Chapter 40 TER

The next day, at dawn in the fortress.

Hearing the noise from the bed, Wang Jixuan stopped meditating, resumed a normal sitting posture, turned on the lamp, and picked up a thick book from the side.

“Mechanics: An Introduction”

On the spacious bed, Zhou Zhengde opened his eyes blankly, feeling the cool touch of his skin against the blanket, and his left hand tremblingly reached for the bulge in the blanket beside him.

Ah, skin…

He jumped up abruptly, wearing only a pair of briefs, staring at the figure on the other half of the bed.

Zhou Zhengde breathed a sigh of relief.

Lying next to him was Lin Bo, who was fast asleep, also shirtless.

Oh my god!

Two intersecting lightning bolts appeared behind Zhou Zhengde, his legs went weak and he almost knelt down, only managing to stand up by holding onto the bedside.

He knew he got drunk easily and that getting drunk often led to various problems, but… wouldn’t this involve workplace bullying? Lin Bo is also a conservative; could it be because of his demands as the team leader…?

Fortunately, Master Wang’s voice rang out just in time:

“Don’t worry, I’ve been watching you the whole time. Nothing uncontrollable happened. I washed your clothes because they got dirty.”

Zhou Zhengde breathed a long sigh of relief and slumped down on the edge of the bed.

He looked at Wang Jixuan and smiled gratefully:

“Thank you. What did I do after I got drunk last night?”

Wang Jixuan’s expression was somewhat indescribable. Some unbearable images surfaced in his mind, but out of consideration for friendship, he quietly tore them apart.

Wang Jixuan closed the thick book in his hands, cleared his throat, and said in a serious tone:

“You were drunk last night, and you held Wei Na’s hand and said a lot of things.”

“I’m holding Wei Na’s hand, really? Don’t joke like that. We used to be a couple, but we’ve long since severed ties.”

Zhou Zhengde frowned as he looked at Wang Jixuan.

Wang Jixuan pursed his lips, shrugged, and nodded slightly.

Zhou Zhengde hissed, “Did I really say that?”

“I said so.”

“What did you say?”

Are you sure you want to know?

“I’m sure,” Zhou Zhengde said, his expression now showing a mix of sincerity and trepidation.

Wang Jixuan suppressed a laugh: “You said you liked her and asked her if you could marry her, the kind of marriage where you both abide by the chastity agreement. You could apply for IVF, and you could keep exercising for her until she goes through menopause, doing fifty squats every day… I just learned what menopause means yesterday.”

“What about her reaction?”

Two flames appeared in Zhou Zhengde’s eyes.

“I was very moved,” Wang Jixuan said with sympathy in his eyes. “Then he shook his head and refused without hesitation. He said he liked being free and did not want to have children.”

Zhou Zhengde cleared his throat: “Hahaha! I knew it would be like this, hahaha… sigh.”

He wanted to hold on a little longer.

But Wang Jixuan had already thrown over a box of tissues.

Zhou Zhengde sniffed, tilted his head back at a 45-degree angle, and tried his best to appear nonchalant:

“It’s all in the past, I know it, it’s all in the past. I shouldn’t have held her back… Okay, I’m going now… Cheer up and work hard. When I have some free time in a few days, I’ll arrange for you to meet a few conservative girls. That’s settled then. You need emotional healing…”

Just as Wang Jixuan was about to refuse, he suddenly thought of something and slowly nodded.

Master Wang said softly, “I can try to get in touch with them, but I have no plans to get married for the time being.”

Zhou Zhengde sighed, feeling somewhat lost: “Alright, I’ll get dressed first. Sorry to bother you… No, this should be, my house?”

Wang Jixuan closed the book, stood up, and said with a smile, “Then I’ll go back and wait for news from the investigation team.”

“Go ahead and get some rest. I’m going to oversee the war zone investigation team… Didn’t you sleep last night?”

“I slept for a while, in the chair,” Wang Jixuan said seriously. “I have to assure you, nothing will really happen between you and Lin Bo.”

Zhou Zhengde gave a firm thumbs up: “I will try my best to find a pure soul for you.”

Wang Jixuan straightened the edges of his uniform, tucked the book under his arm, put his hands in his pockets, and walked out of the security captain’s dormitory with his head down.

…

Inside his new dormitory.

Wang Jixuan slowly and methodically organized the various items.

Mu Liang had already put his original work clothes in the innermost corner. He used the credit he had accumulated recently to buy a few new loose cotton and linen shirts and capri pants.

He quite likes this casual style of dress.

‘If I hadn’t cultivated myself, how would I have lived in the mortal world?’

This is something that Master Wang has been thinking about recently.

Previously, in the wooden house in the Wanlijin greenhouse area, his cultivation progress was relatively fast. Although it was still very slow compared to his previous life, it was much better than in the central city.

Why is the spiritual energy relatively stronger in Wanlijin’s territory?

Wang Jixuan had naturally conducted his investigation beforehand.

It’s not because there are more plants in the greenhouse area, but because of their formulated soil.

Wang Jixuan had previously studied this area. The soil containing the formula contained some spiritual energy, but he did not know the specific source of this spiritual energy. Therefore, he asked Lin Bo to help him obtain some, and then asked Dr. Wei Na to help him analyze the composition.

He suspected that this soil formula was still related to the Blade Beast.

The ingredient in the formulated soil is very likely…

The flesh and blood of the Blade Beast.

Now, besides cultivation, there is only one problem that Wang Jixuan needs to worry about the most.

Kong was furious and wanted to slice him into pieces.

Wang Jixuan was also waiting for the investigation team sent by that war zone to see how strong these ‘experts’ were.

This investigation team was merely a weapon summoned by Zhou Zhengde thanks to his powerful background. Zhou Zhengde already intended to use this team to deal with Kong Nu.

Master Wang finally understood.

He should make the most of the available resources, as he does not yet have the strength to disregard the rules of the mortal world.

Since Zhou Zhengde has a maternal grandfather who is a great general and can keep all sorts of villains in check, he will temporarily hide here, focus on his cultivation, increase his strength, and find more ways to retreat.

The fear now is that the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease.

‘I previously held this mortal world in contempt.’

“Right now, one should focus on accumulating knowledge and skills, prioritizing spiritual practice and increasing one’s learning. Temporarily pledging allegiance to a particular power, as long as one doesn’t become deeply involved or commit evil deeds for them, is sufficient.”

We should have reverence for heaven and earth.

Master Wang stretched and looked at the overflowing wardrobe, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Then he looked at the sorted-out miscellaneous items.

TER.

I saw those three letters again.

Wang Jixuan had a general idea of ​​the meaning of these three letters—the name of a virtual singer in the underground world of Fortress 76.

Because the Fortress prohibits excessive entertainment, TER can only be active on some old-fashioned radios. Having debuted just two or three years ago, she has already accumulated a large number of fans in Downtown and Midtown.

Wang Jixuan examined the holographic music player briefly before plugging it in.

A thin projection screen appeared on the trapezoidal player box, displaying a list of options. Wang Jixuan tried selecting “Radio LIVE: Little River,” and the album cover appeared in the center of the projection screen.

The cover features a cartoon girl wearing a sundress, with her hands behind her back and a big smile.

A soft female voice came from the player, and a solo guitar melody unfolded naturally.

Wang Jixuan’s mind inexplicably relaxed.

‘Oh, a different kind of zither playing.’

A clear and gentle female voice began to sing softly, the notes flowing like water in a stream, circulating back and forth in the room, which was neither too big nor too small.

Wang Jixuan sat on the bed, picked up a book and began to read. He slightly opened his left hand, releasing a wisp of breath that swirled around the water glass. He brought the stainless steel glass to his face and took two small sips.

This thick book on basic science doesn’t seem so difficult to read anymore.

I always thought you’d come with me to see that little river / But we only walked a couple of steps / And then you said there was no future / I’m just afraid my love for you will fade away / But I don’t know how to tell you…

【After leaving you, I started to flaunt my true feelings, trying to guess your unpredictable heart, wanting to confirm again whether we can cross that river. Perhaps I’m just afraid my sincerity will be buried, rather than truly wanting you to accompany me all the way…】

Wang Jixuan smiled with narrowed eyes, letting the years flow over the characters in his eyes.

The energy within his body became languid and gentle, no longer rushing forward, but instead slowly permeating the areas of his body that were originally inaccessible.

As the music ended and the singer began to speak, it was that clear female voice:

“That’s all for today’s song. I hope it helps you relax after a long day of studying and working. Keep up the good work and live life to the fullest! We’ve made a promise to meet at our concert in the city on Earth!”

Wang Jixuan looked at the holographic player and happened to see the album cover that had turned to the front, with the cartoon girl smiling and making a peace sign.

He put down his water glass, looked at his palm, and made a sword-like gesture, gently splitting his fingers.

He chuckled to himself, shook his head, and continued reading, pondering whether the mechanics and weapon-forging techniques of this world could be combined.

The music player automatically skipped to the next track, which was a radio recording by the virtual singer.

Soon, Wang Jixuan discovered that relaxing and appreciating music in this way actually had a significant effect on his cultivation of the Dao.

‘magic.’

The clear female voice sang a soothing song again. She seemed to know that her gentle voice could comfort people and was making good use of this talent.

in singing;

Wang Jixuan put down his book, sat cross-legged, and a series of images flashed through his mind. In these images were mountains and rivers, birds singing and flowers blooming, and also a wooden house and a dark area, with specks of light slowly gathering towards him.

In the office of the security team leader, Zhou Zhengde squeezed the communicator between his shoulder and cheek, constantly agreeing to something, and quickly wrote down some information he had just received on the white paper in front of him with a ballpoint pen.

In the makeshift gym next to the central medical room, Wei Na, wearing yoga pants and a sports vest, was taking advantage of a break when the medical room was not busy to do some shaping exercises.

A few young men and women passing by outside chatted and laughed as they walked toward their respective workstations.

Inside the psionic outpost office on the third level of the fortress, Kong Nu was cursing loudly at several researchers in white coats standing in front of him. In the corner of the office sat a girl in a white dress, clutching her teddy bear tightly, her large eyes filled with a sense of bewilderment and emptiness…

The fortress’s machines kept running, and the light in the lower city flickered.

“Team Leader! Team Leader Mu Liang!”

Lin Bo’s shouts brought Wang Jixuan back from his reverie, and he took off the newly bought earphones that were plugging his ears.

He was slacking off at his workstation at the police station.

Wang Jixuan asked, “What’s wrong? Has that investigation team arrived?”

“Team leader, you haven’t forgotten that we’re meeting a cute girl today, have you?”

Lin Bo muttered to himself:

“The girl has arrived. She’s on a park bench behind the central elevator shaft, opposite the police station.”

“Just do us a favor and go talk to her for a bit! She saw your photo and wanted to meet you. Her name is Wen Tongtong, a typical conservative, and Dr. Wei Na highly recommends her.”

“Hehe, as long as you show up wearing our uniform, we’re halfway there! Our charisma and looks are absolutely killer!”

Wang Jixuan smiled and nodded, closed the book “Mechanical Engineering: Advanced”, and then asked:

“Hasn’t the investigation team arrived yet?”

“It’s said that those arriving at the fortress tonight are all real frontline combat personnel who have been rotated out of the front lines for rest! And there’s even a powerful frontline psionicist among them!”

“Okay,” Wang Jixuan replied, raising his hand to straighten his collar, his light blue security uniform looking impeccable.

To be honest, he doesn’t have high expectations for a sweet romance; at this stage, he can’t afford to lose his virginity.

Firstly, it was a kind gesture from a friend, and secondly, he could take the opportunity to experience interacting with people and thus refine his mind in the mundane world.

According to the rules here, it’s enough to politely say later, “You’re great, but we’re not a good match.”

He straightened his uniform collar, casually picked up his gun holster, fastened it, and stepped out of the police station.