Chapter Eighty-Five: The Sudden Outbreak of the Demonic Beast Horde

"Old Mu, please, calm down, let me explain. It's not that I don't want to transfer her. Xiao Yuan's file has already been moved out of the logistics group. Right now, she's only nominally here," Feng Guoqing, for once, wore a flustered expression as he stepped forward to block Mu Gengnian. If Mu scolded him with a cane in front of Zhuang Xiaoyuan, it would be far too humiliating. Besides, Mu was his elder; he could never openly defy him. The only option was to explain things clearly before anything escalated.

"What happened? Where was she transferred?" Hearing that the file had already been moved, Mu Gengnian finally calmed down. He frowned slightly at Feng Guoqing, waiting for an answer, his posture suggesting that any misstep might provoke him further.

"She's been registered as a prospective Divine Gear Warrior. All her records have been sent to the Divine Gear Academy in Central Metropolis. In just a few days, she’ll be heading there for enrollment." Fearing that Mu Gengnian might embarrass him in front of Zhuang Xiaoyuan, Feng Guoqing answered straightforwardly.

"Divine Gear Academy? So, Xiao Yuan, you’re actually a Divine Gear Warrior." The mention of the academy surprised Mu Gengnian, though it also explained why Zhuang Xiaoyuan, so young, possessed such extensive mechanical knowledge rivaling senior researchers.

"Sorry, Elder Mu, I’m not really a genius. Everything I know, I learned during the previous Guardian Trials." Uncomfortable with Mu Gengnian's misconception that she was a scientific prodigy, Zhuang Xiaoyuan lowered her head slightly in apology.

"No need to apologize—as long as you join our research team, that’s enough. Even if your file can’t be transferred, you can come over yourself. There are still a few days; you can guide us. The central research group also has several Divine Gear Warriors. No matter how you acquired your knowledge, as long as you have those abilities, we need you." With a casual wave, Mu Gengnian stopped her apology, his expression perfectly natural. Divine Gear Warriors with scientific Guardian Spirits were not uncommon. He’d seen several in Central Metropolis—while they were generally weak in combat, their research expertise far surpassed ordinary humans.

"Alright then, I’ll rely on you for the next few days, Elder Mu." Seeing that Feng Guoqing and Mu Gengnian were on good terms, Zhuang Xiaoyuan felt reassured. In just a few days, she’d likely leave for the Divine Gear Academy. If it was only for a brief stint, she could manage. In fact, she’d always intended to share the knowledge from Zhuang Xiaosi in her mind with the researchers of this world.

"Good, then let’s not waste any time. Come with me now," Mu Gengnian said, clearly pleased with her answer. He nodded and straightforwardly invited Zhuang Xiaoyuan to go with him to the research group.

"Oorah, oorah, oorah, warning, warning, citywide red alert. All combat teams to your posts. All civilians proceed to the shelters. Logistics, prepare for supply support." Just as Mu Gengnian was about to take Zhuang Xiaoyuan for an academic discussion, an ear-piercing alarm blared. The alert was not limited to the military dormitories; every loudspeaker across the city broadcast the same warning.

"What’s going on? A red alert?" The sudden alarm left them all visibly shocked.

"Beep beep beep." Feng Guoqing’s and Major Chu Yan’s phones rang almost simultaneously.

"Hello? What? A demon beast surge? How? Alright, I’m coming back immediately." Hanging up, Feng Guoqing’s expression grew grave.

"Yes, sir. Understood, I’ll be there right away," Major Chu Yan replied into his phone, then looked at Mu Gengnian with a slight frown. "Elder Mu…"

"Xiao Chu, you go on ahead. I can return on my own. Your mission is more important." Sensing Chu Yan’s hesitation, Mu Gengnian waved him off. Though the words "demon beast surge" from Feng Guoqing’s call were alarming, they were still within the city, where immediate danger was unlikely.

"Understood. Elder Mu, please return to the research group as soon as possible. I’ll take my leave. Lieutenant General, goodbye." After saluting Feng Guoqing, Chu Yan glanced back at Zhuang Xiaoyuan before turning to leave. He had wanted to speak with her privately, but this was not the time. There would be another chance to pass on that message entrusted to him.

"Uncle Feng?" As Chu Yan departed, Zhuang Xiaoyuan looked to Feng Guoqing. She’d heard the words "demon beast surge" as well—though she’d encountered such a thing once in the world of Mecha Maidens, this time clearly wouldn’t be resolved so simply. After all, in this world, apart from Divine Gear Warriors, ordinary humans couldn’t compare to Mecha Maidens in combat, and strangely, the demons here seemed even more powerful.

"Xiao Yuan, escort Elder Mu to the research group. Then—" Then stay there; it’s safer.

"Alright, I’ll take Elder Mu back and will report to headquarters right away." Before he could finish, Zhuang Xiaoyuan interrupted him. She knew Feng Guoqing well enough to guess his intentions. She cut him off directly, giving him no chance to finish. Not that she would have listened, even if he managed to say it.

"…Fine. Come find me the moment you’re done." He gave a helpless, wry smile. Whether his own daughter or this adopted one, both were so "willful." In this, they were surprisingly alike—stubborn in their own way.

"Yes, sir! Mission guaranteed!" With a radiant smile, Zhuang Xiaoyuan gave Feng Guoqing a crisp military salute. "Elder Mu, let’s go!"

"Very well, I’m counting on you, Xiao Yuan." Watching the interplay between Zhuang Xiaoyuan and Feng Guoqing, Mu Gengnian did not refuse her escort, nodding with a smile as he followed her outside.

Descending the stairs together and watching Zhuang Xiaoyuan and Mu Gengnian leave on that battered electric scooter, Feng Guoqing finally turned toward his own vehicle. So, the demon beast surge had come. Would another disaster like the one years ago occur…? No, that must not happen. Gritting his teeth, he floored the accelerator and sped away.

"Xiao Yuan, why are you driving such a rundown vehicle? Xiao Feng, really—as your guardian, how can he be so stingy?" As soon as he sat on Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s dilapidated scooter, Mu Gengnian began to criticize Feng Guoqing.

It wasn’t that he was too pampered to tolerate an old vehicle. The thing was, this scooter was oddly shaped, ugly, and decades out of date, wholly mismatched with its owner—a bright, youthful girl like Zhuang Xiaoyuan.