Entering the Field (2/3)

A Star of Azure, an exploration territory, and a group of companions. Such a vision truly sounded wonderful. The few people remaining on the scene all turned their gazes toward Han Qingyu, as if a future lord of an estate were already standing before them. Even Han Qingyu himself grew momentarily dazed as he looked at the surrounding architecture and scenery, his mind drifting into daydreams: *If that really happened, it would truly be the life of an old European noble. Then there wouldn't even be any need to send the kids back home, would there?* *Yeah, we could even consider bringing Mom and Dad over. It shouldn't be too hard for them to accept, and they wouldn't be overly terrified.* *If they were worried about being bored, they could clear a few fields, plant a few vegetable patches... build a chicken coop, dig a fish pond, or keep cats and dogs.* So now, all that was missing was a Star of Azure and a wife. Both, however, were probably exceedingly difficult to get. In the nearly century-long history of the Azure Alliance, a total of only five Star of Azure medals had ever been awarded. Nearly every single one represented an existential crisis for Azure or humanity as a whole, culminating in someone turning the tide at the eleventh hour. As for a wife... judging from the comments and advice Wen Jifei, Regimental Commander Li, Shao Xuan, and the others had given him so far, that might prove even harder. During their wait, vehicles and personnel continued to arrive. The Alphonse family owned more than just one lodge to host participants from various nations. The staff mentioned that at least a hundred and twenty squads would be entering the field this time, meaning a scale of at least six hundred people. "Hey, what do you think would happen if the Great Spike landed on the summit of Xilang Peak? Could anyone make it in time?" someone in the crowd suddenly asked. "That would be pretty tough. But in a place like that, the Rejecters probably have a special-grade interference station, right?" someone else answered speculatively. "Haven't people heard there's even one on the moon? They say humanity's public and later covert lunar missions were actually to set up those things." "Well... haha." The receptionist chuckled perfunctorily, brushing off the inquiry. "At least we don't have to worry about the north, because to the north is the Huaxia Front. "As for the south? There really are some areas of concern, which is why Mr. Alphonse has been doing everything in his power to assist the relevant Front in defense." Around that time, everyone had finally arrived. The reception staff led the crowd of roughly a thousand people—both those preparing to enter the field and those staying behind—through the territory, introducing the history and heritage of the Alphonse family like tour guides, while also giving an overview of the Third Fixed Exploration Site. Eventually, Han Qingyu and the others stood in a plaza before a French church-style building without a cross, where they met a member of the Alphonse family. It was a man who looked to be in his late twenties, with shoulder-length curly hair. He could not be called handsome, but he carried the air of a European aristocrat and an artist's temperament. By Huaxia reckoning, this man's generational rank would make him Mr. Alphonse's great-great-grandson. His name was Charles Alphonse. After a brief welcoming speech and an explanation of the rules, Charles wished them luck in the trial and concluded his address. *** Clothes (combat uniforms), medicine, source energy blocks, maneuver gear, blades, food, and water... The Great Spike was expected to land in the Third Fixed Exploration Site within the next fifteen days. Naturally, it was impossible to carry fifteen days' worth of supplies all at once; much would have to be scavenged inside the trial grounds. Fortunately, no one capable of coming here was an ordinary person. This was when Rusty Sister's advantage of not needing food or water shone through—though it came with the drawback of consuming more source energy. Yet with Han Qingyu around, that disadvantage was practically negligible. *Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.* Footsteps approached. Yin Caixin jogged up behind Han Qingyu and patted his shoulder. When he turned around, she said, "They're doing official registration now to finalize the roster... Who are we picking as our fifth person?" Han Qingyu looked at her, slightly taken aback. "Fifth person? Didn't you bring someone along yourself? Isn't it him?" Han Qingyu naturally knew Luca was injured and needed to be replaced. However, Yin Caixin had brought another person to the territory with her, so Han Qingyu had assumed all along that she intended to use that person to fill Luca's spot. After all, by any logic, she ought to have wanted someone from her own side. "Neil isn't entering the field," Yin Caixin explained. "It's not just a matter of strength and experience. His mood right now is also deeply dejected because of what happened earlier, so he isn't fit to enter." "So you mean," Han Qingyu said, "you've decided to use all our people?" Yin Caixin looked at him and nodded, appearing completely natural and thoroughly at ease with the idea. "Could we just go with four?" Han Qingyu asked after a moment's hesitation. Yin Caixin shook her head, her eyes puzzled. "Don't we still have a Grade A?" With that, she turned her head, subtly gesturing with her eyes toward Wen Jifei, who was currently studying the pros and cons of beauties from various nations with Liu Shiheng not far away. *Him... Forget him,* Han Qingyu thought as he walked over. "The little brown-haired guy on Caixin's side isn't going in, so we're down a person," Han Qingyu said, his gaze naturally falling upon Liu Shiheng, intending to offer a few words of comfort and encouragement. To his surprise, Liu Shiheng actively avoided his gaze, turning aside without a word or an expression. *Is it fear again?* At that moment, Han Qingyu honestly felt a twinge of disappointment and heartache. After a beat of hesitation, he looked at Wen Jifei. "How about it? Any problem?" "No problem at all." Wen Jifei was sharp as a tack; he grasped the situation instantly. To defuse the awkwardness, he grinned broadly and said, "No matter how you slice it, your father here is a Grade A." The two walked back. Once they were a certain distance away, Wen Jifei said to Han Qingyu, "Don't worry, I definitely won't act tough or fool around once I'm in there. Just treat me as an extra supply carrier and maintenance tech. Me going in even saves source energy blocks. Once inside, just find me a pit, and I'll hide there." Han Qingyu nodded. The group returned to the preparation area and continued packing their gear. After a short while, Han Qingyu's hands suddenly froze. A sudden jolt ran through his heart, and he turned around, running straight back to Liu Shiheng. "Shiheng," he called out. Seeming a bit startled, Liu Shiheng whipped around and looked up. "Huh? Qingzi?" "Are you thinking of using this chance to run away back home?" Han Qingyu asked bluntly. Among all of them, if one person was least likely to ever receive a leave of absence to visit home, it was Liu Shiheng. That was directly tied to his background, status, and track record. In fact, before they set out, the army had repeatedly emphasized that Han Qingyu had to guarantee this very matter. "No, where did your mind wander to, Qingzi?" Liu Shiheng's shoulders slumped, and he looked up with a helpless expression. "I'm really just too afraid of dying, that's all, so I hesitated back then... It's not like you don't know me." "Are you sure?" "I'm sure." "Good. I just asked earlier," Han Qingyu said. "After we enter the field, the Alphonse family will round up all personnel staying behind and seal the territory by force... I was worried you might try to run and get yourself into trouble." Liu Shiheng looked up at him. "Don't worry. How about this—should I go swap Plague Chicken out? Earlier, it was really just out of habit that I dodged it." "...Forget it, the registration is already done." Han Qingyu considered it. In truth, it made little difference whether Liu Shiheng or Wen Jifei went; he wouldn't dare let either of them fight out there anyway. At four-thirty in the afternoon, dinner was served early. At five-thirty after the meal, they began entering the field. The trial began with the night... Han Qingyu's squad, having drawn intense attention all the way here, abruptly vanished before every gaze—benevolent or hostile, wary or expectant—disappearing into the rolling, undulating mountains.