ABFMV Chapter 56

A sharp, tearing sound split the air.

The crimson mecha staggered from its wounds. Though it managed to block Qi Ye’s sweeping strike, it couldn’t withstand the follow-up attack.

Knowing it was already doomed, the crimson mecha stopped trying to dodge. It took Qi Ye’s next slash head-on and swung its own blade vertically toward the co-pilot’s seat.

The black mecha roared—a deep, metallic thunder. Though it was an A+ class model, it still fell short against the newest Research Center prototypes.

That difference showed: the crimson mecha’s strike carved diagonally across the black mecha’s front armor, slicing it open and fully exposing the co-pilot’s cabin.

Xu Linlang sat inside. By all logic, that blow should have split open her chest—but instead, the wound appeared on Qi Ye’s left shoulder.

At the instant the crimson mecha attacked, Qi Ye had instinctively shifted his body in front of her, taking the strike without a sound.

Xu Linlang stared in shock as blood ran down his arm, dripping with a wet, gurgling sound. She tried to reach for him, to bandage the wound, but he forced himself upright and continued operating the controls.

Amid the chaos, a small starship silently hovered above them, releasing a tractor net that locked onto the black mecha’s position.

Qi Ye noticed it immediately. He tried to move the mecha aside, but his left arm injury slowed him a fraction of a second too long.

The tractor field seized Xu Linlang, pulling her up and into the micro starship.

The ship showed no intention of joining the battle—it simply snatched her and turned to leave.

The Red Flame Gang’s mechas froze as soon as the craft appeared. They seemed wary of it, and once it departed, they retreated in the same direction.

Qi Ye ignored his pain and tried to pursue, but the commander anticipated him. His mecha moved swiftly, blocking Qi Ye’s path.

Qi Ye’s sharp eyes locked onto the commander. “I’m going after her.”

The commander’s voice was firm. “In your current condition, going after them is no different from suicide.”

“She’s in danger.”

The commander’s expression hardened. “I’ve already reported this to Principal McGee. Given the Red Flame Gang’s temperament, if we act rashly now, that’s what will put her in danger.”

Qi Ye narrowed his eyes. “You’re saying they’ll use her as a hostage?”

The commander nodded. “It’s possible. The Red Flame Gang is ruthless, but they’ve never allied with other factions—they’re pirates, through and through. They wouldn’t pass up any chance for profit.”

Qi Ye’s expression didn’t soften. “But this time, they showed signs of collaborating with the Zerg.”

The commander’s face changed. He opened his mouth to respond, but found no words.

Qi Ye was right. The timing of the Red Flame Gang’s assault was far too convenient.

Just after the nearby mining zone showed traces of Zerg activity, the entire Leland Military Academy shifted its defenses there. And that’s when the Red Flame Gang launched their attack.

It was hard to believe that it was a coincidence.

But the commander couldn’t openly agree—not with Qi Ye’s agitation. If he did, Qi Ye would charge off immediately.

“Cadet Xu Linlang’s safety isn’t your concern alone,” the commander said gravely. “She’s the Marshal’s daughter. The military will not stand by and do nothing. For now, follow the Principal’s orders—he has far more experience dealing with the Red Flame Gang than you do.”

Qi Ye was about to argue when a familiar figure approached—Rong Ruyue.

Her face was dark, stormy, radiating fury.

The commander stiffened. He’d heard plenty about the Marshal’s wife—sharp-tongued and utterly fearless—and knew he couldn’t win against her.

Rong Ruyue cast him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Your service record must be quite something.”

The commander blinked, confused.

“In your command, a member of the Red Flame Gang managed to kidnap someone right under your nose. Quite the achievement for your record, don’t you think?”

Though she spoke with a pleasant tone, cold sweat rolled down the commander’s back. Her words cut deeper than any reprimand.

He swallowed hard. “Madam, please rest assured—we’ve already contacted other corps. We’ll make sure to bring Miss Xu back safely.”

Rong Ruyue brushed some dust from her sleeve. “Talk is cheap. Anyone can make promises.”

The commander’s tone grew more solemn. “I swear on my life.”

Rong Ruyue smiled sweetly. “Oh, I don’t want your life.”

Her voice stayed soft, but there was steel behind it. “But I think you know my temper. If my Linlang isn’t back safe within three days… I might lose my patience.”

The commander nodded repeatedly. “Y-Yes, Madam. Understood!”

He didn’t dare imagine what would happen if Rong Ruyue truly lost her patience.

———

Xu Linlang woke up in a cramped cabin. As she rubbed her eyes, the door slid open.

A young man in a red jumpsuit stepped inside. “Come with me,” he said flatly.

Xu Linlang didn’t move. Though she’d only just woken up, she knew perfectly well she’d been captured—and she wasn’t about to obey so easily.

“Where are we going?” she asked cautiously.

The man didn’t answer. He simply stepped forward, grabbing her arm and restraining her.

She tried to pull away, but the strength difference was overwhelming. Her struggling did nothing but waste energy.

“If you want to stay alive,” the man said coldly, “stop resisting.”

Xu Linlang realized he was right. She had no weapon, no backup—fighting back would only make things worse.

Once she went still, the man gave a satisfied nod and led her out of the cabin.

The corridor was narrow and dim, the air heavy and stifling.

They didn’t pass anyone along the way—or perhaps they did, but the darkness hid every trace of them.

Eventually, they reached a connector hatch. The young man’s expression shifted—reverent, almost eager—as he pressed a red button to request entry.

After a moment, a lazy voice answered over the comms. “What is it?”

The young man took a deep breath, as though bracing himself. “Sir, I’ve brought someone I think you’ll want to see.”

Xu Linlang kept silent, listening carefully. At the word sir, her brow twitched.

If she remembered correctly, the Red Flame Gang’s leader in the game was Hami—a wild, unpredictable man.

He didn’t appear often in the story, so she didn’t know much about him.

Hami’s voice oozed disdain. “And who could be worth my time?”

The young man was unfazed by the tone. “You once ordered me to find Xu Gongyu’s weakness. I believe I’ve found it.”

Xu Linlang blinked.

Wait—Xu Gongyu’s weakness? He wasn’t talking about her, was he?

She racked her memory, trying to recall if her brother had ever crossed paths with Hami. Nothing came to mind.

After a pause, Hami’s voice came again. “Xu Gongyu’s weakness, huh? Interesting. Bring that person in.”

The young man bowed his head. “Yes, sir.”

A low rumble echoed as the next hatch opened. The young man shoved Xu Linlang forward, and she stumbled into the next room.

When she turned around, the door had already sealed behind her.

She looked around and was startled by the contrast. This wasn’t another grimy cabin—it was a lavish starship suite, opulent to the point of excess.

On a sofa near the bar lounged a man with his legs crossed.

One glance was enough for her to recognize him.

He had bright, defiant red hair and wore a black uniform with careless ease, somehow turning even formal attire into something rebellious.

“So, you’re Xu Gongyu’s weakness?” Hami asked, eyeing her lazily. “His girlfriend?”

Xu Linlang shook her head.

Hami narrowed his eyes, annoyed by the answer. “Then who are you?”

“I’m his sister.”

Hami snapped his fingers, as if realizing something amusing. “Guess I should be glad my idiot subordinate didn’t grab his mother instead.”

Xu Linlang imagined her mother, Rong Ruyue, being kidnapped—and thought grimly that the Red Flame Gang wouldn’t survive the day if that happened.

She nodded seriously. “You should be very glad.”

Hami smirked, fishing out a lighter and lighting a cigar with casual grace. “You’re not afraid of me.”

It wasn’t a question—it was an observation.

“My intuition tells me,” Xu Linlang said calmly, “you don’t plan to hurt me.”

Hami shrugged. “So that’s what they call a woman’s sixth sense. Sometimes it’s downright uncanny. Honestly, that idiot dumping you on me is more of a headache than anything. How about this—I let you go, and in return, you deal with him for me?”

His tone was light, almost playful, as though he weren’t talking about people’s lives.

Xu Linlang pretended not to understand. “Why would your man want me to take care of him?”

Hami chuckled softly. “Because he meant for you to die. Don’t you want revenge?”

“Die?” she repeated.

He exhaled a cloud of smoke. “This ship is both my home and my interrogation room. No one but me has ever walked out of it alive.”

Xu Linlang’s lips pressed together. “Then why let me go?”

She didn’t believe for a second that she’d be the exception.

Hami met her eyes. “It’s true—I want to find your brother’s weakness. But I prefer a fair fight between equals, not cheap tricks like hurting family.”

Xu Linlang’s brows lifted. “So, you do have principles.”

Hami looked pleased. “Of course. Even a madman has his code.”

Something flickered in Xu Linlang’s gaze. “If that’s the case, then tell me—why are you working with the Zerg?”