Sky-cracking Rider

Thud!~

A giant head fell to the ground like a ripe fruit dropping from its stem, hitting the earth with a dull sound, then rolling a couple of steps away. From the neck of the headless body, a jet of blood spurted three feet high; the body swayed and fell to the ground, with only reflexive twitching remaining.

From the moment the person was seized, in order to avoid careless words and actions leading to unfavorable incidents, the drugged "Undying Pigeon" Legion Commander Valenya could not even make a sound, let alone muster the strength to resist. He was as frail as a weakened chicken, merely waiting to have his neck slit and meet his end.

No matter what kind of hero you were, you couldn't escape the final decisive strike.

The execution was complete, but there was not a single flashlight at the scene—dead silence prevailed, with only the distant sounds of birds chirping, the wind blowing, and machines operating.

The expressions on the faces of the news media personnel permitted to watch the execution resembled those of a group who had swallowed flies, their entire beings obviously stifling.

Could they curse?

If not, there was nothing good to say or to write about—it wasn't fair to play with people like this.

According to the Minor Protection Law, their various filming equipment became mere decorations, not even a lens was allowed.

If they broke the law, the consequences would be quite severe.

Imprisonment was the least of concerns; they would also have their professional licenses revoked and be banned from the industry for life, effectively ending their careers.

Even if they changed professions and started anew, in today's competitive job market without the chance to leverage seniority, they were nothing.

"Yilan, you stole my job!"

As Minante presented the person and arranged the pose, Chen Fei casually conjured a three-foot massive dog-leg cleaver, preparing to swing it down when a female Metallic Dragon's tail spear lunged from behind him, shaking at the neck of "Undying Pigeon" Legion Commander Valenya and stealing the kill.

Chen Xiao'er wore a bewildered face... What the hell was I here for?!

The female Metallic Dragon seriously said, "Chen Fei, I thought about it, and it's better that I take this strike for you."

Her tone wasn't joking; it seemed she had her own considerations.

"Why?"

Chen Fei, who nearly got splashed with blood, turned puzzledly, following the retracted sharp tail spear to the female Metallic Dragon. He and Yilan trusted each other; at this moment, there was only confusion, no anger, as the other party wouldn't act without reason—it must be something necessary.

In the Metallic Dragon Clan, there were only two types of Metallic Dragons, one was Yilan, and the other was all other Metallic Dragons.

Yilan's rationality made her seem like a dragon that had been born into the wrong kind, better suited to a race other than the typically impulsive and more irascible than rational Metallic Dragon clan.

Even though the current Dragon King was a Metallic Dragon, he appeared very unreliable. The Metallic Dragon clan itself equated to unreliability, which made Yilan seem even more of an anomaly, completely out of touch with her kin.

"Valenya is from Cangqiong Star, and you are from Blue Star, some risks shouldn't be borne by you."

The female Metallic Dragon revealed her concerns, which were not unfounded.

Valenya had the capabilities and connections to hold his position as Legion Commander; despite being beheaded and utterly dead with no chance even to feign death, his allies, confidantes, and relatives were mostly still alive—there was no guarantee what they might scheme.

Chen Fei was a commoner of Blue Star, with no power or influence, and a clean slate—easily checked from top to bottom. While open threats were easy to dodge, hidden attacks were hard to defend against. If someone sought revenge, it would likely be unpredictable.

But Yilan was different, naturally courting chaos, the Metallic Dragon clan welcomed any challenge—challenge one, butcher one; challenge two, chop a pair. They feared no retaliation, only that it might not be enough.

By preemptively shaking her tail spear, she effectively shielded Chen Fei from potential harm; no matter who sought revenge, it would never fall upon him.

"Why go to such lengths?"

Chen Fei, after a moment of reflection, finally understood.

Military contractors take money to ward off disasters for others, engaging in acts that attracted hatred. With more pests, the itch fades; with more debt, the enmity fades. If they feared revenge, no one would work as military contractors.

But this treatment was indeed "Genuine Fragrance"!

Yilan, using a tone of indifferent haggling, nonchalantly said, "It's already done; what's there to fear? Taking a knife for a friend, just be at ease!"

Not fearing escalation is the true nature of a Metallic Dragon.

"Forget it!"

A dead man couldn't be revived; Chen Fei couldn't lift Valenya's corpse from the ground for a second execution. The three-foot dog-leg cleaver in his hand was not taken back but thrown toward Yilan.

Upon conjuring it, whether more or less, one energy point was directly deducted, but recycling it only accounted for the actual mass, not even making a fraction. Rather than feeding it to the system (dog), it was better to compensate Yilan.

Thud!

The sturdy dragon scale was like a sheet of paper, the massive cleaver penetrating the dragon's body, stabbing a "brother" in the ribs on the spot.

Truly a "good brother," loyal indeed… whether man or dragon, neither should be viewed by ordinary standards.

"It's tungsten steel!"

Yilan's eyes lit up, having picked up a bargain, at least forty pounds of it!

The dog-leg cleaver completely merged with her body, digested on the spot.

Chen Fei gestured to the news media personnel with collectively constipated expressions, and only when all cameras were aimed at him did he speak again.

"I, Chen Fei, pay the money!"

The mission specified in this commission contract was to sever the head of "Undying Pigeon" Legion Commander Valenya, and the task is now complete, who cares who actually did it! Just hurry up and transfer the money and be done with it!

The media personnel present: "..."

One must be utterly shameless to utter such brazen words.

Chen Fei wasn't worried, as Boss Hana was originally a person skilled in calculations, and the contracted lawyer of Jiu Defense Company would have a good talk with the client. If they adhered to the contract terms, it would be alright, but if they dared utter a single "no," were they afraid of not winning a lawsuit?

In the past, Apocalypse Defense Group owed Aircrew Base 911 a fairness, and Boss Hana led the team directly to demolish the opponent's building. They should not even think about freeloading off Jiu Defense Company's labor now.

"'Rookie,' the bigshots above want to meet you."

Minante resumed his role as reception officer with a complex expression; the order had just been transmitted.

Minante wondered what the higher-ups of the Righteous Army were thinking, arranging to meet Chen Fei at such a critical juncture. What merits did this guy possess to draw the attention of such significant figures?

"Is it because of the Parasitic Species issue?"

Chen Fei had vaguely guessed some of the reasons.

Minante hesitated before saying, "Seems like it, partially!"

He found it hard to guess even his uncle's thoughts, let alone those of the Righteous Army's high-level bigshots, who existed like clouds above.

"Then let's make the trip, right now?"

"Right now!"

-

An ultra-high-speed airship took Chen Fei away, and Minante accompanied him.

The female Metallic Dragon, Yilan, stayed at the camp of "Radiant Tiger" Legion, waiting for Chen Fei to return, and, if he didn't return, well, so much for the "Radiant Tiger" Legion and Minante's uncle!

Before leaving, Chen Fei had upgraded the railgun on Yilan's back—600 millimeter caliber rails and 600 millimeter caliber demolition bombs. He wasn't there in person, so she could bombard to her heart's content; he had to survive first, not caring much for the rest.

The entry into seven times the speed of sound made the airship exceptionally stable; the vibrations became nearly imperceptible. Were it not for the sharp, constant howling from outside the cabin, one could almost mistake the aircraft for being stationary rather than in flight.

"'Rookie,' aren't you afraid?"

Minante ultimately couldn't resist breaking the heavy atmosphere inside the cabin.

Chen Fei had agreed so readily before, causing him unease. If it were himself, he probably would have hesitated as well!

"Afraid?" Chen Fei shook his head and said, "I'm only afraid of not finishing the job, of not getting paid."

If he were really afraid, wouldn't it be better to remain at home continuing his studies, or secure a stable nine-to-five job?

Why else would he risk his life every day, fighting and scurrying all over the world?

As the saying goes, once bitten by a snake, one fears the well rope for ten years. Actually, what Chen Fei feared most was Little Sister Chen suddenly causing a big hole in the family finances. Holding a bit more family fortune could fend off a few more of his foolish sister's financial disasters. With money in hand, his mind was at ease.

"Huh?!"

Minante chuckled in disbelief.

This indeed matched the employment rationale of a mercenary (from Cangqiong Star)—to prioritize money over life, risking life for money.

He then said, "How about you come to the Righteous Army side, and I'll ask my uncle to make you a good offer?"

At the end of the day, if it's a problem money can solve, is it even a problem?

This was also Minante's small way of retaliating or responding to Chen Fei's previous suggestion about the "Radiant Tiger" Legion needing a change of allegiances again.

Chen Fei sneered and said, "My Chen Family has kinship with the Slan Royal Family, would you dare to hire me?"

Despite the layers of relationships—uncles and aunts—largely lacking any blood relation, it was indeed possible to link him ambiguously with the Slan Royal Family.

The Rebel Army wanting to recruit him would require tremendous courage!

"Damn!"

Minante rolled his eyes.

Despite all his calculations, he hadn't considered this, and he lacked the audacity to casually poach someone, probably just as the Righteous Army's higher-ups would have their reservations.

Just then, a slight sensation of weightlessness hit them; both their bodies slightly leaned forward as the ultra-high-speed airship lowering its altitude was about to arrive at its destination.

"Would you help the Slan Dynasty suppress us?"

Taking advantage of the airship's impending landing, Minante tested Chen Fei's stance.

"I am an employee of a military contractor; I only accept legal commission contracts."

Chen Fei had never been involved in the war between the Rebel Army and the Slan Dynasty, nor in the war for Nandu City's Ground Portal Management Center, which was a defense contract commissioned by the Blue Star Sovereignty.

Had the "Undying Pigeon" Legion not driven him to the edge, their camp wouldn't have suffered devastating damage.