Though still somewhat worried about not having specific contact with Zhou Hanxiang, Zhou Tianming gradually became too busy to dwell on it.
He carefully browsed the small website he'd discovered, realizing it was an underground black market within the Junk Guild. Its minimal security explained why he'd found it so easily.
The black market overflowed with bounty missions—all prohibited in mainstream society. From forging documents to modifying lethal weapons, everything was available.
Zhou Tianming's eyes glazed over at the overwhelming options, unsure where to begin.
Greed made him start with the highest bounties, only to find the top reward capped at $100,000.
While recognizing this as substantial money, he knew it wouldn't even make a dent in his spaceship fund.
After thorough browsing, he abandoned the idea of crowdfunding a spacecraft through bounties.
Yet he wasn't disappointed, having discovered another use for the black market—treating it like a game.
Though determined to develop a Gundam, Zhou Tianming remained clueless about where to start.
Even with the MS Original Blueprint, he still felt lost about which technical field to prioritize.
Should he begin with mechanical engineering?
Or human anatomy?
Perhaps propulsion systems?
Maybe software programming?
The overwhelming options paralyzed him—until the black market appeared like a quest board in a game.
First, he conducted a comprehensive study of the MS blueprint, categorizing required knowledge.
Then he searched for related missions on the black market, using them to guide his targeted learning.
His Ultimate Coordinator brain processed information superhumanly—simple concepts mastered at a glance, moderately complex ones digested in 2-3 readings, and challenging material conquered with a few hours of focused study.
After mastering each skill, he'd complete missions—remotely for digital tasks, or by hiring and instructing proxies for physical operations.
Within a week, Zhou Tianming had completed over a hundred missions, accumulating $500,000+ in bounties.
Single-handedly, he'd nearly cleared the market of relevant tasks.
This period also significantly expanded his knowledge base. He'd now mastered all foundational MS theories—only practical application remained.
Time for a break. His broken sleep schedule had left him disheveled—pale with dark circles, reeking of sweat.
"Not my fault," he muttered. "The 'game' was just too addictive."
Zhou Tianming made excuses to himself while looking in the mirror.
After a thorough grooming session, he slept soundly for a full day and night. When he woke again, he finally felt restored.
In the early morning, bathed in artificial sunlight, Zhou Tianming stretched his body by performing the radio calisthenics routine "The Times are Calling" inside the warehouse.
As he exercised, he pondered his next steps.
The basic original version of the Mobile Suit had been fully mastered—what remained was deeper study and research.
This wasn't something that could yield immediate results; it required time to develop and mature.
Ultimately, the spaceship issue remained completely unresolved.
Frowning in frustration, he still had no ideas even after finishing his exercises.
A sudden wave of lethargy washed over him, making him feel like doing nothing at all.
Deciding to follow his mood, Zhou Tianming resolved to take the day off and wander around.
His first stop was naturally the used spaceship market, where he browsed hopefully, wishing to stumble upon a bargain.
But by noon, he'd found nothing. Having never studied spaceship mechanics, he couldn't make sense of the technical specifications at all.
Just as Zhou Tianming determined to properly delve into the subject tomorrow, he heard a familiar laugh.
His deep brown eyes spotted Wei Jun conversing with the same well-dressed man he'd seen before.
"Great! Straight to the point! Since you're paying so readily, I won't delay either. I'll have the Black Tortoise back within three days, and you can take it then."
"Mr. Wei Jun, true to your reputation as an East Asian soldier—decisive and efficient. We'll meet again in three days."
"Safe travels. I won't see you out."
Both men parted with satisfied smiles.
Zhou Tianming approached and greeted them. "Uncle Wei, are you selling a spaceship?"
"That's right."
"How much for?"
"Two billion."
Shocked, Zhou Tianming had never seen a transaction exceed 1.5 billion before. That Wei Jun's ship could fetch such a high price instantly piqued his interest.
"Oh~ At that price, it must be impressive. Can I take a look when it's ready in three days?"
Zhou Tianming blinked his large eyes pleadingly at Wei Jun.
But the East Asian soldier remained unmoved, ignoring the attempt at cuteness as he shook his head. "No way. A spaceship is personal—can't just let anyone inspect it."
Instantly dropping the act, Zhou Tianming pouted.
Wei Jun rolled his eyes in response.
Though they didn't agree on this matter, Wei Jun still took Zhou Tianming around the market afterward.
He explained various specifications, giving Zhou Tianming a basic understanding of what made a spaceship good or bad.
Things like thruster fuel consumption, launch speed, turning and maneuvering capabilities, radar resistance, and even how noticeable it looked to the naked eye in space.
Zhou Tianming learned a great deal, jotting everything down in his notebook, which gave Wei Jun a sense of accomplishment—prompting him to elaborate even more.
That evening, back home, Zhou Tianming organized his notes before diving back into hacking missions within the underground black market.
He was thoroughly engrossed in this game dungeon called [Underground Black Market].
Before starting, though, he called Zhou Hanxiang to check in—though he'd never admit to having been so absorbed in his studies that he'd forgotten about his mom.
This time, the call went through.
...
East Asia, within the inner ring of North Capital's villa district.
A few days ago, Zhou Hanxiang had returned to Earth and lingered outside her family's three-story villa for hours before being intercepted by her mother at the entrance.
The woman before her was an elegant, refined lady in her forties with neatly coiled black hair. Two security guards stood protectively beside her, rubber batons in hand.
Hanxiang lowered her head awkwardly, remaining silent. Gao Jing sighed helplessly and said to the guards, "Thank you, but she's not suspicious. You may leave now."
"Are you sure? She's been loitering here for hours," one guard pressed, unconvinced.
Gao Jing shot an exasperated glance at Hanxiang before replying, "Really, it's fine. She's my daughter."
Once the guards were satisfied there was no danger, they departed.
Hanxiang lifted her head to speak, but before she could utter a word, Gao Jing rushed forward and embraced her tightly. "It's enough that you're back. That's all that matters."
Her nose stung, and Hanxiang's eyes reddened slightly. "Mom, I'm home."
Inside, Gao Jing studied her daughter closely, her heart aching at the sight of Hanxiang's gaunt, weary face. "You've suffered so much being away for so long."
Hanxiang shook her head, a tender smile crossing her lips as she recalled the days spent caring for Zhou Tianming. "It wasn't hard."
Gao Jing was about to inquire further when—
The front door burst open with a sharp bang, slamming against the wall.
A handsome middle-aged man with streaks of gray at his temples strode in, his expression stern.
The moment his gaze landed on Hanxiang seated in the living room, his eyebrows shot up. "Finally decided to come back? I told you to return ages ago, yet you dragged your feet until now—"
Mid-sentence, Zhou Junguo's frown deepened as he took in Hanxiang's thin frame and pallid complexion. His mouth opened, then closed. "You look awful. Go rest and clean yourself up."
With that, he marched upstairs, followed by the loud slam of a door.
Gao Jing covered her mouth with a light chuckle. "Don't mind him. He's been worried sick these past few days. If I hadn't stopped him, he would've hired people to drag you back."
Hanxiang's expression dimmed with guilt. "I'm sorry, I..."
Gao Jing pressed a finger to her lips. "We understand how much that accident affected you. There's no need to explain."
"Now that you're back, stay for good. Look at you—we need to nourish you properly."
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/QueenTL
Thanks!