Chapter 141: Investigation
The moment Nan Yu heard that, he nodded without hesitation.
Sleeping together was fine.
It wasn't as though they hadn't done it before.
Back in the lounge on the top floor of the Capital Star Military Hospital, they'd shared a bed plenty of times already.
There was just one thing...
His father absolutely couldn't find out about it.
Nan Yu twitched at the corner of his mouth.
"Oh, right... I almost forgot."
"Will Dad come by from time to time?"
"If he finds out we're sleeping together..."
"He'll probably be furious."
Not at Nan Yu.
At Yu Lanfeng.
Yu Lanfeng frowned slightly before answering,
"It's fine."
"Your father trusts my character that much."
"Besides..."
"The safest place for you is by my side."
Nan Yu held back a laugh and nodded.
"You're right."
"In that case..."
"Let's get some rest first."
Life aboard the carrier was actually quite relaxed.
But because Nan Yu would soon be facing an extremely demanding workload after arriving at the border, he made full use of this period to undergo special training.
Otherwise, if his physical fitness couldn't keep up with everyone else, then no matter how powerful his mental power was, he might end up being less useful than an ordinary Mid-Tier Mental Power User.
Nan Yu sat beside Yu Lanfeng, reading through military documents together with him.
He carefully examined the legion's deployments.
They did seem somewhat different from what he remembered from his previous life.
Unfortunately...
He hadn't been particularly familiar with military strategy back then.
The one who truly understood these things had been Bai Zhouyun.
There was no way he could simply tell Yu Lanfeng everything.
If he suddenly claimed he'd returned from the future...
People would probably assume he'd lost his mind.
Unless someone experienced it personally...
Who would ever believe such a thing?
For now, Nan Yu could only rely on his own fragmented memories.
"Have Ye Xing's inventions already entered practical use?"
"They have," Yu Lanfeng replied.
"The first batch of repeatedly tested devices has already been distributed to the troops stationed at each base."
"They should all be using them by now."
"They're extremely useful."
"I just hope everyone makes good use of them."
Nan Yu smiled.
"I don't think you need to worry."
"They'll definitely study those devices seriously."
"Whether it's because they trust you..."
"Or because they admire you."
"They'll all work hard to learn how they function."
"And once they truly understand them..."
"They'll fall in love with them."
"You won't even have to urge them anymore."
The equipment Yu Lanfeng referred to was actually the simplest invention Ye Xing had ever developed.
It was also the easiest to verify in actual combat.
To put it simply...
It was a basic acceleration device.
A downgraded version of the engine enhancer installed on the spacecraft Ye Xing had used when he kidnapped Nan Yu.
If that original version was the complete model...
Then this simplified version only provided about one-fifth of its performance.
However, the current goal was to equip the entire legion.
There simply wasn't enough time to manufacture the full version before this year's Ability Beast tide.
Besides...
More advanced equipment required far more training to master.
If soldiers made operational mistakes during actual combat...
They could easily drag countless comrades down with them.
That was exactly why Yu Lanfeng had chosen to release a simplified version first.
Once everyone became familiar with its operating principles...
Only then would the full version be introduced in limited quantities.
They would first select soldiers capable of mastering the advanced accelerator within a short time.
After those soldiers became proficient...
They would teach everyone else.
Step by step...
The entire legion's combat effectiveness would rise dramatically.
"So that's the reasoning behind it."
Nan Yu couldn't help sighing.
"As expected of the Marshal."
"You're the one who has to consider the overall situation."
"If it were me..."
"I would've immediately distributed the best equipment available."
"I'd have everyone learn it as quickly as possible and boost the legion's strength in the shortest amount of time."
He paused before laughing helplessly.
"It sounds great."
"But if the enemy found a weakness..."
"It could end with the entire army being wiped out."
Yu Lanfeng smiled.
"It's alright."
"You'll eventually learn to think that way too."
"Not every soldier is stupid."
"But not everyone is a genius either."
"People learn at different speeds."
"So we have to take everyone's abilities into account."
When the advanced equipment was eventually released...
Anyone who still struggled with the simplified version naturally wouldn't volunteer to challenge the more complicated model.
That would also make selecting suitable candidates much easier.
"Oh, right."
Nan Yu suddenly remembered something.
"Tell me what I'll be doing after we reach the border."
"I'll probably be—"
Halfway through, he corrected himself.
"No."
"What do you mean probably?"
"I have to make sure I'm busy."
His eyes drifted toward the spatial button on his wrist.
After all...
He possessed the Nianshen Grass.
He had to become a High-Tier Mental Power User as quickly as possible.
The method was simple.
Continuously exhaust his mental power.
Then recover while using the Nianshen Grass.
Repeated enough times...
His cultivation speed would increase dramatically.
"Brother."
"When we get there..."
"Can I work in emergency treatment?"
"I've learned a lot of emergency medicine from Professor Liu recently."
"I just haven't had many opportunities for practical experience."
"This is the perfect chance."
"I can help with emergency treatment while removing Mental Contamination."
"When I'm exhausted, I'll come back and sleep."
"Then I'll head back out once I've recovered."
Yu Lanfeng frowned slightly.
He didn't want Nan Yu pushing himself that hard.
But Nan Yu was right about one thing.
Until he became a High-Tier Mental Power User...
Nothing could truly be guaranteed.
Which meant...
He could only let Nan Yu work harder for now.
As for discovering who had leaked the secret of the Nianshen Grass...
There was little point investigating anymore.
The organization already knew.
Nan Yu had to become a High-Tier Mental Power User before they became desperate enough to expose everything.
Only then could he keep the Nianshen Grass.
Taking a deep breath, Nan Yu continued reviewing military plans beside Yu Lanfeng.
Soon, he learned much more about the current troop deployments and combat strategies.
As Yu Lanfeng flipped through the files, he explained them one by one.
"Most regions won't change much."
"So our tactics are still largely based on last year's."
"We've only modified them after incorporating the new acceleration devices."
"What do you think?"
Nan Yu considered it.
"Those accelerators are installed on aircraft, aren't they?"
"But Ability Beasts fight on the ground."
"Wouldn't that only save travel time?"
Yu Lanfeng thought for a moment.
"...You're right."
"At the moment, they can only be installed on spacecraft and aircraft."
"But that's already a significant improvement."
"They'll save a lot of time."
"They'll also increase travel speed."
"If we need reinforcements..."
"Or if we need to retreat..."
"They'll be invaluable."
Hearing Yu Lanfeng calmly mention retreating, Nan Yu couldn't help smiling.
"You're right."
"Being able to retreat faster means fewer casualties."
"That's the most important thing."
There was no denying it.
Everything Yu Lanfeng said made perfect sense.
Once they'd finished reviewing the documents...
It was time for their daily special training.
To train Nan Yu individually, Yu Lanfeng had specifically prepared a private training room.
Every day...
Without exception...
He took Nan Yu there for about two hours.
Every single session ended the same way.
Nan Yu became so exhausted that he resembled a dead dog.
Yu Lanfeng would simply carry him back.
Fortunately, they always used private corridors.
Almost nobody saw them.
And even if someone did...
They immediately stared straight ahead as though they'd gone temporarily blind.
Afterward...
They also developed temporary amnesia.
They'd seen nothing.
Remembered nothing.
Today's training ended the same way.
Yu Lanfeng carried Nan Yu on his back as they headed back.
This time, however...
They unexpectedly ran into Yuan Qiyang.
Nan Yu immediately noticed that something was wrong with his expression.
"What's the matter?"
Yuan Qiyang paused briefly before looking at Nan Yu lying limply across Yu Lanfeng's back.
"I'm fine."
"I couldn't be better."
"Really?"
"You don't look fine."
Yuan Qiyang shook his head.
"I'm really alright."
"There's just something I can't figure out."
"I need a little more time."
Nan Yu instantly thought about Yang Zhou.
Had their relationship been discovered?
Were they already being pressured?
His first instinct was to contact Yang Zhou immediately.
Then he remembered where he was.
Inside the flagship carrier of Yu Lanfeng's legion.
A carrier was the greatest treasure of an entire legion.
If its location were exposed...
It could become the target of an attack.
Although carriers weren't actually slow...
Compared to combat cruisers and ordinary spacecraft, their enormous size naturally limited their mobility.
If Nan Yu casually contacted the outside world...
Accidentally exposed the carrier's location...
And caused catastrophic losses...
Then regardless of how talented he was...
The entire legion would reject him.
Even he himself wouldn't be able to forgive such a mistake.
Better to endure it.
Besides...
This was ultimately a private matter between Yuan Qiyang and Yang Zhou.
Offering a few words of advice was one thing.
Interfering directly would be inappropriate.
The words Nan Yu had been about to say remained unspoken.
Instead...
Yu Lanfeng spoke.
"You're already an adult."
"Learn to handle your own affairs."
"Stop putting everything off."
"If I discover your personal emotions affecting legion missions..."
"I'll personally pack you up and send you back to the Capital Star."
Those few calm sentences instantly transformed Yuan Qiyang.
He straightened his back.
Lifted his head.
In an instant, the troubled prince disappeared.
Standing there instead was a perfectly disciplined soldier.
Nan Yu admired Yu Lanfeng immensely.
Just one sentence.
One glance.
And everyone became obedient.
He wished he could do that someday.
Though...
It probably wasn't something he'd ever accomplish.
As he continued thinking, exhaustion washed over him in wave after wave.
Before long...
He had fallen asleep on Yu Lanfeng's back.
Feeling the steady breathing against his shoulder, Yu Lanfeng instinctively slowed his pace and lightened every step.
Watching the two of them, Yuan Qiyang couldn't hide the brief loneliness that flashed across his eyes.
But it quickly disappeared.
A little setback meant nothing.
He only needed to wait.
Wait until he became stronger.
Then...
He would earn the right to choose the person he loved.
At that point...
Not even the Emperor and Empress could interfere with his decision.
Time passed quickly.
In what felt like the blink of an eye...
They had reached the border.
"This is Border Region One," Yu Lanfeng explained.
"It's also the area suffering the worst Ability Beast outbreaks."
"Every year around this time..."
"I establish my headquarters somewhere here."
After leaving the carrier, Yu Lanfeng's flagship led more than a thousand warships toward the front lines.
Nan Yu couldn't help looking back.
The colossal carrier grew smaller and smaller in the distance.
Even traveling through space...
It occupied more than half his field of vision.
The sheer scale was unbelievable.
It could easily accommodate well over a hundred thousand warships.
It also contained living quarters...
Recreational districts...
Dining halls...
Training facilities...
And countless other sections.
It was unimaginably enormous.
Larger than many planets.
Nan Yu couldn't even imagine how many resource planets had been stripped bare just to build a single vessel like that.
Losing one would be heartbreaking.
Only after it disappeared completely did Nan Yu finally look away.
Turning around...
He noticed Yu Lanfeng watching him.
"What?"
"That carrier belongs to our legion."
"So there's no need to envy it."
"If you ever want to spend a few days aboard..."
"I can take you anytime."
Nan Yu shook his head.
"Maybe another time."
"Now isn't the moment."
"Let's go."
Following Yu Lanfeng into the bridge, Nan Yu looked at the enormous display showing the outside view.
Their fleet slowly advanced forward.
Every warship bore the blazing golden-red flame emblem of Yu Lanfeng's legion.
Even from an incredible distance...
That brilliant insignia could be recognized.
Anyone lacking the courage to challenge them would immediately steer clear.
Soon...
They reached the outer defensive forces guarding Border Region One.
The troops conducted a thorough inspection before allowing them inside.
The arrival of Yu Lanfeng's forces immediately strengthened the local defenses.
The previously tense atmosphere visibly relaxed.
Many soldiers even looked relieved.
It was obvious that too many personnel had been transferred away earlier.
Their manpower had become dangerously thin.
"Marshal."
"The Ability Beast riot started about five days earlier than expected."
"If you hadn't arrived within the next two days..."
"I would've requested emergency reinforcements."
Yu Lanfeng frowned.
"So serious?"
"What exactly happened?"
He immediately began reviewing the casualty reports.
Nan Yu looked over them as well.
His expression darkened.
He stood.
"Marshal."
"I think the people over there need me more."
"So I'd like to go first..."
Yu Lanfeng agreed immediately.
"Qiyang."
"Take him there."
"Help him adapt to the treatment workflow as quickly as possible."
"Once he's familiar with everything, return immediately."
"I still have other assignments for you."
"Yes, Marshal!"
This assignment was exactly the same as before.
Yuan Qiyang once again escorted Nan Yu to the Mental Power Treatment Division.
This time...
Their arrival attracted only a little attention.
Most people were simply too busy.
No one even had time to greet them.
Yu Lanfeng personally introduced Nan Yu to the officer in charge of the Mental Power Unit before briefly explaining the situation.
In truth...
Almost every Mental Power User had already heard Nan Yu's name.
Especially because Yu Lanfeng had openly acknowledged him as his future partner.
He'd repeatedly made sure everyone in the legion became familiar with Nan Yu.
Whether through official introductions...
Or by directly showing videos and promotional materials.
Practically everyone already knew who Nan Yu was.
However...
When the captain finally saw him in person...
A trace of doubt still crossed his face.
Was he really that capable?
Fortunately...
He wasn't foolish enough to voice those doubts.
Instead, after a brief consideration, he assigned Nan Yu a patient suffering from extremely severe Mental Contamination.
From the captain's perspective...
The case was troublesome.
But not impossible.
Clearly...
They didn't fully trust him yet.
This patient was a test.
If Nan Yu succeeded...
They would gradually assign him more difficult cases.
If he failed...
Nan Yu narrowed his eyes slightly.
If he couldn't handle this patient...
Or if his results proved unsatisfactory...
They would naturally reconsider what kinds of patients to entrust to him afterward.
Taking a deep breath, he asked calmly,
"Where will I be working?"
Their caution was perfectly understandable.
Every soldier here depended on them.
Protecting each patient was their responsibility.
The captain led them to a private treatment room.
After entering, Nan Yu immediately released a strand of mental power and examined the surroundings.
The room was spotless.
There was barely any equipment inside.
Only a single hospital bed.
On it...
A soldier was tightly restrained.
His face was twisted with agony.
His bloodshot eyes bulged horribly.
Nan Yu remained completely calm.
As though he had seen scenes like this countless times before.
The captain spoke.
"This patient is yours."
"If you believe you've completed the treatment, open the door and notify the staff outside."
"If you can't continue..."
"Tell us immediately."
"Someone else will take over."
"Don't force yourself."
"Understood?"
Nan Yu wasn't upset by their lack of trust.
Instead...
He chose the smartest possible response.
"Understood."
"Thank you, Captain."
Without wasting any more time, the captain left together with Yuan Qiyang.
Once they were gone...
Nan Yu carefully confirmed there were no problems inside the room.
Then he walked to the bedside.
Placing both hands beside the soldier's head...
He extended his mental power directly into the man's Mental Sea.
The contamination was severe.
But only severe within A-rank contamination.
It was still far from reaching true danger.
There was one strict—but also surprisingly flexible—rule regarding Mental Contamination treatment.
Once contamination reached S-rank or above...
Treatment could never be interrupted midway unless the contamination had first been reduced below S-rank.
Stopping too early while it remained at S-rank would trigger an extremely violent backlash.
For both the Mental Power User...
And the patient.
Nan Yu's current mental strength far exceeded that of ordinary Mid-Tier Mental Power Users.
He could accomplish many things they simply couldn't.
Using astonishing speed...
He reduced the soldier's Mental Contamination all the way down to B-rank.
The man's expression visibly relaxed.
After withdrawing his hands...
The contamination had stabilized completely at B-rank.
The remaining treatment no longer required Nan Yu.
He glanced at the clock.
Three minutes.
He wasn't sure whether that counted as fast...
Average...
Or slow.
He had very little experience comparing himself to other healers.
Ideally...
He wanted to wait another two minutes.
Five minutes sounded much more believable.
...Wait.
There seemed to be another person awake inside the room.
With only B-rank Mental Contamination remaining, any Ability User could remain conscious.
The soldier was already capable of standing.
"Hello."
"Your condition is much better now."
"But you still need further treatment after you leave."
The soldier appeared completely accustomed to this process.
The strongest Mental Power Users here normally only reduced the most severe cases by one contamination rank before passing them to weaker Mental Power Users outside.
Nan Yu blinked.
...Wait.
Was it just his imagination?
Why did that suddenly sound like everyone was doing the hardest work...
Without getting paid any extra?
He quickly shook the thought away.
The soldier smiled weakly.
"Thank you, Doctor."
"I've never seen you before."
"Someone mentioned a new doctor was coming..."
"I honestly didn't believe it..."
Nan Yu himself looked rather exhausted.
Even so...
He knew he couldn't waste any more time.
Walking to the door, he opened it and called outside,
"This patient is finished."
"You can take him away now."
The entire medical team froze.
Even their captain usually needed six full hours to reduce a patient like this from A-rank Mental Contamination to B-rank.
Yet Nan Yu...
Had done it on his very first patient.
In only three minutes.
And this had been considered one of the more difficult cases.