"You say one more word of nonsense, and believe me, I’ll really zap you."
Han Ruoxi narrowed her eyes, a flicker of electric light sparking between her fingers.
"Alright, alright, my queen. I’ll shut up, okay?"
Sun Yang raised his hands in surrender.
Li Chang’an watched this with a smile and waved a hand. "Alright, that’s enough. Eat, sleep, and we’ll talk tomorrow. Stop arguing!"
The Insect Hunter Squad was a boisterous group.
Night fell, and though the base’s lights were still on, the members of the Insect Hunter Squad had scattered to do their own things.
Sun Yang flopped onto a bench in the rest area, a small piece of bread dangling from his mouth as he fiddled with his Pulse Gun.
He muttered as he cleaned the gun, "I knew it. This piece of junk always jams. I don’t know what’s up with logistics at the base. Can’t they give me an equipment upgrade?"
Han Ruoxi was sitting nearby, happily tossing a small Energy Ball in her hand. Hearing his words, she shot him a look. "Don’t always blame everyone but yourself. It only jams because you’re so rough with it. You use your gun like a hammer and you’re surprised it has problems?"
"Hey now, Han Ruoxi. You’re an Electric Energy expert. Can’t you understand a man’s romance?"
Sun Yang looked up, wearing what he thought was a profound expression. "A weapon is a man’s second life. You have to treat it with your soul.
Do you get it? You don’t get shit!"
Tossing the Energy Ball up and catching it, Han Ruoxi completely ignored him. "Keep spouting your nonsense. The day you actually break that gun, we’ll see how romantic you are!"
Shen Qiuyue had just walked over. Hearing their conversation, she interjected coolly, "A weapon is a tool, not a romantic prop.
Sun Yang, if you keep being so careless, you’ll pay for it sooner or later!"
"Hey, Sister Qiuyue, that’s where you’re wrong!"
Sun Yang quickly stood up with a fawning smile. "I may be a crude man, but I have a delicate side! Look how shiny I’ve polished this barrel. I’m definitely more professional than those logistics guys at the base!"
"Is that so?"
Shen Qiuyue glanced at the Pulse Gun in his hand and said flatly, "You cleaned it carelessly. You didn’t even get the residue out of the muzzle.
Forget a real battle. You wouldn’t even last three minutes in training!"
"Huh?"
Sun Yang froze for a second, then quickly looked down. Sure enough, there were some smudges.
He scratched his head and gave an embarrassed laugh. "Hehe, Sister Qiuyue, you’ve got a sharp eye. I’ll fix it later, I promise!"
Just then, Bai Lin looked up from his corner, his voice quiet but his tone serious. "Sun Yang, if you lack confidence in your weapon, I can help you adjust the parameters and optimize the trigger mechanism.
But you have to solve the basic problem first!"
"Bai Lin! You really are our squad’s tech genius!"
Sun Yang’s eyes lit up. He ran over in a few steps and handed the gun to him. "Take a look for me. This thing jams for no reason at all. There has to be something wrong with it, right?"
Bai Lin took the gun and began inspecting it. "It’s not the gun’s fault," he said as he looked. "You’re just too violent with it.
A Pulse Gun’s Energy Core requires delicate maintenance. You can’t just keep hitting it.
I’ll fix it for you tomorrow, but be more careful from now on!"
"Okay, okay, okay! You’re a lifesaver!"
Sun Yang immediately slapped his chest in a guarantee. "From now on, I’ll definitely be a meticulous gunman!"
On the other side, Li Chang’an was leaning back in his chair, eyes half-closed, chewing on some dried fruit he’d gotten from who knows where.
Listening to their conversation, he couldn’t help but shake his head. "Can you guys quiet down for a second? You’re giving me a headache!"
"Captain, how can you be like that!"
Han Ruoxi turned to him, displeased. "We’re discussing serious business here, and you? You’re just eating your dried fruit and criticizing us like you’re in the right!"
"Yeah, Captain!"
Sun Yang immediately chimed in. "This is a major issue that affects our combat effectiveness! Not only are you not being supportive, you’re complaining about the noise! Some loyalty!"
"And your so-called ’serious business’ is just bickering?"
Li Chang’an sat up a little straighter and tossed a piece of dried fruit into his mouth. "How about this: tomorrow morning, we’ll have a sparring session.
Whoever loses has to keep their mouth shut for a whole day. How about it?"
At this, Han Ruoxi’s eyes lit up. "Sparring? All right, Captain. You’d better not lose!"
"Lose? Me?"
Li Chang’an smiled and set his dried fruit on the table. "All of you together aren’t enough to take me on. Don’t go looking for trouble!"
Shen Qiuyue walked over and sat down, saying flatly, "Chang’an, don’t be overconfident.
I’ll be giving it my all in tomorrow’s match!"
"Then I’ll be waiting."
Li Chang’an nodded, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smirk.
The next morning, the Insect Hunter Squad assembled at the training grounds.
"The rules for the match are simple!"
Li Chang’an stood in the center of the field, looking at the people before him. "One-on-one single combat. Opponents will be decided by a random draw.
The last one standing wins!"
Han Ruoxi rubbed her hands together. "Captain, I want to be the first to challenge you!"
"Fine by me!"
Li Chang’an waved a hand. "But don’t blame me for going too hard!"
"Hmph, it’s not decided who’ll win or lose yet!"
Han Ruoxi walked onto the field, arcs of electricity beginning to flicker in her palm.
Shen Qiuyue stood to the side, her arms crossed over her sword, and whispered to Sun Yang, "She’s asking for a beating."
"Hehe, this is gonna be good!"
Sun Yang rubbed his hands together, his face full of anticipation. "I love watching them fight. It’s so exciting!"
Li Chang’an drew his Saw Chain Sword and took an opening stance. "Han Ruoxi, bring it on!"
Without hesitation, Han Ruoxi unleashed her Electric Energy. A powerful bolt of Lightning shot straight toward Li Chang’an.
Li Chang’an pivoted and dodged to the side. His Saw Chain Sword immediately swept out, aiming for Han Ruoxi’s waist.
"That’s too vicious!"
Han Ruoxi cried out in alarm and barely dodged, but her attack was interrupted.
"A fight is a fight. Less talk!"
Li Chang’an gave a small smile and attacked again.
The atmosphere on the field instantly grew tense, while the team members on the sidelines watched with great interest.
"Han Ruoxi won’t last three moves!"
Shen Qiuyue commented softly.
"I’ll bet five moves!"
Sun Yang shouted.
The fight continued. As Han Ruoxi gradually ran out of stamina, Li Chang’an seized an opportunity, pressing his sword against her shoulder.
"You lose."
Li Chang’an said flatly.
"Let’s go again!"
Han Ruoxi shouted, refusing to accept defeat.
"You can try beating me next time!"
Li Chang’an turned and walked away, leaving an indignant Han Ruoxi stamping her foot.
Puffing her cheeks in anger, Han Ruoxi got up from the ground. She dusted herself off, staring at Li Chang’an’s back and muttering, "He’s too much. He could have held back, but he had to push me into a corner. Seriously!"
"Oh, Han Ruoxi, you were just asking for it!"
Sun Yang squatted nearby with a teasing look on his face. "You actually dared to challenge the Captain? You’ve got guts! But seriously, your fighting style is pretty flashy. Especially that Lightning, tsk tsk, so cool!"
"Sun Yang, say one more word and I’ll zap you!"
Han Ruoxi raised a finger, and an arc of electricity flashed at its tip.
Sun Yang quickly backed away a few steps, waving his hands. "No, no, no, I was wrong! You’re the pro, you’re the pro!"
"Alright, stop fooling around!"
Shen Qiuyue walked over and got between them, her tone cool. "Who’s next?"
"Hey, you even have to ask?"
Sun Yang slapped his chest. "Me, of course! It’s just practice. Captain, I’m coming for you!"
Li Chang’an stood in the center of the field, casually twirling his Saw Chain Sword. "Sun Yang, are you sure? Don’t say I’m bullying you!"
"Captain, we’re brothers here. It’s not like you’re actually going to kill me, are you?"
Sun Yang chuckled and raised his Pulse Gun. "Come on. Today, I’m going to show you the charm of long-range firepower!"
"Alright, then bring it."
Li Chang’an unhurriedly assumed a defensive stance.
Sun Yang wasted no time, raising his gun and firing. A blue beam of Pulse Energy shot toward Li Chang’an.
"Captain, watch out! I’ve modified this thing; its power is doubled!"
He shouted as his finger repeatedly pulled the trigger, firing several more beams of Pulse Energy at Li Chang’an.
Li Chang’an sidestepped two attacks, then blocked the third with his Saw Chain Sword.
The Energy slammed into the sword, erupting in a dazzling shower of sparks.