Chapter Thirty-One: I Shouldn't Have Wasted Words on You

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“An agent planted abroad...”

Chen Nian frowned slightly.

This teleportation array was located at the top right corner of the nine-square grid. Just three more transmissions would lead to the central array. Although Wang Yinlong had led most of the people to join the main force, there were certainly still some left behind as a guard. So why had the agent chosen to leave from here? If he was truly from Huaxia’s side, he would have known the coordinates of the stronghold, and which array was closest to it. Unless... he really had no time left.

Chen Nian’s gaze fell upon the traces of struggle inside the teleportation array, and then he closed his eyes, allowing a scene to unfold in his mind.

A wounded agent had just arrived by teleportation. Almost simultaneously, the pursuers caught up from behind. A brief fight broke out within the array. Just as the agent was about to be teleported away, he suddenly dashed out, interrupting the transmission, while the pursuers, reacting too slowly, were teleported away instead. Seizing the opportunity, the wounded agent escaped into the forest, leaving a distress signal behind. The pursuers returned after a dozen seconds and went into the woods, explaining why there were no signs of fighting outside the array.

...

“Xiao Hu, Xiao Chen, you two go back for reinforcements. I’ll go in and take a look,” Old Li said, clearly sensing the urgency of the situation, and charged straight into the woods. Whenever something happened, he was always the first to rush forward.

Xiao Hu seemed about to protest, but Chen Nian gave him no chance, dragging him directly into the teleportation array.

After two transmissions, Chen Nian suddenly changed direction and looped back.

“Xiao Hu, I was worried someone might be lurking near the array while we were away, but it seems that’s not the case. Go back for help, I’ll go assist Old Li.”

He vanished before Xiao Hu could say another word.

Returning to the original spot, Old Li had already disappeared. Dawn was just breaking, but the forest, shrouded by towering trees, remained dim and shadowy.

Chen Nian exhaled lightly and murmured, “I’ll leave it to you.”

“Understood,” came a breezy voice in his mind. Instantly, Chen Nian felt his senses—sight, smell, hearing—sharpen dramatically, and he relinquished control of his body entirely.

It was a peculiar sensation, much like handing your avatar to a pro in a metaverse game: though he exerted no control, his body acted on its own, performing a series of maneuvers.

A gust of wind swept past his ears, and before he realized it, he was already ten meters away.

“Impressive—you really do have the strength of a second tier,” Chen Nian praised inwardly.

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“Strong? It was bought with pain.”

“In any case, caution is best. There’s surely more than one pursuer. The virtual realm is vast, the forest terrain complex—no single person could have cornered an agent so completely,” Chen Nian said gravely.

“True enough. I hope there are more—then I can have some real fun,” the voice in his mind replied with genuine agreement.

“Don’t mess around. Protecting that agent is our priority. He risked everything to come here—he must have vital intelligence. If we bring him back, it’ll be a great achievement. I must say, luck is on our side.”

“Perhaps I used up all my bad luck before.”

As they conversed silently, they kept a keen watch on their surroundings. With senses several times sharper than normal, everything around them was crystal clear. Chen Nian could even see tiny insects clinging to leaves meters away.

...

Ahead, the path split in two, both marked faintly with footprints. Old Li had taken the left path on entering, but “Chen Nian” didn’t hesitate—he took the other route.

The trees flashed by in a blur as he bounded through the woods like a monkey. About a kilometer in, he reached a patch blanketed in fallen leaves. Here, all traces vanished completely.

He closed his eyes, further heightening his hearing. The chirr of insects, the rustle of small animals, the faintest whisper of the wind—all rang sharp in his ears. Yet nothing seemed amiss.

Then, something unexpected happened. The other self controlling his body suddenly shouted, “Stop hiding! I’m Chen Nian, captain of the 31st squad, 1st unit, Silver Dragon Corps! Come out—I’ll take you back to the stronghold!”

His voice echoed through the empty woods, startling the wildlife into a flurry of flight.

Immediately, the other self dashed south at a deliberately slower, human pace.

Seconds later, he arrived at a thicket a hundred meters away. The bushes seemed unremarkable, except for a pile of animal dung nearby, stinking terribly.

Before Chen Nian could speak, the thicket rustled—a man, bloodied at the abdomen, staggered out.

“Chen... Chen Nian? Are you that metaverse gamer Chen Nian?”

“I am,” he replied.

“I heard you joined the vanguard. I never thought you’d also join the Space Force.”

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“I’m with a special department. My name is Wang Yuan. Take this and give it to Wang Yinlong. Remember, this is tied to the fate of all Huaxia’s future. Whatever happens, you must bring this back!” As Wang Yuan spoke, he quickly took a leaf from the pocket of his green jacket and slipped it into Chen Nian’s pocket.

“What about you?”

“I’ll stay here to draw their attention. You go! You’re not injured—you can still get away! The people after me are formidable—might even be gene warriors!” Wang Yuan’s urgency grew with every word.

“Chen Nian” glanced at the leaf in his pocket, his expression less than pleased.

“If you’re handing over false intelligence, won’t I be taking the fall?”

Both Wang Yuan and the Chen Nian in his own mind were momentarily stunned by the bluntness. It had to be admitted, his other self wasn’t much for tact.

“It may sound harsh, but I’m just being honest,” the other self retorted in their mind.

“True, but you’d better talk less in future,” Chen Nian advised.

Wang Yuan quickly recovered, swearing, “It’s the truth—I stake my life on it! Please, hurry! There’s no time—it’s more important than my life itself!”

By now, Wang Yuan was nearly in tears, desperate enough to beg Chen Nian to leave. Heaven knew, he’d risked his life to get here. Just as he was about to lose all hope, this brash young man had given him a glimmer, only to torment him further.

“No, I’m taking you with me. I can’t bear such a burden,” “Chen Nian” said, giving him no chance to object, and began dragging him away.

Seeing this, Wang Yuan’s eyes hardened. He drew a stone knife and made to slice his own throat, intent on suicide—but before the blade could touch his skin, “Chen Nian” caught his wrist.

“You...” Tears streamed from Wang Yuan’s eyes—he was at a loss for words.

“I never should’ve wasted time talking to you,” “Chen Nian” muttered irritably, then struck Wang Yuan at the nape, knocking him out cold.

Almost simultaneously, in the shadows not far off, an unusually tall figure emerged.

“Chen Nian” cast him a dismissive glance and sneered. “That’s a gene warrior? Looks like he just took some high-grade stimulants before coming in. No wonder he couldn’t handle even a weakling like this.”