Husband, Say Something, Husband

What an old thief Fu Jian was!

He'd actually kicked the ball back, making Ling Tong go explain things to Deep Sea!

Seeing the order Ling Tong had received, Daoist Wang, who had just been about to get some sleep, nearly started cursing.

And Ling Tong was obediently preparing to go explain the matter to Deep Sea...

Wang Jixuan rubbed his forehead. "I'll handle this. It'll be easier for one man to talk to another. Come get me when Deep Sea wakes up. I'll find somewhere to sleep for a while first."

"I can go too."

"It's fine, I'll do it. Have Sister Wan prepare a few dishes, and get some real alcohol for me at Fortress No. 82. Uncle Tai can come with me later."

Wang Jixuan snapped his fingers.

"I'm going to sleep for a bit, Commander. Peony will be with me. Call anytime if there's a problem."

Ling Tong was hesitant to speak, but Daoist Wang had already waved his hand and left the tent with his Loyal Wingman.

Ling Tong had actually wanted to remind him:

Half-Human Mechs were a disciplined force. They weren't even allowed to drink alcohol during routine training.

Still, under the current absurd circumstances, a little alcohol-induced numbness might not be such a bad thing.

Wang Jixuan slept for less than two hours before his spiritual awareness recovered to normal.

He didn't dare waste time on such a luxury as sleep. Forcing his eyelids open, he switched to meditation and arranged over ten crystal cores around himself.

Cultivation was something that required steady accumulation over time.

Not long after he began meditating, Peony boarded the Supply Vehicle and knocked on the door to its rear cabin.

"Commander, Deep Sea has awakened. Uncle Tai, who will accompany the drinking, has entered combat readiness. The food ammunition and alcohol firepower are fully prepared!"

"Got it. I'm coming."

Wang Jixuan slowly pressed his two hands down from his chest. The sea of qi within him swiftly settled, and his aura became still as well.

Because he risked being locked onto by the Blade Beast Swarm, he had to be exceedingly cautious with every move he made.

Even after changing into an ordinary outfit of shorts and a T-shirt, he added a Holographic Belt, allowing himself to use "Optical Camouflage" while walking beside Peony.

Incidentally, Wang Jixuan also planned to apply to Fu Jian for more of the best shielding equipment.

Wang Jixuan had already read the current Battle Report from War Zone D5.

Although D5 had expended a tremendous amount of Stored ammunition and lost many brave soldiers;

under the circumstances of fighting and sniping across multiple fronts, they had achieved considerable results with comparatively few Casualties, greatly reducing the pressure on War Zone D5's multilayered defenses.

The value of him as bait spoke for itself!

At this stage, the only effective way to avoid being locked onto by those vertical pupils was...

To hide.

I have to hide. I can't act on a momentary burst of pride. Reaching the Golden Core Realm as soon as possible is the proper course.

The Supply Vehicle was some distance away from the experimental tent.

In just two or three hours, a simple "hangar" had been erected here to shield a certain Sub-King Class Blade Beast from the elements.

—Mainly to block reconnaissance satellites from detecting it.

Along the way, Peony reminded him quietly, "Commander, according to the information I intercepted, the Psionic Capital has started causing trouble."

"What are they up to this time?"

"They're saying that we deliberately prevented them from joining War Zone D5's full-scale sniper operation, excluded Psionicists from the Human Civilization war order, and are condemning us for pursuing unilateral military action and deliberately using the Blade Beast threat to hold all humanity hostage."

Wang Jixuan: ...

"How do they even manage it? How can they be so shameless the moment they Speak up?"

"The Psionic Capital has far more politicians than we do."

Peony clicked her tongue with a smile.

"If the Commander-in-Chief hadn't restricted the development of fully Autonomous Mechs like Peony, we could have wiped out every Bad Person in the Psionic Capital long ago.

"But one thing must still be acknowledged.

"While Psionicists seek power, they really are protecting humanity as well. After all... if every human died, they would lose their materials for advancement. And if everyone in the world became a Psionicist, wouldn't they become Ordinary People again?"

Wang Jixuan laughed helplessly. "Let Old Fu deal with that himself. Once we've comforted Deep Sea, we'll immediately return to Fortress No. 76. We also need to find other hiding places. One fortress isn't secure enough."

"Alrighty, Peony will send feedback to the Commander-in-Chief right away."

Peony pulled open a concealed little door in the metal wall ahead. Wang Jixuan lowered his head and entered the simple hangar.

The ground was still uneven sand, and the layout everywhere remained unchanged.

In a corner not far ahead.

Uncle Tai had laid out a table full of delicious dishes and was bustling about arranging everything.

Deep Sea sat in a chair some distance away, staring blankly at a paper form.

Though the Half-Human Mech was doing his best to hide it, his eyes were still red around the rims.

He looked utterly devastated, which was probably the best way to describe him at that moment.

Wang Jixuan removed the Holographic Belt and tossed it to Peony, signaling for her to move freely. With his hands in his pockets and beach slippers on his feet, he strolled over leisurely.

"Commander Deep Sea?" Uncle Tai called softly. "Teacher Wang is here."

"Mm, alright."

Deep Sea set down the paper form, pressed his lips together in an attempt to look like he was smiling, then rose and gave Wang Jixuan a military salute.

Wang Jixuan casually nodded and smiled. "Come have a drink. Let's talk things over. It's also been a long time since I got together with Uncle Tai. We'd like your opinions on some future Psionic Technology development too."

"Alright."

Deep Sea was a sensible man. He knew this drinking gathering had been arranged for him. His friends were taking the initiative to comfort him out of kindness, and he shouldn't spoil the mood.

Besides, Deep Sea really did want to get drunk right now.

After three small cups of light alcohol went down his throat, Deep Sea Sighed softly.

Uncle Tai and Wang Jixuan looked at each other. Wang Jixuan winked at Uncle Tai, who cleared his throat and turned toward Deep Sea.

Deep Sea's steady, resolute face carried a faint smile as he calmly watched Uncle Tai.

In an instant, Uncle Tai had no idea what to say. He muttered, "I might be a little drunk. I'll rest for a while. You two continue, continue."

Wang Jixuan: ...

What did I bring you here for?!

Uncle Tai leaned back against the Chair back and Closed His Eyes for a brief rest. His old face was even redder than it had been seconds ago.

This Daoist will have to Speak up himself.

Wang Jixuan looked at Deep Sea. With determined eyes and a smiling expression, Deep Sea tried hard to give Wang Jixuan a response.

"Deep Sea, you need to make some Mental Preparation for this..."

"I'm fine, really. You don't have to look at me like that."

Deep Sea Sighed, forcing a measure of relief into his Eyes as he said calmly:

"Our Half-Human Mechs have always had a high battle-loss rate. We trained specifically for this sort of self-destruction tactic, because many times, it's the only way to reach the weak points of powerful Blade Beasts... But we had agreed that if we ever needed to use this tactic, I would go before her.

Deep Sea took a sip of the alcoholic beverage.

"She lied to me. That's what bothers me.

"Actually... we had already agreed... If we could both survive on the battlefield until thirty-six, we'd apply for a year of leave. By then, our reproductive organs should already have been removed, but we could apply in advance to have our Germ Cells stored. Then we'd use test-tube cultivation to have a child.

"We never expected to take care of that child forever. We just wanted to spend one year with them. Then we would have no regrets and could apply to go to the most brutal battlefields, to chew through the toughest bones.

"We'd consider it fighting to create a new environment for that child.

"Our civilization, our homeland, had already become like this. We shouldn't hope for anything more...

"I should have died first... really... I was older than her... How could I be so weak? If I could've dodged that tail sweeping at me back then..."

Deep Sea's tears suddenly burst forth. His Lips Trembled constantly as he struggled desperately not to lower his head, but he still couldn't control himself. His Mechanical Arm covered his eyes, and he lowered his head, choking back sobs.

Wang Jixuan silently poured himself a cup of wine and drank it with his Head Tilted Up.

A scene that stirred one's sorrow stirred another's as well.

Wang Jixuan waited quietly beside him. After several minutes, Deep Sea Sighed, wiped away his tears, tipped back an entire cup of baijiu, and his eyes became somewhat unfocused again.

"Deep Sea, do you know much about Spiritual Practitioners?"

"Spiritual Practitioners?" Deep Sea said quietly. "Officially, I shouldn't know anything, but I privately Heard Sister Wan and Ling Tong discussing them and roughly grasped some information."

"I'm currently inheriting the civilization of Spiritual Practitioners... You can understand it that way for now, though the truth may be even more absurd."

Wang Jixuan spoke directly into Deep Sea's mind.

"I'm Not Exactly trying to comfort you. When something like this happens, everyone needs time to accept it.

"But I think you need to adapt quickly, because I have even more serious news to tell you today."

Deep Sea smiled. "Just tell me. Half-Human Mechs aren't as fragile as you think."

"Better to be cautious. Keep drinking. I'm venting these things to you, so don't tell anyone other than the Commander-in-Chief.

"It's fine if you tell the Commander-in-Chief. I intend for him to know these things too."

Wang Jixuan poured Deep Sea another cup of wine and transmitted through spiritual awareness:

"While inheriting this civilization, I'm also inheriting a set of memories. In those memories, I saw a powerful Spiritual Practitioner, though I can't reveal much of the information.

"That Spiritual Practitioner lived in an organization where it was spring all year round. The organization was called Wangxian Valley, one of the top organizations on their side.

"And it was righteous. Wangxian Valley required every member to both comprehend the principles of heaven and earth and continuously improve themselves, while also suppressing the strong, aiding the weak, and saving the common people."

"Hm?"

Deep Sea was somewhat puzzled and asked softly:

"Then are you Wang Zheng now, or that Spiritual Practitioner?"

Wang Jixuan spoke sincerely as well. "Actually, I'm both, though Wang Zheng is still the primary one."

Deep Sea asked with concern, "Does something like this make you feel stifled?"

"It does make me feel a little depressed, but not because of that 'I'm not myself' sort of thing. I'm not that melodramatic."

Wang Jixuan tsked.

"What troubles me most now is actually fear of the road ahead."

"Fear of Blade Beasts?"

"Blade Beasts are nothing. Based on the signs I've discovered, there's a strong possibility that Blade Beasts are a puppet race created by someone."

Wang Jixuan Closed His Eyes. Before One's Eyes were the resplendent Heavenly Might, the Tribulation Clouds filling the sky, the immortal gate that was right In Front Of him yet impossible to Step Into, and the pain and despair of falling just short, unable to endure that final sliver.

He transmitted:

"What I fear is actually a kind of rule.

"But no matter how afraid I am, I will walk step by step until I stand before this enemy once again.

"Even if another failure awaits me, even if it is total destruction, I still want to defeat it, transcend it, and never regret it until death."

Deep Sea couldn't help feeling solemn respect, but then...

"Wasn't today supposed to be about comforting me? How did it turn into an emotional heart-to-heart?"

Deep Sea raised his Wine Cup with a smile.

"This drink is for my wife. I've decided to listen to her! If I can live to forty and independently kill a King-Class Blade Beast, then I'll find another partner!"

Wang Jixuan Picked Up his Wine Cup and took a sip.

Hearing that, he felt slightly shaken inside.

From a friend's perspective, having Deep Sea forget Red Snake would be a Good Thing for both Deep Sea and Red Snake right now...

Suddenly!

Gurgle—

Wang Jixuan suddenly heard some big sister's curse in his heart. "Fine, fine, fine! I'm furious! He really wants to find another one! Men are all pigs!"

A psionic disturbance suddenly erupted in the area covered by tarpaulin at the Central Position of the hangar!

"Find what?!"

Wang Jixuan grabbed Deep Sea's Mechanical Arm and Pinned it Down, saying firmly:

"Brother Deep Sea! You don't actually want to find another one!"

"Ah!"

Deep Sea sniffled.

"I understand what you mean, brother. Starting today, I truly consider you my brother.

"Your sister-in-law died with honor, and I'm proud of her.

"My only regret is that I didn't have a child with her sooner, but damn it, life itself is full of damn regrets.

"I'm valuable Combat Power, Combat Power that Human Civilization spent enormous resources cultivating. I must make effective use of that Combat Power, kill more Blade Beasts, and help our civilization!

"This is awareness, the most basic awareness.

"I know that today, you aren't just comforting me. You're probably also representing the war zone in testing my emotional stability. Please rest assured, organization! Although my wife's death struck me hard, I'll adjust as quickly as possible. I absolutely won't have suicidal tendencies!"

His Lips Trembled a few times, but he still said softly:

"If the organization wants to assign me another wife, I won't refuse, but could you let my emotions recover for a few years first?

"I'm human after all, not a machine. I need an emotional transition."

Gurgle—

Once again, Wang Jixuan heard that big sister's curse in his heart:

"Fine, fine, fine! His true colors are exposed! He only needs a few years to recover! Not even ten years! I'm furious! I'm getting up! Ahhh!"

Wang Jixuan Raised Hand to his forehead.

Deep Sea continued declaring, "Besides, although my wife and I had a wonderful relationship, humanity's cause is the most—"

"Brother, brother! A toast to you. Drink first!"

"Alright!"

The two Picked Up their glasses and clinked them. Wang Jixuan let out an Alcoholic Burp and secretly Made a Gesture to Peony at the side.

"As they say, the more you say, the more mistakes you make. Let's get straight to the point!"

Wang Jixuan stood up.

"Here's the thing, Brother Deep Sea. Look over here."

Two cranes operated in sync. The tarpaulin covering that massive object was pulled away, revealing the enormous Blade Beast that had just emerged from its cocoon.

The Blade Beast curled up on the ground. Compared to the Thorned Flower from before, its appearance had changed considerably again, seeming somewhat more humanoid.

Its exoskeleton resembled the outermost alloy plating of a mech—smoother, with less of the pitted roughness of exposed bone.

Its slender body had six legs. Its forelimbs had shortened somewhat, while the blade-limbs embedded in them had become even sharper.

Its four middle and rear legs had differentiated into animal-like limbs. Their blade-limbs had degenerated, losing their direct Destructive Power but gaining stability and running ability.

Its greatest change was still in its head.

The Blade Beasts' mouthparts had always been their defining feature. No matter how the bodies of different types of Blade Beasts changed, the structure of their mouthparts generally remained the same—round or oval, with Layer by Layer of sharp teeth within, like a spiraling Black Hole descending endlessly.

This Blade Beast's mouthparts were no exception, still just as terrifying. The only difference was that four massive petal-like structures had appeared around them. When the four petals folded forward, they could completely cover its mouthparts. On the outside of the upper petal was a delicately carved human face.

At that moment, it slowly rose.

Its four legs braced against the sand, spiritual energy enveloping its body to keep it from sinking. Its more slender form, razor-sharp blade-limbs, and bud-like head gave it a strange sort of beauty.

It could even switch modes.

As long as it pressed its two forelegs against its chest and stood upright on its hind legs alone, it could reach a full eighteen meters in height. The pair of legs slightly above its middle even resembled human arms, though the proportions were rather unbalanced.

Deep Sea stared fixedly at the human facial relief that had Appeared on the petals of the Blade Beast's head.

"Mm, Brother Deep Sea, I have two pieces of news to share with you."

Wang Jixuan pressed an Inspiration Talisman onto Deep Sea, temporarily granting him the ability to communicate with souls.

"The Bad News is that I only managed to save Red Snake's soul.

"The Good news is that she now possesses Sub-King-Class power."

With that, Wang Jixuan patted Deep Sea on the shoulder, turned, and left. His steps were exceptionally Swift, and he was prepared to be Hunted by an Annihilation Cannon.

Deep Sea stared blankly at the enormous Sub-King Class Blade Beast Before One's Eyes.

The upright Sub-King Class Blade Beast struck a sexy pose, one hand on its hip and the other caressing its head. Her voice reached Deep Sea's heart.

"Husband~ Didn't you always want me to be a little fuller? Is this enough?"