Chapter 16: Version T1

“Counter-stealth?”

A peculiar piece of knowledge suddenly entered Wei Xiu’s mind.

The HQ-9 comes equipped with the H-200 phased array radar.

Its radar cross-section is about 1.8 square meters.

In contrast, a typical stealth fighter’s radar cross-section is approximately 0.05 square meters.

Therefore, the HQ-9 can only offer limited counter-stealth capability.

Some highly advanced stealth aircraft lie beyond its defensive reach, such as the F-117 and F-35.

However, with an upgraded system, the HQ-9’s radar cross-section detection could improve to about 0.001 square meters,

making it capable of detecting all known stealth aircraft.

Moreover,

the enhanced version introduces multifunctional interceptors and modular warheads,

with the guidance system’s anti-jamming capability exceeding 30 dB.

Combining all these upgrades, the air defense efficiency will dramatically increase.

Once a stealth aircraft enters its detection range,

it’s a guaranteed kill.

[This upgrade requires 9 million maintenance points.]

[Do you wish to proceed with the upgrade?]

“Yes.”

Wei Xiu did not hesitate at all.

Maintenance points, like money, only become real when spent.

Otherwise, they’re just numbers.

Immediately,

a torrent of knowledge flooded his mind, causing slight oxygen deprivation in his brain.

His body trembled involuntarily.

The knowledge transfer completed.

But since an upgrade was underway, it wasn’t just the launcher vehicle that needed fixing.

Normally,

the HQ-9’s smallest combat unit consists of eight vehicles:

one radar vehicle, one command vehicle, and six launcher vehicles.

Once upgraded, both the command and radar vehicles must be modified.

“Company commander, could you please help?”

Wei Xiu stopped Yang Wu.

“Bring the launchers and radar vehicles over together.”

“???”

Yang Wu looked confused.

Only the launcher chassis was damaged—what did that have to do with the radar vehicle?

After a moment of puzzlement, he complied.

Minister Zhang had mentioned this before leaving,

and Wei Xiu’s prowess had already been demonstrated.

Genius was just the threshold for meeting Wei Xiu.

Nobody knew the details, and no one dared to ask.

Just do it!

…

Because of Yang Hu’s reverence, the two days working together passed very smoothly.

According to Minister Zhang, the vehicles had to be delivered before the exercise.

That meant Wei Xiu had one afternoon left.

He felt confident.

All modules had been installed; only software debugging and road testing remained.

Software debugging was simple and could be done at the base.

Road testing took more time.

They needed to test the durability of the newly installed modules by driving a certain number of kilometers at specified speeds to gather data.

So after lunch,

Wei Xiu and Yang Wu rode together, responsible for data collection.

Four other soldiers drove the radar and command vehicles.

Three vehicles formed a grand convoy moving from the base toward the national highway.

…

“Boss, shouldn’t we put a learner’s sticker on the car?”

On National Highway 401,

a brand-new Porsche 911 pulled out of a gas station.

Shen Yihan, behind the wheel, dismissed her assistant’s reminder.

“Why do we need a learner’s sticker?”

“Because traffic regulations require new drivers to display it for one year after obtaining their license.”

Shen Yihan sneered, “Pfft, I took the third test six times, so it’s basically been a year. No sticker needed.”

What a joke.

A brand-new Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0T in Dolomite White.

Putting an ugly yellow learner’s sticker on it?

Then what’s the point of buying this 911?

She was a top streamer known for both looks and energy.

This car was the hard-earned money of her channel’s top donor.

She treasured it deeply.

Seeing no way to convince her, the assistant fell silent.

The learner’s sticker was a minor issue.

The real concern was Shen Yihan’s driving skills, which were questionable.

She was nervous the entire way.

“Boss, can we slow down a bit? The national highway’s traffic is complex.”

“I know, I keep tapping the brakes,” Shen Yihan replied impatiently.

Assistant: “But we’re almost at 80 mph; the speed limit here is 60.”

“I KNOW! I’m stepping on the brake…”

Shen Yihan was genuinely frustrated.

If she’d known, she wouldn’t have brought her assistant to buy the car.

Nagging nonstop, and the car wasn’t even cooperating.

She began to suspect the car was faulty.

“I’m tapping the right pedal; if it won’t slow down, what else can I do?”

The assistant was about to lose his mind. “Boss, the brake is on the left!”

The car was still accelerating.

Approaching an intersection, the assistant’s survival instinct kicked in, and he yanked the steering wheel.

At that moment,

a green semi-truck was passing in the opposite lane.

“Brake!”

“Which one is the brake?!”

“Brake now!!”

…

“What kind of car is that!?”

Bang!

A thunderous crash.

The Porsche was flung aside.

Fortunately, it was a side-impact collision, which absorbed some force.

There was a green belt on the roadside acting as a buffer.

None of the Porsche’s passengers were in mortal danger.

They regained consciousness from the airbags’ shock.

Shen Yihan immediately got out and inspected the damaged area.

The Porsche had collided with the semi-truck’s tire; the front end was completely wrecked.

The semi-truck, however, only had some paint peeling on the steel plates near its tires, with no functional damage.

Seeing this, Shen Yihan’s temper flared instantly.

“How do you people drive?!”

“???”

Chen Chen and Yang Hu, who climbed down from the truck, felt their heads spinning.

They had been crawling along at 30 mph.

Watching a streak of yellow lightning flash into their lane,

Yang Hu, the seasoned driver, thought the driver had a seizure and stopped immediately.

Unexpectedly,

the Porsche inexplicably jerked the wheel and crashed into their truck.

That wasn’t even the strangest part.

The strangest was that the other party actually asked how they had been driving.

Can a carbon-based life form even ask that?

“No, ma’am, we were driving straight.”

“What’s wrong with driving straight?” Shen Yihan put her hands on her hips. “You hit me, didn’t you? Look at my car—front end’s smashed flat.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Xiu knew trouble was brewing.

This was the most powerful profession in the current version—a little fairy.

There was no way to win.

Thinking this, Wei Xiu tugged at Yang Hu’s sleeve.

“Brother Yang, let’s go. Facts speak louder than words, but words can outweigh facts.”

Yang Hu paused for half a second, then understood the hint and nodded.

For this kind of traffic accident, regardless of who’s at fault, they could leave.

Later, the joint logistics support would contact local authorities to handle it.

Besides, they weren’t driving ordinary vehicles today—not a good idea to linger.

So, faced with Shen Yihan’s furious tirade,

Yang Hu and Wei Xiu turned to head back to their vehicles.

At that moment, Shen Yihan exploded.

“Who said you could leave?!”

Standing in front of them, Wei Xiu pursed his lips.

“We have matters to attend to. Someone will contact you soon.”

“Nonsense! I’ve already had my assistant call the police—nobody’s leaving!”

Wei Xiu tapped the license plate. “Lady, take a look at what kind of vehicle we’re driving.”

“A beat-up truck, big deal. This just-purchased 911 costs as much as one of your tires.”

“???”