Chapter 175
"Officer Chen, let me toast you."
Me too.
"I'm sorry, I don't want to drink."
Faced with the Sarkaz's enthusiastic toasts, Chen waved her hand, clearly refusing:
"I appreciate your kind offer, but I'll be driving for a long time later, so I'd better drink less."
Upon hearing this, Shi Lei dispelled her concerns:
"Hahaha, Officer Chen, just drink without worry. Leave the driving to me."
Seeing that he had said so, Chen nodded in agreement. She didn't drink too much, just a cup each with the Sarkaz mercenaries present, just a token amount.
No one urged anyone to drink more; everyone knew when to stop.
As they ate and drank, the empty plates on the table grew larger and larger, and the Feathered Beast Soup was almost gone. Shi Lei felt it was about time, so he put down his chopsticks and stood up.
Before he could even speak, all eyes were on him, waiting for him to continue.
You see, Officer Chen is a very busy person in the Lungmen Guard Department and rarely eats here. The fact that she came with all sorts of luggage today means she must have something important to announce. As soon as Shi Lei stood up, everyone knew something was about to be announced.
"Everyone."
Shi Lei glanced around and said:
"I accepted Officer Chen's request today to go on a business trip to Ursus. My return date is currently uncertain."
We shouldn't stay away for more than a week. We'll leave after this meal. But before that, I'd like to take someone with me... to the Mudrock.
He specifically requested that Mudrock accompany him because she was originally a member of the Rhodes Island. This trip to Lake Baikal would inevitably involve contact with the Rhodes Island. Bringing her along might prove useful.
Ah, my master is calling me!
Mudrock was overjoyed to be able to go out with Shi Lei. She stood up abruptly, head held high, as if being called upon by a general in the drill ground, and declared:
"Arrive!"
Seeing how serious she was, Shi Lei smiled, extended his left hand, pressed it down with his palm facing down, and blurted out:
"Please sit down first. I just wanted to take this opportunity to talk to everyone, so let's not make it so serious."
Having said that, he looked at the red-haired Sarkaz:
"Surtr, you'll be tutoring and supervising Lisa's studies lately, so I won't be asking you to come along."
"Okay, sure."
Surtr hadn't touched Reine des Neiges for many days, living a mundane, ordinary life.
She can't even get a job taking out the trash anymore. Her daily routine consists of picking Lisa up from school, tutoring and supervising her homework, and that's it.
Moreover, Surtr really likes Lisa, and feels that every day spent with her is a happy one. It's like a healing light that constantly soothes the mind and body.
If she left with Shi Lei, it would mean taking up arms again. She hadn't figured out how to face Reine des Neiges yet, and naturally didn't want to get involved in a fight.
Such an arrangement makes no sense.
Shi Lei's gaze swept over Lisa.
This trip to Lake Bel will most likely result in a direct confrontation with the official Ursus army. She's still a child; what sense does it make to take a child to the battlefield?
His gaze swept clockwise over the group of eager Sarkaz mercenaries.
These people have been away from the battlefield for more than half a year. Since they chose Mudrock to go with them, there's no need to bring Sarkaz along again. They should stay here and live a peaceful and tranquil life.
Shi Lei's gaze circled around, skipping over Chen, and finally landed on Texas beside him:
"Texas, I want to talk to you about something."
Texas's heart skipped a beat when she heard him use the word "discuss" instead of directly saying "let's go together."
Huh? What's going on? You all went out but left me out?
Shi Lei stared into her eyes and said solemnly:
"I've thought about it carefully, and I still think it's better to let you stay. Although no one in Lungmen dares to make a move here right now, I never take chances. It's always good to be prepared."
"..."
Exusiai's lips twitched, her expression strange. She seemed to want to say something but ultimately said nothing.
Texas always had a cold expression, completely unreadable. She took a deep breath, and after a moment of silence, her lips parted and she spoke:
"It's alright, you guys go ahead."
"Yes, I knew you would agree."
Shi Lei faced Lisa and gave the instructions:
"You'd better be good when I'm not in Lungmen. If anything happens, come to Texas."
"I understand, Brother Shi~"
After giving his instructions, he turned his gaze to Chen:
"Officer Chen, have Mudrock go back and get a spare set of clothes. Once we're ready, we'll set off."
"Okay, sure."
238. It has to be squeezed dry.
Upon hearing this request, Mudrock Rock nodded to indicate that he understood and turned to return to Warehouse One.
The owner had just said she accepted Officer Chen's request, but hadn't specified the details. After a moment's thought, she guessed it meant she'd have to fight herself. So she took off her white Qipao and put on a black T-shirt, which was more practical for combat.
When Mudrock first arrived in Lungmen, she didn't have a single change of clothes. However, during that period she wore expandable armor, so if it got dirty, she could just wash it off.
Later, Mud Rock worked for the Rat King Lin Ge Rui and finally earned some money. In order to save up to buy a warehouse, she only bought two large-size black T-shirts that were on sale.
The white Qipao was the fourth item in Mudrock's wardrobe. She saw it in a shop window one day while out grocery shopping and immediately fell in love with it. Faced with a price tag of over a thousand yuan, she hesitated for a long time before finally buying it.
Mudrock felt that wearing Qipao to fight was a bit Tai He; a T-shirt was more comfortable for her.
She returned to the warehouse and explained to the owner:
"Sir, my iron hammer..."
Upon hearing this, Shi Lei immediately remembered that Mudrock's signature weapon, the giant iron hammer, had been melted down by Reine des Neiges, and comforted him:
"It's alright, no need to bring weapons."
With him around, most battles won't require any subordinates to participate. If it really comes to the point where separate operations are necessary, just make a Rock Hammer for Mudrock.
In terms of quality, it is by no means inferior to an iron hammer.
In the game Genshin Impact, the Rex Lapis can craft weapons by hand. Weapons such as the Thousand Rock Spear and Rock Sword are made from Geo Pillars.
"Huh? Not bringing any weapons?"
Exusiai emerged from her clothes, carrying two boxes of live ammunition. Knowing the contents of the mission, she avoided wearing the uniform with the Penguin Logistics logo to avoid trouble, opting instead for casual attire.
Seeing that she had brought them all out, Shi Lei responded:
"Bring it if you want, it doesn't matter. If Mudrock needs weapons..."
"I will make her one."
Once he confirmed that everyone had arrived, he only needed to make a decision. In the open space outside the warehouse, he used Rock Element to create Rock platform of about forty square meters.
"Officer Chen, please put everything upstairs."
Shi Lei asked Texas for the car keys and opened the trunk. He then used small Rock Constructs to move the loaded supplies onto the Rock platform, piling them up like furniture.
"Everyone, get inside."
As they walked up, Rock platform, eventually forming a roof. At first glance, it looked a bit like a circular observation deck built high in the sky.
Shi Lei conjured a door out of thin air, tossed the car keys back to Texas, and gave the instructions:
"I'll leave this to you for now."
"Okay, you can go without worry."
Texas actually had more to say, but the words caught in her throat, and it took her several seconds to squeeze out four words:
Come back soon.
"Okay, I'll try my best."
Shi Lei summoned rock pillars to fill the gaps, sealing off the Rock Observation Deck. He then opened several windows with bars in the wall to allow the other three to breathe.
Exusiai's halo became the sole source of light.
Seeing that his Originium Arts had reached such a smooth and fluid level, Chen was shocked and deeply realized the gap in strength between the two.
Moreover, the difference is not just a tiny bit.
Shi Lei said he could drive, so could this room made of rock be converted into a land vehicle?
It's important to understand that continuously using Originium Arts is extremely energy-consuming. Driving all the way from Lungmen to Lake Vega would drain anyone of their last drop of energy.
The next second, the Rock Observation Deck took flight.
"!"
Feeling the sensation of rising like in an elevator, Chen was deeply moved. She quickly went to the window and looked out, only to find that the Rock Observation Deck was indeed rising into the air.
Taller than streetlights, taller than skyscrapers. Those tall buildings grew smaller and smaller in the field of vision until they were no longer discernible.
This is thousands of meters in the air, isn't it?
It was Chen's first time riding in a manned vehicle built by Shi Lei, and she was so amazed she couldn't stop smiling.
Hey, hey, hey.
The fact that they could create a room made of rock using only Originium Arts is already incredible. But to be able to ascend to a height of several thousand meters is simply absurd.
She could actually barely accept this.
But is it possible for a human to control a room as a flying vehicle for an extended period of time while ignoring the mental strain?
A feeling of indescribable powerlessness welled up in Chen's heart. It was like the complex emotions that mortals felt when they met immortals in Yan fantasy novels.
Both Mudrock and Exusiai knew about the Rock platform and had even sat on Rock platform, so they didn't find it strange.
Shi Lei took out a compass from his luggage, found the north direction, and drove the Rock Observation Deck away from Lungmen.
At an altitude of four to five thousand meters, there are no mountains or other landmarks to reference. The entire field of vision is filled with irregular cloud formations, requiring frequent adjustments to the course to avoid deviations. Otherwise, even a slight error can lead to a disastrous outcome.
He then built walls to divide the area. He sealed the supplies he brought in a corner, opening them only when needed. He also added two windows with dense mesh inside, using the incoming cold air to cool and preserve the food.
Mudrock, Exusiai, and Chen each have a small bedroom, and the rest is the living room.
Since Exusiai has to live alone, if she sleeps with everyone else, then nobody else will get to sleep.
Shi Lei needs to drive the Rock Observation Deck constantly, adjusting the orientation from time to time, so he doesn't need a bedroom at all. He only has a four-square-meter driver's cab partitioned off in the north-facing direction.
"Alright, that's all for now. You all get some rest. Feel free to knock on my door if you need anything."
After saying that, he got into the driver's seat.
Shi Lei had already put the Jade Shield on everyone before takeoff, so he wasn't worried that the three of them wouldn't be able to withstand the airflow.
Chen went to the window, letting the cold wind lash her face. She looked down at the receding Dragon Lungmen below the clouds, unable to find the words to describe her feelings.
This is no longer a question of Shi Lei strong or not. Even the Great Beast in Yan's mythology are no more than this.
Compared to operating the Rock Observation Deck at high speed, summoning Catastrophe Meteorite from the air is nothing.
Although the flight speed is unknown, it's certainly much faster than a land vehicle. The journey from Lungmen to Lake Vega in Ursus was originally expected to take six days. Now it seems it will only take three days, no, two!
Exusiai used to be frequently robbed while delivering packages, and public facilities such as streetlights and fire hydrants were often damaged during fights. As a result, she always wanted to avoid Chen whenever she encountered her.
Since Shi Lei arrived, Exusiai has stopped damaging public property. Her fear of the Lungmen Guard Department has gradually faded over time. Now, even sharing a room with them, she can actually have a few words with them.
"Officer Chen, you seem very nervous. Don't worry, with him here, what problem can't be solved?"
Chen reached out and pointed to the room she was in:
"I know, I'm just too shocked by this."