Chapter 284 – A Completely Different Person
Ye Hongci didn’t keep her guessing and said, “A fugitive.”
Tang Ying: “…?”
“She killed one of the three rulers of that world and the heir of another ruler. After a large bounty was placed on her head, she escaped from that world, which had surrounded her with its elite forces. She fled to the world of the alien beasts. Just before she arrived in our Haenden star system, she was still living in the alien world, coexisting with the alien beasts.”
Ye Hongci’s few words contained a lot of information. Tang Ying took a moment to process it and then asked, “What did she do in that world?”
“A pioneer. It’s a title given to those who explore the alien beast world.”
“Were all pioneers in that world as powerful as her?” Tang Ying couldn’t help but ask, as this was the point that concerned her the most.
“No, only her.”
Tang Ying visibly relaxed.
Ye Hongci’s hands came together on the table. “She is an exceptional person. No matter which world she’s in, her arrival in our world was destined. Fate has given our Haenden star system a sharp knife, and we must seize it.”
“Will that thing that allows for world travel appear again?”
“According to those people, this thing appears intermittently. In the past, it only connected their world with the alien beasts’ world, but this time it connected to our world. I believe that in the future, our Haenden star system and the other two worlds will likely have frequent connections.” Ye Hongci gazed out the window, unable to imagine what such a world would be like.
Tang Ying looked up and hesitated before speaking. “Does she want to stay here?”
Ye Hongci’s hands on the table trembled slightly. “That’s why I need to send her straight to the battlefield.”
Tang Ying’s eyes flashed with a trace of sympathy. It was for Ye Hongci, who had placed all her hopes on a human from another world. Unable to stop herself, she reminded her, “General, she alone won’t be able to change anything.”
Ye Hongci said firmly, even stubbornly, “I trust her.”
Tang Ying was puzzled. She narrowed her eyes and looked at Ye Hongci with a probing gaze. This wasn’t the general’s usual way of handling things.
Although the general was concerned about the future of the Haenden star system, she had always been calm and composed. She would weigh the pros and cons, assess the situation, and each decision was made after careful consideration. Even in life-and-death situations on the battlefield, she could maintain clear and focused thinking when making decisions.
But the current general gave her an inexplicable feeling.
After carefully considering her words, she spoke up, “General, do you understand her character? She was wanted for murder in that world. What was the reason? If her character is lacking and she’s just using us, then if we train her, it could end up threatening our entire Haenden star system.”
Ye Hongci smiled faintly, her lips curving into a calm expression. She had already anticipated that Tang Ying would ask such a question. “The reason she killed is not what you think. There are many factors behind it. I’ll have the investigator send you the information later. Once you read it, you’ll understand.”
Tang Ying opened her mouth, but seeing the resolute expression on Ye Hongci’s face, she decided not to press the matter further.
“Don’t let her know about what we discussed today. She only needs to focus on going to the battlefield,” Ye Hongci said, leaning back in her chair.
“What about the people from the other world?” Tang Ying asked.
Ye Hongci pursed her lips, pondered for a moment, and then said, “For now, keep them locked up. Try to get them familiar with the mechas. If they can learn as quickly as Tu Ran, we’ll send them to the battlefield. Our Haenden star system doesn’t keep idle people.”
Tang Ying nodded.
“You can go now. Call Tu Ran up here. I need to speak with her.”
Tang Ying turned and left.
Not long after, Tu Ran, who was still sparring with her instructor, received a message, which appeared in the lower left corner of her mecha’s screen.
Tu Ran glanced at it, then immediately distanced herself from the instructor. She raised her hand and said, “Instructor, hold on! The general wants to speak with me.”
The instructor wiped the sweat from his face and nodded. “Go ahead. Return the mecha when you’re done.”
Tu Ran piloted the mecha back to the storage room, positioned it just like the others, then jumped out of the cockpit and walked toward the indicated address.
She went upstairs and found the corresponding room. Just as she was about to ring the doorbell, Ye Hongci’s voice came through the intercom from the door. “Come in.”
Tu Ran pushed the door open and entered, immediately spotting Ye Hongci sitting behind her desk, facing the office door.
Tu Ran closed the door and walked inside, asking, “General, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“How has your training with the mechas been going?” Ye Hongci asked, a warm smile on her face, her gaze gentle, like she was looking at her own child.
“It’s going well.” Tu Ran smiled, standing at the desk. She clasped her hands in front of her and answered honestly, “It’s going smoother than I expected.”
“You’re very smart,” Ye Hongci praised without hesitation, gesturing to the chair across from her. “Sit down and we’ll talk.”
Tu Ran pulled out the chair and sat down, her movements sharp and efficient. Once seated, her back straightened, her hands naturally resting on her knees. Her posture was that of a well-disciplined soldier, flawless and proper, with no room for criticism.
Ye Hongci watched this scene, and subconsciously, her thoughts drifted to Tu Ran’s behavior in other worlds.
In those other worlds, Tu Ran was a complete rogue—digging out the cores of alien beasts, stealing others’ abilities, flipping tables when she didn’t like something, quitting whenever she felt like it.
Anyone who provoked her in the morning would meet their end by nightfall. She was arrogant, domineering, and did whatever she wanted.
But the person before her was as obedient as could be.
“Tomorrow, I’m heading back to the front lines. I plan to take you with me.”
“So soon?” Tu Ran was briefly surprised. This was much sooner than she had expected. However, she had learned enough by now, and the sooner she got to the battlefield, the sooner she could start accumulating mental energy. She immediately responded, “I’m ready. I can depart at any time.”
Ye Hongci nodded, clearly impressed by her attitude.
