Chapter 60

Chapter 60

The military fortress in the early morning was fragrant with the scent of plants and grass.

After the elite team roster was officially finalized, training across all military regions didn't slacken; instead, it became even more rigorous.

The second round of reserve candidate elimination trials was about to commence. Once concluded, the selected cadets would officially be added to the military's reserve list, becoming provisional members of the Imperial Legion.

It was the final push.

With personal encouragement from all four Marshals, every cadet appeared highly motivated. In stark contrast, slackers like Bai Luming seemed even more out of place.

Upon arriving at the training ground, he was still leisurely yawning. As he drew closer and overheard others' discussions, he casually posed the question most on his mind: "So, what's the word? Any new updates on those four? How many days are they planning to stay before leaving?"

Tang Ruyan: "A few days? I'd say they'll be here for quite a while."

Bai Luming's half-yawn froze mid-air: "Quite a while... how long exactly?"

Tang Ruyan met Bai Luming's gaze: "Until after the reserve selection, of course."

As always, he had insider information, clearly having verified it beforehand. His tone was light and unhurried, carrying a faint smile: "Rumors are circulating throughout the military region that the four Marshals came specifically to observe the selection drills. While this news is likely just the Nawei Military Region trying to boost its own image, one thing is certain: those four will indeed be present to watch our assessment."

Pei Suqi clicked his tongue in amazement: "Then that's quite an honor for us."

Bai Luming: "..."

These people really are stirring up trouble for no reason.

"Observing the assessment"—they're just bored and looking for entertainment, right? At my expense?

Tang Ruyan smiled and glanced toward Ji Xinghan: "Young Master Ji, do your best. Marshal Jin will be watching live. If you perform well, not only might you join the Gold Army, but there might even be a chance to be directly transferred to headquarters."

"Whether Marshal Jin is present or not, I will always do my best." After saying this, Ji Xinghan checked the time. "It's about time. I'm heading to training now."

Tang Ruyan watched Ji Xinghan's departing figure with a thoughtful expression: "Young Master Ji is truly Young Master Ji. Where I'm from, someone like him would be swarmed by men and women vying for his attention within five seconds of entering."

Pei Suqi, listening nearby, felt a stir of curiosity and couldn't help asking: "Where you're from—you mean the Golden Phoenix?"

Tang Ruyan smiled: "Why, interested?"

Pei Suqi was indeed curious: "Then what's my market value, someone like me?"

Tang Ruyan's eyes slowly swept over him from head to toe, his alluring eyes slightly curved and flirtatious: "You…"

Pei Suqi eagerly: "Hmm?"

Tang Ruyan's reply was considerate: "It's better if I don't tell you. In our line of work, it's not good to damage a client's ego."

Pei Suqi: "???"

Tang Ruyan casually gathered his teal-blue hair and tied it into a neat high ponytail in a few swift moves: "Time is tight. I'm off to train too. Everyone, let's do our best."

As he finished, he suddenly remembered something and looked toward Bai Luming and He Yilan: "By the way, even though you weren't selected for the elite team, you're both from the Mecha Department. There are a few two-seater mechas in the elite team. If you're interested, you could try for a copilot position. After all, it's still a mecha—a much better chance to shine than ordinary ones."

Bai Luming replied: "Thanks, we'll consider it."

Tang Ruyan gave a beaming smile and turned to leave.

Once he was far enough away, He Yilan spoke softly: "Are you sure you'll consider it?"

Bai Luming answered matter-of-factly: "He made a kind suggestion. I had to respond somehow."

He Yilan commented: "Sometimes you really understand social graces."

Bai Luming replied: "Thanks for the compliment."

He Yilan asked: "If someone invited you to be a copilot, would you go?"

Bai Luming answered: "Of course not."

He Yilan's gaze fell somewhere not far behind him, and he suddenly smiled.

That smile gave Bai Luming a subtle feeling. The next second, he heard Chu Xiao's enthusiastic voice ring out from behind: "Bai Luming, would you be willing to be my copilot?"

He Yilan said: "I just asked him. He's not willing."

Chu Xiao: "Huh?"

Bai Luming: "..."

Should've known this man doesn't ask meaningless questions for no reason—he was setting me up.

Chu Xiao looked at Bai Luming pleadingly and quietly asked again: "Bai Luming, you don't want to be a copilot?"

"That's right." Bai Luming nodded. "I can help calibrate a set of data settings suited for your mecha, but as for being a copilot… let's forget it."

He believed that even without his support, Chu Xiao could advance on his own merit. As for himself, he never planned to enter the reserve roster anyway, so there was no need to jump into the fray.

"Is that so… alright then." Although deeply disappointed, Chu Xiao didn't push the issue.

Through their interactions lately, he had come to realize that, compared to the driven efforts of others, these two had zero enthusiasm for passing the reserve selection. In a way, being rejected was not surprising.

Bai Luming smiled faintly at Chu Xiao's expression: "If you need one, though, I can recommend someone."

Chu Xiao's eyes lit up: "Who?"

Bai Luming glanced sideways, his gaze settling on a figure not far away: "There, his name is Gu Anzhe. You can ask him."

Chu Xiao followed his gaze and nodded: "Okay, I'll go ask him right now!"

Bai Luming chuckled: "Aren't you going to ask why I recommended him?"

Chu Xiao: "No need. I trust you, Bai Luming. Anyone you recommend must be amazing!"

"Good judgment." Bai Luming was quite satisfied with Chu Xiao's discernment and waved a hand. "Go on."

Without hesitation, Chu Xiao strode straight toward Gu Anzhe.

Bai Luming watched Chu Xiao leave and clicked his tongue admiringly. It was clear who he was talking to: "Xiao Bao really knows how to cheer people up."

He Yilan, standing beside him, received this subtle dig and glanced over: "You like that type?"

"What do you mean 'that type'?" Bai Luming said dismissively. "At most, it's called seeking emotional satisfaction."

He Yilan gave a soft laugh: "Emotional value—I believe I provide more of that than your Xiao Bao."

Bai Luming raised an eyebrow: "Oh? For example?"

He Yilan met his gaze steadily and spoke slowly: "For example, at the very least, he's probably never called you—bro."

The meaningful, drawn-out tone made Bai Luming's expression pause briefly: “…No shame, comparing it to that?”

He Yilan didn't confirm or deny: “Isn’t that enough? Then you can also tell me what you’d like me to call you—anything goes.”

The words were full of teasing, but the gaze directed at him was entirely serious.

It gave Bai Luming a weird feeling, as if he told this man to call him “Dad” on the spot, the other might actually have the nerve to say it.

After a brief silence, Bai Luming replied: “I’d like to hear you shut up.”

He Yilan nodded agreeably: “Mm, alright.”

As Bai Luming expected, although Chu Xiao’s sudden invitation caught Gu Anzhe off guard, for someone who needed to pass the reserve selection, it was actually a good thing—he agreed on the spot.

One was a little “shadow” Shen Yanfeng had placed among the trainees, the other was a top talent he intended to recommend to the Blaze Legion. The two teaming up smoothly was undoubtedly a satisfying outcome.

And so, before completely bidding farewell to this damn recruitment process, there was only one last thing left to do.

As equipment was handed out, every trainee in the mecha program was assigned a mecha for the assessment.

Many chose to pause their simulated training on the military network and began focusing on hands-on practice.

Bai Luming was among the trainees who still opted to use the simulators, though this time it wasn't to lazily slack off and watch holographic movies—instead, he invited Chu Xiao to get on the internal network together.

After sending the request, the two quickly friended each other on the internal network.

Unlike Bai Luming’s default ID, Chu Xiao had already chosen a new username to motivate himself—as positive and energetic as ever.

“ChuXiaoGrowsStronger: Lu Ming, I’m here!”

“ChuXiaoGrowsStronger: You specifically called me online—is something up?”

“LIN86666: Yeah, something’s up.”

“LIN86666: Wanna be my student?”

Perhaps because Bai Luming’s question was too blunt, Chu Xiao on the other end clearly hesitated, after a moment sending back a single word.

“ChuXiaoGrowsStronger: Huh?”

“LIN86666: Didn’t you want to become my disciple before? So, still want to?”

“ChuXiaoGrowsStronger: Yes! Of course!”

Bai Luming thought Chu Xiao might have second thoughts after learning he had no plans to join the military, but he didn't expect such a direct reply—he found it funny.

“LIN86666: Not going to reconsider? Once you enter the military, you’ll inevitably become someone important. Taking a trainee as your master now could hurt your rep if word gets out.”

“ChuXiaoGrowsStronger: I’d still do it!”

“ChuXiaoGrowsStronger: Heroes aren’t defined by their origins. You’re so skilled—becoming your disciple would only boost my rep!”

Bai Luming didn't beat around the bush either. He directly opened a custom room and pulled Chu Xiao in.

The newly set up custom platform contained only an empty room.

The holographic projections of both appeared in the room simultaneously, their IDs floating above their heads.

Before Bai Luming could even speak after they met, Chu Xiao had already stepped forward and given him a proper military salute: “Master!”

Though Chu Xiao usually seemed carefree and cheerful, he switched gears quickly when it mattered.

Bai Luming smiled at his upright posture.

He had never had a student before—partly due to lack of time, partly because he found it too troublesome. But seeing Chu Xiao like this, he felt it might not be so bad after all.

When veterans retire, new blood must step up.

Mentoring is a sacred act in any era.

Feeling good, Bai Luming found He Yilan in his friends list and pulled him into the room as well.

He Yilan was also using his default ID. After entering and seeing Chu Xiao in the room, he asked: “What’s this about?”

Bai Luming: “Teaching my disciple.”

Hearing the word “disciple,” He Yilan understood instantly.

He glanced faintly at Chu Xiao, though his words were directed at Bai Luming: “You really think ahead, but wavering like this will only bring more trouble sooner or later.”

Bai Luming: “Stop nagging.”

Bai Luming knew He Yilan wasn't wrong.

For him now, it would indeed be better to make a clean break with the Blaze Legion. But last night’s conversation with Shen Yanfeng had briefly brought him back to reality.

It was just that the Blaze Legion had been going through a particularly tough time lately. As the old saying goes, the most important thing in navigating the world is a sense of “duty.” After all, it was a legion he had built from the ground up. Watching his former subordinates struggle alone to hold it up while he evaded the responsibilities he ought to bear—that wouldn't align with his usual style.

He could capriciously cast everything aside based on his whims.

He could also tackle something he believed needed doing, regardless of the trouble.

“Letting go” or “taking responsibility”—both were choices he could make.

He disliked trouble, but he was also willing to face it. From start to finish, it was simply about doing what he wanted to do.

Everything followed his heart.

Bai Luming didn't explain further: “Just say whether you’ll help or not.”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t.” He Yilan played along. “What needs doing?”

“Just wait.” Satisfied, Bai Luming adjusted the room settings and clicked confirm.

As his settings took effect, a virtual combat arena materialized out of thin air. Standing at the platform, he looked at the two in the arena and clapped: “Alright, let’s get started.”

Chu Xiao, who had been listening to their conversation, found himself suddenly teleported to the center of the combat arena and blinked in confusion: “Start what?”

“One-on-one combat,” Bai Luming said simply. With a few quick operations, two identical mechas appeared in the center of the arena. “Fight three rounds first. I’ll see how to adjust things after.”

He Yilan was also teleported into the arena and looked across at Bai Luming: “You want me to fight your disciple?”

“I need to gather some data first.” Bai Luming smiled and blinked, smoothly getting chummy at the critical moment. “Besides, we’re close, you can totally treat my disciple as your own.”

He Yilan mercilessly called him out: “You never hold back when there’s an opportunity to take advantage.”

Bai Luming replied without hesitation: “You’re not ‘others.’”

He Yilan’s scoff was already on his lips, but at these words, he slowly looked up at Bai Luming.

After a moment, he turned and climbed into the mech: "Just this once, no next time."

Bai Luming watched as both sides climbed into their respective mechs and brought up the virtual panel to begin data recording.

Lifting his gaze to the arena, his eyes briefly lingered on the mech where He Yilan was stationed, a glint of keen interest hidden deep in his expression.

Although his original intention was to uncover Chu Xiao's potential as quickly as possible before leaving, he was genuinely very curious to see just how skilled Mr. He's piloting skills could be.

After all, according to rumors, this was someone who could hold his own against a humanoid machine like Qing Yileng.