Chapter 684: Arrival at Guandao

After several days of sailing, everyone finally returned to the waters near Guandao.

Just after entering the waters, they ran into the ship girls Qin Ge had left to patrol Guandao and Commander Yun Zi.

Seeing the familiar flag and formation, Yun Zi and the ship girls naturally knew who it was.

"Welcome back, Commander."

Yun Zi's voice came through Qin Ge's communicator, faintly but full of excitement.

"Thank you, Commander Yun Zi, report the current situation," Qin Ge said with a smile.

"The waters are all clear; I'm carrying out my daily patrol duty," Yun Zi replied quickly.

"Good, keep up your mission. I'll only be staying briefly in Gangqu; Gangqu still needs you to stand guard. After a quick resupply, I'll head to the White Eagle front line in Hawaii," Qin Ge said smiling over the communicator.

Finally, his voice tinged with apprehension, he said, "Biyu, has she woken up?"

"Reporting, Commander, Biyu woke up two days ago, but her condition is still average; she can't move yet and must remain in bed to rest."

"However, ordinary communication is fine now; earlier the Vice Commander even took us all to visit her." Yun Zi said.

"Hmm, I understand. Then continue your mission; I'm heading to Gangqu now," Qin Ge said.

"Yes."

After hanging up, both sides exchanged horn salutes, then split from the main fleet and each proceeded toward their respective destinations.

Since they had reached the defended waters near Guandao, everyone soon sailed to the port of Gangqu.

"Commander Qin Ge, is this your base in Guandao? This natural harbor looks pretty good," Zuikaku said curiously over the communicator, eyeing the nearby harbor.

"Hehe, you're still in the outer area; once you go inside, you'll see the true appearance of this natural harbor—don't be surprised then," Qin Ge said with a smile.

"Hehe, could there be something else hidden in there?" A Furore also asked curiously.

"Yes, because this natural harbor is divided into an inner harbor and an outer harbor; you'll understand once you've seen them," Qin Ge said.

With that curiosity, the fleet slowly entered the outer harbor. Upon seeing the docks built along the outer harbor, everyone gasped in amazement.

But even more surprising was when they passed from the outer harbor into the inner harbor; only then did they understand why Qin Ge had said they'd be astonished.

After all, the outer and inner harbors look like two completely different ports in form.

"What perfect concealment—even if the Sirens' reconnaissance planes aren't careful, they wouldn't notice this inner harbor exists," Zuikaku said in astonishment.

"Not necessarily; from high altitude it's still easy to spot, but on the water surface it's another matter," Qin Ge laughed.

Meanwhile, as Qin Ge introduced the newcomers from Donghuang and the Sakura Empire, crowds began to gather on the inner harbor's docks.

After all, they had encountered Qin Ge's fleet; as a patrolling ship girl, Yun Zi would be seriously neglecting her duty if she didn't report to the base. Besides, Qin Ge had previously been out on a combined mission, so upon his return, Donghuang's side must have been peaceful.

Soon, everyone moored their ships at the inner harbor dock and disembarked from the command ships one after another.

"Welcome back, victorious commander," Qin Ge had just stepped ashore when he saw, under Li Chenming's lead, the other commanders and ship girls of Gangqu waiting there.

"Hehe, you're still doing this?" Qin Ge laughed, saying, "But thanks, everyone—this return isn't the end; we'll set sail for the White Eagle front soon, so this stop is just a quick resupply, and we'll depart right away."

Hearing Qin Ge's explanation, the cheers gradually faded. Li Chenming asked, "Can't we stay for a day longer before leaving? Since October began, you haven't really rested, have you?"

Qin Ge shook his head. "No way—war waits for no one. Although the encirclement of Donghuang and the Sakura Empire has been lifted, this isn't over yet."

"This time the Sirens come with great force; the other factions must also be resisting with all their might. Our fleet's strength is currently the most intact, so it's time for us to do something for this world."

"Alright, I won't advise you further. You're the commander; you're the highest authority here." Li Chenming said with a smile, "But when we're out there, we won't worry about this place—we'll protect it with our lives, leaving no room for loss."

"That's right."

Li Chenming's words sparked a reaction from the commanders, who all expressed their convictions. After all, while their strength couldn't match Qin Ge's for supporting other factions, defending their base was more than sufficient.

"I believe in you," Qin Ge said, nodding to the crowd, then turning to Besimai beside him: "Besimai, have all the command ships and everyone resupply; I'm going to check on Biyu, and we'll regroup here in an hour."

"Yes." Besimai nodded in acknowledgment.

Afterward, Qin Ge told Li Chenming, "Donghuang and the Sakura Empire also brought many people this time; please take them on a tour of Gangqu while I head to the infirmary."

"No problem, leave it to us." Li Chenming naturally spotted a few familiar faces and immediately agreed.

"However, Biyu isn't in the infirmary now; she's been sent to the Sakura Empire cottage in Gangqu to recuperate. If you want to see her, just go there."

Upon hearing Li Chenming say that, Qin Ge immediately nodded, "Hmm, I got it; see you later."

"Hmm."

Because time was pressing, there was no need for further ceremony. After speaking, Qin Ge and a few ship girls left the harbor, heading into Gangqu's interior, leaving Li Chenming and the others, as well as Besimai and her companions, to each carry out their own tasks.

Before, Tiancheng and her companions often went to the Sakura Empire cottage, so Qin Ge was still quite familiar with the place.

Perhaps because he was getting closer to Biyu, Qin Ge's steps quickened involuntarily; a route that usually took over ten minutes was finished in less than ten this time.

As he arrived at the gate of the Sakura Empire cottage, he saw a familiar figure step out from inside—the attendant goddess who had been looking after Biyu.

"Eh, Commander, I just heard you were coming back soon—I didn't expect you to arrive this quickly." The goddess attendant was still quite surprised when she saw Qin Ge.

"You've worked hard during this time, goddess attendant. How is Biyu's condition now?" Qin Ge nodded and hurriedly asked the goddess attendant.

"She's recovering well—much better than before. Her mental core isn't damaged; she just needs some time to recuperate, and then she'll return to her former state," the goddess attendant said with a smile to Qin Ge.

"But you, Commander, don't look very well—you surely haven't rested during this period, have you?"

Qin Ge shook his head. "I don't mind; the important thing is that Biyu is all right."

"Hehe, if Biyu knew how worried you are about her, she'd surely be moved." The goddess attendant smiled, "Come on, I'll take you to see her."

"Hmm."