Chapter 605

Chapter 605: The Opportunity of the National Defense Star

The "Abyss Nirvana" international pilot death match was something anyone would first think belonged in a movie or from a novel; it seemed too fantastical.

In a lawful society, how could such a crazy thing exist? Yet underground boxing and similar events still persisted. The bloodthirsty and violent instincts of humanity merely wore a glamorous coat of law and morality, without any real change beneath.

"Let’s talk later!"

Colonel Jiang frowned, deciding not to pursue Chen Haiqing’s outburst. After all, this pilot held a unique position, representing a deep collaboration between military enterprises and the armed forces.

The Lockheed family sent their offspring into the Air Force as pilots with the same intentions, binding their interests together.

"Yes!" Chen Haiqing nodded and stepped out.

Colonel Jiang turned back to Lin Mo, saying, "Alright, let’s continue. You said you’re ready. What type of fighter are you planning to use?"

The J-10? The J-11? The J-14? Or the J-20? They surely wouldn’t assign Lin Mo the J-31 or J-60.

Colonel Jiang didn’t know about Lin Mo’s “monstrous” machine or the insider details at the technical level; Team 7759 hadn’t yet accessed such classified information.

"TEST version, self-made."

Lin Mo showed a confident smile. As soon as the “monstrous” was completed, it would definitely attract countless eyes. It was better to give Colonel Jiang a heads-up as a favor.

In fact, with the "monstrous" included, Lin Mo already had two unassigned fighter jets. The J-18 “Red Eagle” in the Aircrew Group’s hangar was still an experimental machine from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and hadn’t officially entered service; lending it to Lin Mo was merely a temporary arrangement.

Such special treatment was unique. Only specially appointed senior test pilots received similar privileges nationwide.

"Self-made?"

Colonel Jiang laughed heartily, as if hearing the most ridiculous joke. He shook his head and waved his hand, saying, "You should go back. You’re just messing around."

Many leaders liked to use the term "messing around" to describe behavior that disregarded rules and order. Having been influenced by old revolutionaries, Colonel Jiang, as a senior veteran, often criticized the younger generation with such expressions.

Lin Mo wasn’t surprised by Colonel Jiang’s reaction. Before World War II, perhaps some dared to claim they could build a fighter jet themselves.

But a fighter jet capable of participating in modern warfare, especially a jet fighter, was beyond what an ordinary person could undertake. It required massive funds and technical expertise.

However, having money and technology was still far from enough. Without a solid industrial foundation to realize all the products, it was merely talking strategy on paper.

Just the millions of parts alone would stump a single person for a lifetime to identify, let alone create something with just one person’s effort.

"No, you will see soon—within half a month at the latest."

Facing Colonel Jiang’s mocking scoff, Lin Mo remained unfazed.

As long as all the parts arrived, hiring the gold giant dragon to compile the operating procedures wouldn’t take more than a couple of days. After conducting wind tunnel tests, self-checks, and test flights, his "monstrous" would slice through the skies, dazzling countless eyes.

Colonel Jiang waved his hand, still skeptical. He stopped laughing and said, "Alright, alright. I can’t waste time on you. Without a fighter jet and maintenance parts, you don’t qualify to participate in ‘Abyss Nirvana.’ Maybe you could serve as an infantryman, but what’s the point of a pilot becoming an infantryman? Even if you could shoulder an air defense missile and shoot down all the planes, what’s the significance?"

Colonel Jiang spread his hands, looking at Lin Mo with a doubtful expression.

"Report! The National Defense Star is willing to sponsor Major Lin Mo a fighter jet for the event."

An unexpected voice from the doorway interrupted Colonel Jiang’s doubts.

What?

Colonel Jiang’s expression froze as he turned to the door, spotting the unruly Chen Haiqing. Was this kid here just to stir up trouble?

Lin Mo couldn’t help but be surprised; Chen Haiqing represented the National Defense Star, sponsoring him a fighter jet! When did they become so financially powerful?

This was a fighter jet, not a BMW or Ferrari. Families like Young Master Chen’s could easily toss around luxury cars without a second thought.

But just one J-10 meant hundreds of Ferraris flying in the sky. Even with money, one shouldn’t spend in such an extravagant way. Young Master Chen’s words carried heavy weight!

"’Three Yellow Chick,’ has your National Defense Star gone crazy?"

Colonel Jiang scolded, wondering if such a thing could really be sponsored.

A vital tool of the nation; even if they sponsored cash of equal value, he wouldn’t be too surprised. But giving away a fighter jet for free? Didn’t the Military High-ups care about losing their production permissions?

"Report, Colonel! We are not crazy. I just received authorization from the board. If Major Lin participates in ‘Abyss Nirvana,’ our National Defense Star is willing to sponsor one fighter jet. You heard me right—a sponsored fighter jet, at least a fourth-generation model. Even if it’s damaged in battle, we won’t ask him for compensation."

"Insane, absolutely insane!"

A fourth-generation jet?!

Currently, China’s main battle jet was barely a third-generation and a half J-10. What kind of statement was this?

Colonel Jiang shook his head. Regardless of whether Lin Mo talked about building his own fighter jet or whether the National Defense Star was sponsoring him, it was already clear that this pilot from Team 7759 was absolutely qualified to participate in such a deadly contest.

Crazy? Our National Defense Star is not insane at all.

Since hearing that they might hand over two hard-to-get F-22 Raptors’ F119-PW-100 vector thrust engines to Lin Mo for free, Chen Haiqing realized that while they were all small madmen, the real big madmen were above them.

If this highly classified information was revealed here, Colonel Jiang wouldn’t know whether to think the world was ending.

However, overhearing Lin Mo mention that his fighter jet would be completed in half a month also sent a chill down Chen Haiqing’s spine. Only those in the aviation industry fully understood what that meant—this was about to create a seismic wave of excitement.

"Haiqing!"

Lin Mo’s eyes held gratitude. He knew the implications of the National Defense Star’s decision. Even though he had gained some benefits for them, it wasn’t worth as much as a jet fighter.

The National Defense Star was using its pure profits to support him, meaning he had virtually worked a whole year for nothing.

"Don’t worry, brother, I’ll support you!"

Chen Haiqing gave Lin Mo a thumbs-up, flashing an encouraging smile. "Abyss Nirvana is a death competition that only madmen would join."

This was a gamble—not just about Lin Mo’s life and death, but also about the life and death of the National Defense Star. Their fates were now intertwined; it was a true sharing of risks and rewards, not just a simple division of profits or small favors.

Only top international manufacturers and industry giants could send pilots and aircraft to participate in "Abyss Nirvana," making it an exclusive ticket to the industry’s elite, not something just anyone could join.

If that special death invitation was merely meant to send people to their deaths, so many pilots and aircraft manufacturers wouldn’t flock to it. Besides death, there were alluring interests involved.

In the past, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group had risen in this way. The National Defense Star had virtually no ability or qualification to organize Chinese pilots for battle, yet today they found such an opportunity right before them.

This was the biggest chance for the National Defense Star since its establishment.

After reporting to the National Defense Star board and high-ranking officials, several key figures quickly held an emergency teleconference, immediately passing the resolution and reaching a consensus—this opportunity must not be missed.

The future of the National Defense Star depended on seizing this chance to achieve true takeoff.

As a minor shareholder director of the National Defense Star, Lin Mo had no idea of the interests involved in the ticket Lockheed had offered. For him personally, it was just a life-and-death battle, but for related industry interest groups, it represented a gold mine.

Chen Haiqing looked at Lin Mo with gratitude, but Lin Mo felt uneasy. Was this guy acting weird? Why was his gaze so intense, as if he were the one giving away a fighter jet?

"Alright, alright! Lin Mo, I will tell you everything I know about ‘Abyss Nirvana.’"

Colonel Jiang decided not to dwell on whether Lin Mo had the ability to participate in "Abyss Nirvana" anymore. If the higher-ups disagreed, they would have probably already called his office to remind him to keep quiet.

"I also want to learn about the capabilities of the ace pilots in ‘Abyss Nirvana.’"

Lin Mo’s gaze firmly fell on Colonel Jiang. The pilots who survived "Abyss Nirvana" were all true Air Knight champions, not mere simulator players.

Colonel Jiang’s eyes narrowed slightly, resembling a king of old high schools, perched at the top of the food chain—like a golden eagle.

His sharp gaze seemed to pierce straight through to a person’s heart.

Was this a challenge?

Lin Mo straightened his back, embodying the fierce spirit of the Dragon Knight, not backing down.

"Okay, I’ll meet your request." Colonel Jiang seemed to not recognize this Lin Mo, once a member of Team 7759. What had this guy experienced outside? He now exuded the aura of a seasoned veteran, the confidence and pride of a true combat ace.

Chen Haiqing watched the two with uncertainty, worried that they might get into a fight at any moment.