Chapter 47

In the medical cabin, Wen Ling suddenly woke up from a light sleep.

A strong heart palpitation made him breathless, as if something important was being lost. He struggled to sit up and answered the communicator regardless of the pain in his wound.

"Luo Yan, how is the situation with Miao Weizhen?"

After a brief silence, Luo Yan's voice came: "The Minister has chosen to stay in the secret room to buy time."

Wen Ling's heart sank. He knew Miao Weizhen too well; this man always reserved the most dangerous missions for himself.

"Connect me to the surveillance of the secret room." Wen Ling's voice was hoarse with anxiety.

"But Your Highness, your physical condition..."

"Connect!"

The surveillance footage appeared on the medical cabin's screen. Wen Ling saw Miao Weizhen standing alone in front of the crystal prism, facing a whole squadron of federal soldiers. Lei Huan was closing in on him.

"Hand over the data," Lei Huan said, holding up the energy gun. "I can make your death quicker."

Miao Weizhen smiled faintly: "Do you think I care about those data?"

This reaction made Lei Huan stunned.

"What I care about is time." Miao Weizhen's eyes swept across the console. The progress bar on it showed that the transmission was 87% complete. "And you, it's too late."

Lei Huan's face suddenly changed: "Shoot!"

But just as the federal soldier pulled the trigger, a blinding light suddenly erupted from the crystal walls of the chamber. All energy weapons instantly became ineffective, and the soldiers covered their eyes in pain.

Wen Ling watched this scene in shock. It turned out that Miao Weizhen had already activated the secret room's defense system and was deliberately stalling for time.

"Surprised?" Miao Weizhen's voice remained calm in the bright light. "Your Federation always underestimates the wisdom of ancient civilizations."

Lei Huan roared and drew his physical weapon, but Miao Weizhen was faster. An energy barrier unfolded in front of him, blocking all attacks.

Progress bar: 91%.

Wen Ling stared at the screen, his palms covered in sweat. He could see that Miao Weizhen was holding on—activating a defense system of this scale required a huge expenditure of mental energy, which was a huge burden for Miao Weizhen, who already suffered from neuralgia.

"Miao Weizhen, that's enough," Wen Ling couldn't help but shout into the communicator, "Evacuate!"

But the man seemed not to hear. Fine beads of sweat oozed from his forehead, his face began to turn pale, but his eyes remained firm.

Progress bar: 95%.

Lei Huan had obviously noticed Miao Weizhen's condition. With a sly grin, he ordered, "He's holding on! Keep attacking, wear him down!"

More federal soldiers poured into the chamber, and the energy weapons' attacks began to crack the defensive barrier. Wen Ling saw Miao Weizhen's body swaying slightly and knew he was nearing his limit.

"Hurry up and go..." Wen Ling's voice was filled with despair.

Just then, the progress bar finally jumped to 100%.

Miao Weizhen immediately activated the self-destruct sequence, and the chamber began to vibrate violently. However, he himself collapsed to the ground due to mental exhaustion.

"No!" Wen Ling shouted.

At this critical moment, a familiar figure suddenly rushed out from the secret door. Lao Lin came back and helped Miao Weizhen up:

"I knew you would!"

The two quickly retreated into the secret door and successfully evacuated before the secret room completely collapsed.

Wen Ling collapsed on the medical bed, his pounding heart almost choking him. But the next second, his communicator received a short message from Miao Weizhen:

【Mission accomplished, be well.】

Looking at these six words, Wen Ling finally breathed a sigh of relief, tears sliding down uncontrollably. At this moment, he clearly realized that he could not bear the pain of losing this person.

A few hours later, when Miao Weizhen returned to the medical cabin, Wen Ling sat up suddenly despite her injuries and hugged him tightly.

"You scared me to death..." Wen Ling's voice was muffled on Miao Weizhen's shoulder.

Miao Weizhen was slightly startled, then gently hugged him back: "I promised to come back."

This hug can express each other's feelings better than any words.

"We've obtained important intelligence," Miao Weizhen said softly, "about the truth of the Mother Planet era and the true purpose of the Federation."

Wen Ling raised her head and suddenly reached out to touch Miao Weizhen's temples: "Your neuralgia has recurred."

This wasn't a question, but a certainty. Although Miao Weizhen concealed it well, Wen Ling could sense something was wrong from his tense muscles and overly steady breathing.

Miao Weizhen did not deny it, but closed his eyes and let Wen Ling's fingertips gently massage the painful area. This action was so natural, as if they had been together like this for a long time.

"Next time," Wen Ling said softly, her voice slightly hoarse from the pain, "let me share the burden."

Moonlight slanted in through the porthole, illuminating his pale face. His golden hair, damp with sweat, plastered to his forehead, but his emerald eyes shone with an undeniable determination. His hospital gown hung loosely from his thin shoulders, revealing his bandaged collarbone.

Miao Weizhen opened his eyes. His dark brown pupils appeared particularly profound in the moonlight, their irises darkened by days of fatigue. He had removed his uniform jacket at some point, leaving him in a simple black shirt, the collar slightly open, revealing his sharply defined neck. His face was slightly pale from days of mental exhaustion, but his innate stern demeanor remained undimmed.

He held Wen Ling's hand, his fingertips slightly cold due to neuralgia, but he firmly pressed that hand gently against his heart. Through the thin fabric of his shirt, Wen Ling could feel his steady and strong heartbeat.

"You're already here."

These words were more moving than any oath. The moonlight cast the two figures on the bulkhead, interweaving into a complete outline.

In the ruins of the secret room, Lei Huan struggled to climb out of the rubble. He looked at the incomplete data he had rescued in his hands and smiled strangely.

The game has just begun.