73: The martial arts-themed Lujiang base

"Yeah! What exactly does Officer Jiang look like?" The crowd's curiosity was piqued.

"I bet," a tall, thin man said, stroking his chin, "he's definitely a general in his forties or fifties with stars all over his epaulets! To command thousands of people and make such a big name for himself nationwide, he'd need seniority and age to keep everyone in line, right?"

"No!" A pretty girl with a ponytail suddenly countered with a blush. Her voice wasn't loud, but it was full of longing. "I think... maybe he's a very young, handsome guy! Strategizing and winning battles from a thousand miles away! Like in the movies... though I like Major Zhang more. If only I could marry him..." Her voice trailed off as two red clouds bloomed on her cheeks.

"Hahaha!" A young man with dyed yellow hair immediately laughed exaggeratedly, pointing at the girl. "Sister, prop your pillow higher tonight, maybe you'll dream about it! Or... how about considering me? I'm strong; I'll do all your chores from now on!" He intentionally flexed his not-so-muscular arms.

"Pah!" The girl's face turned even redder. She spat, hands on her hips, and glared. "Get lost! I can support myself! If I'm looking for someone, it has to be an Evolver! You? Hmph, maybe in your next life!"

"Hey! Who are you looking down on!" The yellow-haired youth stiffened his neck. "Once I save up enough points and trade for a crystal core, I'll be an Evolver too! Let's see if you're still so arrogant then!"

"A five percent success rate? You're dreaming!" someone nearby immediately threw cold water on him.

In the crowd, Jiang Xin was wearing unremarkable grey work clothes and a low-profile peaked cap. Looking like an ordinary young worker, he listened to these various discussions with great interest, a faint, imperceptible smile on his lips.

"Lord Commander," a deliberately lowered, mischievous voice whispered in his ear. Jiang Feifei, wearing oversized men's clothing and with a bit of ash smeared on her face, leaned in close, her large eyes full of cunning. "Listen, so many girls are saying they want to marry Officer Zhang, the majestic 'ice fire divine lord'! It seems like you're being ignored!" She intentionally dragged out the last word.

Jiang Xin turned his head, glanced at her, and intentionally put on a stern face, lowering his voice: "Isn't one mischievous brat like you enough of a headache for me? I don't have the spare time to deal with all you women." He made a motion as if to knock her on the head.

"Is that so?" Jiang Feifei pouted and leaned even closer, asking in a small, slightly jealous voice, "Then what was Captain Tanya doing visiting you after eleven PM the night before last? She stayed for so long..." She stared intently at Jiang Xin's profile.

Jiang Xin's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm as he turned his head away. "She came to hand over the crystal cores collected from clearing zombies during the day. Routine business," he said in a flat tone.

"Hmph! Handing over crystal cores after eleven?" Jiang Feifei rolled her eyes grandly and snorted. "In my opinion, you were probably 'handing over the public grain' to her!" She intentionally emphasized the phrase 'handing over the public grain' and nudged Jiang Xin lightly with her elbow.

"Nonsense!" Jiang Xin snapped, feeling a bit embarrassed and angry, the tips of his ears burning slightly. "Everything between us is perfectly clean! It's just a superior-subordinate relationship!"

"Perfectly clean?" Jiang Feifei pressed on relentlessly, tilting her small face up to ask, "Then what kind of relationship is it? Pure revolutionary friendship?"

"Little girl!" Jiang Xin suddenly turned his head and glared at her fiercely, intentionally putting on a menacing expression. He leaned into her ear and threatened in a voice only the two of them could hear, "If you dare keep babbling, believe it or not, this Commander will lock you up tonight and ravish you again and again!" He deliberately imitated the tone of a movie villain.

Instead of being afraid, Jiang Feifei burst out laughing, her large eyes curving into crescents. She knew Jiang Xin too well; this guy was a master of words, better at talking tough than anyone, but in actual practice, he was incredibly timid. The boldest thing he'd ever done was secretly hold her hand; even a kiss made him as nervous as a thief. "Oh? Really?" She intentionally puffed out her chest and looked at him defiantly. "Then do it! If you don't, you're a puppy! Woof! Woof!" She even barked twice, her eyes full of playfulness.

"You...!" Jiang Xin was choked for words, his face burning. He felt completely handled by this little enchantress, but he couldn't lash out in the crowd. He could only growl through gritted teeth, "Little girl, you just wait! I'll deal with you tonight!"

Just then, several excited screams suddenly erupted from the crowd!

"Look! The troops are back!"

Everyone's gaze was instantly drawn. Several hinds and massive chinook transport helicopters, bearing the insignia of the Red Alert Legion, slowly landed on the nearby dedicated helipad with a deafening roar. The gale kicked up by the rotors made people's clothes flutter. The cabin doors opened, and survivors, thin and sallow with eyes full of fear yet the joy of having escaped death, walked tremulously down the ramps supported by Conscripts.

"Need a few people to lend a hand! Help these new brothers and sisters!" A Conscript squad leader stood at the cabin door, shouting loudly toward the crowd.

"I'll do it! Officer!"

"Me too!"

"Make way, I'm coming to help!" ...Many warm-hearted residents immediately surged forward, busily helping to support, hand out water, and guide the newcomers. In times of crisis, this simple spirit of mutual aid was especially precious.

While everyone was busy, an even lower and more oppressive whistling sound approached from the distance!

Everyone subconsciously looked up!

In the sky, a crimson meteor tore through the horizon! An extraordinary Fire Qilin, its body covered in lava-like scales and its four hooves treading on golden auspicious clouds, galloped forward, accompanied by a wave of scorching wind! On its back stood a tall, proud figure! Ice-blue streamlined armor covered key areas, reflecting a cold glint in the sunlight; hot crimson bracers and boots were on his wrists and ankles; behind him, a scarlet cloak danced wildly in the high-speed flight like a burning flag! The newcomer was Zhang Lei! The golden glow of the setting sun spilled over him, as if draping him in the aura of a god of war—majestic, powerful, and blinding!"

"It's Major Zhang Lei! The base's number one expert! The 'ice fire divine lord'! Ah—! So handsome! I want to have your babies—!" A young girl screamed so loudly she forgot herself, causing everyone to look her way.

Following closely behind Zhang Lei, three steel giants of different designs, full of power, streaked across the sky with different colored exhaust flames, diving down with a roar!

The first unit had a gun-metal grey paint job, with rugged and heavy lines. Cold light flickered from the hydraulic systems at the joints, like a moving steel fortress—it was Chen Hao's 'destroyer' mecha!

The second unit was a mix of bright yellow and orange-red. Liquid flames seemed to flow between the armor gaps, and the massive thermal combat blade on its back emitted high temperatures that distorted the air—Blaze Ash's 'blaze'!

The third unit had a blue-purple paint job, with jumping blue electric arcs surrounding its body, making a faint 'crackling' sound. It carried a sci-fi electric gun on its back—Yang Yi's 'thunderbolt'!

"It's 'destroyer King' Captain Chen Hao! Such a sense of power! This mecha! China's technology is awesome!" A mecha enthusiast waved his fist excitedly.

"'blaze' is the truly cool one! What 'destroyer King'? Watch out or our Captain Blaze Ash's golden blade will melt you into iron water! 'blaze Golden Blade' Blaze Ash is the best!" Blaze Ash's fans immediately shouted back, unwilling to be outdone.

"Shut up! 'thunderbolt' is the strongest! Lightning is the righteous energy of heaven and earth! It's meant for striking demons and monsters! 'Lightning Dharma King' Captain Yang Yi is mighty!" Yang Yi's supporters shouted even louder.

For a moment, the people on the outskirts of the helipad were like a boiling pot of oil, cheering for their favorite heroes and mechas. The nicknames were shouted so loudly they almost started fighting over who was stronger; the atmosphere reached a fever pitch.

Mixed in the crowd, Jiang Xin's mouth twitched as he listened: "ice fire divine lord? destroyer King? blaze Golden Blade? Lightning Dharma King? Who gave them these tacky nicknames? It's way too chuunibyou..." He complained wildly in his head. However, seeing the sincere admiration in the survivors' eyes and their trust in the army's strength, he felt it was a good thing; morale was high.

Only... he stroked his chin, looking at Zhang Lei and the others being surrounded by the fanatical crowd, then looked at his own dusty grey work clothes.

"Tsk, these guys have such resounding titles... and I, the Commander, don't even have a nickname? That's not scientific!" Jiang Xin muttered a bit sourly to himself. "King's Advent? Hmm... that sounds okay? Haha!" A bit of mischief and a hint of dissatisfaction grew quietly in his heart. He subconsciously straightened his back; even if no one was watching, the Commander's aura had to be maintained by himself first!