Tie Xiong noticed his gaze, stepped on the armrest, and jumped directly towards him.

“Boss!”

Chi Yao caught him with one hand, tucked him under his arm, and walked towards Jing Xi.

Jing Xi waved Yan Kai away to get busy and handed over his water cup. “Many people?”

“Over twenty.” Chi Yao sat down next to him, took the water cup, and took a gulp.

Jing Xi: “We’ll start screening the garrison after the civilian re-check is finished.”

Chi Yao: “Can’t rush it. The intensity is too high, my subordinates can’t handle it either. If they lose control and beastify during the mission, the loss outweighs the gain.”

Jing Xi: “I plan to have Jiang Feng come over. We’re going to Planet 810 in two days; we can’t leave this place unsupervised.”

Chi Yao: “Who will watch the garrison headquarters?”

Jing Xi: “There are still a few people over there.”

Chi Yao was silent for a moment, then shook his head. “We can’t touch that side.”

The problems in the Beluga Constellation were far more than what had been exposed so far. Once the garrison headquarters lost control, it could very likely paralyze the entire Beluga security system.

“Let Pei Zhengyue send someone.” Chi Yao looked at him. “This isn’t something Flying Dragon can solve alone. If a fight breaks out later—”

Chi Yao didn’t continue, but Jing Xi understood what he meant.

The Beluga Constellation involved too many planets. No matter how strong Flying Dragon was, they couldn’t cover every place. If the deployment wasn’t perfect now, they would be very passive later.

Thinking of this, Jing Xi sent a video call request directly to Pei Zhengyue.

“Boss, are we going to fight?” Tie Xiong asked curiously, squatting on the armrest.

Chi Yao: “It’s war, not a fight.”

Tie Xiong: “Do you need my help?”

Seeing Chi Yao look over, he straightened his back.

“Pretty brother said he’d take me as an apprentice!”

Chi Yao: “…”

When did that happen?

The call connected. Jing Xi paused when he saw the metal wall behind Pei Zhengyue.

“You’re not at the military headquarters?”

Pei Zhengyue didn’t answer. “Encountered difficulties?”

Jing Xi briefly reported the situation at the garrison base.

“Time is tight; I need someone to take over.”

The war against the mutated beasts had temporarily ended, but potential Ghosts still needed to be screened.

Pei Zhengyue: “Okay, I’ll send a supervision team over.”

“Supervision team?” Jing Xi frowned slightly. “Under what pretext?”

“The garrison is slacking off, seriously affecting social order and public safety. Dispatching an inspection team to assist the legion in rectifying the garrison is perfectly reasonable.”

Pei Zhengyue looked serious. “Not just the Beluga Constellation; inspection work will be fully launched next. The documents will be sent down later today.”

Such inspections happened twice a year, but unlike before, the people sent down now were all Pei Zhengyue’s men.

Jing Xi nodded. “Please be careful about the situation on the Capital Star.”

He didn’t know if Chen Bingfeng was the highest-ranking “mole,” but he certainly wasn’t the only one. That photo of the bear paw was a complete declaration of war against that organization; war could break out at any time.

“You guys be careful too.” Saying this, Pei Zhengyue looked at Chi Yao sitting aside. “Protect him well, and I’ll reduce your sentence later.”

Chi Yao ruffled Tie Xiong’s cowlick and scoffed. “Does an outstanding talent like me need to go to jail? Do you have some misunderstanding about me?”

A few chuckles came from the side. Pei Zhengyue cleared his throat, keeping his lips tight to suppress a laugh.

“Whether you need to go to jail depends on how big your contribution is.”

Before Chi Yao could speak, Jing Xi said coolly, “You’ll probably have to discuss this with Admiral Lin.”

Pei Zhengyue choked: “…”

He had fought with that old boy Lin Chengde for most of his life, only for the two kids they favored to end up together. Was this fucking life?

Soon, Jing Xi saw the notification for the launch of the inspection on the internal system.

Because it happened every year, at best it was routine work.

“Need to speed up.”

Chi Yao said faintly.

Previously, inspections were handled by several high-ranking officials responsible for their own areas, dispatching their own people.

It was called an inspection, but it was just a formality.

But now, with Pei Zhengyue in charge of everything, sending this batch of supervision teams down would likely touch the cakes of many people.

Especially that organization; they might just jump over the wall in desperation.

Capital Star High-Level Routine Meeting—

Pei Zhengyue sat at the head, his gaze sweeping over the officers.

“Does anyone have any doubts about this inspection mission?”

Many lieutenant generals and admirals remained silent.

A new official applies strict measures; even if dissatisfied, no one dared to contradict him to his face. No one wanted to be the bird that sticks its neck out.

In the heavy atmosphere, Li Bo stood up. “Lieutenant General Chen used to be responsible for the inspection work of the Beluga and White Bear Constellations. Since he is currently detained, will his adjutant, Colonel Zhang, take over?”

Everyone’s heart tightened.

Although he asked about Chen Bingfeng, the answer concerned everyone’s interests.

If Chen Bingfeng’s adjutant took over, then most likely other star systems would also be handled by the same people as before. The Commander-in-Chief was merely issuing the task without intervening.

But if not, then a major reshuffle was likely imminent—

“I almost forgot if you hadn’t mentioned it.” Pei Zhengyue gestured for Li Bo to sit down and had his adjutant project a list into the air. “This is the list for the supervision teams. It will be distributed shortly. I hope everyone present can cooperate.”

The officers looked up, their hearts turning cold.

Not partial, but a complete replacement!

“Yes!”

Seeing that Zhuo Lin was responsible for the Beluga and White Bear Constellations, Li Bo tightened his hands on his legs.

Zhuo Lin probably wasn’t Pei Zhengyue’s man, but he had always been impervious to persuasion and force, very difficult to deal with.

Seeing his own people replaced, Zhao Hongyi’s face darkened with displeasure.

Being equals for so many years, suddenly being suppressed by the other party was truly stifling!

Pei Zhengyue took their expressions in, pretending to know nothing.

“If there are no problems—”

“Cough cough cough—”

Before he could finish, Bai Yi’s coughing sound rang in his ears, unstoppable.

“Old Bai, if you’re not feeling well, go back and rest. There’s nothing major recently anyway,” Pei Zhengyue said in a low voice.

“Old problem, it’s fine.”

Bai Yi shook his head and waved his hand, looking at Pei Zhengyue. “I see that none of the people on this list have been responsible for inspections before. Wouldn’t it be better to arrange an experienced hand for each group? Save them from being flustered when the time comes.”

As soon as he mentioned it, Zhao Hongyi immediately agreed.

“Sending this batch down means we still have to train them in advance.”

Pei Zhengyue observed their expressions out of the corner of his eye and said calmly, “The lowest qualification among all group leaders is Major General, more than enough to carry out inspection work. Besides, the Royal Family is paying close attention to the security work of various planets this year. This list has already been submitted for review by the higher-ups; it’s not good to modify it again.”

Mentioning the Royal Family silenced everyone.

After the meeting, Pei Zhengyue closed the data book he had used for more than ten years and got up to leave.

Everyone waited for him to leave before standing up.

Smack!

Zhao Hongyi threw his notebook forcefully onto the table. The sound stiffened the backs of the officers in the entire conference hall.

Bai Yi glanced at those people and nudged Zhao Hongyi, signaling him to leave first.

“Isn’t he just the Commander-in-Chief for this term? What’s there to be smug about?!”

In the corridor, Zhao Hongyi’s face was red with anger. “It’s not certain who it will be in five years!”

The Commander-in-Chief was supposed to be elected every five years, but previously, due to the mutual restraint of the four great admirals, the Royal Family decided to postpone the election for various reasons. This postponement lasted for three terms.

Bai Yi walked beside him holding a thermos cup.

“I actually find it understandable. I would use all my own people too.”

Zhao Hongyi: “But those people don’t understand the local situation at all. What are they going to inspect?”

Bai Yi said helplessly, “There are always more solutions than difficulties. Since he has already reported to the Royal Family, we just have to listen. Can you change it?”

The Royal Family again.

Zhao Hongyi’s face was gloomy. “Is he the only one who can use resources? It’s not like I don’t have connections with the Royal Family.”

Bai Yi seemed to react suddenly, looking at him with a smile. “Almost forgot, your Old Zhao family has royal blood too.”

Zhao Hongyi’s uncle married the daughter of a prince at the time, and Zhao Hongyi’s branch benefited from it.

However, saying so didn’t mean Zhao Hongyi really wanted to use that connection for this matter.

He had never asked anyone for help in his life, and secondly, there was no need to ask for help for such a trivial matter.

“But I advise you to dismiss that thought.”

Bai Yi said leisurely, “Even if you can change the list this time, what about next time? He is the Commander-in-Chief after all; we are all his subordinates. Don’t fight him; you can’t win.”

“Why the fuck can’t I win against him?!”

One sentence reignited Zhao Hongyi’s subsided anger.

Anything could be said, except that he was inferior to Pei Zhengyue.

Bai Yi gestured for him to calm down. “Although that cousin of yours is close to His Majesty, she might not necessarily lower herself for you, right?”

“Just this little thing? It’s just a matter of one sentence from her! I’m going to find her right now!”

The more Zhao Hongyi thought about it, the angrier he got, and he walked away hurriedly.

Watching his back disappear around the corner, a smile flashed in Bai Yi’s eyes as he walked unhurriedly towards his office.

Zhao Hongyi stepped into the elevator. The cold wind from above blew, instantly calming him down.

Regardless of who was on the list, it had no impact on him. Why gamble on this breath of anger?

In comparison, begging someone was more embarrassing.

The elevator went down to the first floor. He thought for a moment, then pressed the up button again.

Just arriving at the third-floor conference hall, the elevator stopped, and Pei Zhengyue walked in.

The two looked at each other, neither wanting to greet the other.

Waiting for the elevator to ascend, Pei Zhengyue broke the concrete-like atmosphere.

“I want you to be responsible for coordinating this year’s inspection.”

Zhao Hongyi was holding his breath. Suddenly hearing this, he almost thought he was hallucinating.

“What trick are you trying to play again?”

The elevator stopped, and the doors opened slowly.

Pei Zhengyue walked out, looking serious. “Your style is rigorous, selfless, and you have extremely high prestige in the military. You are the most suitable to coordinate. I have always trusted you. Add oil (Good luck).”

Several officers standing outside the elevator door were about to greet them when their eyes widened, and they suddenly lost their voices.

What the fuck was this situation?!

The Commander-in-Chief actually praised Admiral Zhao?! When did they reconcile?!

Caught off guard by the praise, Zhao Hongyi: “…”

Hypocrite!

As soon as the inspection list was announced, everyone seeing the coordinator thought the person compiling the list had made a mistake.

It was time for the Commander-in-Chief to establish prestige; how could he let his nemesis, Admiral Zhao, get involved?

Sitting in his office, Zhao Hongyi was also puzzled. He thought all night but still didn’t understand what Pei Zhengyue wanted to do.

Could there be some trap waiting for him to jump into in this inspection?

The adjutant said puzzledly, “Sir, I think you shouldn’t accept it. If something goes wrong, he… will definitely push the responsibility onto you.”

Zhao Hongyi thought so too.

But retreating before battle wasn’t his style.

Zhao Hongyi snorted coldly. “If I don’t accept the move, isn’t it blatantly telling him I can’t do it?”

Adjutant: “…”

Calm down, Sir!

Zhao Hongyi: “I’ve been through storms and waves; am I afraid of this?”

Adjutant: “……”

Recalling the scene in the corridor, Zhao Hongyi narrowed his eyes slightly.

“But he surprised me a little—”

Why did Bai Yi egg him on to change the list?

Adjutant: “Who?”

Zhao Hongyi didn’t answer, saying faintly, “A person with half a foot in the coffin. I thought he had already laid flat (given up).”

In another office, Pei Zhengyue’s adjutant also couldn’t figure it out.

“Sir, if Admiral Zhao pulls some tricks and things aren’t handled smoothly, will it leave a bad impression on the Royal Family?”

After all, this was something the Royal Family was paying attention to.

Pei Zhengyue signed documents and said casually, “Showing the list to the Royal Family was a lie to trick them. The higher-ups couldn’t be bothered with such trivial matters.”

Adjutant: “…Then you let Admiral Zhao take charge because—?”

“Just casting a stone to ask for directions.” Pei Zhengyue put the signed documents aside and chuckled. “Whether he handles this smoothly or not, someone will jump. We just have to wait and see.”

---

The second night after the list was announced, the supervision team entered the airspace of 820.

Jing Xi dragged Chi Yao off the warship to welcome them.

“Why do I have to come too?” Chi Yao was somewhat dissatisfied.

Among the military people, no one caught his eye except Jing Xi.

Jing Xi: “Get familiar with faces.”

Chi Yao: “Why do I need to get familiar with faces?”

Before Jing Xi could answer, he heard Chi Yao add, “Is there anyone who isn’t familiar with my face now?”

Jing Xi: “…”

The supervision team’s warship landed steadily.

The hatch opened. Seeing the group of people walking down, Chi Yao raised an eyebrow. “Old acquaintance.”

He had briefly dealt with this person when he beat up Chen Bingfeng earlier.

Zhuo Lin walked over with his people, greeted Jing Xi, and then looked at Chi Yao.

“This is Mr. Chi?”

Seeing Zhuo Lin extend his hand, Chi Yao noticed Jing Xi’s hinting gaze out of the corner of his eye and reluctantly shook hands with him.

“Chi Yao.”

“First time meeting—” Zhuo Lin swept over his eyes and suddenly paused. “Have we met somewhere?”

Chi Yao: “…”

Seeing Zhuo Lin staring at Chi Yao, Jing Xi spoke up timely. “He’s been on screen a lot recently; everyone who surfs the net knows him.”

Zhuo Lin withdrew his hand and said faintly, “Indeed, as they say, the real person looks much better than the photos.”

Chi Yao scoffed. “If you were a young Omega, I might be happy.”

Zhuo Lin: “I didn’t intend to make you happy.”

Chi Yao: “…”

This person was fucking annoying.

Outside the small conference room of the warship, three layers of soundproof shields were lowered. Yan Kai guarded outside to ensure no one disturbed them.

Inside the conference room, Jing Xi gathered all department heads, including Lu Meng. Chi Yao also called Li Yuan, Fang Liang, and others over.

Zhuo Lin glanced at everyone, surprised that Extreme Shadow could openly audit here.

He looked at Jing Xi. “What’s the situation here?”

Jing Xi raised his eyes. “Did the Commander-in-Chief talk to you before you came?”

Zhuo Lin crossed his hands in front of him, his expression emotionless.

“Mentioned a sentence or two.”

Jing Xi nodded, looked at everyone, and spoke unhurriedly.

“I haven’t formally spoken about this matter, but everyone present may have already sensed something.”

Lu Meng’s heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously looked at Li Yuan.

Jing Xi projected several data files in his hand into mid-air.

“We discovered an illegal research institute and found humans capable of beastification inside—”

Everyone was shocked and looked at the virtual screen, which showed several photos of humans with cat faces and claws.

“Isn’t this—Ghosts?!”

Han Yousheng exclaimed.

“How did they do it?!”

“Are Ghosts all monsters?”

“So terrifying, no wonder their combat power is so strong!”

Chi Yao swept his peripheral vision over their reactions, keeping a dark face without speaking.

“They are not monsters.” Jing Xi said lightly. “Apart from being able to beastify, they are not much different from ordinary people.”

Not much different?

No one dared to believe it. This was like the plot in those sci-fi disaster movies where mutated humans occupied the planet and exterminated ordinary people.

Others didn’t know, but Chi Yao knew Jing Xi was comforting him.

“Not much difference? Can only say they are completely two different species.”

Hearing Chi Yao’s voice, everyone looked over in unison.

Zhuo Lin looked thoughtful. “You know a lot about this?”

Chi Yao looked directly into his eyes and said lazily, “You haven’t thought about how many years Extreme Shadow has been dealing with Ghosts.”

Zhuo Lin noticed Jing Xi’s expression out of the corner of his eye and continued to ask, “You learned about this situation and reported it to Jing Xi?”

Saying “reported” was a bit strange. Chi Yao was about to deny it when he saw Jing Xi nod.

Zhuo Lin whispered to the recording officer beside him, “Register it.”

Recording Officer: “Yes.”

Li Yuan, sitting on Chi Yao’s left, nudged him with his elbow and laughed in a low voice. “Boss, your wife is fighting for benefits for you.”

Fang Liang, sitting on the right, nodded in agreement. “A good wife who knows how to manage the household.”

Chi Yao: “…”

What nonsense.

Jing Xi protecting him was certain. In comparison, Zhuo Lin’s attitude concerned him more.

That way of questioning was highly guiding and suggestive.

Zhuo Lin continued to ask Jing Xi, “Ghosts appeared on the battlefield several times to snatch supplies and energy?”

Jing Xi also noticed his questioning style, his expression unchanging.

“It’s unclear at the moment, but they attempted to assassinate me and attacked the army.”

Zhuo Lin nodded. “Applying for support this time is because Ghosts also appeared here?”

Jing Xi swiped his finger lightly, asking Little Red to retrieve several files.

“This is the number of modified humans we have captured so far.”

Everyone looked at the window together, unable to calm down for a moment.

Jin Ze’s mind was messy. Seeing Lu Meng calmer than him, he leaned over and whispered, “Did you already know? Those people captured were beast… beastmen?”

“How the fuck would I know?” Lu Meng retorted, but in his heart, he felt a sense of “as expected.”

The combat power of Ghosts was too strong. Facing them was basically a narrow escape from death; even the legion couldn’t gain an advantage.

Against such an organization, the military had never given a tough attitude.

The water inside was probably deep.

Communication with Zhuo Lin was unusually easy. In comparison, the heads of various departments looked blank, eyes dull, unsure if they understood.

After the meeting, Zhuo Lin said he wanted to check the situation in various departments and left with his people.

Jin Ze couldn’t hold back and walked a few steps closer to ask Jing Xi, “Sir, can those people really beastify? Then the beasts we are fighting now aren’t Ghosts too, right?”

Fighting beasts and fighting humans were completely different concepts.

Hearing this, others’ scalps tightened.

If those people could turn into beasts, did they kill many people unintentionally?

Thinking of the limbs blown to pieces on the battlefield, everyone felt unwell.

“No, those are real beasts.”

Seeing their unacceptable expressions, Jing Xi felt it necessary to explain. “From the current situation, they won’t beastify easily. No need to have too much psychological burden.”

As soon as the words fell, he saw them breathe a sigh of relief as expected.

Han Yousheng: “Then… then should we hold a meeting for the subordinates? Should we also discuss how to deal with them?”

Jing Xi: “This matter cannot be publicized for now. As for the subordinates, notify them according to the situation yourself.”

Chi Yao watched from the side and almost laughed.

“If you showed half the ruthlessness you used against Extreme Shadow, you wouldn’t be worrying like this.”

Having been in contact for a while, the heads of various departments understood Chi Yao a little.

This master wasn’t that scary when happy, just occasionally willful, but with the Boss tolerating him, it was none of their business.

As long as they didn’t make him angry, they were safe most of the time.

Han Yousheng retorted weakly, “Can that be the same? Although you are star pirates, everyone is human after all. But those Ghosts… we don’t understand them and don’t know how to start.”

“Is that so?” Chi Yao smiled and walked away with his hands in his pockets.

Leaving a group of officers with question marks in their heads.

Was Chi Yao refuting the point that “everyone is human” or the point that “don’t understand Ghosts, don’t know how to start”?

Walking out of the conference room, an officer rushed over.

Intending to report to Yan Kai, seeing his Boss come out, the officer turned and walked over.

“Sir, the Snake King brought a group of minions and delivered a bunch of people!”

Jing Xi frowned slightly and turned to look at Chi Yao.

It must be this guy’s trick.

Chi Yao raised the corner of his lips and signaled Jing Xi to go to the monitoring station together.

On the screen, a squad of patrol guards confronted the snake group. Some villagers lay among them, writhing on the ground.

The information officer’s shout came from that end.

“They put the people down but refused to leave!”

The officers looked at the virtual screen, a bit dumbfounded.

The Snake King stretched its neck and looked eagerly, not knowing what it was looking at.

“Tell them to detain these people.” Chi Yao swiped his finger, asking Xiao Hei to send a photo to the information officer. “Magnify this photo a thousand times and project it in front of the snake group.”

Information Officer: “??? Project what?”

Officers: “…?”

What the hell?

Jing Xi kept a straight face and waved his hand. “Execute.”

Information Officer: “Yes!”

He sent the photo to the warship closest to that side. Moments later, the photo was displayed on the monitoring station screen.

The officers gasped upon seeing it.

This person looked a bit like Chen Bingfeng, and was beaten too miserably.

The next moment, they saw the Snake King twisting its neck and starting to dance.

Everyone: “…”

Information Officer: “Report! Other Beast Kings are approaching over there!”

Moments later, everyone watched on the screen as several more Beast Kings appeared beside the Snake King, howling like ghosts and twisting happily as if it were New Year’s.

Less than ten minutes later, the patrol team receiving that batch of people sent a report. These people had evaded the previous screening and left no records in the system.

“Photos can make ghosts push the millstone.” Chi Yao crossed his arms and leaned aside, smiling smugly. “Truly a good thing, right, Xi Xi.”

Jing Xi: “…”

Jing Xi said solemnly, “Mn, deeply experienced.”

Chi Yao: “…”

---

Intending to observe for two days before setting off for 810, Chi Yao disagreed and dragged him off before dawn the next day.

On the small spaceship secretly heading to 810, Jing Xi sat in the driver’s seat and looked up at Chi Yao. “Aren’t you afraid Zhuo Lin is also a mole?”

“If he is a mole, he won’t expose his fox tail while we are there.” Chi Yao leaned back against the console, playing with his slender fingertips. “The old man’s people have arrived. I’m not afraid of something happening; I’m afraid of nothing happening.”

Jing Xi leaned back against the seat, lost in thought.

He confessed to Zhuo Lin right away to test him.

The photo of Chen Bingfeng’s beast claw had been uploaded to the internet. Although the face wasn’t captured, the pattern on the cuff was clear.

If Zhuo Lin was a mole, he must know they knew a lot. Choosing to conceal it at this time would be even more suspicious.

But if he wasn’t, the work could be handed over faster, and he and Chi Yao could get away to 810 as soon as possible.

“Boss, food is here!”

Li Yuan walked in from outside carrying a plate. “It’s the chicken I snatched, very tender!”

“Li Yuan, you motherfucker— I stewed the chicken perfectly, and you fished it all out without leaving a feather?!”

Lu Meng walked in cursing.

Chi Yao / Jing Xi: “…”

Both Flying Dragon and Extreme Shadow people stayed at 820 to screen failed subjects. They wanted to go to 810 alone but were opposed by all subordinates on both sides.

—”Got to find someone who can cook to follow along. What if you starve and get thin again?!”

Because of this sentence, Li Yuan and Lu Meng, these two thick-skinned guys, followed happily.

Chi Yao: “It’s not easy for a chicken to grow this big. Old Li, give it back to him.”

Jing Xi: “Visitors are guests; good things should naturally be given to guests.”

Chi Yao: “This chicken’s appearance doesn’t fit my aesthetic; can’t eat it.”

Jing Xi: “I have special feelings for chickens; can’t bring myself to eat it.”

The two bickered back and forth, making it clear neither wanted to eat the chicken.

Li Yuan and Lu Meng were dumbfounded, unable to interject for a moment.

Finally, Chi Yao waved his hand. “You’ve worked hard fighting recently; the chicken is awarded to you.”

After speaking, he held his wife’s hand and happily went back to the room to cook a private meal.

Leaving Li Yuan and Lu Meng looking at each other.

“…”

Just busy for nothing?