Chapter 195: Strong Aid

“Master’s in trouble,” Yawei blurted out.

Xia Fei was mildly surprised. Before entering the supergravity zone, Qin Mang did try to contact him, but due to the sudden loss of connection to the interplanetary internet, Xia Fei failed to pick up his call. He did not expect old man Qin Mang to have actually sought him then because something had indeed happened to him.

“What happened?” Xia Fei anxiously asked.

Yawei glanced around him. Old Porter and the other soldiers nearby tactfully retreated well out of earshots. Yawei grabbed Xia Fei’s shoulders as he hoarsely informed, “Master may not have enough time.”

“What?!” Xia Fei was flabbergasted. “The old man was still fine when I left. It’s merely been a few months since; just what exactly happened?”

Yawei shook his head. “The interplanetary internet has been unstable this whole time, and every call I had with the master would get cut off. I’m not too certain about what exactly is happening, either, but from what I could tell from the screen, master isn’t looking too good.”

Xia Fei was quiet for quite some time. He was deeply grateful toward the kindness old man Qin Mang had extended toward him. Besides, they shared a similar temperament and were both the sort who did not care for the rules, doing whatever they wanted. The fact that Qin Mang had been willing to hand the entirety of the ‘Introduction to Robot Coding’ to Xia Fei was a clear indication of the relationship they shared. Now that the old curator was physically failing, Xia Fei was naturally very worried.

Sighing, Yawei said, “Master meant to call you to return.”

“Okay. ” Xia Fei nodded. “I understand. Once my ship’s repaired, I’ll head back right away.”

Yawei patted Xia Fei on his shoulder. “It’s not convenient for me to leave the fleet here, so you’ll have to go in my stead the master’s side. If there’s anything you need, just ask.”

The two had a quiet conversation, and of course Yawei agreed to everything Xia Fei requested. As long as Vampire could be made shipshape, Xia Fei would instantly begin his trip back to Endaro Star Region.

Clenching his teeth, Yawei led his soldiers back. It was hard to miss the anxiety and worry filling his eyes; if this was not the case, he would not have been impatiently waiting by the port for Xia Fei’s arrival given his distinguished status as a commander. Were it not for the many pairs of eyes on him, he certainly would show how bad he felt deep down and would not keep his sadness in like this. Alas, right now, over ten thousand soldiers were watching his each and every move. He had to set an example, so all his emotions had to be shoved deep down.

Lighting a cigarette, Xia Fei lowered his head and walked back. It was easy to say the word ‘return’ when, in reality, it was anything but. It would take at least over two months to reach Endaro Star Region from here, and the journey would be arduous. He had no idea if old man Qin Mang could hang on until he got there.

“What’s the matter?” Old Potter wondered, curious.

“Oh, do you still remember that Qin Mang I mentioned before?”

Porter nodded. “The one who recruited you as a librarian and helped you in many ways while also teaching you what you know now?”

“The very same. He’s fallen ill and wants me to head back at once; it’s as if there’s something important he wishes to tell me.”

Though Porter had never met Qin Mang, he had already learned plenty about the old man through Xia Fei’s lips. Porter greatly admired him, so he said with knitted eyebrows, “If that’s the case, you ought to head back as soon as you can.”

“What? You’re not planning on coming with me?” Xia Fei could tell from what Old Porter had said that the old man wished to stay.

Xia Fei was of course unwilling to let Old Porter stay here. He was a top-class mechanic when it came to ship maintenance, as well an expert in machinery and everything related. What use could there be for him to stay here in the barren Death Trio Star Region?

Besides, the region was completely unstable. Take the Scarlet Volcano Military Base as an example; the soldiers were doing drills every day, and each of them looked as if they were in a hurry. Even a fool could tell that they were getting ready for combat. Before he set off for this place, Thuram told him that the situation here had been worsening by the day. Having seen things with his own eyes now, Xia Fei was even more certain that, in no time, the Death Trio Star Region would be plunged into a chaotic war.

Old Porter chuckled. “What I came here to do was done. I no longer have any regrets. With my factory in the warship graveyard already dissolved and all my apprentices going off on their own, what use is there for me to go back? Why don’t I just live out here until the end of my days… Besides—”

Without batting an eyelid, Xia Fei interrupted. “Are you going to mention Sister Windchime?”

Porter’s face reddened as he nodded without a word. Xia Fei did not really understand the relationship the two shared, but the expression that Old Porter had on his face showed how serious he was about it.

“Uncle Porter, you do know that the Death Trio Star Region is about to descend into war, don’t you?”

Old Porter softly replied, “Yeah, I’ve got the feeling. Honestly, it’s already in turmoil. Everyone has only been barely tolerating it these days due to the mutual checks and balance among the warlords in the three star regions, as well as the secret influences the Alliance has been seeding. Now that the three star regions have elected their respective leaders, their unity has never been higher; plus, the Alliance’s influence has been weakening with each passing day. There’s also the fight over those resource-rich planets… With all the conflicts and contradictions tangled up together, I truly doubt if there will be any other resolution beyond an all-out war to eliminate the deep hatred these various factions have in them.”

Xia Fei and Old Porter circled around the port, enabling the old man to see the soldiers in this military base nervously preparing for the upcoming war with his two eyes. There was no way that he could not see or even smell the incoming battle.

“If a real war does break out, the Death Trio Star Region will f