How could I forget about that? Meng Jiao’s adoptive father, Meng Shan, is a master swordsman who studies the Han Hai Sword, and he’s been friends with Deng Zhengqing’s father—Deng Ying, the Shattered Crystal Fist Grandmaster—for decades through martial arts exchanges. His son, of course, was a childhood friend they grew up with.
Yu Lian sighed, knowing that the top expert of Tiannan Armored Corps Academy, who awakened his second ring as a “Peace Officer” at 22 and would become a famous Sword-Wielding Prosecutor and the Volunteer Army’s first Military Judge, was destined to be an enemy in this exercise.
However, this future cross-domain celebrity was truly a kind-hearted person. Seeing Yu Lian’s disappointed expression, he said, “How about I recommend someone to you? Kou Shan from the next class, Anton Kou Shan. He’s also a very excellent warrior. Although he’s only studied military martial arts, he’s exceptionally talented and trains very hard. He’s practically undefeated within the school.”
Of course, except for me! Meng Jiao didn’t say this, but Yu Lian couldn’t help but imagine him thinking it. The burly Highlander had a simple, honest smile on his face, but Yu Lian could always see a clear arrogance in his eyes, which made him feel a little depressed.
“...Alright, since you’ve already decided, there’s nothing more for me to say. See you during the exercise. I hope it will be a good match.” Yu Lian shook hands with him and bid farewell.
“It will definitely be a good match!” Wien said in a deep voice.
“Oh, by the way, Yahata, don’t forget our agreement,” Yu Lian said to Autumn Mountain Yawata before leaving.
Everyone looked at Autumn Mountain Yawata in astonishment. After several seconds of blank staring, his expression remained unchanged, but his face clearly began to stiffen.
In any case, since he had recommended a new person, Yu Lian should at least go and see him out of courtesy. He immediately went directly to the training ground of the next class, Class Eight, and found Anton Kou Shan, who had just finished a set of military boxing in his power armor and was covered in sweat.
This was also a burly man nearly two meters tall. After listening carefully to Yu Lian’s purpose, he nodded and joined almost without hesitation.
“How could I give up such a chance to gain recognition?” He smiled amiably, not only lacking Meng Jiao’s classical martial arts style but also showing a hint of worldliness and eagerness to please when facing Yu Lian in his National Defense University uniform.
“Having such a resume of participating in a national event will make future promotions and employment much easier, right?” he added.
“...To be honest, I hadn’t really considered that aspect, but it should be the case.”
Yu Lian pondered Kou Shan’s movements when he was practicing boxing earlier. His technique and moves were very proficient, and his strength and agility were above average. He should be usable.
“Welcome to the team. You can also select ten to twenty classmates to form an assault team.”
“Don’t worry, Captain, I will definitely choose the best classmates... However, they might all be the ones Meng Jiao left behind.” He had already started calling him Captain, completely familiar.
“That’s enough! This is Tiannan Armored Corps Academy. He can’t possibly pick all the best ones.” Yu Lian didn’t mind. Seeing that the other person still seemed a bit lacking in confidence, he asked, “What, you’re not too confident about confronting Meng Jiao?”
“Uh, of course, I’m not scared! I’m the only one in the whole school who dares to face him head-on. From the time I entered school until Present, I’ve sparred with him no less than a hundred times.”
“...What’s your win rate?”
“Zero... No, but I’m also the only one in the academy who can last more than ten moves against him.” He said with an embarrassed expression.
Kou Shan felt a bit humiliated, but Yu Lian thought it was quite good. For an ordinary person without spiritual energy to last so long against a spiritual energy user, even if Meng Jiao was holding back, it at least showed that this person had some real skill.
More importantly, despite such embarrassing data, he didn’t hide it and spoke it directly, which meant he was at least an honest person.
“...Captain, I think if you want to decide the outcome through boarding, I really don’t have much confidence. Meng Jiao is not just a simple brute! Of course, if it’s for boarding defense, I can do my best.”
Yu Lian’s impression of Kou Shan greatly improved. Although this guy smiled a bit world-wearily, he didn’t make wild promises or overcommit. He was actually an honest and responsible person.
It’s still the same saying: although the Commonwealth is going to hell, the young people of the Commonwealth are far from being beyond redemption.
“So, you mean that to decide the outcome in a boarding battle, you need other experts? But if that’s the case, your position as assault team leader will be gone,” Yu Lian asked.
“Hey, at least I’ll still be the vice-captain. An opportunity like this to gain recognition in front of a national audience is a great honor and resume, as long as I can participate. Since that’s the case, I’d rather be a member of the winning side. The resume would be even more splendid!” He paused, then added, “Besides, even if you invite other experts, the organization and command of the ship’s internal defense will still be done by me, right? In this aspect alone, I am very confident that I will not be inferior to Meng Jiao or anyone else!”
Yu Lian looked deeply at the other person and extended his hand again: “Welcome to the team. Also, you can depart first. All crew members’ physical and basic training will be entrusted to you!”
Although this honest man named Kou Shan was not a future celebrity, Yu Lian, with his experience of three lives, was certain that he could be trusted, at least during this exercise.
...However, precisely because he was trustworthy, what he said had to be taken seriously.
If it eventually develops into a boarding battle, the choice of assault team leader is indeed paramount. I can’t possibly lead the charge myself as the captain, can I?
Sure enough, I need to find someone who can withstand Meng Jiao, even if it’s just a mascot with brute force. In this world where everyone is idealistic... ah no, everyone has a strong martial arts spirit, it’s also very useful.
So, I still have to go to Mist Capital again! There’s no other way. Someone who is a fresh graduate, can fight, has a high probability of joining me, and won’t be snatched away by guys like Wien, there’s really only that one person.
Yu Lian rubbed his head, a little troubled. In fact, if it weren’t for that little incident in Mist Capital before, she would have been Yu Lian’s first choice.
...However, she didn’t see my face from beginning to end, and with her (Present) thick skin, she probably wouldn’t recognize me, right?
It just feels like bringing another girl back, especially a beautiful girl, would be very dangerous.
As he pondered this, he had already arrived outside the school. On the helipad at the academy entrance, besides his own flamboyantly painted light wheel 2000, there was also a high-end seven-seater hovercar parked.
This type of RV for wilderness travel could both run and fly. Circumnavigating the equator at top speed would only take half a day. Apart from not being able to break through the atmosphere, it was almost a perfect personal planetary transportation tool.
Compared to this 829 model Thunderbird, his light wheel 2000 immediately became a commoner’s mode of transport.
However, with Yu Lian’s current financial status, gritting his teeth to buy a Thunderbird wasn’t impossible, but he was a man with a small goal and no strong backing, so it wasn’t yet time to enjoy life.
Of the more than ten million he brought back from New World, he used some to buy an education trust for his younger brother and sister, and a commercial retirement insurance for his uncle and aunt. Yu Lian chose multinational insurance companies backed by major Alliance financial groups, which stood firm even in later generations with interstellar wars, giant beast awakenings, and Bug Swarm disasters, giving him some peace of mind.
He also wanted to buy a small house in the Alliance, registered under his uncle’s name, but hadn’t found a suitable one yet.
As for the three hundred million he got from the foundation, that was, of course, the minimum startup capital for that small goal. After graduation, he could pretty much start executing it.
Yu Lian stated that he really didn’t have any spare money to squander. However, as long as they are boys, they will definitely be interested in luxury cars, and as long as they are boys, they will definitely be fickle. Although he already had a light wheel 2000, he still couldn’t help but look at that Thunderbird twice more.
Then, he saw three wealthy individuals who were about to get into the car. Weren’t they Wien and his companions?
Evidently, the group opposite also saw Yu Lian, but they simply froze in place, unsure whether to go forward and greet him.
After the two sides stared at each other for a few minutes, Horatio looked at the flamboyantly painted light wheel behind Yu Lian and showed a mocking smile.
“What a flamboyant car!” he laughed.
Yu Lian glanced at Autumn Mountain Yawata, and seeing that he looked like he knew nothing, he sneered, “Three big men squeezed into the same car compartment for several hours? What’s wrong with you guys?”
Wien was furious but didn’t know how to retort, so he could only turn his head and get into the car.
However, just as he was about to slam the car door shut, Yu Lian loudly added, “Oh, by the way, just a reminder again, Yahata, don’t ever forget our agreement!”
Wien was startled and actually forgot to close the car door.
“What exactly did you two agree on?” Deng Zhengqing asked curiously. He was genuinely a bit curious.
“To make him a double agent when the fighting starts,” Yu Lian said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Autumn Mountain pushed his glasses, sighed heavily with an expressionless face, and turned his head, indicating he didn’t want to talk to the other person.
But Yu Lian, on the other hand, just waved his hand, whistling a cheerful tune, and pulled open the flamboyant door of the light wheel.
“Is this a stratagem of discord? But, is that how you use a stratagem?” Deng Zhengqing stared blankly at Yu Lian’s retreating figure, as if observing a visual marvel.
“Hmph, he just wants to make us suspicious! Given this guy’s arrogance, the fact that he’s already resorting to such tricks shows he’s not confident,” Wien said with a convinced tone.
Deng Zhengqing nodded slightly.
“Yahata, don’t mind it. I completely trust you!” Wien added.
“...You’d better mind it a little. Even I don’t really trust myself anymore.” Autumn Mountain Yawata pushed his glasses and sighed. His twenty-two years of prime youth were spent sighing with the vicissitudes and sorrow of an eighty-year-old.