Capítulo 1036: Chapter 809: One-Week Promise
Mu Fan just felt that after Lu Qingxue came out from inside, she seemed much lighter, as if she had let go of some burden.
The two were walking side by side, taking a secluded path leading to the interior of Dingchuan Academy.
“Going to the hangar?” Lu Qingxue asked, tilting her head.
“Yes.”
On Blue Capital Star, the security level of Dingchuan Academy is higher than that of the Federation government.
Leaving by spaceship from the academy’s valley hangar would avoid many prying eyes.
However, when the two silently reached the edge of the forest at the foot of the mountain, they were stopped by two figures.
“Instructor Bach?”
Mu Fan looked in surprise at the stern man with a flat-top haircut. Beside him was a burly man Mu Fan had never seen before, with a conspicuous X-shaped scar over his left eye. He had a leaf in his mouth and gave Mu Fan a friendly smile. Though Mu Fan clearly sensed this person should be quite threatening, shifting his gaze made it seem as if there was nothing there.
“Waited for you for two days, don’t tell me you’re leaving again.” Instructor Bach’s deep voice came through. If not for the Dark Department, all his efforts might have been in vain.
He looked somewhat surprised at Lu Qingxue beside him, curious about why this star student was with Mu Fan.
“I do have to leave, for something very important.”
“Then what about the upcoming academy exchange competition? You’re the only core student of this class.” Bach raised his head, his gaze solemn. “The tenth year may be a time of reshuffling, and this is the academy’s most important event this year. If possible, I hope you can attend.”
In his mind, Mu Fan was silently calculating the time and route related to the Blood Teeth Team. Participating in the academy exchange was crucial, but right now the Blood Teeth Team…
This opportunity was once in a lifetime. He had to get rid of this ubiquitous viper quickly!
Just as Mu Fan was about to respond, he was stopped by Bach’s hand gesture.
“Your teacher, Ruan Xiongfei, will be at the Capital Star competition site at the invitation of Dean Tang, along with your friends. I believe they hope to see you.”
“If possible, try to make it back.”
Bach handed a card to Mu Fan, “This is the video call between Dean Tang and Instructor Ruan from yesterday.”
He looked at the two of them earnestly, “The future of Dingchuan is always in your hands.”
“Alright! I’ll definitely make it within a week.”
Mu Fan raised his head and said resolutely.
A broad smile instantly appeared on Bach’s face as he gave Mu Fan a strong pat on the shoulder.
“I’m waiting for you! Safe travels.”
…
Two days later, an ordinary small tour ship passed through four consecutive space outpost checks and finally entered the atmosphere of Sky Bear Star.
Inside the somewhat crude spaceship, Mu Fan’s face was smeared with some mud. After applying a mixture made from the juice of special plants, his skin immediately appeared weathered and worn. His attire was not as professional as Lu Qingxue’s, consisting of a standard mercenary outfit — an old model.
This made Mu Fan look like a mercenary in his mid-twenties who lived dangerously.
Meanwhile, Lu Qingxue was entirely wrapped in a gray cloak, with everything but her pair of clear, lively eyes covered by a light white scarf.
Having passed through the scrutiny of those “irregular forces”, at each checkpoint, Mu Fan casually handed out two cards with a 50,000 credit limit, following Black’s hints.
“Those four outposts belong to four different powers; we’ve now officially crossed the border.”
Mu Fan remarked offhandedly, his eyes focused on the scenery outside the cockpit.
The ship glided over glaciers and began descending toward a yellow desert.
Lu Qingxue cradled the Wide Scabbard Sword in her arms, quietly leaning against the simple seats on either side, her gaze constantly fixed on Mu Fan’s side profile.
First, there was Mu Fan’s mysterious ship, which, though crude, miraculously had the ability to continuously traverse medium-sized wormholes.
The crudeness referred to the interior, but close examination of some joint details revealed exquisite craftsmanship. The integration and polishing at certain spots were even better than her own spaceship.
Secondly, there was Mu Fan’s demeanor, which seemed to have completely changed since entering space.
The maturity was far beyond what he displayed at the academy.
Including those subtle actions during the inspection, to an unknowing observer, he would seem like a veteran interstellar mercenary.
[You’re becoming more mysterious.]
Behind Mu Fan, out of his line of sight, a faint smile appeared on Lu Qingxue’s face.
Without Snow Spirit’s protection, this was her first time following a man to such a distant part of space, willingly.
This rare feeling of freedom and unrestrainedness brought a hint of warmth to her otherwise icy world.
When beside Mu Fan, perhaps it was the time she smiled the most.
“There’s no public hangar here… hold tight, prepare for a crash landing.”
Mu Fan’s voice sounded as he saw the towering iron wall standing at the desert’s edge below.
The countless Electromagnetic Cannons and plasma generators on the wall were intimidating.
Outside this wall, ships of all sizes lay scattered with no particular order.
This unmanaged desert turned out to be the best hangar.
Lu Qingxue’s delicate hand gripped the handrail, and as the heavy jolt beneath her feet came, she knew they had finally landed.
Mu Fan looked at the nearly hundred-meter-high wall and turned to Lu Qingxue: “It’s chaotic here; stay close to me.”
Yet the exquisite beauty wrapped in the gray cloak looked at Mu Fan with clear eyes, with slight amusement, her cool voice suddenly ringing, “Are you trying to protect me?”
Mu Fan only realized then that Senior Sister Lu seemed to possess incredible combat strength. That mature demeanor disappeared instantly, and he scratched his head, laughing, “Yes, I’ll protect you, if needed.”
“Needed.”
This time, Lu Qingxue made a little joke, throwing a small pouch to Mu Fan while seeing his dazed expression.
“Four Molten Magma Fruits, replenish your energy first.”
“Alright.”
Mu Fan casually took a fruit and tossed it into his mouth, letting the fiery and sweet flavor explode in his mouth.
Then he lowered his head to carefully tidy up his clothing.
He pulled out a worn Short Stick with dark gold patterns from under the driver’s seat with his left hand.
This was something Black had specially prepared for him, said to be a weapon left by that old fart Mohandas specifically for Mu Fan, though it had always been hidden in the egg-shaped pod since Black’s appearance.
This Short Stick was just retrieved from the underground vault of the commercial bank right before Mu Fan set off.
Yes, it felt heavy, weighing about 50 kilograms.
If used to smash someone over the head… it would certainly be fierce.
Lu Qingxue’s Wide Scabbard Sword was tucked back within her cloak, her shapely figure tightly concealed. When she lowered her head, her face was entirely obscured.
As she had said, she followed behind Mu Fan as if she were a protected entity walking off the spaceship.
– It’s so hot.
As they stepped through the hatch, the searing atmosphere hit their faces immediately, sweat promptly pouring down their cheeks.
Mu Fan looked up at the blazing sun, realizing for the first time that there were two “suns” here.
However, already accustomed to the wilderness way of living, he felt a peculiar sense of warmth at that moment.
He grinned at the sight behind him, “A bit hot, hold on, I’ll bring out a jet vehicle.”
“No need, I’m not hot.”
Lu Qingxue walked up to Mu Fan, revealing those crystal-clear snow eyes, lightly blinking.
Mu Fan only felt strands of chill seeping from beneath the gray-white cloak, the temperature dropping more than ten degrees from the desert!
“Then from here on… be careful with everything.”
Mu Fan looked at the distant, towering iron wall and took his first step onto the scorching desert.