Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1602 523: Thunder Angel

Not long afterward, within the eatery.

Rhein and Ankaga carried over crates filled with their favorite white wine to the table and promptly encouraged Jiang Rong.

"Jiang Rong, is the kitchen ready yet? Instruct them to hold nothing back and serve all the premium ingredients!"

"Understood."

Jiang Rong responded to Rhein, grinning.

Right then, Zhang Yi, Angel, Allu, and the rest entered, grumbling irritably at Rhein.

"Rhein, what was the big rush to drag us here? We're buried in tasks."

"A celebratory feast!"

Rhein slapped the wine crates and beamed at Zhang Yi and company.

"For real, man, you hauled us in so fast just for this?"

Zhang Yi and his crew were left dumbfounded.

Just then, Onite dashed in hastily too. Spotting Zhang Yi and the group, he froze in surprise and questioned puzzledly.

"How come there's such a crowd? Some kind of assembly?"

"It's a meal, with someone footing the bill for everyone."

Rhein replied, smiling.

"Oh, what's on the menu? I've got a stack of accounts waiting."

Onite told Rhein, rubbing his temples in frustration.

"Not wondering who's paying? You sure you wanna skip it?"

Rhein inquired with a sly smile.

"Whoever's covering it, we're swamped and can't eat."

Onite stated firmly.

"Man, you guys act like a free meal is no big deal?"

At that instant, Su Ming emerged from the kitchen, grinning at the bunch.

Upon seeing Su Ming, Zhang Yi, Onite, Angel, and the others' eyes widened in shock, and they surged ahead excitedly yelling.

"Boss!"

"You're here!"

"We missed you tons!"

...

"I'm back."

Su Ming gazed at the thrilled group, his face lit up with a warm grin.

"Sir, after more than a year, you look unchanged; even more striking and imposing! It's hard to accept—feels unreal, like a fantasy."

Onite swiftly complimented Su Ming.

"Still the charmer you are!"

Su Ming told Onite, chuckling.

"Haha, it's the honest truth, isn't it, folks?"

Onite queried the crowd with a wide smile.

"Absolutely!"

Zhang Yi and the rest answered enthusiastically.

"Spot on!"

Su Ming laughed in reply.

Right now, Jiang Rong and his team carried out plate after plate of hot, aromatic braised pork.

Catching sight of it, Rhein hurriedly beckoned to Su Ming and the group.

"Boss, time to dig in and talk!"

"Sounds good!"

Su Ming agreed with a nod.

Following that, he took a seat at the head table, while Angel and the others swiftly uncorked the white wine bottles, handing one to everyone.

Su Ming rose, filled his own glass, and lifted it high.

"Here's to our joyful reunion—cheers to us all!"

"To us!"

Rhein and the crew lifted their glasses, toasting with clinks, and gulped down the drinks.

Having finished his glass of potent spirits, Su Ming spoke with a touch of sentiment.

"Thanks for holding down the fort so diligently in my absence!"

"Boss, where on earth did you vanish to in the Tidal Star Sea for all those years? We hunted everywhere till we nearly lost faith, but then word came you'd come back to the Federation and joined the Starlight City defense, so we knew you were safe."

Ankaga asked out of curiosity.

"Yeah!"

Rhein and the others turned their gazes to Su Ming.

"I got pursued by the VI-type Lord Level Chilami Bucheen into a black hole, landing way inside the Heavenly Revelation Divine Country's domain, and barely escaped back after tremendous struggle."

Su Ming shared the story with Rhein and the team.

"No way, really?"

Rhein and the others responded, stunned.

"Never mind my tale—fill me in on yours."

Su Ming was eager to hear about the past years, sensing that Rhein and the bunch had advanced considerably.

"Well, Boss, during your absence, we grew the operation; now we've got 5,000 mecha fighters ready, and the squad is at peak capacity. Plus, we spent that 500 billion material order entirely on mecha gear and munitions to bolster our forces."

Rhein explained to Su Ming, a bit sheepishly.

"When it has to be spent, spend freely; you all matter far more than mere supplies."

Su Ming fully endorsed Rhein and the others' choice; absent that 500 billion in gear, their forces might have been annihilated.

"Boss!"

Rhein and the team felt profoundly touched by Su Ming's sentiment.

"Alright, another round!"

Su Ming hoisted his glass for a toast.

"Yes!"

Rhein and the others lifted theirs and sipped.

"Rhein, you've climbed the ranks fast lately—must've racked up impressive feats, right?"

Su Ming conversed with Rhein over bites.

"Boss, you wouldn't believe it. Once you vanished, we aimed to track you down. But then the Mechanical Alien Race struck the wormhole space-time, pulling us into service. That defense fight was brutally intense; surviving it guaranteed accolades."

Rhein recounted to Su Ming.

"That tough, huh?"

Su Ming reacted with surprise.

"The clash dragged on for over a month, with massive losses everywhere! Those Mechanical Alien Race foes were overwhelmingly powerful!"

"True! Despite the wormhole time-space defense line's array of weapons, their assault was fiercer, including Star Destroying armaments."

"Beyond that, we operated manually because their smart systems couldn't be engaged in the fights!"

"Picture it—no AI assistance, and they hijacked our mechas, even seizing missiles at times."

"The nightmare part? They could absorb our machines and flood us with soldiers."

"It felt utterly doomed. We battled in sheer desperation then."

"Fortune smiled with generals Gabres and Sigurd there, but ultimately, Deputy Clan Leader Elorosatin from the Mechanical Race stepped in, breaking our line. We fell back to the Bright Star Sea."