Chapter 63#
Refusal#
Ning Feng hadn’t given the heavy ordnance factory much thought—after all, with so many departments across the base to support, the logistics department still had plenty to do.
After a few days of work, he gradually gleaned some insights, streamlined the workflow, and even optimized it on the fly. Taking advantage of Yan Zhengsheng’s visit, he offered a few suggestions.
Generally speaking, when a veteran hears a newcomer offer advice, they tend to feel a bit irked—especially if they were the one who drafted the rules in the first place. It’s essentially a very polite way of pointing a finger and saying, “There’s something wrong with your management.”
But Yan Zhengsheng listened quietly the whole time. After a brief pause, he nodded seriously. “I have reservations about some of the points you just made, but overall it’s meaningful—it shows you’re thinking on the job. Write it up as a report and submit it. I’ll take a look when I have time.”
“A report?” Ning Feng curled his lip. “Lieutenant Colonel Yan, with a memory as good as yours, how could you forget?”
“Per base regulations, when a subordinate reports to a superior, it must—”
“Alright, alright, I’ll send it to you later, I’ll send it to you.” Cutting off the other man’s long-winded speech, Ning Feng changed the subject. “By the way, what did you want to see me about? Or are you just playing messenger again?”
The word “messenger” made Yan Zhengsheng’s brows twitch, but he quickly reverted to his usual impassive expression. “General Yin wants to see you.”
“Again.” Ning Feng sighed.
Ever since the heavy ordnance factory incident, Yin Beichen had been calling him over every single day for no apparent reason.
Sometimes it was to analyze military intelligence, sometimes to inspect the spaceport, and sometimes for nothing at all—just to have him sit nearby while Yin handled paperwork. As a result, Ning Feng had completely run out of time for his logistics duties. Fortunately, Qiu Zhen had picked things up quickly and could now handle everything independently without his help.
But just sitting around like this wasn’t going to make his honor points grow on their own. His balance hadn’t moved in days, and he could feel the latest model condenser slipping further and further out of reach.
Despite his square, iron-skinned face showing no expression, his drooping eyebrows clearly showed extreme reluctance. Yan Zhengsheng thought for a moment. “If you really don’t want to go, I can refuse for you.”
Ning Feng blinked. “Really?”
“Mm.”
“Boss Yin isn’t easy to fool. What excuse would you use?”
“The results from the liquid sample sent to the R&D department earlier are in. You need to go pick them up.”
“The upright and impartial Lieutenant Colonel Yan, lying for a lowly ground crew member?” He chuckled twice and elbowed the man in the chest. “Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for me?”
“That suggestion you just made was quite good.” Yan Zhengsheng remained unfazed. “Besides, I’m not lying. The results just came out a bit late. You really do need to go to the R&D department to collect them.”
“Whoa—did I hear that right? Words of praise from you?”
“I only speak the truth.”
“Oh, that sounds even better! Say more, say more.”
“…”
**
When Yan Zhengsheng’s message reached him, Yin Beichen’s brow tightened a little.
Qu Yan. Always Qu Yan.
He suddenly recalled a report from a subordinate a few days ago, saying someone had seen him going to a bar with Qu Yan. If Ning Feng was heading to the R&D department now, wouldn’t they be spending the entire lunch break together?
Had Ning Feng repeatedly turned him down before because of Qu Yan?
Yin Beichen’s face turned cold. He only snapped out of it when Qu Jingshan walked over, realizing he had been clenching his jaw so hard that the muscles in his lower jaw had gone stiff.
Forget it. It’s just a meal. It’ll be quieter this way, anyway.
Qu Jingshan stood at attention and saluted crisply. “Reporting, sir! The troops for review are assembled and awaiting your inspection!”
“Mm.” Yin Beichen suppressed his emotions and nodded.
Thick storm clouds gathered heavily over the training ground, churning and swelling as they pressed slowly downward, threatening rain. Several fighter jets pierced the dense clouds, gliding overhead, while the rumble of transport ships gradually faded. The training ground was divided into several sectors by formations, filled with the sharp shouts of instructors, the earth-shaking battle cries of soldiers, and the distant tat-tat-tat of live-fire drills.
This was Nora Base’s military training ground. Beneath the review stand in the square, armored marines stood in a neat phalanx.
As a crisp command rang out, Yin Beichen stepped up onto the review platform one step at a time, under the gaze of the assembled soldiers.
The clear, rhythmic thud of his boots on the metal deck echoed loudly. The already quiet square grew even more silent. Every soldier present held their breath until he reached the center of the platform and stopped. Only then did they exhale.
Yin Beichen raised the brim of his cap slightly and swept his gaze across the crowd.
His sharp eyes passed over each soldier like a tangible blade. Despite being the best in the unit, every one of them instinctively stiffened under that piercing gaze, not daring to relax for a moment.
After the appearance of the Zerg in Titus City, other cities had also heightened their alert. In addition to reinforcing patrols in surrounding star sectors, the defense center had gradually tilted toward planetary cities. The newly expanded patrol unit was specifically responsible for urban security, conducting armed urban patrol duties. Urban warfare was brutally intense and chaotic, so the soldiers selected were the elite of the elite.
Qu Jingshan puffed out his chest.
He had great confidence in this team he had personally chosen and was happy to have his commanding officer inspect them.
Yin Beichen carefully examined their equipment, his face expressionless.
All of this gear had been battle-tested, top-notch in both performance and firepower, with high defensive and combat capabilities. Urban warfare primarily involved close-quarters combat and hand-to-hand fighting, so weapons needed to be independently operable. Shorter or more powerful options were preferable.
Qu Jingshan spoke at length, detailing the latest training progress. Yin Beichen listened and nodded in satisfaction.
His gaze drifted to a squad training in the distance, and his eyes grew distant. Suddenly, he changed the subject. “How are those mercenaries from Blast Sheep doing?”
“Them? So-so.” Qu Jingshan curled his lip.
“I’ve observed them. They have some experience in urban warfare. We might consider integrating them.”
“Let them train a bit more.”
Those two were actually capable, but as mercenaries, they had a tendency to bend the rules. Especially that kid Wen Qianyong—once he got into his mech, he became a completely different person, hard to handle. Recently, though, the kid had been listless and distracted in training. If he didn’t tighten up soon, he’d have to be dealt with.
Sure enough, they couldn’t take a bit of hardship—just like that overhyped head-turning robot.
Still, this patrol unit had only been formed recently, and General Yin had come to inspect it personally. Qu Jingshan sensed something was up. “Sir, is there a mission coming?”
“Mm.” Yin Beichen said flatly.
“Great! Let’s go kick some ass!” Qu Jingshan gritted his teeth in anticipation.
He had heard that the robot had submitted a report listing various clues, some of which involved his patrol area and were related to the Zerg. General Yin had discussed it with him a few times and identified several targets. As soon as the commander gave the order, he would send people to investigate immediately.
Mentioning the Zerg made Qu Jingshan furious. Every time he remembered how Ning Feng had been stuck in the infirmary ever since saving him, the fire in his heart burned hotter.
Goddamn it!
He wanted to rip those disgusting creatures apart, string them up, and feed them to the dogs!
After stewing in silence, the bald, burly man let out a heavy sigh. “Sir, Ning Feng… how is he?”
Yin Beichen’s eyes flickered. “He’s recovering.”
“When can we visit him?”
“Not yet.”
“Then when? It’s been almost two months.” Qu Jingshan grew anxious.
For the past two months, Yin Beichen had refused to discuss Ning Feng’s condition, only saying he was recuperating and not fit for visitors. But didn’t the infirmary have isolation pods? Couldn’t he at least look through the glass?
“Just tell me straight—is he—”
“No, he’s fine.” Yin Beichen shot him a cold glare as sharp as a blade.
Feeling that gaze cut into him like a dagger, Qu Jingshan flinched. He suddenly realized he had inadvertently stepped on the commander’s absolute landmine. He halted his breath for a moment.
“I didn’t mean that…” he muttered and fell silent.
Yin Beichen closed his eyes and let out a silent breath.
“I know you all care about him and want to know how he’s doing, but right now… he’s recuperating. It’s not suitable for visitors.” He paused a moment, then continued, “When the situation permits, I’ll arrange for visits. For now, you should focus on the Zerg matter.”
His tone was calm, but beneath it, anger seemed to simmer—along with something else… unease?
Qu Jingshan: ?
Since the commander had spoken, there was no point in pressing further.
He scratched his bald head, thinking that Yin Beichen was probably even more anxious than he was. Their relationship was hardly ordinary, even if it was one-sided… He silently resolved that once Ning Feng recovered, he would do his best to push them together.
Just then, he noticed Yin Beichen glance at his watch again.
Yin Beichen usually visited the training ground two or three times a week. Normally, he would tour every station. But for some reason, Qu Jingshan felt the commander was distracted today—especially as mealtime approached, he kept checking his watch.
Qu Jingshan rubbed his bald head as a sudden thought struck. “Sir, do you have urgent business?”
Yin Beichen paused abruptly, then quickly resumed his usual impassive expression. “I’m going to the R&D department to discuss the Zerg. Send me today’s training plan later.”
Ah, the R&D department. Qu Jingshan nodded in understanding.
Yin Beichen gave a few more instructions before striding quickly off the training ground. Watching his hurried retreat, Qu Jingshan couldn’t help but marvel—the commander was really killing himself over the Zerg.
**
Meanwhile, Ning Feng had just retrieved the liquid composition report from the R&D department.
Staring at the dense rows of data and technical jargon, he almost blew a fuse. Sure enough, specialized matters were best left to professionals. So, shamelessly, he went looking for Qu Yan again.
“Protein solution?” Leaning against the warehouse wall, Ning Feng furrowed his thick brows.
“Mm.” Qu Yan crouched in front of a storage shelf in the lab, rummaging through a pile of sample cabinets.
“What’s it for?”
Qu Yan didn’t look up but pointed to a giant glass tube nearby. A cultivated Zerg sample was “cheerfully” waving its tentacles, accompanied by the sounds of the Zerg’s hip-hop-like chatter and laughter. Ning Feng clicked his tongue and quietly turned down the audio receiver a notch.
“How did your stuff end up in the warehouse?”
“How should I know? We haven’t ordered anything recently.”
“But this liquid was found at the tear in the crate.”
“Maybe someone scraped it while picking up supplies.”
Staring fixedly at the piece of flesh—he couldn’t tell what part it was from—Ning Feng narrowed his eyes. “You don’t think… one of your experimental subjects escaped, do you?”
“Escaped?” This time, Qu Yan finally reacted. He adjusted his glasses with a scoff. “We count the subjects every morning and evening. I lock them up myself, and the keys are only with me. How could they escape? Like a locked-room mystery?”
That made sense. Qu Yan, that science fanatic, kept such a tight watch—every sample was his lifeline. How could a subject escape without his knowledge?
Ning Feng rubbed his chin, feeling something was off. “Then that’s strange. Who opened the crate?”
Just then—
[Hehe! Can’t guess, can you!]
[K023 is so smart, so smart!]
[Yeah! Hiding in the water!]
[Shh! Keep it down!]
…
Water!?
There was a Zerg hiding in the water!
Ning Feng froze, feeling as if all his engine oil had reversed flow.
He grabbed Qu Yan and pulled him out of the warehouse, gripping the man’s shoulders tightly. “Let me ask you—do you have an experimental subject called K023?”
“K023?” Startled by the robot’s reaction, Qu Yan was puzzled but still thought carefully. “That doesn’t sound like one of our designations.”
The R&D department had a very strict naming convention. Every label and data set had specific representative meanings. A vague name like K023 sounded more like something someone made up for convenience.
The Zerg samples’ talk of “K023” most likely referred to another Zerg. If what Qu Yan said was true—that no experimental subject had opened the crate—then this K023 was a different Zerg entirely.
But that “water”…
“What’s wrong? You look terrible.” Qu Yan asked.
“Which of my eyes looks like it’s ever had a good complexion?” Ning Feng shot back irritably.
If he directly told someone he could understand Zerg speech, he’d probably be accused of glitching. The Zerg’s words stuck in his mind, and he lost all appetite for lunch. He turned down Qu Yan’s invitation to eat.
After thinking it over, Ning Feng decided to search personally.
Bathroom, swimming pool, training ground… In one lunch break, Ning Feng ran through every place in the base that had water—even the kitchen sinks. But he found nothing. Right now, his only regret was that he didn’t have the clearance to check the base’s construction blueprints.
Water. Somewhere with water.
Where else could there be water?
Ning Feng looked up at the sky, growing anxious.
If the hidden roach wasn’t found, the base would be in danger. Compared to their earlier caution, the Zerg were now brazen—evident from their unhesitant prying open of the steel crate. It meant that somewhere unknown, the Zerg had gained an advantage, giving them the confidence to act without fear.
Rumble—
A faint thunderclap rolled from the dense clouds, and a wind carrying moisture signaled that rain was on the way.
Rain…
Right—the water reservoir!
Ning Feng’s optical lens widened, and without hesitation, he turned and sprinted toward the R&D building.
On the top floor of the R&D building lay an abandoned water reservoir.
It had been built a long, long time ago, before he had been transferred to the base. Back then, the base’s water and power facilities were still primitive, and they sometimes needed the reservoir to store rainwater to alleviate water shortages. As infrastructure improved, the reservoir fell into disuse, and even he had forgotten about it until now.
He ran all the way to the roof, his engine whirring so fast it almost smoked, until he reached the large iron door leading to the rooftop.
No one usually came here. The walls and floor were thick with dust. The safety indicator light flickered with an eerie green glow in the dim space. The door panel was already dilapidated, with much of the silver-blue paint flaked off to reveal the orange rust underneath.
Ning Feng thought for a moment and sent Qu Yan a message: if he didn’t reply within half an hour, Qu Yan should notify the guards immediately.
He crouched low, pressing his ear to listen. Hearing nothing unusual, he steadied himself and smoothly keyed in a series of passwords on the electronic lock. After a moment, a distorted chime sounded.
Beep-beep—
The door creaked and groaned for a while before opening to a finger’s width—then got stuck. Ning Feng pressed his back against the wall and observed for a moment, then shoved the door open just enough to slip through. He slipped in silently and closed it again.
A fierce wind howled across the desolate rooftop, which was littered with scraps of paper and garbage blown up from somewhere, a complete mess. The ground was covered in dirty black water stains, and some spots had grown moss, making the surface slippery.
At the center of the platform stood a reservoir several meters wide.
Ning Feng craned his neck to look, then bent low and moved forward. Even in broad daylight, he felt the oppressive pressure closing in. His engine began to hum softly.
Step by step…
Suddenly, Ning Feng noticed several dark stains on the concrete floor, mixed with a light brown, sticky liquid. The stains extended all the way to the edge of the reservoir, looking like the hand- and footprints of some animal—perhaps something that moved on all fours.
An animal. It had to be an animal.
Even though the prints looked a lot like human hands and feet…
But only animals would crawl around on the ground like that, right?
Ning Feng tightened his brows, trying hard to ignore the question of whether a human could crawl on all fours.
Slowly, slowly…
The closer he got to the reservoir, the more nervous he became.
It wasn’t his first time killing bugs, but somehow he felt that the bug he was about to encounter would be different from any he had seen before.
Very different.
His fingers tightened, and he quickly switched to dagger mode.
Ten meters, five meters…
Finally, Ning Feng stood less than three meters from the reservoir.
He straightened up slightly and peered cautiously downward.
The square reservoir was half-filled with water, murky and tinged with greenish-yellow sludge. Beneath the surface, it was utterly still—not even a single bubble rose. It didn’t look like anything alive was in there. He strained his ears for a moment but heard no Zerg speech or strange hissing.
Ning Feng couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
The Zerg wasn’t here.
Had it gone out? Or moved somewhere else?
Suddenly, he remembered the strange footprints from earlier. He crouched down to examine the wet marks more closely.
Just as he leaned in close to the reservoir’s edge, the previously still water—less than half a meter from his face—suddenly snapped open a pair of pitch-black eyes.