IRCDM Chapter 95

Chapter 95: Hologram, you couldn’t perform back then?

The military headquarters building was as cold and solemn as ever. The shiny silver hovercar, like a lightning bolt, slammed on the brakes just before the security robot could sound the alarm.

Dusty military boots stepped onto the smooth floor, followed by a pair of extremely arrogant long legs. A hand with a black metal ring rested on the car door, vaguely revealing a dragon-shaped tattoo beneath the ring. That hand removed the sunglasses, revealing the person’s sharp, cold features. The scar on the bridge of their nose added a touch of ruthlessness.

Like they were here to cause trouble.

The guard watched him warily but froze in place the moment he recognized the face: “Sir?”

Li Yao hung his sunglasses on his collar, nodding coolly: “Please announce, Colonel Li Yao reporting for duty.”

A few minutes later, the news of Dawn Star’s return spread like wildfire, instantly sweeping through the entire military headquarters.

Leaving aside how excited the ordinary soldiers were, how alarmed the officers with their own agendas were, and how much discussion it stirred among the ranks, Marshal Xun Zan, seriously ill, stubbornly dragged himself out of his hospital room, specifically requesting to meet Li Yao in the central conference hall of the military headquarters.

The location of this meeting alone was significant—since Li Yao was salvaged back to the home planet, he had mostly shuttled between the First Prison and the military prison. On the rare occasions he wasn’t there, he was climbing the windows of the military headquarters to show his mockery. Everyone knew that the relationship between Dawn Star and the military was strained. But now, things were different. Li Yao had been cleared of charges and had even become a meritorious official who had endured hardship. The signal Xun Zan was sending was particularly important.

Li Yao hadn’t set foot in this place for a long time. The furnishings were slightly different from what he remembered. He casually chose a seat and sat down, idly fiddling with his wristband.

Under the wristband, there was a secretly hidden tooth mark from someone’s bite.

The slight stinging reminded him of their separation. Li Yao couldn’t help but think of Liang Huan’s appearance when he bit him, eyes lowered, thick eyelashes hidden under damp black hair, a layer of light sweat on the bridge of his nose, breath hot on his skin… Tsk.

He cleared his throat, covering the tooth mark with his wristband. Clearly, excessive intimacy was a dangerous thing. He had only been separated from Liang Huan for less than three hours, and he already missed him a little.

The sound of the door opening came from behind him.

Li Yao got up and turned around, seeing Xun Zan standing there, leaning on a cane. He was much older and thinner than he remembered, but his eyes were still sharp. The old marshal looked up at him, with a hint of a sigh in his voice: “Li Yao, you’re back.”

Li Yao turned around and saluted him: “Marshal.”

Xun Zan slowly raised his arm, returning the salute. When he lowered his hand, his gaze held a hint of kindness: “You’ve grown up.”

Yi Heng Bai followed behind him, helping him to sit on the sofa. After glancing at Li Yao, he stood behind the sofa.

Li Yao sat down opposite Xun Zan as required, and heard Xun Zan say: “In my memory, you were still a child, only thirteen or fourteen years old, always following Chen An. I thought at the time that this child looked calm and capable, a good seed for the military. But every time someone in the military got into trouble, your name was always there. You were never one to make people worry less.”

Li Yao twitched his lips: “I was ignorant when I was young.”

“Being too sensible isn’t good either; your brother is an example.” Xun Zan said unhurriedly, “He heard about you activating the coordinates as soon as he woke up and insisted on going to save you, but I stopped him. After all, his vital signs hadn’t fully recovered at the time.”

Li Yao’s jawline tightened. He looked at the expressionless Yi Heng Bai behind him, suppressing his anger: “My brother wasn’t like this before.”

Yi Heng Bai was gentle, eloquent, and always wore a smile. Even in the last few years of his illness, he was optimistic. The chimera in front of him didn’t have even a trace of human expression on his face.

“I still can’t skillfully control the movement of my facial muscles.” Yi Heng Bai looked at him helplessly when he heard this, “A-Li, I’ll explain this to you later.”

“You have resentment in your heart, and the military and I know it.” Xun Zan looked up at Li Yao, “I understand Chen An’s good intentions, but things have developed to this point, beyond the control of one person. Li Yao, your return is the result of multiple discussions, and I hope you can understand.”

“I understand very well.” Li Yao smiled, “Marshal Xun, since I’ve chosen to come back, I will bear the responsibilities I should bear.”

Xun Zan nodded in satisfaction: “The celebration banquet specially held for you is scheduled for a week later. You haven’t been back to the military for too long, so take these few days to familiarize yourself with the environment and catch up with your brother.”

“Yes.” Li Yao saw him get up and politely stood up to see him off.

Yi Heng Bai escorted Xun Zan to the door and then turned back: “Let’s go, I’ll take you back to the nineteenth floor.”

Li Yao put on his sunglasses with a flourish.

“Don’t want to see me that much?” Yi Heng Bai smiled.

Li Yao put his hands in his pockets and followed behind him: “No, it’s just that your light is too dazzling.”

Yi Heng Bai was stuck speechless by him and sighed: “How are things between you and that Liang Huan?”

“Broke up.” Li Yao tsked, “We were finally about to remarry, and you had to bring me back. He refused to agree to it, crying and making a fuss in my arms, arguing eight times a day. In the end, seeing that he really couldn’t keep me, he let me go, and even threatened to hit me every time he saw me.”

Yi Heng Bai smiled: “You have a signal receiver on you, and he’s willing to let you go?”

Li Yao stopped, staring at him meaningfully: “Brother, have you ever been in love?”

“…” Yi Heng Bai, who had been single for more than twenty years and dead for ten, fell silent.

Li Yao tsked mockingly and sympathetically, and continued to walk forward.

Someone looked down at the chip and brushed past him.

His usually stable mental power had a moment of subtle fluctuation. Li Yao turned back to look, but only saw a figure turning a corner in the corridor.

Yi Heng Bai looked at him.

Li Yao withdrew his gaze: “Is that person from the military?”

Yi Heng Bai smiled: “No, he’s an employee of Dawn Company, here to help the technical department.”

After the corridor, Zhu Li stared at the body data popping up on the screen, slowly furrowing his brow.

Mental power grade D, physical fitness grade C, light metal signal reaction… But how could Li Yao’s C-grade physical fitness withstand the radiation of the signal receiver?

—

Eastern Third District Administrative Court.

Fifteen large, modified mechas paraded through the streets and alleys of the Eastern Third District. Their cool appearance and S+ rating instantly attracted the attention of countless people. On the external light screens of the mechas, detailed introductions of each mecha’s performance level and name were displayed, along with dynamic holographic advertisements.

In the holographic image, a pure black mecha, long sword in hand, charged from afar into the Western Heteromorph Jungle. It cut through the dense heteromorph swarm like slicing melons and vegetables. The dazzling spectacle of a mental energy explosion unfolded before people’s eyes, followed by an endless expanse of azure sea. Raging waves crashed against the reefs, and two mechas were engaged in a fierce battle on the surface of the sea. The sound of light cannons was deafening, and the spray they stirred shot into the sky. A six-winged mecha glided past, and as its perspective unfolded, a azure sky, a vast sea, a dense jungle, and natural landscapes such as glacial deserts and waterfalls were presented to the crowd. Further away, there were city clusters symbolizing human civilization—

As fireworks exploded, the words “[External District Real-Scene Simulation Experience Game]” shattered the screen. Fifteen uniquely shaped mechas lined up in sequence above.

“This is… a game?” A shocked bystander asked, “Can you use real mechas?”

“That’s right, the sixth and seventh underground levels of the Black Market are the real-scene simulation game of the external district. I heard it started construction a long time ago. These are all S-class mechas. I heard that if you can clear the level, you can get a high bonus.” Someone holding a flyer had glittering eyes. “A full ten million condensed coins, which is much higher than the prize money for the Mecha Competition, and you can rent their S-class mechas, regardless of mental power or physical fitness.”

“Is there an entry fee?” Someone was a little uneasy. “The scene is so big, it must cost a lot of money.”

“The first three months are free!” Someone was filled with excitement.

“Then I have to go and play. How do I sign up? Wait, let me check the official website…” Soon, someone became interested.

“It’s not just that. I heard that the fourth underground level of the Black Market is the Zombie Outbreak Experience Hall, and the fifth underground level is the Heteromorph Invasion Experience Hall. A friend of mine got an internal test ticket to play before, and it was so exciting. He couldn’t stop thinking about it when he came back. I heard that the collected materials can be exchanged for condensed coins at the front desk, and there are upgrade rewards. The heteromorphs and zombies inside are real.”

But some people had concerns: “Isn’t it too dangerous?”

“What are you afraid of? They’re all artificially cultivated, and besides, the Black Market—ah, now called the Certified Black Market—has medical staff accompanying them, and the game bodyguards are top mercenaries. As long as you press the emergency button, you can quit immediately. They have a safety agreement.”

“… No, I have to go and see.” Soon, someone took action and went directly to the Black Market attraction.

A dozen large mechas paraded through the streets and alleys of the Eastern Third District. In addition to the official news of the Eastern Third District, many passersby also posted videos on the Internet. Soon, some professional bloggers who had internally tested the game also threw out their full experience videos, emphasizing the safety and reward system. For a time, [Black Market Real-Scene Game] occupied the top spot on the hot topics list.

The once-popular “Weeping Angel” twin towers then released a photo with the game mecha. Fans with strong action power instantly flocked to the Black Market, and other celebrities naturally refused to be outdone, and began to pay attention to this game one after another.

In just a few days, the Black Market panoramic game experience became a social trend. Experience places were hard to find, and the mecha basic training base on the third underground floor was overcrowded, and even the hotels, amusement parks and commercial streets on the seven floors above the Black Market had a surge in turnover. Other attractions immediately followed up and threw out the mecha selling points. Coupled with the influence of the Eastern Third District promotional film, countless tourists poured into the entire Eastern Third District in an instant.

Liang Huan looked at the recordings of the Black Market from all directions and put down the coffee in his hand: “How long have you been in the administrative court?”

Zhu Ming recalled: “Five or six days, right? Why, hasn’t my dad given you the money yet?”

“One hundred billion condensed coins can’t be taken out immediately.” Liang Huan turned to look at him, smiling slightly, “Young Master Zhu, I have a question that I’m very curious about, and I hope you can clear up my doubts.”

Zhu Ming looked at him warily: “What?”

“You can identify the mental power of heteromorphs and humans. Zhu Qu should value your amazing talent very much, so why is your situation in the Dawn Group so bad?” Liang Huan asked.

Zhu Ming shifted his gaze a little guiltily: “That’s because I can’t do anything other than this.”

“Is that so?” Liang Huan came over and patted him on the shoulder, “Sit, I’m just asking casually, don’t be nervous.”

Zhu Ming caught sight of the black ring on his ring finger. The dark golden dragon scales on it smelled of extremely strong mental power, choking him, and he leaned back.

“That illegitimate child Zhu Li is very good at everything, so of course my dad will favor him.” Zhu Ming gritted his teeth when he mentioned Zhu Li, “What’s so great about it? He’s just good at talking.”

“One hundred billion is indeed a bit difficult, and I’m not an unreasonable person.” Liang Huan sat down opposite him, “How about this, if you can persuade Zhu Qu to let me invest in the Cheetah Game Company, I won’t want the money.”

Zhu Ming straightened up instantly: “Really?”

Liang Huan nodded: “That way everyone’s face looks good.”

Zhu Ming’s expression instantly lowered: “Is it that my dad… doesn’t intend to pay the money to redeem me?”

Before he could finish speaking, his eyes turned red.

“Young Master Zhu, time is valuable.” Liang Huan smiled, “Before twelve o’clock tonight, if I still haven’t received a message from Chairman Zhu, we’ll have to see each other again.”

Zhu Ming gripped the communication chip he threw over, hesitated for a long time, and then left the office dejectedly.

Night fell, and the time on the monitor was one hour away from twelve o’clock.

The chip on his wrist vibrated on time.

Liang Huan connected, and Li Yao’s holographic image popped up. He must have just taken a shower, with only a bath towel loosely wrapped around his lower body. He impatiently flicked his wet hair: “What are you doing? Why aren’t you resting yet?”

“Soon.” Liang Huan’s gaze swept over his bath towel, and he said lightly, “Why don’t you dry your hair?”

“It’ll dry in a while.” Li Yao walked forward barefoot and sat on the sofa, and the background behind him moved with him.

Liang Huan’s gaze paused: “Where are you?”

Li Yao raised his eyebrows and knocked on the vase next to him: “Your Majesty, your aesthetics are quite something, I almost thought I had traveled back to ancient times.”

Liang Huan: “…”

Li Yao was in his military headquarters room, and even deliberately used his bathroom to take a shower.

His Adam’s apple moved slightly, and he said in a deep voice, “How did you get in?”

“Climbing the window.” Li Yao smiled, “I finally came back, so I have to find a place to rest. By the way, didn’t I tell you that I met someone on the day I first arrived at the military headquarters? I found out.”

Liang Huan turned off the lights in the office: “Someone from the Zhu family?”

“Really smart.” Li Yao watched him enter the lounge, excitedly, “Want to take a bath? I’ll accompany you.”

“Not in a hurry.” Liang Huan said, “Could it be Zhu Ming’s brother?”

Li Yao tsked disappointedly: “That’s right, it’s Zhu Li. I felt something was wrong at the time, as if my mental power had been detected. I checked these days, and before Yang Li Duan entered the Dawn Laboratory, this kid was the first assistant of Chuan Wu. He was replaced by Yang Li Duan after he left.”

Liang Huan said, “So that’s why there are so many biochips on Zhu Ming’s body.”

“I heard that there is a technology that can scan gene defects through chips.” Li Yao lay grandly on Liang Huan’s big bed, “Although your gene sample source is me, it’s not guaranteed that Chuan Wu has done something. Be careful not to be wiped out by someone — hiss.”

“What’s wrong?” Liang Huan saw him get up, and the holographic projection directly passed through him and stopped behind him.

Li Yao’s projection pointed to the ancient painting on the wall. The officer inside was wrapped around his body by a black dragon, his expression cold and solemn. Li Yao turned around in shock.

Liang Huan calmly looked at him.

“You still dare to say you don’t have a crush on me?” Li Yao looked at the painting with shining eyes, “Good you, Liang Huan, you have to look at me even when you sleep. We didn’t even know each other at that time. Do you get hard when you look at the painting?”

Liang Huan: “… No.”

Li Yao looked at him suspiciously: “You couldn’t perform back then?”

Liang Huan took a deep breath, trying to clear his name: “At that time,I just simply admired your ability.”

Li Yao’s holographic projection accurately touched his face, smiled and leaned in front of him, giving him an unreal kiss: “Oh, I don’t believe it.”

Liang Huan looked at him unhappily.

Li Yao sat arrogantly on the Emperor’s bed: “Unless you prove it to me.”

This guy has mastered the holographic projection technology perfectly, and the angle is adjusted accurately, sitting on Liang Huan’s lap. Liang Huan sat on the sofa and looked at him for a long time, then raised his hand and slowly traced his hair that still had water droplets, slid over the bridge of his nose and lips, and finally virtually clenched his wrist.

…………

No wonder those mecha ads can make humans excited.

Virtual holographic projections are always more vivid than dead portraits.