Chapter 29: Compete with Me in Mechanics?
Since Wu Chuyang left, the training grounds had clearly split into two extremes.
In Classes A and B, the roar of mechs never ceased as trainees pushed themselves relentlessly, none willing to admit defeat.
Classes B and D only trained for a short while before only two students remained, practicing alone in their respective training areas.
As for Classes E and F, currently, only Gu Ya and Liu Feng were present on their training grounds. The others had simply vanished without a trace.
By the time training ended in the afternoon, Gu Ya and Liu Feng walked home together.
This time, Liu Feng was even more in awe of Gu Ya, bombarding him with questions about combat techniques. Gu Ya answered everything without hesitation, unconcerned that Liu Feng might learn his skills and use them against him.
As they neared the fork in the road, Liu Feng brought up hanging out again: "After the inter-class battles next week, let’s go out together—bring your sister too."
Seeing Liu Feng’s earnest expression, Gu Ya knew he wasn’t joking. "Uh, maybe another time," he replied.
Gu Ya could tell that, given Liu Feng’s family background, he’d likely take them to high-end places—amusement parks, fancy restaurants, holographic theaters, or somewhere Gu Ya couldn’t even imagine.
That kind of favor would be hard to repay.
Liu Feng didn’t press further. "Alright, another time then," he said.
They parted ways at the fork again. Gu Ya watched Liu Feng walk away before heading off himself.
He was going to work at that repair shop.
Gu Ya did some mental calculations. The shop paid per job, and with his skills, he could fix seventeen or eighteen small devices a day.
That would translate to around 200 White Star coins.
If he got lucky with a big order, he might even make 300 in a day.
When he entered the repair shop, Shao Yang was already there.
"You and Liu Feng walk so slow. I couldn’t wait, so I came ahead," Shao Yang said, eyeing Gu Ya.
Gu Ya inwardly grumbled, *Are we that close?*
The shop owner emerged from the back room, delighted to see Gu Ya and Shao Yang. "Perfect timing. I’ve got two optical signal amplifiers here—same make, same model. A client rushed them in earlier."
"Fix them today, and you’ll get 80 White Star coins each."
As he spoke, the owner pulled out two black, corn-shaped devices from under the counter and set them in front of the two.
Shao Yang glanced at Gu Ya. "Wanna make it a competition?"
Gu Ya smirked inwardly. *You’re no match for me.*
But then he reconsidered. *If I beat him, his obsessive curiosity might kick in, and he’ll start shadowing me day and night to figure out how I got so strong.*
The thought sent a chill down Gu Ya’s spine. "No. We’ll each do our own," he said flatly, picking up his amplifier.
The device was heavier than it looked—Gu Ya actually struggled a bit to hold it.
Its surface was pockmarked, wider at one end and tapered at the other, just like a corn cob.
His holographic interface displayed an analysis:
**[Optical Signal Amplifier. Used in single-device networks to amplify encrypted optical waves into observable wavelengths and decode information, ensuring secure data transmission.]**
In simpler terms, it was like a supercharged "wireless router" for encrypted signals—far more advanced than a standard one.
Most mechs nowadays used these devices to wirelessly transmit commands between the cockpit and other components, eliminating the need for complex wiring.
While Gu Ya was still studying the analysis, he noticed Shao Yang had already disassembled his device.
*That fast?*
Gu Ya hadn’t expected Shao Yang’s mechanical skills to be this sharp.
Though he’d refused the competition, Shao Yang’s competitive glare made it clear he was determined to outdo Gu Ya.
That stirred Gu Ya’s own competitive spirit.
*Fine. If you want to play, I’ll play.*
Gu Ya positioned his device properly and got to work dismantling the casing.
His holographic interface guided him step by step, though he hardly needed it.
As an advanced mechanic, all he needed was to understand the device’s principles, structure, and function. From there, he could diagnose the issue based on its symptoms.
Once he pinpointed the problem, fixing it would be a breeze.
This amplifier’s main issue was that encrypted signals couldn’t be decoded.
That meant the ternary encoder was faulty.
Gu Ya adjusted his monocular magnifier to 10x magnification, then used a needle-thin probe to press down on the encoder’s hair-thin connectors. With micro-tweezers, he carefully extracted the encoder.
In his hand, the encoder was like a speck of dust.
His interface confirmed it—this was indeed the problem.
All that was left was to replace it with a new one.
By the time Gu Ya finished, only six minutes had passed.
Shao Yang’s face fell when he saw Gu Ya was done.
"Finished already?" the owner asked in surprise.
"Yeah," Gu Ya replied casually.
The owner handed over the payment and took the repaired device. "Kid, on your first day, you’ve already helped me earn 5..."
He abruptly cut himself off, as if afraid to reveal the exact amount.
Gu Ya saw right through him but didn’t press the issue. He turned to Shao Yang. "Take your time. I’ve got to go cook for my sister."
"Gu Ya!" Shao Yang called out, his expression dark.
Gu Ya waited, but no follow-up came. So he left.
On the way home, clutching his earnings, Gu Ya couldn’t shake the feeling he’d been shortchanged.
The owner had said "earn 5..." Surely it wasn’t less than 80?
He made a mental note to probe the owner later. Once he learned the ropes, he could go independent and earn way more.
"But 80 White Star coins isn’t bad!"
Gu Ya stopped by an automated supermarket and browsed the holographic display, picking out dozens of items—all of Youyou’s favorite vegetables, fruits, and a slice of meat.
After paying, his purchases were automatically packed and appeared on the counter.
Carrying two large bags of groceries, Gu Ya headed home.
He imagined Youyou’s delight when she saw all the treats. She’d probably be over the moon.
Just then, someone called his name from behind. He turned to see Wang Panpan, also lugging two heavy bags, jogging toward him. "Gu Ya! Wait up!"
Seeing his friend, Gu Ya grinned. "What brings you here?"
Wang Panpan caught her breath. "Made some money, came to pay you back. Figured I’d grab some stuff for Youyou too."
At the mention of Youyou, both of them smiled. The little girl would be speechless with joy when she saw all the goodies.
Chatting and laughing, they reached home. Gu Ya pushed the door open and called out, "Youyou! Look who’s here!"
No response.
Gu Ya and Wang Panpan stepped inside, setting the bags on the table. "Youyou, we bought you lots of things! Come see!" Gu Ya called again.
Still no answer.
Gu Ya opened Youyou’s door—the room was empty.
"Who knows where she’s run off to now," Gu Ya muttered, trying her comms bracelet. It just kept ringing with no answer.
Wang Panpan swiftly tied on an apron and headed to the kitchen. "Go look for her, bro! Dinner’ll be ready by the time you’re back!"
Gu Ya blinked in surprise. "You can cook?"
"Of course!" Wang Panpan grinned brightly. "And I’m really good at it!"
"Alright, thanks!" Gu Ya said before hurrying out.
His first thought was Sister Ge’s place. Whenever he came home late before, Youyou would usually be there.
He knocked on Sister Ge’s door, but no one answered.
A call to her comms bracelet also went unanswered.
Gu Ya had left the synthetic snake at Sister Ge’s house, so her husband shouldn’t have dared to do anything extreme.
But he wasn’t taking chances. Through his bracelet, he activated the snake. Its eyes—high-definition cameras—linked to his holographic display, showing him the feed.
From the snake’s perspective, everything loomed large.
The outer room was empty, but the inner door was locked tight.
A bad feeling crept over Gu Ya as he directed the snake to slim down and slither through the gap.
What he saw sent a surge of fury straight to his skull.
Youyou and Sister Ge were tied up in the corner, gagged and helpless.
Then, static filled the feed—the connection was lost.
Someone had destroyed the snake.
No need to guess who—it had to be that man.
Gu Ya closed his eyes. When they opened again, all he saw was red.
*I’m going to kill him.*