Chapter 514: Sharpen Your Swords!

Translator: Henyee Translations  Editor: Henyee Translations

Xie Yi walked beside Qi Long without making a sound, and then the two of them held the unconscious person, one on each side, and dragged him towards the commander’s tent. Qi Long continued to softly speak, “The situation’s like this…”

Afterwards, Qi Long’s voice became even softer and only a few words of bribery and corruption could be heard, making those in the tents want to go out and listen to what was being said clearly.

However, after thinking that Strategist Zhuge was in the commander’s quarters, they instantly put that thought behind their head. They didn’t want to see that smiley face of his. In a friendly atmosphere, he could make someone homeless and bankrupt without that person seeing through his calculations…

Ling Lan saw there were only three people inside. She didn’t pause to think, simply lifting up the curtain and walking in.

The one closest to the door was a guard of some sort. Ling Lan quickly glanced towards him. Her Qi-Jin had just reached the primary stage of activation.

The other party saw that someone actually walked in without reporting first. He immediately became angry and said, “Who is it? Being so disrespectful to the rules.”

Ling Lan was very calm. “I have urgent news that I need to report,” she said with a serious face.

This made the anger of that person settle down a bit. He turned around and looked inside.

Inside the tent were two people, who had been looking at and studying a map. One of them had heard the commotion at the tent entrance and he had instantly frozen up. In contrast, the other person raised his head, smiled carelessly and said, “Little Gao, it’s alright. Let him come over here.”

Little Gao’s expression calmed down and he pointed towards Ling Lan, saying, “You go and report!” He then pointed at Qi Long and the others and said, “You guys stay here and don’t move.”

Ling Lan used her right hand to give a quick signal to her team members behind her. The smiling individual saw this and didn’t overlook this small action, his expression changing instantly.

Right then, the person who had frozen up suddenly opened his mouth and tried to scream, “Enemy attack…”

Unfortunately, before he could scream out, his eyes rolled backwards and he fell to the ground. The person beside him quickly looked at him and discovered that there was half a needle sticking out from his neck area. That person’s expression shuddered again.

It turns out that Ling Lan had shot a miniature tranquilizing dart at him the moment he was about to call for help.

Little Gao saw this scene and was instantly stupefied. Right when he realized it was an enemy attack, Qi Long and Luo Lang moved together, one on the right and one on the left, each one of them stabbing a tranquilizer dart into that person’s neck area.

The person who had looked at Ling Lan and the others with a smile didn’t change his expression. He sighed softly and said, “I have always schemed against others, but I didn’t think that our own headquarters would be in other people’s plans. Which military academy are you guys from? Wait, don’t tell me yet. Let me take a guess.”

He fell into deep thought for a few seconds before saying without hesitation, “You guys are from the First Men’s Military Academy and you should be their commander, Commander Ling, right?” The other party’s memory was definitely good. He had instantly spoken out Ling Lan’s identity.

Ling Lan looked at him indifferently and said, “Yes, you’re right. What is your name, senior?

That man smiled bitterly and said, “Zhuge Jingming!”

“Empyreal Zhuge!” Ling Lan said calmly. “I’ve heard so much about you!”

“Your tone doesn’t sound like you’ve heard of me.” Zhuge Jingming shook his head and smiled bitterly. Was he mocking him?

“I didn’t think that you guys would be so daring as to attack the headquarters after leaving your mecha behind. Do you guys not fear death?” Zhuge Jingming could not understand the madness of the six people standing in front of him. This move of theirs, in his eyes, was without a doubt the same as suicide.

“That’s because no one thought that anyone would march to their death. Thus, we are able to stand here right now,” Ling Lan said calmly.

Hearing this, Zhuge Jingming’s eyes instantly flickered. He continued to sigh and said, “That’s true. In the battlefield, people will do anything to win. Life isn’t the only thing that is important. I was wrong. I didn’t look at the battle royale like it was a real battlefield. You, on the other hand, believed it to be a real battlefield. That’s why you won.”

Ling Lan didn’t say anything and only looked around in the tent. She immediately discovered the launcher. Right when she moved towards it, Zhuge Jingming said, “The Second Men’s Military Academy is already your trophy. There are still 10-15 hours left of the battle royale. You probably aren’t in a hurry, Commander Ling. On the other hand, I have a question that I would like to ask Commander Ling. I’m not sure if Commander Ling could help me with my inquiry?”

Ling Lan coldly glanced at Zhuge Jingming, her glare piercing into his heart. “I know you’re trying to drag this out.”

Hearing this, Zhuge Jingming he feeling he got from that cold glare from before instantly disappeared. He smiled bitterly once again with an innocent expression and his hand open as he said, “The Zhuge Family focuses on developing cognition. In terms of physical skills, we only need to make sure our body is healthy. You guys are all strong individuals and should clearly be aware of the real level of my physical skills. I can’t compare to any of you guys since I’m only at the Manifestation level. Even if I wanted to turn the situation around, I wouldn’t have that capability.” Zhuge Jingming’s expression and words were all sincere, making people involuntarily want to trust him.

At that moment, Ling Lan had already walked up to the launcher. She took out the launcher that belonged to the Second Men’s Military Academy’s commander and looked at it in detail. She then asked, “This is Jiang Shaoyu’s launcher, right?”

Zhuge Jingming knew that he couldn’t deceive Ling Lan, so he nodded and said, “Of course, Commander Ling. You know very well that the headquarters requires the commander’s launcher to be activated.”

Hearing this, Ling Lan’s lips perked up. She slowly exerted some power from her finger and that launcher was instantly crushed into dust. In the end, Ling Lan flicked her finger softly, removing the residue from her finger onto the floor and leaving no traces.

This scene made Zhuge Jingming’s eyelids jump. He didn’t know what the other’s action meant. Was it done to scare him?

Ling Lan then turned around towards Zhuge Jingming. Wearing a half-smile, she said, “There’s still some time. I’ll listen to your question.”

Zhuge Jingming was extremely happy. The reason he had wanted to ask a question was to buy time. It had already been 12 hours since Jiang Shaoyu had led his team out. If everything had gone well, he was probably already attacking the First Men’s Military Academy’s headquarters. These people in front of him might not know of this situation, and thus they had a chance to turn things around.

Zhuge Jingming focused and calmed himself. He slowly said, “I want to ask about how you guys snuck through Area Q. Don’t tell me you guys came here without mecha from the beginning. Even if you were to rush, you would still not have been able to arrive here by now.” Although he was trying to drag out the time, Zhuge Jingming still wanted to know the answer to this question, which was why he had simply asked outright.

“There’s something called a disguise. Just like how we are now,” Ling Lan responded calmly.

“But we have ways of telling you apart. Even if you somehow managed to get past one checkpoint, you couldn’t possibly get past so many of the other ones.” Zhuge Jingming didn’t believe Ling Lan’s words.

“There’s also something called information!” Ling Lan glanced at Zhuge Jingming. That piercing cold expression of hers frightened Zhuge Jingming. He kept feeling that his thoughts were being read by the opponent… How was this possible! At a certain distance, even mecha would not be able to get information from thousands of miles away.

Although Zhuge Jingming was telling himself to not get worried, Ling Lan’s glance had been too intense. It made him involuntarily close his eyelids in order to block off the eyes that looked through into his soul.

Ling Lan’s lips perked up a bit and showed a hint of a mocking expression. She took out something small that she had brought with them all the way here and at the same time said, “There’s also something called loopholes! They won’t disappear after a plan is made.” After saying that, her finger pressed down and the item she took out was put into the receiver.

Ling Lan action caused Zhuge Jingming’s expression to change slightly, and his heart instantly felt it was like being submerged in water.

“Don’t worry. I still haven’t pushed down the button to turn it on. You still have time.” Ling Lan glanced at Zhuge Jingming indifferently. That glance of hers was emotionless, seeming as though Zhuge Jingming didn’t exist in the eyes of his opponent.

This feeling of being looked down upon made Zhuge Jingming feel extremely humiliated. From his birth, he was the prodigal son. He was expected to inherit the next generation of the existence of the God Machine. Up until now, his life had been entirely smooth sailing. He was valued by his family and friends, and even the proud Jiang Shaoyu had no choice but to yield to him… This had made Zhuge Jingming become conceited, believing that there was no one in the world that would look down upon him.

However, all of this was overthrown by Ling Lan. It wasn’t that Ling Lan was looking down on him, but it was the fact that she had totally disregarded him. Zhuge, the God Machine that everyone respected, was the same as an average person in the eyes of the other. No matter if it was the feeling of glory given to him by his family, or his own dignity, they were both extremely hurt by this.

Zhuge Jingming could not help but hate the cold young man standing in front of him. Why did he look down on him…? Why him… Why…

“Because you’re my prisoner and I’m a guest, and I will become the master of this place.” Ling Lan’s cold voice pierced Zhuge Jingming’s heart, which caused his originally chaotic expression to instantly clear up, and he started to have cold sweats. Without realizing it, he had actually fallen into the trap of hate in his heart.

Zhuge Jingming looked at Ling Lan with a complicated expression. He didn’t know whether to hate the other for letting him fall into the trap of hate in his own heart, or be grateful that he helped him out of the trap.

“Ask your question. You have one last chance.” Ling Lan didn’t look at Zhuge Jingming. She stared at the receiver, took out her right hand and pushed down the button that had lit up. The corner of her lips showed a hint of a smile, but it vanished instantly. “Don’t waste any more time. Think carefully on what you really want to ask.”

Zhuge Jingming took a deep breath and cleared all the chaotic emotions out of his head. Now he was still the amazing strategist Zhuge. He calmly asked, “I just want to know—why didn’t you send out Qiao Ting? You should know clearly that without an ace operator defending it, your headquarters won’t be safe and can possibly be lost.”

Ling Lan looked at Zhuge Jingming with interest upon hearing his question. She slowly said, “If I didn’t send out Qiao Ting, would Jiang Shaoyu have dared to lead battle teams himself to attack the headquarters of the First Men’s Military Academy?”

These words surprised Zhuge Jingming. He sprang up, his expression changed, and he said, “You knew that Commander Jiang would attack the First Men’s Military Academy’s headquarters?”

“I also know that the reason you were trying to drag things out was to wait for Jiang Shaoyu to successfully take down our headquarters and eliminate us invaders. This way, not only does it eliminate us, but it also saves your own headquarters.” Ling Lan’s spoke out Zhuge Jingming’s plan with one statement.

Zhuge Jingming could no longer keep his calm expression. He discovered that he had been stripped fully naked to stand before his opponent. All of his motives were completely transparent without anything covering them.

“Well, if that’s the case, then why would you put on an act with me?” Since he already knew, why would he waste her time with him? Was it because he knew that Jiang Shaoyu wouldn’t be able to take down his headquarters? What kind of trump card did the other have in order to be this calm?

Zhuge Jingming thought long and hard. A thought flashed through his head and he yelled, “Lin Xiao. It’s Lin Xiao!” Yes, they could send allied forces to attack the opposition, then the First Men’s Military Academy would also be able to ask for reinforcements from allied forces. He had actually forgotten about the other ace operator, Lin Xiao.

Zhuge Jingming was very frustrated. However, he quickly thought about the plan he made afterwards, the plan that even Jiang Shaoyu didn’t know about. It was only meant as a safety precaution or a way to turn around the situation. As long as Jiang Shaoyu stopped Lin Xiao, they would definitely still have a chance. Zhuge Jingming’s confidence returned a bit.

“You’re waiting for Area G2 right?” Ling Lan’s words made Zhuge Jingming’s heart, which had managed to calm down, once again shake violently. He looked at Ling Lan dumbfounded with an expression of disbelief. Why, why would he know about the plan he made as a precaution? Area G2 was clearly hidden very well.

“It was a good plan,” Ling Lan praised him softly.

Zhuge Jingming was indeed a great strategist. This time, both sides hadn’t planned for their respective opponent’s hidden killing move, so it counted as a tie. Ling Lan thought to herself that perhaps Li Lanfeng and Han Jijyun should go against Zhuge Jingming more in the future. With an opponent as strong as this, they would improve even quicker.

“You guys also planned something to go against Area G2 as well?” Zhuge Jingming asked, unwilling to give up. If it was like that, he would have lost more than he could lose.

“No, not really,” Ling Lan replied honestly. A mistake was a mistake. Ling Lan wouldn’t make excuses in order to hide it.

Zhuge Jingming was surprised. He quickly looked towards Ling Lan with a frown. He began to think what the opponent had actually used to go against his plan.

“Don’t waste your time. I didn’t do anything. The battle teams you arranged in Area G2 have indeed made a big mess out of my headquarters. My men are fighting a hard battle and practically half the members at headquarters are eliminated.” Ling Lan told Zhuge Jingming the situation at her headquarters. Her tone sounded as though they were two very calm people who knew each very well, having a conversation about something that had nothing to do with them.

Ling Lan’s demeanor made Zhuge Jingming feel extremely confused. If the situation was as he said, why was this person not the least bit worried?

“Now, things have reached the point where the members at headquarters have to fight a losing battle. Only under the pressure of life and death will they have an opportunity to evolve… No matter if it’s the ones who are eliminated or the ones who are left, they all have a chance to grow stronger.” Ling Lan spoke calmly, telling the other why she was cooperating with him to drag out the time.

“You actually used our men as sharpening stones for the First Men’s Military Academy.” Zhuge Jingming suddenly understood. What kind of commander would do this? This was so crazy. In order to have a chance to become stronger, he wouldn’t care to bet the safety of his headquarters on the line. Did the first place of the Grand Mecha Tournament not attract him?

“I naturally want first place, but that isn’t my only goal. I hope that those following me can all become stronger. This is what I can give them in return for their trust in me. And for me, this is the only thing I can give in return.” Ling Lan’s expression was sincere. As more and more people placed their trust in her, she was also trying her best to repay for this trust. Ling Lan couldn’t just take and not give back.

“If you were to lose, even if you were berated by them, you would still give them enough time to become stronger?” Zhuge Jingming looked at Ling Lan as though he was looking at a crazed man. Only crazy people would use their pride and glory to let others have a chance to become stronger.

“One person standing at the peak will feel the cold bitterness of loneliness!” Ling Lan’s expression became wispy. She didn’t want to be the only person standing at the peak in the future, looking down below with a lonesome face. That wasn’t something she needed. Thus, she didn’t choose the Sovereign Dao, or the Holy Dao, and chose the Dominance Dao that she herself created. The path she took was actually the one that was in her heart.

Those who strategized did not need to speak too clearly. Zhuge Jingming had already understood the meaning of Ling Lan’s words. His expression was very complicated. Finally, he sighed deeply and said, “I admire you! However, aren’t you afraid that while speaking to me, your communicator would suddenly show the information that you guys have lost and are eliminated?”

Ling Lan glanced at Zhuge Jingming with a half-smile and replied, “Why should I be afraid?” After that, she pushed down the button that was lit up. “But to be honest, I am actually afraid…” If she didn’t have Little Four surveying the whole area, she would naturally not have had the courage to waste time like this with Zhuge Jingming. She knew very well that antagonist boss characters all usually ended up with the tables being turned against because they spoke too much… Right now, she was like a f**king antagonist, Ling Lan thought to herself depressingly.

Seeing Ling Lan’s action, Zhuge Jingming thought he was going to feel despair, frustration and pain. He didn’t think that when he saw Ling Lan push down on the button, he actually let go. It was as though he was a prisoner on death row, waiting for the guillotine hanging above him. The waiting was torturous and painful. However, after the guillotine dropped, after knowing that he was cut down, he would then be set free.

Yes. Speaking with this person who seemed to have everything within his control had slowly broken down his confidence bit by bit. Before he could be totally defeated, he had gotten away from the other’s clutches. He was lucky!

Area G13.

Coming as reinforcements, Li Yingjie and the others saw that Han Yu, Mu Shaoyu and Wu Jiong were all in the middle of tough battles.

At this time, mecha on both sides had fallen down to be eliminated. Overall, the opposition had lost more mecha. It was, of course, due to the fact that this time, the team that Ling Lan had led consisted of the logistics transport team along with Wu Jiong and Li Yingjie’s mixed battle team, while the rest were all battle teams. The rest were the top special-class operators of the military academy’s mecha team. Their capabilities were stronger than the mixture of the advanced and special level mecha battle teams. Even if it was 2 to 1, they would not lose right away. This allowed them to endure for a very long time.

However, as time went on, the situation was becoming less and less in the First Men’s Military Academy’s favor. Although the First Men’s Military Academy had mecha operators with stronger capabilities, the number of enemy mecha was enough to compensate for this. Very soon, the situation took a turn for the worse. The mecha on the side of the First Men’s Military Academy began to fall in increasing numbers.

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