Chapter 195: Strong Aid

“Master’s in trouble,” Yawei blurted out.

Xia Fei was mildly surprised. Before entering the supergravity zone, Qin Mang did try to contact him, but due to the sudden loss of connection to the interplanetary internet, Xia Fei failed to pick up his call. He did not expect old man Qin Mang to have actually sought him then because something had indeed happened to him.

“What happened?” Xia Fei anxiously asked.

Yawei glanced around him. Old Porter and the other soldiers nearby tactfully retreated well out of earshots. Yawei grabbed Xia Fei’s shoulders as he hoarsely informed, “Master may not have enough time.”

“What?!” Xia Fei was flabbergasted. “The old man was still fine when I left. It’s merely been a few months since; just what exactly happened?”

Yawei shook his head. “The interplanetary internet has been unstable this whole time, and every call I had with the master would get cut off. I’m not too certain about what exactly is happening, either, but from what I could tell from the screen, master isn’t looking too good.”

Xia Fei was quiet for quite some time. He was deeply grateful toward the kindness old man Qin Mang had extended toward him. Besides, they shared a similar temperament and were both the sort who did not care for the rules, doing whatever they wanted. The fact that Qin Mang had been willing to hand the entirety of the ‘Introduction to Robot Coding’ to Xia Fei was a clear indication of the relationship they shared. Now that the old curator was physically failing, Xia Fei was naturally very worried.

Sighing, Yawei said, “Master meant to call you to return.”

“Okay. ” Xia Fei nodded. “I understand. Once my ship’s repaired, I’ll head back right away.”

Yawei patted Xia Fei on his shoulder. “It’s not convenient for me to leave the fleet here, so you’ll have to go in my stead the master’s side. If there’s anything you need, just ask.”

The two had a quiet conversation, and of course Yawei agreed to everything Xia Fei requested. As long as Vampire could be made shipshape, Xia Fei would instantly begin his trip back to Endaro Star Region.

Clenching his teeth, Yawei led his soldiers back. It was hard to miss the anxiety and worry filling his eyes; if this was not the case, he would not have been impatiently waiting by the port for Xia Fei’s arrival given his distinguished status as a commander. Were it not for the many pairs of eyes on him, he certainly would show how bad he felt deep down and would not keep his sadness in like this. Alas, right now, over ten thousand soldiers were watching his each and every move. He had to set an example, so all his emotions had to be shoved deep down.

Lighting a cigarette, Xia Fei lowered his head and walked back. It was easy to say the word ‘return’ when, in reality, it was anything but. It would take at least over two months to reach Endaro Star Region from here, and the journey would be arduous. He had no idea if old man Qin Mang could hang on until he got there.

“What’s the matter?” Old Potter wondered, curious.

“Oh, do you still remember that Qin Mang I mentioned before?”

Porter nodded. “The one who recruited you as a librarian and helped you in many ways while also teaching you what you know now?”

“The very same. He’s fallen ill and wants me to head back at once; it’s as if there’s something important he wishes to tell me.”

Though Porter had never met Qin Mang, he had already learned plenty about the old man through Xia Fei’s lips. Porter greatly admired him, so he said with knitted eyebrows, “If that’s the case, you ought to head back as soon as you can.”

“What? You’re not planning on coming with me?” Xia Fei could tell from what Old Porter had said that the old man wished to stay.

Xia Fei was of course unwilling to let Old Porter stay here. He was a top-class mechanic when it came to ship maintenance, as well an expert in machinery and everything related. What use could there be for him to stay here in the barren Death Trio Star Region?

Besides, the region was completely unstable. Take the Scarlet Volcano Military Base as an example; the soldiers were doing drills every day, and each of them looked as if they were in a hurry. Even a fool could tell that they were getting ready for combat. Before he set off for this place, Thuram told him that the situation here had been worsening by the day. Having seen things with his own eyes now, Xia Fei was even more certain that, in no time, the Death Trio Star Region would be plunged into a chaotic war.

Old Porter chuckled. “What I came here to do was done. I no longer have any regrets. With my factory in the warship graveyard already dissolved and all my apprentices going off on their own, what use is there for me to go back? Why don’t I just live out here until the end of my days… Besides—”

Without batting an eyelid, Xia Fei interrupted. “Are you going to mention Sister Windchime?”

Porter’s face reddened as he nodded without a word. Xia Fei did not really understand the relationship the two shared, but the expression that Old Porter had on his face showed how serious he was about it.

“Uncle Porter, you do know that the Death Trio Star Region is about to descend into war, don’t you?”

Old Porter softly replied, “Yeah, I’ve got the feeling. Honestly, it’s already in turmoil. Everyone has only been barely tolerating it these days due to the mutual checks and balance among the warlords in the three star regions, as well as the secret influences the Alliance has been seeding. Now that the three star regions have elected their respective leaders, their unity has never been higher; plus, the Alliance’s influence has been weakening with each passing day. There’s also the fight over those resource-rich planets… With all the conflicts and contradictions tangled up together, I truly doubt if there will be any other resolution beyond an all-out war to eliminate the deep hatred these various factions have in them.”

Xia Fei and Old Porter circled around the port, enabling the old man to see the soldiers in this military base nervously preparing for the upcoming war with his two eyes. There was no way that he could not see or even smell the incoming battle.

“If a real war does break out, the Death Trio Star Region will face an even more serious crisis than before. Supplies—even the safety of the people will be at risk. Sister Windchime is a good woman; I doubt you want her to bear with all this.”

Xia Fei very deftly avoided Old Porter’s wishes and mentioned Windchime. A stubborn man would not be willing to let his woman suffer. Some would claim that men were born to protect the flowers in their hearts; this was not a saying without reason. Old Porter’s eyes flickered with hesitation. It was evident that Xia Fei’s words had burrowed their way straight into his heart.

“Boateng didn’t break down there and then when you left, and I didn’t tell him that I was off to Black Abyss to find you. There’s no way he wouldn’t resent me if he happened to find out about this someday.”

Porter laughed. “Out of the four apprentices I used to have in the warship graveyard, Boateng has always been the most loyal and also the most bull-headed. How is he doing now?”

“I managed to convince him to work for me in my company on Earth to take charge of the matters involving a transport fleet I’ve been raising. Though Earth isn’t exactly technologically advanced, it has a decent environment and is fairly peaceful due to the lack of contact with the outside world. Boateng has now settled down on Earth, and his wife is very happy as well.

“It’s just that Brother Boateng is still too much of a blunt person; while his skills have nothing to fault with, his management style leaves much to be desired. He buries his head in his work all day, neither reprimanding nor caring if his subordinates skive or fool around, so he ends up doing several people’s work all by himself.”

Xia Fei did not hesitate to tell Old Porter what he wanted to relay in view of Boateng’s situation. First was about Earth’s good environment and second was how closed off the planet was, meaning that there would be no one causing trouble, making it suitable for days of seclusion. These were all conditions that satisfied Old Porter’s standards; all he wanted to do now was peacefully retire. Rather than staying in the Death Trio Star Region, which was fraught with danger, Xia Fei dangled the prospect of joining him on Earth.

Actually, Boateng’s situation at work was not as terrible as Xia Fei described it. He had since gotten used to his role and had become fairly good at it. The reason Xia Fei had chosen to keep this from Old Porter was to let the old man fully appreciate the worth of his existence if he came to Earth.

Old Porter was not just the average joe. Anyone who had witnessed great changes and upheaval in life would never be truly able to just peacefully settle down even if they were getting on in years. They would often be at a loss on what to do once they lost sight of their goal.

Xia Fei wanted to tell Old Porter: “Go to Earth. It’s very peaceful there, and there won’t be anyone bothering you on that planet. Plus, you’ll still be able to realize your value.”

At the end of the day, Xia Fei had pretty much saved Porter’s life, so if he really begged the old man to come help his company, given the old man’s personality, Porter would have no reason to decline, but Xia Fei did not wish to force him in such a manner by leveraging that favor. After all, he had also benefited greatly from this jaunt to Black Abyss, so it was not really a question of who owed whom.

This was why he had used such a brilliant method to break down his own wishes, grinding it up before he smeared it all over Porter’s heart, figuratively speaking. Not only did he wish to gain the support of this expert, he wanted Porter to agree to this willingly, without a shred of reluctance when making this decision.

Phantom was speechless upon hearing this exchange. It was as if Xia Fei was a pro born to talk to people; his words were simple but could make their way into people’s hearts. It was completely incongruent with his nineteen-year-old self.

Porter very happily burst into laughter. “Not everyone can be as clever as you. Boateng, that chap, is very blunt and loyal but lacks finesse. He’s most suited for technical work, so getting him to do something like manage a transport fleet will of course just be hard on him.”

Xia Fei was secretly reveling in glee. With Old Porter put at ease, it seemed that his words had taken effect. The old man probably felt that Xia Fei needed someone who had impeccable technical skills and able to manage an increasingly large fleet; this role was of course something he would be most suitable for.

“Oh, right; old man Qin Mang said that he’s very interested in meeting you personally. I’ve received plenty of help from him during this trip to Black Abyss; that Vexor-class battlecruiser was something he got for me by asking a friend of his for help.

“Also, Boateng has gotten a son recently. Wanna guess what name he gave him?” Xia Fei asked, smiling.

“What?” Porter was curious. Boateng had been without a child this entire time. Now that his apprentice had a child of his own, he was naturally happy for him as his master.

“Porter,” Xia Fei replied.

“Pfft!” Porter nearly burst into laughter. “How unbecoming. The chap actually has me as his son in such a short time. I’ll need to teach him a proper lesson when I next see him.”

Porter sounded quite scary when he barked out like that, but he was actually secretly elated over this. Naming his son after him was a clear indication of just how much respect Boateng had for him. Old Porter obviously understood this fact.

Looking up at the horizon, Old Porter was quiet for a good long while before he heaved a deep sigh.

“Fine. I understand what you’re trying to get at. You’ve really thought about this for me from every aspect. In any case, I know that you’re unwilling to let me stay in this lawless land but just find it awkward to tell this to me directly, afraid that doing so will make me feel as if I’ve lost face, so you’re doing your best to convince me in a roundabout way.” Old Porter sighed heavily.

It would be a lie to say that Xia Fei was being completely selfless. Xia Fei had poured plenty of his money and effort in Quantum Holdings, and he would never be able to forgive himself if he did not try and recruit someone like Old Porter to properly tap into his potential. After all, meeting someone of Old Porter’s caliber was rare. If Xia Fei were to have the old man in his company, the latter would most definitely enable them to do more with less.

Humans were very strange sometimes. Old Porter was feeling that everything was satisfactory no matter what he did, thinking that Xia Fei was doing everything for his sake while conveniently ignoring the fact that Xia Fei actually had his secret plans that he was considering as well.

“Your relationship with Yawei isn’t too bad, is it?” Old Porter asked.

“He’s old man Qin Mang’s disciple, so we have a fairly decent relationship,” Xia Fei said.

“Great. Ask him for a ship. I’m going to fetch Windchime over.”

“No problem,” Xia Fei excitedly said.