ISMW Chapter 40.1

As soon as these nine words were uttered, the youth immediately reported a coordinate point, not even giving anyone time to say a compliant “Yes.”

 

Yu Chen obeyed the order, mounting the sniper cannon on his left arm, pressing it against his shoulder. Without a half-second of hesitation, he locked onto the single mech Yun Xunlan had named among the Hyena mech group, aimed at its core source, and fired.

 

“Boom—!”

 

The explosive shell fired from the muzzle penetrated the jamming bomb blockade and hit that mech, raising a scarlet wave of flames. Unfortunately, it didn’t hit a fatal spot, and the mech was only stunned by the shock wave for less than a second before stabilizing its body and continuing forward.

 

“03, 05.”

 

Yun Xunlan didn’t let Yu Chen fire at that mech again, but reported a new coordinate, telling Yu Chen to shoot at the Hyena mech in the third column vertically and fifth row horizontally.

 

Yu Chen didn’t even think, acting like a neuron controlled by Yun Xunlan’s central nervous system, only responsible for receiving and reacting, not engaging in any thought. He quickly turned the muzzle to aim at another mech and pulled the trigger.

 

“02, 04.”

 

“01, 06…”

 

The silver-haired alpha called out coordinates one after another.

 

Under the azure clear sky, in the deep gloomy sea, the deafening bombing sounds rose and fell, yet couldn’t overwhelm the youth’s calm and steady voice. It was like the gentle strings of a violin, smoothly and movingly gliding over the heart, making one empty their thoughts, ignore the clamor, and calmly and focusedly resist the enemy mechs before them along with him.

 

Yu Chen hit all the Hyena mechs whose coordinates Yun Xunlan called out, not missing a single shot, but only a few times could he destroy their core source with one shot.

 

In contrast, Fu Yanxi and Gui Yan’s hit rate now soared as if riding a rocket, because they discovered a pattern—shooting at the mechs Yu Chen had hit but not destroyed on his first shot, their second strike could invariably hit the core source.

 

It was as if Yu Chen’s first shot had stunned them, so when Fu Yanxi and Gui Yan shot at them again, they either wouldn’t dodge, or their jamming bombs would malfunction, or worse, they would use their core source area like a basket to catch the explosive shells, leaving Fu Yanxi and Gui Yan dumbfounded.

 

Therefore, after just over twenty seconds, the Hyena mech group’s formation was completely disrupted. When Yun Xunlan reported mech coordinate points again, Fu Yanxi and Gui Yan no longer had the chance to follow up—Yu Chen’s previous shot had already directly disabled them.

 

At this point, Yun Xunlan finally stopped his deadly roll call, saying calmly: “For the remaining ones, leave those retreating alive for the patrol microstar ship and guard squad to handle. Kill all those that don’t retreat.”

 

A crisis, in an instant, dissipated under the silver-haired alpha’s command.

 

Gui Yan was still puzzled even after putting away his gun, asking Yu Chen through the communicator: “Yu Chen, did you develop some new shooting technique yourself? How did you do that just now?”

 

“It has nothing to do with me, I was just responsible for pulling the trigger.”

 

Yu Chen deactivated the exoskeleton power suit, flipped down from the car roof, and went to check on Yun Xunlan’s condition.

 

Inside the car, the youth’s hands were crossed, lightly resting on his abdomen, his eyelids lowered as if he were asleep.

 

Yu Chen involuntarily softened his movements, both worried about him and afraid of disturbing him.

 

Instead, it was Yun Xunlan who sensed Yu Chen’s gaze on him, turning his head towards the blue-eyed alpha’s direction and asking in a very soft voice: “Yu Chen… can I ask you to take care of my little fish for a few days?”

 

“Of course,” Yu Chen immediately agreed to Yun Xunlan’s request.

 

He bent down to look for the fish in the car. The water bag had rolled under the car seat during the earlier chaos. When Yu Chen felt for it and pulled it out, the blue betta fish inside was still lively and active. It truly lived up to the pet shop owner’s words about being a beginner-friendly species, with its strong vitality.

 

“It’s fine,” Yu Chen picked up the water bag and looked up at Yun Xunlan. “…Your Highness?”

 

The silver-haired youth was leaning against the car window with his eyes closed and lips pressed together, really looking as if he were asleep.

 

However, after the patrol microstar ship arrived, Yun Xunlan was sent back to the Imperial Military Medical Research Institute.

 

Yu Chen, Fu Yanxi, Gui Yan, and Lu You naturally followed along, but they were stopped outside the operating room.

 

The moment the operating room door opened, Yu Chen saw Pei Xingting’s figure among the doctors waiting inside.

 

After the operating room door closed tightly, Fu Yanxi seemed to find his breath again and turned to look at Yu Chen, saying: “Didn’t His Highness say he was fine? How come now…”

 

“His Highness is indeed fine,” Ni Chun continued Fu Yanxi’s words. “It’s just a concussion, don’t worry.”

 

—Does a concussion require going into an operating room?

 

Hearing this, Fu Yanxi exchanged a glance with Gui Yan, then looked at Lu You. Lu You looked back at them and shook his head slightly.

 

Only Yu Chen didn’t participate in their exchange. He just looked down at his left hand.

 

He was certain that when the first impact occurred, he had protected all the vulnerable parts of Yun Xunlan’s body that could easily be injured. Although Yun Xunlan’s head did indeed suffer an impact, it was against his hand. He had already absorbed most of the impact force with his palm, and his hand wasn’t even hurt. As a top-tier 3S alpha, with Yun Xunlan’s physical qualities, it was absolutely impossible for him to have a concussion.

 

Even if it really was a concussion, Yun Xunlan wouldn’t need to go into an operating room. This condition doesn’t require surgical treatment.

 

Most importantly…

 

The light brain bracelet’s alarm had clearly stated: Yun Xunlan had internal bleeding.

 

Yu Chen’s brows furrowed tightly, his gaze moving from his palm lines to the closed operating room doors—he was certain that Yun Xunlan was undergoing surgery inside.

 

Because Pei Xingting was actually just Yun Xunlan’s personal pharmacist. His original professional work was as an anesthesiologist.

 

So three years ago, when Pei Xingting told him that he had successfully become Yun Xunlan’s pharmacist, Yu Chen had been puzzled about this.

 

At that time, Yu Chen couldn’t figure it out, and Pei Xingting didn’t give him the answer.

 

Now Yu Chen still couldn’t solve the puzzle, and even if he asked Pei Xingting, Pei Xingting probably still wouldn’t tell him.

 

Fifteen minutes later, Crown Princess Yun Xunguang arrived.

 

She had probably rushed to the Imperial Military Medical Research Institute as soon as she received the news. Her hair and clothes were a bit disheveled, quite different from her usual neat and capable appearance. One could faintly glimpse her anxious emotions from this.

 

However, when she actually reached the operating room door, Yun Xunguang became calm and composed.

 

She first nodded to the guards in gratitude: “Thank you for your hard work.”

 

The guards returned her military salute: “Crown Princess, this is what we should do.”

 

Yun Xunguang’s gaze swept over their faces in turn, finally fixing her golden eyes on Yu Chen, and extending her right hand to him: “Major Yu Chen, Soldier Yu, I’ve long heard of your reputation.”

 

The long-standing high position made the stern dignity in Yun Xunguang’s eyes much more intimidating than Yun Xunlan’s, making it difficult for ordinary people to remain calm under her gaze.

 

Although Yu Chen could manage it, when he extended his hand, he remembered Yun Xunlan’s feelings for him.

 

So this handshake became somewhat uncomfortable, and his tone was a bit unnatural: “…Crown Princess, you flatter me.”

 

“How is this flattery?” However, Yun Xunguang didn’t mention Yun Xunlan’s emotional issues, but spoke of something else, “Anyone who can patiently tutor Lanlan is a warrior. I was the first one to tutor him in ‘War Psychology’, and after three times, I went to request a special tutor for him. I couldn’t take it anymore, really couldn’t.”

 

No matter how many years passed, whenever Yun Xunguang thought of that past experience, she still felt irritated. She looked at Yu Chen with admiration: “Major Yu Chen, don’t doubt yourself, you are indeed a warrior.”

 

Yu Chen: “…”

 

“You are all the bravest and most loyal warriors of the Galactic Empire,” After praising Yu Chen, Yun Xunguang smiled and turned her gaze to Fu Yanxi, Gui Yan, Lu You, and the others. “You haven’t eaten yet, have you? I haven’t either. If you don’t mind, please join me for dinner.”

 

When the Crown Princess lowered herself to invite them, of course, they couldn’t refuse.

 

But with Yun Xunlan still in the operating room with an unclear situation, the guards all ate without relish, finding it difficult to swallow.

 

Finally, Gui Yan couldn’t hold back and boldly asked: “Crown Princess, what exactly is wrong with the Third Highness…”

 

Hearing this, Yun Xunguang stopped her chopsticks but didn’t raise her head. The surrounding atmosphere froze to an extreme in her silence.

 

Just as Gui Yan was thinking of sewing his mouth shut, Yun Xunguang spoke. She casually asked Ni Chun, as if making small talk: “Did Lanlan say what was wrong with him?”

 

Ni Chun lowered his head and replied to Yun Xunguang: “Crown Princess, the Third Highness said he had a concussion.”

 

“Then it’s a concussion, a minor ailment. He’ll be fine after resting for a few days. You don’t need to worry about him.”

 

Yun Xunguang emphasized the words “concussion”, repeating Ni Chun’s words to Gui Yan.

 

“As it happens, Lanlan has never liked seeing people when he’s sick since he was little, not even me. With this concussion, he’ll probably stay in the hospital for a long time,” She raised her eyelids, her golden eyes glancing out with an imposing aura even without anger. Although her lips were curved in a smile, her demeanor was still intimidating. “So after this meal, you should return to your quarters. There’s no need to stay here. I’ll have Dike give you a few days off.”

 

“…Yes.” Gui Yan buried his head in his rice, not daring to speak again.

 

After the meal, the four of them took the same car back to the guard’s stationed camp.

 

“Will we be able to come back to work after our leave?” Gui Yan was in a daze. “We won’t all be fired because of my loose tongue, will we?”

 

Lu You silently acted as the driver.

 

Yu Chen sat in the passenger seat, looking out at the passing street scenery without responding to him.

 

Fu Yanxi rubbed his forehead: “Have you been stunned like those Hyena mechs by Yu Chen? How could the Crown Princess fire us for such a small matter? We’ll just be suspended for a few days for investigation. This was an assassination attempt, after all.”

 

Hearing this, Lu You also spoke up: “It’s not just us. All the guards, attendants, and everyone who had contact with His Highness today will be investigated. Once the investigation is over and we’re cleared, we can come back to work.”

 

Yun Xunlan’s schedule was usually very fixed, but today he suddenly changed his plans and still encountered an assassination attempt on the way. This proves that the person behind the scenes must be very familiar with his movements.

 

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Gui Yan apologized for his stupidity, while also marveling, “Speaking of which, the Crown Princess’s aura is terrifying. I didn’t even dare to breathe in front of her. I don’t know how Commander Dike faces her.”

 

Fu Yanxi admired him: “You didn’t dare to breathe but you dared to ask about the Third Highness?”

 

Gui Yan looked pitiful: “I was just really worried about the Third Highness.”

 

“Yu Chen, you were in the same car as the Third Highness,” he leaned forward from the back seat to ask Yu Chen in the front. “Do you think the Third Highness is really okay?”

 

“Stop asking,” Yu Chen said. He was starting to understand Pei Xingting’s irritation when he kept asking about Yun Xunlan’s illness.

 

He said: “The Crown Princess said the Third Highness has a concussion, so that’s the only result, no matter who asks.”

 

Gui Yan sighed dejectedly: “I definitely understand that principle, I just… Ah, I won’t ask anymore. Don’t worry, I won’t talk about this to others either.”

 

The four returned to the guard camp and, as expected, immediately received notice of a two-day leave for all guards. Surprisingly, Dike had even given them leave to go out.

 

However, none of the guards were in the mood for an outing, all staying in the camp.

 

With nothing to do, Fu Yanxi and Gui Yan would have Lu You and Yu Chen bring their betta fish to the cafeteria at mealtimes, placing all four fish tanks together to cultivate the fish’s aggression.

 

Ji Bai and Zhu Shuiqin, the new alpha guard who replaced Zhou Shun, saw this and curiously approached Fu Yanxi’s table.

 

Before they could open their mouths, Fu Yanxi eagerly said: “Hey, how did you know the Third Highness gave us betta fish?”

 

Gui Yan chimed in: “Yeah, yeah, he gave us betta fish that you don’t have.”

 

Ji Bai and Zhu Shuiqin: “…”

 

Jealousy overwhelmed Ji Bai and Zhu Shuiqin, and the two left silently, feeling gloomy and sour.

 

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