Chapter 129: Encountering the Flowerless Grass Once More

PS: Oops, there was a little mishap, so today’s chapter is a bit late. Thanks to Diva Purple, Pink from Green Sea, and Hawke, as well as Juanjuan—all good people and talismans of peace. One more question: is there more?

Xuan Xuan rolled up her sleeves and looked at the mech before her. It had been a long time since she had taken apart a mech, and her hands itched with anticipation. Kuang Shao had given her this opportunity, so of course she would cooperate.

She called out to Wan Qi Weihao, Wan Qi Weihan, and the others.

Then she began. The moment Xuan Xuan started working, everyone was dumbfounded.

Here was such a delicate girl, soft and tender, paired with a massive, metallic mech—such a stark contrast it was almost jarring.

Yet, with those youthful, verdant hands of hers, she casually found the most critical parts, gently pried them apart with her tools, effortlessly removing components as if it were the simplest task.

The mech was huge, and Xuan Xuan’s movements resembled a dance upon its frame.

Not only were the students stunned, but even Kuang Shao was speechless. Only when Xuan Xuan had fully disassembled the mech did he finally realize how she had once taken apart his “Radiant Sun” all those years ago.

He looked on with helplessness—how had he forgotten that she existed?

After finishing, Xuan Xuan stretched lazily, feeling completely at ease.

While Xuan Xuan was relaxed, Kuang Shao was anything but. The scene severely reminded him of some dark history. He glanced at her, gritting his teeth, yet dared not do anything to her.

Instead, he spoke kindly, “Learn from student Xuan Xuan, salute student Xuan Xuan.”

Xuan Xuan looked perfectly justified in her actions. Wan Qi Weihao and the others only then realized that Xuan Xuan had indeed studied mech construction under Kuang Hongyi.

Zheng Chao beside them was dumbfounded. He had thought that since Zuo Chen was from the pharmaceutical department and studied medicine, he was superior to Xuan Xuan in that field; Xiao Daopeng, who researched the insectoid species, was also beyond her. Zheng Chao, who specialized in mech repairs, should have some standing.

But after witnessing her dismantle a mech in mere minutes, he realized there was no comparison. With Xuan Xuan around, he had no room to shine, let alone any status.

Taking apart a mech is one thing, but if you don’t have the proper access, you need to bypass the security systems first—something ordinary people simply cannot do.

The mech before them clearly had no open authorization, yet Xuan Xuan hadn’t even considered this.

After cracking the access, disassembling the mech is far from easy. At the very least, one must be intimately familiar with its structure and the function of its parts. Mechs come in a variety of types, and who can guarantee familiarity with all of them?

Moreover, mechs are constantly evolving, with new models and functions, each with completely different designs. While some principles carry over, truly taking one apart would require at least two to three hours of study before even beginning.

And how long would it take to reassemble?

If mechs were so easy to disassemble, anyone could take one apart and understand its principles. The Kuang family would never have remained a titan in the Federation’s commercial world.

“Ahem, ahem,” Kuang Shao coughed twice to draw everyone’s attention and continued, “Just like this student here, practice well. Once you can disassemble and reassemble the mech, you’ll be ready to pilot it. We have plenty of time. If necessary, I’ll personally teach your eight-year course on 'Mech Operation'—take it slow.”

He glanced at the groaning students. Reassemble it? Xuan Xuan tapped the parts on the floor lightly with her toe; putting it back together would be troublesome.

Seeing that Xuan Xuan was about to start again, Kuang Shao quickly stopped her. “You don’t need to reassemble it.”

Xuan Xuan looked up at him.

“You’re not yet eighteen; your physical condition doesn’t meet the standards for piloting a mech. Forcing yourself to operate one would be bad for your health.” Seeing her gaze fixed on him, Kuang Shao’s face flushed. He had said that once dismantled and reassembled, they could pilot, but he hadn’t expected Xuan Xuan to be such an extraordinary individual.

Forcing a smile, he chuckled awkwardly. “How about this—you can practice in the Star Network first.”

Before Xuan Xuan could reply, a commotion arose around them. Not yet eighteen?

Come on.

Even those beside Xuan Xuan, like Xiao Daopeng, stared at her in disbelief.

Due to the Federation’s extended lifespan, life cycles had lengthened. Now, twenty-eight only corresponded to eighteen in Earth’s time, with the Federation’s legal adulthood set at thirty-five.

Their education system included four years of kindergarten, six years of elementary school, five years of lower secondary, five years of upper secondary, and eight years of university.

Typically, children began schooling around eight to ten years old. Wan Qi Weihao and his friends were considered early starters.

They generally controlled university ages between twenty-eight and thirty, equivalent to Earth’s eighteen to twenty years old—the period when bones solidify sufficiently to withstand the stresses of mech operation.

But Xuan Xuan began schooling early, jumping directly to fifth grade, skipping several grades, making her nearly ten years younger than her peers.

Xiao Daopeng and others patted their heads, lamenting why theirs couldn’t develop like hers.

Even if they looked younger or learned more, now someone ten years younger was suppressing them in their own specialties.

The phrase “under eighteen” was a crushing blow to them.

If someone like her was considered useless by the Federation’s standards, what did that make them?

The rejects among the rejects?

Xuan Xuan had no idea how much she had inadvertently demoralized others. She only felt that if she couldn’t pilot, what was she even doing here?

She asked Kuang Shao, “So I don’t need to attend this class?”

“Absolutely not,” he refused without hesitation. If she left, what would he do? His father would never forgive him.

Standing silently, Xuan Xuan just stared at Kuang Shao.

“Uh, you can practice in the Star Network first,” Kuang Shao said, blushing. Seeing her unresponsive, he quickly added, “I’ll accompany you.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Xuan Xuan nodded. Otherwise, she had nothing else to do anyway.

Kuang Shao’s mech operation was competent.

Each student was handed a structural diagram of the mech. Although it was a B-grade mech, it was a trainer model and almost public. With the diagram, they could familiarize themselves with the mech; otherwise, their eight years might be consumed entirely by mech study.

After distributing the materials, Kuang Shao dismissed the class.

With no afternoon classes, Xuan Xuan and two others headed home directly. Xuan Xuan glanced at Wan Qi Weihao; their behavior was odd. Once home, they went straight to her father’s study.

Xuan Xuan noticed Wan Qi Lanjun in Wan Qi Yi’s study. Her eyes brightened. Due to work, he hadn’t returned home for half a year.

“Uncle, you’re back!” she greeted cheerfully.

Wan Qi Lanjun’s previously stern expression softened considerably. A trace of a smile appeared, and he nodded at Xuan Xuan.

“So now you don’t want me anymore, Uncle?” Wan Qi Yi joked.

Xuan Xuan squinted, stepping closer. “No.”

“Come here, I have something to ask you,” Wan Qi Yi said, recalling his earlier conversation with Wan Qi Lanhao and Wan Qi Lanjun.

Xuan Xuan was curious. “What is it?”

“Do you have a way to detect those mutated insectoids?” Wan Qi Yi asked.

Xuan Xuan nodded. “Has the insectoid problem resurfaced somewhere else?”

“Lanjun, you explain,” Wan Qi Yi gestured to Wan Qi Lanjun.

“I’m stationed on Tianshui Star, which is adjacent to the Imperial Star and close to the Uninhabited Star. It’s a satellite of the Imperial Capital, economically prosperous and densely populated. After the incident at Uninhabited Star, to be cautious, my father ordered an investigation of Tianshui Star. No large insectoid gatherings were found, but some insectoids have indeed appeared,” Wan Qi Lanhao reported.

“In our investigation, we focused especially on the mutated insectoids. Although we can’t confirm, I suspect that someone on Tianshui Star is parasitized by insectoids, showing drastic personality changes and problematic behavior.”

Xuan Xuan thought for a moment. “Theoretically, being parasitized by insectoids could cause significant personality shifts, as the insectoids might influence the host. But we can’t be sure yet. I need to examine that group of people before confirming.”

After all, many factors could cause such personality changes. A whole group exhibiting this is suspicious, though it might be coincidence. Matters involving insectoids are never trivial and warrant serious attention.

“I have detained that group and arranged for them to be sent back to the Imperial Capital today. You’ll accompany me this afternoon to take a look,” Wan Qi Lanjun said, frowning.

Xuan Xuan nodded.

“Xuan Xuan, go out and have some fun. Your uncle and I have business to discuss,” Wan Qi Yi said. Since Xuan Xuan was still young, he didn’t want to burden her too much. If it weren’t for her unique ability to detect mutated insectoids, he wouldn’t have involved her.

Wan Qi Lanjun patted Xuan Xuan’s head. She had grown quite a bit in the half year he’d been away. He wondered if Wan Qi Weihao and the others had grown taller too. Rumor had it that their performance during military training was quite good.

Xuan Xuan’s expression grew serious. She asked, “Uncle, have you met anyone recently who gave you something?”

If her memory was correct, it still smelled faintly of the flowerless herb. It had been absent for quite a while—why had it suddenly appeared again?

Wan Qi Lanjun’s face twitched slightly, as if recalling someone, but before he could speak, Wan Qi Lanhao entered with a dark expression.

Seeing Xuan Xuan’s worried look, he softened and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Xuan Xuan,” Wan Qi Yi called out to her, signaling for her to continue.

Xuan Xuan nodded. “Uncle, haven’t you noticed a faint fragrance on yourself?”

Wan Qi Lanjun looked puzzled. Xuan Xuan took out a leaf of the flowerless herb. Fortunately, her space was well-stocked with all kinds of things.

“This is the scent,” Xuan Xuan said.

The expressions of everyone in the room changed immediately, especially Wan Qi Lanjun’s.

Xuan Xuan frowned, reading their reactions. They must all know who it was.

“The Bai family contacted you?” Wan Qi Yi asked.

Wan Qi Lanjun nodded. “Yes.”

“For what reason?” Wan Qi Yi pressed.

Wan Qi Lanjun’s throat grew dry. “Medicine. After you announced that batch of drugs yesterday, Bai Ruchen came to see me.”

“Do you know they once sent people to sabotage the Xuan family and target Xuan Xuan? When something happened to Xuan Xuan and Kuang Shao at my birthday, they were probably involved,” Wan Qi Yi said.

Wan Qi Lanjun furrowed his brow deeply. “Why?”