First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 176
Chapter 176: Arrival
Moshi was a mech that Ji Ban's family had spent decades modifying and building. It was both a belief and a persistence.
With the luxury of time, its outer shell had been repeatedly updated and reinforced. Taking advantage of their status, they had collected the most expensive rare materials available. It could absolutely pass the military's data tests.
Moreover, its design allowed every piece of material to be streamlined.
This was a comprehensive mech that was more durable than heavy armor mechs, more agile than vanguard mechs, and more precise than sniper-type mechs.
However, Doctor Lin wasn't very skilled at operating it.
But lack of skill didn't matter—he had guts.
The sudden appearance of Moshi instantly attracted the majority of firepower from the outer defensive line. Seizing the opportunity, Alliance forces on both sides charged inward.
Several mechs advanced simultaneously, accompanied by intermittent concentrated artillery fire that made the entire ground visibly tremble.
The two students huddled in the back seat, being tossed around dizzyingly by Doctor Lin. Watching as red-black artillery fire repeatedly grazed past the mech before exploding nearby, they were nearly scared out of their wits.
They hadn't expected the mission to be this intense without any warning. If they'd known following Doctor Lin meant directly activating hard mode, they would've at least... used the bathroom first!
When Moshi was hit this time, they veered off course at a bizarre angle, crashing into a nearby building before accelerating forward again.
Though the mech's outer shell absorbed most of the noise, the remaining sound still violently assaulted their eardrums like the deep, powerful tolling of a bell.
For a moment, they didn't know whether to cover their heads or their ears.
They couldn't tell who was hitting them, but judging by Doctor Lin's seemingly blind operation style, it was more likely they were crashing into enemy fire themselves.
The male student gripped the communicator and shouted nervously to headquarters: "Don't friendly fire! Don't friendly fire! We're the coolest mech here! We're coming to support our comra—ah—give them internal signals—!"
The Alliance forces issued their highest command: "Cover Moshi! That black mech!"
The following Alliance forces began forming a protective circle around Moshi.
The commander-in-chief wiped his face forcefully and pressed both hands on the table.
Judging by the position signals, they were already halfway there. Could he trust these two students? The safety passage was so perilous—the latter half was where the real test lay. Could they really succeed?
Countless excellent soldiers had already failed. He absolutely didn't want to make this choice again. Yet every time... every time, when backed into a corner, they still ended up making the same decision.
Believe in them. They can create miracles. Believe in them.
Doctor Lin checked the map above and realized he was nearing the edge of the signal zone. The coverage should reach the signal tower's location. Holding his breath, he stopped by a factory building and shouted to the two behind him: "Get out and install it! I'll cover you!"
The noise outside was deafening, and enemy forces were visibly converging on their position. Without doubt, this was the most dangerous and intense combat zone. The constant barrage of attacks alone was enough to make one's legs tremble.
The male student gritted his teeth and shouted to psych himself up: "Yes, sir!"
Then he rushed out from the back seat to install the converter.
His companion covered his head and followed close behind.
As the two exited the mech, Doctor Lin quickly initiated mech transformation.
He realized he was drenched in cold sweat, with stray hairs sticking to his forehead, the clammy feeling extremely uncomfortable. He couldn't help but curse.
He hated this. Absolutely hated this feeling—the crossfire of battle.
It had been nearly twenty years since he left the frontlines. Anything related to soldiers never brought good news.
Back then, he couldn't wait to enlist; later, he couldn't wait to transfer out.
But whether as a civil servant, teacher, or blue-collar worker, nothing could soothe the restlessness in his heart. In the end, he retrained as a doctor and went to military school.
Was it a nightmare?
He pressed both hands on the control panel before slamming them down hard. Bringing up all commands for this transformation mode, he listed them on the side.
Doctor Lin slicked back his hair and snorted: "I was born to be a genius."
Then he compiled all attack commands and began searching for distant targets.
Thick-skinned? Then he'd stand his ground.
The two male students ran into the nearby factory building. With no time to scout for better locations, they chose an open space behind the nearest door.
Gravel rained down from above, slipping through their collars and down their necks.
Their hands never stopped moving as they pulled out signal cables and began installing components one by one.
Some parts of the signal converter were very small. Their hands were shaking and sweaty, making it hard to tighten screws. They kept slipping.
The male student said anxiously: "Use some strength! Did you skip breakfast? Even farting takes more effort than this!"
"You're the one who farts!" his companion retorted. "I'm just thinking—what if this place collapses?"
"Then we'll die together."
"Holy shit no! That makes me even more scared!"
"Holy shit what do you mean? At a time like this you're still fucking picky? You wanna be a lonely ghost or something?"
"Holy shit holy shit what's the difference between two male ghosts and lonely ghosts?! Stop joking around okay? Just shut up okay?!"
"Okay my ass! We're not missing one okay? The battlefield never lacks dead people!"
The air fell silent for a second.
Then the male student said: "The heroic spirits of our badass dads will protect us."
His companion weakly agreed: "Right."
They worked faster to erect and secure the converter on the ground.
Their palms had lost all sensation. Fearing mistakes, they pressed down with all their might. Soon their palms were cut by the ridged screw heads, dotted with bloodstains.
They patted the device, confirming it was stable, then pressed the power button.
The male student eagerly shouted into the communicator: "Hey hey hey? Doctor Lin, do you have signal now?"
"Yeah, got it. It's already showing on the map," Doctor Lin replied. "Wait at the entrance. I'll have a Fengyi come get you out. Good work."
They were short on people here.
If Ji Ban and Ye Buqing were outside, their skills could've temporarily filled the rescue quota. Unfortunately, they didn't have official communicators and couldn't be contacted now.
Doctor Lin stole a glance at the map and saw nearly an hour had passed from departure to successful installation. Yet Lian Sheng and the others were already nearing the signal tower.
The speed was astonishing. Worried they might rush and falter—especially after going so long without water or food—Doctor Lin said: "Take it slow, no need to hurry!"
Lian Sheng heard the communicator crackle to life again and looked at it curiously: "Oh, seems there's sound now. You guys actually built it? Not bad, breaking through like that."
Zhao Zhuoluo also leaned over to check the screen.
The communicator hung around Doctor Lin's neck, facing his control panel. Lian Sheng watched as his fingers madly tapped left and right without seemingly changing position.
Lian Sheng said: "I feel like he's just messing around?"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "You shouldn't target the sky first—the nearby mechs and infantry are more immediate threats. That dense cluster could be taken out with artillery. Moshi has plenty of artillery mounts."
Lian Sheng: "Ji Ban's mech is crying, you know. If you wreck it, Ji Ban will cry too."
Zhao Zhuoluo: "Doctor Lin, you can input a code. There's an auto-lock function for nearby targets at the top right. 246-SHKJ."
Lian Sheng said gravely: "Doctor Lin. You're seriously outdated."
The two pressed their heads together, critiquing Doctor Lin's performance.
Doctor Lin lost his temper and roared: "Shut up! I don't need your coaching!"
Lian Sheng had always considered Doctor Lin a pure medic, yet he refused guidance from professionals. She shook her head with a sigh and continued forward.
She flexed her toes and resumed examining marks on the wall.
Thankfully, the shoes she wore this time were high-quality.
Every deceleration made her toes jam forward. After countless repetitions, the front had gone numb.
Under Lian Sheng's persistent urging, Zhao Zhuoluo took off his shoe and saw blood staining his sock. He silently put it back on, pretending nothing had happened.
Fortunately, after innumerable 200-meter sprints with sharp turns—following commands and observing running speeds—their bodies had roughly adapted to the required pace for clearing obstacles.
Perhaps it was trust. Once they started running, completely relying on shouted commands for acceleration and deceleration, they no longer suffered injuries as severe as the initial ones.
Though physically exhausted, their minds were beginning to relax.
Success was exhilarating. But the path to success was often tedious and arduous.
By the halfway point, they'd already felt at their limit. Yet they kept running and running, eventually making it this far.
The Alliance forces outside weren't faring well.
Gelen's urban detectors had identified their location beneath the factory, diverting most forces to encircle them. Their invasion had been premeditated.
The Alliance troops were hastily mobilized—each of the two armies had their own garrison areas, and only idle or recalled soldiers were dispatched.
They'd already lost some breaking through the outer defenses. If this continued, they wouldn't hold.
"The factory's collapsing—we can't stabilize it!" headquarters shouted. "What's the status on the safety passage?"
Doctor Lin continued tapping his screen and said flatly: "So what if the factory collapses? Even if the sky falls, hold it up."
Headquarters was momentarily stunned before realizing he wasn't under their chain of command. They said: "If the factory collapses, the converter will be damaged. We have no spare personnel—we must retreat!"
"Then let them jump over? It hasn't been long enough! Don't pressure the youngsters too much," Doctor Lin said. "This is the fastest route! If you believe in them, then hold the line!"
The messenger turned to the commander-in-chief with an innocent look.
Holy shit, who is this guy?
The commander said: "Hold position! Our reinforcements are en route."
A frontline soldier asked: "How long?"
Commander: "Not sure."
Everyone: "..."
Commander: "They're not under Alliance jurisdiction but departed this morning. Barring mishaps, they'll arrive tonight."
"By tonight we'll be done for!" someone gritted out. "Thirty minutes! Thirty minutes max. Their numbers are overwhelming—we can't hold!"
Doctor Lin shouted into the communicator: "Thirty minutes!"
Lian Sheng took a moment to process this before replying: "Understood."
"Not enough—you still need to establish comms after reaching the top. If you need tech support, we must allow time for that!" Doctor Lin said. "You only have fifteen minutes left!"
"Fifteen minutes..." Lian Sheng murmured before nodding: "We'll try."
Doctor Lin hesitated.
"I know. Thank you for your efforts." Lian Sheng planted her hands on her hips. "We'll do our best and leave the rest to fate."
Zhao Zhuoluo stood up from the ground.
It was now 3 PM. Twenty-two hours had passed since their last food or water.
They were parched, their throats tasting of blood and salt.
Every muscle screamed—weak, torn. But the fifteen-minute countdown loomed over them like a death warrant. They couldn't rest now.
"Catch your breath quickly. We're close to the target—just shout loudly later, I should hear you," Lian Sheng said. "Don't worry about me holding you back. Go ahead first with the communicator—I'll follow as fast as I can."
Zhao Zhuoluo silently accepted it. His shirt had been torn into strips, so he carried it barehanded.
"Once you're there..." Seeing his silence, Lian Sheng asked: "Hmm? Okay? Our outstanding comrade?"
Just as Zhao Zhuoluo was about to speak, Lian Sheng added: "I think you'll manage—after all, you're outstanding."
Even under Lian Sheng's command, he was a soldier worthy of trust—in both capability and willpower.
Zhao Zhuoluo gave her a solemn nod.
Lian Sheng continued: "Once you're there, tell me the detector's movement direction—you can read that, right? Then I'll relay its path so you can reference the chart for gaps. Don't overshoot—I can't retrieve your corpse."
Zhao Zhuoluo was uneasy leaving her behind. "Don't you need to reference it too?"
Lian Sheng tapped her temple: "After running this long, I've memorized it."
"Outstanding, you'll be fighting alone now. But I'll try not to lag too far." Lian Sheng licked her lips worriedly: "God, watching you go alone makes Daddy anxious too."
"..." Zhao Zhuoluo said, "Screw you."
He blamed Fang Jianchen for this—always calling her "Daddy."
"I'll give you one last starting command—after that, you're on your own," Lian Sheng said. "Don't look back or stop. Don't overthink it. I believe in you."
Lian Sheng was rambling incoherently—her brain wasn't functioning well either at this point.
She lightly placed a hand on his back, steadied her breathing, and shouted: "Run!"
Zhao Zhuoluo was already sprinting.
Though her hand left his back, the faint touch seemed to linger. Zhao Zhuoluo felt an invisible thread connecting that spot to Lian Sheng's hand. Almost simultaneously with her shout, he began decelerating, turning, and safely reaching the target point.
Kneeling, he focused on wall markings and shouted: "Left left up left..."
Lian Sheng: "It's the 68th pattern!"
Zhao Zhuoluo pulled up the chart on his communicator, cross-referenced it, found the gap, and charged out.
He was nervous, his heart pounding. After clearing the second point, a loud crash sounded behind him—likely Lian Sheng attempting the obstacle herself.
Zhao Zhuoluo glanced back briefly before refocusing. Wiping his nose, he continued: "Right right down down left..."
After he finished, the tunnel fell eerily silent for two seconds.
For a moment, Zhao Zhuoluo thought Lian Sheng had lied earlier and died immediately after starting. Then her voice returned: "Thirty-six. Just hearing thirty-six gives me bad vibes now. This number is ruined."
Lian Sheng had always liked the number thirty-six. After all, six times six was thirty-six—double luck should mean extra fortune.
Yet reality was, ever since arriving at the 36th District, even her hair seemed to defy her.
Perhaps infected by Lian Sheng's confidence and disdain, Zhao Zhuoluo felt a weight settle in his chest, calming his agitation.
He could do this. No need to worry.
Zhao Zhuoluo accelerated, running faster and faster.
Lian Sheng's voice grew increasingly distant as she shouted directions.
He had to get out.
He had to get out.
Above were his friends, family, and those fighting desperately to buy them time. Everyone was waiting.
Light, sound, people—all faded behind him.
His lungs burned, time stretched unbearably. He felt he'd suffocate any second, yet his legs kept moving.
Wind roared past his ears as his vision suddenly cleared.
Then, on headquarters' main map, the yellow dot representing their position reached the red target point.
"Yes—!"
The command center erupted in cathartic cheers. Someone slammed a fist on the table.
As Zhao Zhuoluo ran, they'd been on edge.
The closer to the target, the more anxious they grew. Each near-miss and turn wrenched their hearts. How many successes crumbled at the final step? They feared it too much.
Now, victory and casualties hinged on one student.
They knew he was exhausted, but time was running out. They couldn't say "rest first"—only "you must go faster."
The commander stood, murmuring despite knowing Zhao Zhuoluo couldn't hear: "Good... good kid."
He closed his eyes: "Prepare to retrieve data and transmit codes."
Everyone recomposed themselves, rallying for the next phase.
"You made it! You're there!" Doctor Lin's barely contained excitement snapped Zhao Zhuoluo back to reality. "Zhao Zhuoluo! Outstanding! Hear me? Go up! There's a staircase—see it?"
Doctor Lin's voice sounded muffled. Only after three repetitions did Zhao Zhuoluo understand.
Looking back, he found it hard to believe.
Breaking through the safety passage was something he'd never dared imagine, yet he'd done it.
Without wasting time, he followed instructions upward, found the exit, and climbed the steps. After lifting the hatch, he checked the other side, fingers trembling slightly before continuing.
The underground passage connected to a disused storage room in the signal tower's basement—remote and inconspicuous.
He now understood: all safety passage entrances were well-hidden. Though built beneath structures, they weren't easily accessible, always blocked for various reasons.
Doctor Lin's voice trembled slightly: "Where's Lian Sheng?"
Zhao Zhuoluo rasped: "Behind me."
"Good, good job." Doctor Lin said. "Look around—is there a display on the wall?"
Zhao Zhuoluo climbed onto a nearby table. The wall-mounted display was obscured by clutter. Sweeping it aside, he nodded: "Yes."
Doctor Lin guided step-by-step: "I'm connecting you to tech support. Take out your optical computer—you still have it? Plug it into the display's port. Done."
As he spoke, an unfamiliar voice came through:
"No time to explain—just input the codes I send one by one without mistakes!" The man was so nervous he barely paused for breath. "No need to understand—just follow the codes! I believe in your speed! We're short on time—you must hurry!"
After a deep breath, seeing Zhao Zhuoluo already working, he added: "Fine, I'll explain. Our official signal converter can't hold much longer, but the tower's network remains functional—just locked by Gelen forces. That wall unit controls the tower. We lack time to reclaim it, so we'll hack their network to open a channel. Your computer can then access the network freely."
The technician gulped water before continuing: "Once our signal drops, use your computer to call Alliance Military—we'll redirect you to restore access."
Zhao Zhuoluo eyed the water cup, finding the situation torturous.
Unaware, the technician pressed on: "Oh, warning—the city's detection system can pinpoint your location. Exiting the safety passage lifts the shield, exposing you. Their core forces are concentrated at the tower—stay safe!"
Growing agitated, he shouted: "Your safety is the 36th District's safety! Your life is thousands of soldiers' lives! We need you! Hold on!"
Someone clamped a hand over his mouth: "What are you doing? Stressing our comrade? Shut up already!"
Others joined in: "Just shut up!"
Not wanting to distract Zhao Zhuoluo, the line went silent.
These technicians were pure specialists—not Expeditionary Force analysts but 36th District personnel temporarily reassigned.
They'd never experienced such high stakes, let alone having survival hinge on one person.
Though watching Zhao Zhuoluo's screen, their nerves couldn't take it. Despite just being code input, the tension was overwhelming, so they checked the battlefield instead.
That was worse—their forces were retreating, the converter precarious.
Used to office life, their hearts couldn't take the strain.
Watching the stone-faced commander resume steady orders, they thought:
Not human.
Ten minutes later, Lian Sheng stumbled in too.
She shoved the hatch twice before dislodging it.
Though injured earlier, few wounds bled heavily. Now lifting her head revealed a bloodied face.
Kneeling, she took a moment to recover.
Zhao Zhuoluo didn't speak, curious how she'd made it.
Lian Sheng approached, seeing his trembling hands struggling to input codes. Sweat dripped down.
His nails were torn and bloody, fingers stiff. His typing posture was awkward.
Lian Sheng placed a hand on his shoulder: "No rush. Take your time."
A technician panicked: "No time! We have minutes left! If we fail, it's over—"
Lian Sheng took the communicator and glared coldly.
His colleagues again covered his mouth, wrestling him down. Smiling apologetically: "Understood. I'll handle him. Focus, take your time."
The signal flickered, screen glitching.
The technician cursed openly before the commander: "Dammit! Two minutes! Just two minutes!"
Clutching the console, he begged: "Finished yet? Let me see the screen. What's the last flow code? Point it at the screen! Point me at the screen!"
Lian Sheng held up the communicator, aiming it at the display. But Zhao Zhuoluo wasn't done.
He couldn't speed up—his fingers were locked up.
The signal deteriorated further—voices and visuals cutting out.
The technician nearly cried: "Two minutes, please, just two minutes..."
At the battlefront, Doctor Lin charged in, using Moshi's body to shield the converter.
He thought: Sorry, Ji Ban—your mech's getting wrecked.
Finally, Zhao Zhuoluo input the last code.
Squinting at the screen, the technician shouted a string of data. Fearing miscommunication, he repeated it endlessly.
His voice grew shrill—he was trying his hardest.
As the factory collapsed, two Fengyis crashed into Moshi, dragging it from the rubble.
"Lian—Sheng—!" Doctor Lin roared. "You damn well better come back alive!"
He was tired.
Didn't want another grave to visit yearly.
As a soldier, he couldn't save others. As a doctor, he still couldn't. What could he do?
The signal cut out completely.
The storage room fell deathly quiet.
Zhao Zhuoluo looked at Lian Sheng, about to speak when his throat tightened. He simply nodded—success.
Lian Sheng exhaled heavily.
Cracking her knuckles, she asked: "Now what? Who do we call? Know the command center's number?"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "Hell if I know."
"Call Aunt Lin—she has high clearance."
Lian Sheng was already rapidly tapping: "No, it's mealtime. Plus, this state would scare her."
Zhao Zhuoluo glanced at his bare, wounded torso: "...Fair."
The call connected instantly, accompanied by a thud as Hundred Meter Flying Dagger seemed to fall from somewhere.
His familiar voice came through—groggy yet urgent: "36th District? Public signal? Who is this? Where are you?"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "Me. Zhao Zhuoluo."
"How'd you connect? Where are you?" Hundred Meter Flying Dagger sounded irritated. "Sorry, intel's delayed here. Just rotated off duty."
Lian Sheng gestured, moving to barricade the door.
Zhao Zhuoluo summarized: "Signal tower center. Need to reclaim access but don't know how. So Lian Sheng called you."
Rustling came through as Hundred Meter Flying Dagger barked: "Send data! Now! Everyone out—clear the data room! I'm back!"
Panting, he demanded: "Put Lian Sheng on! Is she with you?"
"She's busy barricading. We're exposed—likely detected already." Zhao Zhuoluo said. "We can't hold long. Hurry."
"Wait, wait." Hundred Meter Flying Dagger sat at the console, wiping his face. "Repeat that—I'm awake now."
Zhao Zhuoluo: "I ran through the safety passage."
"Just... ran through?"
"Yes."
"Lian Sheng told you to?"
Zhao Zhuoluo really didn't want to talk: "Yes. We ran together."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger clearly swore: "Fuck!"
Lian Sheng shouted: "Tell him I heard that. If he's so tough, come to the 36th District and say it."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger: "..."
Zhao Zhuoluo paraphrased: "She invites you to the 36th District."
"Don't misunderstand—I'm just expressing admiration for her and disdain for our military's incompetence." Hundred Meter Flying Dagger bowed his head humbly. "From today onward, she's my ancestor. Wouldn't dare disrespect my ancestor. Oh, you too!"
A safety system actually breached by students on foot.
They'd be the 36th District's greatest saviors.
As Zhao Zhuoluo's computer linked to the console, Hundred Meter Flying Dagger began data retrieval. Colleagues briefed him while he multitasked.
Soon data transferred, decryption began.
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger shouted: "Quick! Connect me to 36th District! All cryptographers—report now!"
He was swamped—issuing orders while keeping Zhao Zhuoluo engaged, fearing he'd pass out from exhaustion.
"Alright, Outstanding. Input these codes... Your hands okay? Need to switch with Lian Sheng?"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "Fine. I'm faster. She's injured too."
After inputting codes, a prompt appeared: "Allow remote access?"
Zhao Zhuoluo accepted.
With the task delegated, he collapsed onto the floor.
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger: "How long?"
Lian Sheng, moving boxes: "Two minutes."
"..." Hundred Meter Flying Dagger pleaded, "Don't be like that, Ancestor—we're trying."
"Applying pressure." Lian Sheng said seriously. "Two minutes guaranteed safety. This seems to be a storage room—nothing useful here. No idea when enemies arrive."
"Understood! Boss loves you~ Making me proud! Mwah~"
Lian Sheng deadpanned, but considering their plight, responded: "Mwah my ass."
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