Chapter 42: Airship
In the western part of the city—second only to the eastern district in prosperity—the reason for such flourishing lay in the fact that the west side housed Qinshan Base’s primary airship docking zone.
The airship was a type of aerial craft manufactured by the Alliance through the application of crystal energy technology brought by the alien races.
Fundamentally different from the airplanes of the Blue Star Alliance, airships relied on the levitation force generated by crystal power to fly in the sky and could hover midair at will.
Zhou Ming had also seen airships before. Their massive size was comparable to a battleship from his previous life. Although their speed could not match the Alliance’s supersonic fighter jets, airships resembled warships sailing in the heavens.
They were equipped with all sorts of weapons and also possessed defensive shields powered by crystal technology. However, according to what Zhou Ming had learned in the library, such shields consumed an enormous amount of energy and were only activated during critical situations.
It could be said that airships were the lifeline connecting all the bases of the Blue Star Alliance. Naturally, they were not managed by individual bases but were directly under the control of the Alliance Airship Bureau at the Alliance headquarters.
Er Leng and the others planned to use an airship to leave Qinshan Base; by then, the sky would truly be free for them to soar.
With the money they had extorted from Brother Snake and the twice-mutated Ironthread Snake in their possession, even if they went to a large base, their livelihoods would be secure.
Yixin Hotel, located in the western city not far from the airship landing field, was one such inn.
Because each base operated in a semi-enclosed environment, hotels and other accommodations for travelers were rare nowadays.
Especially in medium-sized bases, most hotels were meant for couples or certain special groups.
However, Yixin Hotel was different. Thanks to its proximity to the airship landing area, it occasionally received actual travelers.
Due to the rarity of airships and the preciousness of crystal energy, Qinshan Base did not receive them daily—only two or three airships arrived each month.
Tomorrow, one airship was scheduled to depart from Qinshan Base. Tonight was Zhou Ming’s final opportunity—he had to complete the mission of having Cunning Fox escort Er Leng into the airship landing field.
Once inside the airship zone, it became part of Qinshan Base’s strictly regulated area.
Aside from the heavily armed soldiers stationed there, according to Zhou Ming’s intel, several Official Rank Beast Tamers were also guarding the site.
The only good news was that as long as one did not enter the restricted area, no matter what disturbance occurred outside, the guards stationed at the landing field would not leave their posts.
As long as the timing was controlled and the Security Bureau had not yet arrived, Zhou Ming would be able to leave smoothly.
Inside the largest suite on the third floor of Yixin Hotel, composed of four bedrooms and a spacious living room, several hunters wearing light combat uniforms beneath their clothes were playing cards and relaxing. To them, this mission seemed effortless.
“Stop playing around. The boss has a bad feeling tonight. You few, stick to the plan and take turns on watch.”
A bedroom door opened, and a beautiful woman in a tight leather outfit with a streamlined figure walked out, giving firm instructions to the men before her.
“Mei Fox, are you just trying to get rid of us because we interrupted you and the boss earlier?”
“Hahaha.”
Hearing Flying Fox’s teasing, the others laughed with knowing tones.
Everyone in the team was aware of Mei Fox’s relationship with the boss.
“Get lost.”
Mei Fox laughed and cursed in response to their teasing, not taking offense—such jokes were common greetings among hunters.
“The boss said he just summoned Night Fox and felt something was off tonight. We can’t afford to be careless.”
After scolding them, Mei Fox’s face turned serious as she gave a simple explanation.
“Got it.”
Hearing that, the team members immediately dropped their cards, wiped the grins from their faces, and began preparing for work.
Everyone present knew Night Fox’s capabilities, and with the boss’s orders, none dared to slack off.
Click, click…
Each of them began checking their firearms.
Due to the base’s firearm restrictions, everyone carried only a simple handgun and a combat knife.
Each pistol was equipped with a silencer—to avoid drawing attention from the Security Bureau—since these weapons had all been purchased from the Black Market.
As for whether they would be held accountable afterward, as long as they weren’t caught on the spot, the squad had its ways to cover their tracks. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have dared take on missions within the base.
Once preparations were complete, the group began taking up their assigned positions throughout the hotel, standing guard at critical points.
“Lady Mei Fox, is something wrong?”
Hearing movement outside, Er Leng opened his door, revealing an uneasy expression.
“Don’t worry. We’re just making some necessary preparations to ensure you can safely enter the airship landing field tomorrow. Nothing’s wrong.”
Seeing that it was their employer, Mei Fox explained that it was all for his sake.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Seeing no immediate problem, Er Leng rolled his eyes slightly, thanked her, and closed the door.
“Black Fox, keep an eye on the window in the living room.”
As the squad’s best close-combat fighter, Black Fox was specially stationed in the living room.
“Don’t worry, Mei Fox.”
Built like a black bear and nothing like a fox, Black Fox thumped his chest in assurance.
Seeing this, Mei Fox nodded and returned to her room.
Inside, a thin man in his thirties sat with eyes closed on a chair, beside him his contracted beast—Night Fox.
Its body was as dark as ink, gleaming silver claws and fangs catching the faint light.
Its large ears twitched, scanning the surroundings, while its bushy tail rested protectively on its master.
“Boss, everything’s going according to plan.”
After reporting, Mei Fox hesitated before asking,
“Is there really something wrong tonight?”
After all, aside from Cunning Fox, the team’s strength mostly relied on their handguns. Mei Fox couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.
“I can feel it—not just my beast, even I sense a dangerous presence drawing near.”
“But since we’re inside the base, it shouldn’t cause too much commotion. I’m mainly worried about someone attempting a close-range assassination, so you’d better not go out tonight.”
Naturally, Cunning Fox prioritized protecting his woman first.
“Understood, Boss.”
Mei Fox nodded and moved behind him, beginning to massage his shoulders. If not for the current situation, their interaction would likely have turned more intimate.
Outside Yixin Hotel, night had fallen.
Dim streetlights flickered to life, and in the shadows beyond their reach, a figure quietly observed the hotel—it was Zhou Ming, fully prepared.
He wore a loose short-sleeved shirt, beneath which was a simple protective vest he had bought from the Black Market, made from the hide of a low-tier Ferocious Beast.
Hidden under his clothes, it was barely noticeable. Though inferior to a field combat suit, it was better than nothing.
He wore a baseball cap on his head, a black mask covering his handsome face, and ordinary contact lenses concealing his distinctive eyes.
Boom.
A summer thunderstorm rolled in that night, as if even the heavens were aiding Zhou Ming.
“What a perfect night.”
He looked up at the pitch-black sky and murmured casually, waiting for the rain to fall.