Part 2
The base covered a vast area, dotted with individual temporary safe houses. They were a high-tech foldable unit—they could be folded and stored away upon leaving, but when expanded, they resembled small, compact houses, simply furnished with items meant for resting.
Ichi took Ning Yunyi directly to the main sector. Because Marshal Zong wasn’t here right now, his house couldn’t be opened, so Ichi took Ning Yunyi to his own safe house. Upon opening the door, the inside was completely empty. Soon, people who had received the news brought over a folding bed, a table, and chairs. It quickly became packed to the brim, with only enough room for two people to stand.
After dismissing the men, Ichi offered a stool to Ning Yunyi. “Ahem, it’s a bit sparse. The conditions are just like this. Once the Marshal returns and approves it, we can build an extra safe house right next door. An hour will be enough; it won’t delay Second Young Master’s rest tonight.”
Of course, what he didn’t mention was that he could make decisions for the other sectors. However, considering this was the Second Young Master, the Marshal would definitely want to be closer to him. But this main sector required the Marshal’s personal approval, so he didn’t bring up the alternatives.
Ning Yunyi could tell Ichi was hiding something and roughly guessed what it was. After all, Ichi was a commanding officer; with this place being so huge, why would he need Zong Hao to return for approval? But thinking that he came this time to prevent Zong Hao from kicking the bucket, being closer would make it easier to save him, so he didn’t expose Ichi’s lie.
While Ning Yunyi stayed in Ichi’s safe house, Ichi went out to gather information on what had transpired over the past few days.
Ning Yunyi took this time to video chat with the little meow cub. By the time he hung up the call, the sky outside had already turned dark, yet there was still no sign of anyone returning.
At this moment, Ichi sent him a message:
[Second Young Master, I haven’t slept in that safe house before. You can use it as a temporary dorm to rest for now. I probably won’t be able to make it back tonight. Lock the door from the inside; it will be very safe. You don’t need to wait for my return.]
Ning Yunyi frowned. It seemed the situation was even more severe than Ichi had described. If it weren’t a critical crisis, Ichi wouldn’t leave him here all alone in an unfamiliar place at a time like this.
[Ning Yunyi: Do you need help?]
[Ichi: It’s not necessary, Second Young Master. We can handle it here. A minor situation just popped up; other than being a bit troublesome, it’s not dangerous.]
Only then did Ning Yunyi relax. After consuming two tubes of nutrient solution, he locked the door from the inside and sat cross-legged to meditate and recuperate. Having spent the last ten days entirely on the spaceship, he hadn’t cultivated because Ichi was present. Coupled with the two of them taking turns piloting the ship, he hadn’t rested well either. Ning Yunyi was now in urgent need of replenishing his spiritual energy to recover.
He used his spiritual energy to completely shield his surroundings and began to absorb power from the jade stones. As he gradually entered a highly focused state, the spiritual energy enveloping him became abundant once again, and his overall complexion improved significantly.
Ning Yunyi meditated continuously, and time flew by. He didn’t know how long had passed before he finally opened his eyes. Worried about any developments, he removed the shield upon waking. Instantly, the noisy clamor from outside reached his ears. He checked the time; it was four o’clock in the morning. Why are there so many people around at this hour?
Ning Yunyi got up, guessing that Zong Hao and the others must have returned.
He directly contacted Ichi:
[Have you returned?]
Whether Ichi didn’t see the message or not, there was no reply. Ning Yunyi simply suited up, wrapping himself pitch-black from head to toe, and walked out holding the pass Ichi had left behind. As soon as he stepped out, someone immediately emerged from the shadows: “Who’s there?”
They held a laser instrument in their hand, aiming it squarely at Ning Yunyi.
Ning Yunyi took out the pass. As the other person scanned it, the owner of the pass was displayed on the side, appended with an associated identity:
[Highest-Level Associated Person — Mr. Bai.]
Seeing that it was Lord Ichi’s associated person, the newcomer immediately holstered their weapon and bowed respectfully. “Mr. Bai, is there something the matter? It is currently very chaotic outside the main sector. Many military soldiers have been injured and are being treated by healers. If Mr. Bai requires anything, you may inform me, and I will relay it to Lord Ichi.”
Ning Yunyi glanced around. Indeed, many people in the main sector were hurrying about in a chaotic state. He shook his head. “That won’t be necessary; I will simply wait here for Lord Ichi. By the way, is the Marshal injured?”
The person shook their head. “My apologies, the Marshal’s condition is classified as the base’s highest secret and cannot be disclosed casually.”
Ning Yunyi expressed his understanding and didn’t continue wandering outside. He returned to the safe house and stayed put. However, thinking about the situation outside, he feared things were far from optimistic. He tried hard to calm his mind. An unknown amount of time passed before someone outside shouted: “Marshal! Lord Ichi!”
Ning Yunyi opened the door and walked out, raising his eyes toward the direction of the voice. With one glance, he furrowed his brows. Zong Hao was fully clad in armor, and Ichi beside him was also armored. However, both looked quite disheveled, their bodies bearing obvious splatters of different-colored blood—whether it belonged to giant mutated beasts or insects, it was hard to tell.
Zong Hao was the first to hear the movement and looked over. Seeing this familiar figure, he froze for a moment before his brows locked tightly together. “Why are you here?”
Ning Yunyi: “…”
Ichi, standing to the side, was just about to mention that Second Young Master Ning had also arrived when he heard the Marshal utter this sentence. He was paralyzed on the spot. Is the Marshal planning to be a lonely bachelor for the rest of his life? Listen to that, is that a proper thing to say? Who greets their sweetheart with a line like that when they come to visit?
Anyone who didn’t know better would think he didn’t want the other party to be here.
Zong Hao only realized the ambiguity of his words after he spoke them. He hurriedly took large strides over. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that it’s so dangerous here; why would you run over at a critical juncture like this? And Ichi too, how could he let you come here?”
Ichi rubbed his nose. Forget it. Second Young Master is wrapped up like this, yet the Marshal recognized him at a single glance. If someone claimed they weren’t close, who would believe it?
Ning Yunyi also wore a complex expression. Just as he was about to say something, he gave a sniff. His brows knitted tightly, and he took a step back. “What kind of blood smell is this?” The dense, fishy stench mixed with the rusty odor of various fresh blood, all jumbled together, truly did not smell pleasant.
Hearing this, Ichi quickly stepped forward to tattle: “Sir, you don’t know the Marshal. His shoulder is injured, but he insists he’s fine and refuses to let a healer treat him. Even though it’s not severe, it still affects his performance. What if a moment of carelessness in the upcoming battle comes down to just that little bit?”
Ning Yunyi’s brows knitted even tighter. “You’re injured?”
When Ning Yunyi stepped back, Zong Hao had already taken a step back as well. Having spent the last few days in this environment, he hadn’t noticed it, but now he realized that the smell of various insect blood wasn’t very pleasant. “It’s a minor injury. Don’t listen to him make it sound so severe.”
Ning Yunyi didn’t say much else. “Go change your clothes first, then come find me later.” There were outsiders here, making it inconvenient to discuss healing matters, but by telling Zong Hao to change clothes, he should be able to understand his meaning.
As expected, Zong Hao understood. He wanted to say that he truly was fine, but seeing that Ning Yunyi had already turned around, he could only agree: “Alright.”
Ichi felt helpless. So, a whole basket of his previous advice really wasn’t worth a single word from Second Young Master, was it?
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thank you for the chapter!