I Am a Salted Fish in the Interstellar Era - Chapter 33

“You’re so light,” Shi Yu said, one hand on Xie Yuyan’s waist and the other under his knee, giving him a short princess carry with utmost girlfriend energy.

 

Xie Yuyan’s face darkened. This posture was hardly acceptable to him, especially at such a critical moment. He had no opportunity to protest and was forced to ‘shyly’ lean against Shi Yu.

 

At this moment, the black mecha had already noticed Shi Yu’s sudden appearance. It locked onto the two of them at top speed and without hesitation pulled the trigger of the energy gun, intending to end their lives with a single shot.

 

Shi Yu sensed the danger not far away, calmly stepping on the fallen debris, and with a few jumps, she and Xie Yuyan moved upwards. At the same time, the “War God” appeared in the air. She pushed off with her right leg, dodging the energy beams fired by a black mecha, and took Xie Yuyan into the cockpit of the “War God.”

 

The cockpit of the “War God” was spacious. After entering, Shi Yu put down Xie Yuyan and dismissively gestured for him to stay out of the way: “Go cool off somewhere else. When the battle starts, open up your turtle shell. It would be best if you could stay fixed in place, not like just now, getting shot and falling from the building. That was utterly useless.”

 

Without waiting for Xie Yuyan’s reaction or caring if he would be angered by her words, Shi Yu controlled the “War God” to turn around. The person in the black mecha’s cockpit was surprised to see the “War God,” which looked almost identical to the “Judgment,” and incredulously opened the public channel: “Who are you?”

 

How could there be two “Judgments”?

 

“Your mom!” Shi Yu arrogantly retorted, throwing out two beam swords and charging directly at the black mecha.

 

“Picking on a Little Beauty who can’t fight back, you really make your mother proud. Today, I’m going to teach you a lesson. Fight fair and square! What skill is there in attacking from behind? Also, can’t show your face? Need to wear a mimicry exoskeleton?”

 

Shi Yu couldn’t initially pinpoint the Little Beauty’s location, but the noise from the destruction of the hole was too loud, and she felt the energy fluctuations from a great distance.

 

She almost instantly guessed that the Little Beauty was likely nearby and had stealthily come over to collect the mecha.

 

She originally wanted to investigate why the Little Beauty came here alone but looked up to see someone in a black mimicry exoskeleton taking a potshot at the Little Beauty, nearly breaking out in a cold sweat.

 

Luckily, a powerful shot was blocked by the turtle shell; otherwise, she feared she would have to bring back the Little Beauty’s ‘remains.’ Xie Jiangsa would not only deny her the small pudding but would strangle her on the spot.

 

Thinking the Little Beauty would be safe for the moment, Shi Yu decided to hide and think about how to bring the person over. But seeing the person in the mimicry exoskeleton go crazy when the energy gun failed against the Little Beauty and even pulling out a mecha to deal with her, Shi Yu felt something was wrong and quickly intervened, leading to the scene just now.

 

Shi Yu’s words were full of provocation, infuriating the person in the black mecha, who retracted the energy gun and threw out a beam sword, furiously charging over.

 

His speed was incredibly fast, but Shi Yu chuckled, aiming for this effect.

 

The “War God” unfurled virtual particle wings from its back and disappeared from its spot in a blink. Turning around, the two beam swords slashed down at the black mecha from above.

 

The black mecha, obviously not weak, swiftly responded to Shi Yu’s attack. One beam sword against two was at a disadvantage, especially since the “War God” was powerful and gave no chance for the black mecha to escape.

 

Shi Yu revealed a shameless smile, and then two small gun barrels popped out from the “War God’s” side, firing two particle beams at the black mecha’s cockpit. The black mecha was caught off guard by her cunning move, leaving two burnt marks on the cockpit surface, while the two small gun barrels continued charging, ready to fire again.

 

The person driving the black mecha cursed loudly, attempting to kick the “War God” away, but the “War God” seemed to anticipate his move, bending its knee and kicking the black mecha’s knee first.

 

He gasped in pain, and Shi Yu’s voice followed: “What’s this? Trying to play dirty? You think I’m vegetarian?”

 

Who was really playing dirty?

 

The person in the black mecha was too angry to speak.

 

Then the “War God” delivered another knee, hard and fierce. At this rate, not only would he be dominated in the fight, but he’d also get hammered!

 

The black mecha’s pilot bit his tongue hard, the taste of blood sobering him up. He stopped trying to resist and immediately activated the mecha’s forward thrusters, plummeting downwards at a high speed. Before Shi Yu could react, he crashed heavily to the ground, rolled, and escaped the “War God’s” clutches.

 

“Not bad, quick reflexes! Why don’t you guess what I eat? Guess right, and you might win!” Shi Yu taunted, charging with her beam sword.

 

Inside the “War God’s” cockpit, the virtual screen monitoring Shi Yu’s bodily data started scrolling madly, with all A-level data being replaced by S-level data.

 

Shi Yu felt controlling the “War God” in combat was much easier than the last time she fought the bees. Both her reaction speed and the force of her beam sword strikes had significantly increased.

 

Could she really have the “Dragon’s Pride” physique? Fighting and leveling up in the process?

 

This absurd thought flashed through Shi Yu’s mind as the black mecha adjusted and charged again. The restored black mecha was obviously difficult to deal with. The two combatants were evenly matched for the moment.

 

Shi Yu continued on the public channel: “Have you guessed it yet? If you don’t guess soon, I’m going to end the fight!”

 

The black mecha’s pilot had no idea Shi Yu would be this troublesome, and her constant chatter on the public channel was as annoying as a fly, impossible to swat away.

 

He couldn’t hold back any longer, angrily saying: “I don’t care what you eat! Just die now!”

 

As he spoke, the black mecha charged up, its speed suddenly increasing. Shi Yu was caught off guard and kicked in the shoulder armor. She exaggeratedly cried out, then said, “Look behind you, my support has arrived!”

 

With the simulation sand table active, the surrounding environment was fully under detection. The person piloting the black mecha sneered, “You think you can fool me?”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Shi Yu not rushing at him with the beam sword anymore, but instead, using the force of his kick to propel herself backwards far away with the virtual particle wings vibrating.

 

At the same moment, the pilot of the black mecha felt his hair stand on end. He didn’t even have time to turn around before a terrifying beam shot from behind him, instantly piercing through the cockpit of his mecha and claiming his life.

 

Then, “Judgment” swung its arm, and with the beam pointing upwards, the black mecha was instantly split into two, crashing to the ground with a loud bang, creating two large craters.

 

Shi Yu, who had retreated far away, muttered a low “damn” and then glanced at the calm Little Beauty fiddling with the virtual keyboard inside a turtle shell.

 

Soon, she pretended to be calm, looking away and murmured softly, “I warned you, but you didn’t listen. Look, now you’re dead.”

 

While murmuring, Shi Yu locked onto the mecha split in two by the particle beam, confirming there was no life sign, and couldn’t help but click her tongue.

 

No wonder Little Beauty dared to run out alone. With such a powerful weapon, who could be his opponent?

 

And the turtle shell from earlier, capable of defending against energy beams, what a treasure. Little Beauty had only good stuff on him, wondering who would benefit from it in the future?

 

“Why are you here?” Xie Yuyan, controlling “Judgment,” turned back to handle another hole and asked softly.

 

Shi Yu, piloting “War God,” landed on the ground, then bit into a nutrient solution before responding, “Your brother forced me here. He said he’d strangle me to death if I didn’t come.”

 

Saying this, Shi Yu vividly shuddered, then held up two fingers, “Let me tell you, you owe me two hundred little puddings as compensation for my mental distress.”

 

With a few pudding-consuming monsters around, her stock of little puddings was nearly depleted. Without restocking, she’d have to survive on dry nutrient solutions, which would be worse than when she lived on relief supplies.

 

Xie Yuyan paused his hand on the virtual screen, remembering Shi Yu’s eager consumption of little puddings, and quietly agreed.

 

Hearing his agreement, Shi Yu stopped biting the nutrient solution, eagerly saying, “It’s a deal then! Whoever backs out is a dog!”

 

Xie Yuyan agreed again, his voice cold and soft. If Shi Yu hadn’t been all ears, she wouldn’t have heard him at all.

 

In the distance, “Judgment,” controlling a Naka levitator, shattered another hole. After seeing both holes completely disintegrate and vanish, Xie Yuyan, controlling “Judgment,” returned.

 

Shi Yu glanced at him, then at the “Judgment” 3D projection displayed on the simulation sand table, suddenly curious, “Your mecha looks similar to mine.”

 

She cautiously avoided saying “exactly the same,” knowing her “War God” lacked the impressive Naka levitators that “Judgment” had.

 

Little Beauty unexpectedly answered her question today, “Judgment” was indeed modeled after the Lancezell design, so of course, it looks similar.”

 

He also carefully didn’t say “exactly the same,” as “Judgment” had undergone numerous adjustments over the years, significantly improving its performance from its initial creation.

 

Shi Yu acknowledged with an “Oh,” finished her nutrient solution, then asked, “Why do you all call the Lancezell ‘War God’?”

 

She finally got the chance to ask this question.

 

She thought Little Beauty would answer, but after a long silence, she turned to look and saw him unexpectedly deactivating the turtle shell’s defenses, collapsing in the cockpit with a trickle of blood from his mouth.

 

“What’s wrong with you?” Shi Yu hurried to support him.

 

Only then did she notice his pale complexion, the crimson on his lips starkly contrasting.

 

He wiped away the blood with his hand, whispering, “Let’s leave this place quickly, he might have companions.”

 

Shi Yu supported him up with one arm through his armpit, and Xie Yuyan grabbed her wrist, saying, “The target is too big, retract Lancezell, and let’s leave in a hovercar.”

 

Seeing him still concerned about so many things at this moment, Shi Yu rolled her eyes, retracted “War God,” saw him retract “Judgment,” and then he unfolded the virtual keyboard, randomly pressing a few buttons, and a hovercar drove up to them.

 

Shi Yu widened her eyes: “You lied to me last time about not having a hovercar!”

 

Xie Yuyan slightly closed his eyes, seemingly not intending to respond to her words, but his eyelashes trembled slightly, perhaps out of guilt.

 

Shi Yu huffed at him heavily and helped him onto the hovercar.

 

As the hovercar started, Shi Yu casually asked, “Are we heading back to the shelter now?”

 

Xie Yuyan leaned on the seat of the hovercar, his voice as soft as a mosquito’s, “Going to another place.”

 

Shi Yu continued to stare at him, “You’re in this state, and you still want to go somewhere?”

 

Xie Yuyan opened his eyes wearily.

 

Shi Yu met his dark pupils, which harbored emotions she could not understand.

 

Xie Yuyan quickly looked down, taking out a vial of medicine and a syringe from his space bag and placing them in front of Shi Yu, then struggled to roll up his sleeve.

 

His arm was very pale, appearing even whiter against the dark red military uniform, exuding an inexplicable sense of frailty.

 

Shi Yu thought back to the first time she saw him in the exhibition hall, wearing only a thin shirt, looking as if the wind could blow him away. She wondered how he managed to lead a legion and become the faith of the federal citizens.

 

“Give me the injection,” Xie Yuyan’s voice was so low it was almost inaudible.

 

Shi Yu picked up the medicine and syringe, hesitating at the sight of the cold, sharp needle tip, her phobia of needles returning. She held the packaging bag, wanting to keep away from the needle tip, and asked uncertainly, “What is this?”

 

“Hurry up,” Xie Yuyan urged weakly.

 

Convinced that Little Beauty wouldn’t harm her, Shi Yu stopped asking questions. Clumsily, she drew the medicine into the syringe, facing Xie Yuyan’s pale wrist, unsure how to proceed.

 

Xie Yuyan, probably unable to stand her dithering, took the syringe from her, squeezed out the air bubbles, and then slowly injected the medicine into his forearm.

 

Shi Yu watched as the medicine slowly disappeared, saw him pull out the syringe, and then he softly instructed her, “Keep this safe.”

 

Shi Yu obediently put the syringe away, thinking to herself that it was no wonder he was the commander, always cautious.

 

Xie Yuyan, seeing her mumbling but not saying anything concrete, said, “I’m going to sleep for a while. Wake me up when we get there.”

 

Shi Yu hadn’t even had the chance to ask where they were going before seeing him close his eyes, his breathing even, not knowing if he had fallen asleep.

 

Shi Yu sighed deeply, feeling like she was worrying over him like a mother hen. Having caught him, should she really take the chance to bring him back to the shelter while he was unaware? She feared Little Beauty would stab her to death upon waking.

 

That seemed not to be the main point.

 

The main point was… she couldn’t control the hovercar.

 

Hesitating back and forth, Shi Yu still sent a message to Xie Jiangsa saying she had found the person, indicating she couldn’t return for the time being. Xie Jiangsa, busy with something else, didn’t reply.

 

After waiting for two to three minutes without a response, Shi Yu turned off her smart brain and accidentally noticed the fresh blood on Little Beauty’s hand.

 

She thought for a moment, took out a pack of tissues and a bottle of water from her space bag, wet the tissues, and cleaned all the fresh blood off Little Beauty’s hand. Some blood had also gotten on his sleeve, but it had dried and was hard to clean, so Shi Yu simply pretended not to see it.

 

Shi Yu was sure she had never been so gentle even when washing her own face. If it weren’t for fear of waking him up, she would have poured the entire bottle of water on Little Beauty’s hand… but no, in these critical times, water was too precious.

 

Remembering Little Beauty’s earlier instruction, she took out a small box to collect all the blood-stained tissues and put them back into her space bag.

 

Bowing her head to tidy up, she didn’t notice Xie Yuyan’s eyelashes trembling slightly.

 

–

 

Not long after the hovercar left, three people wearing black mimicry exoskeletons suddenly jumped down near the wreckage of a mecha that had been cut in half by “Judgment.”

 

They exchanged glances, one of them knelt down halfway, opened their brain-computer interface, and conducted a full mimetic scan of the vicinity, then said with a mechanically harsh voice, “No signs of life, probably dead.”

 

Given that the cockpit was sliced in half, not even a god’s return could grant survival.

 

The person beside him kicked the wreckage of the mecha and said in a low voice, “Trash! Who let him act on his own?”

 

“Now is not the time to pursue this matter. Looking at the situation, the person must have left not long ago. We can still catch up if we hurry.”

 

“How do we chase him if we don’t know which way he went?” This person seemed extremely irritable.

 

“Since he came here, he must be heading to the next place. We’ll just go there and wait for him.”

 

–

 

Xie Jiangsa, with a bloodied arm and a face so dark it seemed ink could drip from it, stood beside ‘Xie Yuyan’. Looking at the two bodies on the ground, he frowned and said, “Seems we can’t hide it anymore.”

 

If Gu Qianqian and others were here, they would definitely recognize this voice as Gu Mingzhan’s.

 

Xie Jiangsa quickly injected himself with a medicine, stopping the bleeding. Suppressing his anger, he said, “No matter what, we must hold on until he returns.”

 

“What about those three people?” Gu Mingzhan subconsciously wanted to push up his glasses but immediately restrained himself from the gesture.

 

“The ones in the shelter are fakes.”

 

“You let him deal with those three people alone?” Gu Mingzhan’s voice rose in pitch.

 

“You know his temperament as well as I do. We don’t have time to argue now, and we don’t know who’s trying to make a move on him this time. They’re so eager, it seems his suspicions were correct.”

 

Xie Jiangsa deliberately announced in the space station, ‘The Chief Commander and Legion Commander of the Judgment Legion, Major General Xie Yuyan, is currently stranded on Sea Blue Star’, intending to lure someone into a trap. However, the situation spiraled out of their control.

 

Gu Mingzhan lowered his eyes and did not continue the conversation.

 

–

 

“This support mission was too easy, wasn’t it? We just arrived, and the situation is almost resolved,” Li Wensheng and a few members of his team chatted over the communication, bored.

 

Feng Xiao lazily responded with a hum, Lu Dongyan also absentmindedly held his sniper rifle, Gu Qianqian chewed on a nutrition gel, having fully adopted Shi Yu’s bad habits, while Luo Xiaci didn’t even open his communicator.

 

With such a lack of enthusiasm from the team, Li Wensheng’s mouth twitched, about to say something to liven up the atmosphere, when the communicators of the three went dark simultaneously. Li Wensheng was puzzled, about to re-establish communication with them, when Feng Xiao sent a message to his brain-computer interface.

 

?Feng Xiao: We have something to take care of and will head back to the shelter first. Please cover for us with the Major, much appreciated?

 

Not that…

 

Before Li Wensheng could even respond, Feng Xiao had already turned off the communication, clearly just informing him, not asking for his opinion.

 

As the team leader, Li Wensheng felt immense pressure, but with everyone gone, he couldn’t possibly chase them down to bring them back. He had no choice but to report everyone as present during roll call.

 

Brother, don’t let me down!

 

“Did you find her location?” Gu Qianqian asked impatiently.

 

Luo Xiaci nodded, sharing the coordinates with the others, “She seems to be approaching our previous shelter, but from a different direction.”

 

Feng Xiao gave him a few more glances, surprised that Luo Xiaci could hack into communication satellites, then locate her brain-computer interface through Shi Yu’s terminal number to find her position.

 

“What is she doing there?” Lu Dongyan frowned.

 

The answer to him was a series of unknowns.

 

Since they didn’t know, they had no choice but to follow and see for themselves.

 

–

 

The hovercar was fast, reaching the destination in just twenty minutes. Shi Yu hesitated about whether to wake up the Little Beauty when he opened his eyes on his own.

 

“How are you feeling? Any better?” His complexion was still pale, and he looked tired, but it seemed much better than when they first boarded the hovercar.

 

Xie Yuyan shook his head, stepping out of the hovercar with Shi Yu following behind. He saw a virtual screen pop up in front of his right eye, locking onto the almost night-blended hole of the shelter ahead.

 

The hole was noticeably smaller than the previous two, but the number of bugs crawling out from inside was not few. Luckily, the distance between the two people and the bugs was sufficient; otherwise, they would have been devoured alive by the bugs.

 

Shi Yu had just witnessed the “Judgment” destroying the portals and didn’t need to guess what Xie Yuyan was about to do next. She grabbed his wrist, “Can you use the mecha in your current state?”

 

Being pursued and coughing up blood, Shi Yu was worried he might faint before even deploying the mecha.

 

Xie Yuyan turned to look at her, his eyes still harboring something Shi Yu couldn’t understand, but she could see his eyes were clear, his gaze firm.

 

Shi Yu didn’t know why, but she let go of his hand, and by the time she realized it, Xie Yuyan had already retrieved the “Judgment.”

 

Standing behind Xie Yuyan, she watched him control the “Judgment” to fly towards the distant portals, then he lifted the Naka levitator high, and under the particle beam, the massive portals crumbled to pieces.

 

The immense disturbance caused the ground to tremble, a gust of wind from afar billowed, making their clothes flutter.

 

Shi Yu, looking at Xie Yuyan’s profile, indeed noticed his complexion had turned paler. He was pursing his lips, seemingly struggling to swallow the blood that threatened to spill from his mouth.

 

At that moment, Shi Yu seemed to understand something.

 

She suddenly realized why Xie Yuyan was revered as Commander Xie, becoming a faith for the federation’s populace.

 

He had numerous achievements to his name, but under countless nights like this one, how many silent wounds had been buried?

 

Everyone knew the Judgment Corps was powerful, but who knew Xie Yuyan was left with only a battered body.

 

Perhaps sensing her gaze, he turned his head, and at that moment, a cool breeze passed by, fluttering the hair at his temples and momentarily revealing a ruby earring, shining like the brightest morning star in the night sky.

 

Dawn was breaking, the moment when night is pierced by the light.

 

Shi Yu supported his falling body, cursing softly, “Idiot!”