Standard Issue

Chen Mu did not care whether War Machine appeared ahead of schedule. After hanging up on Tony, he left his lab, ready to take a look around the Huaqiangbei Industrial Zone.

After he had discussed the Kirin Armor with Director Zhang, the industrial park had risen rapidly with government support. In less than a month, nearly all the equipment had been installed, and armor production had even begun.

The materials and equipment were all provided by the military. Chen Mu's role had mainly been to provide the blueprints, detailed data, and install the ai program. As such, he had barely taken any money. The industrial park itself was his payment, becoming entirely his property.

Although it was surrounded by troops, Chen Mu was perfectly happy with that arrangement. The military was helping him protect his property, saving him even the cost of hiring security guards. What could be better?

Of course, Qilin 1 was not meant to remain unchanged forever. Chen Mu was also responsible for maintaining and upgrading the armor. Whenever new technology or weapons became available, they could be installed on the armor.

"President Chen, are you heading out?"

At the door, Xu Jia was still faithfully carrying out her duty, guarding the entrance for Chen Mu...

By now, Xu Jia understood that her supposed identity as a "financial expert" was utterly useless. She could not get involved with anything inside the Huaqiangbei Industrial Zone, so she might as well honestly serve as Chen Mu's bodyguard.

"It's nothing. I'm going to Stark's tomorrow. For now, I'm just taking a walk around the industrial park."

Chen Mu had no need to hide his itinerary, so he said so directly.

"Then please allow me to accompany you tomorrow."

Chen Mu's safety was extremely important to China now. Xu Jia certainly would not allow anything to happen to him, so naturally she had to go with him.

"I have armor. Do I still need you to protect me?"

Chen Mu gave a bitter smile. Xu Jia was like a piece of chewing gum. Unless he specifically said he needed peace and quiet to research something, she would leave only then. At all other times, even when he slept or went to the bathroom, she would stand guard outside the door. It left Chen Mu thoroughly exasperated.

"But Tony has armor too. Your safety is still under threat."

Xu Jia could not rest easy letting Chen Mu go alone, so she still insisted on following him.

"Tony is my partner. He won't harm me. Besides, he's a man who wants to become Iron Man. How could he possibly do anything against me?"

Chen Mu knew Tony fairly well, and he still believed Tony would not turn against him for no reason.

After all, Chen Mu was no "villain." If Tony wanted to make a move against him, would that not shatter the Iron Man image he had only just established?

Only an idiot would do that!

"One should not harbor the intent to harm others, but one must guard against others harming oneself. Nothing in this world is absolute." Xu Jia looked at Chen Mu calmly.

"..."

It made sense. Chen Mu had no answer, so he merely curled his lips and did not refuse.

"Tomorrow, I'll fly there directly. If you can keep up, then keep up."

"It's fine. I have armor too. I can definitely keep up."

Xu Jia nodded.

"I'm starting to regret giving you a suit of armor." Chen Mu smiled bitterly. What kind of situation was this?

Without saying anything more to Xu Jia, Chen Mu headed toward the production line. He still cared greatly about the current production status of the Kirin Armor.

"The supply of titanium-gold alloy is limited. It can only produce one hundred suits of armor. Our production capacity is ten suits per day, and we've already made thirty. In another week, the materials will be exhausted."

Xu Jia was helpless about this as well. Titanium-gold alloy was no cheap material. It was used to make spacecraft, and its hardness, wear resistance, and other properties were outstanding. Naturally, its price was terrifying as well.

Being able to requisition fifty tons at once had already been no easy feat.

Still, being able to produce one hundred suits of armor in one go had already greatly satisfied the military.

The actual performance of these Qilin 1 suits was even better than Tony's Mark 3. Therefore, Director Zhang's side was already extremely satisfied with obtaining one hundred suits.

"The thirty suits have now been assigned to the army, navy, and air force for final testing. If every branch of our military possesses armor, our military strength will be greatly enhanced!"

The thirty suits had been painted in the signature colors of the three branches and sent out accordingly.

Xu Jia was genuinely delighted by the armor Chen Mu had provided. With the Kirin Armor, China finally had its own Super Heroes.

From having nothing to suddenly gaining one hundred Iron Men, this was enormously significant for China. At this moment, Super Heroes would no longer be America's exclusive privilege.

China, with its five thousand years of history, had gained Super Heroes of its own!

"My wish is for every soldier to own a suit of armor. I want Kirin Armor to become standard issue for Chinese soldiers!"

Hearing Xu Jia's words, Chen Mu felt that a mere one hundred suits was nowhere near enough!

"Everyone?"

Hearing Chen Mu's words, Xu Jia found them unbelievable. At the same time, a trace of admiration for him suddenly arose within her.

It was heartfelt admiration, unlike before, when she merely respected him somewhat because of his contributions. Even protecting Chen Mu had only been part of her mission.

But now, things were different. Xu Jia suddenly felt that Chen Mu truly was someone worth protecting. He was a man who sincerely wanted to contribute to his country...

In Xu Jia's heart, a thought suddenly emerged: even if she had to sacrifice herself, she would protect Chen Mu.

Ahem, if Chen Mu had known what Xu Jia was thinking at that moment, he would definitely have felt embarrassed.

He had the system. Although he was still weak for now, why would he need someone else to protect him? Especially a woman!

Besides, even if Chen Mu's physical condition was indeed poor right now, did he not still have the Kirin Armor?

The armor forged from vibranium was undeniably powerful. On this Earth, no one capable of threatening him had appeared yet.

"But accomplishing that won't be easy..."

Xu Jia said with a bitter smile, "The materials alone are already an enormous problem."

Indeed, titanium-gold alloy was not something commonly found. It could be said to be extremely rare. Making armor from it and equipping every soldier with it was simply wishful thinking.

Even so, Xu Jia could not help admiring Chen Mu's ambition.