Xie Ji lowered his head, not wanting to argue with Lu Xunji in front of so many people, so he could only nod and say in a low voice, "I'll go take care of my work now."
The subordinates standing below exchanged glances. They had heard Lu Xunji's words clearly, but none of them would go out and spread them.
Given the current situation of the Empire, only the Second War Zone, where Lu Xunji is stationed, is capable of standing up to that strange creature.
Regardless of Lu Xunji's true purpose, Xie Ji's words were quite correct.
If there is anyone who can save everyone, then Lu Xunji is the only one.
No one will stand up and point out Lu Xunji's ideological problems at this time.
Lu Xunji remained silent for a moment, then someone coughed lightly and asked, "Commander Lu, should we send someone to keep an eye on Little Xie?"
Xie Ji did not receive an official transfer order, but he had been busy working at the base these past few days and had gained some recognition in everyone's eyes. Everyone knew him as Commander Lu's beloved younger brother.
Everyone knows that Xie Ji is Lu Xunji's younger brother, and their all-powerful Commander Lu cherishes this younger brother more than his own eyes!
Of course, he also has a strict father side occasionally. Besides often scolding his younger brother until he is red in the face and in tears, he may also resort to physical punishment.
Someone once tried to knock on Commander Lu's door during his rest time to request instructions, only to find themselves blocked at the door.
Faint sounds of Xie crying and begging for mercy could be heard from inside the door.
Later, when Xie Xiaotong came out of the commander's office, she was limping, with scattered red marks on her exposed skin and lingering strangulation marks on her neck. She was truly pitiful.
Lu Xunji rubbed his temples, remained silent for a few minutes, and then said somewhat irritably, "No need. I will report the fall of the Fifth War Zone to headquarters..."
Xie Ji clenched his fists. Ji Shi was completely silent, but he could definitely feel Ji Shi's faint heartbeat.
He began to regret not studying hard enough at the Imperial Military Academy, and Ji Shi took the opportunity to take mecha piloting courses.
Otherwise, we wouldn't be in this situation where we can't do anything.
He didn't go to the repair shop; instead, he wandered aimlessly around the war zone, repeatedly rehearsing in his mind the possibility of stealing a mech and flying into the black hole to rescue Ji Shi.
In fact, after spending so many days in the repair department, he had gained a certain understanding of the structure and control panel of the mechs. He just couldn't adapt to combat situations flexibly, but he could still manage to drive them around in simple situations.
Black holes are the home of those monsters; to enter a black hole, you'll inevitably have to pass through a monster horde...
Just as Xie Ji was lost in thought, he heard a familiar voice.
" Xie Ji?"
Xie Ji was stunned for a moment, then turned around and saw Zhuang Huan's figure. He was wearing a white coat, which was not clean, covered with dark brown bloodstains and various liquids that could not be washed off.
"You..." Xie Ji took a few steps forward. "What are you doing here?"
"What are you saying? I'm a doctor, don't you need military doctors in war?" Zhuang Huan chuckled. "I've been to the front lines longer than you kids, but we weren't in the same war zone before. The war zone I was in recently... fell, and the few remaining people risked their lives to get me here. Now, of all the war zones, this is the only relatively safe place where I can continue my research."
Xie Ji's heart tightened. "Is it... the Fifth War Zone?"
Zhuang Huan shook his head. "Seventh."
"How many war zones have completely fallen? How many more people will die?" Xie Ji looked at the endless stream of soldiers being carried into the medical area; some of them might not even be students still enrolled in military academies.
"The news has spread throughout the Empire. Chaos reigns everywhere. War zones have fallen, and a wave of monsters has already flooded into civilian areas." Zhuang Huan gave a bitter laugh and said self-deprecatingly, "Fortunately, we still have Lu Xunji. He has basically taken over all the lost war zones and barely managed to hold back the next wave of monsters from entering the Empire's civilian areas. Luckily, I didn't have him work with me on the research... The origins and genes of these creatures are a mystery, and we still haven't been able to develop a weapon specifically targeting them."
Xie Ji remembered what Ji Shi had said, so he spoke to Zhuang Huan about it, and Zhuang Huan's expression gradually became serious.
He said that place might be the end of everything.
Zhuang Huan nodded. "Very likely, but in any case, I have to go and see for myself. Have you told Lu Xunji about this?"
Xie Ji paused for a moment, then shook his head. "He wants to come with me, but it's too dangerous."
"Yes, Lu Xunji can't go. He's the one holding this whole mess together." Zhuang Huan nodded. "But I have to go. Even if others go, they might not know what it is. If I go, the chances are better."
Xie Ji immediately said, "I can go too. I know Ji Shi's location and situation, so I might be able to give directions."
"..." Zhuang Huan looked him up and down. "Didn't Lu Xunji tell you not to go?"
Xie Ji paused for a moment, then said, "If you were included, he would agree."
Zhuang Huan raised an eyebrow. "You want me to vouch for your life? I can't take that responsibility. If anything happens to you, wouldn't Lu Xunji kill me?"
Xie Ji glanced at him, feeling somewhat weary.
I thought to myself, you probably don't know, but if I die, Lu Xunji might just turn against me and team up with those monsters.
Xie Ji thought for a moment, then said, "I must go."
Zhuang Huan pulled Xie Ji toward the mecha area. "Alright, I'm sure I'll die before you anyway, so I'm not afraid of Lu Xunji causing me trouble. But the two of us might not be enough, I'll have to bring someone else along."
Xie Ji, carrying Lu Xunji on his back for the first time on such an important mission, immediately became nervous and excited, jogging after Zhuang Huan: "Shouldn't we avoid bringing so many people on such a dangerous mission? But can you pilot a mecha?"