Chapter 469: Not A Coincidence
Translator: Oneshotwonder Editor: Hitesh_
As the war progressed, METAL mechanics had become indispensable. Many talents who could have turned out to be solid soldiers had chosen to become a mechanic instead, and achieved prestigious status in the military nonetheless.
Even someone as resourceful as Lie Jian, had to take good care of his METAL. He usually would let the grand master mechanic charge up his METAL before using it. He wagered that Wang Tong could have gotten a respectful and cushy job even at House Lie, so why would he rather stay with Battle Wolf in the middle of nowhere? He could enter any battlefield.
The young soldier held his METAL in both hands and was still finding it hard to believe what had just happened. How come there was such a grandmaster level mechanic hidden among the ranks of Battle Wolf?
…
“Hahahaha! I won! I really WON! ” Duo Lun shouted as he stormed toward the shop. “Furface! Furface! Where are you?”
As soon as Duo Lun rushed into the mechanic shop, the young soldier called Fang Liang hurried to grab him from the side and covered his mouth with his palm.
“Quiet, you thick! Master furface is fixing the METAL. What are you talking about anyway?”
Duo Lun became even more lighthearted when he realized that it was Fang Liang who had intercepted him. They were at the same level, and therefore, no one would be better than Fang Liang for him to share the news of his victory. “I have just defeated Castro! He defeated me one hundred and thirty-two times, and I finally won at the one hundred and thirty third try! I DID IT!”
Fang Liang was taken aback by the news. Both he and Duo Lun were level eight METAL fighters, and Castro had reached level ten a while ago. How did Duo Lun best someone who was two levels ahead of him? It was impossible! Castro must have held back his power.
Sensing Fang Liang’s doubt, Duo Lun hurried to his defense, “He didn’t hold back his power. He is still there, paralyzed.”
Duo Lun had spoken the truth; Castro was laying on the ground motionless, waiting for the uncontrollable fit of spasm in his system to subside. Castro didn’t even see the attack coming. He felt that something was different, and even as he was about to adjust his movement, he was dealt a blow on his neck close to the throat which paralyzed him like an electric shot.
Castro was still dumbfounded by his defeat after he had regained control over his body and saw Lu Duo dragging Fang Liang into the training camp.
Feeling the indignation in his throat, Castro shouted, “Hey Duo Lun, one more round! The last one doesn’t count!”
“Haha! As you wish! But, what if you lose again?”
“What do you mean? I have been helping you practice for so many years, and have I ever asked for payment?”
“Of course, you did. My tuition was your pleasure. If I defeat you again, how about you take care of my laundry for a week? Haha! Or, you can somehow set me up with Ye Zi for a date. Your choice!”
“You? A date with Ye Zi? Forget about it. I’d rather wash your underwear. Come on now, don’t waste time!”
The two used the same strategy as they had been using for years. Duo Lun started with a solid defense until Castro unleashed the final strike. He followed Wang Tong’s instruction and slid the blade two inches further to interrupt Castro’s movement, and then immediately followed with disorienting sweeping kicks. Just like last time, Castro could barely maintain his balance while defending the attacks from below. On Duo Lun’s fifth round of kicks, he finally found an opening and sneaked his blade to Castro’s throat while the latter’s attention was on his feet.
Castro could not believe his own eyes when he saw the sharp tip of the blade right under his chin. It was evident by then that his first defeat was not a coincidence.
Fang Liang watched with his mouth open. If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he would never believe that Duo Lun would be able to catch Castro’s only flaw with such ease.
From a distance, Ye Zi watched the development quietly.
“Duo Lun, would you like to join me for lunch?” Ye Zi walked to Duo Lun and asked.
His luck stupefied Duo Lun, and he stammered, “Lun-lun-lunch?”
“It’s ok Ye Zi. I can just wash his underwear for a week. I will be fine. You don’t have to do that.”
Ye Zi smiled faintly and then refuted, “Castro if you have the time to wash other people’s underwear, why don’t you spend it on practicing?”
Castro’s face crumpled with jealousy. He watched as Ye Zi and Duo Lun started off to the dining hall.
Before the two reached the dining hall, Duo Lun already started to disclose all the information he knew about Wang Tong. He stated and reinstated a few key facts about the new member as if he was worried that Ye Zi would not believe what he had to say.
Meanwhile, inside the mechanic shop, Wang Tong buried his nose in a pile of METAL parts. Suddenly, he was taken over by a fit of uncontrollable sneezes; someone must have been gossiping about him behind his back as per old superstitions.
A few moments later, Wang Tong finally completed his work. He pushed himself out of a chair and stretched his arms, and then heard the din of approaching footsteps. In a few seconds, Duo Lun poked his head into the room and waved a bag of takeout boxes in front of Wang Tong.
“Have some food, Furface. You have been working nonstop ever since morning.”
Wang Tong caught the bag from Duo Lun’s hand and started wolfing down the contents of the box.
“OMG! What are these?” Duo Lun’s eyes lit up at the sight of the pile of neatly arranged METAL parts.
“Isn’t it Castro’s METAL? I don’t remember its energy crystal ever shining so vibrantly before. What have you done? ” Duo Lun’s voice trembled. He recognized Castro’s METAL immediately by the eye-catching graffiti on the helmet.
“Did you fix this?” Duo Lun asked again. Duo Lun’s mind raced. However naive he was, he had started to suspect that Wang Tong was more than what met the eyes.
It was evident that Wang Tong had charged Castro’s METAL with his own soul energy. Duo Lun had only heard of such technique in tales, and never believed them to be real. Even if the technique was real, the procedure was extremely taxing on the mechanic’s soul energy. In extreme cases, the mechanic also ran the risk of depleting his own sea of consciousness. Looking at the scrawny arms of Wang Tong, Duo Lun was convinced that he appeared weak because he had overspent his soul energy on these operations.
Mouth stuffed and unable to speak, Wang Tong nodded a reply.
Duo Lun handed him a bottle of water and then said, “Slow down furface. You don’t have to fix everything at once. These jerks! Can’t they wait a couple of days before sending in more orders?”
“Ah, I’m fine. I like to keep myself busy.” Wang Tong said and took a large gulp of water.
Meanwhile, inside Guan Dongyang’s room, the leaders of Battle Wolf were in a meeting.
“Boss, we can’t pass up such a great opportunity! We could always use more equipment!” Ross announced.
After the meeting with the representative from the other two factions, Guan Dongyang and Ross learned that Thunder Fire and Rock Buster would like to invite Battle Wolf to join them in a raid on the Zergs’ provisions.
“I agree that we should participate in the heist, but we need to be cautious. It just seems too… easy.” Guan Dongyang scowled.
Ye Zi sat quietly beside Guan Dongyang. She was impressed by the young leader’s strength as well as his steady and levelheaded approach while making crucial decisions.
“Boss, I think you are worrying too much. The combined strength of three factions should be more than enough to best any Zerg transport fleet.” Ross argued.
On paper, this heist seemed to be the opportunity of a lifetime. These provisions included the most sought-after parts, such as the energy crystals. Without those parts to ensure the function of METAL suits, hundreds of METAL fighters’ lives would be at risk. How would Guan Dongyang unify the factions under his banner if he couldn’t even guarantee his soldiers’ safety?
Guan Dongyang gritted his teeth and finally made up his mind. The location of the heist was far from the Zergs’ main camp in the city. So, Guan Dongyang wagered that even if the Zergs detected their movement, it would take a while for the Zerg reinforcements to arrive.
…
“Haha! Well-done furface, and thank you for your suggestions! Is there anything else you think I could improve upon? ” Duo Lun beamed from side to side as he told Wang Tong about his victory against Castro.
“Ok, show me the tactics you have been practicing.” Wang Tong said.
Duo Lun was taken aback by Wang Tong’s directness. Ever since the great war, the matter of tactics had become a very personal topic, and it was usually frowned upon to ask such a question in public. However, Duo Lun trusted Wang Tong, so he didn’t mind. He walked to the middle of the room and started his tactics.
Wang Tong watched his tactics attentively, paying particular attention to the movements of GN nodes.
