I'd like to thank our new Patreon Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation. I've read up to chapter 50, and it's a truly engaging read. It boasts a 4.4 rating on NovelUpdates. So you know it's going to be good.
Thank you again, Melonpan, for the sponsorship
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The intricate details about the dealings between warehouses were unknown to three individuals. Despite their disdain for Prince Ping, he had ceased visiting them. As the warehouse manager had ties with the government, he disdained Ping's attempts to curry favor. This further deterred Ping from visiting.
On this particular night, Tang Xuhai and his companions were sound asleep. However, there were others on night duty, vigilant for any alien intrusions. If any abnormality landed within the warehouse vicinity, the personnel would report it over the intercom, swiftly eliminating the intruders.
Given the randomness and timing of these landings, disturbances occurred occasionally throughout the night, something the warehouse inhabitants had grown accustomed to.
When Tang Xuhai wasn't ill, his alertness during sleep surpassed Fu Shiwu's. At the slightest sound, Tang Xuhai would awaken before Fu Shiwu even noticed, not immediately falling back asleep until the external commotion ceased entirely.
In the dead of night, a commotion arose again, prompting Tang Xuhai to check the time: 1:40 a.m. Shortly after, Fu Shiwu woke, silently observing Tang Xuhai glancing at his wristwatch.
Sometimes, both would wake in the night, remaining silent, waiting for the alien elimination process to conclude before returning to sleep. However, Tang Xuhai would awaken more frequently, while Fu Shiwu tended to doze off once the threat was neutralized.
Fu Shiwu lacked Tang Xuhai's swift sleeping abilities and had even struggled to fall asleep once.
Both remained awake, listening to the external chaos. Suddenly, Tang Xuhai sat up, alarming Fu Shiwu, who asked, "What's wrong?"
Wen Zhaoming woke immediately after, softly inquiring, "What's happening?"
Quickly donning combat boots, Tang Xuhai armed himself, sheathing his weapons and grabbing the dragon bone twin blades. He hurriedly said, "Aliens might be attacking the warehouse gate overnight! Stay safe, I'll check it out!"
With that, he dashed out, his voice loud enough to wake those nearby, igniting anxious murmurs.
Wen Zhaoming activated a flashlight, telling Fu Shiwu, "Let's prepare too."
"Okay," Fu Shiwu nodded.
Ever since Tang Xuhai mentioned the aliens' evolution, Wen Zhaoming had analyzed the warehouse's situation, anticipating potential attacks by evolved aliens. They hadn't expected it to happen this soon!
Fu Shiwu put on the camel-colored combat boots Tang Xuhai had given him, loaded his gun, and released the safety. Wen Zhaoming equipped his prosthetic limb, ascending his wheelchair and activating the controls.
As they finished, the warehouse lights suddenly illuminated.
Wen Zhaoming's expression shifted. "Bad move. The lights might attract the aliens."
Alarmed, Fu Shiwu stood. "What should we do? Should I turn them off?"
"No, don't," Wen Zhaoming shook his head. "People are panicking now. They'll think darkness due to aliens is scarier than unknown fears in the light."
Considering, Fu Shiwu decisively said, "Then let's go out!"
Initially shocked, Wen Zhaoming quickly realized that going outside would be in their best interest. If the aliens breached the warehouse, a fight might erupt, and his abilities might accidentally harm others. Moreover, in the panic, a stampede could injure them both.
"Alright, let's go out," Wen Zhaoming nodded.
Ignoring Wen Zhaoming's comfort, Fu Shiwu pushed the wheelchair, moving swiftly toward the exit. Observing their actions, those aware of Wen Zhaoming's prowess anxiously asked, "Where are you going? What's happening outside?"
"We're going out to check. There might be aliens attacking the gate," Fu Shiwu pushed the wheelchair, moving rapidly with Wen Zhaoming.
"Hey! You can't go out!!" someone cried out in fear.
Just as Fu Shiwu felt touched, the same person continued, "If you leave, what about us?!"
"Yeah! That guy has powers!" someone else realized.
These people cared little for their safety, more concerned about losing the fire-powered individual who protected them.
Fu Shiwu was incensed, witnessing such shamelessness. Why should Wen Zhaoming be obligated to protect these people? What duty did he owe them?!
Despite his anger, Fu Shiwu's social skills were lacking, rendering his persuasion abilities inactive. He couldn't bring himself to vocally reprimand their shamelessness.
Suddenly, Wen Zhaoming's wheelchair surged forward, sharply turning around. His gaze turned piercing as those who had risen started to speak, creating a flutter of movement.
"Huff, huff, huff—" clusters of fireballs materialized, hovering around him, slowly rotating.
The people were instantly stunned.
Wen Zhaoming glared at them, coldly stating, "Are you planning to stop me?"
The person hesitated, unable to respond.
With a fierce look, Wen Zhaoming swiftly maneuvered his wheelchair, charging toward the warehouse gate. "Shiwu! Let's go!" The fireballs, however, remained behind.
"Here we go!" Fu Shiwu adjusted his glasses, gave a cold look to the crowd, then hurried to catch up with Wen Zhaoming.
Exiting the warehouse, seeing Wen Zhaoming waiting in the darkness away from the lights, Fu Shiwu excitedly approached. "Zhaoming! You were so cool just now!"
Wen Zhaoming: "..."
Fu Shiwu was immensely proud of his buddy's awesome display.
Wen Zhaoming sighed, feeling outdone by Fu Shiwu.
Standing with Wen Zhaoming against the warehouse wall, they were bathed in the light cast by the lamps.
In a hushed tone, Fu Shiwu said to Wen Zhaoming, "Xuhai mentioned once that aliens' senses are similar to humans', so in this strong contrast of light and darkness, they won't immediately notice us."
Wen Zhaoming nodded. "It's the black-light effect."
Meanwhile, Tang Xuhai had sprinted to the warehouse gate's vicinity.
Unlike the surrounding walls, this gate was electronic, offering some form of cover. It had been reinforced with quick-dry cement, preventing most aliens from leveraging it. External areas with trees or structures were dismantled, those impossible to remove were guarded.
As with many Earth organisms, aliens possessed senses and adhered to certain sleep patterns.
Daytime was their hunting period, while nights were typically for rest.
This characteristic allowed Earthlings some respite and time for other activities, not needing to battle 24/7, which was fortunate.
Apart from the recent arrivals, there hadn't been nocturnal alien activity in the area. Thus, the attacks on the warehouse gate by aliens at night seemed peculiar!
By the time Tang Xuhai arrived, the conflict was intense.
Heavy machine guns spat tongues of fire, weaving a net of flames with other heavy firepower, harvesting the oncoming alien lives.
"What's going on? Why are the aliens active at night?" Tang Xuhai approached Captain Xing.
"Not sure," Captain Xing replied, his expression grave. "These aliens are usually very systematic in their actions. This sudden deviation indicates something is amiss."
"Once at the main road defense structure in Cloud City, these aliens exhibited similar peculiar behavior," Tang Xuhai recalled their breach into the defense structure. "Back then, they bypassed from tall buildings to launch an assault."
"But this warehouse area is all single-story buildings," Captain Xing glanced at him. "Those aliens can't get up without external aid."
"No, the evolved ones can," Tang Xuhai glanced at the wall, honestly not as high as that power station from before.
"Are you saying this attack is organized by those evolved aliens?" Captain Xing's face changed.
"Very likely!" Tang Xuhai asserted.
What Tang Xuhai could analyze, a military strategist could certainly analyze too. The aliens were a social, intelligent species. Though they appeared to act individually, there were occasions when they gathered for coordinated attacks. And at those times, aggression was often imminent.
The aliens were intelligent, and the evolved ones might be even more so, organizing the lesser aliens to act in coordination with them!