Disguise of the Deity

Tian Xingjian lay still in the shell crater, the mud on him merging with the surrounding environment.

In this artillery base far from the battlefield, he was the sole living being.

Not even a mouse scurried around.

In fact, Milock Star never had rodents.

This not-so-big hill was covered in dense jungle. The Federal artillery battalion, once concealed in the jungle, had turned to ashes in the artillery fire of the past few days.

Various debris scattered around Tian Xingjian. There were metals, there were flesh and blood. The explosion of the ammunition depot obliterated the surrounding jungle, and the fire burned for two days before finally extinguishing.

Tian Xingjian felt fatigued; his eyelids repeatedly drooped despite his efforts. He lightly slapped his face, forcing himself to stay alert as he gazed at the battlefield.

This was the twenty-first battle for Private Tian Xingjian of the Federal Aerospace Marine Corps.

From the Galileo system to the Newton system, the retreating Federal forces lost twenty-two resource planets and five human immigrant planets. Milock Star was one of the two human immigrant planets in the Newton system, with the other, Milock II, having fallen to Imperial forces two months prior.

If Milock Star fell, the Federal forces would surrender the entire Newton system with over thirty resource planets.

However, these concerns weren't on Tian Xingjian's mind. His sole concern was how to survive the war.

The philosophy of self-preservation was his guiding principle.

Therefore, after twenty-one battles, Tian Xingjian, a Private in the Logistics Unit of the Third Armored Brigade of the Fifth Aerospace Armored Division, remained a Private. Most of his comrades who experienced the first eighteen battles had been promoted. However, only this non-promoted mechanic survived the journey from the Galileo system to the Newton system through three planets.

Tian Xingjian narrowly escaped death, managing to board a retreating warship belonging to the remnants of the Ninth Armored Division. These remnants retreated to defend Milock Star.

Quietly moving behind a tree felled by artillery, Tian Xingjian lay on his side and relieved himself. It was a skill he had mastered, ensuring the ground was slightly elevated to prevent urine from flowing back and wetting himself. Long hours of combat had taught Tian Xingjian not to be scared of wetting his pants on the battlefield.

Shivering, he felt somewhat more awake. Spitting on the ground, he muttered, "D*mn, life's getting tough!" At that moment, the command for a general retreat echoed in his earpiece.

Thirty-seven kilometers away, the central defense line had been breached by Imperial forces. A large number of Imperial armored units flowed through the breach, and a squad with two heavy land combat mechs and eight medium mechs was flanking from the rear. If they couldn't break free before this squad reached the battlefield, they would be trapped, facing certain doom.

In hilly terrain, land mechs could achieve speeds of up to one hundred and fifty kilometers per hour, doubling on roads. Despite dense jungles and small rivers slowing Imperial forces, they could still reach the battlefield in twenty minutes.

Finally receiving the order to leave the combat zone, Tian Xingjian was ecstatic. However, the thought of a potential ambush by an Imperial squad with two heavy land combat mechs made his mouth feel bitter.

Checking his combat recorder on his left arm, confirming the order, Tian Xingjian embarked on his twenty-first escape. Checking his equipment to ensure nothing was left behind, he leaped like a cheetah. Crossing two fallen trees and five shell craters, he reached the edge of the hillock. Moving on all fours, resembling a startled lizard, he traversed a slope over twenty meters wide, diving deep into the jungle.

Meanwhile, the Federal mecha squad, also given the retreat order, started contracting its formation. Perhaps the Imperial forces received the same information, as the battle intensified.

Endless gun smoke filled the sky, violent explosions sending dirt and dust into the air. The Federal Honor-15 mechs alternated covering each other during the retreat, while an Imperial squad began to encircle the last twelve medium mechs of the Federal forces.

The sky resonated with the sounds of energy weapons, and the contested area, solely fought over by a few mechs, was the northwest defense outpost of New Rome, the largest industrial city on Milock Star. Defended by a reinforced medium-sized armored platoon and an artillery company, their mission was to protect the logistical corridor in the rear.

Without infantry fortifications or trenches, this was merely a forward position, and the true first line of defense lay kilometers away in the jungle.

Beyond the first defense line was the Su Pengman River's steel bridge, the Sujiang Bridge, spanning Milock Star. On the other side of the bridge was the hastily constructed second defense line, New Rome's last line of defense. If this line were breached, the Federal forces would be forced into urban warfare.

On this battlefield, the sole soldier without a combat mech was the mechanic Tian Xingjian. A few days ago, he had been sent to this forward position to carry out mech maintenance tasks.

Throughout this battle, he had spent two days watching alone, without trenches, fortifications, or infantry comrades to share the hardship. Thinking about this, the unlucky Tian Xingjian felt quite melancholic. "D*mn, life is unbearable!" At this moment, the command for a general retreat came through his earpiece.

Thirty-seven kilometers away, the central defense line had been partially breached by Imperial forces. A significant number of Imperial armored units were pouring in through the breach, including a squad of two heavy land combat mechs and eight medium mechs flanking from the rear. If they couldn't break free before this Imperial squad reached the battlefield, everyone would be preparing to meet their maker.

In hilly terrain, land mechs could reach speeds of up to one hundred and fifty kilometers per hour. If there were roads, this speed could double. Even though the dense jungle and a few small rivers could slightly slow the enemy's advance, they could still reach the battlefield within twenty minutes.

Finally receiving the order to leave the combat zone, Tian Xingjian was ecstatic. However, the thought of a potential ambush by an Imperial squad with two heavy land combat mechs made his mouth feel bitter.

Checking his combat recorder on his left arm, confirming the order, Tian Xingjian embarked on his twenty-first escape. Checking his equipment to ensure nothing was left behind, he leaped like a cheetah. Crossing two fallen trees and five shell craters, he reached the edge of the hillock. Moving on all fours, resembling a startled lizard, he traversed a slope over twenty meters wide, diving deep into the jungle.

Meanwhile, the Federal mecha squad, also given the retreat order, started contracting its formation. Perhaps the Imperial forces received the same information, as the battle intensified.

The sky resonated with the sounds of energy weapons, and the contested area, solely fought over by a few mechs, was the northwest defense outpost of New Rome, the largest industrial city on Milock Star. Defended by a reinforced medium-sized armored platoon and an artillery company, their mission was to protect the logistical corridor in the rear.

Beyond the first defense line was the Su Pengman River's steel bridge, the Sujiang Bridge, spanning Milock Star. On the other side of the bridge was the hastily constructed second defense line, New Rome's last line of defense. If this line were breached, the Federal forces would be forced into urban warfare.

On this battlefield, the sole soldier without a combat mech was the mechanic Tian Xingjian. A few days ago, he had been sent to this forward position to carry out mech maintenance tasks.

Throughout this battle, he had spent two days watching alone, without trenches, fortifications, or infantry comrades to share the hardship. Thinking about this, the unlucky Tian Xingjian felt quite melancholic. "D*mn, life is unbearable!" At this moment, the command for a general retreat came through his earpiece.

Thirty-seven kilometers away, the central defense line had been partially breached by Imperial forces. A significant number of Imperial armored units were pouring in through the breach, including a squad of two heavy land combat mechs and eight medium mechs flanking from the rear. If they couldn't break free before this Imperial squad reached the battlefield, everyone would be preparing to meet their maker.

In hilly terrain, land mechs could reach speeds of up to one hundred and fifty kilometers per hour. If there were roads, this speed could double. Even though the dense jungle and a few small rivers could slightly slow the enemy's advance, they could still reach the battlefield within twenty minutes.

Finally receiving the order to leave the combat zone, Tian Xingjian was ecstatic. However, the thought of a potential ambush by an Imperial squad with two heavy land combat mechs made his mouth feel bitter.

Checking his combat recorder on his left arm, confirming the order, Tian Xingjian embarked on his twenty-first escape. Checking his equipment to ensure nothing was left behind, he leaped like a cheetah. Crossing two fallen trees and five shell craters, he reached the edge of the hillock. Moving on all fours, resembling a startled lizard, he traversed a slope over twenty meters wide, diving deep into the jungle.

Meanwhile, the Federal mecha squad, also given the retreat order, started contracting its formation. Perhaps the Imperial forces received the same information, as the battle intensified.

The sky resonated with the sounds of energy weapons, and the contested area, solely fought over by a few mechs, was the northwest defense outpost of New Rome, the largest industrial city on Milock Star. Defended by a reinforced medium-sized armored platoon and an artillery company, their mission was to protect the logistical corridor in the rear.

So, looking at the peaceful world, Tian Xingjian decisively enlisted in the military. During the military medical examination, a beautiful female military doctor noticed that this chubby guy had surprisingly mismatched physical strength. He ran fast, moved agilely, and had remarkable endurance. Tian Xingjian proudly said, "Beauty, my family has a set of light skills - Wandering Alone for Thousands of Miles, a fast knife technique, and 365 techniques of bedroom arts." The female military doctor nodded, waved her hand, and threw this descendant of Tian Boguang into the special training camp. "Tian Boguang, right? Harassing women, be prepared to endure hardship."

Tian Xingjian was, of course, not a descendant of Tian Boguang; he just admired that lecher. But in terms of talent, his speed and endurance were indeed outstanding.

In the special training camp, Tian Xingjian learned the consequences of having a big mouth, and they were quite severe. The special training camp was the special talent training camp of the Lere Federation's military. Every recruit with special abilities would be sent to this camp for intensive training and later assigned to a department where they could utilize their strengths.

Some people had powerful calculation abilities. With appropriate training, they could join the operations planning or logistics management departments, using their extraordinary computational skills. There were also individuals with keen noses, ears, a sixth sense, exceptional strength, great stamina, incredible physical prowess, or outstanding academic achievements in a particular subject. These individuals, usually, could be assigned to a department where their unique abilities could be put to good use.

Tian Xingjian was assigned to the reconnaissance training squad.

In the current era, technology could monitor almost all specified targets. Note that this applied to specified targets; if a target wasn't specified or its location wasn't known, monitoring became impossible. This is where reconnaissance soldiers came into play. Especially in ground combat, reconnaissance soldiers played a crucial role. High-altitude reconnaissance planes or spy satellites, as well as outer space reconnaissance vessels, although powerful, had times when they couldn't discern truth from deception. Current electronic technology could create many illusions to deceive radars and cameras in the sky, and all it needed was a jamming device. Moreover, air superiority was a critical factor in warfare. Without it and without reconnaissance soldiers, battles couldn't be fought.

Reconnaissance soldiers?

This was a life-threatening task, one that Tian Xingjian didn't want to get involved in. This life-threatening job was not something he, Tian Xingjian, could handle. Money-grubbing, lecherous, cowardly, and fear of death were common traits of Tian Xingjian's generation. However, Tian Xingjian was more straightforward and nasty than the average person. Round after round of ideological work didn't change Tian Xingjian's mind; he had an ironclad resolve not to join the reconnaissance training squad.

However, the situation was not within Tian Xingjian's control. After joining the army, could a new recruit have a say in matters? Before he could decide, the reconnaissance instructor subjected him to a thorough beating, completely dispelling Tian Xingjian's determination to resist.

Before beating him, the instructor asked, "Why don't you want to be a reconnaissance soldier?"

"Being a reconnaissance soldier is too dangerous, and I'm afraid of death."

"Very well. Either you become a reconnaissance soldier and face death, or I kill you right now."

Crack, crack, crack. "Are you going or not?"

"I'll go!"

A wise man knows better than to fight when the odds are against him.

"Ha, jerk. You go or not, I'll make you go." The sturdy instructor said as he left.

Tian Xingjian lay on the ground, trying hard to make himself feel happy. He thought, "D*mn, it's peacetime. I'm just going to the reconnaissance training camp, not the reconnaissance unit in battle. What am I afraid of?"

"After I learn the reconnaissance skills, Instructor, I'll beat ten guys with just one hand!"

Typical psychological victory.

So, he cheerfully got up from the ground and reported to the instructor.

Tian Xingjian entered the reconnaissance training camp in this way. His training was extremely rigorous. The bear-like instructor followed him every day, ready to administer a beating at the slightest sign of slacking off.

Tian Xingjian himself had some talent for reconnaissance training subjects. Moreover, he inherently possessed a bit of the roguish charm of Tian Boguang. After a year of training, his performance was outstanding. In areas such as wilderness survival, camouflage, infiltration, and long-distance marches, even the instructor couldn't match him. When his hand-to-hand combat skills reached an exceptionally high level, the bear-like instructor started carrying a knife with him every day. Tian Xingjian, tortured by this, contemplated for a long time and ultimately didn't dare to go all out.

Just as Tian Xingjian was about to graduate from the training camp, he cleverly found a way to avoid being assigned to the reconnaissance platoon. In addition to his training, Tian Xingjian would frequently go to the mechanical maintenance camp.

"As long as you complete the training, you can do whatever you want. As long as you don't cause trouble, you're free to do as you please," were the words of the reconnaissance instructor. In the instructor's view, there weren't many people who could endure the overloaded training of the reconnaissance unit and still have the energy to do other things.

Those selected to enter the mechanical maintenance camp all had nimble hands. They were not ordinary mechanics; the things they learned were much more profound than those of regular repairmen, spanning from aircraft carriers and fighter planes to ground combat mechas and electronic devices. There was nothing they couldn't fix.

Tian Xingjian had nimble hands. He could disassemble and reassemble firearms in the shortest time possible. His speed was five seconds faster than the highest record in the maintenance camp. Even one second faster was considered outstanding, not to mention five seconds. Every day, Tian Xingjian foolishly watched the new recruits in the mechanical maintenance camp disassembling and assembling various warships, mechas, and weapons. The instructor's lessons on mechanical principles, blueprint analysis, troubleshooting, field assembly, and electronics were all must-attend courses for him. Soon, all the instructors and students in the camp knew about this seemingly foolish reconnaissance trainee. In the last month before the special training ended, Tian Xingjian found the instructor of the mechanical maintenance camp and straightforwardly submitted an application to join the mechanical maintenance camp.

Such an application made the reconnaissance camp instructor explode in anger but was helpless.

Because the instructor of the mechanical training camp was also the highest-ranking officer of the special training team. Tian Xingjian took only two hours to completely conquer this Caucasian colonel. He participated in the theoretical exam for mechanical training camp students and ranked at the forefront. Subsequent practical operations delighted the colonel even more, and Tian Xingjian's nimble hands made him believe that this was a genius student in the mechanical field.

Due to the many technological and military secrets involved in mechanical training, the level of the mechanical maintenance camp was much higher than that of the reconnaissance camp. Many federal mecha designers originated from the mechanical maintenance camp. Seeing a genius about to be buried in the foolish reconnaissance camp, the colonel, without hesitation, used his privileges to transfer Tian Xingjian to the mechanical maintenance camp. Tian Xingjian felt fortunate to have escaped, but the actual results made him almost regret deeply.

The current group of special training students, after assessment, were assigned to the Bai Mu Great Star Region Military Zone.

Tian Xingjian stayed in the special training team for another half a year. After mastering mechanical maintenance knowledge through the system, he was prioritized and recommended by the colonel to his old friend, the Logistics Chief of the Atlantis Star Region Military Zone. Subsequently, Tian Xingjian joined the First Platoon of the Logistics Squad, Third Armored Brigade, Fifth Armored Division of the Galileo Star System, which belonged to the Atlantis Star Region, becoming a newly enlisted corporal.

At first, Tian Xingjian was somewhat proud. After all, coming from the special training team and undergoing the special training of the reconnaissance and mechanical maintenance camps, he directly became a corporal under the recommendation of the colonel, one rank higher than other graduates from the special training team. Upon joining