"Reporting to the political commissar, we've found a spaceship!" Word soon came from the frontline reconnaissance unit. Yan Bai turned to Hanxing and Firefly. "Well? Do you want to leave?"
Hanxing gazed into Yan Bai's eyes. "Forgive me for asking, but if you have spaceships here, why have you never tried to venture into the sea of stars?"
"Of course we've tried..." Yan Bai shook his head helplessly. "The curse of Order clearly covers that too. When someone from Fansha Star tries to leave, their entire body dissolves into a puddle of liquid gold. We're destined never to sail into the stars."
"So, what will you choose?" Yan Bai changed the subject and looked at Hanxing again. Hanxing turned to Firefly, who nodded. He turned back to Yan Bai. "We've decided to help you break this curse!"
"Break the curse?" Yan Bai was startled. "We still haven't found a way to break it. How are you going to do it?"
"After an Aeon has fallen, there's only one way to create a curse on such a vast scale." Hanxing paused. "It's a 'miracle' created using residual power by someone whose strength is at least on the level of an Emanator of Order. In other words, if we deal with him, the curse will be lifted."
"Then who is this Emanator-level figure?" Yan Bai asked. Hanxing spoke again. "My guess is that it's probably the president of this so-called North Wind Government."
"Then why hasn't he used that kind of power to stop us from developing and growing stronger?" Yan Bai asked. Hanxing shook his head. "We don't know that yet. In any case, dealing with the president should be enough to break the curse."
"Reporting to the political commissar, new orders from above!" As the two were talking, a communications officer interrupted them. "Regroup the troops and attack the North Wind Government's capital, Shuofeng City!"
"Looks like our chat will have to end here." Yan Bai smiled, then turned to the soldiers gathered there. "You all heard the order, comrades? Get your gear ready and prepare to move out!"
"Are you all right?" Seeing Yan Bai turn away, Hanxing looked at Firefly. "I'm fine. The fighting here is a lot less intense than it was on Glamoth."
After speaking, Yan Bai turned to Hanxing. "You must have been exhausted after making your way there on your own last time. Come with me by truck this time."
"Then we'd be happy to accept." Hanxing smiled and followed Yan Bai into the distance.
It was a truck with a conventional green paint job, nothing special. "Hello, Political Commissar Yan!" Seeing Yan Bai approach from a distance, the soldiers on the truck saluted. "Hello, comrades!" Yan Bai returned the salute, then climbed aboard with Hanxing and Firefly.
"Hello, comrade." A soldier extended a hand to Hanxing. "You must be Hanxing, the one who took out a whole regiment's command post single-handedly?"
"That's right, that was me." Hanxing shook the soldier's hand. "Speaking of which, do you know who was piloting the mech that charged in at the front?"
Hanxing smiled and pointed to Firefly beside him. "It was her, my girlfriend, Firefly!" Firefly gave Hanxing a pat. "Did you have to add that?" The soldier smiled. "Then I wish you two a long and happy life together!"
As they spoke, the truck started moving. Its rumble echoed throughout Night Return Port. Yan Bai spoke up. "It's still some distance to Shuofeng City. Everyone, use this time to get some rest and build up your energy for the fighting ahead!"
"Yes!" The reply came in unison. The soldiers settled down to rest with their guns, and before long, snores filled the air. The nighttime attack really had been exhausting.
"Hey!" Seeing that everyone had fallen asleep, Firefly patted Hanxing. "What is it?" Hanxing looked noticeably unwell now, but even if he wanted to sleep, he couldn't. "Have you thought about how you'll face the others?" By "the others," she meant the members of the Stellaron Hunters.
"I think they've all guessed something by now." Hanxing forced himself to stay alert. "At least Kafka probably has. But there's not much to say about it. We'll just let things take their course."
"Suit yourself." Firefly smiled, then leaned in close. Hanxing felt a touch of warmth on his lips, which quickly faded. "Anyway, I love you~"