117: Chapter 117 Shi Haidong

Commander Shi Haidong, in a clean and crisp Nationalist Army uniform, took advantage of the chaos on the front line to quickly sneak up to the main defensive position on North Mountain from the rear.

He was a liaison secretly sent by the high-level command in Jinling, and his main purpose for coming this time was to attempt to recruit Mo Yufei, as the high-level command had heard about Mo Yufei and had developed an interest.

The moment Commander Shi Haidong saw Mo Yufei, he didn't just marvel at Mo Yufei's heaven-defying, invulnerable body like the ordinary soldiers; as a transmigrator, he keenly sensed Mo Yufei's extraordinary nature.

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Commander Shi Haidong slowed his pace. Standing over ten meters away, his gaze swept inch by inch over Mo Yufei, who stood quietly in front of the defensive position, his eyes locked firmly onto the protective suit on the other man, studying it carefully and examining it repeatedly.

This suit of clothing was definitely not any standard-issue equipment from this era.

Overall, it was a matte, deep-space black, form-fitting, one-piece design that followed the lines of the body perfectly, without hindering limb movement in the slightest.

The surface was not made of ordinary fabric, but of an unfamiliar, special composite material with a strong matte texture; artillery fire didn't leave even a speck of char, and it was extremely wear-resistant and durable.

The collar featured a closed, intelligent, form-fitting design that protected the neck seamlessly, leaving no gaps and perfectly deflecting all stray shrapnel.

From head to toe, there were no buttons, zippers, or metal buckles; the entire suit was integrated and molded, with craftsmanship so refined that it was completely unimaginable for the military industry of this era.

Commander Shi Haidong's eyes narrowed, and he instantly became certain of the answer.

It was not some innate invulnerability or a body sanctified through cultivation at all.

The reason Mo Yufei could stroll leisurely amidst the barrage of artillery fire and withstand machine gun strafing and shell explosions without a scratch was all due to this unknown, high-tech protective suit.

It was the equipment that was heaven-defying, not his physical constitution that was invincible.

Having figured this out, his tense nerves relaxed slightly, replaced by intense fervor and greed in his eyes.

Protective equipment capable of immunizing against all thermal weapons of the Second World War exceeded the understanding of all contemporary military industries; it was a true, world-class treasure.

If he could get his hands on this person's gear, he, Commander Shi Haidong, would soar to greatness in a single step. Let alone wealth and status, even this country—no, this world—would be within his grasp.

He continued to observe without changing his expression, his gaze passing over Mo Yufei and scanning toward the rear of the defensive position.

The next second, his pupils constricted sharply.

At the edge of the battlefield stood a silver-gray, metallic, mechanical figure with a minimalist, clean exterior and cold, smooth body lines, devoid of any unnecessary decoration.

It lacked human facial features; its head had only a long, narrow, holographic sensor light that ran vertically, constantly scanning the entire battlefield, capturing every movement, gunshot, and personnel shift.

It silently observed the battle throughout, exuding a coldness, precision, and deterrent power far beyond that of any human Commander.

Robot Chief of Staff.

Commander Shi Haidong instantly defined what this thing was.

He was completely certain that the Mo Yufei before him was a mystery from head to toe, possessing an epoch-defying protective combat suit and having intelligent machinery stationed by his side to command.

Commander Shi Haidong straightened his military uniform and wiped the dust from his cuffs, concealing the calculation and greed in his eyes, and put on an expression of sincerity and respect.

He pushed aside the stunned remnants of soldiers, strode through the trenches filled with smoke and blood, and took the initiative to walk straight toward Mo Yufei, who was standing before the artillery fire.

He stopped three steps away from Mo Yufei, keeping his posture very low, his tone respectful and steady. He deliberately lowered his voice to avoid the ears of the soldiers around them and initiated the conversation.

"Brother, I heard of your deeds from the rear; you truly are like a god descending to earth! I am Commander Shi Haidong, a liaison sent by the Nationalist Army, specifically responsible for selecting talent for the Party-State."

He looked up, sweeping his eyes once more over the mysterious, silver-patterned protective suit on Mo Yufei, his eyes harboring certainty and ambition as he continued to toss out bargaining chips.

"With your peerless abilities, it is a pity to be buried on this ordinary battlefield. As long as you are willing to defect to our side, we can guarantee you high office, generous salary, top-tier resources, and supreme privileges—everything you could want. A lifetime of glory and wealth is guaranteed for you to enjoy endlessly."

After hearing this recruitment pitch of high office and wealth from Commander Shi Haidong, Mo Yufei didn't even lift an eyelid; he remained standing at the very front of the defensive position, calculating his next move.

Commander Shi Haidong stared at him, waiting inwardly, having already anticipated the other's reaction: either temptation, hesitation, or feigning high-mindedness to decline.

In his view, in times of chaos, ordinary people risked their lives just for a mouthful of food, a set of clothes, and survival.

The glory, wealth, and high-ranking privileges he offered were already the highest price that could be given in this era; he didn't know if this transmigrator could resist the temptation.

But the next second, Mo Yufei finally turned his head.

In those eyes, there was no awe, no emotion, and not even the slightest yearning for power or wealth that a normal person would have.

Only indifference.

A bone-chilling indifference that viewed all power and nobility as ants.

Mo Yufei's gaze swept indifferently over Commander Shi Haidong's Nationalist Army uniform, his voice low but clear and cold.

"What do you have to talk to me about glory and wealth?"

Commander Shi Haidong was stunned and spoke subconsciously: "I represent the Nationalist Government; military rank, salary, territory, resources—as long as you ask, I can fight for it for you."

Before he could finish speaking, he was directly interrupted by Mo Yufei.

"The top-tier in your eyes is worthless in mine. I have my own path and will not join any faction."

Mo Yufei lifted his eyelids, his gaze falling back onto his protective suit, his tone calm but utterly crushing.

"You've been looking for a long time; did you figure something out? This suit I'm wearing—you cannot understand it, nor can you build it."

"You want to recruit me?"

Mo Yufei tilted his head slightly, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

"You're using official positions and salaries to bribe someone with peerless combat power? As long as I want the wealth in this world, there is nothing I cannot obtain."

Commander Shi Haidong's expression changed slightly, and for the first time, a sense of foreboding arose in his heart.

He had originally thought Mo Yufei was just a transmigrator who knew only how to kill, assuming he was the type of person who was simple-minded and physically developed, given that he had appeared with no plan at all, killing mindlessly.

It seemed he had started slaughtering the Japanese Army upon encountering them, influenced by the patriotism of his past life, without any plan.

But at this moment, the scope, vision, and aura of the other's speech completely leaped beyond the level of everyone in this era.

Mo Yufei continued, his words icy and leaving no room for negotiation.

"I do not need your military structure, your salary, or your protection."

"This battlefield—the defensive position you can only barely hold with all your might—I can stabilize by myself."

"The Japanese Army elite you fear are, to me, nothing more than a matter of one man and one blade."

The Robot Chief of Staff turned its body slightly, and its long, narrow holographic sensor light strip illuminated with a cold light, silently locking onto Commander Shi Haidong; scanning, analyzing, and recording were done in one smooth motion.

This scene, landing in Commander Shi Haidong's eyes, made his heart sink sharply.

The robot was on standby, following Mo Yufei's orders.

This person was simply not a "talent" that could be recruited.