?”
“But if it were a person, they’d have to be able-bodied, wouldn’t they? How could they look as beat-up as me?” He wiggled his eyebrows, his lens rotating twice.
“Could it be… a dead person?”
For a moment, the air was silent.
Seeing Yin Beichen’s expression tense, his breathing heavy, his face growing paler, Ning Feng felt a strange satisfaction.
“Hit the mark?” The corners of his lips curled, a little mischievously. “Judging by your reaction, they must have died horribly. If not completely obliterated, then at least torn to pieces. Probably couldn’t even recognize the face. I wonder if they got a proper burial—”
“Shut up!”
Yin Beichen grabbed the bronze-colored wrist, his strength immense. Within moments, finger-shaped marks appeared on the skin.
“He’s not dead. He’s still alive.” His voice was hoarse and heavy, as if the very notion was absurd.
“He just won’t admit it!”
Ning Feng chuckled softly. “Oh? That’s an interesting thought. If he’s alive, why won’t he admit it? Let me guess, hmm…”
He tilted his head, his mechanical eyelids blinking up and down.
“Is it because he doesn’t want to see you anymore?”
Yin Beichen’s face turned green, his expression instantly ugly.
“Seems like you two didn’t get along,” Ning Feng said, patting his shoulder like an old friend. “Honestly, I think you don’t need to dwell on it. If you hate him, where he is doesn’t matter to you. If he hates you so much he’d rather die than see you, then why are you putting on this act in front of me—”
“No. That’s not what he said.” Yin Beichen suddenly grabbed his shoulders, his breathing growing ragged. “That’s not what he said in the end!”
The sedative was kicking in.
Ning Feng’s head rattled from the shaking. He was silent for a moment, then chuckled, leaning close to whisper in his ear.
“What he said in the end doesn’t matter anymore.” His synthesized voice was clear, yet utterly cruel.
“Because he’s already dead.”
In an instant, Yin Beichen’s face turned abnormally pale.
He slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were bloodshot. “I know it’s you.”
His body swayed. He raised a hand with difficulty, grabbing Ning Feng’s collar. The latter didn’t resist, simply letting him cling on.
Finally, Yin Beichen pulled Ning Feng into an embrace, holding with all his strength.
“You’re Ning Feng. You are Ning Feng!”
The shuttle’s engine roared, the heat disorienting. Surrounded by the familiar scent, their chests pressed together. Ning Feng felt the rise and fall of the other’s breathing, the violent, distinct heartbeat.
But his own chest was dead silent.
Gazing quietly at Yin Beichen—the man he had loved for years—Ning Feng half-lowered his eyelids. Suddenly, he smiled at him, with a hint of recklessness and abandon.
“Boss He, you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
The sedative numbed his nerves. Yin Beichen tried to reach out again, but his heavy body wouldn’t cooperate.
“Feng… Ning Feng… don’t go…” His body slowly slid down, and soon he was asleep in Ning Feng’s arms.
Looking at the sleeping face, Ning Feng’s fingers twitched. He slowly brought his hand close to the calm face, then stopped mid-air at the moment of touch. Instead, he grabbed the fingers around his wrist and pried them off, one by one, slowly.
**
In the dark of night, Nora Base was very quiet. From a distance, it looked like an inconspicuous steel fortress.
At that moment, a Federation shuttle slowly approached the base.
Soon, several fighters took off rapidly, but they didn’t attack—just surrounded the shuttle tightly from all sides.
Ning Feng half-reclined in his seat, charging, hands behind his head. Through the transport’s glass, he watched them slowly guide the shuttle into the base’s starport.
Mad Mouse lazily remarked, “Hey, Little Carrot, you let a Federation ship fly straight to the Empire? Aren’t you afraid they’ll shoot it down? Our big spender is in there fast asleep!”
“Don’t worry. I sent instructions to the base long ago.” Ning Feng’s tone was casual.
“Such a beautiful base…” Wen Qianyong rested his chin on his hand, eyes full of envy. “I wish I could work here too.”
“What’s so good about it? Exhausting as hell.” Ning Feng snorted.
“Not necessarily,” Shamu said gently with a smile. “If we rank high in the competition, we might get a chance to cooperate with the military and go to bigger bases.”
“Really? Then we gotta work hard!”
“You go ahead. I’m not interested.”
“Tch, probably can’t even go.”
…
The cockpit filled with playful banter. Ning Feng gazed at the brilliantly lit base in the distance, saying nothing.
“Carrot, what’s wrong?” Wen Qianyong tilted his head.
Rubbing the faint marks on his wrist, Ning Feng withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes.
“Nothing.”