VAP - Chapter 124
Chapter 124: The Marshal's Journey is the Sea of Stars (20)
“From what you’re saying, you want to have a go with me?”
Hearing Yue Du’s idea, Sheng Xuejiu, in the holographic projection, raised an eyebrow slightly, a look of interest on her face.
Yue Du corrected her overly suggestive phrasing. “It’s a fight. A mecha combat match.”
As she spoke, the eagerness on her face was practically overflowing. She seemed to be rubbing her hands together, wanting to drag the Marshal into the ring.
Sheng Xuejiu looked at her thoughtfully. “So eager. Did ‘I’ bully you before?”
—The “I” here clearly didn’t just refer to Sheng Xuejiu.
Yue Du replied, “Not really. But, you know, a student always wants to test their skills against their teacher.”
Besides, this teacher was also her lover and the strongest in every sense of the word. Once she saw a chance for a challenge, she couldn’t help but want to provoke her a little.
Sheng Xuejiu saw through her little scheme and chuckled. “Alright, tell me, how do we compete? I’m still on Cadina.”
“On the holographic arena—we’ll turn on the private mode. It’ll be a good chance to go all out.”
A holographic arena?
Sheng Xuejiu’s smile faltered, and then she sighed in regret. “What a loss. The military holographic system doesn’t seem to support an intimate contact mode.”
Yue Du said, “...I suspect your intentions are impure.”
“How are they impure? A mecha fight is a fight, and a ‘fairy fight’ is also a fight. My thoughts aren’t straying,” Sheng Xuejiu said with righteous conviction.
You clearly weren’t thinking along proper lines at all!
Sheng Xuejiu insisted her thoughts were pure, expressed great pain at being misunderstood, and then extracted a promise from Yue Du: whoever lost would grant the other one request.
It was a very cliché lovers’ bet, but it had to be said, it was the most effective kind.
Yue Du wasn’t worried. Although she didn’t think her chances of winning were high, even if she lost, Sheng Xuejiu wouldn’t make a request that would put her in a difficult position.
That was just how the Host was.
In the end, they settled on an online holographic battle.
Sheng Xuejiu was currently on the border planet. Although Yue Du’s previous mental soothing sessions had eased the Marshal’s battle lust, she hadn’t returned to the capital star, instead remaining on Cadina to fight the Zerg.
This was also out of consideration for future stability. The Zerg had been very active in the past year, and if the Federation fell into the chaos of war before Sheng Xuejiu could seize power, it would be a huge mess.
In the virtual space, a rather large arena quickly took shape, surrounded by empty, quiet space.
This was a battle no one would be watching.
“I haven’t used a standard-issue mecha in many years.” Sheng Xuejiu raised her right hand, letting the gleaming metallic machinery expand from the spatial button on her wrist. In the space of a single breath, it spread to envelop her entire body.
She moved her joints and commented bluntly, “Clumsy and sluggish, not flexible at all. You guys still use this thing for training in reality?”
Yue Du, having also equipped her mecha, nodded. “They say it hasn’t been updated in ten years, probably a funding issue. Maybe we should consider allocating more money to the military academy?”
The military academy was under the military’s jurisdiction, so of course, the military was responsible for its funding.
Sheng Xuejiu, the head of the military, immediately said, “Ah, pretend I didn’t say anything.”
Yue Du let out a puff of laughter.
Jokes were jokes, but when the fight truly began, both of their expressions turned serious.
Unless it was a fight specifically to vent her volatile emotions, Sheng Xuejiu always found it hard to take things seriously. Carelessness was her default state, but facing a serious Yue Du, she would never be dismissive.
Two mechas, identical in appearance, clashed.
Standard-issue mechas were typically used for close-quarters combat training. Their weapon loadouts didn’t include powerful thermal weapons like laser cannons, only light swords, light shields, light whips, and small laser guns, which would automatically eject from the mecha’s palm when needed.
Sheng Xuejiu used a light sword. Its length was limited to about a meter. She casually twirled it in a flourish and said, “You first.”
Yue Du was momentarily dazed, thinking to herself that the Host’s swordsmanship really followed the same pattern; even the flourish was identical.
Seeing her hesitate, Sheng Xuejiu tilted her head. “Getting soft-hearted? No domestic violence today?”
“How is a spar domestic violence?” Yue Du said righteously. One second she was smiling behind her mecha’s faceplate, the next she was whipping out a light whip.
The crack of the whip through the air had just sounded when it was drowned out by the crisp clang of the sword blocking the spiked tip of the whip. Sheng Xuejiu tapped her toes on the ground, about to use the opportunity to close in.
Yue Du’s reaction was just as fast. She retreated sharply while changing the trajectory of her light whip, attempting to wrap it around Sheng Xuejiu’s neck and then pull hard to force her off balance.
It was probably a conditioned reflex. Whenever the Host was holding a sword, Yue Du would give up on finding any flaws in her technique, because it was simply impossible.
Rather than waste effort on the impossible, it was better to find another way.
Sheng Xuejiu raised her hand extremely quickly. The light whip wrapped around her left arm, and before Yue Du could release it, she used the pulling force to arrive right in front of her.
The standard-issue mecha wasn’t tall and looked unremarkable, but when Sheng Xuejiu suddenly closed in, she still exuded a suppressive force akin to a large beast pouncing. This had nothing to do with a Sentinel’s so-called pressure; it stemmed purely from her.
Yue Du’s pupils contracted slightly. Her other hand immediately deployed a light shield in front of her. At almost the exact same moment, Sheng Xuejiu’s light sword arrived, as swift as lightning.
The tip of the sword struck the shield’s surface, sending out bright sparks like firelight.
—All of the above exchanges happened in just a brief instant.
Their physical abilities, it was no exaggeration to say, were enough to instantly kill anyone in this small world, as long as their opponent’s weaponry wasn’t overwhelmingly superior.
For this very reason, it was necessary to hide their full strength in front of others. After all, this was an era where human genetic research was already quite advanced.
But in this closed virtual space with no spectators, they cast aside all their concerns and fought to their hearts’ content.
The light whip moved like a frenzied golden snake, the clash of sword and shield burst forth like a tree of fire and silver flowers. They exchanged dozens of blows, yet only a few seconds had passed—a speed that ordinary people could never hope to achieve.
Yue Du’s previous guess was correct.
With both of their abilities exceeding the small world’s permissible range, some kind of consciousness controlling this place treated them equally. Regardless of how much power was shaved off, the power they were ultimately left with and could wield was indeed on the same level, with no discernible difference in strength.
But Yue Du had also overlooked one thing—the Host’s experience was richer than hers, and her techniques were more numerous. Not Sheng Xuejiu, but Her.
Although Sheng Xuejiu was younger than Yue Du, whose mental age was over forty, her original self was not.
Just those vague impressions and residual soul instincts were enough to put Sheng Xuejiu in an invincible position.
For the first few minutes, Yue Du could still fight her on equal footing, and at times, even gain a slight upper hand… After all, she had over twenty years of understanding of the Host, and the Host’s habitual combat techniques were largely consistent.
Unfortunately, Sheng Xuejiu quickly figured out her series of techniques and patterns, successfully turning the tables and ultimately forcing Yue Du to admit defeat.
The battle was physically draining. Yue Du’s mecha’s damage exceeded seventy percent and automatically detached. Ignoring the mecha, she simply sat back and closed her eyes, regulating her overly rapid breathing.
Sheng Xuejiu was still inside her mecha, but Yue Du could hear her light panting. This hadn’t been easy for her either.
“I’m starting to not want to guess how long you’ve actually lived,” Yue Du murmured.
Sheng Xuejiu approached, half-kneeling on one knee beside her, and said shamelessly, “I’m eighteen this year.”
Yue Du replied, “In five months, it’ll be your thirty-first birthday, remember?”
Sheng Xuejiu said, “What does physical age represent? My mindset is forever eighteen.”
Yue Du thought to herself, Oh, give me a break. In terms of mental age, you’re probably eighteen times eighteen and then some!
But she still expressed her false agreement: “You’re right, mindset is very important. Me, for example, I’ve maintained my mindset very well at three and a half years old.”
Sheng Xuejiu laughed in good humor, but after a couple of laughs, she suddenly stopped and said suspiciously, “Bringing this up all of a sudden… why do I get the feeling you’re about to break our promise?”
Yue Du said innocently, “What promise? Big sister, I’m only three and a half. How would I know about promises?”
It was rare for Sheng Xuejiu to be outplayed like this. She got angry and started getting handsy, trying to break through the military holographic system’s restrictions on intimate contact, but she didn’t succeed.
“You’re just taking advantage of the fact that I’m on Cadina and can’t rush back.”
Yue Du recited in a flat monotone, “Ahhh, someone is trying to defile a future flower of the Federation.”
Sheng Xuejiu retorted, “Someone who’s been an adult for almost two years has no right to say that—”
The mental ages of the two plummeted to the point where their sum was less than seven.
After a round of laughter and teasing, it was time to leave.
Breaking the promise was, of course, a joke. Yue Du wasn’t so dishonorable as to not keep her word, but Sheng Xuejiu didn’t seem to intend to state her request immediately.
She was probably saving it for when she returned to the capital star.
Before logging off, the woman suddenly leaned in slightly and said in Yue Du’s ear, “I’m ready.”
Yue Du froze and looked up at her.
“The military’s top brass basically all know my plans now. They feel that while I might not be the most suitable person to run the Federation, I’m still better than Yubulaji. Besides that, all the information you’ve gathered will be put to good use, don’t worry.”
Yue Du said, “And public support…”
“That’s the last thing to worry about.” Sheng Xuejiu shrugged. “Don’t forget, no matter how peaceful and tranquil the residential stars are, what the populace has always cared about, from beginning to end, is the threat of the Zerg.”
“In the past year, the King Zerg has been increasing the energy supply to the Broodmothers, and the low-level Zerg have also been very active. Based on centuries of experience, the military is almost certain they’re planning a major move in the next few years.”
Yue Du asked, “So, you want to use the Zerg to build up your reputation?”
Sheng Xuejiu replied, “It’s convenient. Add a little propaganda, and the effect will be even better. If I happen to take out a Broodmother, that would be for the best.”
Yue Du: “…”
For a moment, she actually felt a little sorry for the Zerg.
Sheng Xuejiu admired her expression for a moment, then said with a grin, “Just kidding. Of course I won’t kill it. I’m still hoping a future mission will be to kill a Broodmother, which would buy me a few more years.”
After speaking, she gave Yue Du a light peck on the cheek. “Remember your internship next semester. The Silver Lion Legion’s internship permit has already been sent to you, no test required.”
Before her words had faded, Sheng Xuejiu’s body had already begun to turn translucent, finally disappearing from the spot.
She had logged off.
The Sentinel internship period started earlier than the Guides’.
Guides were generally more skilled in the application of mental power and in mecha construction and repair. Both of these required more time, so when the Sentinels of their year were preparing to start their military internships, the Guides were still training at the academy.
Correspondingly, the Guides participating in internships at the same time as Yue Du and her peers were the upperclassmen from the previous year.
“This time, so few Guides volunteered for the Silver Lion Legion.” Ying Wei sat beside her, looking down at the list.
Although she used the words “so few,” the Second Seat Sentinel’s tone wasn’t one of surprise, but more like “as expected.”
The Silver Lion Legion’s testing standards were very strict, one might even say harsh. The acceptance rate for internship applications was frighteningly low, and there was even a probation period—an internship with a probation period!
Some had said that a legion like the Silver Lion Legion, which didn’t absorb new blood, would sooner or later fall into decline.
But facts proved that not only had it not declined, it was highly sought after. Anyone with a bit of ambition and strength would aim for the Silver Lion Legion, and nothing could stop them.
Two years ago, twice as many Guides volunteered for the Silver Lion Legion as there were now, their numbers almost equal to the Sentinels who volunteered—and one must remember that the total number of Sentinels was much greater than that of Guides.
This was enough to show just how popular the Silver Lion Legion was with Guides.
It wasn’t until Yue Du enrolled that the Guides gradually gave up on this choice, because everyone thought Sheng Xuejiu had peculiar tastes and only liked female Sentinels.
This rumor wasn’t unfounded. Weren’t there plenty of female Guides who “bent” themselves while looking at the Marshal’s uniformed photos? But she didn’t even spare them a glance, instead getting involved with a young Sentinel. It was truly frustrating for the Guides.
Thus, the number of Guides choosing the Silver Lion Legion dropped by half within two years, which filled the eyes of the legion’s Sentinels who came to test the interns with resentment.
But what good was resentment? This was their top boss’s partner. They had already escorted her to Cadina several times; did they really dare to roll their eyes at her?
And this person was even exempt from the test…
Forget it. The Marshal herself had approved the exemption. For a Chief Sentinel, it wasn’t that out of line. It was best to just pretend they knew nothing.
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