On the way back to Terra, the "emperors lash" battleship, the entire fleet, and all the Soldiers were extremely excited, as they were going to Holy Terra as a triumphant army.
For many Soldiers who were not Solar Auxilia, this was simply a moment of great honor.
Many Soldiers even prepared shovels and pickaxes, ready to dig up the ground on Holy Terra and bring back even a single stone, which would become a family heirloom.
The Soldiers gathered collectively in the restaurants of their respective ships, enjoying the food and fine wine brought by Lord Li Feng.
The Soldiers played instruments and sang traditional songs from their hometowns in the mess hall, celebrating everything.
After the Cadia Soldiers finished singing their hometown songs, a group of Oil Men in red robes formed a "girl band," taking to the stage with guitars and drum kits.
Ever since Li Feng's rock concert during the space battle that day, the Adeptus Mechanicus had all started playing rock, and it was heavy metal rock—true "heavy metal rock," in the style of AC/DC or Marilyn Manson.
Meanwhile, a group of Nuns sat in the corner of the mess hall, whispering to each other.
"I heard Fides and Lord Li Feng… you know…"
"Really?!"
"It's gone viral among the Battle Sisters…"
Several Nuns immediately covered their faces shyly, and one even asked:
"If the friend of the emperor is like this, then our God-Emperor must…"
"Ah ah ah ah!"
Several girls covered their faces, letting out excited squeals like young girls.
Nearby, Cain, who was drinking with a casually dressed Amberly, covered his head.
"Inquisitor, aren't you going to do something?"
Amberly picked up a fry, dipped it in sauce, put it in her mouth, and pondered how to answer Cain's question.
"Although their words usually warrant an Inquisition investigation, I've decided against it for now."
Cain took a sip of the beer in his glass; it was his first time drinking beer, and this low-alcohol beverage brewed by Li Feng's Order was quite refreshing.
"It's a pity, Li Feng probably doesn't know his secret is out yet."
"Political Commissar, don't you know?" Amberly frowned, looking at Cain.
This stumped Cain, who asked in confusion: "Know what?"
"It's just… you know," Amberly began to explain, seemingly searching for the right words, "Usually, after girls… you know… they share their experiences with their best friends, and usually, all the information about the man is known by everyone the next day."
"Cough, cough, cough!" Cain, who was drinking beer, choked and almost sprayed all the beer in his mouth onto Amberly's face.
"Really?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Amberly shrugged.
Cain's worldview was being shattered at that moment, and he noticed the golden-haired Reinhard entering the mess hall and standing at the doorway.
Several Soldiers and officers near the door stood up when they saw Reinhard approach, and Reinhard took a deep breath.
"Everyone!" Everyone fell silent and looked at Reinhard at the door, many had already put down their glasses and started to push their chairs back… "Lord Li Feng has arrived!"
As Li Feng walked in through the main door, everyone stood up collectively, looking at Li Feng… Li Feng also felt quite awkward and made a "please sit" gesture.
After the Soldiers sat down, the celebratory noise was noticeably much quieter.
Li Feng leaned his head close to Reinhard's ear at this point. Hmm… this kid changed his cologne; it's a woody scent.
"Don't do this kind of thing for me in the future; it's awkward and can dampen everyone's enthusiasm."
Reinhard nodded, and Li Feng clapped his hands.
Everyone looked at Li Feng, who said:
"Tonight, all expenses are on me.
Band! Start!"
The Oil Man drummer, receiving Li Feng's signal, immediately twirled his mechanical hands with the drumsticks.
The guitar and keyboard instantly fell into rhythm, and the bass began to sway continuously.
The lead singer then took off his red hood, revealing half of his old, mechanically modified face, and began to sing with a "smoker's voice" that had inhaled countless factory fumes:
♪ ~ Just take those old records off the shelf ~ ♪
♪ ~ I'm gonna listen to myself ~ ♪
♪ ~ Today's music ain't got the same soul ~ ♪
♪ ~ I like that old time rock 'n' roll ~ ♪
Everyone watched as Li Feng bent down and started to sway.
The officers and Soldiers immediately joined the revelry.
Behind Li Feng, Eliette, wearing a hood, walked in.
Hearing the music and seeing the scene made her feel a little dazed.
Looking at the human Soldiers swaying to the music in the mess hall, and the stage…
"This is…"
"This is humanity, true music."
Eliette looked at Li Feng's expression, which seemed to say, "I knew it was the original way after all," and remained silent, sitting at a table with Kassia and Sister Fides.
At that moment, the mess hall staff brought three large steins of beer to their table, each mug holding at least 1.5 liters.
Fides was the first to grab her beer mug and drink heartily.
Having been with Li Feng yesterday, she felt refreshed today, and all her Sisters were envious.
"Refreshing!"
Lady Kassia, however, asked the staff for a smaller glass.
She usually drank wine, and today was her first time seeing beer.
Eliette watched them all drink, then picked up the large mug herself and took a sip.
After putting the glass down, she licked the beer foam from her lips… "It has no taste… Is this even alcohol?"
Li Feng came to the Battle Sisters's table and told them they could be happy today, treating it as an Order from the friend of the emperor… but Li Feng felt a bit strange… Why did these Battle Sisters… and those female Soldiers from various Legions… even the Krieg female Soldiers with gas masks, through their lenses… always glance down occasionally when talking to Li Feng… then show a meaningful smile or lick their tongues…
Cain, seeing everyone getting excited, also picked up his beer mug and drank.
It was a pity that Yugen and the sniper Sorel were still in the ship's infirmary.
Sorel had lost his left arm.
Originally, Cain intended to reinstate him to his rank, promote him two levels, and arrange for his retirement.
But Sorel refused.
He had a mechanical arm transplanted by the Adeptus Mechanicus, and his dominant right hand was still intact.
So, Cain reported to Colonel Kastin and arranged for Sorel to be his second adjutant, serving as his bodyguard, as this man was truly ruthless.
Yugen, with a fractured skull, was currently lying in a sickbed, his head wrapped like an "Indian Sikh."
He couldn't get out of bed yet because the concussion caused by a bolter round hitting his helmet hadn't healed.
Cain could now enjoy his time with the beautiful Inquisitor, flirting a little each day, which was quite nice.
Amberly, meanwhile, rested her chin on her hand, watching the boisterous crowd with a smile.
But that smile sent shivers down Cain's spine… He had seen that smile before, in that industrial Hive City, the exact same smile.
Cain immediately sat up, leaned his face close to Amberly, and looked at her seriously.
"Do you know something?"
Amberly said nothing, only responding to Cain with a smile.
A few days ago, she had received news from the Inquisition's Ordo Malleus… a major battle was about to erupt in the Eye of Terror.
It was said that the so-called "Chaos Warmaster" was gathering forces, planning to deliver a harsh blow to the Imperium at the turn of the millennium in M41.
And during her days on Li Feng's ship, Amberly discovered that Li Feng had placed a large number of Orders with Mars, and the destination for these Orders was the gateway guarding the Eye of Terror… "The Unyielding… Cadia."
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