Carrying a complex mix of emotions, he left the urban area in the flying car, then left the main road, turning into the countryside.
The flying car began to ascend, accelerate, swept over large areas of wild forests and low hills, slowly began to descend, and after driving along the river for a few more minutes, finally saw the distant fields.
Those fields, however, were surrounded by a dense electric fence; not to mention people, even a bird would find it difficult to pass.
Even the flying car that Yahata and the others were riding in began to descend, passing through three checkpoints at the main gate before being allowed to enter.
Everyone then rode slowly through the rather vast fields for a few more minutes.
Yu Lian quickly scanned his surroundings from the car, seeing automated agricultural machinery working in the fields, as well as some security and lighting drones hovering in the sky.
Soon, Yu Lian saw several drones, no bigger than sparrows, sweeping over the farmland.
Their bodies were tiny, and their speed was fast; if it were anyone else, they likely wouldn't have noticed them at all.
However, with Yu Lian's current eyesight, not only could he see them, he could even see their appearance clearly.
Their shape was very similar to a triangular boomerangs; they looked like they could fly very well.
"D14 Imp Defense Drone?"
"Is this what a spiritual energy user's vision is like?" Autumn Mountain Yawata finally stopped concealing his envy, jealousy, and hatred this time, looking deeply at Yu Lian, then sighing, "Yes, it's the Imp! In terms of combat robots, the Iron People's United Kingdom is much more cost-effective than the Alliance."
Yes, that's why this second-tier powerful nation, whose robots were renowned throughout the All-Galaxy, had to be forced to take sides in the future.
As a result of various questionable maneuvers, its fate was even more tragic than that of the Kominans, whose home planet became a mine... Wait, thinking about it this way, the Blue Star Commonwealth wasn't the unluckiest after all.
"However, I remember that the Imp model only officially entered service about three years ago, and even their own troops haven't fully equipped it yet.
It's considered a military product of the Iron People; how did you get your hands on it?"
"Our crystal capsules sell quite well in the Iron People's United, so we've established some connections with them." Autumn Mountain's words held a hint of self-satisfaction: "We tried every possible way and finally acquired 40 units, 30 of which are all placed in this factory area."
Are gangs this rich now?
As far as Yu Lian knew, the AI of these Imp drones employed a more advanced algorithm, making their intelligence the top among all existing drones.
Their self-contained new type of sensor was also a flagship product of the Iron People's United, with extremely strong sensitivity and target acquisition capabilities, even possessing a certain degree of recognition for the stealth abilities of some low-level spiritual energy users.
Of course, their extremely small size meant their weapon payload was very limited.
However, as long as they could issue timely warnings, they were considered a great benefit.
If networked with other autonomous weapons, the deterrence they formed would be even more astonishing.
"Yes, I also bought 12 Vulcan automatic sentry guns!" Autumn Mountain Yawata said proudly in a flat tone.
This defense was even more stringent than most military facilities Yu Lian had seen; if the 12th Garrison Station he served in back then had been of this standard, he would have dared to hold out until the siege of Tulon ended, waiting for reinforcements.
Why would he have needed to fight so desperately?
However... this was not foolproof either.
"The Imp can indeed be said to be the most advanced alert drone in the All-Galaxy.
However, its current K-type sensor targets thermal energy, kinetic energy, and subtle spiritual energy fluctuations, covering almost all known methods of hiding and stealth.
Of course, that's 'known'... What if it's 'unknown'?"
"For example?"
"For example, the militarization of nanomachines."
Autumn Mountain Yawata paused slightly, seemingly thinking of something, but his mind hadn't fully turned over yet, and he fell directly into thought.
Yu Lian, on the other hand, sighed in his heart, lamenting that these idealist fools weren't without such technical capabilities, but simply didn't think in the right direction.
It's a pity; in my hometown, theory has always preceded technology.
Although there was no finished product on the day he transmigrated, it would definitely come out one day.
No one would doubt this.
Autumn Mountain Yawata looked at Yu Lian with a subtle gaze, and the latter said frankly: "If the Iron People's United developed such a thing, how could the Empire and the Alliance just sit by and watch?
Perhaps they really do have prototypes over there.
Don't think this is impossible! If you gangsters can get your hands on the Imp, there's no reason they can't get something good!"
The other party, however, said: "No, I remember that before your last internship at New Yumen, you specifically proposed that due to technological advancements, special assault units composed of ordinary people would, in many aspects, even achieve the tactical effects of existing spiritual energy users, and you planned to write a thesis in this direction.
Therefore, you were even mocked by Colonel Weige, weren't you?"
Yu Lian nodded.
This was certainly a good topic, but the original owner had never had sufficiently strong arguments or particularly brilliant and logically perfect discussions; if written, it would still be somewhat mediocre and invite criticism.
It was precisely for this reason that he temporarily found someone to exploit.
"I understand." Autumn Mountain Yawata nodded.
What do you understand?
"Are there any remedial measures? Preferably something that can be established quickly.
I'll pay 5 million!"
"letter star?"
"letter star!"
Is selling fake, ah no, high-end imitation pharmaceuticals really making so much money now?
Yu Lian found himself shamelessly tempted once again.
"Give me the central control authority for the security of your factory area! There might still be a chance to salvage the situation," Yu Lian said.
Although Yu Lian felt that with the electronic defenses of a mere gang, even a direct intrusion would only take a few minutes, this was perhaps just to show some courtesy.
"Young Master, this..." The trench-coated man in the front row might have overheard their conversation; just as he was about to say something, he saw Autumn Mountain Yawata behind him already fiddling with his terminal, directly sending Yu Lian a projection.
Yu Lian's gaze quickly swept over the small light screen, and he soon manually took over the combat authority of all Imp drones and sentry guns.
If there were more time, that would be great; at least he could install electromagnetic pulse bombs on all the drones.
But now he couldn't, so he could only re-adjust the drones' target acquisition program.
Isn't it just modifying official equipment?
I used to do a lot of that back in the day; compared to the engineering of converting a cruise ship into a battlecruisers, making minor adjustments at the program level is nothing.
Yu Lian pondered as he began to work.
At this moment, the flying car they were riding in finally passed through the fields and plantations, entering the main building area, which was roughly divided into a factory area, office area, warehouse, and dormitory area.
The area was not large, but its functions were clearly defined, clearly meticulously planned, and it looked quite professional.
Beyond the main gate of the building area was a small plaza, where thirty to fifty people were already standing.
Unfortunately, they were not professional Engineer and technicians, but rather tough men who seemed out of place in the entire factory area.
They were all armed to the teeth.
Some even wore external power exoskeletons, clearly members of an active social organization.
The vehicle stopped, and everyone was preparing to get out.
Autumn Mountain Yawata looked at Yu Lian, expressionlessly pushed up his glasses again, and said, "Oh, right, do you want me to get you some armor?"
Yu Lian looked at the armor they were wearing and immediately showed a look of disgust.
Tsk, isn't that just the AS40 used by the security squad grunts.
I'm a man who's piloted an Emblem Machine, after all!
"Yahata, Yahata, you're back!" A large man in a power exoskeleton saw them getting out of the car and strode over, but then he paused when he saw Yu Lian: "This is..."
"My spiritual confidant, whom I specifically invited to assist!"
How long are you going to use that 'spiritual confidant' meme in a flat, expressionless tone?
"Then thank you very much! Yahata's friend is our Kuki-gumi's friend!" The power-armored big man had a rough, scarred face, and his smile was not at all amiable or approachable.
Yu Lian nodded and smiled at the other party in a very formulaic manner, continuing to be engrossed in programming.
Uncle Liu was a little embarrassed, a hint of anger seemed to flash across his face, but he was still trying his best to maintain a smile.
Fortunately, before the situation became awkward, Autumn Mountain Yawata asked, "Uncle Liu, what's the situation now? Why was the time moved up?"
"The Boss received another blackmail letter saying they would visit tonight! And then the Norman Gang moved their negotiations up to today... Humph! To say they aren't colluding, who are they fooling! We gathered the best people from the organization a week in advance!
Even if they all come, we're not afraid!" Yahata's Uncle Liu said fiercely.
He paused, then added, "The Norman Gang, the Spirit Cult, and some undying demons! Humph, even if they all collude, we're not afraid! We need to show them the backbone of a Kuki-gumi man! As long as we drive them away, we'll be famous throughout the Universe!"
So, you never intended to kill him from the start, did you?
"Oh, right, Yahata, the reinforcements sent by the Boss should arrive today, right?
If they can make it in time, there'll be nothing to fear! Seriously, it's already this late, and there's still no sign of them; what are those lads doing anyway...?"
"Yes, they should indeed arrive today!" Autumn Mountain Yawata was about to say something else.
But at this moment, the alarm sounded in the distance, and the broadcast system in the plaza announced, "Guests have arrived."
Uncle Liu snorted, rubbing his fists, "Let's show these guys!"
Yu Lian looked in the direction from which the alarm sound came, made a final adjustment, then put away his keyboard, and subtly nodded to Autumn Mountain Yawata.
Autumn Mountain's heart was suddenly filled with anticipation.
He quickly lowered his head, using the reflection from his glasses to conceal his gradually unsettling gaze.