112: success

People and time will both come to an end, but love will not.

Spring had only just begun, and the wind sweeping through the air still carried a slight chill.

But no one cared about that. Everyone involved in the project took the initiative to stand as close to the field as possible, wanting to witness this moment from the clearest vantage point.

Yan Zhuohua and Fu Yifeng each entered their own mecha. The silver-gray and silver-white mechas stood at opposite ends of the field like giants propping up the sky.

"Sound check," Yan Zhuoyan's voice reached the two pilots' ears through their headsets.

"So, can we just say whatever we want first?" Fu Yifeng chimed in quickly.

"I guess," Yan Zhuohua said, chatting as he adjusted his safety seat. "I waited for so long, and you still ended up making my mecha silver-gray."

"You're not happy with these two colors either, right!" Fu Yifeng immediately cast a vote of agreement. "I told my uncle too. How great would a red one be! It's festive, dazzling, and it's the color of our Huaxia—how fitting!"

"Exactly, red would be good. But I prefer dark blue."

"Dark blue is great too, steady and grand!"

"Right? Aren't either of those colors more beautiful than silver-gray or silver-white?" Yan Zhuohua grumbled about his second brother. "It's just that you Researchers have no sense of aesthetics!"

"Exactly! Just like my uncle, so old-fashioned!"

"That's enough, you two! Is this dedicated communication channel for you to mock our Researchers' aesthetics?" Yan Zhuoyan's voice came through, sounding like he was speaking through gritted teeth. "When the records are released in the future, everyone will hear that the first two mecha pilots in our history spent the time before their test flight complaining together about the mecha's colors. Aren't you embarrassed?"

"But they really aren't good-looking!" Yan Zhuohua retorted loudly.

"Well, maybe people would love to see that!" Fu Yifeng muttered under his breath.

Yan Zhuoyan didn't want to talk to these two lunatics anymore. He shoved the communicator into Fu Yu's hand next to him, out of sight, out of mind!

From Yan Zhuoyan's expression, Fu Yu knew those two were likely saying something improper. He didn't want to talk to his dim-witted nephew either, but since Yan Zhuoyan had stepped back, he had to grit his teeth and take over.

Fortunately, the final checks finally began, and the two "brainless" pilots locked in, looking much more normal.

At ten in the morning, the test flight officially began.

Yan Zhuohua and Fu Yifeng each piloted a mecha for a combat drill. The sound of mechanical collisions echoed across the testing grounds as the two mechas seemed to suddenly come to life, grappling and fighting with each other.

Fu Muyu and Yan Qinghe stood together, staring intently at the situation in the field.

"This combat power and defensive capability are leagues ahead of current conventional melee weapons!" An Old General who had come to observe didn't want to stay on the high platform in the back with Shangguan Hong and the others, so he stood alone with the Researchers at the front.

Watching a single punch leave a massive crater in the ground, he couldn't help but sigh, "It's just that it still feels a bit clunky."

Jiang Fuyue explained with a smile, "This is just the most basic function. Thanks to its massive size, the mecha carries a large number of missiles and shells; a single unit is equivalent to more than a dozen fighter jets. Moreover, the sky is its true stage."

The two mechas in the center of the field finally separated after nearly a hundred moves, bringing the first phase to a close.

Experimental data was continuously delivered to the Researchers, and soon, the test results for the mecha's melee capabilities reached Jiang Fuyue and the others.

"Perfect data," Yan Zhuoyan nodded with satisfaction.

"It's even better than we expected. However, looking at the damage taken across the body, I feel the defense of the mecha's abdomen could be reduced, and the extra weight could be allocated to other weapons," an official Researcher analyzed the data.

Fu Yu couldn't help but laugh. "I'm afraid that won't do."

"Why?" another Researcher asked, leaning in.

"Because those two pilots are both masters of combat, and their operations are extremely precise and sensitive. They can replicate human fighting techniques to a high degree, protecting the critical abdominal area very well." Before Fu Yu could explain, the Old General had already begun his analysis. "If it were our ordinary soldiers, they certainly wouldn't be able to achieve this effect."

"The Old General's assessment is very accurate!" Fu Yu praised. "I never imagined you'd have such insight into this."

"Eh! Everyone has their specialty! I'm good at observing warfare, while this professor is good at research and analysis. We each have our strengths!"

"You're absolutely right," Jiang Fuyue agreed with a smile, then continued to explain to the Researcher. "It's not that the abdominal defense can't be reduced; it mainly depends on the operator. Our first batch of mechas will be used by novices, so we'll stick with the current design. As they are rolled out and more experts emerge, we can create different models, adjusting the functions and weight distribution of various parts for different specializations. By then, you might even be able to design a speed-type mecha, reducing overall defense to improve mobility."

The Researcher nodded with a smile. "I see. In that case, our deep R&D data for future mechas will still depend on how the soldiers use them."

"Yes, after all, they're meant for the majority, so we need to look at general data. Their test today is actually to show us how much of the mecha's power can be unleashed when the pilot's skill is high enough, which parts have the most potential, and perhaps even find new inspiration from their maneuvers."

While the Researchers here were busy analyzing data, Yan Zhuohua and Fu Yifeng were already prepared for the second test.

The second phase was actually much simpler: checking the actual effectiveness of the short-range weapons equipped on the mecha. It was a quick process, ending after a burst of roaring sounds.

"Eh? Why did one pilot come out?" The Old General saw that Fu Yifeng had actually stepped out after the test ended.

"His part is over," Fu Yu explained. "Comparing the two pilots, Zhuohua's control is more refined, so he will handle the third phase."

"The third part is that strict?" the Old General asked curiously.

"Yes. The first two parts were more or less covered during their training over the past month. Only this third part was saved for today." Jiang Fuyue also grew tense. "Success or failure depends on this one move."

The data from the second phase's test also arrived quickly, still perfect. During this interval, Fu Yifeng, having finished his physical check-up, hurried over to the observation deck.

"How was it? Was I cool just now?" Fu Yifeng hadn't calmed down from his excitement yet. He grabbed his uncle and gave him a vigorous shake. "Was it a success? Was it cool?"

"Let go of me!" Fu Yu was almost shaken to the point of vomiting. "Get lost, Zhuohua is about to start."

Fu Yifeng's face was a picture of "you're so cruel."

No one cared if Fu Yifeng's feelings were hurt, because Yan Zhuohua's turn was truly about to begin.

After worrying alone in a corner for a long time, Yan Qinghe finally came over to join the others.

Yan Zhuoyan used the communicator to ask Yan Zhuohua, "Ground preparations complete. What is the pilot's status?"

"I can start at any time," Yan Zhuohua's cool, calm voice came through the communicator, making Yan Qinghe's fingers curl slightly.

"Good. At your discretion, you may start whenever you're ready."

Less than half a minute later, the mecha in front of everyone emitted a massive engine roar.

With a roar that broke through the air, the silver-gray mecha shot straight into the sky, the resulting airwave kicking up high clouds of dust.

"It's... a flying mecha!" The Old General stepped forward two paces in excitement.

"Yes." Jiang Fuyue watched the mecha in the air with equally excited eyes. "Something that can only walk on the ground is ultimately clunky and lacks brilliance. Only the vast sky should be its battlefield and stage."

The mecha that had seemed a bit heavy just moments ago appeared exceptionally agile in the air.

Its soaring and leaping form was like that of a vigorous eagle.

Amidst the stunned silence of the crowd, Fu Yifeng's abrupt voice rang out again.

"I still think red would look better."