I Am a Salted Fish in the Interstellar Era - Chapter 29

Wen Ruoyan watched the several fast-approaching red dots on the simulated sand table, feeling her heart sink.

 

At this moment, the only things that could be approaching from the sky were the insect race, and now, just one Claw Eagle could lead to their complete annihilation. If other insect species joined the battle, they would not be able to escape far at all.

 

“Run!” Wen Ruoyan shouted, and the people who had already started moving because of her previous command bit their teeth and drove their mechas to their maximum speed.

 

Even if they couldn’t escape, they had to try! Every single escapee counts!

 

The Claw Eagle, with its keen eyes, would not easily let its prey escape.

 

Its long, sharp beak emitted a piercing screech, its gigantic wings flapping. The Claw Eagle’s sharp feathers shot out from its body amidst the hurricane, like black steel knives charging at all the mechas in the sky.

 

In the blink of an eye, several mechas were hit by the Claw Eagle’s feathers. Some had their cockpits penetrated, killing the pilots instantly, while others were pierced through, with the pilots screaming in agony as they plummeted to the ground like dumplings.

 

Shi Yu’s expression was solemn. She struggled to cut through the Claw Eagle’s feathers, but the large sword in her left hand was notched by the feathers upon contact.

 

Such sharp feathers!

 

Shi Yu reacted in time, a golden light shining in her eyes, unnoticed by others, as the two large swords in her hands were reinforced by an unknown force, making it easier to cut through the Claw Eagle’s feathers than before.

 

The chaos on the ground meant no one noticed Shi Yu.

 

Wen Ruoyan confronted the Claw Eagle directly. Her long whip wrapped around the Claw Eagle’s claws, but it did not control the bird; instead, she was restrained by it.

 

The Claw Eagle’s strength was immense. Wen Ruoyan, holding onto the whip, was dragged back and forth, feeling increasingly dizzy, when suddenly, an eerie killing intent surged towards her.

 

It turned out the Claw Eagle had aimed its huge beak at her cockpit.

 

Wen Ruoyan knew if her cockpit was hit by the Claw Eagle, she would be facing certain death.

 

Without hesitation, she let go, controlling her mecha, which was being dragged around in the air by the Claw Eagle, to throw itself backwards.

 

She had faced life and death on the battlefield numerous times, honing her escape skills to be very adept, knowing to seize every possible chance to escape.

 

She quickly stabilized her mecha in the air. Despite being thrown far away by the Claw Eagle’s tremendous force, she believed she had a 60% chance of escaping. However, if she ran, all the people she brought would be sacrificed.

 

Wen Ruoyan immediately discarded her moment of hesitation, pulling out the energy gun mounted on her mecha’s right leg, and also firing all the ammunition loaded on the mecha.

 

But neither the energy gun nor the ammunition could cause substantial damage to the Claw Eagle. Such attacks were like tickling it.

 

Shi Yu barely blocked a feather that was about to hit Feng Xiao, gripping the mecha finger ring on her right index finger, intending to exit the cockpit, when a particle beam from high above struck the Claw Eagle’s head.

 

In the insect race manual, it was specially mentioned that the Claw Eagle’s head was its hardest part.

 

Yet, when the particle beam hit the Claw Eagle’s head, it pierced right through, emitting a chilling crack.

 

The Claw Eagle’s head shattered just like that, the sudden turn of events shocking everyone under attack. Wen Ruoyan incredulously looked up at the sky.

 

She saw a giant scimitar falling from the sky, effortlessly slicing through the Claw Eagle’s sharp wings. As the scimitar circled back, its sharp edge lightly grazed the Claw Eagle’s plump abdomen, and then, like a funnel, all sorts of bizarre and disgusting substances dropped from the Claw Eagle’s belly.

 

Shi Yu almost vomited.

 

But before she could vomit, three mechas approached at high speed from above, landing in front of everyone.

 

The mechas were dark red, each equipped with two scimitars at the wrists. One of them carried a sniper rifle, another bore a heavy cannon, and the third was sleek and slender, indicating that their configuration was almost the same as Shi Yu and her companions.

 

Moreover, they were all SSS-grade mechas, capable of both melee and ranged combat, unbeatable. On their shoulders was a silver totem resembling some flower, but unfortunately, Shi Yu, with her limited experience, did not recognize it.

 

However, she had seen this totem before, on the dark red military uniform of the Little Beauty. She glanced at it briefly at the time and didn’t pay much attention, only to find out later that it was the totem of the Judgment Legion, symbolizing power and protection.

 

Could these three mechas be piloted by the Judgment Legion?

 

Shi Yu narrowed her eyes slightly. Previously, during her battle with the swarm of bees, Xie Jiangsa appeared and with just a curved blade, slaughtered that SSS-ranked bee.

 

The appearance of these three mechas, with at most two people taking action, easily dealt with the known highest combat power of the insect race as if slicing through vegetables, showcasing a strength that was truly terrifying. No wonder it made the federal citizens so frenzied.

 

Shi Yu quietly withdrew her hand. Although the Little Beauty didn’t tell her why the “War God” should not be exposed, it had been emphasized repeatedly. Now, if it could be avoided, she definitely would, to prevent any real trouble.

 

Soon, one of the three mechas stepped forward and, in full view of everyone, extracted the energy power crystal from the head of a Claw Eagle.

 

The Claw Eagle’s head was shattered like that, yet the energy power crystal was unharmed. Was it that durable?

 

Or was it deliberately avoided?

 

If that was true, then the strength of the Judgment Legion was too terrifying. To hit the head of a Claw Eagle from such a distance was difficult enough, let alone avoiding the energy power crystal inside. Such accuracy was horrifying.

 

Shi Yu did not dismiss this guess but continued to observe the mechas.

 

Honestly, she always felt that the design of these mechas was a bit similar to the “War God,” the streamlined design especially seemed identical. However, placing them next to the “War God” would reveal these dark red mechas had a comically counterfeit style.

 

Thinking this, Shi Yu’s eyelids twitched, and she let out an awkward cough.

 

One should not be too pleased with oneself. How could the mechas of the grand Judgment Legion be associated with counterfeits?

 

It must be because the “War God” was too beautiful.

 

Shi Yu snapped out of her messy thoughts to see the three mechas approaching Wen Ruoyan, seemingly having a conversation before quickly driving the mechas away.

 

The entire team of mecha pilots erupted into excitement after they left, many screaming “Judgment Legion” until their voices went hoarse.

 

Shi Yu could somewhat understand this excitement, but she didn’t have the energy to join in the commotion. She sheathed her swords, connected to the team’s communication, and asked, “Is everyone okay? Any injuries?”

 

Everyone in the team was together, and when they were attacked by the Claw Eagle feathers, Shi Yu blocked the majority of the feathers, with the others dealing with only a few scattered ones.

 

Lu Dongyan and Feng Xiao, with their high-performance mechas and combat proficiency, sustained no damage. Luo Xiaci, relying on his mecha’s speed, skillfully dodged a few scattered feather attacks and was completely unharmed.

 

Li Wensheng and a few others looked a bit more disheveled, but aside from some mental exhaustion, they were uninjured.

 

The team quickly completed the rescue and immediately withdrew.

 

Nothing happened on the way back, which was remarkably smooth.

 

However, Shi Yu noticed that any insect race creature that could pose a threat to them along the way was now lying on the ground as a corpse, with wounds very similar to those inflicted by the three mechas from the sky on the Claw Eagle.

 

Moreover, these corpses were all missing their energy power crystals.

 

It seems the three members of the Judgment Legion had gone ahead of the team, dealing with all the troublesome foes on the road.

 

Shi Yu stroked her chin, thinking the Little Beauty’s subordinates were really not bad.

 

Clearly, others in the team also realized this, all eager to return to the refuge and boast about today’s thrilling encounter with familiar people, while praising the Judgment Legion and Commander Xie.

 

The group quickly returned to the refuge. Just as Shi Yu was about to hand over her mecha for maintenance, she saw many people gathered in groups, engaged in excited and fervent discussions.

 

“It’s the Judgment Legion! They came! Now we’re saved. With them here, I no longer have to fear every day that the refuge will be breached by the insect race.”

 

“Exactly, the Judgment Legion is so powerful, killing insects like slicing through vegetables, easily handled in just a few moves.”

 

“I just saw them going to Commander Xie for help. I’ve specifically studied Commander Xie’s combat style. In any battle he participates in, even if at a disadvantage, he can quickly turn the tables and suppress the enemy. With him here, plus the Judgment Legion, the Zerg are doomed this time.”

 

Along the way, this was the kind of discussion that Shi Yu heard the most: that Little Beauty would definitely counterattack and beat the Zerg into a total retreat.

 

Such remarks made her frown subconsciously. The Judgment Legion is indeed formidable, but it’s hard to fend off multiple attackers with just two fists. She didn’t know how many members of the Judgment Legion had arrived, but the Zerg on the entire planet of Sea Blue were endless.

 

Little Beauty was burdened with such high expectations. If he couldn’t drive the Zerg out of Sea Blue and back to their original world, his prestige…

 

That’s a hot potato!

 

The image of Xie Yuyan, with his cold eyes and eyebrows, flashed through Shi Yu’s mind. She suddenly felt a bit unclear about what he was thinking, or maybe she had never really understood him.

 

Never mind.

 

Shi Yu stretched lazily.

 

She was in no position to worry about herself, let alone others. Little Beauty was so smart; wouldn’t he have thought of this? Maybe he already had a plan for a counterattack. Why should she worry?

 

Thinking this, Shi Yu suddenly remembered something. She turned a corner under the astonished gazes of Lu Dongyan and others, then slapped Li Wensheng on the shoulder, saying carelessly, “Bro, where’s your lollipop?”

 

Lu Dongyan & Feng Xiao & Luo Xiaci: “…”

 

–

 

“Why didn’t you come back with Jiangsa? Who allowed you to interfere with the affairs of Sea Blue?”

 

Xie Yuyan stood upright in the resting room, facing a 3D projection.

 

The man in the projection had sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, dressed in a black military uniform that was neat and imposing. His chest was adorned with various medals, symbols of his glory.

 

In the interstellar era, the average lifespan of humans extended to three hundred years, and the First Marshal Xie Liqin, already over two hundred years old, looked no more than in his forties or fifties by the standards of the ancient era.

 

Xie Liqin’s voice carried a question, clearly dissatisfied with Xie Yuyan’s actions on Sea Blue Star.

 

Xie Yuyan’s emotions did not fluctuate with his anger; he calmly said, “Father, this is an opportunity.”

 

He mentioned the opportunity but did not specify what it was. Xie Liqin understood but was still furiously uncontrollable: “So, you even called the others from the tribunal to Sea Blue Star? Do you realize that if the issues on Sea Blue Star cannot be resolved, you, the admired Commander Xie, will fall from the peak to the bottom, wasting all the years of effort I’ve put into the tribunal!”

 

“Do you think I can’t solve it?” Xie Yuyan looked at Xie Liqin with a steady gaze, showing no sign of guilt or timidity, but a surprising firmness and confidence.

 

Xie Liqin was momentarily taken aback by his question but quickly recovered, his gaze heavy with a warning: “You’d better solve it, or I wouldn’t mind replacing you.”

 

If outsiders were present, they would be shocked to hear the First Marshal talk to his own son in such a manner. And the glorious Commander Xie’s indifferent treatment of his biological father would also be surprising.

 

Xie Yuyan seemed unfazed by the threat. He nodded and said, “I’m aware of the limits.”

 

His words were cut off as the communication was hung up, leaving the room without the man’s angry voice. Xie Yuyan stood in place for a while.

 

He suddenly reached out, touching his collar, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

 

Who would have thought, just as the Federation was about to return to its former glory, the Federation’s most powerful marshals were busy fighting for power and profit.

 

If the marshals had taken the insectoid invasion seriously from the start, sending heavy troops to suppress it directly, things would not have escalated to this point.

 

But what’s the use of saying these now?

 

Xie Yuyan lowered his gaze, returning to the cold and distant Commander Xie of before.

 

Just then, the door to his resting room ‘beeped,’ and Xie Jiangsa hurried in from outside, immediately knowing he had spoken with Xie Liqin.

 

Xie Jiangsa, frowning, walked over: “Did father scold you again?”

 

Xie Yuyan shook his head, and Xie Jiangsa scoffed, “What’s the use of shaking your head? When have you ever done anything without him scolding?”

 

It was supposed to be Xie Yuyan coming to Sea Blue Star with him, but the father insisted on sending him on another mission, replacing the people around Xie Yuyan with his own, as if guarding against a thief, not knowing what he was thinking.

 

Xie Jiangsa, growing increasingly frustrated, didn’t want to dwell on this tedious topic and simply said, “Don’t mind him. The people you arranged have already arrived. What do you plan to do with that specimen?”

 

Xie Yuyan looked up at him, speaking softly, “I need a favor from you.”

 

Xie Jiangsa, surprised, raised an eyebrow. It was rare to hear him ask for help. He didn’t agree immediately but sat down on Xie Yuyan’s bed, arms crossed, and asked, “What favor?”

 

Every time this kid asked for a favor, it was never an easy one.

 

Xie Yuyan whispered something, and without thinking, Xie Jiangsa immediately objected, “No! Anyone but you! Do you know the condition of your body?”

 

Xie Yuyan just looked at him, silent.

 

Xie Jiangsa, feeling uneasy under his stare, still refused to budge.

 

“Unless you let me…”

 

“No.” Xie Yuyan rejected without a second thought.

 

Xie Jiangsa: “…”

 

Alright, let’s drop this matter! No more mentioning it!