Chapter 4: The Team Takes Shape, A Reliable Companion Joins the Ranks

“Comrade Fang Jing, we’re almost there!”

Chen Limin shook Fang Jing awake. Fang Jing had been dozing while lying sideways in his seat aboard the helicopter.

“We’re nearly arrived!”

Fang Jing swayed his head slightly and rubbed his sleepy eyes open.

Ever since the mission documents were finalized, everyone with knowledge of the unusual circumstances surrounding Fang Jing was to be relocated to the Xishan Base.

Xishan Base was a secret military facility located in the northwest of Huaguo. It housed the underground Great Wall—hydrogen bomb silos aimed directly at Washington, D.C., in the United States.

This was the country’s most highly classified base.

“Yes, Comrade Fang Jing, your choice is a great service to the nation and its people, but from here on, things will get tough for you.”

Chen Limin had come to admire Fang Jing after hearing his decision to assist in the exploration efforts.

To live under an assumed name, hidden away, was bound to be a difficult life.

“There’s no hardship in it. Have the veteran scientists who have been working undercover for decades in the nuclear field ever complained?”

Fang Jing shook his head at Chen Limin’s sympathy and smiled gently. “Besides, I’m doing this for everyone’s welfare. Even if my parents knew, they’d surely support me wholeheartedly.”

Fang Jing’s father was a Vietnam War veteran, and his grandfather had fought in the Korean War.

Such a family background was the root of Fang Jing’s own military spirit.

If his family knew of his choice, they would likely be proud of him.

“Well done, young man!”

Chen Limin looked quietly into Fang Jing’s eyes, a flicker of sorrow and nostalgia surfacing in his gaze.

“What’s wrong, Brother Chen?”

The helicopter rocked gently as it descended, and Fang Jing noticed the unusual expression on Chen Limin’s face.

“Nothing. I just remembered an old classmate of mine. He was once as full of vitality and hope as you are now—no challenge seemed insurmountable in his eyes.”

Chen Limin shook his head, forcing a wry smile.

“And then? What happened to that old classmate of yours, Brother Chen?”

“He made the ultimate sacrifice. Enough with these ill-omened tales. Young man, I hope you always keep this energy.”

Chen Limin grabbed his luggage, patted Fang Jing’s shoulder, and laughed out loud. “We’ve arrived!”

With a thud, the helicopter touched down. Xishan Base—it was here.

…

Xishan Base was vast, divided into above-ground buildings and underground facilities.

Fang Jing was granted extensive clearance; except for the missile silos and control rooms, he had access to both parts.

Even within the base, only soldiers assigned to the “Underground Great Wall” sector were briefed on Fang Jing’s situation.

These soldiers, due to the sensitive nature of their work, were destined to live undercover their entire lives, sworn to secrecy.

They were absolutely trustworthy—willing to die for these secrets if necessary.

“Comrade Fang Jing, I will be your point of contact from now on.”

A stern-faced officer in combat uniform, with a square jaw and an aura of upright professionalism, stepped forward beside Fang Jing.

Fang Jing was utterly astonished.

The secrets hidden within Xishan Base were overwhelming.

There were the military’s secret experimental star simulators, the covert Shen Guang IV project, and research into death-ray weaponry.

No wonder Chen Limin could confidently assure Fang Jing not to worry.

This was the foundation of Huaguo’s strength!

“My name is Zhao Guangyao. I’m the liaison for Project 237, essentially your logistics officer.”

Zhao Guangyao’s voice brought Fang Jing back to reality.

“Oh, Colonel Zhao, what should I do next?”

“I hope you don’t mind if I call you Xiao Fang,” Zhao Guangyao said with a broad, open smile. “Honestly, when I first saw Project 237, I thought Old Zhu was joking with us.”

Fang Jing and Chen Limin chuckled.

The lighthearted moment eased some of Fang Jing’s tension.

Zhao Guangyao continued, “Comrade Fang Jing, what you need most now is training—not just combat skills, but also survival and first aid knowledge…”

“Exploration can’t be rushed.”

“Fortunately, you’ve already been to Universe No. 1. From what you said, the other side is relatively amicable. After we train you, we can attempt contact.”

With that, Zhao Guangyao clapped his hands.

At the sound, five people emerged from a corner of the corridor.

Four men and one woman.

“If I’m your logistics officer, these are your teammates.”

“Let them introduce themselves.”

“Sniper Li Tianming, responsible for your field survival training.” A short man in camouflage with a sunny smile nodded gently.

“Assaulter Zhou Yuan, in charge of your firearms training.” A burly man wearing a bulletproof vest with two police-grade Level 6 plates laughed heartily.

“Demolition expert Cheng Xu, your instructor for making and handling explosives.” Tall but somewhat lean, Cheng Xu looked at Fang Jing with curiosity.

“Medic Sun Wang, responsible for your first aid training.” Wearing a large backpack and a red cross armband on his right arm, Sun Wang smiled at Fang Jing.

“Uh…”

When it came to the woman’s turn, she nervously tidied her hair, her expression as if she’d just swallowed a fly.

Seriously, the first four introduced themselves in such a uniform manner—how was she supposed to follow that?

“I’m not some kind of ‘this’ or ‘that’ specialist. I’m just a doctor!!!”

“Uh, um…” She glanced at Zhao Guangyao, rolled her eyes, sighed, then formally introduced herself: “Wu Xi, I’ll be your doctor, monitoring your physical condition.”

Fang Jing couldn’t help but suppress a smile.

“Sis, you’re clearly here just to throw off our formation.”

Once everyone had introduced themselves, all eyes turned to Fang Jing.

He hesitated briefly, then smiled and introduced himself: “Fang Jing, university student, soon to be your student…”

He glanced at Wu Xi and grinned jokingly, “Or maybe your patient.”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

The little joke instantly enlivened the atmosphere, drawing them closer together.

“In any case, I look forward to working with you all!”

Fang Jing’s team was formed. Next came…

His grueling week.

The training led by Li Tianming and the others was intense, with no mercy.

Fang Jing bore no complaints.

His own safety depended on it; there was no room for carelessness.

Luckily, thanks to his father and grandfather, he had placed great importance on physical fitness since childhood.

Thus, the training did not break him. Instead, his rapid learning astonished his “temporary instructors.”

At the end of the brutal week, Fang Jing resolved to visit Universe No. 1 and have a proper conversation with the other side.

The alarm sounded—the mission was about to begin!