“The higher-ups have just issued an order,” Sun Qihua said, his brow furrowed and his expression grave. “Provide full assistance to the tactics devised by Liang Yuwei.”
The Deputy Commander was also quite perplexed. “For a war zone, how to fight, mobilize troops, and coordinate has always been decided internally. Furthermore, this is our area of responsibility; we would naturally execute it with utmost dedication. With the enemy at our doorstep, they don’t trust us but instead trust a battlefield mecha mechanic? I admit Liang Yuwei has great capabilities and is the anchor of our war zone, but... but... this has never been done before!”
Sun Qihua covered his forehead, his face solemn, and said with a heavy tone, “Furthermore, the higher-ups will not be sending reinforcements. The northern passes of Xian are also facing attacks from neighboring countries. The Xian Xia Divine Cauldron war zone must retain forces to protect the central region, in preparation for future inland ground warfare.”
The Deputy Commander sighed heavily. “I knew this would happen. The situation is becoming increasingly uncertain. If this drags on... are we truly facing national demise…”
Sun Qihua stood up and said with composure, “We have tried every strategy and tactic. In these past three months, while I wouldn’t say we’ve achieved nothing, at the very least we’ve managed to hold the enemy back at the outer seas. But now, the battle situation is set. We can only try our luck.”
“Issue the order! All engineering units, except for coastal and inland defense forces, are to be transferred to assist Liang Yuwei!”
…
At this time, Gu Ya was soaring above the sea, searching for the mecha wreckage and spare parts needed by Liang Yuwei.
He had always observed the sea from high above; this was his first time experiencing it so up close.
Only by flying close to the sea could Gu Ya feel the profound impact on his spirit.
Every few meters on the sea surface, a giant mecha wreckage floated. Mechanical limbs, torsos, and heads were everywhere. Shattered and damaged parts bobbed with the waves. The entire ocean, as far as the eye could see, was a vast expanse of countless wrecks.
What was once a clear, serene ocean was now a dark, messy expanse, like hundreds of thousands of floating human corpses.
As night fell, dark clouds covered the sky. Under the searchlights of thousands of mechs, the nearshore beach was bathed in light.
“A storm is coming… May Xian Xia be blessed…” Gu Ya looked up at the sky and murmured to himself.
“Found one! This is cannon barrel component 003021!”
“Report, three mecha-class energy assemblies.”
“Report status, we have found several intact focused light energy coils.”
Gu Ya stood on the shoulder of the massive Yin Yin, adjusting the mecha to a slow automatic operation state.
Wherever his gaze fell, the system’s light screen analyzed the type, performance, and integrity of the mecha wreckage.
A colossal salvage ship followed Yin Yin.
When Gu Ya spotted usable mecha parts, he directed the salvage ship to recover them.
In the far distance ahead, countless explosion flashes flickered and disappeared in the sky, and the distant sounds of explosions were incessant.
In the darkness, countless dark figures flew through the sky, and colorful beam weapons sliced through the night.
The strong wind whistled past his ears, the smell of the sea and thick smoke stinging his nostrils.
The high command of Yong Gu Zhi Lan had formulated a tactic to annihilate one hundred thousand enemy troops, codenamed: Rat Extermination.
As Gu Ya searched for usable parts, he recalled the “beam energy focusing amplification impact device.” He seemed to have seen something like this before, or at least witnessed its combat effects if not the actual object.
If this device wasn’t resolved, the assembled giant cannon would not be able to unleash its full power.
Before departing, Liang Yuwei had warned Gu Ya that this device could not be manufactured from mecha parts found on the battlefield. All its components and mechanisms were top military secrets, and a finished product had to be found.
Gu Ya had asked him why he didn’t request it directly from the higher-ups.
Liang Yuwei’s reply at the time surprised Gu Ya, “There is only one in all of Xian Xia. Its usage records have been destroyed, and the inventor is already dead.”
Without ever seeing the design schematics or experimental data, unless Liang Yuwei was a divine being, it would be impossible to replicate one in such a short time.
Even someone as capable as Liang Yuwei had his limits.
Regarding Liang Yuwei, Gu Ya hadn’t found anything particularly special about him yet.
But his exclusive ride was truly peculiar.
It was a super heavy mecha, 110 meters tall and weighing six thousand tons. Its appearance was, in Gu Ya’s words, quite indescribable.
Liang Yuwei’s exclusive ride had giant shoulders studded with countless interfaces. Its arms were exceptionally thick, lacking external armor, with countless pipes, wires, and internal structures exposed. At first glance, they looked like two bludgeons attached to its body.
The upper torso was cylindrical, straight up and down, resembling a gas tank. Its torso also had numerous mounting interfaces, including circular interfaces fifteen meters in diameter and countless smaller ones.
The lower limbs were short and thick; at a glance, one might think it had no legs at all. However, its rear thrusters were exceptionally large, even matching the eighty-meter-long upper body. The head armor was very thick, with only two giant mechanical eyes exposed; everything else was covered by armor.
Overall, his exclusive mecha looked like a large gorilla carrying a rocket launcher on its back.
It was hard to imagine that a refined and gentle man would pilot such a slovenly and ugly mecha.
Suddenly, a lightning bolt split the sky and struck the sea, illuminating the sky ahead.
Immediately following, continuous thunder rumbled from the dark clouds.
This long-awaited storm was finally arriving.
Gu Ya took a breath, his spirits lifted. Tonight, and indeed the next few days, were destined to be sleepless.
“May Xian Xia be blessed. The storm can obscure the enemy’s vision, and coupled with…”
Gu Ya looked back towards the coast.
Beyond the bay’s sandy beaches, amidst the continuous mountain ranges, where countless mechs with searchlights were gathered,
Liang Yuwei’s magnificent “gorilla” mecha was assembling the parts delivered by the mecha groups.
On either side of it, more than a dozen heavy mechs stood guard.
“Keep it up. When everyone is united, we absolutely cannot falter,” Gu Ya turned back and looked out at the sea again.
…
Steady footsteps approached from behind, followed by a light knocking on a metal door.
“Excuse me for the interruption, may I ask who Ye Ying is?” a female officer asked softly.
The members of the Hound Squad Five were currently discussing the upcoming tactics.
Their squad was temporarily managed by the Kuang Hai Zhi Feng war zone.
The situation in the Kuang Hai Zhi Feng war zone was currently relatively better; the enemy’s advance had been halted, and there was no immediate sign of reinforcements.
Ye Ying stood up and calmly replied, “Hello, I am Ye Ying.”
The female officer smiled slightly at Ye Ying and beckoned, saying, “Someone is looking for you.”
The two walked out of the command building one after the other.
Ye Ying felt a surge of excitement. She didn’t know many people in Xian Xia, and the only one who would specifically ask for her was most likely Gu Ya.
After nearly a year of separation, to be able to see the person she cared about, Ye Ying remained outwardly calm despite her inner excitement.
She was very adept at hiding her emotions and affection.
Just like when she first saw Gu Ya at the 12th Wastewater Treatment Area Preparatory Mecha Officer Academy, her heart had inexplicably pounded.
And every time she saw Gu Ya, she couldn’t help but feel happy.
Even so, her expression remained serene.
This was a skill she had cultivated in the Yadaya region; she had to remain calm at all times.
“We’re almost there,” the female officer said softly with a smile.
Ye Ying’s heart beat even faster, and a faint smile appeared on her face.
Although she had tried her best to remain calm, seeing Gu Ya, she couldn’t help but smile.
The two stopped in front of a metal door on the third basement level of the command building.
The female officer said softly, “Although it’s a confidential meeting, don’t be nervous.”
Ye Ying nodded, took a deep breath, and tried to calm her excitement.
She was about to see Gu Ya. What kind of expression should she show him? She had to be happy, after all, Gu Ya had done so much for her.
Before falling asleep, Bai Ying had told Ye Ying about her experiences spending a few days with Gu Ya.
Ye Ying didn’t blame Bai Ying; after all, that was also her, just another personality of hers.
Now, Ye Ying was about to see Gu Ya with her own eyes. They must have a lot to talk about.
Would Gu Ya confess his feelings to her? Thinking of this, a blush crept onto Ye Ying’s face.
“You can go in,” the female officer said with a smile and opened the metal door.
Ye Ying’s heart pounded, she lowered her head shyly and walked into the room, then looked up, revealing her sweetest smile, and softly called out, “Gu…”
Inside the room, a middle-aged man with graying hair slowly stood up from the sofa.
He took off his military cap and placed it on his chest, offering Ye Ying a friendly and gentle smile.
Ye Ying froze. It wasn’t Gu Ya who had come to see her? Who was this man? Ye Ying had no recollection of him, had never even seen him.
How did he know her name, and why had he specifically asked to see her?
“Ye Ying, I’ve finally met you,” the man said, his tear-filled eyes fixed on Ye Ying as he slowly walked over and gently called out:
“Daughter…”