Chapter 91 1/2

After finishing the meal, Cen Lang specifically emphasised to Jiang Li that he was not interested in blind dates or romantic relationships.

Jiang Li: “Why emphasise it so many times?”

Cen Lang: “Because I want to lead by example.”

Jiang Li thought for a moment, probably because Cen Lang advised him not to date early, attributing immaturity to pheromones before the age of forty. However, as a medical student, the impact of pheromones could be controlled with inhibitors.

Jiang Li spoke on behalf of Grandpa Cen: “Grandpa is eager to see if completely marking can cure your pheromone storm. Medication is not a long-term solution.”

Cen Lang appreciated the idea, as it meant he could delay developing drugs.

Cen Lang teased, “Jiang Baby, you’re still a baby; don’t keep talking about complete marking.”

Jiang Li replied, “Didn’t you take health and hygiene classes in school?”

Cen Lang was speechless. “Wait until you’re eighteen.”

Jiang Li interrupted, “What?”

Cen Lang continued, “After the New Year, you’ll be seventeen, and another year to eighteen. If the order is stable by then, I’ll take you to the space base.”

Jiang Li: “Thank you.”

Although interested in the space base, he preferred to go there based on his abilities, not as someone taken by “parents” for fun.

“Is there going to be a war soon, Cen Lang?” People with keen senses could feel the tension between the two federations by following military news.

Cen Lang nodded, sharing that students at the Third Military Academy were discussing it daily and that it wasn’t a secret.

Jiang Li: “Take care of yourself and Dad.”

Cen Lang smiled and said, “Will do.”

The two federations signed an agreement not to start a war on Earth, temporarily sparing those on the planet from the conflict. Only the space forces knew that after the New Year, they would adapt to new warships with continuous training and participation in an arms race.

Liu Jing and Cen Lang took their leave early, not returning to Earth for a year.

The space forces were prepared, and Jiang Li turned eighteen.

Cen Lang had planned to visit for Jiang Li’s birthday but couldn’t due to the circumstances.

In May of the same year, the Amis Federation ended provocations and went directly to war. The interstellar war erupted, affecting the entire P/J defence line.

Jiang Li, seeing the news, immediately called his father and asked, “Is Dad still on the P/J defence line?”

Jiang Wanlan, concerned, replied, “He was transferred to the Z/M line two years ago.”

Jiang Li asked, “Then who is guarding the original defence line?”

“It’s Cen Lang.”

The Amis Federation, thinking the enemy had uncovered their plan due to the defence line movement, lurked for a while. They discovered that Cen Lang was only temporarily leading the P/J defence line. Temporary leadership often meant disarray, and Cen Lang lacked practical command experience, prompting the Amis Federation to attack relentlessly.

The vastness of space, unlike Earth, where humanity coexisted, made interstellar wars ruthless, disregarding consequences and swiftly destroying planets.

Apart from publicly available military news, Earth seemed distant from the conflict; even explosions from small asteroids went unheard.

While socially awkward, Lu Jing was sharp in military matters, immediately realising the true reason for Cen Lang’s transfer.

Lu Jing applied to join the battle, driven by both military duty and personal motives.

“I know there are rumours that I gained the rank of brigadier general through the Cen family,” Lu Jing said. “I’m confident in my conscience, but I don’t want Jiang Li to hear such rumours.”

“Jiang Li has grown up, and you wouldn’t want him to avoid suspicion because of this,” Cen Lang replied.

“I respect your decision,” Cen Lang added. “You’re in charge of support.”

Support and rescue, wherever the situation demanded, to salvage the war effort.

During the decisive battle, Cen Lang piloted the White Flame battleship at the forefront. White Flame, massive in size, seemed to have a sky-covering wing when landing, but in the vastness of space, it manoeuvred like a nimble swallow in the storm.

Cen Lang, as the vanguard, systematically destroyed the enemy’s signal towers. Without signals, the Amis Federation had to retreat step by step, constantly under pressure.

Suddenly, facing a deteriorating situation, the enemy changed strategy. They chose to pursue Cen Lang, even if it meant losing signals. After three days of fighting, they all knew it was Cen Lang inside. Formidable in one-on-one or one-against-many situations, an order was given to capture Cen Lang at any cost, as capturing him meant victory.

The enemy’s level of military escalation was beyond their expectations. Cen’s parents were indeed geniuses; capturing Cen Lang could threaten them.

Initially expecting Cen Lang to remain in rear command, it took them three days to confirm that the White Flame was piloted by Cen Lang. And he dared to be on the front lines!

That must be captured!

Cen Lang calmly led the six pursuing battleships to the edge of the interstellar, creating an opening for the Amis Federation.

Seizing the opportunity, Lu Jing commanded his forces to break through, and once the situation stabilised, he immediately turned to chase Cen Lang’s battleship.

Ahead, a brilliant spark lit up the sky, with battleships exploding one after another. From a distance, it was unclear which one, but as Lu Jing approached, the fragments revealed a half-wing of White Flame.

Lu Jing’s expression changed. After the fragments drifted farther, a partially damaged battleship gradually became visible.

He quickly aimed the telescope at the cockpit of White Flame. It was empty, with half of the co-pilot’s section sheared off.

Lu Jing, steering the battleship, pursued the debris, attempting to find the hibernation pod ejected from White Flame. Failing to locate it, he deployed a tow line, dragging the crippled White Flame back to the space base.

The six battleships pursuing Cen Lang were lost without a trace. The outcome was clear.

On Cen Lang’s side, besides his whereabouts being unknown, it was a decisive victory. Almost all of the Amis Federation’s signal towers were destroyed, granting them air superiority. The enemy could only rely on their signals for interstellar activities.

In theory, the hibernation pods designed by Cen’s parents were highly secure and resistant to explosions and collisions. However, until they were found, no one dared to lower their guard, as victory in war meant recognition and rewards, and without Cen Lang, no one could claim that authority.

In the chaos of war, the pre-established signal routes were shattered, with no signal towers receiving…