Chapter 44: Belated Rescue

Shi Chan had only made it halfway with Xi Ming when they encountered a team searching for them.

It turned out that after Shi Chan and Xi Ming left, Wu Hongyuan had a negotiation with Zu Jiang. However, Zu Jiang gave up far too easily, which was completely different from his usual behavior.

The more Wu Hongyuan thought about it, the more something felt off. So, he continued to observe Zu Jiang’s actions. Sure enough, on the afternoon of Shi Chan’s departure, he discovered that Zu Jiang was secretly sending a telegram.

The message was encrypted, so Wu Hongyuan couldn’t decipher its contents. However, the telegraph machine itself was not standard issue, making it clear that Zu Jiang had secretly brought it in.

Smuggling a telegraph machine into the border rescue station was a serious offense. Wu Hongyuan immediately restrained Zu Jiang and urgently reported the situation.

The higher-ups took the matter very seriously and launched an immediate investigation.

The results of the investigation left Wu Hongyuan shocked.

Zu Jiang was actually a spy sent by the Gudan Kingdom more than thirty years ago. Even the high-ranking official he had been using as leverage had connections with Gudan.

Although the full details of their current operation had yet to be uncovered, Wu Hongyuan immediately realized the danger Shi Chan and Xi Ming were in. That very night, he set out to find them.

Late at night, they discovered an abandoned supply truck and an empty driver’s seat.

Some team members stayed behind to examine the scene and gather clues, while the rest followed the trail of battle marks in search of the missing duo.

Along the way, they encountered another small but well-equipped squad—Gudan soldiers who had no reason to be within Jugu’s borders.

A confrontation broke out instantly, and in the end, Wu Hongyuan’s team successfully subdued the entire Gudan squad.

To his surprise, the Gudan squad had come on a “rescue mission.”

A Gudan spy, a “rescue” plan, and Zu Jiang’s unusual behavior—these clues allowed Wu Hongyuan to make some educated guesses about Gudan’s intentions. However, his top priority was still finding Shi Chan and Xi Ming.

As night faded into dawn, Wu Hongyuan spotted more and more bloodstains on the ground, making him increasingly anxious.

Over the past few days, Wu Hongyuan had grown fond of Shi Chan, seeing him as a simple, easygoing “alien.”

Although he did harbor some hopes that Shi Chan could help Jugu, he understood that everything had to be based on Shi Chan’s willingness.

The higher-ups shared Wu Hongyuan’s cautious approach. They had even instructed his team not to reveal too much information. When they learned that Shi Chan and Xi Ming planned to leave the rescue station for a civilian area, they had already begun preparing to welcome them.

But no one had expected that Zu Jiang—who had “protected” Jugu for over a decade—was actually a spy for the Gudan Kingdom and had ordered an attack on Shi Chan and Xi Ming en route.

By sunrise, Wu Hongyuan’s team finally found them.

Following orders, the team members did not immediately approach. Instead, they quickly reported the coordinates to Wu Hongyuan and placed medical supplies and emergency treatment kits on the ground before stepping back.

Yes, the higher-ups feared that the traumatized Shi Chan and Xi Ming might misunderstand their intentions. Out of caution regarding “aliens,” they had repeatedly instructed the search team not to get too close.

Shi Chan blinked. They looked like zookeepers trying to feed captive animals.

“Kill… them?”

Xi Ming, who had never harmed an innocent person before and had always been a protector, was gradually becoming colder and more ruthless.

Fortunately, Shi Chan could still hold him back. “No need. They probably mean no harm.”

“Who are you?” Shi Chan called out in the language he had recently learned.

Hearing their own language, the soldiers’ faces lit up with excitement.

“Wu Hongyuan! Captain Wu Hongyuan sent us to rescue you! We’re soldiers from Jugu!”

Since Wu Hongyuan had a good relationship with the two aliens, the team had been instructed to mention his name upon meeting them. But no one knew whether Shi Chan and Xi Ming still trusted him.

From the looks of it, the situation was better than they had feared—these two aliens understood their language and could communicate!

Shi Chan didn’t trust them outright, but seeing that the group was just standing by, seemingly waiting for someone else to arrive, he decided not to continue dragging Xi Ming forward. Instead, he chose to stay and rest.

Wu Hongyuan arrived shortly after.

Seeing Shi Chan covered in injuries, guilt surged in his heart. He blamed himself for not being careful enough, leading to this incident.

Just a little more, and Gudan’s sinister plan would have succeeded.

The attackers chasing Shi Chan and Xi Ming were all Jugu people who had “received orders,” while Gudan had sent a team to “rescue” them.

Wu Hongyuan didn’t know the exact mission, but knowing Gudan’s ruthless tactics, he could guess it was something bloody.

He also understood Shi Chan and Xi Ming’s relationship. If the plan had succeeded, Xi Ming—who would have lost his usefulness—would likely have been “discarded” or even used as a pawn to increase Shi Chan’s hatred toward Jugu.

And Gudan, by saving him, would gain the help of a high-tech alien, achieving their goal.

Wu Hongyuan should have realized this when Zu Jiang deliberately provoked them. Normally, even when competing for power, Zu Jiang remained outwardly amicable—why would he suddenly antagonize someone who could benefit their nation?

Unless he did it on purpose.

Luckily, things hadn’t progressed that far yet. Though their rescue was delayed, Shi Chan didn’t seem hostile toward him. There was still a chance to make amends.

However, their initial plan—to let Shi Chan integrate into civilian life while gradually making contact—was no longer viable.

Now that Gudan was aware of the aliens’ existence, they would likely leak the information if they couldn’t obtain them. The previous case with Qingye, where an alien’s assistance was exposed, had followed a similar pattern.

To protect both Shi Chan and Xi Ming, as well as Jugu itself, they had to be placed under strict protection.

The only question was—would they accept this arrangement?

The higher-ups had assigned Wu Hongyuan the responsibility of convincing them. He was under immense pressure, knowing that most people wouldn’t want to be constantly “protected.”

Especially since these two weren’t citizens of Jugu and had no inherent trust in its government. What Jugu considered “protection” might seem like 24/7 surveillance to them.

He needed to explain everything carefully to avoid any misunderstandings.

“I’m sorry. It was our oversight that led to this crisis,” Wu Hongyuan apologized sincerely. He genuinely felt at fault—he had been too trusting of his fellow soldiers and had failed to keep the information fully contained.

“We’ve prepared a vehicle to take you to the nearest military hospital immediately. Once your injuries stabilize, you’ll be transferred to the capital. During this time, we’ll provide the best protection possible,” he explained before looking at Shi Chan. “If you have any other requests, we’ll do our best to accommodate them. But for now, healing is the priority.”

A specialized medical vehicle stood ready with open doors, and the medical team was fully prepared. They were just waiting for Shi Chan and Xi Ming’s approval to move them onto stretchers.

Shi Chan didn’t answer immediately.

He looked at the people surrounding them, thought for a moment, then turned to Xi Ming.

“Ming-ge, I want to accept their offer. Wu Hongyuan has genuinely been helping us. I can tell he wants to befriend us.”

“We don’t know exactly who ordered the attack, but I don’t think it was Wu Hongyuan. Even if it was, they’d still want to gain something from us. Once we figure out who’s behind this, we’ll settle the score.”

After some thought, Shi Chan continued, “Also, I was hesitant to reveal my spatial technology before, but after yesterday’s ambush, I realized that our mecha alone is already an irresistible temptation. One more secret won’t change anything, and it’ll actually make things more convenient for us.”

He then asked for Xi Ming’s opinion, who agreed with a single blink.

Seeing that, Shi Chan nodded.

Turning to Wu Hongyuan, he said, “I agree to your terms.”

As the medics moved Xi Ming from the mecha, Shi Chan placed his hand on it and, without exposing the spatial device, stored the entire mecha away.

The soldiers who had been eyeing the mecha in secret suddenly exchanged looks, their expressions growing even more fervent.

Wu Hongyuan, seeing this for the first time, was also wide-eyed with shock.

It seemed these two were even more valuable than they had imagined. Someone had definitely leaked the news.