TCFGBH Chapter 111

The port of HHX29 Planet was thrown into chaos due to the sudden orders from Young Master Xia.

Workers in dark blue uniforms rushed around, their faces smudged with grease they didn’t even have time to wipe off. They scurried up and down the ship, frantically checking every detail.

The supervisor barked orders: “Double-check the engine! Buck, take two people and move the backup energy source inside… Amy, test the shields…”

The scene was bustling with activity. Even inside the air-conditioned cabin, the workers were sweating profusely.

Someone couldn’t help but complain, “The notice said we were leaving tomorrow. Why the sudden change?”

“A noble young master’s whims are beyond us commoners to fathom.” A man slung an arm around his friend’s shoulder. “At least they pay well. If we finish this job safely, we’ll be set for six months.”

“Damn! Don’t jinx it.”

“What are you so scared of? Who’d dare hijack a Gardner’s ship within the Empire’s territory?”

His friend joked, “Maybe the infamous Blazing Star Pirate Crew.”

The man shrugged nonchalantly. “The Blazing Star Pirates used to be terrifying, sure—they’d hijack any ship they wanted. But they haven’t been seen in years. They’ve probably been wiped out by now.”

“True enough.”

The two exchanged a look and burst out laughing.

Despite the urgency of the orders, this team was undeniably top-notch. Within forty-five minutes, they completed all inspections. The pilot and co-pilot had settled into the cockpit, and as soon as Xia Yan’s group boarded, the ship took off on its return journey to the Imperial Capital.

Passing through white clouds and the atmosphere, the planet X29 shrank gradually in the distance.

Finally, they exited the planet’s controlled airspace and entered the vastness of space. The dark canvas of the universe stretched before them, dotted with countless stars. Occasionally, a meteor would streak by, forming brief showers of light.

Xia Yan sank into the plush sofa, a trace of agitation in his expression.

Even though they had already left… why did he still feel uneasy?

There was something he had overlooked.

“Young Master,” a bodyguard approached with a glass of low-alcohol red wine. “You seem a bit restless, so I took the liberty of bringing this over. Would you like to have a sip to relax?”

Xia Yan had excellent alcohol tolerance, which is why he could play a charming playboy in the first world.

In every world, the physical body he inhabited gradually adapted to his original constitution the longer he stayed.

A single glass of red wine wouldn’t make him drunk.

A couple of sips couldn’t hurt.

Xia Yan extended his hand. His fingertips were pale and delicate, with healthy, light pink nails. Just as his fingers touched the stem of the glass but before he could grip it—

A loud explosion shook the ship violently.

The wine glass wobbled precariously on the tray, heavy at the top and light at the base.

The bodyguard reacted swiftly, grabbing it before it fell. Even so, a bit of wine splashed onto the young man’s white jacket, leaving unsightly red stains.

Xia Yan: “…”

The bodyguard knew how particular his employer was. “My apologies.”

The young man waved it off. “Forget it. The situation’s urgent. I’m going out to take a look.”

“Yes, sir.”

Xia Yan ordered the bodyguard to open the sealed cabin door. Outside, chaos reigned. The hired bodyguards—seasoned fighters who lived on the edge—remained relatively calm. But the ship’s maintenance workers and servants stood frozen, staring at the crimson flags outside, their faces pale as paper.

“…”

“…Blazing Star Pirates.”

“We’re doomed.”

The Blazing Star Pirates were infamous marauders, brutal and ruthless. They had terrorized the Empire for over a century and were still undefeated. After years of silence, why were they suddenly reappearing now?

Young Master Xia’s private ship boasted top-tier equipment, but it was still a civilian vessel. Compared to the pirates’ battleships, there was no contest. The other ship was three times larger, and despair had already taken hold before any fighting had begun.

Another cannon shot thundered. The captain quickly activated the shields.

A semi-transparent, bluish shield enveloped the ship, buying some time. The captain pushed the speed to its limit. If they could reach the next planet’s territory, the pirates would be forced to retreat.

BOOM!

Another massive blast erupted. The shield flickered violently, and its energy reserves plummeted by 18% in an instant.

“Damn! That’s some firepower.”

“Are we done for?”

“I don’t want to die!”

Xia Yan outwardly maintained his composure, but his mind was blank:

[System! What should I do? Is the protagonist shou chasing me down? Am I going to get captured and face his revenge?]

666, sounding weary, lit an imaginary cigarette: [Why not try acting cute? Maybe he’ll let you go.]

[…] Xia Yan’s lips twitched as he subtly reminded it, [I just dumped him today. And said a ton of harsh things.] The protagonist shou was clearly furious—there was no way he’d listen to Xia Yan now.

What a joke.

This was a protagonist shou who was complex and volatile, not some love-struck fool.

[…]

Even 666 was at a loss.

As a newly activated system on its first mission, how could it have anticipated that every protagonist shou in the Supreme God’s scenarios would end up so… bizarre?

The two novices exchanged a moment of helpless silence.

Finally, Xia Yan decided: [System, turn off my pain receptors.]

666 obediently adjusted the settings swiftly, then hesitantly asked, [Yan Yan, what are you planning to do?]

[Taking a final gamble.]

He absolutely could not let Ian capture him. Otherwise, the entire mission would collapse, and his points would be forfeit… and a working man with no income? Unthinkable!

Rather than wait for failure, it was better to try an unconventional route.

Within the two minutes that Xia Yan spent talking to the system, the ship had endured several more attacks. Its energy reserves had dropped to 35%. Even with backup energy, it wouldn’t last much longer under this barrage.

Xia Yan wasted no more time and strode toward the cockpit.

“Open the communicator. Request contact with the Blazing Star Pirates.”

The captain, busy piloting at high speed, nearly lost his mind at the order. These were ruthless killers! Did this noble young master seriously expect them to show mercy?

In the heat of the moment, the captain lost all respect for his aristocratic employer and growled impatiently, “Don’t mess around! I’m busy trying to save us!”

The intense tension had the middle-aged man’s stomach in spasms. His hands trembled as he entered each command, swallowing nervously after every keystroke.

Xia Yan glanced at the main screen. The shield was already relying on backup energy and could hold for only three more minutes—nowhere near enough time to escape.

“Enough.”

“I told you I—”

Before the captain could finish his protest, the young man’s cold, merciless words cut through the air:

“You know perfectly well this is a futile effort. Stop wasting time.”

The captain’s body stiffened, his face turning an ashen gray.

The co-pilot froze as well, dropping his hands to clutch his head in despair.

Although Xia Yan had never piloted a spaceship, he had operated mechas before. Communication and data transmission systems shared universal interfaces. It didn’t take long for him to find the controls he needed.

“Leave it to me. You two, get out.”

“I…”

Xia Yan yanked the man from the pilot’s seat with ease. With S-rank strength, lifting an adult was like picking up a chick: “Out.”

His voice was icy and calm, his expression stern, with an aura of unyielding authority.

The two men shivered involuntarily and dared not protest further. Dragging their limp bodies, they left the cockpit. They intended to write farewell messages to their families in their final moments.

As for the young master… if he wanted to play hero, so be it.

But just as they stepped out of the cockpit, they heard Xia Yan’s promise:

“Don’t worry. I’ll get you all out of this alive.”

His tone wasn’t soft or reassuring. It was a simple, matter-of-fact statement, as if he were declaring an inevitable outcome.

The two paused instinctively, glancing back. All they saw was the youth’s soft black hair and his lean, firm shoulders.

Then the cockpit door shut firmly, cutting off all sights and sounds.

They stood there, dazed. For some reason, their panicked hearts began to calm. The others crowded around them, calling their names several times before they finally snapped out of it.

“Ah… we’re out… the young master’s inside…”

“What’s the point of standing here? Shouldn’t we run?”

“There’s no escape.”

“We’re doomed… we’re all doomed…” The group wailed in despair, while the bodyguards silently tightened their grip on their weapons, prepared for a fight to the death.

“No, not necessarily,” the captain muttered softly. “Young Master Xia said he’ll get us out alive.”

“Does he have a plan?” someone scoffed. “No matter how strong he is, he’s just one person. How could he stand against a battleship’s artillery?” Especially one clearly modified for enhanced firepower.

“I believe him,” the captain said in a low voice.

Perhaps it was the conviction in that final sentence. For once, he chose to trust.

The others thought of the young master in the cockpit, recalling his poised demeanor and unyielding spirit. Their complaints stuck in their throats, unspoken.

Fine. If the captain says there’s no escape, then another minute or two wouldn’t hurt.

–

Inside the cockpit.

Xia Yan sent a communication request. The response came almost instantly, within three seconds.

The screen lit up, revealing Ian disguised as Mecha Master D. With his hands propped under his chin, he smiled playfully. “Surprise, baby.”

“…”

If Ian wanted to see him shocked, Xia Yan refused to satisfy him.

Xia Yan lifted his chin, his expression indifferent. “So it is you.”

“You figured me out?”

“Of course,” Xia Yan sneered. “Why else would I have you analyze D’s blueprint? Obviously, I was just using you, you idiot.”

Ian: “…”

Ian’s crew: “…” Holy crap! The sister-in-law is savage.

Did they overhear too much? Better to retreat quietly, lest their boss silences them for knowing this juicy drama. Tiptoeing, they snuck out of the room.

Xia Yan continued, “Knowing I used you, do you still like me?”

“…”

His silence was answer enough. Xia Yan rested his chin on one hand. “Looks like you do. What a shame—I don’t like weaklings.” He raised an eyebrow, a challenging gleam in his eyes. “Let’s duel.”