Encore① · Summer

Foreword:

Don't worry about the cradle before the baby is even born.

[Part 1: Wedding in a Dream]

Alex Honnold climbed El Capitan, a 900-meter rock, in four hours. It was a feat accomplished without safety ropes, relying entirely on incredible finger and arm strength.

At this moment, Xue Ming needs to hang on the dome-shaped rock face for a period of time while waiting for the high-altitude fall protection net to be erected on the ground.

He wasn't a professional rock climber. He found a protrusion on the rock and just hung there motionless. More than 1,700 meters below was the Eureka seaside pier. From that height, falling into the sea or falling into the sand was almost the same—it would be an instant death.

Apart from Jiang Xueming himself, no one knows what he is thinking.

The ground-based radar base station provided the nameless man's Flash Butterfly Armor Suit with a highly effective anti-jamming radio communication system, but the gunsmith remained silent, seemingly struggling against gravity and constantly adjusting his breathing.

In the distance, the Demon Palace on Zero Platform was slowly collapsing, with hundreds of tons of stone and soil breaking apart and falling from the sky, crashing into the wealthy district of Krum, the bustling metropolis that Kang Que had once looked up at from the heights of Zero Platform.

The hollow dome of the mountain emanated continuous, subtle tremors. The earthquake, which lasted for more than twenty minutes, made Jiang Xueming grit his teeth and suffer unbearably. He felt his palms were sore and numb, and his forearm muscles occasionally had a moment to rest. He felt a needle-like pain in his ten fingers and the Venus mound between his thumb and forefinger.

He had no intention of looking down; his eyes were fixed on the top of his head, constantly watching the movements of his hands. Twenty minutes passed in this manner, and the cold sweat dripping from his forehead finally began to subside.

The continuous tremors gradually subsided, as if the spirit of Kang Que was finally willing to leave this place and report to the underworld.

Jiang Xueming tried to loosen one hand to give his tense fingers a rest so he could be ready for his next shift. The moment his left hand released the rock, he felt blood rush to his wrist, a tingling, unbearable sensation.

He supported his entire weight on one arm, then calmly began discarding his equipment, tossing aside the Iron Knight's Staff and gun. He took out a water bottle from his pack, drank some Universal Elixir, and healed the fatigue and hidden injuries from the battle, replenishing his body's fluids. It was as if he had returned to the human world.

He quickly adapted to the predicament, and after another twenty minutes, he was gripping the rocks with his left hand, giving his right hand a rest.

But he still dared not speak, trying his best to regulate his breathing.

He didn't know what stage the ground safety net installation was at or how much longer it would take. Every bit of energy he wasted here meant he would have one less breath to spare when he finally fell to the ground.

He kept only a 500ml water bottle, hanging it around his neck, and threw away his backpack. He then continued to keep his eyes on the rock, reaching out to find other reliable climbing spots.

Another twenty minutes passed --

--A rescue helicopter arrived at the gunsmith's side; the pilot was Robert Tang Ning.

The rescue team saw the gunsmith hanging from the top of the cave, but hesitated to make a move.

To maintain stable level flight, a helicopter has to contend with natural winds and constantly adjust the rotor blades and fuselage. This is a harbor, where there isn't much time to calculate Still Wind Point. Bringing people from above into the cabin is fraught with risks, and could easily result in a crash and loss of life.

Xue Ming heard the sound of the helicopter, but he still didn't look away.

He knew that this plane was probably just an atmosphere crew and wouldn't be of much help, so he waited for ground signals.

Another half hour passed, and then the BOSS's anxious and tense voice came through the radio.

"Gunsmith! The ship repair shop and floating dock have high-altitude fall protection nets, which have already been set up, but you need to choose your landing spot carefully."

Xue Ming finally spoke, "What material is it made of?"

BOSS: "Polyester and silk."

Xue Ming: "I didn't look down. I can't lower my head and put pressure on my cervical spine. My arms are above my heart level. I'm afraid that if I lower my head, my brain will lack blood flow, and things will get worse. Boss, tell me the height and width of these two fall protection nets, and let me make my own judgment."

The boss looked nervously at the rescue team's ship.

"The first landing point was about 75 meters away. The sea breeze was very strong. It was a large, circular, pale yellow net, 45 meters in diameter. We couldn't find a larger one."

Xue Ming: "From this distance, I should be able to see it with the naked eye."

BOSS: "The second net is only thirty meters above the sea surface. It's funnel-shaped and thirty-five meters in diameter."

Xue Ming: "That's enough."

Two cargo ships carrying empty containers were used to build four high platforms and erect these two safety nets to prevent falls.

Xue Ming gestured to the rescue helicopter while speaking to the BOSS.

"Let the helicopter leave; it'll create turbulence around me. I don't have a bat suit. I'll have to rely on my limbs to adjust my landing point."

BOSS: "No problem."

Once the airspace was completely clear, Xue Ming lowered his head slightly for the first time and immediately felt a strong sense of dizziness. This was not due to acrophobia, but rather because his vision shifted from the monotonous rock walls to the more expansive land, and he was dazzled by the ocean and docks below.

The moment he regained his senses, he spoke to Xiao Qi on his own initiative.

"Qingqing."

"I'm here! I'm here!" Bai Ziqing clutched the helmet nervously, not daring to speak for fear of distracting her lover.

Jiang Xueming suddenly didn't know what to say and choked up. He could feel the spiritual energy of the other half of his Steel Heart.

After a few seconds, Xue Ming finally spoke.

Are you on a cargo ship? I can't see you.

Bai Ziqing: "I'm on the boat!"

Suddenly, the thoughts emanating from the Steel Heart transformed into a powerful mental storm.

He held the water jug, poured the last bit of the Universal Elixir down, observed the wind direction by the direction the liquid twisted in mid-air, and finally dropped the jug as well.

Jiang Xueming: "Wait for me, I'll fly to your side."

After saying this, Xue Ming released her hands and fell downwards.

He rolled over, lying flat on his back facing the ground, and saw infected seabirds still in mid-air.

After sixteen seconds of freefall, he landed in the safety net at a speed of 170 kilometers per hour, much like a car speeding on a highway slamming on the brakes.

--Just a second before landing, he bent his arms and hunched over, and Fragrant Dream emanated from his body, protecting his flesh. After being slowed down by two layers of safety nets, it took a full seven seconds for the car to fall from a height of seventy-five meters into the water before finally coming to a stop.

Once the rescue team retrieved the safety net, Xue Ming returned to the boat and saw Bai Qingqing rushing towards him.

He was still a little dazed. After being suspended for more than an hour, he suddenly had to endure this G-force. It all felt like he was living in a dream.

Bai Ziqing hugged Xue Ming tightly, pushing past the medical staff, and immediately embraced her soaking wet lover.

Her eyes were tightly closed, sparking intensely as they rubbed against Xue Ming's Flash Butterfly Armor.

"Then, Ms. Bai Ziqing!" The BOSS, standing on the Hunter King's shoulder, declared passionately, "Are you willing to marry this man, to make him your husband, and to enter into a marriage with him?"

"Whether poor or rich, you love him, care for him, respect him, and accept him until the end of your life?"

Bai Qingqing immediately replied, "I do! I do! I do! I do! I do!"

The boss then asked, "Mr. Jiang Xueming, are you willing to let this lady become your wife and marry her?"

"Whether you are poor or rich, will you love her, care for her, respect her, and accept her until the end of your life?"

Jiang Xueming finally managed to get Qingqing out of his arms; if he held her any longer, the Flash Butterfly Armor would be ruined.

He looked at the ship, saw every guest, and recognized the nameless people. He saw the crew and the medics of the assault team.

He saw the blazing sun on the other side of the ocean, the salty sea breeze mingling with the rust on his butterfly-shaped clothes.

He saw his lover's face clearly, then looked at the BOSS and saw those golden cat eyes. Finally, he spoke solemnly.

"I do."

The BOSS opened his arms and spoke loudly to everyone present.

"Are you willing to endorse their ceremony?"

Hunter King: "The vows have to wait until the formal wedding, Boss. What you've done is more like a proposal."

The atmosphere had reached this point, and the audience immediately began to shout.

"We do! We do!"

Shasha rode on Strong Bro's shoulders, waving its little fists and shouting.

"We'd love to!"

Fuyanni then pumped his fist and shouted, "Boring! I want to see kissing!"

At this time--

--But there was another couple who were very self-aware.

A Xing was grabbed by 3301, while the half-wolf girl kissed her beloved fiercely. When Liu Xing came to his senses, he started laughing foolishly and making strange noises.

Bai Ziqing broke free from Xue Ming and suddenly cried out, "Teacher A Ling!"

Knowing that Jiang Xueming was safe and sound, Su Ling left the crowd and went to a less crowded area. Hearing her disciple calling her, she waved without turning her head.

"I'll come to the wedding, but I don't have any money to give as a gift, so there's no need to serve me tea."

After saying this, a rope constructed from the spirit of the [Phoenix] appeared in her hand—Teacher A Ling came and went in a hurry, landing back at the dock and immediately boarding the Azure Wolf Mother to begin the next leg of her journey.

As the wolf ran further and further away, Xue Ming suddenly remembered something.

[Part ② - Removing Armor]

Ultimately, the Mercy Society did not survive until Ye Bei's Chang Ghost unit arrived on the battlefield. Accompanying him were three Materialist bipedal walking mechs on a cargo truck.

The Nameless Cult's current force structure, from basic intelligence gathering to light infantry units conducting special operations, calling in heavy firepower support, calling in mythical unit support, and calling in mini-nuclear weapon support, is a sequence of [Summon People] that can destroy most of the Madness Butterfly Sect who are not fast enough or agile enough.

The next task will be handed over to the biochemical pollution prevention and medical departments, who will handle the Vita Imprint in Eureka Volcano City.

On the train back, Ye Bei hugged his cat and screamed in frustration.

It's over!

"I think you're just obsessed with working." Ye Bei pinched the big white cat's chubby cheeks until they were deformed, and he looked at it with disdain. "You seem quite disappointed that you didn't get a chance to go to the battlefield?"

Ye Bei explained, "That's fighting monstrous beasts! Killing evil cultists! How many times in a lifetime can you encounter such an opportunity! It's something that brings glory to your ancestors and gets you into the family genealogy! When my descendants come to the temple to worship me, they all have to offer the first incense! Can you resist the temptation of offering the first incense?"

The wicked cat Qiongqi thought for a moment, "It seems like I can't refuse."

Ye Bei muttered to himself, "Hey, why don't you go say hello to that little coal ball (a nickname for the boss)? Aren't you two close? I've come all this way on a business trip, I can't come back empty-handed."

"Are you serious?" Qiongqi rolled its eyes.

Ye Bei asked suspiciously, "Is there something you're having trouble saying?"

Two minutes later, the Cat Tree Lady brought the BOSS to this carriage, which was a VIP seat reserved for the guests of Tian Shu.

Ye Bei immediately understood why A Qiong was so unwilling to meet Little Coal Ball.

These two cats, one black and one white, started fighting as soon as they met—and it was a one-sided, overwhelming fight.

"First of all, I want to thank Tian Shu for cooperating with the Abyssal Railway's armed operation." The BOSS hugged A Qiong's leg and directly performed a gentle spell.

Qiongqi pounded the floor in pain, having no chance to retaliate at all. Compared to the BOSS who had just woken up and completed the harvest season ritual, Qiongqi's flexibility and primordial energy reserves were far inferior.

The big white cat bit the BOSS's foreleg, completely losing the brutal wrestling match, and making whimpering noises.

The boss, beaming with excitement, said to Ye Bei, "I'll have the administrative assistant arrange your accommodations and meals at the station. I hope you have a great time."

Ye Bei hesitated, then said, "That..."

He saw his cat master and the BOSS change positions several times, but he didn't dare to stop them. The friendship shown by these two ferocious beasts from ancient Chinese mythology made him, the beast's subordinate, feel somewhat ashamed.

The boss said with a grin, "It's very good."

Ah Qiong cursed and swore, "WHNMLGBD! CNMB! QNMD!"

This string of foul language, as sharp as a lotus flower and as vibrant as a blooming flower, embodies the excellent virtues of Qiongqi as a ferocious beast.

Just then, Hunter King and Ye Bei extended an invitation--

"--Jiang Xueming is resting in the next carriage. Mr. Ye Bei, he must really want to see you."

Ye Bei glanced at his cat master, lost in thought—he thought that these two ferocious beasts seemed to have something to say, but it was inconvenient for them to tell outsiders.

He followed the Hunter King out, but didn't go too far. He stopped at the train's connecting point and closed the door.

When only Taowu and Qiongqi remained in the carriage.

Good cats let bad cats go.

--The BOSS looked very excited. It jumped off the table and took a bottle of goat milk and two cups from the water bar refrigerator in the carriage.

What should I call you now?

The naughty cat sat on the table, stretching its muscles. When it twisted its neck, it made a cracking sound, as if it had been tormented by the BOSS.

"Call me whatever you want, whatever makes you happy."

The boss poured more goat milk and then asked, "Still lactose intolerant?"

Qiongqi: "Hmm."

BOSS: "Me too, goat milk is fine, but can you handle it cold?"

Qiongqi: "Okay."

The two cats raised their glasses and clinked them together, without offering any toasts.

After finishing his milk, Ming De spilled a few drops, which landed on his little suit.

It looked embarrassed and took off its clothes, like a warrior returning home and removing his armor.

After doing all that, the boss started talking about the past.

"Are you still the same? Like before?"

Qiongqi sighed.

"--Homo sapiens won't treat me too well. I'm not as free as you are, but I'm doing pretty well now. I have a reliable servant who is very obedient. He'll find me whatever I want."

The boss shrugged indifferently.

"--I'm pretty much the same. The day I'm no longer useful to Homo sapiens, I'll probably be swept into the dustbin of history. This is an inevitable event in the development of civilization."

It patted Ah Qiong on the shoulder.

"Don't be discouraged, don't give up, look ahead, and good things will surely happen."

"Speaking of which," A-Qiong asked about Eureka Volcano City, "What's the current situation with Chaos? This Spirit Calamity seems to be related to it."

"There's a group of audacious psionicists," the BOSS said, refilling his friend's cup. "They want to steal the power of the Chaos Beast, even though it no longer has its own consciousness."

"It's turned into a POS machine?" Qiongqi asked curiously. "It looks like a payment tool from your underworld."

The boss nodded. "Money, ah, money is the thing closest to people in this era. Nobody can live without money, so it decided to seek its own path in this way—people spend money, buy goods, and express their desires. It silently watches all of this, trying to find its own inevitable way through this method."

Qiongqi: "Quite interesting."

Boss: "Let's not talk about the money anymore, let's talk about the people."

Qiongqi: "I learned from the researchers at Tian Shu that your last harvest season was on Christmas Eve."

The boss laughed heartily, "That's right! I have five more cat servants now! A whole five!"

Before Qiongqi could speak, the BOSS grabbed the bad cat's arm and began to talk about the next few decades.

"These little Homo sapiens babies are so wonderful! So beautiful!"

"I can't find the right words to describe it; thinking about it makes me so happy I can't sleep!"

"Although they rarely talk to me, I can hear them; I think I can hear them."

They would say, "Don't give up, keep fighting!"

"How many people were disheartened, how many suffered mental breakdowns."

"For every rustling wind, there is a dazzling brilliance."

"How many joys and sorrows, how many memories have been scattered."

"I saw them striding forward, I heard them shouting out the passion for life."

"The scars on the veteran's face will eventually be covered by calluses, but the young man has finally Teacher San San, turning a new page in history."

Ming De clinked glasses with Qiongqi once again.

"Enjoy this moment, cherish this moment. Today, our soldiers will lay down their armor and take a short rest. Every day from now on will be better."

Qiongqi said with a grin.

"One day, we will rule the world!"

The boss jokingly chimed in.

"Yes! Cats will rule the world!"