11: Iceberg Lieutenant, Heading to the Mechanical Graveyard

The first glimmer of dawn filtered through the porthole, spilling onto the wide leather sofa in the Captains Quarters.

Lin Qinghan stirred.

The moment consciousness returned, she instinctively tried to curl up, seeking a sliver of warmth.

But then, she froze.

It wasn't cold.

Not cold at all.

Not only was it not cold, there was even a cozy, warm sensation, like being soaked in warm water.

She opened her eyes.

A black men's coat came into view, draped over her body. A faint scent of tobacco and an indescribable, chilly aura lingered on the fabric.

That was the scent of Gu Pingsheng.

Memories flooded back like a tide.

Last night's cold, the despair, the knocking on the door, that glass of Blazing Red Wine... and, that oath sworn on bended knee.

Lin Qinghan sat up abruptly.

The coat slid off her, revealing the tracksuit she had originally been wearing.

Although it was the same outfit, wearing it now felt different somehow.

Her skin... seemed to have improved?

She raised her hand, looking at it by the morning light.

The back of her hand, which had been somewhat rough due to malnutrition and the cold on the spaceship, was now fair and delicate, glowing with a healthy pink luster.

Even the thin calluses on her fingertips from wielding a sword seemed to have faded considerably.

Was this the effect of the [Blazing Red Wine]?

Not only did it dispel the cold poison, but it also nourished her body?

“Awake?”

A calm voice drifted over.

Lin Qinghan stiffened and quickly turned her head.

Gu Pingsheng was sitting at the dining table not far away.

He had changed into casual loungewear and was elegantly cutting a... sandwich on his plate with a knife and fork.

It was a real sandwich.

Between two slices of golden, crispy toast were thick slabs of bacon, a fried egg, lettuce, and oozing cheese.

The aroma was mouth-watering.

“Growl—”

Lin Qinghan's stomach let out a traitorous growl.

In the quiet of the morning, it sounded exceptionally loud.

Her face instantly flushed crimson, the heat spreading all the way to her ears.

How embarrassing.

The dignified Lin Campus Belle had actually lost her composure over a sandwich.

Gu Pingsheng cut off a piece of the sandwich, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly.

He didn't look at Lin Qinghan, merely pointing to another plate on the table.

“That's yours.”

Lin Qinghan was stunned for a moment.

She walked over and looked at the equally exquisite sandwich on the plate, along with a glass of hot milk beside it.

Her eyes suddenly felt a bit hot.

In this apocalypse where people would fight to the death over a piece of moldy bread, this breakfast was nothing short of a miracle.

“Eat.”

Gu Pingsheng set down his cutlery and picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth.

“Eat your fill; only then will you have the strength to work.”

Lin Qinghan said nothing.

She sat down, picked up the sandwich, and took a bite.

Crispy, savory, and rich.

The long-forgotten flavors exploded on her tongue; in that moment, she almost burst into tears.

She ate in large gulps, completely disregarding any lady-like image.

It wasn't until she drained the last of the milk that she let out a long breath, feeling as though she had truly come back to life.

“Full?”

Gu Pingsheng looked at her, a playful arc curling at the corner of his mouth.

“Then change your clothes.”

With a casual wave of his hand.

A neatly folded set of clothes appeared out of thin air on the table.

Along with a long saber emitting an eerie blue glow.

[Nano Light Armor (Blue · Superior)]

[Description: Made of high-molecular nanomaterials; lightweight and tough, with extremely strong bulletproof and stab-proof capabilities. Features self-cleaning and constant temperature functions.]

[High-Frequency Vibration Blade (Blue · Superior)]

[Description: The blade vibrates at a frequency of over 10,000 times per second, cutting through iron as if it were mud.]

Lin Qinghan looked at the clothes.

A black skin-tight bodysuit; the design was very... bold.

Especially the leg area, which used translucent material, making it look as if she were wearing black stockings.

How was this a combat suit?

This was clearly... an upgraded version of erotic lingerie.

“This...”

Lin Qinghan bit her lip, hesitating.

“What? You don't like it?”

Gu Pingsheng leaned back in his chair, his gaze scanning her body without restraint.

“You are my adjutant, and also my blade.”

“I don't want my blade to break because its equipment is too poor.”

“Besides...”

He paused, his gaze becoming somewhat profound.

“I'm looking forward to seeing you wear it.”

Lin Qinghan's heart skipped a beat.

It was an order.

And also a flirtation.

She took a deep breath and picked up the clothes.

“I'll go to the bathroom to change.”

“Change right here.”

Gu Pingsheng interrupted her calmly.

“There are only the two of us here.”

“And there will be many more scenes like this in the future.”

“You need to get used to it.”

Lin Qinghan's hand trembled.

She looked into Gu Pingsheng's calm, emotionless eyes and knew she had no right to refuse.

From the moment she drank that glass of wine last night, she had already sold herself to him.

“Yes... Captain.”

She lowered her head, her voice trembling slightly.

Then, right in front of Gu Pingsheng, she slowly took off her tracksuit... Ten minutes later.

Lin Qinghan stood before a full-length mirror, looking at her reflection.

The black Nano Light Armor fit her body perfectly, tracing heart-stopping curves.

The fullness of her chest was tightly encased, and her waist was so slender it looked as if it might snap.

Her long legs were faintly visible beneath the translucent material, exuding a lethal temptation.

She picked up the High-Frequency Vibration Blade and gave it a casual flourish.

“Hum—”

The blade sliced through the air, emitting a low humming sound.

So strong.

This blade was more than ten times stronger than her previous ice sword.

And this armor, light as nothing, yet it gave her an unprecedented sense of security.

“Not bad.”

Gu Pingsheng walked up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders.

Their eyes met through the mirror.

One domineering, the other submissive.

“Now this looks like something.”

Gu Pingsheng leaned down and whispered into her ear.

As his warm breath brushed against her ear, Lin Qinghan's body trembled slightly, but she did not pull away.

“Let's go.”

Gu Pingsheng released her and turned toward the cabin door.

“Let them see what my adjutant looks like.”

... spaceship Common Area.

The girls had long since woken up.

Or rather, they hadn't slept well at all.

Last night's cold and hunger had tormented everyone.

Right now, they were gathered together, sharing a pitiful amount of biscuit crumbs.

“Click.”

The door to the Captains Quarters opened.

Everyone's eyes instantly turned toward it.

Then, they collectively froze.

Gu Pingsheng walked in front, dressed in casual clothes and looking refreshed.

And half a step behind him.

Lin Qinghan walked out.

In that instant, the entire hall seemed to brighten.

The black skin-tight battle armor, her cold and beautiful face, and her sharp aura.

Especially those long legs encased in black stockings; it was impossible to look away.

She held the long saber emitting blue light, her gaze as cold as ice.

Was this still the same Lin Qinghan who had been shivering from the cold and nearly died yesterday?

This was simply a Valkyrie descending!

“Gulp...”

Someone swallowed hard.

Envy, jealousy, shock... various emotions intertwined in the girls' eyes.

“Yo, climbed up a high branch already?”

A shrill, sarcastic voice broke the silence.

Liu Ruyan sat in a corner, clutching half a piece of moldy bread, staring at Lin Qinghan with a mocking gaze.

“Acting so noble yesterday, only to crawl into a man's bed at night.”

“You can know a person's face but not their heart.”

Her words were nasty.

Though the surrounding girls said nothing, their gazes also became somewhat subtle.

After all, everyone was suffering; why should she get to live in luxury?

Lin Qinghan stopped in her tracks.

She slowly turned her head and looked at Liu Ruyan.

No explanation, no anger.

Only a cold indifference, as if looking at a corpse.

“Hum—”

The vibration blade in her hand rose slightly, its tip pointing directly at the center of Liu Ruyan's forehead.

A tangible killing intent erupted instantly.

Liu Ruyan's voice came to a screeching halt.

She felt as if she were being stared down by a ferocious beast; her blood ran cold.

“Say one more word.”

Lin Qinghan's voice was soft, yet it felt like an ice blade stabbing into everyone's hearts.

“And I will cut out your tongue.”

Terrified, Liu Ruyan slumped to the ground, her bread rolling away.

Her mouth hung open, but she couldn't make a sound.

She really would die.

This woman really would kill her.

“Enough.”

Gu Pingsheng spoke calmly.

He didn't turn around, merely waving a hand.

“It's not worth wasting time on such trash.”

Lin Qinghan retracted the blade and bowed her head respectfully.

“Yes, Captain.”

This scene once again deeply stung the hearts of the crowd.

The proud Lin Campus Belle was actually so obedient to Gu Pingsheng.

Was this the power of authority?

Gu Pingsheng walked to the control console in the center of the hall.

He tapped open the holographic map.

A red skull icon was flashing.

[Target: Mechanical Graveyard]

[Danger Level: 3 Stars]

[Description: An abandoned interstellar waste disposal station, swarming with a large number of out-of-control mechanical guards and scavengers.]

“The spaceship is about to shut down.”

Gu Pingsheng looked around, his gaze like a torch.

“This exploration requires manpower.”

“Lin Qinghan.”

“Here.”

“Tang Xiaoxiao.”

The short-haired girl who had awakened the [Mechanical Affinity] talent was stunned for a moment, then stepped forward in surprise.

“Present! I'm here!”

“The two of you, come with me.”

Gu Pingsheng finished and was about to turn away.

“Um...”

A weak voice suddenly rang out.

Su Ruan squeezed out from the back of the crowd, clutching her grimy rabbit plushie.

She timidly raised her hand, like a schoolgirl who had made a mistake.

“I want to go too...”

“I can help...”

Gu Pingsheng stopped and looked at her.

This loli, who had always lacked a presence, was now looking at him with a gaze that was almost pleading.

And in her arms.

The seemingly tattered rabbit plushie's button eyes seemed to flash with a strange red light.

Interesting.

Gu Pingsheng's eyes narrowed slightly.

He could sense a certain dangerous aura hidden within this seemingly fragile little girl.

It was the scent of one's own kind.

“Follow us.”

A meaningful smile curled on Gu Pingsheng's lips.

“Don't die.”