Chapter 10: Check For Bites!/Arc 2.1

Wang Tao had just arrived outside world 078. He entered the spaceship run by the two guardians of this world which was floating nearby. Noticing him walking towards them, the two recognize him and quickly greeted,

"Your M-"

Wang Tao raised his hand to stop their movement as he found it unnecessary.

He said a simple hello before arranging his new identity but refused information about this world except knowing that it was once again modern times.

Wang Tao had decided to let himself eventually figure out the rest on his own.

The two then sealed 92% of his magical abilities and 90% of his physical strength. After a while, everything was ready and he entered this next world.

- - - - - - - - -

In the early morning, when it was still dark out, Wang Tao stood before a mirror as he brushed his long silky hair.

He was wearing his training outfit, black track pants and a vest with his long-sleeved jacket wrapped around his waist while on his feet were a pair of black military boots. His long arms showed his muscles which were normally covered by his clothes.

As he tied up his hair, Wang Tao thought about the past few years in this new world.

- - - - - - - - -

He was once again the son of a middle classed couple, who died when he was 20. As he was already an adult, he wasn't put in the orphanage and simply continued living in the dorms of his university.

Knowing that Zhou Jian in this world was a son of an upper class military family, Wang Tao joined the army. The Zhou family was a well known military family with a long line of famous generals and they had a great influence so Zhou Jian had learnt to fight since young.

Wang Tao joined at 21 after finishing his courses and made his way up the ranks over the 4 years. He reached the rank of lieutenant general a few months ago after being promoted by General Zhou Jian.

When the two met again in this world, Wang Tao was sure of the fact that the general remembered him due to the level of familiarity which took them five years to obtain. But although Zhou Jian remembered the previous life, things were still very awkward between the two when they first met. The two remained friends as per the agreement but it took a while for them to get along like before. However, a few undertones of embarrassment would obviously remain.

- - - - - - - - - -

Once he was ready, Wang Tao left for the training grounds. He was living at the military base as that was much easier and smarter than buying an apartment he would barely use.

Wang Tao came to enjoy this world very much as he was someone who regularly liked to fight and training soldiers was something he was used to doing. The first person he saw when he arrived a the training grounds was his general as usual.

"Morning General,"

Wang Tao saluted the man as a formality before walking over to him.

"Mm, morning."

Zhou Jian looked up at the young man as he continued doing his pushups.

Wang Tao's eyes wandered over the man's sweaty and muscular body and the tips of his ears turned bright red. Fortunately, Zhou Jian couldn't see them from his angle.

The young man slightly cleared his throat before joining his general in training. After a few warm ups, the two sparred as the soldiers now arriving spectated. Both were quite skilled fighters and the two sparring was a common sight by now.

The two seamlessly engaged in combat, their eyes trained on each other. Silver eyes narrowed and Wang Tao swung a punch at the older man. The friend in turn, after blocking, gave a harsh kick to the side which was easily avoided. Matching in speed, Zhou Jian shifted his body swiftly before proceeding to fly a punch at the other.

Periodically switching between attack and defense, the two were a blur as the parried. Soon, the spar reached it's climax, the younger man increasing the gap between the two. This caused the general to put in more effort, his mind racing to create strategies to corner his lieutenant.

The spectating soldiers were enamoured by the show, drawing nearer. Chatter and cheers ensued as the excitement ran through the men. Unfortunately, to everyone's disappointment, the fight soon came to an end. Seeing this, the rowdy crowd departed, heading to a building a distance away for their morning meal.

Wang Tao lazily sat cross legged on the ground, his condition a stark contrast to his general beside him who was lying on his back, panting. Once he regulated his breathing, the man spoke, his voice laced with frustration.

"I don't think I'll ever beat you at this rate."

Zhou Jian sighed as he stared up at the sky.

The colors of sunrise were painted across it, creating a brilliant piece of art. Wang Tao pulled his eyes away from the sight, as he looked at his general. His lips tilted upwards but he didn't reply.

A few moments passed before Wang Tao stood up and grabbed a nearby towel and threw it to Zhou Jian, taking one for himself. Catching it, Zhou Jian quickly wiped up and rose to follow the figure heading towards the living quarters.

He soon caught up to Wang Tao and walked next to him. The two didn't talk and another comfortable silence surrounded them. As they neared the rooms, Zhou Jian brought up,

"Did you check the world's information before you came?"

Hearing this, Wang Tao inwardly raised a brow but his emotionless face made him seem unaffected as he continued walking, nonchalantly replying.

"Not really. Why?"

"No real reason, just that I feel something's going to happen"

"...Is it bad?"

Zhou Jian just gave a knowing smile but didn't confirm. Suddenly he asked,

"Who do you think Xiang er would come as? I miss him…"

He muttered the last part but once again Wang Tao heard it clearly. The silver haired man lowered his eyes as his fingers twitched slightly.

Wang Tao felt his mood sink as he remembered the two's relationship. He had also wondered who Chen Xiang would take over but he also secretly hoped he wouldn't come.

Even then, he knew that was unlikely, besides he promised to help Zhou Jian court the boy. Wang Tao didn't answer and soon the pair parted once they reached Wang Tao's room.