The Rising Star

On the way back, Xue Ming could sense some unusual signals from the BOSS's anxious words.

It seems something has happened, something very important that needs to be entrusted to him.

When he reunited with Xiao Qi and boarded the Volga onto the ring road, the number of armed escort vehicles passing by was almost unbelievable.

A total of twelve armored vehicles and armed helicopters followed Volga 9527, as if on an escort mission, and accompanied Xue Ming back to the Nine Realms Station.

These are almost all the vehicles used by the defense forces at the Longhua Road checkpoint.

Jiang Xueming was very puzzled. Had Xiao Qi accepted some very important mission? Were there some important mission items stored in the trunk?

"Qingqing, what's going on?"

Before 9527 could react, he was focused on observing the highway markings and fluorescent light strips.

"What... what's going on?"

Jiang Xueming: "Why are there so many armed personnel? What are they here for?"

"I'm here to pick you up." 9527 didn't take it seriously.

Jiang Xueming was even more confused. "Why did they come to pick me up? Am I unsteady on my feet? Is someone trying to assassinate me?"

"No! No, no, no!" 9527 was anxious about her lover's taciturn nature. She couldn't keep any secrets and immediately explained, "You're [the Nameless One's] white glove, you're a big shot now."

Jiang Xueming: "And then?"

9527: "From insect egg to morpho butterfly in just one year! Do you know what that means?"

Jiang Xueming: "This means within a year."

9527: "No more nonsense literature!"

Jiang Xueming: "I don't understand."

9527 immediately said, "A Pokémon like you deserves to be recorded in the Arcane Library of history. Before the news even got out, The Sun and Clover Workers' and Peasants' Company had already compiled the materials, and almost half of the underworld knew about the story of a team that followed Master A Ling to Niflheim to fight against giants and the Heaven's Ladder, and finally returned in triumph."

Jiang Xueming didn't speak, but after thinking about it carefully, it seemed that this was indeed the case.

9527 continued, "On that influence ranking made by those unscrupulous media outlets, the name 'Gunsmith' climbed into the top 100 and became a featured figure in the August 2025 issue. Remember the Ranger who asked you for the insurance money before? He took a picture of the bar door before he left. Look!"

A magazine was tossed into Xue Ming's arms.

He picked up the book and saw the entrance to [JoeStar], and a portrait of a gunsmith standing motionless in front of the counter.

With the artistic filter applied, Jiang Xueming's upper body is partially hidden in the dark shadows in the lens. His angular features and broad shoulders, combined with the grainy texture reminiscent of an old photograph, make him look exactly like a receptionist for a mafia gang.

On one side of the counter were neatly arranged bottles of honey milk for the brothers and sisters, and on the other side were Hasben's Ranger equipment, including three Sig Sauer 1911 rifles.

The magazine's headline read, "[The Anonymous White Gloves]".

The tags or phrases below are colorful and varied, mostly used to attract attention.

You can gain my friendship if you follow the rules.

Extinguishing a cigarette with your finger is a sign of respect for family and friends.

Keep the old, and give you the new.

[If you want to go on a date with the boss, lick her shoes clean first.]

Jiang Xueming couldn't understand the anonymous behind-the-scenes feature article at all.

--It seems that after Hasben returned to Eleventh District, he was immediately arrested and thoroughly interrogated by reporters. In the end, the magazine editor reluctantly came up with this elaborate scheme.

"That's it! The boss was worried about your safety and sent someone to pick you up." 9527 said smugly, "Now you're a big shot! Your employer!"

Jiang Xueming didn't know what to say, "I..."

He never had this awareness; when people are thrust into the spotlight, they only feel uncomfortable.

9527: "What's wrong?"

Jiang Xueming: "It feels a little strange."

9527: "Don't worry, no one will come to stop you. The boss has already considered these troublesome matters and will handle them for you."

Jiang Xueming breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good."

At the time, Xue Ming didn't know what "[handled well]" really meant.

As soon as the Volga drove onto Longhua Road and the two got out of the car, the once quiet and deserted old storefront became bustling with activity.

Many curious people rushed out from the alleyway next to the snack stalls and convenience stores. Most of them were young people who had come from various trade transit stations after hearing the news. And just as Xiao Qi said, there were no media or reporters.

These young people couldn't shout any slogans; they had only heard of the heroic deeds of Niflheim and London, and going back to the Skull and Bones Society extermination campaign, and finally realized that such a ruthless character had emerged in the station.

Look at him, how young he is.

He started riding in a car at the age of twenty-two, came from the surface, and transformed from a Muggle into the morpho he is today.

The gunsmith is the Big Sister's personal bodyguard, providing weapons and equipment for the female berserker who averages killing three bloodthirsty monsters every day.

He was the person closest to the power center of the Senate, a member of the Ming De's side, and a top-notch special agent.

It is said that heroes have emerged from among the young since ancient times, but in the underworld, there has been no one who has truly achieved fame at a young age for a very, very long time.

This [nameless person] who suddenly emerged from the ground was like a shot in the arm, sweeping away all the gloom and fear, and all the power that weighed on the young people.

Once upon a time, places like Mimir Hot Spring Market were a paradise for passionate men. People would go out to hunt in the Sauvage, use their prey to make weapons and clothing, and prepare abundant food. In the era of slash-and-burn agriculture, they opened up new hunting grounds. The establishment of satellite towns and railways made everything seem prosperous.

Later, the station was built further and further away, until it could no longer be built, and the cold, deadly Niflheim Sea cut off all life. Looking westward, the progress of exploration into the unknown land was so slow, with the Vita Imprint, the powerful Calamity Beast, and the henchmen of the Madness Butterfly becoming a flood of ferocious beasts blocking the way.

Railways are like the blood vessels of the underground world. When blood flow slows down, blood clots form, blood lipids and blood pressure rise, and incurable decay occurs.

From elderly women in their seventies and eighties, veterans of World War II, to young women in their late teens and early twenties who are now livestreaming e-commerce, the sight of them squandering their lives in the deadly race of the fiery roller coaster reflects a growing sense of unease and nihilism affecting people's mental well-being. The value of life is no longer as radiant as it was in the pioneering era. Only madness can fill the void within.

At this time--

--[Anonymous] won a battle.

The giants from Muspelheim perished forever outside the death zone of Albert Research Station.

This was also the Ming De repeatedly emphasized when he discussed Jason Megan's trial mission with Wen Bucai.

BOSS always believed that as long as the wheels of the railway kept turning forward, the people in various trading posts and settlements could continue to live bravely and dedicate their energy to realizing their self-worth and to the joy of labor.

Such a young and energetic team accomplished this. The oldest member, Jason Megan, was only in his thirties, and Su Ling was a member of the golden generation of the Shining Butterfly. The youngest were Bu Liuxing and Katusha, one eighteen and the other nineteen.

These success stories are like a fairy tale in the eyes of young people.

Today, the work in various settlements has shifted from primary and secondary industries to tertiary industries, namely the service and entertainment industries. Take the most typical example, Mimir Hot Spring Market, where, beyond the End of Friendship lies a mining area that has been abandoned for more than a decade.

Pure-blood families, forces that accumulate wealth through bloodline inheritance, determine the future ownership of their wealth through collusion and transactions with the Senate or the rulers of the station cities.

Trade between the stations stagnated, breeding putrefaction and devoid of any hope of striving or fighting for it.

[The Anonymous] is like a wild child who suddenly appears in a hierarchical family. He is the long-lost Ming De. These children have brought back a strong mammoth from the outside world and thrown its blood and flesh back at the young people. The construction of new sea routes and new sea railways, as well as underground ports, represents endless opportunities and endless wealth.

After explaining these things to Xue Ming on 9527 --

Jiang Xueming gained a preliminary understanding and judgment from the enthusiastic response of the young people in front of him.

Walking back from the plastic steel Hanging Bridge, no one followed. Many young men and women simply watched the mysterious gunsmith from afar. These heroes, unable to utter any slogans or even reveal their names, probably disliked being fervently worshipped.

The Big Sister never showed up, and the people who had been waiting outside [JoeStar] had already left in two separate groups. Only a dozen or so reporters remained, trying to get in touch with the key figure of the anonymous group.

When Bu Liuxing was facing five or six cameras and talking boastfully to the cameraman.

Xue Ming had just returned to the bar when he finally understood what the BOSS meant by "[handled it well]".

A reporter asked --

"--Mr. Meteor, what is your relationship with [Big Sister]? I think you mentioned it before."

A Xing patted his chest and laughed heartily, "We're best brothers!"

Someone immediately followed up with, "You said before that the Big Sister slept in the same bed with you, is that true?"

A Xing: "Of course it's true!"

Another reporter squeezed into the crowd, afraid of missing the chance to ask a question.

"Mr. Meteor! Does our Big Sister have many close boyfriends?"

A Xing immediately said, "It's not just boys! Lots of little girls like it too!"

Jiang Xueming hesitated, raising his hand, then lowering it, then raising it again, instinctively reaching for his gun—pressing the quickdraw pouch on his side, but finding nothing. Finally, he put on his gloves and decided to give up.

The reporters continued their chatter, Bu Liuxing answered them fluently.

"How many times has the Big Sister slept with you?"

Just once!

"Her measurements."

"I don't know! Who cares about that? How boring!"

"Don't your waiters swear and curse? As far as I know, the waiters that Ming De chooses for his passengers usually end up as lovers."

"Of course! My waiter scolds me every day! He even likes to hit me!"

"Mr. Meteor, you said before that you almost died in the battle of Niflheim, and Big Sister..."

"She cried! She cried so hard!"

"What about the cake that was given to the Sunflower Senate?"

She made it herself!

Jiang Xueming held back for a long time before finally clapping. "Awesome!"

These seemingly meaningless gossip and nonsense almost entirely avoid all the key information.

On the spot, 9527 pulled out her makeup kit and hurriedly tidied herself up, afraid that someone would take a picture of the blackheads on her nose.

When the gunsmith appeared, A Xing immediately fell silent, like a child who had done something wrong, and ran back to the Council of Five Kings in a flash.

Xue Ming isn't just a supermodel in terms of appearance; her aloof and distant demeanor is also supermodel-like, making her almost unapproachable.

--The reporters ran a few steps after A Xing, and when they came to their senses, they found that the gunsmith had already rushed to the workshop's unfinished building, put down his luggage, and was preparing to meet Ming De.

At this point, the team searching for gossip was at their peak, then their momentum waned, and finally they were exhausted. There weren't many questions left to trouble the gunsmith.

9527 is still there, basking in its own glory.

Seeing Xue Ming pulling her hand and walking towards the cabinet like a human freezer, and the reporters not daring to follow, she began to get anxious.

"No way! I haven't even been interviewed yet! I just touched up my eyeliner! I practiced for ages!"

Without saying a word, Jiang Xueming pushed the waiter back to the reporter.

"Hey! Hehehe," Xiao Qi immediately put on a beaming smile, like a naive young girl chasing her dreams in the entertainment industry, and began to act coy and unrestrained, "Any questions you have are welcome, I've already prepared my interview transcript!"

The lights and candles of the Council of Five Kings still shone brightly.

As the gunsmith entered the lobby near the boardroom counter, almost every passenger turned to look at him simultaneously.

--Looking at this promising young talent, I was also attracted by his shaved head.

Inside the cabinet, Ming De specially changed into a white cat robe and wore a crown of thorns, to welcome its future War King.

"Faded One, you have finally arrived. Your power is the reason you reign."

Jiang Xueming: "It hasn't been playing mobile games lately?"

The Hunter King, wearing Melina's clothes, felt extremely embarrassed. "Indeed, this is progress."

"Alright, that's enough for today!" The Black Cat tore off its robe and casually tossed away the crown on its head. Since Xue Ming wasn't willing to act with it, it didn't force her. "Let's get down to business!"

This is the important matter--

--They talked for almost half an hour.

Due to space limitations, we will only briefly mention it.

At work, Ming De planned the important urban affairs along the railway line for Jiang Xueming.

Among them are extremely remote towns and villages that have long since fallen into the hands of the Madness Butterfly Sect.

There are also cults operating covertly within major cities, whose every move has been uncovered by the Lapis Lazuli Guards. Without exception, these adversaries are either human or criminal madmen connected to the art of bloodletting who have joined the Madness Butterfly faction.

This kill list is Jiang Xueming's new task after completing the VIP trial ceremony.

For the past half hour, every time the BOSS called out a new name, Xue Ming had to carefully inquire about the meaning behind the name, find out the detailed characteristics of these cannibalistic demons entrenched in the underground world, and find out their signature skills.

Last and last--

Xue Ming is going to the Dead Puppet Agency, where there are [Outlaw] who have focused on iron-making for fifty or sixty years. He's taking Little Finger with him. They're going to forge two sets of equipment for Big Sister and himself.

Ming De was very curious after learning all this.

"You intend to melt down your the Unworthy Work and recast it?"

Jiang Xueming: "Not only sticks, but also guns."

Boss: "Let me guess, what caliber are you planning to use?"

Jiang Xueming: "Nine millimeters."

BOSS: "Ha! I knew it! These targets are all humanoid monsters. You definitely like short and powerful ones, but is nine millimeters of power really enough?"

Jiang Xueming: "Nine by thirty-nine millimeters."

"Oh!" The BOSS covered her mouth, "Oh wow!"

Jiang Xueming smiled brightly.

"I saw their light weapons at Tian Shu's place; they're impressive. Both pistol and rifle magazines use 5.8x40mm ammunition, and they also have different types of ammunition. I think this is specifically designed to subdue the humanoid units in the Spirit Calamity. The ammunition types for VSS or AS-VAL Giant Wave should also be able to do this. I want to redesign my secondary and primary weapons. They can use subsonic rounds for covert kills, and they can also unleash astonishing bullet kinetic energy. The design and manufacture of BOSS-level firearms takes a lot, a lot of time."

"According to the station's procedures, the 9527 holiday has been approved until 2030. Your transformation has been rapid, so go ahead and do it. I won't assign any tasks to you or your waiters in the short term." Ming De curled his lip, as if he had more to say.

Jiang Xueming shrugged and waved, signaling the BOSS to speak frankly.

Boss: "Uh, there's something else I need to ask of you."

Jiang Xueming simply nodded and smiled.

BOSS: "Six months from now, you will be going to Forty-Eight District to carry out a trial mission. If you have time before then, I would like you to go to the Galahad Magic Academy in Balason and teach there."

Jiang Xueming: "What should we teach?"

BOSS: "Go teach the young men and women how to protect themselves, and while you're at it, boost the reputation of the gunsmith."

Galahad Magic Academy has no entrance requirements. As long as you have Inspiration and complete the tasks assigned by the BOSS, you can gain admission and study the knowledge that interests you in various schools according to the personnel department's schedule.

The courses on Madness Butterfly Defense are mostly taught by the Lapis Lazuli Guards, but now there is a killer star who can almost recite the Great Rift of All Things by heart. Ming De for Xue Ming to live in Galahad so that he can train more warriors who are good at fighting.

Jiang Xueming thought about it for a moment. After all, he didn't have the ability to deal with unruly children. There should be many pure-blooded rich kids in the magic academy, and these little guys probably wouldn't have very good tempers.

But when he saw the Black Cat's big, watery eyes and its expectant expression with its paws tucked in, he realized...

"Okay, I promise you."