Chapter 58: A Patriotic Soul

“What kind of quest are you on?” Wu Hua asked this question by the taxi stand outside the hospital.

Yu Jialing replied, “It’s like this, I’m currently forging a gun and it requires an S-class crystal. I need someone to cooperate, but I only want the crystal, nothing else.”

Wu Hua was stunned on the spot.

Though Yu Jialing’s words were brief, the information they revealed was quite intriguing.

A gun that requires forging—not modification—proves that this is certainly an assembled weapon, most likely a sniper rifle.

Wu Hua had some experience in Star Wars; he knew guns could be purchased, dropped, or auctioned, but he’d never heard of anyone forging one. Not that it couldn’t be done, but in Dream Star City, no one had ever had that ability.

Forging a gun required at least three types of specialists: a metallurgist to process and synthesize materials; a gunsmith to provide the manufacturing model; and a technologist to handle the crafting and forging. The three steps were interlinked and indispensable, demanding a high level of knowledge.

According to Wu Hua’s information, even the level-25 metallurgist Sand Witch from Blue Ocean Company didn’t yet possess the skills to forge guns.

Many high-end workshops could mass-produce firearms, but those were batch productions—plain, low-quality goods—entirely different from custom builds.

“Are you a gunner?” Wu Hua asked, curiosity piqued.

“Yeah.” Yu Jialing answered carelessly.

“Who’s helping you forge it? Is it—” Wu Hua started.

Yu Jialing smiled, “That’s a secret. I can’t tell you.”

Wu Hua wasn’t slow. He immediately realized it was a player helping her.

“My goodness. Has Blue Sky City got knowledge-based players over level 25 already?” Wu Hua looked shocked. “The first city really lives up to its name. So many experts.”

“You can find S-class crystals at East Sea Port. If possible, I’d like to head out now. The sooner, the better.” Yu Jialing seemed eager.

The taxi carried them to the Dream Star City service hall. Yu Jialing had already changed into her traveling attire.

Wu Hua’s eyes widened again, “You’re really patriotic.”

Yu Jialing was puzzled, “Why do you say that?”

Wu Hua replied, “You’re decked out in domestic gear.”

Yu Jialing laughed, and Wu Hua was even more stunned. At that moment, he realized Yu Jialing was no pushover—her strength was likely equal to his own.

Yu Jialing’s combat uniform was the black standard issue of China’s Snow Leopard Commando Unit.

The in-game clothing designs in Star Wars borrowed from real-world military uniforms, such as the German Border Guard, US Navy SEALs, Israeli 101 Special Forces, and so on.

Yu Jialing’s “Snow Leopard Combat Suit” included a full set—jacket and trousers, bulletproof vest, helmet, forearm guards, goggles, combat boots, gloves, belt. Every piece came with attributes, offering effects far superior to ordinary combat wear. Being a set, it also had bonus combined attributes.

Wu Hua’s own TT combat suit and boots didn’t even include a belt, and worn together looked mismatched, offering only the basic attributes—frankly, he looked a bit like a vagabond.

But these were minor issues; high-grade combat suits were impossible to obtain. During the survival quest, even Tina’s SEAL uniform rented from the Federal Government was a plain, attribute-less piece that made everyone jealous. Now Yu Jialing had a full Snow Leopard set, making Wu Hua envious.

He surmised Yu Jialing had completed some advanced quest.

Yu Jialing’s main weapon was also domestically produced—a 95 automatic assault rifle, standard issue for the PLA garrison in Hong Kong. Its appearance resembled the FAMAS, but it had many advantages the FAMAS couldn’t match. The biggest was its use of 5.8mm DBP87 bullets, which were heavy, sharp, and large, producing powerful penetration at short range and along a straight trajectory. This differed from Wu Hua’s hard-core rounds, which pierced along a straight line; the 95’s penetration covered a small area. Within 100 meters, it could shatter a 3mm alloy steel plate.

That gave the 95 enormous advantages: muzzle energy of 2000 joules, theoretical damage surpassing both the AK and AUG series, and lightweight enough to fire with one hand using a shoulder strap.

Of course, the drawbacks were unavoidable: range was too short, only 200 meters; it lacked quick reload and an empty magazine indicator, making reloads slow and leaving you unaware when the ammo ran out.

But Wu Hua was certain, if Yu Jialing could get the Snow Leopard set, her 95 was definitely not a plain weapon.

Yu Jialing was also curious about Wu Hua’s big gun. Seeing it was an AUG, she was reassured, “It’s not a plain weapon, is it?”

“No,” Wu Hua replied with a smile.

“That’s good, then. Don’t worry, you steer the boat, I’ll handle the fighting, and I’ll protect you.” Yu Jialing was confident; she was used to men protecting her in real life, but now it was her turn to protect a man, bringing her a sense of accomplishment. Her face was full of cheerful satisfaction.

“I’ll leave myself in your care, then,” Wu Hua said calmly.

“No need for thanks, we’re both Ah Jie’s friends,” Yu Jialing replied with a smile. If she knew Wu Hua’s AUG was a green-grade weapon with purple-grade ammunition, she’d probably faint from shock.

It took another hour’s train ride from the Dream Star City service hall to East Sea Port.

The maglev train was swift and crowded every day, but as the distance from the city increased, the number of players in the carriages diminished.

Yu Jialing sat by the window, gazing outside at the speeding scenery, lost in thought. Her goggles perched atop her helmet, her face delicate and serene, with a graceful charm. Wu Hua sat opposite her, dozing off; the fever medicine made him sleepy.

“Brother, could you make some space?” A voice interrupted Wu Hua’s dream.

He looked up to find a handsome young man sitting beside him, holding an XM29 light rifle—an expensive weapon equipped with a grenade launcher.

“Miss, are you headed to East Sea Port?” The gunner began to chat up Yu Jialing.

She glanced at him but didn’t answer; she’d encountered such situations countless times, and the business cards she’d received could fill several decks of poker.

“Miss, I really admire you. You’re truly patriotic—your whole set is domestic gear. Girls like you are rare these days.” The young man searched for a breakthrough. “Here’s my card.”

Out of courtesy, Yu Jialing took the card but didn’t even glance at it, simply slipping it into her pocket. Wu Hua, however, saw it clearly: “Star Wars Gun God Company, Crazy Sun Cactus!”

Wu Hua was astonished; the guy’s name impressed him. If he dared call himself Cactus, what wouldn’t he dare? As for the Star Wars Gun God Company, Wu Hua had never heard of it; the name alone suggested its owner had a penchant for trouble.

“Miss, are you leveling up? Interested in teaming up? Our Gun God Company has lots of experts who can support you; it’s safer to train together.” The young man persisted.

Yu Jialing still didn’t respond.

“Miss, what’s your name? I feel we’re fated—I ride this train every day…” The young man gestured like spring.

Just then, a sudden sound interrupted him. He turned in surprise to look at Wu Hua, “What did you have for lunch?”

Wu Hua lazily replied, “Noodles. Don’t worry, loud farts are actually not smelly.”

The young man stared as if he’d seen a monster, “You actually farted in front of a beautiful girl?”

Wu Hua was puzzled, “But it’s never as smelly as yours.”

At that, Yu Jialing couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh. Wu Hua chuckled too. Only the young man stared at Yu Jialing’s lovely face, entranced, still oblivious to the meaning behind Wu Hua’s words.