Chapter Nine: Taking Full Advantage

She actually didn't die? Well, that's good. If I ever become a major general, I'll definitely get close to her—hmph hmph...

Lei Bin started daydreaming again.

Entering the cave, Lei Bin found a large group gathered inside, at least over a hundred people—some soldiers, many civilians.

“Captain Loulan, we found a soldier from your 527th Army Camp here. Could you check if this is him?” A soldier with a gun led Lei Bin forward.

The cave was pitch black inside. To avoid detection by the Empire’s forces, no fires had been lit.

Hearing this, a flashlight beam suddenly shone on Lei Bin’s face. He knew Loulan was surely looking at him now. He chuckled and said, “Captain Loulan, it’s me—the one you locked up in solitary.”

“You?” Loulan exclaimed with a mix of shock and anger. If it were anyone else, she might not even recognize them, since the recruits had only just arrived a few days ago, but Lei Bin was unforgettable to her.

When the new recruits reported for duty, Loulan happened to be there helping with identification checks. When it came to Lei Bin's turn, he blurted out a remark that nearly blew her top.

Loulan had always been the darling of her family, cherished by everyone, and took pride in her looks. Countless young men had followed her, showering her with admiration and respect—none would dare utter anything rude. Yet Lei Bin, a lowly recruit, had openly insulted her so blatantly.

“Hah, it’s me, alright, Captain Loulan. Though I offended you in the camp, I don’t deserve death for it. After this war, you can punish me more, but now, during this crisis for the Federation, as a soldier, I hope to redeem myself through meritorious service,” Lei Bin quickly reasoned, knowing Loulan disliked him and trying to prevent immediate punishment.

Anger still burned in Loulan’s eyes, but she knew this wasn’t the time to punish him. She snorted sharply and asked, “What’s your name? What branch are you in?”

Lei Bin snapped to attention. “Reporting, officer, my name is Lei Bin, infantry. Perfect for field combat.”

“Hmph, just infantry. Fine then, you’ll stand guard tonight,” Loulan said disdainfully.

Infantry was considered the lowest rank among the branches. Loulan came from a noble background; her admirers were officers in elite units like mech pilots, battleship crews, and martial warriors. Naturally, she looked down on cannon fodder like infantry.

“Yes, ma’am,” Lei Bin saluted promptly.

“Ha, done. That little lady sure is proud—more so than those two girls at the checkpoint. One day, I’ll get you too,” Lei Bin thought smugly as he headed outside.

“Brother, Captain Loulan told me to stand guard,” Lei Bin said to a soldier already on guard duty.

The soldier had overheard the conversation between Lei Bin and Loulan and replied arrogantly, “This kind of duty suits you infantry best. I’m trained to operate battleships, not good at guard duty.”

With that, he stretched and headed deeper into the cave.

“Pfft, just a battleship operator? Big deal. Bet you can’t escape here with those skills,” Lei Bin thought disdainfully while keeping a cheerful facade.

Growing up on the streets, Lei Bin had learned survival meant smiling brightly while cursing a person’s ancestors inwardly.

He took his rifle, climbed a large tree outside in a few swift moves, and perched on a branch to keep watch. From above, his view stretched farther and he remained more concealed.

Plus, he figured he could slack off a bit and chat with Xing Meng while sitting up in the tree.

“Xing Meng, what are the chances I get out of here alive?” Lei Bin asked.

“Under normal circumstances, with proper tactics and cooperation from these people, there is a 73.3% chance of safe escape,” Xing Meng replied.

“Wow, that’s pretty high! No worries then, I’m going to sleep,” Lei Bin said, lying on the branch and dozing off.

Since Xing Meng could keep watch via brainwaves, Lei Bin didn’t need to stay awake all night.

***

The next morning, Loulan woke everyone to continue their journey, planning to break out from a certain direction toward Base 2. She specifically looked for Lei Bin, wanting to give him a hard time for last time’s insult, but found he wasn’t around—still on guard duty, maybe?

When Loulan finally found Lei Bin, she nearly exploded with anger—he was asleep up in a tree.

“Lei Bin,” she growled through clenched teeth.

Lei Bin was dreaming sweetly, envisioning seducing Loulan, with her voluptuous figure indulging him delightfully. Hearing Loulan’s voice, he mumbled instinctively, “Mm, Captain Loulan, your chest is amazing, so good, keep going…”

Several soldiers nearby turned pale at his brazen words. Though they had similar thoughts themselves, none dared dream so lewdly or speak such nonsense aloud.

Loulan was furious to the point of madness and kicked the tree hard.

*Boom!*

The trunk shook violently, leaves fluttering down like rain. Lei Bin jolted awake, screaming as he fell from the tree, landing right at Loulan’s feet.

Loulan still wore her dark green skirt suit, her long legs clad in black stockings—utterly alluring.

“What tempting legs. I have to touch them when I get the chance,” Lei Bin thought, but realizing he was in serious trouble, quickly stood and saluted. “Reporting, Captain Loulan, I stood guard all night but couldn’t help falling asleep. Please punish me.”

“Punish? You...” Loulan seethed, ready to explode, when suddenly a distant rumble echoed—the Empire’s warplanes appeared overhead.

“Hit the deck!” Loulan ordered urgently.

Everyone dropped to the ground immediately.

Lei Bin, right beside Loulan, obeyed instantly, landing near her thighs exposed before him. He could almost bite them.

“Wow, what legs. Really want to touch,” Lei Bin thought, swallowing hard but dared not act, lest Loulan shoot him on the spot.

*Bang bang bang...*

The Empire’s planes hovered above, having likely scanned life signs here before. They unleashed a volley of bullets.

“Damn, if I get hit, I’m dead. Before dying, I should at least enjoy myself. I’m still a virgin, gotta have fun before I go,” Lei Bin thought, then suddenly leapt onto Loulan, pressing close and whispering in her ear, “Captain Loulan, I’ll shield you from the bullets.”

“You bastard...” Loulan nearly lost it but dared not resist; any sudden move would reveal their position to the enemy.

Lei Bin grinned wickedly, using the gunfire as cover to embrace her tightly, his hands shamelessly roaming her firm chest.

“Ah...” Loulan let out a soft sound but quickly fell silent, knowing the cost of outburst. Though utterly humiliated, she dared not react.

Her entire life had never seen anyone touch her chest like this—let alone in such a disgraceful way, by such a shameless rogue.

After a few minutes, the warplanes flew off. Lei Bin, still pressed against Loulan, enjoying the warmth, hadn’t noticed.

“Get off me,” Loulan snapped, elbowing him hard in the chest, sending him flying back, chest aching sharply.

“Damn, this girl has serious strength,” Lei Bin thought, enduring the pain, quickly got up, saluted, and said loudly, “Captain Loulan, protecting my commander is my duty. No need to be overly grateful.”

***

“You... you...” Loulan wanted nothing more than to shoot Lei Bin dead. Hearing his shameless words nearly made her faint.

Just then, a soldier approached. “Captain Loulan, two soldiers have just died.”

Loulan turned and saw two soldiers who had been near her moments ago, struck by the Empire’s bullets and already lifeless.

The situation had been extremely dangerous—one wrong move, and death was certain.

Though a captain, Loulan had little real combat experience. Seeing soldiers die so close filled her with a sudden, intense sorrow. Maybe next, it would be her.

Her fierce hatred for Lei Bin momentarily faded.

“Captain, we should move quickly. Since their planes came here, the Empire’s infantry likely arrived too,” Lei Bin said, trying to distract Loulan, who probably wanted to kill him on the spot.

Loulan glared at him, but hearing his claim that he acted to protect her prevented her from shooting him. She merely shot him a sharp look and waved to the troops. “Move out immediately.”

As the highest-ranking officer here, she bore great responsibility for these hundred-plus people escaping the Empire’s pursuit.

Besides, they were still in the wild; there would be plenty of chances later to discipline Lei Bin. She wouldn’t let him off easily now.

Lei Bin was elated she hadn’t punished him severely. That moment of “tofu”—touching her exquisite chest—had been pure bliss. The sensation was indescribably pleasurable.

He licked his lips, savoring the memory, and followed the group.

Under Loulan’s leadership, the group quickly left the cave, heading toward Base 2. Lei Bin kept distance from Loulan to avoid her wrath, trailing at the rear.

At this time, Xing Meng spoke in Lei Bin’s mind: “Based on the flight path of the Empire’s planes, they likely have ground troops 20.8 kilometers southeast. They may have already sealed off the routeI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.