Above the Galaxy
Chapter 307 - 201: If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them!

Chapter 307: Chapter 201: If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them!

Efforts to turn the tide, thwarting miracles.

Originally defeat was certain, but the return of Tang Fei to the battlefield had reversed the situation.

This was why everyone was so excited, cheering and shouting Tang Fei’s name.

Had Tang Fei’s Mechanical Beast not been severely damaged and taken out for repairs at the beginning, and had Tang Fei participated in the finals routinely, even if he had won the championship of the Mechanical Competition, everyone would have thought, "This kid isn’t bad," "He’s skilled"...

However, because of Golden Armored Qilin’s injury leading to its withdrawal, the Phoenix Empire’s Giant Panda had to fight the Aus Empire’s Hydra alone and was ultimately torn in two and met with a disastrous defeat.

At that time, every citizen of the Phoenix Empire felt depressed, indignant, and powerless...

Reluctant, resentful, yet helpless.

But Tang Fei made a powerful comeback with the Golden Armored Qilin, dismembering the Hydra into countless pieces with a thundering strike.

Exhilarating!

Truly refreshing!

For those walking on a night road, every ray of light is a source of safety and warmth.

Following the defeat of the Hydra by the Golden Armored Qilin, the rankings of this Mechanical Competition were all decided.

Golden Armored Qilin took the championship, Hydra was second, and Giant Panda third.

The Phoenix Empire not only had two Mechanical Beasts in the top three but also clinched the most dazzling first place, achieving a sweeping victory.

Zhong Tianque presented the award for first place, as he handed the trophy to Tang Fei his gaze was complex, and he said, "Congratulations."

He didn’t like Tang Fei, even now suspecting his last bout of diarrhea was the result of Tang Fei’s poisoning...

However, at the critical moment, it was this man who upheld his honor and dignity.

Otherwise, the Phoenix Empire’s string of championships in the Mechanical Competition would have come to an abrupt stop under his watch...

His father would have questioned his capabilities, and both the heads of departments and the citizens of the Phoenix Country likely would not have had anything good to say.

This was meant to be a ceremonial trip, if because of unsatisfactory results the reputation was damaged, the loss would outweigh the gains.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Tang Fei said with a smile.

He looked at the trophy in his hands, made from a rare white Moon Star Stone, carved with the image of Lu Ban, the Mechanical Ancestor.

Using the Lu Family’s technology and materials to win the Lu Ban Award was indeed like continuing the lineage from the same source.

"Continue to work hard."

"Yes, I will do my utmost," Tang Fei said earnestly as he met Zhong Tianque’s gaze.

Prince Philip presented the award for second place, patting the Hydra’s owner, Nash, on the shoulder, and said, "You did very well. In my eyes, you are the first. When we return, I will suggest to the emperor that you be honored."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Nash, moved to tears, cast a fierce glance at Tang Fei and said grimly, "Next time, I will definitely win the championship for our country."

He had already secured it, but Tang Fei snatched it away.

Everyone understood just how big the gap between second and first place was.

If he had managed to win the championship of this Mechanical Competition, upon returning he would naturally garner endless praise and applause, his future boundless.

As for second place, it still required Prince Philip’s endorsement...

After all, no matter how much you boast about your prowess, others just need a simple comment to bring you down:

If you’re so capable, why didn’t you take first place?

"I believe in you, you can do it," Prince Philip said with a smile and a nod, maintaining the graceful demeanor of a noble.

In his eyes, first place is naturally welcome, second place...

Was somewhat satisfactory.

After all, they had frequently taken second place before.

The key was that he could mitigate personal losses in a damaging overall situation.

Like with Nash, just by pulling him slightly to his side, he could make use of him.

With Nash’s Mechanical talent, had he not added another strong fighter to his team?

He had rivals within his own country too, and to either secure or stabilize his position, he needed a multitude of talented individuals to charge into battle for him, even willing to be cannon fodder.

His gaze fell upon Tang Fei’s face, then swiftly moved away.

At this moment, he didn’t want to speak with Tang Fei.

Back in the bar, when there was a dispute, he mentioned wanting to "communicate" with Tang Fei.

Later he had directed Gu Bai to destroy Tang Fei’s Mechanical Beast even if it meant breaking the rules...

Yet, all of that still couldn’t stop Tang Fei from winning the championship.

To him, this was ironically humiliating.

Contrarily, Tang Fei simply wouldn’t act according to his wishes.

"Thank you, Prince Philip," Tang Fei said.

Prince Philip turned and looked at Tang Fei, and asked, "What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you, Prince Philip, for letting me achieve the championship," Tang Fei said earnestly. "If you’d sent a more powerful Mechanical Beast, a stronger opponent... as a newbie who only learned mechanical skills for half a year, I really wouldn’t have won this championship."

Tang Fei’s principles in dealing with people were simple.

Respect me a foot, and I’ll respect you a yard.

Stab me, and I’ll stab you all over.

When you offend someone, don’t think about reconciling or calming things down.

Because he would find ways to target you, discredit you, and attack you until he destroyed you.

This was to suit his preferences.

However, if you constantly conceded and evaded, they wouldn’t think you were kind and gentle, but would see you as weak and easily bullied.

Enduring momentarily led to ovarian cysts; retreating a step led to breast hyperplasia.

For the sake of your own health, it was best to vent your anger on the spot and seek revenge immediately.

Unless your opponent was the Royal Family.

Prince Philip had someone throw Little Fatty down the stairs, and by that time, he was already very angry.

On the arena, he again instructed his subordinates to bomb his own mechanical beast, effectively cutting off Tang Fei’s path to fame.

He had touched Tang Fei’s bottom line.

So, he didn’t care that his opponent was some royal prince anymore, he first mocked to satisfy himself.

The future would be dealt with in the future.

Prince Philip, with a deep look, gazed at Tang Fei and said, "Do you know what you are doing?"

"Of course," Tang Fei chuckled as he looked toward Zhong Tianque and said, "For the glory of the Phoenix Empire, to serve the Eldest Prince with utmost effort."

"..." Prince Philip.

He didn’t expect this bastard to be such a sycophant.

Zhong Tianque loved hearing this; he smiled broadly at Tang Fei and said, "You are talented and loyal, not only have you handled this affair beautifully, but also in the future... I hope you never forget your original intentions."

"I will pay more attention to you in the future; we may also become closer..."

Tang Fei bowed respectfully and said solemnly, "This is my honor."

Offending the prince of the Aus Empire to gain favor with the prince of the Phoenix Empire.

This deal was quite worthwhile.

He knew Zhong Tianque held animosity towards him, his current strength was not enough to support him being enemies with a prince.

If you can’t beat them, join them.

If attacking from the outside is unviable, then break through from the inside.

He prepared to change his strategy and become one of Eldest Prince Zhong Tianque’s "own people."

Zhong Tianque pulled out a pistol from his waist and said, "This is my service gun, the Empire’s latest production, ’Deep Sea’, it is too costly to mass-produce..."

"When you first came to New Star, I said I wanted to gift you a gun, I’ve always kept this in mind, but I’ve been so busy that I forgot, dragging it out until now."

"Now I am giving you this ’Deep Sea’ to thank you for bringing honor to our Phoenix."

Tang Fei solemnly accepted the pistol and said earnestly, "Thank you, Your Highness, I will make good use of it."

"Take care."

Zhong Tianque patted Tang Fei’s shoulder heavily, his attitude affectionate as if to say from today onwards, you are one of our own.

Dean Si Yinchuan presented the third-place award, and after handing over the trophy, he specifically shook hands with Tang Fei and said, "The Dean’s judgment is never wrong, and neither is mine."

Tang Fei held considerable respect for Dean Si, and didn’t slack off because he was Xuanyuan Mingjing’s disciple; he bowed deeply to him and said, "Thank you for your cultivation, Dean Si."

"Oh, oh..." Dean Si chuckled and waved his hand, pulling Tang Fei up and saying, "It’s the Dean who cultivated you, I’m just on the sidelines to cheer and shout."

"Dean Si, you are too modest."

After coming down from the award stage, countless students from White Crane Academy came over to congratulate Tang Fei.

"Tang Fei, congratulations."

"I didn’t expect your mechanical skills to be so strong, truly talented both in literature and martial arts..."

"We hope you’ll lead us to fly together in the future..."

------

Tang Fei exchanged pleasantries with everyone, blending into the crowd.

The three strong bonds in life are all shared through companionship...

These were all fellow students from White Crane Academy.

In case his identity was exposed and he was hunted by the Empire, wouldn’t they stand out to block for him?

Chen Tianqi rushed over, snatched the trophy, and said, "Bro, you’re awesome, with this... you’ll never have to worry about living expenses in your life."

Winning the champion title at the Heavenly Path Exchange Meeting’s mechanical competition meant that in the future, whether working in government departments or major tech companies, his salary would start from a million star currency.

Those desperate for talents might even grit their teeth and offer some shares.

Once the crowd dispersed, Phoenix also gracefully came over.

Still wearing the Imperial Family’s majestic palace attire, she was dignified and graceful.

Yet her face bore a smile as lively as the wind, she crisply said, "Tang Fei, let me interview you... Winning the mechanical competition champion at your first attendance at the Heavenly Path Exchange Meeting, how do you feel now?"

"My feelings are the same as when I first saw you."

"Oh?" Phoenix blinked her long eyelashes, bit her thin lips, her face full of curiosity and smiles, and asked, "What were your feelings when you first saw me?"

Tang Fei glanced around subtly with the corner of his eyes, noticing that the black-clad bodyguards following Phoenix were keeping their distance, alert in the background, and even the two female officials, evidently skilled, were admiring the scenery from a distance of about four to five meters.

Obviously, Phoenix must have given them a heads-up when she came over.

This made Tang Fei a bit bolder, he earnestly fixed his gaze on Phoenix and whispered, "I was thinking, ’so there are such captivating colors in the world’."

"..."