Chapter 61: Sixty-First Day of Lying Flat Like a Salted Fish

“What do you think?” Siming asked Zhu Rong after repeating Ying Xun’s words. “Becoming a genius recognized enough to convince others that there is no extra connection between you and Lu Yuan.

“The idea is that the stylistic similarities exist only because you watched many of his videos and learned his thought process through them. Can you do it?”

“…I can. But.”

Zhu Rong lowered her eyes in thought, then suddenly shook her head. “But it isn’t necessary.”

Siming’s eyes lit up. “How so?”

“I can have my own style, my own tactical system and logic,” Zhu Rong said. “Lu Yuan and I don’t think in exactly the same way. Our tactical styles will inevitably be different.”

She paused before continuing, “The reason Ying Xun feels such strong déjà vu in my combat style is because I’ve been learning from Lu Yuan. I learn during combat, and sometimes I imitate him.

“This imitation is currently a complete replica, taking his methods and using them directly. I haven’t fully mastered his techniques or internalized them into my own system yet. That’s why those elements seem abrupt and jarring, showing the shadow of someone else – the shadow of Lu Yuan.”

Siming watched her closely. “You mean, once your own style is mature enough…”

“Right.” Zhu Rong nodded. “Once I’ve built my own system, Lu Yuan’s shadow will disappear. It will be rationalized and become a part of me.

“For example…”

Zhu Rong recalled a moment and said, “Do you remember the first time I watched the two of you play? Lu Yuan used a Star Destroyer to blow up your fuel depot.”

“I remember,” Siming said.

“You should be able to feel that Lu Yuan did that to end the battle as quickly as possible. He didn’t hesitate to sacrifice a Star Destroyer for it,” Zhu Rong explained. “I once did something similar. At that time, I sacrificed a Mothership to sink yours.

“But you also know that was only because it was the only way for me to win that game. If there had been any other way, I wouldn’t have done it. So you didn’t feel that my actions had anything to do with what Lu Yuan once did –

“That was entirely my own choice.”

Siming nodded, acknowledging her point.

“Lu Yuan’s style is all about saving trouble,” he said. “He likes to finish tasks in the shortest time possible and prefers to reduce his workload as much as he can.

“If the same thing can be solved more simply and quickly, he will never choose a method that is even slightly more complex. Even if it means paying a bit of a price, he can accept it. Whereas you…”

He paused, and Zhu Rong took the cue to finish his thought. “I prefer to achieve victory at the minimum cost.”

Siming sighed. “So, to get that result, you must have a meticulous grasp of the situation and rapidly calculate and deduce possible outcomes. Only then can you choose the one path that costs the least while still securing victory.

“No impulsiveness, no gambling, staying patient, and controlling every variable until the moment truly arrives. Is that the style you want?”

Zhu Rong nodded. “More or less. So the two of us are actually very different.”

Then she added, “The problem now is that because my control isn’t strong enough yet, I often can’t find the optimal solution. Meanwhile, Lu Yuan’s tactical style is very concise, efficient, and elegant.

“When I can’t think of the most logical method, I subconsciously imitate him. This leads to jarring elements in my combat. It hasn’t reached full harmony yet.”

Zhu Rong summarized, “Once my tactical system is mature enough, all my actions will become the optimal choices based on my own tactical logic, rather than mechanical imitation. At that point, no one will think I have any connection to Lu Yuan anymore.

“Even if I do the same thing he did, it will be a case of different paths leading to the same destination under different logic, rather than me imitating him.”

She looked at Siming and tilted her head. “Are you satisfied with that answer?”

Siming smiled. “Satisfied.”

“So, I don’t quite understand why Ying Xun would suggest I watch Lu Yuan’s videos,” Zhu Rong said with a frown. “I don’t think it’s necessary. I already have Lu Yuan’s style. If anyone asks, I can just explain that I’ve watched his videos. I don’t actually need to watch them.”

“Ying Xun shouldn’t be unable to understand that.”

Siming spread his hands. “He knows. That is why he mentioned the videos for a different purpose.”

“What purpose?” Zhu Rong asked, puzzled.

Siming opened his Optical Computer and transferred several videos to Zhu Rong.

“Aside from Wen Shen, these are the files on the other eight Marshals of the Empire. You should take a look,” Siming said. “I think what he was reminding you to do wasn’t just to watch Lu Yuan’s videos. It was to watch videos of more people. To learn from everyone’s strengths.”

“If I can master the essence of other people’s tactics, then mastering Lu Yuan’s would follow naturally.” Zhu Rong understood now, adding, “This is the method he provided to prove that I am a genius.”

Her tone carried a hint of exasperation. “He could have just said it directly, couldn’t he? Why make us guess?”

Siming teased, “Maybe that is just his style?”

“…” Zhu Rong pursed her lips. “It is quite inefficient, that style.”

“Star Pirates do not need efficiency,” Siming laughed. “What they need is to never be figured out, never be controlled.

“But this move is understandable. He still wants to test our level. In a partnership, one always looks for ways to determine if their teammates are fools.

“You have shown enough strength to make him take you seriously. Whether we can see through his thoughts this time will determine how he views your abilities moving forward.

“Either as someone to use, or someone to cooperate with.”

–

“Siming and the others are on their way back. Everything went smoothly.” On the Desolate Planet, Goudan finally received a reply from the distant Siming and hurried to report to Lu Yuan.

“They said they obtained DNA from a member of the Geshu Family. As long as they find a place to run a comparison, the plan to send Geshu Qing home can be put on the agenda.

“Also, Geshu Qing said his Mental Power seems to have improved slightly, but not by much.”

Lu Yuan nodded. “I understand.”

“In that case…” He thought for a moment. “Find some time to tell Er Ya’s parents…”

He suddenly paused. “Oh, no need for you to tell them.”

Goudan was stunned. “Huh?”

A young girl’s laughter suddenly rang out from the doorway. “That’s right, no need for Uncle Dan to say anything. We happened to just arrive.”

As the voice faded, Er Ya walked through the door, followed by four other teenagers.

“Si Ya shouldn’t be much of a problem.” Lu Yuan looked at her and said, “In a sense, this should be a good thing.”

“A good thing?” Er Ya pressed.

“Yes, perhaps it is a gift from the Desolate Planet,” Lu Yuan mused. “I am not entirely clear on the specifics yet. But you likely have an idea yourselves that this planet you live on is special.

“Just as Geshu Qing said, it has its own life. So I think it might also find ways to protect those of you who survive here.

“Geshu Qing mentioned before that after we shot down the Garbage Ship, the vitality of this nearby area increased somewhat. Calculating the timing, that was roughly around the time Si Ya… was born.

“It is possible that at that moment, the planet had some surplus energy and gave Si Ya a small gift, granting her… exceptionally strong Mental Power. Her body is still too fragile and has difficulty bearing it, which led to the current issues.

“Once she grows up, she will get better.”