The Interstellar Queen of Scavengers

Chapter 956: Chapter 956: A Life of War and Battle

Inside the cockpit, Shen Chi stood with hands behind his back.

One of the Alliance’s top ten Mechas—the Chasing Light, was spreading its massive wings, standing silently under the starry sky.

All around was silent; not a sound was heard. Shen Chi’s SSS-level spiritual power spread like a vast net, continuously, relentlessly, extending in all directions...

Every inch covered, no gap left.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Still nothing.

Shen Chi’s brows furrowed deeper and deeper...

After a while.

Shen Chi withdrew all the Spiritual Silk; in an instant, the intangible and immaterial net, formed by the Spiritual Silk, quickly retracted back into his Spiritual World.

Once he felt the replenished Spiritual Silk, Shen Chi instead raised a hand to rub his brow:

[As expected, couldn’t find a single trace.]

The next moment, communication sounded.

Shen Chi accepted it, and heard the Deputy Officer’s voice: ”General, nothing came up.”

”Found absolutely nothing.”

The Deputy Officer of General Shen Chi spoke with a hint of shock and frustration at not completing the mission; how could there be nothing found? With such a large flock of Red Crowned Birds and thousands of High-level Star Beasts, the Deputy Officer thought it impossible for them to just vanish instantly. But, if they migrated elsewhere, they had searched the path thoroughly; how could they not discover the migration trails of these Red Crowned Birds?

Not even a feather, nor plumage... nothing was seen.

After the Deputy Officer finished speaking, he awaited orders from General Shen Chi intently.

Shen Chi closed his eyes slightly, then said: ”Understood. Have everyone gather and return.”

The Deputy Officer was taken aback, asking: ”General... are you sure about withdrawing?”

Shen Chi nodded: ”Yes.”

The Deputy Officer: ”But—”

Shen Chi said: ”No buts, withdraw.”

The Deputy Officer said: ”Understood.”

Immediately.

All soldiers dispersing for the search received the order to regroup and returned at a very fast pace. All elite soldiers returned, not one missing, Shen Chi said in a deep voice: ”Return flight.”

The Starship plunged into the endless starry sky, quickly disappearing.

...

Upon returning to the base, Shen Chi entered a completely enclosed room at the first opportunity. Inside the vaguely claustrophobic space, on a wall was a brightly lit holographic screen, showing an elderly silver-haired man in a wheelchair.

The elder’s face was deeply lined with wrinkles, his eyes half-closed, appearing somewhat listless.

When the light brightened and footsteps were heard, the elder sensed something and quickly raised his head to look towards the lens, ”Oh~ Chi, it’s you.”

The formidable General Shen Chi, who carried great authority in front of others, showed respect and deference in attitude and tone when facing this elder. He softly said, ”Marshal.”

The elder, currently the Alliance’s incumbent Marshal—He Chuan, gave a slight nod, asking: ”How is it?”

Shen Chi’s expression was somewhat grave, saying: ”As before, couldn’t find anything.”

The Marshal appeared extremely lethargic, barely able to open his eyes. Upon hearing General Shen Chi’s words, his eyelids fluttered slightly, and with a light sigh, he said: ”I’m getting old, my memory is fading; how many times has this happened now?”

Shen Chi softly responded: ”In nearly 100 years, this is the 4th incident.”

”Oh—” The Marshal raised a hand, rubbed his brow, and said: ”The 4th time, huh. It seems their shortages lately are considerable. I recall two centuries ago, they required just once per century.”

Looking at the wise elder before him, Shen Chi couldn’t resist asking a long-hidden question in his heart: ”Marshal, could they ultimately pose a threat to humanity?”

The Marshal continued rubbing his brow, saying: ”I don’t know.”

Shen Chi raised his voice: ”Marshal!”

The Marshal raised his hand to stop Shen Chi, who was slightly agitated, saying: ”Chi, my time is running short.”

Upon hearing, the excitement on Shen Chi’s face vanished instantly. Looking at the Marshal’s almost lifeless face, concern, concern, still concern... For a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

The Marshal looked at Shen Chi, once a young and tender boy, now with a face full of worn experiences, the wrinkles representing numerous experiences. Already... already capable of standing alone.

Looking at Shen Chi, the Marshal’s wrinkled face showed a slight smile of contentment, saying: ”After I’m gone, you are the most suitable successor.”

Hearing that, Shen Chi remained silent.

The Marshal sighed lightly and said: ”Some responsibilities, no matter how old you become, as long as it’s your turn, you must shoulder them. You must step forward, carry the sky for the Alliance and for the children. Chi, I believe in you.”

Shen Chi pressed his lips together, after a while, he said: ”Marshal, you will certainly recover.”

The Marshal shook his head, unwilling to continue the topic, his eyes looked past Shen Chi towards the Starry Sky Map hanging on the wall, his gaze distant...

second.

seconds.

seconds.

...

Suddenly, the Marshal softly said: ”Chi, I’m planning to personally confront them.”

Shen Chi was startled: ”Marshal!”

The Marshal kept his eyes half-closed, saying: ”I am an old man nearing the end, unable to do much anymore; I’ll spend my final moments scouting the way for you.”

Shen Chi’s face was full of disagreement: ”Marshal, I don’t think this is a good idea. Your body has recovered enough to handle simple tasks, and with further care...”

The Marshal closed his eyes, seemingly unwilling to listen.

Shen Chi gradually fell silent, quietly watching the elder’s face, the one who once held his hand, taught him step by step, and led him onto the battlefield. Unknowingly the elder had reached the point where speaking a sentence left him breathless.

So—

Has so much time passed already?

The elder with closed eyes unknowingly released faint snores.

Exhausted, he had fallen asleep.

Not wishing to wake the elder, Shen Chi held his breath, minimizing his presence to the barest minimum, but only for a moment, the elder suddenly sat up, startled, he asked somewhat confusedly: ”How long did I nap?”

Shen Chi felt his nose slightly ache, softly replying: ”Marshal, you only napped for about 3 seconds.”

”Oh—” Hearing this, the Marshal breathed a small sigh of relief, saying: ”Luckily.”

After these two words, facing Shen Chi’s worried gaze, the Marshal wasn’t in any rush. He smiled faintly, saying: ”In the end, everyone faces this journey, no need to worry.”

After thinking, Shen Chi couldn’t help but advise: ”Marshal, please reconsider your decision. Your sole task currently is to let everything go and focus on nursing your health. As the only publicly acknowledged SSS-level Spiritualist, I believe it is more suitable for me to replace you.”

The elder waved his hand, saying: ”I’ve lived a life of battle, never considered retirement. Let’s not speak of it anymore, Chi, you may go.”

After speaking.

The elder voluntarily cut the communication.

Shen Chi stood motionless before the holographic screen, enveloped in an inexplicable sense of sorrow...

For a long while.

For a long while.

For a long while.

...