Game: Civilization Paradise

Just as he’d guessed.

The Star Alliance kept strict control over every single Mechanical God. Kaduwa had recognized the Gale and its origins at a single glance.

If he hadn’t used some method to launder its identity, bringing it out in the open would have exposed him in minutes.

Of course, the laundering method Long Ming used wasn’t particularly brilliant, but it was effective. Even if someone was suspicious, they wouldn’t have any proof.

"Let me see."

Kaduwa stepped forward and began to inspect the Gale.

Long Ming stood to the side, waiting quietly.

Kaduwa quickly finished his inspection, then turned his head to Long Ming and said,

"This Gale of yours is pretty badly damaged. Plus, the power source is almost depleted. It needs a new Energy Crystal. If you really want to get this repaired, it won’t be cheap."

"Let’s not replace the Energy Crystal for now. I’ll get it replaced when it’s fully drained."

"That works too. Just be careful when you use it!"

"Okay, so how much will the repairs cost?"

"It’s your first time here, right? I’ll give you a discount. 1.2 million!"

"How long will it take to fix?"

"You’re in luck. We happen to have the right parts on hand, so we can directly replace the damaged sections. If you’re willing to wait, it can be ready by around two this afternoon!"

"Then please, go ahead and fix it!"

"I’ll create a work order for you. You just need to go pay for it."

"Alright!"

Long Ming nodded.

A short while later, Ma Ti led Long Ming back to the counter.

Long Ming raised his bracelet and paid the 1.2 million repair fee.

"Mr. Long Ming, this way, please!"

Ma Ti eagerly led Long Ming to a private lounge.

Long Ming glanced around the room.

The entire lounge was very spacious, around 100 square meters. It was furnished with leather sofas, bookshelves filled with various books, a holographic projector, and other equipment.

The table was also laden with a variety of high-end fruits and pastries.

"Mr. Long Ming, you can rest here. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you need anything."

"Okay."

Ma Ti respectfully backed out of the room.

Long Ming walked over to the sofa, sat down, and raised his bracelet to log into the Civilization Forum, searching for information on how to operate a Mechanical God.

「Several hours later.」

The more Long Ming read, the more solemn his expression became. According to the information on the forum...

Not just anyone could pilot a Mechanical God; the requirements for a user were extremely high.

Because the pilot acts as the Mechanical God’s spine, they have to bear an enormous burden during combat. Someone without a strong enough physique simply couldn’t handle it.

Long Ming wasn’t worried about that, though. ’I should be fine on that front.’

However, the operational controls and combat techniques for a Mechanical God were vastly different from those of a second-generation exoskeleton.

Therefore, one needed to specifically study these new controls and combat skills, and even get a pilot’s license.

Thinking this, Long Ming searched for training facilities within the City of Stars.

WHOOSH!

Over a dozen professional training grounds immediately popped up on the map.

One of them was quite large and not far from his current location.

KNOCK KNOCK—

Just then, a knock came from the door.

"Come in."

Long Ming said calmly.

Ma Ti pushed the door open, walked in, and said respectfully to Long Ming,

"Mr. Long Ming, your Mechanical God has been repaired."

"Let’s go."

Long Ming stood up from the sofa.

Ma Ti led Long Ming out, and they soon arrived at the repair bay.

Long Ming immediately saw the Gale on the repair platform.

The entire Mechanical God looked brand new, its surface armor gleaming.

"Your Gale is all repaired. I also reset the operating system for you. Just bind your personal information to it when you use it."

Kaduwa instructed Long Ming.

"Thank you!"

Long Ming said with great satisfaction.

"Don’t mention it. If you don’t engage in high-intensity combat, you should get it serviced at least once a year. If you do, that’s another story."

Kaduwa reminded him.

"Alright. I’ll be taking my leave then."

Long Ming raised his bracelet and scanned the Gale into his safe deposit box.

"Okay, take care!"

Kaduwa nodded.

「A few minutes later.」

Ma Ti led Long Ming out of the club’s main entrance and said gratefully,

"Sir, thank you so much for your tolerance. This is my business card. Please let me know if you need anything at all. Also, I’m on call 24 hours a day and can drive you wherever you need to go. I guarantee complete discretion."

"Okay, you don’t have to see me out."

Long Ming replied calmly as he took the card.

"Goodbye."

Ma Ti bowed to Long Ming.

Long Ming stuck his hands in his pockets and turned to leave.

...

City of Stars.

In an office atop a skyscraper more than two hundred meters tall.

Baidi glared at his numerous subordinates and cursed angrily,

"It’s been this long? Forget about actually finding that Red Ghost—you should at least have some leads, right?"

"Lord Baidi, we’ve sent out a lot of people to investigate. That Red Ghost has always been a thorn in the side. He’s a loner with no friends. Nobody knows him at all."

A man with a face full of scars replied with difficulty.

"I don’t care what methods you use, just find him for me! Lord Sedek has given a direct order!"

Baidi roared at Bosse and the others.

"Yes, sir!"

Bosse hastily responded.

Just then, a knock came from the door.

KNOCK KNOCK—

"Come in!"

Baidi said, taking a deep breath.

The door was immediately pushed open.

A man with yellow hair and a sycophantic smile walked in and said to Baidi,

"Lord Baidi, there’s someone who wants to see you. He says he has something important to report!"

Hearing Pige’s words, Baidi’s expression instantly lit up.

"Quick, let him in!"

"Alright. Come in."

Pige immediately shouted to the person outside the door.

Gu Yong walked in nervously from outside and bowed respectfully to Baidi.

"Lord Baidi."

"You have a lead on Red Ghost?"

Baidi asked impatiently.

"Red Ghost? I don’t know him."

Gu Yong looked startled and replied in bewilderment.

Hearing Gu Yong’s words, Baidi’s face instantly darkened. He said angrily,

"You dare to mess with me? Beat him!"

At Baidi’s command, Pige and the others didn’t hesitate. They went up, punched Gu Yong in the stomach, and kicked him to the ground.

"Ow, stop hitting me! I really do have something important to say!"

Gu Yong cried out in pain, covering his head.

"Stop! Talk!"

Hearing Gu Yong, Baidi suppressed his fury and spoke.

Gu Yong scrambled to his feet and said in a panic,

"Sir, I know who bet against Red Ghost, won all the money, and caused you to lose so much."

"Heh, do you really take us for some common thugs? Who gives a damn who won? Am I supposed to go make trouble for him? Anyone who places bets in that casino has some status. Beat him!"

Hearing Gu Yong’s words, Baidi was so angry he laughed.

Hearing this, Pige and the others immediately went forward and gave Gu Yong another round of kicks and punches.

"Sir, I’m begging you, just let me finish!"

Gu Yong pleaded desperately.

"Fine. I’ll give you one last chance. But you’d better think carefully before you speak again, or I’ll throw you out that window."

Baidi’s patience had reached its limit.