Chapter 264: Chapter 228: Completing the Epic-level Mission

"Er..." Chen Yichuan’s eyelid twitched, but he continued, "Very good. Then tell us, in detail, how you managed to lure out the Three Races Alliance Army."

"Of course! It all started when Fang Tangtang and I... Later, at the Elf Royal City, I took the opportunity to ruin their marriage selection ceremony. Twenty princes then led a pursuing army after me!

At the time, I was thinking it would be a great opportunity to annihilate this army. So, I started to lead them on a chase and sent out a signal...

Just then, Teacher Gui and Shen Ning’Er arrived. Oh, right, and Fang Tangtang was there too. The four of us fought against several thousand of the Alien Race Alliance Army! Facing more than twenty high-rank experts, we successfully escaped and killed over five hundred enemies!

As expected, they were furious.

They started sending signals to the Elf Royal City and the Celestial Race, which ultimately led to the Three Races attacking together. However, when it comes down to it, Teacher Gui and Fang Tangtang deserve the credit for reporting the intelligence. If they hadn’t relayed the information to Vice Commander Shen ahead of time, the Vice Commander wouldn’t have been able to formulate such a perfect plan!

Of course, the most incredible person of all is Vice Commander Shen. The Vice Commander is wise and brilliant! He knew that a conventional defense would result in heavy casualties, so he decisively led his troops out of the city and set up an ambush behind the enemy. That’s how we achieved this great, seemingly impossible victory!" Gao Neng replied again.

"Mm, very good," Chen Yichuan said with a slight nod.

Vice Commander Wang’s eyes went wide. He had been afraid Gao Neng would let something slip, but he never expected Gao Neng to be such a smooth talker.

He had woven a complete and seamless story in an instant.

"When it comes to taking credit... this kid really is a master at it!" Gui Zian turned his head to the side, truly at a loss for words.

"Gao Neng, you’re amazing!" Fang Tangtang immediately gave him a thumbs-up.

"Ahem..." Shen Changsheng coughed heavily. Then, his gaze fell upon the green cocoon on the bed. "Hasn’t Ning’Er woken up yet?"

"Not yet. But please rest assured, Vice Commander Shen, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Ning’Er. I can guarantee it with my life!" Gao Neng immediately replied.

"Nonsense. If anything happens to Ning’Er, if even a single hair on her head is out of place, I’ll kill you!" Shen Changsheng clenched his fists, then turned and left without another word.

Gao Neng thought for a moment. ’Since we’re already talking about contributions,’ he reasoned, ’it wouldn’t be right not to ask what class of merit it is. It could lead to gossip otherwise.’

So, just as Shen Changsheng was about to walk out of the military tent, he spoke up again, "Excuse me, Vice Commander Shen, since I made such a great contribution this time, what class of merit would that be?"

Shen Changsheng, who was in the middle of stepping out the door, visibly shuddered.

’If the Alien Race Alliance Army hadn’t suddenly attacked,’ he thought, ’those people in the Federation Government wouldn’t have been able to touch me for the simple act of leading troops out of the city.’

’But of all things, the Alien Race Alliance Army just had to show up.’

’That’s what escalated the matter of me leading the troops out. Otherwise, I would never have listened to Chen Yichuan’s suggestion and gotten involved in this ’collusion’ with Gao Neng.’

’And now Gao Neng has the audacity to ask me about merit?’

’Ning’Er...’

’What on earth does she see in this kid? Is it just because he’s handsome? Surely Ning’Er isn’t that shallow, is she? And that little girl from the Fang Family is mixed up with him too. I’d better keep a closer eye on this!’

"Ahem, Gao Neng, all merits from the Military Department have to be filed in a report," Chen Yichuan coughed, answering for him. "Vice Commander Shen still has to deal with the aftermath of the battle. For your merit, why don’t you have Vice Director Gui help you submit the application? But my estimate is... it will be a second-class merit at the very least. Mm... Tangtang gets a share too!"

"Do I get credit this time too?" Gui Zian suddenly asked.

"???" Chen Yichuan.

What the hell?!

’The Bald Shark from the Eastern Capital Military Academy, who never once claimed credit for himself, is actually asking for merit? How has the world changed so suddenly?’

...

「Two hours later.」

Shen Ning’Er finally broke out of her cocoon. The verdant green energy slowly merged into her body, making her skin become even more translucent and radiant.

When she opened her eyes, the first people she saw were Gao Neng and Fang Tangtang.

"Where am I?"

"Sister Ning’Er, this is the Eastern District Fortress! We’re back! And we accomplished something huge! We fought off all those pursuers, and not just them, but also..." Fang Tangtang immediately began to boast about their achievements.

After listening to Fang Tangtang, Shen Ning’Er frowned slightly. She slowly stood up and walked out of the military tent.

"Gao Neng, Tangtang, come with me to the top of the city wall."

"Okay," Gao Neng nodded.

Fang Tangtang, having just returned from the battlefield, wasn’t too keen on going to look. However, since it was Shen Ning’Er who asked, she had no intention of refusing.

The three of them left the military tent.

The soldiers standing guard outside the tent immediately reported to Chen Bai.

Chen Bai hurried over.

The four of them went to the top of the fortress wall together.

It was Gao Neng’s first time on top of the fortress wall. He looked out and saw a field of red weeds under the dim night sky, an exceptionally desolate scene.

’It’s so red...’

"The Human Alliance and the Alien Races haven’t fought a battle this large in eighteen years. This time, we killed a total of five thousand enemies and wounded countless more. This should be the Eastern District Fortress’s greatest victory in over a decade," Shen Ning’Er remarked with a sigh as she looked down at the blood-stained grass.

"But I didn’t actually perform a meritorious service. I just caused a disaster, right?" Gao Neng asked. In front of Shen Ning’Er, he didn’t try to hide this fact, the metallic scent of blood washing over him.

"No, you did make a contribution, and it’s far greater than you claim. I heard the Federation Government has already approved the reforms. I’ve been thinking about it, and I feel it might have something to do with you?" Shen Ning’Er turned her head to look at Gao Neng.

"Er..." Gao Neng.

"Of course it has to do with this kid. If it weren’t for him, how would an old man like me have gotten to see the magnificent spectacle of more than a dozen of the Strongest gathering together?" a voice drifted over languidly from a distance on the fortress wall.

DING! Just then, a mechanical voice rang out.

"Congratulations, Host, for completing the Epic Quest!"