Chapter 127: The Military Police Finally Arrive at the Base

“Haha, being able to break its arm is already impressive!” Zhu Yiming exclaimed sincerely. “Everyone says you’re strong, Gu Xu. I didn’t believe it before, but now I admit it—you’re even more badass than me!”

But Bian Changxi didn’t share their happiness. She glanced at Gu Xu, her face serious as she placed her hand on his and sent over her wood-type energy.

Gu Xu’s smile froze for a moment. He let out a muffled groan, then felt the surging, overwhelming foreign energy suddenly soften, turning cool and gentle as it flowed through his body, soothing his many wounds.

A faint green light enveloped him. He managed a wry smile. “Is this how you heal everyone?”

She always seemed to hurt people first before healing them.

Bian Changxi’s brows were tightly knit. Only after actually starting did she realize just how badly Gu Xu was injured—old wounds and new, inside and out, some dangerously hidden. The energy would stagnate whenever it passed through those spots. She didn’t believe Gu Xu himself hadn’t noticed.

“You’re not out there picking fights every day, are you? How did you end up like this? And you still came out like this?”

“The doctors can’t treat these injuries, and the wood-type healers aren’t skilled enough. I didn’t want to run around hurt, either,” Gu Xu said, feeling wronged. It wasn’t his fault—he was sick, but there was no cure.

Bian Changxi was momentarily speechless. She took out a green core, seized the opportunity, and increased the energy she sent, carefully guiding it to nourish his damaged tissues and meridians.

Gu Xu’s injuries were all caused by supernatural abilities. They didn’t show on the surface and didn’t even affect daily life, but when he used his powers, the problems became obvious. Ordinary medicine was useless for these wounds, but wood-type abilities had a natural healing advantage—provided the healer was skilled enough.

This was also the first time since her rebirth that she’d treated such injuries. Gradually, her already pale face turned even whiter, her eyelashes trembling nonstop, sweat trickling down her forehead. Her grip on Gu Xu’s wrist unconsciously tightened, showing just how much focus and tension she was under.

Gu Xu quickly cooperated with her. Wherever her energy passed, he let his own powers make way. He wanted to ask her to stop, but was afraid that interrupting her abruptly might hurt her instead. No matter what, a third-tier ability user still had a natural advantage over a second-tier one, and Bian Changxi felt the pressure mounting. Controlling her power became harder and harder, the effort far outweighing the results. Finally, she let go, exhausted. “I’m out of energy.”

But Gu Xu’s external wounds were almost completely healed, and even his old internal injuries were much improved. He felt like a new person. He said to her, “Rest for a bit. There’s still a long way to go. I’ll wake you when we get there.”

Bian Changxi thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.” She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes.

She’d thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep in a moving, unfamiliar vehicle, but as soon as she closed her eyes, drowsiness washed over her.

She was just too tired. These past days with Chu Hao and the others, she’d barely slept soundly. The only time she could relax was when she entered the twisted space, but even then, she worried about the outside and kept track of the time to get out.

No matter how exhausted she was, lying in the car, she didn’t dare let herself fall completely asleep. She forced herself to stay in a light doze, because she couldn’t predict what might happen if she slept deeply—she didn’t want to wake up and find herself in some monster’s mouth.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Chu Hao and the others. They had neither the reason nor the guts to harm her. It was just that there wasn’t anyone strong enough to make her feel safe handing over even a moment of her time.

Having companions who weren’t strong enough was a helpless reality.

But at this moment, she felt a deep, unhesitating sense of security. When sleepiness surged, she let herself sink into it.

The battered off-road vehicle continued speeding ahead, now having bypassed the convoy to the middle section. The poor car couldn’t take another hit. Inside, the dim cabin was so quiet you could hear breathing. The yellowish ceiling light shone on Bian Changxi’s exhausted, blood-stained sleeping face, making everything seem gentle and careful.

Gu Xu found a blanket and gently draped it over her, then sat quietly, watching her. She hadn’t changed much—her short, thin hair hadn’t grown, but her life force was clearly much stronger, nothing like the frail girl he’d first met. Her powers had grown, too.

She was stronger now, her features carrying more calm and confidence. But she’d also suffered—her body was covered in blood and mud, her hair was a mess, her face pale, looking truly battered.

His gaze softened. In the warm light, the sharpness faded from his features, replaced by a gentle warmth.

From the driver’s seat, Zhu Yiming rolled his eyes dramatically. Look, look, look—what’s the point of just looking? A smart man would seize this rare chance to hold the beauty in his arms. What a perfect moment to build intimacy and set the mood!

The convoy drove for over twenty minutes, leaving the winding road, passing inspection and questioning, and finally merging onto a broad, open highway. Along this road, aside from powerful patrol teams at the intersections, there were guard booths every two kilometers, with mini patrol cars cruising back and forth. The solar sodium lamps on either side cast a clear orange glow, illuminating the way ahead.

This was the main access road to Su City Base, built at great expense. There were four such roads—north, south, east, and west—each named for its direction. This one, heading south, was the South Avenue, currently the busiest, as it connected to the Jiangcheng region. Back when the 550,000-strong Jiangcheng group entered the base, it was through here—a truly grand scene.

Even though it was already night, vehicles still came and went. But any car traveling here at night was definitely well-connected.

A fully armed convoy returning with injuries stood out even more. Other cars slowed down, clearly observing them.

Zhu Yiming grinned. “It’s going to be lively when we get to the base. You don’t have to say a word—leave the talking to me. I’ll just say you’re here to help at my invitation.”

Gu Xu replied sincerely, “Thanks.”

But when they actually reached the base’s south gate, both men could only smile bitterly. It seemed there was no way to keep a low profile and slip through.

A crowd was waiting outside the south gate—some were Zhu Yiming’s people, some were waiting for Gu Xu, and there were others as well. Most conspicuous was a squad of military police in their stiff uniforms.

Zhu Yiming stopped the car. Gu Xu carefully picked up the still deeply sleeping Bian Changxi and stepped out. The military police immediately swarmed over.

“Commander Zhu, you led troops out of the base without approval, violating base regulations. Please come with us.”

“Gu Xu, you have no official position or authority and interfered in a formal military operation. Please come with us.”

Zhu Yiming shrugged, looking helpless, though a flash of anger showed in his eyes. Gu Xu’s expression was cold, his gaze frosty as he swept over the group. The military police captain involuntarily stepped back, face darkening. “Gu Xu, are you resisting us?”

“Wait a moment.” Gu Xu carried Bian Changxi over to his own people. Qiu Feng had been waiting with his team for some time. Seeing Gu Xu return battered and bruised, his heart leapt into his throat as he hurried over. “Ah Xu, are you alright?” Then he noticed Bian Changxi in his arms, and for the first time, the usually calm and easygoing Qiu Feng’s face showed a rare look of shock. “Is this…? She really…”

“Yeah.” Gu Xu settled Bian Changxi in the car, making sure she was comfortable. “Take her back. No matter who comes, even if they say they need her for questioning, stall them. Let her rest first. I’ll go with the military police for now… Oh, and I think she has a few companions. Coordinate with Zhu Yiming’s people and see if you can bring them over too.”

Gu Xu closed the car door, took a few steps, then turned back. “I’m leaving her in your care.”

Qiu Feng, who had been quite serious, couldn’t help but smile wryly at that. “Got it. Don’t you trust me?”

Gu Xu had never repeated himself when asking Qiu Feng to do something—he always trusted him completely.

Gu Xu nodded, glanced at the car one more time, then turned and walked toward the military police.

Qiu Feng’s smile faded as he watched Gu Xu get into the police vehicle, then turned to look at the car window, sighing inwardly. Ah Xu really did treat this Bian Changxi differently.

As a longtime friend, comrade-in-arms, and superior, he understood exactly what that meant. Among the five of them, Gu Xu wasn’t the most silent (that was Shadow), nor the slowest (that was Qiu Yun), nor the most rough-and-tumble (that was Wu Dalang, with his honest, clueless look), nor the coldest (sometimes Qiu Feng himself was more ruthless). But emotionally, Gu Xu was definitely the most closed-off.

He valued relationships, so he didn’t fall for people easily. Even the bond between the five of them had been forged over years of life-and-death experiences together. He’d been burned by women before, so while he didn’t instinctively reject women who got close, he was always extra cautious.

Bian Changxi was full of mysteries, with plenty about her that didn’t add up. Normally, Gu Xu would never allow someone like that to hang around. But with her, he seemed to have a natural tolerance. If it was just because she once saved Shadow, Qiu Feng didn’t quite believe it.

Well, whatever Gu Xu decided in his private life was none of Qiu Feng’s business. He just hoped Bian Changxi was worthy of this special treatment.

“Let’s go back!”

Qiu Feng told his men, then got in the car himself—only to meet a pair of dark, alert eyes. He paused. “You’re awake? Ah Xu has some things to take care of. I’ll take you back to our place first.”

Bian Changxi was holding her forehead. In fact, she’d woken up the moment Gu Xu left. Maybe it was the sudden loss of that reassuring presence—her instincts kicked in and she woke up immediately. She didn’t speak or get out right away, partly to observe her surroundings, and partly because she found it unbelievable: she’d actually fallen asleep, and when she woke, not only had the person beside her changed, but so had the place.

That was really strange—and honestly, kind of scary.

“Qiu Feng?” She recognized him, recalled what he’d said, and just nodded, not saying anything more."