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墨書 Inktalez
July 16th, Morning
What woke Liu Xuan from his slumber was not the alarm clock on the bedside table, but the sudden numbness spreading through his right arm as he became conscious—Ma Yihan was sleeping beside him, and his right arm had been pressed under her body all night.
Looking at the curled-up Little Beauty in his arms, Liu Xuan felt a mix of amusement and affection as he gazed at this little sprite sleeping next to him.
After battling with the Grave Sweeper on the streets, he chose to no longer expose Nars's soul and return to a peaceful life. Since it was summer vacation, he wanted to take some time to think about his future direction. The Military Base in City S had sent him an invitation to join An Xiaotian's team as a member of the special forces squad, but this also meant the end of his academic career. With summer vacation still available, he decided to live with Ma Yihan for a while, enjoying love while contemplating his future path.
It had been seven or eight days since they started living together. If he didn't hold Ma Yihan, she would cling to him, playfully rubbing against him and preventing Liu Xuan from falling asleep—last night, after being too playful, Ma Yihan almost got "educated" by Liu Xuan; every morning without fail ended up like this. He could have slept until eight or nine o'clock but was forced awake around six or seven due to the numbness in his arm.
The sunlight outside filtered through the curtains, gently stirring the fine dust floating in the room. The golden light quietly nestled against Ma Yihan's sleeping face, wrapping around her beautiful hair. Her lovely and serene appearance stirred a long-lost sense of tenderness in Liu Xuan's heart. He subtly shifted his body, watching as the tiny specks of dust shyly settled on his beloved angel.
However, today Liu Xuan was somewhat lucky.
As if by telepathy or a unique understanding between lovers, even with just a slight sound, Ma Yihan stirred awake. She slowly turned over, blinking her big eyes and curiously surveying the room and Liu Xuan like a newborn baby.
"Awake?" Liu Xuan said with some surprise. "Could you move a bit? You're pressing down on me."
To his surprise, Ma Yihan gave him a mischievous smile and sleepily replied, "Hmm~ No."
"Be good and listen," Liu Xuan said gently as he lightly stroked her chubby cheek.
"I don't want to..."
Liu Xuan's expression suddenly turned serious. He rolled over and pinned Ma Yihan beneath him. Still groggy from sleep, she barely registered what was happening before he slipped his hand to her waist, pretending to lift her sleeping shirt.
"Hey! I'm not wearing anything! I surrender! I surrender... You're so annoying."
Using this tactic against Ma Yihan's stubbornness had always worked for Liu Xuan.
"Not wearing anything? Then I should definitely lift it up!" Suddenly feeling playful, Liu Xuan tugged at the hem of Ma Yihan's shirt.
"Ah! You're crazy! Haha... What are you doing? No..." Ma Yihan blushed deeply, stifling a charming smile while her eyes darted away, showcasing her youthful shyness. Yet she maintained an expression of defiance.
The two of them gazed into each other's eyes intimately for a long while before Ma Yihan finally shifted her position.
"You really are cowardly," Ma Yihan subtly reproached Liu Xuan, who was pressing down on her.
Liu Xuan was still a bit confused and didn't immediately understand what she meant.
"Ahem... Actually, I woke up at five o'clock," Ma Yihan changed the subject, reaching out to gently touch Liu Xuan's face as she playfully complained, "I had a nightmare, and it scared me awake. Then I heard the sound of cars roaring outside, and I couldn't fall back asleep."
"A nightmare? What was it about?"
"I dreamed that you left me, and I felt so sad."
"That's impossible; dreams are all fake."
As they were whispering to each other, Liu Xuan's phone suddenly vibrated. She got out of bed and opened her phone to find over ten unread messages, all from An Xiaotian, with texts like "Are you there?" and "Wake up," along with one missed call that was encrypted.
"What's going on?" Liu Xuan replied to the messages.
"Sorry to interrupt your honeymoon," unexpectedly, An Xiaotian replied instantly, even adding a smiley face.
"Spit it out quickly," Liu Xuan responded with a meme of someone getting knocked down.
"Here's the thing, Xuan. According to higher-ups' instructions, you need to come to our Military Base immediately. We've already sent a military vehicle to your building. This time it's not up for discussion; orders have been given, and you must comply."
Liu Xuan's eyes widened in shock as she jumped out of bed and pulled back the curtains. It was just past six in the morning; the sky was slightly brightening. Outside, a military Humvee was parked there. An Xiaotian and several officers stood in front of the vehicle and waved enthusiastically when they saw Liu Xuan's head.
"No way, you can't be serious!" Liu Xuan's heart raced uncontrollably.
"Of course I'm serious. Besides, without approval, I can't even dispatch a vehicle to welcome you."
"So... do I still go to college?"
"Your student status will be retained. Once the military mission is completed, you can return to school at any time."
Liu Xuan put down his phone and retreated into the room, once again pulling the curtains shut. His thoughts became complicated as he paced back and forth by the bed, completely forgetting that Ma Yihan was still sitting on it.
"Hey, who are you chatting with, Casanova? You’ve even sent her home!" Ma Yihan pouted sarcastically, combing her hair behind her while glancing at Liu Xuan.
"I did call someone," Liu Xuan replied half-jokingly.
"What?!" Ma Yihan's voice rose sharply as she picked up a comb, ready to throw it at Liu Xuan.
"Wait! No, it’s An Xiaotian. What did you think?"
"Him?" Ma Yihan leaned forward to look at Liu Xuan's chat history with An Xiaotian. "Ugh, I've already been in bed with you, and you still can't forget this guy."
Liu Xuan smiled and sat back down on the bed, while Ma Yihan nestled beside him, scrolling through their chat records.
"So you're really going to leave me?" After reading through it all, Ma Yihan's face turned pale.
Her words suddenly made Liu Xuan realize the issue. He took back his phone and typed: "Xiaotian, can I bring a family member?"
"Ma Yihan? We’ve considered this and asked her parents. Unfortunately, they firmly disagree."
"We're both adults; Ma Yihan can decide this for herself!"
"I know, but in my impression, Ma Yihan is a very filial girl. Moreover, if I were to take Ma Yihan away, her parents would definitely want to know your identity. If that raises suspicions, they would worry about societal pressure."
Indeed, An Xiaotian's two reasons were convincing enough for him. Whatever their parents wanted or needed, Ma Yihan would try her best to fulfill those wishes. This time, Ma Yihan came to City S to work voluntarily to help ease her family's financial burden.
Liu Xuan handed his phone to Ma Yihan. She lowered her head and pondered for a long time; just as An Xiaotian had predicted.
"Alright, you go ahead. Since my parents don't agree, I... sigh, anyway, I probably can't help much."
"It's okay, don't blame yourself." Liu Xuan hugged Ma Yihan and gently kissed her forehead. "As long as there's time, you can come see me anytime."
Ma Yihan pouted and blinked hard.
"After the war is over, I'll take you home as my wife, okay? Wait for me."
"Why do they need you, Liu Xuan? You must be hiding something from me." Ma Yihan said with a hint of grievance. "You have to tell me; I was right there when you fought that monster. I saw everything."
Liu Xuan fell silent for a moment. Finally, his left eye turned into a gentle moonlight color as Nars's personality quietly surfaced, revealing itself to Ma Yihan. "Han'er, I am already a warrior now. As for why, it's all due to fate."
"Will you have to go fight in battles in the future?"
"Yes."
"You... you mustn't get hurt. I'll wait for you to come back and marry me."
As he released her from his embrace, his seemingly carefree figure was left behind in the cool air blown by the air conditioner. Ma Yihan's face fell as tears began to gather at the corners of her eyes. Her hands rubbed together nervously, and her slightly parted lips longed for the passion of her soon-to-be-separated lover. When Liu Xuan left the house and looked back at the heartbroken Ma Yihan, his heart ached so much that he quickly stepped forward and buried her head in his shoulder, letting out a breath that was caught back by his closed lips.
"I'm coming down," Liu Xuan messaged.
Unable to resist her love, Liu Xuan took Ma Yihan downstairs where five officers and An Xiaotian were waiting below.
The hands that had been tightly clasped finally separated. Liu Xuan waved goodbye to Ma Yihan, but just as he turned back, she rushed forward and hugged him from behind. "In the future! I... I'll come see you anytime! You have to be available whenever I call, got it?"
"Definitely," Liu Xuan forced a smile.
Despite all the reluctance in the world, Ma Yihan eventually let go. Watching the car leave the neighborhood, she felt an overwhelming sense of loss and leaned against the wall as she quietly sobbed.
She had no understanding of this increasingly dangerous world or humanity's fate. She could never imagine that her boy would become a pillar of strength to change everything in the future. All she wanted was to keep her first love by her side, quietly taking care of him for a lifetime—being his lover from girlhood to old age.
But in war, how many people can come back alive? And how many devoted women spend their lives in solitude for them?
"I travel north, leaving behind the season with you..."
On the bus, Liu Xuan played this old song on his phone, quietly watching the unfamiliar yet familiar city rapidly retreat into a vast and boundless field. Liu Xuan pressed his lips together, slowly savoring this unprecedented emotion.
About three hours later, they arrived at their destination. After a few people got off the bus, General Jiang, Jiao An, Qin Weishan, and Dr. Chen Hao stood by, quietly waiting for them to approach.
As a key protected individual of the military, although Liu Xuan was not used to it, he still followed etiquette and shook hands with each of them in turn. When he met General Jiang, General Jiang praised him: "We watched the footage of you fighting the monster; child, you truly live up to the name of a warrior!"
"Thank you for your kind words, General." Liu Xuan bowed slightly to show humility. Then An Xiaotian, under the general's orders, led Liu Xuan to his residence.
"It's a pity that Ma Yihan couldn't come; otherwise, I wouldn't want you two to be apart."
On the way to adapt to his new place of residence, An Xiaotian said apologetically.
Liu Xuan appeared very relieved: "It doesn't matter; let's just consider it a small interlude in love. Who knows if this is a test of loyalty in love? After the war ends, I will be by her side. Since I've chosen to take her with me, come what may, I won't let go."
"We won't let go either, Liu Xuan."
In the command room
That evening, Liu Xuan received his first summons. The large screen displayed surveillance footage from the day of the explosion at the cemetery. After the explosion, Xie Weizhong's body gradually disappeared and transformed into a terrifying cloud. When he woke up, four strange figures appeared at the door, looking at him.
"Liu Xuan, could you explain these four individuals to us?" General Jiang asked.
Liu Xuan's eyes lit up; he logged off and Nars switched to its main personality.
"The one in the middle wearing a cloak and having horn-like spikes is their leader named Xiu Sha. He possesses an extremely rare gene and is skilled in electric Spell Arts. He is also proficient in various combat techniques from our moon; there are only two first-tier commanding-level warriors among internal humans, and he is one of them. The one on the left is a stalker, female. She is very mysterious—so mysterious that even our allies do not know her true name. Having practiced illusion-based Spell Arts, she can control both others' and her own shadows to attack or capture others. She is well-versed in various daggers and short swords; she knows every weapon and every type of explosive inside out—truly an agent."
"Well... that sounds quite dire," Qin Weishan interjected.
"My father was also harmed because of her," Nars said painfully, stating the facts. "None of these four are easy to deal with."
"The second one on the left, Gad, is known by the codename 'Shatterer.' His family members are naturally tough and large, and as a new generation member, he not only has a strong resistance to damage but also possesses terrifying destructive power and combat abilities. He is the commander of the Heavy Infantry division in the Internal Human Expeditionary Force. The one on the right, with big yellow eyes and a skull-like face, is named Eckton, nicknamed 'Thunder Eye.' He was born with a hard exoskeleton of light yellow color and was once the commander of the Heavy Infantry as well, but his obvious shortcomings led to Gad taking his place. Both of them have impatient personalities, but Eckton stands out for his exceptional marksmanship; he excels at sniping."
"Oh? Good at sniping?" Jiao An crossed his arms and laughed. "Interesting."
"With this poor transformed individual added in, their team already has five members, while we only have four when including An Xiaotian," Qin Weishan said.
"Hey, what do you mean by saying we only have four when you include me?" An Xiaotian said somewhat unhappily.
"Because your armor is scrapped. Without the support of armor, you're at most a Special Forces Soldier. I'm just being honest," Qin Weishan replied helplessly.
"Well... actually he could wear the Black Hawk Armor, but every time he puts on the armor, he has to go through a painful neural interaction process, which causes significant brain damage to An Xiaotian and may not even be successful," Dr. Chen explained.
"That being said, the most urgent thing now is to restore Xiaotian's combat capability," Nars said.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Xiaotian, take me to where the armor is stored. I should be able to help you fix the neural link issue."
"But," An Xiaotian called out to Nars, "I don't want Blackhawk to become my second-generation armor; I just hope it can be a display piece. I hope you can understand my feelings."
"Is that scrapped armor still around?" Nars asked. "I have some knowledge of technology; repairing equipment on Earth shouldn't be too difficult. I just need an assistant to work with me. Within eighteen days, I promise to return you a better brand-new armor."
Inside the main battleship
Due to the natural corrosiveness of Grave Sweeper's body, this surgery was done without any major risks. Grave Sweeper's skull was replaced with an alloy one, giving him a complete head once again. "Looks pretty good," Xiu Sha stepped forward and smiled. "From now on, you won't have to worry about getting shot in the head."
"Thank you for taking care of me," Grave Sweeper said to Xiu Sha, "but there are a few things I must clarify with you."
"Please go ahead."
“Nars said, you are using me. Is that true?”
“Do you believe us or him?”
“...you.”
“Then that's good.” Xiu Sha turned around, “It's not that we are using you; it's that we need you.”
“Then what was his motive for planting that bomb?”
“Well...” Xiu Sha thought for a moment, “We originally intended to extract phosphorus from the graveyard for our battleship. He must have guessed our motive, which is why he planted it.”
“That reason is quite flimsy.”
“But we did save you!” Xiu Sha stepped closer, “Now that it has become a reality, why are you still dwelling on this? Just remember, if you cooperate with us to capture Nars, whether you want to stay on Earth or join us on our expedition is entirely up to you! What else are you worried about?”
The Grave Sweeper fell silent and turned away.
“We will have an operation in ten days.”
“What operation?”
“Hunting plan. Interested? Once we have regained our strength, we will fly to their lair and destroy them ourselves. If we succeed, your choice afterward will be to follow us or stay on this disappointing planet; we will not interfere again.”
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