Vol-2: 090. A Stream Away

090. A Stream Away

Li Aozi had been gone for a long time, yet the tavern of the Akaban Squad remained silent.

Xia Jianjing leaned against the sofa, deep in thought, tugging repeatedly at her purple-gray hair. Her colorless eyes reflected in the murky liquor, deep and hesitant.

After a long while, someone finally broke the silence:

"Boss, that guy is completely insane, right?"

"Yeah, totally," someone beside him added lightly, "Going into space is already ridiculous enough. Boss was an air force pilot in Tianhuan, and high-altitude flight is absolutely prohibited. Yet that guy thinks he can blow himself into the sky with a nuke—no sci-fi novel would dare write that."

"Does he think he's playing a virtual game? Not valuing his life at all. Do you know how tight the Hojo Family's security is? Even the regular troops of Red Arrow couldn't break through. Fighting the Hojo Family? That's impossible. Our goal is to prevent war, not defeat the Hojo Family... It's just not feasible, boss, don't be foolish."

"You idiot! Boss knows better than to listen to that madman."

Li Aozi's plan was so shockingly insane that it exceeded their understanding, leading them to joke and mock each other to ease the impact of what they'd just heard.

Humanity can never reach space.

The old times didn't achieve it, it won't happen now, and it won't happen in the future.

Perhaps space never existed in the first place, and above Calamity was just thicker Calamity. The sun might merely be a deception conjured by charlatans, a fake history that even kids today don't believe in anymore.

Besides, someone like their boss, educated and a former pilot in the regular military, could never believe in such madness.

"Prepare the bike."

Xia Jianjing said.

"Uh, boss, where are you going?"

"To meet an old friend, I'll be back soon."

Xia Jianjing casually stood up, grabbed her motorcycle helmet, and walked out. She mounted the bike, revved the engine hard, and charged straight into the dense forest.

The cold sunlight of the artificial sun fell, providing no warmth, only a sense of false light. Xia Jianjing raced along the rural roads, easily crossing ridges with her modified bike's powerful engine and balance, and headed straight into an abandoned highway, driving into the mountain caves at the city's edge.

'…Gretorvo Nighsong, someone I deeply admire. Despite his immense strength, he never wants to hurt anyone. But when danger arises, he steps forward without hesitation.'

In the dim tunnel, Li Aozi's words suddenly echoed in Xia Jianjing's ears.

That guy left such a strong impression. Though they had talked for less than half an hour, Xia Jianjing found herself able to recall Li Aozi's tone, his demeanor, and the look in his eyes with startling clarity, as if the memory were vividly imprinted in her mind like a scene from a movie.

Gretorvo...

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Beyond Nuliang, to the north of the Outer Lands, 14 years ago.

"I'm planning to apply to a military academy, become a pilot. One day, I'll leave this damned district and become someone of great standing."

Fourteen-year-old Xia Jianjing had just completed a smuggling transaction. Her hair was a mess, a cheap cigarette hung from her lips, and she wore a tracksuit. At her feet lay a baseball bat. She crudely poked the tall boy next to her, who had also come out of the Outer Lands, and teased:

"Hey—what about you? You're such a weak little chick, stop being a porter all the time. Join the army with me, at least we can serve the kingdom together."

"Me?"

Thirteen-year-old Gretorvo Nighsong, thin and frail, cradled an equally skinny calico cat. Facing his friend's question, Gretorvo kept his head down, carefully pulling out thorns from the injured cat and bandaging it. As he stroked its back, he turned his head and replied matter-of-factly:

"I want to be a doctor."

"Cool—doctor is an elite profession. But being an engineer is good too. You've got a decent brain. Once we make big money and can afford to study, doctor or soldier, it doesn't matter. When I get hurt in battle, you can treat me."

Xia Jianjing spoke, taking a long drag from her cigarette, letting the nicotine numb her pain.

"Jing, are you joining the army to kill people?" Gretorvo shrank back timidly. "We've already killed ten people, no more killing, okay?"

"No one wants to kill anyone. I just want to live comfortably," Xia Jianjing said lazily. "I want a stipend of 4 million zhu a month, beef and vegetables at every meal, and fruit too—have you ever eaten fruit? I heard there's a fruit called durian, but it's so expensive that even the big bosses can't always afford it."

Gretorvo's large hands gently stroked the cat's head, casually saying:

"I haven't thought about it. Durian, with 'lotus' in its name, sounds like a beautiful fruit."

"I don't know, but when I have money, I'll buy a durian, share a piece with you, a piece with the teacher, and the rest will be mine. No one's allowed to snatch it."

Xia Jianjing rubbed her bruised left eye and took another drag, sitting by the trash can. Suddenly, she asked:

"Doesn't a doctor earn less than a soldier? Why don't you come with me to flight school?"

"I'll pass on that."

Gretorvo chuckled:

"You know, Jing… if someone were to call out for help, and I couldn't do anything, it'd make me really sad. On the battlefield, people might be crying for help everywhere. So studying medicine would make me feel better."

"Damn it! You're doing that thing again."

Xia Jianjing flipped him off:

"You've been like this since we were kids. Honestly, if it weren't for me, you'd have been dead by now."

"It doesn't matter. You'll fight for me." Gretorvo shrugged awkwardly.

"Screw you! You think I'm lightning? You'd cry out, 'Oh, Xia Jianjing, save me,' and in an instant, I'd teleport to your side. Can angels do that? Angels can't do that, but I can. So why the hell am I still hanging out with you?"

Xia Jianjing unleashed a string of street curses and kicked him. Gretorvo just grinned sheepishly.

"After all that, if I'm in danger, you'd still show up by my side."

"Screw you! Ugh, I'm cursed to be stuck with you—this naive, saintly little idiot. I must have the worst luck ever."

Xia Jianjing glared at him with contempt, clicking her tongue, and mumbled:

"Fine, here's the deal: we save up enough money, you come with me to military school. I'll become a pilot, and you'll be a combat medic. That way, I can protect you, you weakling, and when I get injured in battle, you'll treat me. Got it?"

"…I don't want to fight."

Gretorvo's gaze wandered.

The cat nestled comfortably in Gretorvo's arms, softly nudging his hand.

"What nonsense is that… Since ancient times, have there ever been Tianhuan people who didn't fight? The whole world knows that's just who we are."

"Just because it's always been that way, does that make it right?" Gretorvo looked down at the cat, his eyes filled with sorrow. "We're only joining the cheapest military schools because we're poor. I bet soldiers in other countries are the same."

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Those who command wars are the big bosses and high-ranking officials, but why are the ones killing each other always people like us—poor folks?"

Gretorvo glanced at her and said:

"I don't want us to be ordered by some rich guy to go fight other poor people. When we win the war, the glory goes to the rich and the corporations. All that's left for us is blood and scars. When we lose the war, it's people like us who die. We'll be cursed as butchers by our enemies and cowards by our own people."

"I don't want either of us to turn into that kind of monster."

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"The dumbest kid, yet he sees things more clearly than anyone else. The strongest body, but unwilling to inflict violence on others. So foolish, so tragic. Like a blue whale, drifting through the deep sea, peaceful and untroubled by the world."

Xia Jianjing couldn't help but mutter:

"Without you, I wouldn't be able to take a single step, partner."