Chapter Summaries

Jiang Yan Hai carried Li Ruo Bai to the cinema, where they shared an awkwardly intimate movie date before returning to her home. After sleeping peacefully nearby, he unexpectedly entered the Illusion Simulation Combat System again and took off in the Phantom.

• Jiang Yan Hai carried Li Ruo Bai to the cinema and reassured her that he wanted to carry her.
• At the theater, Jiang Yan Hai massaged Li Ruo Bai's foot, and both felt embarrassed during the horror movie.
• Li Ruo Bai chose to return to their home instead of visiting her parents, and Jiang Yan Hai cooked for her while she showered.
• Jiang Yan Hai slept in the living room near Li Ruo Bai's bedroom and felt unusually peaceful.
• Jiang Yan Hai woke inside the Phantom cockpit, answered Control Tower's call, and took off in the aircraft.

Jiang Yan Hai flew Phantom into the western battlefield without the illusion’s warning systems and used extreme speed to evade missiles. He left the missiles’ explosions behind as he continued into the hostile airspace.

• Jiang Yan Hai crossed west of the airfield and evaded two Air Defense Missiles with a sharp roll and a burst of thrust.
• He entered the combat zone at Mach 1.5, where enemy radars began scanning for him.
• Jiang Yan Hai accelerated Phantom to nearly Mach 3 despite the loss of stealth at extreme speed.
• He spotted two incoming missiles and dived as they passed close to his fighter.
• The missiles detonated behind Phantom, and Jiang Yan Hai escaped their blasts and fragments.

Jiang Yan Hai pushed the Phantom Fighter Jet to extreme speeds, destroyed an enemy fighter, and discovered a gigantic Spider Mech beyond the battlefield. After reporting its location, he learned that the Phantom carried valuable data backups and began considering how to save them despite his low fuel.

• Jiang Yan Hai flew straight at high speed toward an approaching enemy fighter while missiles pursued him.
• Jiang Yan Hai launched a short-range missile at the enemy fighter, then dove beneath the explosion and shook off the pursuing missiles.
• Jiang Yan Hai accelerated the Phantom to Mach 4 and outpaced the enemy fighters chasing him.
• Jiang Yan Hai detected a large enemy experimental platform and spotted a Spider Mech nearly a hundred meters tall.
• Jiang Yan Hai reported the Spider Mech's coordinates to Control Tower and learned he had to destroy the Phantom and its data backups if he could not return.
• Jiang Yan Hai realized the Phantom's backups might be valuable and considered making an emergency landing to retrieve them.

Jiang Yan Hai completed the Phantom mission simulation, landed safely, and recovered valuable aircraft data before being extracted. Back in the real world, he received Phantom research rewards and celebrated with Li Ruo Bai, then went to work out.

• Jiang Yan Hai cleared debris from a deserted road with repeated low passes and landed the Phantom safely.
• Jiang Yan Hai activated the Phantom’s missiles, exported its data to a hard drive, and hid among abandoned vehicles while awaiting rescue.
• The Control Tower directed Jiang Yan Hai to Area B8, and the simulation ended with him receiving Phantom engine, stealth coating, and fuel data rewards.
• Jiang Yan Hai cheered at the rewards, woke Li Ruo Bai, and kissed her before she returned to bed.
• Jiang Yan Hai washed up and went to Li Ruo Bai’s fully equipped gym to lift weights.

Jiang Yan Hai studied Phantom's specialized aviation fuel formula and engine manufacturing data, memorizing the details while considering how to present the research as his own. He left the engine blueprints for later and planned to gradually share advanced ideas with Old Liu and the others before going to cook for Li Ruo Bai.

• Jiang Yan Hai warmed up while considering how he could pass on Phantom's fuel data as his own research.
• Jiang Yan Hai reviewed Phantom's aviation kerosene formula and found unfamiliar additives and altered proportions compared with existing fuels.
• Jiang Yan Hai memorized the fuel formula and the engine's material formulas and manufacturing processes.
• Jiang Yan Hai browsed the comprehensive engine blueprints and control-program contents, deciding they would take time to master.
• Jiang Yan Hai planned to introduce advanced theoretical knowledge to Old Liu and the others, then set the data aside to cook for Li Ruo Bai.

Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai shared a cozy breakfast before He Chen Guang invited Jiang Yan Hai to a New Year get-together with their comrades. Jiang Yan Hai brought Li Ruo Bai along, and they left after she dressed up for the meeting.

• Jiang Yan Hai made breakfast while Li Ruo Bai clung to him, and they ate together.
• He Chen Guang called Jiang Yan Hai and invited him to meet the others for a New Year meal at his home.
• Jiang Yan Hai told Li Ruo Bai she was coming with him, and she hurried to get ready.
• Li Ruo Bai finished her makeup and changed into jeans, sneakers, and a plaid shirt before leaving with Jiang Yan Hai.

Jiang Yan Hai brought Li Ruo Bai to visit He Chen Guang’s grandparents during the Lunar New Year, where they were warmly welcomed. After the elders left, Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai met Tang Xin Yi and waited with He Chen Guang for their other friends to arrive before visiting Er Niu.

• Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai bought gifts and drove to the retirement compound where He Chen Guang lived.
• Jiang Yan Hai showed his military documents at the gate, registered, and entered the compound with Li Ruo Bai.
• He Chen Guang introduced Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai to his grandparents, and Deputy Commander He saluted Jiang Yan Hai in respect.
• He Chen Guang’s grandparents left to buy groceries, asking Tang Xin Yi to make sure He Chen Guang did not drink.
• Jiang Yan Hai introduced Li Ruo Bai and Tang Xin Yi, while He Chen Guang teased Jiang Yan Hai about his new girlfriend.
• He Chen Guang said they would wait for Long Long and the others before going to find Er Niu.

Jiang Yan Hai reunited with his former comrades, who asked to join his planned transfer, though he had no orders or details yet. The group gathered at a hotel, where Li Er Niu wondered if he had met Li Ruo Bai before.

• Xu Tian Long and Song Kai Fei greeted Jiang Yan Hai and met Li Ruo Bai and Tang Xin Yi.
• The group drove to a restaurant, and Song Kai Fei and Xu Tian Long asked Jiang Yan Hai to take them along in his next transfer.
• Jiang Yan Hai said he had not received orders but would consider bringing them if the higher-ups approved.
• Jiang Yan Hai and the others met Wang Yan Bing, Li Er Niu, and Cui Fen, then continued to a hotel.
• Li Er Niu asked whether he had met Li Ruo Bai before, and Jiang Yan Hai denied it.

Jiang Yan Hai and the others laughed about Chen Shan Ming’s disastrous blind date, which reminded them of Jiang Yan Hai’s past disguise as a woman. Jiang Yan Hai revealed his makeup and styling skills to Li Ruo Bai, and the group ended with affectionate exchanges between the couples.

• He Chen Guang and Xu Tian Long explained that Chen Shan Ming had insulted a blind date who demanded a house and a car, saying she was not as pretty as him in makeup.
• Wang Yan Bing joked that Jiang Ling would haunt Chen Shan Ming forever, prompting the others to reveal that Jiang Ling had been Jiang Yan Hai in disguise.
• Jiang Yan Hai explained his disguise, and Li Ruo Bai recalled his knowledge of perfume and makeup; He Chen Guang said the unit had added cosmetics to its training.
• Jiang Yan Hai offered to do Li Ruo Bai’s makeup and help her coordinate outfits, and she praised him as a treasure trove of surprises.
• Tang Xin Yi urged He Chen Guang to learn from Jiang Yan Hai, and He Chen Guang took her hand; Li Er Niu then offered to do Cui Fen’s makeup and called her the prettiest in his heart.

After spending the Lunar New Year holiday with Li Ruo Bai, Jiang Yan Hai received orders to report to theater command headquarters and prepared to leave. His departure left Li Ruo Bai heartbroken, and she sought comfort from her mother.

• At KTV, Song Kai Fei and two others sang while Jiang Yan Hai, Li Ruo Bai, He Chen Guang, Tang Xin Yi, Li Er Niu, and Cui Fen spent time together; the three women exchanged phone numbers afterward.
• Jiang Yan Hai spent the days through the seventh day of the Lunar New Year with Li Ruo Bai, reviewing information about the Phantom Engine when he had time.
• Jiang Yan Hai received a call ordering him to go to theater command headquarters the next day, then told Li Ruo Bai he was leaving.
• Li Ruo Bai hugged Jiang Yan Hai and tried to hold back her tears as he left, but she broke down after the elevator carried him away.
• Li Ruo Bai's mother comforted her and discouraged her from joining the army just to be with Jiang Yan Hai.

Jiang Yan Hai received a Central Military Commission order appointing him chief instructor of a new special mixed brigade, an experimental unit directly led by the commission and the General Staff. He was asked to help choose its leaders and codename, and learned it would be an integrated sea-land-air force that might expand beyond brigade size.

• Jiang Yan Hai reported to theater command headquarters and changed into Lieutenant Colonel insignia before entering an auditorium filled with senior officers.
• A three-star general announced Jiang Yan Hai's appointment as chief instructor of the new Special Mixed Brigade.
• Jiang Yan Hai said he could not train an entire brigade alone, and the general clarified that the order was only for its establishment.
• Asked to recommend leaders, Jiang Yan Hai declined to choose a political commissar, proposed Kang Lei as deputy brigade commander, and indicated Fan Tian Lei for chief of staff.
• Jiang Yan Hai asked about the unit's purpose and learned it would be an experimental integrated sea-land-air unit, not merely a special operations brigade.

Jiang Yan Hai recognized that the new brigade was intended to test true joint operations among the army, navy, and air force, and to provide experience for future military reforms. After negotiating its needs with senior officers, he was given a year to form the force after completing the Sha Chen Organization matter, and was ordered to study at National Defense University.

• Jiang Yan Hai explained that a joint-operations force would require substantial funding, resources, and combat experience.
• The leading general confirmed that the brigade was a test for future military restructuring and promised special funding and support.
• Jiang Yan Hai requested multiple air force and training bases, a naval base, and an experimental weapons manufacturing base, but a superior officer pushed back on the demands.
• Jiang Yan Hai requested BeiDou data access and authority to deploy dedicated military satellites, which the superior officer approved.
• The superior officer gave Jiang Yan Hai one year to form the brigade after he finished following up on the Sha Chen Organization matter and ordered him to study at National Defense University.

Jiang Yan Hai’s superiors decided to cultivate him as a frontline commander and assigned Fan Tian Lei to help keep his new unit in check. Jiang Yan Hai and Fan Tian Lei chose Dark Blade as its codename and settled on the 9th Rapid Reaction Brigade as its external designation.

• The theater command leaders praised Jiang Yan Hai’s abilities and ordered Fan Tian Lei to help guide him while letting him develop the new unit.
• Jiang Yan Hai waited for Fan Tian Lei after leaving headquarters and removed his Lieutenant Colonel insignia, unsure where to go next.
• Fan Tian Lei agreed to use Wolf Fang’s facilities as the unit’s temporary base.
• Jiang Yan Hai proposed the codename Dark Blade after rejecting previously used names and jokingly suggesting Windwalker and Shadow.
• Jiang Yan Hai proposed the external designation Logistics Support Forces’ 9th Rapid Reaction Brigade, and Fan Tian Lei questioned the name.

Jiang Yan Hai and Fan Tian Lei visited Master Kang to discuss a new experimental combat brigade and logistics reform. Master Kang learned that he had been recommended as deputy brigade commander, while Jiang Yan Hai’s achievements hinted he would lead the unit.

• Jiang Yan Hai argued that rapid logistics reform would improve combat effectiveness, and Fan Tian Lei agreed to the plan.
• Jiang Yan Hai and Fan Tian Lei traveled to Master Kang’s home in the provincial capital to wish him a happy New Year.
• Fan Tian Lei revealed that Jiang Yan Hai had already been promoted to two bars and two stars, astonishing Master Kang.
• Jiang Yan Hai explained that he had been appointed chief instructor for a Central Military Commission experimental combat brigade and had recommended Master Kang as deputy brigade commander and Fan Tian Lei as chief of staff.
• Fan Tian Lei said the brigade had no commander and cited Jiang Yan Hai’s six First Class Merits and First Class Hero Model Medal, leaving Master Kang shocked.

Master Kang and Fan Tian Lei discussed the new Special Operations Brigade, named Dark Blade, and plotted what personnel and equipment to request for it. Jiang Yan Hai asked for a supercomputer, an electronic warfare unit, and satellites, while the chapter ended with the three considering whether to take over Overlord Wolf Base despite its complicated logistics.

• Master Kang praised Jiang Yan Hai’s military achievements and celebrated having raised a soldier who became a lieutenant colonel.
• Fan Tian Lei told Master Kang that the new brigade would be called Dark Blade and externally designated the 9th Rapid Reaction Brigade of the Logistics Support Force.
• Master Kang and Fan Tian Lei discussed bringing back the Iron Fist Regiment and requesting Type 055 warships and elite personnel from multiple branches and theater commands.
• Jiang Yan Hai asked for a supercomputer, an electronic warfare information unit, and satellites for the brigade.
• Fan Tian Lei proposed taking over Overlord Wolf Base, and Jiang Yan Hai noted that its mixed equipment made logistics support difficult.

Jiang Yan Hai discussed logistics and brigade formation with Fan Tian Lei and Master Kang, learning about troop management and command. After leaving Master Kang’s home, Fan Tian Lei told him to spend the next few days developing ideas for the new formation and sent him back to where he had been staying.

• Jiang Yan Hai raised the logistical challenges of equipping a new force, and Fan Tian Lei and Master Kang assigned him to prepare a plan.
• Jiang Yan Hai listened as Fan Tian Lei and Master Kang discussed different combat units, deployment needs, and troop management.
• Master Kang asked about Jiang Yan Hai’s girlfriend, Li Ruo Bai, and Fan Tian Lei revealed her family’s wealth and role in military industry and microelectronics research.
• Jiang Yan Hai spent two meals discussing the new brigade’s formation with Fan Tian Lei and Master Kang and learned from their differing experience.
• Fan Tian Lei told Jiang Yan Hai that the formation was not complete and sent him to think through ideas for the next few days rather than return to the unit.

Jiang Yan Hai returned to Li Ruo Bai’s home after seeing how upset she had been, and the two reunited for the night. In the morning, they shared a tender moment before Li Ruo Bai hurried away to eat.

• Jiang Yan Hai decided to return to Li Ruo Bai and took a taxi to her home.
• Jiang Yan Hai found Li Ruo Bai asleep on the quilt in the living room and gently woke her.
• Li Ruo Bai embraced Jiang Yan Hai, and he carried her to bed and promised to spend more time with her after his mission.
• Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai woke up together the next morning and talked about his return and future time together.
• Li Ruo Bai pressed Jiang Yan Hai back onto the bed, then blushed and rushed away when they both noticed the awkward situation.

Jiang Yan Hai considered centralized logistics reforms and asked Li Ruo Bai about improving military communications. Li Ruo Bai described a mature low-altitude broadband satellite system, and Jiang Yan Hai began exploring an order for the special operations brigade.

• Jiang Yan Hai reviewed the advantages of specialized, centralized logistics support for combat units.
• Jiang Yan Hai realized he knew little about Li Ruo Bai’s reasons for studying Microelectronics and asked about her chip-design work.
• Li Ruo Bai explained that her family’s company and Huawei had discussed low-altitude broadband satellites capable of covering large areas with 10 Gbps bandwidth.
• Jiang Yan Hai asked whether the satellites could be ordered and how long production would take, and Li Ruo Bai said they could be made in about three months.

Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai arranged to pursue a military communications-satellite project, giving them new shared interests before Jiang Yan Hai left to handle the Africa operation. He prepared Blood Wolf’s network and infiltrators for the mission, while Li Ruo Bai calmly said goodbye.

• Jiang Yan Hai asked Li Ruo Bai to confirm satellite information, and he proposed ordering advanced 5G communications satellites for the military’s next plan.
• Jiang Yan Hai asked Fan Tian Lei and Master Kang to seek approval from higher-ups, while Li Ruo Bai contacted her father about the company’s role.
• Over the next few days, Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai discussed communications and chips, and Jiang Yan Hai assessed China’s challenges in chip design and lithography.
• After spending the Lantern Festival with Li Ruo Bai, Jiang Yan Hai prepared to go to Africa under Blood Wolf’s identity because Han Xiao could not travel there.
• Jiang Yan Hai had Fang Xinwu and three other Chinese Intelligence Operatives infiltrate Black Star and join Ma Gang’s group with help from its first eight members.
• Li Ruo Bai hugged Jiang Yan Hai goodbye and remained calm as he left for the Africa operation.

Jiang Yan Hai reached a Myanmar port and met up with Black Lion and the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group as they prepared to sail for Eviya. He declined to join them, warning that his plans would bring danger, but agreed to travel with them and laid out the risks tied to the Sha Chen Organization.

• Jiang Yan Hai waited near the port until the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group arrived with their weapons and money.
• Black Lion and the others discussed whether Technician would join them and agreed they wanted him to lead the group.
• Jiang Yan Hai appeared, and Black Lion offered him leadership while Jiang Yan Hai asked to borrow their ship to Eviya.
• Jiang Yan Hai said he would not formally join because his work could endanger the group, and he explained that the CIA's pursuit of William was connected to the organization above Ma Yun Fei.
• Black Lion accepted Jiang Yan Hai's warning and shook his hand, and the Blood Wolf members welcomed him.