The sleek, special material of the gray-blue base layer and the blue and black trim of the tight-fitting pilot suit reflected the bright white holographic lights, distorting and mirroring the surroundings.
This pilot suit accentuated Ye Ying’s youthful and beautiful figure, making her even more eye-catching.
Two months had passed since she received the transfer order.
Only after driving away all the Black Star enemy forces that had been lurking around Wolf Fire City and lifting the siege of Wolf Fire City did Ye Ying have the opportunity to depart for Xian Xia City.
Compared to the excitement she felt when she first received the old transfer order, the new one that arrived not long ago filled Ye Ying with only melancholy.
Along with the new transfer order, a combat mission was also delivered to Ye Ying.
Ye Ying walked with firm yet heavy steps to a meeting room, knocked a few times, and then pushed the door open.
“Original Hound Squad Five member Ye Ying, reporting for duty!”
In this not-so-large meeting room, five people were seated around a rectangular conference table, and one person was standing.
The chief seat was occupied by the General, flanked by Ye Ying’s father, and the second strongest, Shu Feizhang, along with two senior commanders.
Judging by the attendees, this was a highly confidential small meeting.
Ye Zhenjun’s calm face showed an imperceptible,親切 smile. Seeing his daughter standing gracefully before him filled his heart with unspeakable joy.
However, the faces of the others were entirely serious.
The man standing behind the General spoke softly, “Sit down.”
Ye Ying sat down steadily, straightened her back, placed her arms naturally on her thighs, and her expression was serious.
The growth of the past few months had made her more mature. Her smooth, jet-black ponytail was tied back. It was evident that she had dressed up a bit for this meeting, showing her heightened importance and formality.
The General spoke with a heavy tone, “Unlike the first transfer order, the reasons for transferring you here are twofold. Firstly, to appoint you as the new captain of Soaring Eagle Squad Three. Secondly, to rescue Gu Ya.”
“You should have received the news. Gu Ya was captured by Black Star. Today marks the first month and ninth day.”
“Gu Ya, as one of Xian Xia’s top-ranked mecha pilots and an excellent battlefield mecha mechanic, possesses technology that does not belong to this world. He has made indelible contributions to Xian Xia and is a hero of Xian Xia.”
“We must rescue Gu Ya, no matter the cost, no matter the expense, no matter the method.”
After speaking, the General looked at Ye Ying, his eyes filled with complexity. He paused for a moment before continuing, “This mission is extremely difficult. The first challenge is that we still don’t know Gu Ya’s current whereabouts.”
“Secondly, we don’t know if Gu Ya is still alive, or his current physical and mental condition.”
“Thirdly, it is confirmed that Gu Ya is definitely held in the Black Star Empire’s highest classified area, heavily guarded. So, how do we rescue him?”
“Fourthly, time. The rescue must be as swift as possible. The longer it drags on, the more severe the consequences.”
“Ye Ying, I know your relationship with Gu Ya. But I still have to say something unpleasant: If Gu Ya has already fallen, it would be easier. But if, I say, Black Star’s methods are not weaker than Xian Xia’s, and if Gu Ya defects, how should we respond?”
“Many things and issues need careful consideration and planning. However, the initiative is not in our hands, and time does not allow us to delay.”
After speaking, the General sighed deeply and, after a long period of contemplation, said, “In short, as a hero of Xian Xia, whether he is alive or dead, we must bring Gu Ya back.”
“Ye Ying, the burden on your shoulders is immense. Similarly, I hope you are mentally prepared. If Gu Ya is killed, or if you face each other on the battlefield in the future, you must have sufficient willpower to cope.”
“Don’t forget, you are a soldier of Xian Xia. Your father…” the General said, glancing at Ye Zhenjun seated on his left, and continued, “You and your father have made too many contributions to Xian Xia.”
“Herein…”
The General stood up, and all the personnel rose with him. The General looked at Ye Ying and said solemnly, “On behalf of all the people of Xian Xia, I thank you for your contributions. Your future missions will be even heavier. Ye Ying, you must be prepared.”
Ye Ying stood at attention, looked calmly at the General, and said with a firm tone, “I will resolutely complete the mission!”
The meeting concluded. The General and the others left the meeting room in a hurry, leaving only Ye Zhenjun and Ye Ying.
Neither father nor daughter expected to meet again under such circumstances. Ye Zhenjun was visibly emotional, with tears in his eyes and a warm smile on his lips.
“Have you been well? Have you been injured?” Ye Zhenjun asked with concern.
Ye Ying smiled faintly at her father and said, “I am fine.” But as she thought of Gu Ya, her face couldn’t hide her sadness, and she slowly lowered her head, falling silent.
Ye Zhenjun’s large hand gently rested on Ye Ying’s slender shoulder. The warmth in his palm made Ye Ying feel a little better.
“We will definitely rescue Gu Ya. He is not only our family but also a hero to all of Xian Xia. Last night, your mother appeared in my dream, saying she wanted to meet her son-in-law.”
“Dad…” Ye Ying lowered her head further, a blush spreading across her face, and she chuckled shyly.
Ye Zhenjun gently patted Ye Ying’s shoulder and said, “We will all help you rescue Gu Ya. Don’t worry. It’s getting late, and I have things to attend to. You should go meet your teammates too.”
Father and daughter parted ways outside the temporary Xian Xia Ruling Building. Ye Ying got into a hovercar and headed towards the Soaring Eagle Squad’s stationed camp.
The two-hour journey felt like two years to Ye Ying.
More than a month ago, when she received the transfer order and learned that she would be fighting alongside Gu Ya, she had been ecstatic, eagerly anticipating the enemy’s withdrawal and their reunion.
It was precisely because of this anticipation that Ye Ying fought bravely and fearlessly in every battle.
However, a new transfer order a month ago completely shattered Ye Ying’s hopeful expectations. Gu Ya’s capture by Black Star was more devastating than a serious injury.
After two days of low spirits and sorrow, Ye Ying once again rallied her spirits, using more courageous combat to vent her anger towards Black Star.
After a month of reflection, Ye Ying finally arrived in Xian Xia City today.
Gu Ya had sacrificed so much for her, never deceiving or hurting her. It was Gu Ya who saved her from her melancholy and despair, giving her hope and motivation.
This time, no matter how difficult it was, Ye Ying was determined to rescue Gu Ya!
Ye Ying calmly stepped out of the hovercar, looked up at the towering station camp, and strode in.
When Ye Ying pushed open the door to the Soaring Eagle Squad’s dedicated meeting room, several team members were already waiting inside.
Each person viewed their new captain with a different gaze.
Sitting at the lowest position, a young girl with twin ponytails first’s eyes lit up, looking at Ye Ying’s pretty face in surprise, then her expression turned arrogant.
Ye Ying glanced at the twin-tailed girl with her peripheral vision and thought to herself, “Qiao Weiwei. An old member of Soaring Eagle Squad Three, who has experienced many battles alongside Gu Ya.”
Next, a young man sitting a little higher than Qiao Weiwei, with his left arm bandaged and hanging around his neck, wore a friendly and excited smile.
“Liu Feng. Gu Ya’s good brother, a former classmate.” Ye Ying thought to herself and gave Liu Feng a gentle smile.
Sitting in the position above Liu Feng was a slightly older woman. Her weary expression indicated she had recently recovered from a serious injury. At this moment, the woman was looking at Ye Ying with a calm gaze.
“Tao Na. An old member.” Ye Ying gave Tao Na a slight nod.
There was also a stranger, sitting in the uppermost position. This man was only about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with a cold expression. He merely glanced at Ye Ying before looking down and manipulating a game character on the holographic system.
“Shen Jingming, the third strongest War God of Xian Xia.” Ye Ying thought to herself, “I didn’t expect them to involve such an important person in the operation to rescue Gu Ya.”
Upon seeing Shen Jingming, Ye Ying felt a pang of insecurity.
Her strength was not weak, but she seemed inadequate in comparison to this War God. Having her appointed as captain to lead Shen Jingming made her wonder about the reasoning behind the decision.
There were two empty seats at the conference table. One was for Li Fang, who was still undergoing rehabilitation, and the other, at the head of the table, was prepared for her.
After Ye Ying sat down gently, she surveyed the team members and began, “Soaring Eagle Squad Three, Rescue Gu Ya Operation, first meeting commences.”