Chapter 104: Water Meets the Moon (Request for Recommendations)

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Whew, today I was on a business trip, just got off the train and almost missed the update.

Two days later, after persistent urging from Yang Cheng’s mentor, Zhong Yun finally returned to his dormitory as he wished. With the help of the Micah Ray, he fully recovered in just one day.

Yang Siqing granted him a ten-day leave, but Zhong Yun didn’t rest; he spent the time training intensively in the “simulation exercises.” Having narrowly escaped death once, he now hungered for power more than ever—a power stronger than anyone else’s.

After ten days, the leave ended, and Zhong Yun rejoined the main force for training. Due to the outstanding performances of Zhong Yun and Fei Liming, both were assigned to the strongest team.

Zhong Yun couldn’t help but wonder if he and the Fei family were old enemies from a past life—no matter what, he couldn’t shake off this relentless rival.

The base’s training was grueling, nothing short of hellish. Yet for Zhong Yun, it was manageable; his body, enhanced by Yuan’s modifications, was far superior to that of ordinary people.

His performance astonished the instructors. Despite the high-intensity physical training, he adapted immediately. When Zhong Yun was injured, the medical team examined him and found no solid muscles or calluses—no sign of prior physical training.

Even more remarkable was his recovery: no matter how brutal the day’s exercise, even if he collapsed from exhaustion, he would wake the next day full of vigor. His recovery ability was astonishing.

Life at the base was monotonous yet fulfilling; in the blink of an eye, two months had passed.

Once fair-skinned, Zhong Yun’s complexion had darkened to a deep bronze. His well-proportioned body now bulged with defined muscles. He looked entirely different from before. They say the military is a great melting pot—and indeed, this was true.

Inside the infirmary, Zhong Yun lay leisurely on a white hospital bed, hands clasped behind his head, whistling casually. A white cloth was wrapped around his chest, stained with blood.

Opposite him, Fei Liming lay face down, shirt removed. A female nurse, blushing, was disinfecting his back wound.

For two months, Zhong Yun and Fei Liming had become regulars here, frequently favored with special attention by the instructors during training. Injuries were as common as daily meals.

“Again, it’s you two!” Dr. Shui entered and saw them, her eyes flashing with irritation. “They’re too much. Three days in, two days out, they beat you up until you’re covered in wounds. You’re still just kids, and they have the heart to treat you so harshly?”

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“Sister Yue, don’t blame the instructors,” Fei Liming defended them from the bed. “They do it for our own good.”

Over two months, Fei Liming had become quite familiar with Dr. Shui and even learned her name—Shui Lianyue. He was no longer as shy around her as before. Calling her “Sister Yue” came naturally.

“Hmph, what do you know?” Zhong Yun scoffed. “Real men are made through hardship. What’s a little injury?”

Shui Lianyue stepped toward Zhong Yun with a smile. “I’m just looking out for you; don’t be ungrateful.” She peeled back the gauze on his wound. Hmm, the injury wasn’t severe.

She gently opened her fingers, conjuring a misty blue aura in her palm. Pressing it to the wound, the injury visibly twitched and began healing. Within about a minute, the wound closed completely, leaving only a faint red mark to prove it had once existed.

Satisfied, Shui Lianyue turned to Fei Liming to inspect the scrapes on his back. “Just abrasions, nothing serious.” She instructed a nearby nurse, “Apply some special medicated ointment. It’s nothing to worry about.”

“By the way,” Zhong Yun called after Shui Lianyue, “wasn’t your birthday a few days ago? Though a bit late, here’s a gift for you.” He rummaged in his pocket.

“What? Sister Yue, it’s your birthday? How come I didn’t know?” Fei Liming was surprised.

“How do you know my birthday?” Shui Lianyue looked at Zhong Yun with curiosity. “I never told anyone. I usually celebrate alone.”

“Why didn’t you say so? We could’ve celebrated together,” Fei Liming said excitedly.

“I don’t like crowds,” Shui Lianyue replied softly.

“Got it!” Zhong Yun finally pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and tossed it to her.

“What’s this?” Shui Lianyue unfolded the small, wrinkled white sheet of paper carefully.

She froze as her clear eyes suddenly widened. Fei Liming noticed her expression and looked up curiously. He gasped softly, “Ah, this is…”

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The paper, covered in creases, bore a simple black line drawing of a half-length portrait. At first glance, it appeared as a vague silhouette of a woman, as if seen through a mist.

But looking closer, one could clearly see a beautiful woman. Each line gracefully outlined her natural elegance—a woman as pure and lovely as flowing water. Fei Liming recognized immediately that it was Shui Lianyue. Her presence was extraordinary, unlike any woman he had ever met. She was like a pristine lotus, untouched by impurity.

Fei Liming was deeply captivated by the drawing, unable to look away. As he gazed longer, he suddenly felt as if the woman in the portrait came alive and smiled gently at him. That smile bloomed like a lotus flower, enchanting him utterly.

“Did you draw this?” Shui Lianyue asked, her eyes held captive by the image.

“Just a casual doodle,” Zhong Yun said, touching the manual auxiliary device on his hand. “I rarely give women gifts. Consider this a token of thanks for saving my life. If you don’t like it, feel free to toss it away.”

“Casual doodle?” Fei Liming gasped. This was the lost Jialan sketch technique. His art teacher had told him about it—a magical style from Jialan that could make drawings ‘come alive.’ Before, he hadn’t understood what ‘come alive’ meant, but now he had witnessed it firsthand.

Zhong Yun had no idea of Fei Liming’s awe. He had simply been inspired to give a special gift to Shui Lianyue as gratitude for her life-saving help. Being at the base limited his options, and this fun drawing was the best he could manage.

With his skill alone, he couldn’t have drawn it, but aided by the manual auxiliary device, he barely produced something passable. Still, it was only a trick to fool laymen. No matter how powerful, the device was just a tool—it couldn’t capture the spirit and essence of true art.

Taking a deep breath, Shui Lianyue carefully folded the drawing and said, “Thank you for the gift. I really like it.”

At that moment, the base’s emergency assembly alarm blared. Zhong Yun and Fei Liming sprang up like agile rabbits, rushing straight to the training field.

Within two minutes, everyone except medical personnel not currently training had gathered on the field. Ten minutes later, those training outside returned as well.

Yang Siqing stepped onto the platform, her expression grave. Without any preamble, she announced shocking news that shook everyone to the core.

Looking forward to more.