Feng Yi still let John into his room today, and he asked the guards for two good dishes.

As a high-ranking fleet commander, John had no need to personally drill the soldiers, but this was an old habit from years of roughing it; he'd get restless when idle. By the end of the training, John's stomach was growling so loud, and as delicious dishes kept coming to the table, he rubbed his calloused hands together, "Hehe, Commander, then I won't stand on ceremony."

These old brothers were all damn familiar with each other, when were they ever formal? John said and directly grabbed a chicken leg and bit off a big chunk of meat.

"Don't just focus on eating, come, have a drink." Feng Yi produced a white bottle of liquor and promptly poured two glasses, "This is a bottle of 50-year-aged 'Er Guo Tou' I bought in Zana."

John almost choked, when had the Commander acquired such a taste? A 50-year-aged bottle should at least be a Maotai, or if nothing else, a bottle of XO or Zero Degree Harbin beer that they often drank.

But liquor is the same after all, it's whom you drink with that matters. John didn't hesitate to raise his glass, "Commander, this drink's to you."

The two men downed the drinks in their glasses, and John refilled them, saying, "I heard there's been a big situation in the Central War Zone, and the fleet commander there got taken down."

"That's right, this indicates that Kexiao is in the central star galaxy of Bermuda, it's an opportunity for our army, isn't it? You actually want to remind me, right?"

John grinned, "Seems like there's nothing I can hide from you, Commander."

Feng Yi wore an expression that saw right through you, casually picking up a few peanuts, and flicking them into his mouth with his thumb one after another. Finding the taste not bad, he said, "Actually, that's why I called you here today. Get ready by tomorrow, including the elite troops. Let the soldiers have a good rest for a few days, we will mobilize the army soon."

John burst into laughter at the mention of combat; being idle made his hands itch unpleasantly. So, while drinking, Feng Yi laid out his upcoming plan in detail to John.

"That's the gist of it, those 3000 elite troops are the ace up our military's sleeve."

Worried he might miss any detail, John specially backed up Feng Yi's plan by writing it down, only then did he rest easy.

As the wine flowed and they became half-drunk, smelling the tobacco smoke filling the room, Feng Yi stood up and casually opened the window. They talked aimlessly about the past with John...

When recalling old times, they ate from a communal pot while at the rebel camp, barely filling their bellies. Now the army conditions had improved, and the food as well; drinking was a convenience where anytime they could go to a bar and drink to their heart's content.

John was also filled with emotions about this; he kept smiling, not verbalizing much, but his face still showed a sincere nostalgia for those memories...

Back then, it was the scene of the Commander alone entering the rebel camp, to gather forces, John still vividly remembered that deeply etched voice...

"I am a soldier of the Atlan Federation, now on a special federal mission, for a noble cause; to unite the strength of the resistance forces; to protect our homes that we must defend; and to uphold the inviolable dignity, therefore, I risked my life to secretly infiltrate into Saudi territory, but no matter how outstanding my personal ability, against the Empire's power, I am nothing but a drop in the ocean."

Those were the words of the legion commander back then, the scene of our first meeting with the commander and everyone's spirited laughter. Now, recalling those moments, the scenes are distinctly vivid in my mind... It seems like it was only yesterday, yet it feels like a lifetime ago...

Feng Yi abruptly turned around and said, "If one day I die, you'll take charge of this troop, and I'll explain to the Military Department."

His calm voice made John think he had misheard, "What?"

Feng Yi smiled faintly, "A general may die after numerous battles, and if someday I die, then you will manage this troop."

"Commander, what are you talking about? Aren't you alright now?"

"Haha, life is short but days of suffering are long, who can truly control their own fate—do you know what my dream is?"

John shook his head, his eyes unexpectedly moistened as he listened to the commander's words that seemed to be in jest... He didn't know why, or perhaps it was because Feng Yi was definitely not someone who would frivolously joke about death.

"My dream is to traverse the sea of stars, to explore the unknown, for curiosity is in human nature..." Feng Yi's voice sounded particularly distant, "but I have gradually found that the vast universe has nothing to offer but loneliness and darkness. If that day really comes, then take me to that place... after all, you are the comrade I trust the most."

What kind of person was John, these words sounded too much like a farewell, "Commander, tell me what's really going on?"

"This... Haha, it's nothing." Feng Yi's voice paused slightly, then said, "You should be aware of Kexiao's prowess. Even I faltered last time, and it's equally dangerous to face him—oh, and about maintaining relationships, your character is a bit too uncompromising; remember to change that."

Upon hearing this, John suddenly laughed, shit, so it's just this fucking trivial stuff. Since when did the commander become so sentimental, and besides, it was the Saudi supersoldier in a 4V1 who exhausted the commander's strength last time, and Blood and Passion has an explanation, after all.

In any case, he held absolute confidence in the capabilities of Revenge Shadow Rider and was certain that the commander was no less brilliant than Kexiao. Although he didn't know how powerful Kexiao was, he believed in the commander's abilities that rivaled any famed general of the era, certain that he couldn't lose to anyone.

Yet it was rare to hear a lack of assurance from the commander, who was always confident of victory. With a mix of amusement and bemusement, John left the room shortly after...

After spending two days on ground repairs, the Fiery Flame Legion once again set sail on their offensive route. This time, their target was the inland advance. Feng Yi knew very well that the Saudi main fleet was still on its way back through the Bermuda Central Star River, so this was the opportunity to catch them off guard. He knew that since Kexiao had gone to Bermuda, there would certainly be heavy troops deployed in the subsequent star sectors, and he also knew that Kexiao was aware of his own thoughts. Still, this battle had to be fought.

The reason for the attack, even knowing the enemy's defenses were in place, was precisely because Kexiao was not present. Since he too was wary of Kexiao, and although Kexiao could guess his intentions, what Kexiao couldn't foresee was that 3000 elite troops had already been secretly marching along the border route of the Devil's Star River.

His time was running short. A battle could take days, weeks, or even months. The continuous deterioration of his health might not withstand a prolonged war of attrition, so Feng Yi chose to make a swift advance at this time.

Espionage capabilities were limited, and the intelligence they provided was always one-sided. For the sake of prudence, he decided to infiltrate Saudi himself to gather some information firsthand...

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