Chapter Forty: The Nonexistent Address
Space Force Base One.
Chen Nian slowly awakened.
On the interface of the metaverse before his eyes, the countdown to the opening of the virtual realm was showing “43:22:18.”
It appeared that, after returning to the real world, he had slept for more than four hours.
He gently sniffed the air and noticed a distinct fragrance.
“It's a sedative gas... No wonder.”
Suddenly, it made sense to Chen Nian.
The metaverse pod had been infused with sedative gas, which explained why he hadn't woken up immediately.
Having just fought a fierce battle, many people indeed needed a proper rest.
But conversely, after such a battle, many would suffer post-traumatic stress and find it hard to sleep.
Thus, the Space Force had resorted to this method.
...
Opening the metaverse pod, Chen Nian stepped out.
Most of the pods around him still held sleeping Space Force soldiers; he lightened his steps and walked toward a distant staff member.
Upon seeing Chen Nian approach, the staff member looked up and smiled.
“You're awake. Is there anything you need?”
“Not at the moment. I’d like to return to my dormitory.”
Chen Nian replied.
“All right, I'll open the door for you.” The staff member pressed a button, and a large door to the underground plaza swung open.
...
Upon returning to his dormitory, the first thing Chen Nian did was take out the phone the Space Force had given him and open the map application.
Now that he was back in reality, it was time to continue investigating that matter.
To be honest, the virtual realm was truly dangerous.
Even though his alternate self possessed superpowers, he couldn't be sure he’d survive next time.
Precisely because of this, he was now eager to get to the bottom of the issue.
However, when he searched for the address “172 Xingguang Road,” nothing showed up on the map. Instead, a list of similar addresses appeared, such as 165 Xingguang Road and 172 Guanghan Road.
He zoomed in and examined the map carefully, only to discover that Xingguang Road ended at number 170—there was nothing beyond that.
“How can this be?” Chen Nian was truly puzzled and turned to a search engine, looking up 172 Xingguang Road, but again found nothing.
Finally, he opened the satellite map, selected 170 Xingguang Road and zoomed in, only to discover a vacant lot beyond number 170.
“Impossible! How could that be a vacant lot?”
Chen Nian was incredulous.
He wasn't a fool.
Xingguang Road was in the heart of the Imperial Capital, with land worth its weight in gold. How could such a large vacant lot remain undeveloped?
And it happened to be the exact spot he wanted to investigate.
The coincidence was far too uncanny.
“No! I have to see it for myself!”
With that thought, he pressed the button in his dormitory.
---
It wasn’t long before a Space Force soldier entered.
“I’d like to see Commander Wang Yinlong. Is he awake?” Chen Nian asked directly.
“He is... but he’s not in the best state right now,” the soldier replied with some hesitation.
“Just tell him Chen Nian is looking for him. It’s a simple matter and won’t take much of his time,” Chen Nian said sincerely.
The soldier hesitated for a moment, then took out a communicator and spoke into it.
Moments later, he received a reply and smiled broadly.
“Commander wants me to bring you to him.”
“Thank you.”
Chen Nian rose to his feet.
...
Seven or eight minutes later, led by the soldier, Chen Nian arrived at Wang Yinlong’s office.
At this moment, Wang Yinlong’s eyes were slightly red, as if he had just cried.
Chen Nian pretended not to notice.
...
“Chen Nian, I heard you wanted to see me? Why don't you just contact me directly by phone? You have my number,” Wang Yinlong said, raising his head and feigning composure.
“Commander, I want to leave Base One and go to the Imperial Capital,” Chen Nian replied with utmost gravity.
Some things could never be explained over the phone or through a holographic projection.
He knew that requesting to leave the Space Force base at this time was rather unreasonable, so he insisted on speaking to Wang Yinlong face to face.
Only then could Wang Yinlong truly sense his sincerity and resolve.
As expected, Wang Yinlong’s brows instantly knitted together upon hearing this.
“Do you realize how chaotic it is outside right now? It’s not that I don’t trust you, but as the president of Sky Dome, if you leave the Space Force base, you’ll be in great danger.”
Chen Nian’s expression was resolute, and he pleaded:
“Commander, after this battle, I feel I’ve understood some things. There are matters we must get to the bottom of while we’re still alive. I know this request is excessive at this moment, but I don’t know if, next time I enter the virtual realm, I’ll ever come back alive. If this issue isn’t resolved, even death won’t give me peace.”
Wang Yinlong raised his brows at Chen Nian’s determined look. He pondered briefly, then nodded.
“Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t stop you. I’ll assign people to protect you...”
He hadn’t finished his sentence when Old Li’s voice sounded from outside the door.
“I’ll go with him. I happen to want to visit the Imperial Capital as well.”
---
Wang Yinlong, seeing Old Li enter, immediately agreed.
“Very well, Instructor Li, please accompany Chen Nian. You two know each other well, so I can rest easy. I’ll give you a pass. Remember, unless absolutely necessary, don’t let Chen Nian show his face.”
“Understood,” Old Li nodded.
Wang Yinlong then looked at Chen Nian.
“There’ll be a transport plane heading to the Imperial Capital Airport soon. You two can take that plane. It’ll return here in twelve hours. Is that enough time?”
“Yes, that’s plenty,” Chen Nian replied.
Wang Yinlong nodded slightly, then opened a drawer and took out two pistols, handing them to Chen Nian and Old Li.
“Take these. If you run into an emergency, don’t hesitate. If you need to open fire, do it—I’ll bear the consequences.”
“Thank you, Commander!” Chen Nian said, deeply grateful.
“Heh. Once you’ve resolved your issue, work hard. China needs young talents like you,” Wang Yinlong encouraged, patting Chen Nian’s shoulder.
“Yes, I will do my best!”
“Good. Off you go.”
...
Leaving Wang Yinlong’s office, Chen Nian breathed a sigh of relief.
Before coming, he had genuinely feared Wang Yinlong would insist he stay at the Space Force base.
Fortunately, Wang Yinlong had agreed.
Back in his dormitory, he took only a few personal items, then joined Old Li and headed to the airport within Base One.
After a brief wait, the two boarded the transport plane.
A little over an hour later, they arrived safely at Imperial Capital Airport.
The military had already arranged a vehicle for them at the airport.
Once in the military vehicle, Chen Nian set the navigation to 170 Xingguang Road.
Sitting in the car, watching the scenery shift outside the window, his mood grew tense.
He could already sense the complexity of this affair.
At the same time, he was prepared to face whatever awaited him.
After the battle at Mechanical City, he felt he had grown much stronger.
“172 Xingguang Road... here I come...
It’s time to uncover the truth.”