Chapter 138: Path of Earth, Ground-Shattering G.o.dly Hammer

Wu Songlin unfolded copies of convoy stars.h.i.+p blueprint, lowered his voice and said, “If you are just by yourself then it’s better to use convoy s.h.i.+p, they are fast, agile, and not eye-catchy. During these years, Milky Way is getting more and more chaotic, if you drive a large s.h.i.+p out by yourself, it’s very easy to be noticed. So a low-key appearance with hidden lethal strike is the best path.”

Han nodded, “I think so too. For s.h.i.+p outer structure we will just use vulture type. This model is one of the larger ones among convoys, solid work, and more importantly it has more room for modification and we can stuff more firepower in.”

Mo Xiaobei smiled and said, “Vulture cla.s.s is indeed a good choice. We actually just by chance have a retired Navy Vulture cla.s.s, no need to order from somewhere else, and that can shorten the duration of our work by more than 20 days.”

“Navy Vulture?”

“It means Navy standard (TL: the army that fights in s.p.a.ce is also called Navy here) Vulture cla.s.s. In fact, the marauder type s.p.a.ces.h.i.+ps we customize doesn’t need anything else, just the cha.s.sis. And since Navy Vulture is a military standard s.h.i.+p, the strength of its armor layer is two levels higher than civilian version.” Mo Xiaobei introduced to Han.

Wu Songlin said, “It’s good to have high-strength armor plating, but the s.h.i.+ps I modify also have a biggest feature, and that is reinforced structural layer.”

“In general, there are 3 layers of defense for normal wars.h.i.+ps, defense level at 3, 2, and 1. The outermost layer is the strongest energy s.h.i.+eld which is 3, followed by the armored layer which is 2, and then the weakest structure layer which is 1. I will use black crystal t.i.tanium to recreate the structural layer, so the originally weakest layer becomes as strong as the energy s.h.i.+eld layer, or even stronger.”

Han hesitated for a second and said, “Isn’t black crystal t.i.tanium used to make high tier weapons for soldiers?”

Wu Songlin shrugged his shoulders and said, “Yep, if you think it’s too expensive we can also lower the standard a bit.”

Han immediately waved his hands and said, “No need, can’t save money on things that protects your life. We will just use black crystal t.i.tanium.”

Wu Songlin smiled and said, “Trust me, if you are introduced here by Pathless, I will for sure use the best material for your s.h.i.+p and ensure that every penny you send is worth it.”

“After I finish enhancing, your s.h.i.+p’s defense capability should be at 3, 2, and 4. And that way, it will get really interesting when you are exchanging fire with enemies. Even if the enemies can breach the first two layers and get to your s.h.i.+p’s structure layer, the result is that your structure layer is still solid and can’t be destroyed! When your enemy sees that your armor layer has been breached, he will probably lose focus in the battle and deliver a cheeky one-liner catchphrase before firing his weapon only to not even dent the structure layer. And that misjudgment of the enemy will give you the chance to counterattack.”

“Next is the power system. Vulture cla.s.s is originally equipped with a controlled fusion reactor and a set of convoy cla.s.s transition propulsion engine. I’m planning to change that with a dual power system, both military grade. After all, you will need that for mobility because the s.h.i.+p will become heavier after the modification, and the original engine will not be sufficient.”

Han thought for second and said, “Can we do a three engine system?”

Wu Songlin hesitated, “It’s not impossible, but you need to sacrifice some cabin s.p.a.ce.”

“Then we will use the three engine system, we can avoid some disadvantage if we are faster.” Han decided.

Wu Songlin didn’t say anything, but he suddenly had a bad feeling about this Han guy.

A few minutes later.

“What? You don’t even want a kitchen?! What are you going to eat and drink?!” Wu Songlin and Mo Xiaobei shockingly asked.

Han said as if it’s not a big deal, “I can eat energy bars and drink water. A water molecule collector shouldn’t take up much s.p.a.ce, right?”

After a few more minutes.

“Not even a single bedroom?! Where are you going to sleep?” Wu Songlin and Mo Xiaobei was shocked again by Han.

“I can just spread a couple of blankets in the c.o.c.kpit. If it doesn’t work, I can sleep in the hallway.” Han said very seriously, “I don’t need a bedroom, but I must have this warehouse s.p.a.ce to store dimension concussion bombs”

Finally, the plan on how to modify this Navy Vulture-cla.s.s is finalized, Han looks fine, it’s just Wu Songlin and Mo Xiaobei’s forehead are covered in sweat.

Wu Songlin looked at the finalized blueprint, sighed, “I’ve spent my whole life modifying s.h.i.+ps, it’s my first time seeing someone like you, even cutting the washroom in half. The whole s.h.i.+p is either mobility or defense, if not both then weapon. Even in that little s.p.a.ce in the washroom you want to install a second set of array fire control radar, I really ADMIRE you!”

Shua~

Han paid a deposit, then drove away in his shuttle in content.

Wu Songlin’s s.h.i.+pyard in the Oblivion Realm is still considered a presence with relatively large scale, usually taking less than one month to modify each s.h.i.+p. But now, this abnormal Vulture cla.s.s s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p of Han’s will probably not finish within two months, and that’s considering frequent overtime works.

The work amount is too great, Han’s requirement, is basically taking a whole cruiser apart, and fit everything into a small convoy s.h.i.+p, how can the difficulty be not high.

And Han rejected any compromise, even a little bit, because he felt that man are meant to suffer throughout his life, but the key is to not fall twice in the same place!

That stars.h.i.+p battle with w.a.n.g Qin made Han realized the importance of a powerful s.h.i.+p. He now remembers, not only does this stars.h.i.+p have to be armed to the teeth, in the future if Han switch to any other models, it also need to be full armed!

Falling twice at the same place is something Han absolutely cannot accept!

People say, fix the fence after losing a sheep, it’s not too late yet. (TL: old saying) But after Han lost his metaphorical sheep, he immediately built a Great Wall. Oh well, that’s just due to Han’s extreme character.

After that small storm, Han’s life was quiet again, just practicing hard, studying hard, and when he couldn’t go on anymore he would take some drugs.

Han knows very well, that a single moment one can experience on the battlefield is in fact traded by many years of hard work. A man not only have to be ruthless to enemies, but also to himself!

The arduous training resulted in admiration from the heart of those three old men. Not to mention Pathless and Night Walker, even Wuyun’s att.i.tude changed dramatically. Not only did he teach Han anything he wanted to learn, he even chases Han to teach things he didn’t ask to learn.

The Demon Thieves gained their fame not only because of their crazy demonic character, but it’s more about the word “addict”. Those three are severely obsessed with things in their field, to the point of total mastery.

Once they become obsessed with something, then they will be very determined, no one can stop them, and they will even commit murder or arson just to get their ways.

And the three Demon Thieves spent their whole life studying their obsession and do not like to deal with outsiders, and obviously never took in apprentices. For one time, the Han that jumped into their life suddenly became the spiritual sustenance for all three, and carried a lot of their hope.

Many times that’s how humans are, if Han met them during their most famous years, regardless of how talented or hardworking they are, the three old men wouldn’t look at Han twice, because during that time the three would all be busy with their own obsessions.

And now, after being trapped in the Oblivion Realm for decades, they are all bored to tears and don’t know what to do, even Pathless started a nondescript business on dark net, which shows how bored they really are.

And just during this time, by chance, Han jumped out, got caught by the three old man, and without explanation, Han obviously became the target, and he will be forced to learn even if he doesn’t want to.

Anyways, the day is just that painful and happy at the same time for Han, with a blink of an eye Han already left Earth for a full six months. Thinking that it’s almost autumn season, it’s almost Chong Yang festival, where the families will gather around for feast.

As the saying goes, when in a foreign land as a stranger, one miss family and home especially during festivals.

Thinking about the brothers left guarding Earth, Han inevitably feels a bit emotional.

But Han really doubt whether someone heartless like Cheng Zhong will remember him, because at this moment everyone’s working hard towards their dream, and when receiving the good news that the first Ghost Axe cla.s.s carrier is about to come off the a.s.sembly line, Han also faintly felt himself soon hitting the essence of Path of Earth.

In the remodified training room, Han is still trying again and again, wanting to raise this ultimate skill to the Taoistic level.

That level is an existence that can’t be seen or felt. If you finally understand it it, it will exist, if you can’t, then it will never exist.

Through the transparent window, Pathless and Night Walker seem to be even more nervous than Han. Soon, Wuyun also came. Recently, the number of times he visited Pathless’s house is even more than all the times in the past years combined.

“What day is it now?” Wuyun curiously asked.

“It’s the fifth consecutive day.” Night Walker turned around and glanced at Wuyun, then started observing Han again.

“Can Han understand the Ground-shattering G.o.dly Hammer?” Night Walker asked.

“Perhaps he can, these two days I feel that Han is getting closer and closer to the Path of Earth.” Pathless thought for a second and said, “Just need a little more.”

Wuyun was shocked for a second and said in excitement, “It only took a little over four months, a lot faster than you, odd monster! By the way, among all your teacher’s students, who’s the one that understood the Path of Earth the fastest? How does he compare to Han?”

Pathless became a little embarra.s.sed and also angry, “Can you guys stop asking these silly questions? I will put it this away, among all my teacher’s students, I was the fastest in all records except for one!”

“I was considered the motherf*cking genius! And Han is f*cking better than me alright?”

Looking at Pathless’s p.i.s.sed off face, Night Walker and Wuyun all nodded and expressed satisfaction.

Wuyun changed his att.i.tude, stop joking with Pathless, and said in a serious att.i.tude, “Did you guys all see the strange video Old Mo sent us?”

Pathless and Night Walker both nodded, and their eyes became a little worried.

Sigh~

Pathless complained, “Old Mo trusts us the most, but we are stuck in this d.a.m.n place and can’t get out!”

The three are all very sad looking, older people are often so, with less and less friends, they began to cherish each one.

Suddenly, Night Walker’s eyes lit up, pointed at the Han that’s focused on training and said, “We are trapped, but he’s not. If there’s no other way…”

Inside the training room Han already entered a silent meditation.

If in Path of Heaven’s Sky Break Strike, the sky doesn’t refer to the sky above us but referring to nothingness.

Then what is the Path of Earth’s Ground-shattering G.o.dly Hammer referring to?

Shattering a whole planet?

Han shook his head, thought that it’s not that simple. The ground is heavy, raising countless lives, the Path of Earth must be representative of something else.

Life?!

Could the thing that the Path of Earth is shattering is actually life itself rather than the ground that’s holding the life?

But why is it life?

Han’s brain began to frantically process, and thoughts took Han back to distant places.

He remembered his childhood, when the adults are gathered together, the faces are all tense and nervous when talking about future.

Those are insignificant lives, and their hopes have no place to rest.

Han also remembered that solider that brought him the greatest shock, Pang Zuolin, 33 years old, 2-star esper, strength descent, from the province of Jiangsu.

That’s one unyielding life! Han will never forget.

When the raiders attacked Earth, this man carried a bronze bull, rushed from dozens story high building and jumped down!

If the soldiers that received formal training sees that scene, they would for sure think that Pang Zuolin is very stupid, because they all know, stars.h.i.+ps have energy s.h.i.+eld which can repel any physical attacks.

But was he really stupid?

The reason Han respected Pang Zuolin that much, whether he knew precisely what the energy s.h.i.+eld can do, his final decision would still be the same!

He would still carry that bronze bull that’s multiple times his own weight, and jump down selflessly down the roof!

Victory is never made for those smart people, but for those people that are to put their life on the line for victory!

And the fact is precisely the case, that raider’s stars.h.i.+p didn’t activate energy s.h.i.+eld due to the low alt.i.tude, and Pang Zuolin gave it his all no matter what the result would be! And that’s why that tragic battle had a memorable result.

A soldier will experience many battles in his or her life, and will also forget a lot of battles, but one will never forget one’s first, it can even affect the entire life.

Until now, Han can often hear that voice.

“Civilians under threat!”

“Protect the civilians!”

“Espers, come with me!”

And Han saw all the espers coming from all directions, even though they are mostly not soldiers yet, but teachers, students or workers.

But so what?!

When Earth is threatened, they were there! With their clumsy techniques, they fought the enemies to the last minute!

And Hu Hai, 24 years old, 1-star esper, fire descent, from Hunan province.

Another life that Han would never forget. It was his wedding day, he arrived to the battlefield first in an elegant suit, and he was also left there forever.

When his fiancée picked him up in her wedding dress, Han felt his heart was about to break!

This is life!

One after another insignificant like gra.s.s but unyielding life!

Han might not be able to remember all the big and famous names, but he would never forget those most ordinary people and the last moment of glory in their life!

Ground-shattering G.o.dly Hammer, is for breaking the shackles of fate!

The insignificant and lowly fate of those people on Earth must be shattered!

Once the enlightenment is reached, nothing can supress it, and that is Tao!

Path of Earth!

It’s not the ground that’s shattered!

But the life!

Rumbled~

With red eyes and tears s.h.i.+ning in his eyes, Han’s fist landed on the ground!

Break for me!