On the coast of Yalong Bay, warriors clad in black disembarked from the transport ship, skillfully forming their ranks.
Two team leaders reported to Zhou Yi.
"I am Zhao Xiao, captain of the 4th Battalion of the Northern Ocean Army. 291 soldiers were expected, and 291 have arrived."
"I am Tan Zizhang, captain of the 5th Battalion of the Northern Ocean Army. 304 soldiers were expected, and 304 have arrived."
Zhao Xiao was burly, carrying a shield and a Nail Head Hammer, while Tan Zizhang was much thinner but carrying a heavy weapon case.
But both were not human.
Zhou Yi saw that their heads were covered by long copper masks with two holes resembling eye sockets, but the interiors were pitch black.
The warriors of the Northern Ocean Army were all made up of geometrical steel skeletons, omitting unnecessary external casings and padding, making each of them appear thin and elongated, only cloaked by black capes.
There were two body types.
Zhao Xiao represented the large, heavily equipped warriors, all carrying large shields and cold weapons.
Tan Zizhang belonged to the other, lighter and leaner type, carrying a larger weapon case.
Red Kestrel transmitted, "They are Iron Soldiers."
Zhou Yi asked, "What is that?"
"It's a product of Bone Man technology. Bone Men have fragile bodies that can easily be severely damaged in battle, so one of their technological directions is to create bodies with strong resistance to impact."
"The Iron Soldier is an enhanced body created by Bone Men engineers who modeled it after their own structure. It uses a basic biomimetic mechanical structure, is equipped with a low-cost Craftsmen Light Seal, and has installed sub-units."
"This way, Bone Men can use controllers to operate the Iron Soldiers, participating in battles and exploring hazardous areas."
The drone said, "However, Iron Soldiers have a clear flaw. Due to cost control, the overall precision of the body is lacking, which results in poor flexibility and agility, making them unsuitable for complex, precise tasks."
"The Northern Ocean Army has refined this technology, with weapons serving as the consciousness core, thus eliminating issues of delay and high manipulation difficulty. It's quite clever."
Zhou Yi listened silently.
He said to the two battalion leaders, "I didn't expect you to arrive so early, thank you for your hard work."
"With the war beginning in winter, we need to set up defense quickly."
Zhao Xiao replied, "Mr. Zhou, let me introduce. Our 4th and 5th battalions are composed of two types of troops. The first is infantry, like myself, mainly engaging in close combat."
"The second type is shooters, and Tan Zizhang is one of them. They are armed with various mid- and long-range weapons to wound the enemy through shooting."
"Although we have already gotten familiar with the basic environment here, please describe to us the real-time situation in each area, so we can deploy defense specifically."
"It would be better if it could be transmitted through signals. Our signal source is Flying Star 'Sword Tomb'; just transmit directly to it, and we can get the relevant intelligence."
Zhou Yi noticed that the sound source of Zhao Xiao's voice was in his chest and abdomen, where the voice device must have been installed.
Red Kestrel immediately initiated signal transmission.
Zhao Xiao responded, "We have exchanged views. Sand Port Region has your company's Alien Guard, which is the most stable and safe area, the weakest are the two areas in front."
"Our 4th Battalion specializes in urban defense, will enter Steel Refining City to deploy defense and make local modifications, as it has mines and factories, which are likely to be key targets of air raids."
"5th Battalion specializes in field combat, Tan Zizhang will lead the team to Shell City to set up ground works and defenses."
"We expect to complete primary defenses within a week."
"There is one more thing, I wonder if your place provides engine oil? As our bodies are Iron Soldiers, they need oil for reducing wear, sealing, and rust prevention, especially in winter."
"If there is supply of engine oil, our endurance and combat capabilities will greatly improve, the wear rate will be lower, and the speed of advancement faster. Of course, it's not a big issue without it."
Zhou Yi said, "That is not a problem, what are your specifications for engine oil?"
"The most ordinary oil will do. If budget allows, 0.2 liters for each warrior is sufficient to cover the entire winter."
Zhou Yi inquired with Red Kestrel and found that engine oil was sold in Mechanical City, a staple for electromechanical lives. The price wasn't expensive, 3 gold per liter.
Being able to purchase it wasn't a problem.
With a total of 595 warriors, the cost for engine oil was 357 gold, less than 4 Light Seeds.
Then Zhou Yi noticed something odd.
From beginning to end, nearly 600 members of the Northern Ocean Army were silent, though some were observing the surroundings; they all maintained an astonishing quiet.
Only Zhao Xiao spoke.
Zhao Xiao explained, "It's the Northern Ocean Army's rule: during missions, except for commanders and messengers, everyone else will turn off their speakers. This facilitates unified action, focusing on commands, and reduces unnecessary energy consumption."
"However, this doesn't affect our internal communication, because we can quickly relay orders and feedback through Flying Star, even faster and more accurate than flesh and blood methods."
The Hunter headed to Chuneng City to purchase engine oil.
During this time, all members of the Northern Ocean Army rested on site.
… Chapters fırst released on novel⚑fire.net
Zhou Yi saw Feng Ying had also come to the coast.
She spoke something to Zhao Xiao with a Beiyang Sword, and he pointed to a nearby Iron Soldier standing motionless with a shield and iron rod.
Zhao Xiao took the Beiyang Sword, inserting it into a port on the back of the Iron Soldier.
The metal mask of the Iron Soldier began to light up from its black eye holes—first red, then yellow, followed by green, and eventually, all the lights vanished.
The iron warrior trembled momentarily, and its stiff body finally began to move.
It pulled out the Beiyang Sword on its back, swinging it left and right.
"This is the body of an Iron Soldier."
"It's actually more flexible and handy than I expected, quite strong."
Ding Ye, now a part of the Northern Ocean Army, suddenly directed the sword at Feng Ying, "Senior sister, it's been a long time since we last sparred. How about a bout?"
Feng Ying responded, "You've just activated a new body; vigorous activity is not advisable."
"Come on, just one bout."
Ding Ye, spiritedly, "Now I am stronger than before. Although I can't compare with Mr. Zhou's level, I'd like to try and see if I can win against you this time."
To Zhou Yi's surprise, Feng Ying did not refuse.
She and Ding Ye stood opposite each other.
The female pharmacist unwrapped the cloth bands around her wrists.
Her fingers bore numerous blemishes and her skin was not delicate, but they were long and powerful. The most striking feature, however, was her agate-green nails, which were particularly eye-catching.
Zhou Yi soon noticed a white aura swirling around Feng Ying's hands, concentrating most densely at the tips of her fingers.
So her Light Imprint was related to her nails.
Iron Soldier Ding Ye, wielding the Beiyang Sword, charged at her.
Feng Ying, empty-handed, did not flinch and engaged him in close combat.
The female pharmacist's agility was superior, but Ding Ye had the advantage in strength.
Although she could dodge and block with her arms and palms, Feng Ying's strikes against Ding Ye could not inflict real damage, only repelling him or causing him to stagger.
Ding Ye, wielding his great sword, could fully focus on slashing attacks.
"Whatever is seen shall be slashed!"
His sword suddenly emitted a red light.
This time, the Beiyang Sword was not drawn from the sheath but slashed towards Feng Ying.
Feng Ying, with one hand outstretched, focused intently.
Some strange power instantly took shape.
Ding Ye, slashing with his sword, was instead blasted away by a tremendous force and slid backward a distance before stabilizing.
He retracted his great sword to his back, "I didn't expect to still be unable to break through your defense."
"It's a pity you retired early, sister. Your potential is high; you could have become a famed hero in the world."
Ding Ye regretfully said, "Such a pity…"
Feng Ying simply rewrapped her hands with cloth strips.
At that moment, Zhou Yi could not distinguish between this data-generated Ding Ye and the real one.
It seemed like the boy had simply found a way to live again in another form.
Soon, Lie Hai also returned with two large barrels of engine oil.
Zhao Xiao said, "Well, Mr. Zhou, it's time for us to set out for our deployment."
One by one, the Iron Soldiers returned to the ships, and the two transport vessels slowly turned and sailed out of the pier, heading north.
Feng Ying stood on the shore, looking into the distance.
Zhou Yi walked up beside her, "Why did you abandon martial arts to pursue medicine?"
The female pharmacist furrowed her brow, her lips tensed, seemingly troubled by the question.
She said, "Once, I saved a child from a slave trader. I realized that I had saved the same child before. So I asked him why he was caught again?"
"The child said, because he had an incurable illness, he let his parents sell him while it was still not apparent, to exchange him for money."
"No matter how many times I saved them, it was futile."
"Only after becoming a pharmacist did I realize there are too many illnesses in this world."
Feng Ying softly added, "Warriors and doctors are not so different. Warriors see ailments on the outside, doctors see ailments on the inside."
She looked toward the boundless foggy ocean, "For humans, the biggest source of illness is this Dead Sea. Getting too close exposes one to the mutating radiation, making them sick; thus, they can only try to strengthen themselves by relying on the protection of other Guangna Species."
"Chairman, do you think a form like the Iron Soldier could be the ultimate fate for humans? This way, they wouldn't need to be bound by fragile flesh and could even enter the Dead Sea without issues."
The female pharmacist's expression held a hint of confusion.
Zhou Yi, however, replied with a smile, "Treat the head when it aches, treat the foot when it hurts; one shouldn't simply amputate because of pain in the limbs."
"I have long studied the prehistoric humans from the Divine Era. The Dead Sea Documents record that many of them back then also detested the frailties of flesh and wished for mechanical ascension."
"But that doesn't matter. Let those who wish to ascend mechanically do so, and let those who wish to continue as flesh-and-blood humans continue. The Guangna Species evolve from low to high levels, so why can't humanity have diverse branches?"
"As long as one recognizes oneself as human and abides by the basic rules of human society, then they are human, regardless of their physical structure."
Feng Ying pondered for a moment, her furrow relaxing, "You're right."
After Zhou Yi finished counseling, he said, "Get back to work."
"I'm requesting a raise."
Zhou Yi was startled.
She had only been at the job for a month when she asked for a raise.
Feng Ying spread her hands earnestly, "Now I'm not just a pharmacist but also a rehabilitation therapist. My enhanced body is based on my ten fingernails, manifesting as nails."
"Their 'Shock Absorption' ability can gradually consume and alleviate impact energy. Applied in physiotherapy, it can help patients regain their mobility. Plus, having been a warrior, I have extensive experience with combat and movement injuries."
"The rehabilitation therapy after Qin Mo's surgery is being specifically designed by me. And the follow-up appointments for sea lord Lord Sha Hai are also personalized by me with a full recovery plan and training program."
"I believe I deserve a higher salary."
Zhou Yi confirmed through Red Kestrel.
The situation was true.
The request reasonable.
"Rehabilitation therapists in the market have a monthly salary of 3 Light Seeds; I'll raise yours to 7 Light Seeds."
"Hmm, you are reasonable."
Feng Ying showed her smile for the first time since joining the company.
"Oh. There's one more thing; I almost forgot because Ding Ye interrupted earlier."
She said, "Doctor Da Vinci's capabilities have reached level B, undergoing evaluation for Deputy Chief Physician. The results should be out soon."
Zhou Yi heard this and was overjoyed.
The Mechanical Doctor's fervent leveling was finally bearing fruit!