Chapter 70: Radiation Patient

“Let’s stop by K32 before we head back,” Xi Ming said, putting down his terminal.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem with the wormhole?” K32 was the planet where they had landed after traveling back from Jugu. It still contained the wormhole that connected to Jugu. They had originally planned to visit Jugu again when they had time, but ever since returning to the interstellar world, they had been too busy.

“The equipment maintaining the wormhole was too basic. It’s a bit unstable now. We’re going to reinforce it this time.”

Since most of the interstellar forces were Xi Ming’s enemies, he had initially considered recruiting people from the Jugu world to build his own power. However, he quickly dismissed the idea—not only because he couldn’t control the space-time rules of traveling to Jugu, but also because the people of Jugu had never been exposed to high technology. Even though they practiced ancient martial arts and adapted quickly, in the age of mech warfare, piloting skills were far more valuable.

Aside from a few mech prodigies, most Jugu people would require extensive learning and rigorous training to master mech combat and become top-tier fighters. The Jugu individuals who had traveled to the interstellar world with Xi Ming had quickly adapted to mechs due to their ancient martial arts background. However, after reaching a certain level, their progress slowed significantly. Moreover, there were barriers in language, history, and culture, making it difficult for them to advance in command and strategy.

Using Jugu warriors as his main force wasn’t a viable option, but that didn’t mean Jugu was useless. Once Xi Ming gained full control over this star region, he could gradually bring people over from Jugu in batches. The first arrivals would help train others, utilizing their martial arts background to cultivate high-quality warriors. This was a long-term investment.

Of course, Xi Ming wasn’t one to be stingy with rewards.

The news that a certain star could cure cosmic radiation had brought Xi Ming an unexpected benefit. Originally, he had only planned to recruit retired mech warriors, but a different group of people had contacted him even faster—rich, talented young masters who craved excitement and adventure.

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“Young Master Yi, could we have been scammed? They told us to wait on such a remote planet. A place that can cure cosmic radiation should at least be on a high-tech planet, if not the capital star,” Chen Qing paced nervously. His radiation isolation suit rustled with every step, making Yi Fei feel irritated.

“Enough, stop pacing. We’ll know in a few days whether it’s a scam or not. It’s not like I haven’t been scammed before. Once I’m dead, I won’t have to worry about being scammed again,” Yi Fei said flatly.

“Don’t say that, Young Master Yi! Your radiation isn’t that severe. If we wait a few more years, there will definitely be a cure!” Chen Qing stopped in his tracks, but his heart ached at Yi Fei’s words.

Yi Fei was the third son of the Yi family patriarch. His two elder twin brothers were outstanding Alpha warriors and had already begun managing family affairs by the time Yi Fei was born. Of course, considering the interstellar average lifespan of 200 years, his brothers were still considered young.

Yi Fei, however, was an Omega. In their region, wealthy Omegas typically pursued refined arts like flower arranging, painting, and music after completing their basic education—skills meant to prepare them for marriage to an Alpha.

But Yi Fei was a late-born child, much younger than his brothers. Spoiled since childhood, he got whatever he wanted and pursued whatever hobbies he pleased. He had no interest in quiet, traditional Omega activities; instead, he loved spaceships, skydiving, and mech combat.

Even though his Omega physique made piloting a real mech difficult, his virtual domain mech battle account had an impressive win rate, earning him many fans.

After finishing his basic Omega education, Yi Fei enrolled in a military university. He knew he couldn’t pilot real mechs, so he chose to study mech engineering instead. Initially, the Yi family opposed his decision, but after much persistence, they eventually relented—on the condition that he could only pilot mechs in the virtual domain, never in real life.

At first, Yi Fei honored the agreement. But as his mech engineering skills improved, he figured out how to disable the physical condition detection system in mechs. He also learned how to bypass academy surveillance. Under the guise of repairing mechs, he secretly trained in piloting.

His very first real-life training session ranked him among the top 100 mech freshmen.

Yi Fei’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Although he deleted the training records, piloting mechs in reality soon became his habit. With his ample allowance, he bought advanced medical pods to treat minor injuries himself. If he needed a hospital, he would pay someone to use their ID. In this way, he managed to keep his secret for three years.

Three years later, he anonymously entered a regional mech tournament and ranked in the top ten. Though his high-end customized mech contributed to his success, his skills were undeniable.

His confidence soared. He started carrying a space buckle with him at all times, fantasizing about space pirates attacking his ship so he could heroically save everyone—shattering the interstellar belief that “Omegas can’t pilot mechs.”

Then, his chance finally came. Just as he had dreamed, during an attack, he rushed onto a mech before his stunned family could stop him, engaging in combat with the pirates.

However, real space battles were far tougher than simulated ones. The harsh conditions limited his performance. After barely repelling the enemy, he collapsed from exhaustion inside his mech. Fortunately, his brothers also launched in their mechs and rescued him.

When he regained consciousness, he was told he had been exposed to cosmic radiation.

Chen Qing wasn’t entirely wrong—at first, Yi Fei’s radiation exposure was mild. But that was seven years ago. Over time, despite trying every possible “treatment,” the radiation had spread from his shoulder to his entire right side.

Now, not only did he have to wear a specialized radiation suit with absorptive material that needed frequent replacement and destruction at certified facilities, but those around him had to wear high-level protective suits as well.

Yi Fei desperately wanted to live, so he sought out every supposed cure for cosmic radiation, even knowing that many were scams.

Compared to past treatment centers, this place seemed far too remote and crude—hardly the kind of place that would house advanced medical equipment. Yet, Yi Fei had been waiting here for days, unwilling to miss any opportunity… and because he hadn’t found his next “scam” yet.

Ironically, Yi Fei now thought: If he was going to die of radiation anyway, he might as well experience as many places and scams as possible—at least it would fulfill his childhood dream of traveling the galaxy.

“Chen Qing, once we go back, you should report directly to my eldest brother,” Yi Fei said, looking at his immobile right side in frustration.

Chen Qing panicked at Yi Fei’s dejected tone and quickly tried to cheer him up. “Young Master Yi, if we leave, we leave together. This treatment will work! Haven’t you heard? Masters live in seclusion away from technology—this place fits that description perfectly!”

Yi Fei chuckled. “That’s an outdated fantasy. Who wouldn’t want to live in a high-tech, prosperous place?”

Chen Qing laughed awkwardly. “Well, either way, we’re about to find out if this treatment is real or not.”

Two days later, Yi Fei was taken to a spaceport and forcefully wheeled into a starship by a group of intimidating Alpha men in black.

Chen Qing, terrified, immediately called for the bodyguards prepared by the Yi family. They arrived quickly… but were subdued even faster.

By the time Shi Can saw his new patient, Yi Fei looked utterly hopeless, ready to give up on life.

Shi Can turned to Xi Ming. “Did you kidnap this one?”