Chapter 48: Impregnable, Celebrity

The federal rank system is divided into three stages: Chief Warrant Officer, Warrant Officer, and Enlisted, each with four levels. Specialist is the highest level for enlisted personnel.

Lin Feng was promoted across three sub-levels, from Private to Second Class and First Class, becoming a Specialist.

He was now just a step away from being a Junior Warrant Officer.

The Bureau's emphasis on Lin Feng was clear, showing great sincerity with a three-level promotion.

Since Lin Feng was employed by the Public Security Bureau, he was registered with the State Armed Guard, having little to do with the Federal Army.

The credit for this achievement was publicly attributed to Qin Hu, though the State Guard played the largest role, successfully stalling the new Empress's encirclement, allowing the Thirteenth Army a whole night's retreat.

In exchange, the Thirteenth Army agreed to defend Wu City, while the less equipped State Guard withdrew to Jin City to cover the civilian evacuation.

This was part of the federal-local tug-of-war, leaving Lin Feng in an awkward position since his Bureau had withdrawn, and the highway service area was now part of the frontline under the Thirteenth Army's jurisdiction.

Hu Fei had advised Lin Feng to connect with Qin Hu, who would be more approachable.

Otherwise, the Thirteenth Army might turn a blind eye to the Bureau's reputation, or worse, evict him.

If Major Qin Hu decided to support Lin Feng, it would be a simple matter to help him.

Moreover, with Qin Hu's backing, Lin Feng's future promotions would proceed smoothly as long as his achievements met the standards.

As Lin Feng pondered this, the staff member continued:

"The rating rewards have also arrived—food, gasoline, and two standard rifles with 500 rounds of ammunition."

"The higher-ups propose that if Mr. Lin wishes to remain at the service area, he can join the Thirteenth Army's preparations, assisting with flank coverage."

"Additionally, you'll relay frontline combat information back to the Bureau."

Lin Feng nodded, recognizing this as Hu Fei's arrangement for him to stay on the front lines and continue capturing live bugs, pending the Thirteenth Army's agreement.

"I don't need the guns and ammo, just the gasoline."

The staff member nodded, knowing guns were the most valuable, followed by gasoline. This exchange allowed him to pocket some benefits, making him more respectful toward Lin Feng.

Before leaving, he added:

"By the way, Mr. Lin, the service area will be handed over to the Thirteenth Army by 2 p.m. Major Qin may come for an inspection and assign defense tasks."

Lin Feng acknowledged, returning to the camper to have Chen Yanyan prepare lunch while he began his Lv14 upgrade.

Lying in bed, Lin Feng removed his shoes and pants, changing into shorts and slippers, finally finding some comfort.

Upon activating the upgrade, a warm flow spread from his waist throughout his body.

Lin Feng closed his eyes, feeling the transformation. Though not as intense as his awakening, it was still quite powerful.

Half an hour later, when Chen Yanyan called him for lunch, Lin Feng rose, having completed the upgrade:

"Lin Feng, Lv14/19"

"Health 100, Constitution 99, Spirit 98"

This upgrade brought his health to 100, with a significant 14-point increase in constitution, though his spirit only rose by eight points.

Exiting the bedroom and reaching the dining area, the long table held three dishes: tomato scrambled eggs, braised pork with potatoes, and pan-seared cod, with black pepper beef noodles as the main course.

This was a feast compared to what Lin Feng ate before the apocalypse, far superior to what 99% of survivors could enjoy.

Having a woman around certainly made a difference; otherwise, he'd be stuck with military rations, pre-cooked steak, and compressed bread with jam. Filling but nowhere near as satisfying.

Rolling up a forkful of noodles and adding a piece of beef, Lin Feng explained:

"Superpower awakening takes a few hours, producing a lot of sweat, so lie down, drink water, and wait. The most intense phase is the first half-hour. Once you adapt, you can wash off the secreted impurities."

"The awakened power usually relates to habits or skills. Soldiers often enhance constitution or gain shooting-related skills."

"My ability varies, as you know, altering the state of objects."

"Your work as a secretary might not directly translate, so expect basic physical enhancement if nothing else."

After Lin Feng's overview, Chen Yanyan nodded:

"I'll awaken when you have time."

Finishing the meal, Lin Feng rubbed his stomach, belching with satisfaction:

"This afternoon's fine. We shouldn't have any missions for now; we need to rest and recharge."

"Once the dishes are done, we'll start."

"I'll be there to watch over you."

Chen Yanyan nodded, quickening her pace to finish eating.

After his meal, Lin Feng grabbed a cold soda from the fridge, stepped out of the camper, unfolded a chair, donned sunglasses, and relaxed in the repair shop.

Not long after, a man in military attire approached—Major Qin Hu himself.

The guards at Qin Hu's side saw Lin Feng merely glance at them before continuing to lounge, showing the same lack of discipline as civilian awakeners, and moved to reprimand him.

Officers naturally outranked warrant officers, and with Qin Hu's promotion to major, Lin Feng's apparent disregard was a serious breach.

But Qin Hu waved them off, letting them step back while he brought a chair to sit beside Lin Feng, speaking softly:

"I owe my promotion to you."

Lin Feng slowly opened his eyes, adjusting his sunglasses:

"It had nothing to do with me. Without the State Guard's frontline resistance, I wouldn't have dared to act so boldly."

Qin Hu shook his head:

"No, they credited me because, at that moment, the State Guard was on the verge of collapse. They lacked equipment and heavy weapons. Even the final high-yield bomb relied on pre-placement and manual detonation."

"It couldn't change the tide. The Black Spinal Bug army, under the Empress's command, almost broke through the Guard's last line..."

"But then, unexpectedly, they retreated to Haicheng's southern outskirts."

"Post-analysis revealed your explosion heavily injured over a hundred Black Spinal Bugs, forcing the Empress to recall them."

"Thus, the Thirteenth Army could escape the relentless bug pursuit safely."

"When they attributed the success to me, I couldn't accept it."

Lin Feng chuckled, waving his hands:

"But we had no choice."

"I was also promoted to Specialist, just a step from Warrant Officer. Maybe I can form my own squad someday."

Qin Hu's eyes lit up, his hands clasped in thought:

"Of course, I'll personally appoint you if you stay."

"This upcoming battle for Wu City is crucial. If we repel the bugs, we'll both rise beyond being mere pawns."

Lin Feng's gaze sharpened, removing his sunglasses:

"I visited the occupied zone's edge this morning. They're on the highway."

"The Empress will reach Wu City in ten days, and the Red Armored Beetles will dig even faster."

"Can you prepare in time?"

Qin Hu confidently nodded:

"We've mobilized many civilians, working day and night. In three days, we'll erect over a hundred concrete bunkers in Wu City, forming a mud-and-iron wall."

"With three to four days of curing, it'll be impregnable."

"The bugs' tactics resemble tunnel warfare, so trench warfare suits us."

Lin Feng frowned, pinpointing issues:

"This may slow defeat but won't secure victory. Pure defense is too passive."

"No defense is truly impregnable."

"And the bugs aren't as stupid as we think."

"If the Empress reaches Wu City's edge, she could use underground tunnels to flank us, or abandon Wu City, taking Jin City by river. Remember, they came from the sea."

"Then, the Thirteenth Army in Wu City would be truly isolated."

Qin Hu's expression darkened:

"We'll handle it. If we can delay them for half a month, allowing Jin City's heavy industry to relocate, the strategic goal is met."

"The early stage is all about propaganda."

"The service area, as Wu City's outskirts, needs to guard against bug flanking."

"I'll assign personnel to upgrade it into a forward base, building a bastion to enhance our long-range firepower."

"Your task is monitoring bug expansion daily and reporting."

He glanced at the armored camper:

"I'll allow your live bug trade, and the entire Jiang-Hai highway is restricted to your passage."

Lin Feng nodded, appreciating Qin Hu's offer, aligning with his expectations.

But Qin Hu wasn't finished:

"Ahem, there's one last thing."

"In two days, a VIP will visit. You'll need to assist in filming a recruitment video, helping her kill a Black Spinal Bug."

Lin Feng frowned, sensing trouble:

"A publicity stunt? Who?"

Qin Hu shrugged, resigned, whispering:

"Top celebrity, Jiang Yun'er."

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