Chapter 397: Looking for Trouble

Chapter 397: Chapter 397: Looking for Trouble

"My orders: All ships, deploy second-generation Starflare fighters. Begin charging the main cannons and load all launch tubes..."

Ola Ray rapidly issued a series of commands.

The fleet along the entire frontline sprang into action, opening countless ports.

A stream of second-generation Starflare interstellar fighters shot out. They had silver-gray, tri-pyramidal fuselages and super-alloy blade wings, their surfaces covered in cold, glowing patterns.

These Starflare fighters were the main forces of the Star Alliance. Not only were they extremely maneuverable, but their frames were also incredibly sturdy. Equipped with sharp, super-alloy blade wings, they possessed immense cutting power.

At that moment, the overwhelming black swarm of insects ahead surged forward like a tide.

...

-----------------------------------------

「Blacktan Fortress.」

Jing Chuan brought Long Ming to the mess hall.

The mess hall was huge, filled with long metal tables. It was bustling with soldiers who had come for a meal.

The two of them walked to the service window and got two lunches.

Long Ming glanced at the standard-issue lunch. It came with two vegetable dishes, a chicken leg, and a generous portion of rice.

It seemed the Star Alliance didn’t skimp on the soldiers’ food.

The two found an empty spot and sat down to eat.

Just then, many people carrying trays walked over and sat down near Long Ming and Jing Chuan. Some even intentionally walked past their table, tray in hand, just to get a look at Long Ming.

In no time, a crowd had formed around Long Ming. A steady stream of people from the Forty-Second Legion rushed over, wanting to see what the legendary Long Ming looked like.

Just then, a formidable-looking woman weighing over two hundred pounds, whose uniform looked ready to burst at the seams, walked into the mess hall. She was pulling along two others: one was a stunningly beautiful woman in a lieutenant’s uniform with waist-length black hair, clear and lively eyes, and full red lips; the other was a woman with short gray hair and a heroic aura.

They were a bit surprised to see so many people gathered in one area.

The heavy-set woman immediately grabbed a passing female soldier and asked.

"Why are so many people over there?"

"You don’t know? Luoxue’s boyfriend, the one who was supposedly killed in action, is alive! Everyone’s checking him out to see what he looks like."

The female soldier excitedly explained to Fenma.

Fenma’s eyes lit up instantly. She turned to her companions and said.

"Li Yao, An Yue, let’s go take a look too."

"Fenma, what’s there to see?"

Li Yao said with a soft sigh.

"I just can’t accept it. Benoka is so handsome, but Luoxue wasn’t interested. I have to see for myself what the man Luoxue can’t stop thinking about looks like."

Fenma retorted, full of indignation.

"Alright!"

Li Yao was helpless to stop her.

So the three of them—close as sisters—made their way over and saw Long Ming and Jing Chuan eating.

"Whoa, he’s so handsome!"

Fenma said excitedly to Li Yao and An Yue.

"Control yourself!"

An Yue quickly pulled Fenma back.

Many of the female officers in the crowd were also looking at Long Ming and discussing him excitedly.

"No wonder Luoxue could never forget this Long Ming guy. He’s so handsome!"

"Yeah."

"Do you think we’re about to see some cliché drama unfold?"

"Then we’re in for a good show."

...

"Hmph, I really don’t get it. What’s so great about a pretty boy like him? These women only care about looks. They have no idea that only men like us are reliable!"

A man in a lieutenant’s uniform, covered in powerful muscles and with a rugged face, said disdainfully to his companions.

"Exactly!"

His many companions chimed in.

"Follow me!"

Ancient Hamman led his men directly to Long Ming’s table. He slammed a hand on it, his eyes fixed malevolently on Long Ming.

Long Ming froze for a second and looked up, his brow furrowed as he stared at Ancient Hamman. Although he didn’t know the man, it was obvious he was here to cause trouble.

Seeing Ancient Hamman step forward, the many officers dining in the mess hall began to buzz with excitement.

"Ancient Hamman is making his move."

"This is going to be good."

...

Jing Chuan frowned and asked.

"Sir, what is the meaning of this..."

"Shut up, I’m not talking to you! You’re that Long Ming?"

Ancient Hamman sneered at Long Ming, ignoring Jing Chuan.

"Is there something I can help you with, Sir?"

Long Ming asked calmly.

"I just don’t get it. Besides being a little pale and effeminate, what’s so great about you? How could Luoxue fall for you?"

Ancient Hamman insulted Long Ming right off the bat.

"Thank you for the compliment, Sir. Can’t help being handsome. If you’ve got what it takes, you can be a freeloader like me too! But I’m guessing you’ll never get that chance in your life. After all, you’re pretty hideous."

Long Ming replied with a smile.

"Haha."

Hearing Long Ming’s words, the crowd burst out laughing.

"Is that how you speak to a superior officer?"

Ancient Hamman rolled up his sleeves and glared at Long Ming, furious, ready to put him in his place.

Seeing Ancient Hamman bullying Long Ming, Fenma turned anxiously to Li Yao.

"Li Yao, look at Ancient Hamman! He’s going too far! Isn’t this just bullying?"

"It is a bit much."

Li Yao immediately walked over, with Fenma and An Yue in tow.

She said to Ancient Hamman.

"Stop."

Ancient Hamman turned his head to look at Li Yao and said.

"Li Yao, what are you doing here? This doesn’t concern you."

"It doesn’t, but is it appropriate for a superior officer like you to bully a new recruit like this?"

Li Yao said calmly to Ancient Hamman.

"Exactly! You’re going way too far!"

Fenma retorted furiously.

At this, the female officers nearby also stood up and began to voice their disapproval.

"Yeah, have you no shame!"

"Bullying someone like that!"

...

Ancient Hamman was a little stunned. He hadn’t expected so many female officers to stand up and condemn him at once.

The male officers who had been watching the show were also dumbfounded, their faces dark as they grumbled.

"Holy crap. It’s bad enough he’s got Luoxue, but now Li Yao and so many other girls are taking his side!"

"This guy is a menace!"

...

Long Ming was also surprised that so many women had stood up for him.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It really was just like the saying goes: looks are everything!

’And that saying applies to men, too.’

’Then again, ever since I started injecting the Genetic Potion, my skin seems to have gotten better and better, and my looks have improved, too.’

At this point, Ancient Hamman was in a difficult position.

He wanted to put Long Ming in his place and make the guy back down. But with so many people watching, he couldn’t just abuse his authority. And just letting it go was even more out of the question. If he backed down now, how could he maintain his reputation?

An idea suddenly flashed through Ancient Hamman’s mind. He turned to Long Ming and said.

"Kid, if you’re a man, stop hiding behind women. If you’ve got any guts, let’s have a proper match, man to man."

"You’re a lieutenant who’s injected the military’s Type II Genetic Potion, and you have the nerve to challenge a rookie to a duel? Isn’t that just bullying?"

"Exactly!"

...

Before Long Ming could even speak, Fenma and the others shot back excitedly.

Jing Chuan couldn’t help but secretly give Long Ming a thumbs-up and whisper to him.

"Awesome!"

"Get lost."

Long Ming shot Jing Chuan a look.