Chapter 629

Chapter 629: The "Demon Hunter" Team

The “monstrous” aircraft attracted a large crowd, darkening the area with people surrounding the fighter jet, making Lin Mo and Chen Haiqing feel anxious. If it weren’t for the personnel sent by AVIC to guard it, these old experts would have likely dismantled the fighter jet right there.

All the veteran aviation experts in China came from combat backgrounds, and they could take apart a fighter jet like it was a game. Just a dozen of these old hands could easily turn this internationally advanced fighter into pieces.

Only Lin Mo could pilot “monstrous,” but that didn’t mean National Defense Star lacked pilots. There were high-ranking pilots in the team of experts visiting National Defense Star, but after receiving warnings, none dared to suggest taking a test flight.

A 26G overload was no joke; the result of recklessly getting on board could only be a Human Pancake.

So far, no one had the courage to step up and test the locked-in “monstrous.”

Meanwhile, while Lin Mo arranged for the modification of the X-1, these experts found an opportunity to drag him off for a test flight. His vertical takeoff and landing amazed the crowd. The mini multi-barrel pulse detonation engine served as auxiliary power for the fighter, which was quite innovative.

In warfare, vertical takeoff and landing consume a lot of energy, but they offer rapid response advantages. The sooner one is airborne, the better they can adapt to unexpected situations in a battle, increasing their chances of success.

The continuously flashing cyan-blue nozzles and the dense explosions indicated that the pulse detonation technology applied to “monstrous” was already quite mature. This technology not only provided vertical lift but also increased maneuverability in combat, proving even more effective than canards; the active power source significantly enhanced the fighter’s performance.

The precision and calculations involved in this technology left many impressed. With the design of “monstrous,” it could even be applied to large aircraft, showcasing considerable technical extension and expansion capabilities.

The technical appraisal conference continued, but how long it would last was uncertain. Perhaps these aviation experts were discussing what kind of technology they could extract for their own fighter jets.

Much of the information was readily available, detailed down to screw design plans and material properties. Only major manufacturers could obtain deeper alloy formulas and essential component design principles. Lin Mo had all the data stored in his watch; as long as he had Gold Coins, he could carry all his wealth with him and restart anywhere.

Since the blueprints were the result of collective expertise, there was no exclusive copyright, allowing everyone to take what they needed from the technological validation outcomes.

For Lin Mo, he only needed the finished product, not the technology, nor could he monopolize all the technology. Even National Defense Star wouldn’t be able to swallow everything; the interests involved would cause countless to envy. Once one stands out in a forest, lacking the ability to protect their gains only leads to being devoured by a pack of wolves.

The engine technology alone was enough for a manufacturer rivaling National Defense Star to study for decades.

“Report! The ‘Demon Hunter’ team is at your service, totaling twelve members.”

Lin Mo saw twelve fully armed soldiers lined up in front of the X-1, saluting him.

Nearby mechanics and technicians looked at these soldiers with some suspicion.

Early in the morning, two armed helicopters had dropped a team of soldiers with cables, leaving without even landing.

Seemingly very familiar with National Defense Star, the team efficiently took control of the hangar where the X-1 was located. Meanwhile, the security department had received word an hour earlier about a special operations team arriving to secure the X-1, and the handover occurred without incident.

“Demon Hunter” team?

Not familiar! It seemed there was no such armed group at National Defense Star.

“What is your purpose?”

Today was the day for the acceptance inspection of the X-1’s modifications, and Lin Mo’s departure was imminent.

“We are the security team escorting you to Syria! I am Team Leader ‘Yasha’!”

The Chinese soldier, with infrared camouflage cream on his face, maintained his salute, expressionless, and continued to stare at Lin Mo.

Oh, it looked like a combat team similar to a special operations unit had been sent by higher-ups. Lin Mo understood; Captain Feng had told him before leaving that he need not worry about anything or ask too many questions, as everything would be arranged by the higher-ups. He just needed to focus on his own tasks.

“Hello, I am the ‘Dragon Knight’!”

Lin Mo returned the military salute.

“We are responsible for escorting the X-1 to Syria and conducting ground search and rescue missions, ensuring your absolute safety on the ground,” Team Leader “Yasha” continued.

It goes without saying that they were only responsible for the ground while Lin Mo took care of the skies himself.

“No problem!”

Lin Mo nodded. The “Yasha” displayed extreme confidence. Unlike the assault-oriented special forces team, they were more skilled in reconnaissance and security. Otherwise, they would have sent a team from the Night Special Forces.

“This is our travel plan.”

“Yasha” handed over an 8-inch flat electronic tablet.

The “Demon Hunter” team had even planned Lin Mo’s travel route, indicating they were well-prepared.

Taking the tablet, Lin Mo glanced at it and looked up to say, “You don’t need to worry about my safety; just focus on escorting the X-1. I will leave you a contact method for the organizers; I will head to Damascus on my own.”

Twelve armed personnel were likely the limit for entering the Syrian war zone. Any more would be seen as Chinese armed intervention in the Syrian civil war.

Lin Mo planned to use good steel where it mattered. He did not intend to have the “Demon Hunter” team shadow him; being alone actually provided more security, allowing him to act without hesitation in danger without the burden of extra soldiers by his side.

“Sorry, that’s the higher-ups’ arrangement!”

“Yasha” calmly refused Lin Mo’s proposal.

“Having you by my side would only split our forces. Don’t worry; my personal combat capability is stronger than you think. This is settled. If the higher-ups have any objections, just say I am on an exterior mission, and military orders do not apply here.”

Lin Mo waved his hand, indulging in a rare moment of dictatorship. The battlefield in Syria stirred a feeling of passionate excitement within him, igniting a desire to fight fiercely.

“This…”

“Yasha” wanted to say something more when he suddenly felt a chilling sensation at the back of his head, as if being watched by a terrifying threat.

“Do as I say, or none of you will follow me.”

Lin Mo fixed his gaze on “Yasha,” speaking each word clearly.

For these soldiers who only knew to blindly follow orders, only a commanding tone could persuade them; there was no other way.

“Yasha” felt an unusual sensation he couldn’t quite believe; it was intangible yet substantial—a chill ran from his heart to his toes. Was it killing intent or something else? Wasn’t he a pilot?

Originally sent to escort a pilot from the Night Special Forces, “Yasha,” as the captain of the “Demon Hunter” team, felt a bit resentful. While the special forces were indeed top-tier in combat among various national units, it should be noted that only their higher secret units truly belonged to the royal guard.

Protecting someone of a lower rank felt unbalanced for “Yasha.” What special forces operatives? What kings of soldiers? Each of their elite units, fewer than five hundred in total, could easily take on ten or twenty of them, or maybe even more.

Even the military leaders commanding special forces had no idea about their unit’s qualifications; only they were the ultimate individual combat power of the nation.

However, facing this pilot with the flight code “Dragon Knight” left “Yasha” in unprecedented shock. Was this merely a pilot? “Yasha” felt as if he stood before a reaper, who could effortlessly crush him like an ant.

In an instant, “Yasha” was stunned into silence, unable to speak, as Lin Mo’s demeanor shattered his pride.

“Hey, boss, what’s wrong?”

“Not sure! That pilot is strange; I suddenly feel cold all over.”

“Cold? You feel cold too? I do as well, but the temperature hasn’t changed. What’s going on?”

“Not sure; the boss must know. That pilot hasn’t used some kind of magic on us, has he? Could he be hypnotizing us?”

“Nonsense! We can match the best hypnotists ourselves. How could we be put under by someone else? There must be another reason.”

“What a cocky kid! Let’s find a chance to show him what’s what. Special Forces? Hmph! Dare to act arrogant in front of us.”

“Right! Let’s take a chance to test him out.”

“Agreed!”

“Same here!”

“Claw marks!”

The soldiers in the back row of the “Demon Hunter” team had their throats moving up and down, using vocal shakers to emit slight vibrations.

These stubborn guys were plotting to give their escort a show of force, yet they noticed their captain seemed to be losing composure in front of Lin Mo.

“‘Yasha,’ what’s your opinion?”

Lin Mo gazed into “Yasha’s” eyes, repeating his statement without emotion.

“What a detestable kid!” “Yasha” realized he had lost face in front of this young pilot. He gritted his teeth but concealed his feelings, “I will report this to the higher-ups.”

He gently passed the ball to his superiors.

Darn it! What a miscalculation! The special forces team below was not as simple as he thought. Even if he was just a pilot, if it involved ground troops, it could become problematic…

“Yasha” misunderstood the situation, trying to explain this scientific anomaly through causal reasoning.

If every member of the special forces possessed power like the Dragon Knights, there wouldn’t be a need for battles; a few Dragon Knights could easily deal with any opponent.

Imagining armored bodies like heavily armored tanks, eerie high-speed impacts, and the breathtaking strikes of a Giant Sword, combined with modern assault weaponry, even a tank battalion would seem no match.