First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 92

Chapter 92: Itchy Hands

Lin Lie came to her senses, pulled out a tissue to dry her tears, smoothed her hair with her hand, and continued looking ahead.

She told Lian Sheng to fasten her seatbelt, then drove home in silence.

She drove slowly, the oncoming headlights repeatedly sweeping across her face. Combined with the earlier delay, it was nearly ten o'clock when they arrived home.

Lian Sheng wasn't good at comforting people, and she couldn't find an appropriate position from which to speak. She simply leaned back, looking at the car ceiling while rubbing her fingertips.

The two got out of the car and continued their silent ascent in the elevator.

Lian Sheng took out her optical computer, tilting it slightly to check the messages. She found one from her roommate.

Long Legs: "Hubby! Hubby where'd you go? Did you go home today?"

Lian Sheng replied one-handed: "Yeah."

Long Legs: "Hahaha you were amazing today! Perfect score! Everyone here is kneeling before you. Light! The light of our Materials Engineering!"

Long Legs: "You just left too early. You weren't there for the awards, so another student accepted it for you. The host really wanted to interview you, and I heard many media outlets are inquiring about you. If Alliance University helps promote you, you might become the military's next Liliana!"

Lian Sheng: "Who?"

Long Legs: "Uh... sort of like the military's public image spokesperson?"

Long Legs: "Oh right, our department head wants your contact info. I gave it to them, okay?"

Lian Sheng: "Okay."

They stood at the door. Lin Lie turned the knob and pushed it open, took off her shoes inside, and said sideways: "I'm going to rest first."

Lian Sheng nodded: "Please rest well."

She watched Lin Lie enter her room, then took her optical computer to her own room.

Some things were so surreal that even if spoken aloud and emotionally reasonable, reason would still reject them. And the truth was something so hard to accept.

In that case, perhaps self-deception wasn't bad. It's just that life always forces people out, making them face reality.

She was Lian Sheng. She would do what she could. She would accompany her as long as she was willing.

After showering and lying in bed, she noticed several unfamiliar messages.

Alliance University Military Academy: "Hello Lian Sheng, I'm the department head of the Military Academy."

"This evening's event was very successful, thanks to your wonderful performance. Your martial arts demonstration had tremendous impact. Guests expressed great interest, and the school hopes to use this opportunity to promote ancient martial arts. This is very meaningful. The school will handle publicity and equipment. We hope for your support."

Lian Sheng asked: "What do you want me to do?"

Military Academy: "We hope you can come teach, explain ancient martial arts training methods, and demonstrate again. Such culture is already very rare. If possible, share related materials. If valuable, the school is willing to pay to compensate your loss."

Lian Sheng said: "No other methods. Train your stance, core, strength, and techniques."

"As for moves, there aren't many fancy ones. What matters most is reaction honed by experience. I can perform the forms I've learned, record and send them to you. That's all I have."

Military Academy: "..."

"That doesn't seem appropriate?" the person said, "Any tricks? For beginners, they need to first experience the fun to better promote it."

Lian Sheng turned over and replied: "Yes."

Lian Sheng said: "Diligent study, hard training."

"This isn't something that can be rushed, and I don't want to teach a bunch of flashy moves. If they can't even get through the door, how can I drag them up? Martial arts are for defeating enemies, not looking good."

"My experience tells me every bit of laziness early on becomes wounds in actual combat. Martial arts are battlefield blades, but without tempering, they're just blunt iron. You're the Military Academy head—don't you understand this?"

"If you want power, come learn. That's its meaning."

The other end fell silent. Lian Sheng rested her head on one hand, waiting for a response.

Military Academy: "Apologies, no disrespect or perfunctoriness intended. Our academy's ethos is the same—no shortcuts, only effort and hard work."

"I respect your attitude toward ancient martial arts—that's likely its essence. Very well, in that case, please send the video to the school after recording."

"We'll use your evening performance as promotional material. Is that okay?"

Lian Sheng: "Go ahead."

Not long after they settled this, the Materials Engineering Academy contacted her too.

Alliance University Materials Engineering Academy: "Hello Lian Sheng. Our academy wants to promote cold weapons and requests your help. We hope while promoting ancient martial arts, you can also help promote small cold weapon models."

Lian Sheng: "Promote cold weapons? What's the point?"

Materials Engineering Academy: "Economic benefits are one point. More importantly, it's cultural heritage."

Lian Sheng: "..."

Materials Engineering Academy: "Just joking. As a former Materials Engineering top student, you surely understand the importance of short weapons for melee mech combat. But due to material and mech hand limitations, specifications are monotonous. If we can develop short weapons better suited for mech hands, it's significant. So we hope you'll assist our research."

Lian Sheng: "Of course. I was just asking."

Materials Engineering Academy: "Besides the four weapons used at the event, do you need others? Our academy can custom-make them."

She'd only chosen four earlier because the Command Department's background modeling time was limited and couldn't handle more.

So Lian Sheng listed all usable weapons for them.

Replying to various messages made Lian Sheng's thumb cramp.

Lin Lie's side remained quiet. Just as Lian Sheng closed her eyes, she heard footsteps outside, then the soft click of a door closing before silence returned.

Lian Sheng got up, optical computer in hand, and saw she'd really gone out.

The time was 1 AM.

She sat cross-legged on the sofa, thought for a moment, then pulled up someone's contact.

Lian Sheng: "Comrade Zhao Outstanding, ten credits have questions for you. Are you asleep?"

Zhao Zhuoluo replied quickly: "Not yet."

Lian Sheng asked: "I heard your esteemed mother is friends with my mother, correct?"

Zhao Zhuoluo: "..."

Zhao Zhuoluo: "Did you fall on stage yesterday? Or hit your head?"

Lian Sheng: "What's the relationship between your esteemed mother and my mother?"

Zhao Zhuoluo: "...My mom is your mom's colleague."

"Oh." Lian Sheng continued delicately, "Is your esteemed mother celebrating New Year's with you?"

Zhao Zhuoluo: "My mom's working overtime tonight. The research institute never has proper holidays."

Lian Sheng: "Oh... then my mom?"

"..." Zhao Zhuoluo felt he was going crazy, "Your mom's the supervisor—of course she's working overtime too!"

Lian Sheng relaxed: "Oh."

Zhao Zhuoluo: "Why ask?"

Lian Sheng: "Nothing. I thought she ran away from home. Overtime's good—work brings joy."

Zhao Zhuoluo: "..."

This person was truly sick.

Zhao Zhuoluo turned and took a photo of something on his desk.

Zhao Zhuoluo: "By the way, no one claimed the trophy, so I brought it back. They said to give it to you personally when you return to school."

Lian Sheng looked—it seemed golden—and asked: "What's it made of?"

Zhao Zhuoluo: "Gold-plated outside."

Lian Sheng: "Valuable?"

Zhao Zhuoluo: "...Honor is priceless!!"

Lian Sheng: "Oh, if it's worthless then donate it to the academy. The honor isn't just mine. Everyone's technical support helped this time."

"Fine, I'll give it to the dean directly." Zhao Zhuoluo asked, "Anything else?"

"No." Lian Sheng patted her chest, "Now I can sleep peacefully."

Alliance University's holiday was only three days, while Lin Lie's overtime seemed endless. She mentioned she'd be traveling for work and wouldn't be in the capital for half a month.

Lian Sheng couldn't guess her current mood.

During the break, Hundred Meter Flying Dagger was practically offline to enjoy his vacation. Only after overhearing talk of ancient martial arts did he belatedly watch the New Year's Eve rerun, then discovered Sanyao was abuzz with discussion. Excited, he tremblingly contacted Lian Sheng.

Hundred Meter Flying Dagger: "Piaoqi Great General!"

Hundred Meter Flying Dagger: "Well done! After days apart, you've reached new heights. Ready to leave Sanyao for the Alliance. This reputation is loud—I've decided the studio will specially offer ancient martial arts instruction. Spare some time to teach them."

"I knew you used ancient martial arts. Better mech integration would make it a powerful weapon."

"The studio's signboard is updated. I'll give you a base salary like Bright Bulb—no testing needed. Top billing!"

"I sent the video to Bright Bulb—he might contact you later."

Hesitating, Lian Sheng opened their studio page.

Four wooden signs hung prominently in the center. She flipped them one by one.

Bright Bulb: A shining, bright bulb. Ding~

Super Bright Bulb: A bulb that shines even farther. Ding ding~

Hundred Meter Flying Dagger: Within a hundred meters, flying daggers everywhere—one that can even shatter bulbs. Boom boom!

"..." Lian Sheng, "..."

Apprehensively, she clicked her own sign.

Piaoqi Great General: Our shop's new top billing. Can serve as melee, ranged, or commander. Though still a military student, her future is limitless. Alliance ancient martial arts master! Certified, link attached. Non-work hour rates double. As our new employee, terms aren't finalized yet—no work hours currently. Please understand.

Lian Sheng: "..."

This was definitely a shady business.

She closed the page, and Bright Bulb soon arrived.

"I'm Bright Bulb," Bright Bulb said, "Got equipment? Let's spar on Sanyao."

Lian Sheng asked: "Aren't you on vacation?"

Bright Bulb: "Doesn't matter. Hands are itchy—I want to fight you first."

Lian Sheng thought, then replied: "My equipment's still at school. Let's meet tonight at eight."

Bright Bulb replied: "Okay."

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