Tianjiang Constellation, Military Headquarters.

On the corridors of various floors in the Government Affairs Building, groups of people hurried past, entering different generals’ offices.

Zheng Kang’an was currently receiving guests. Upon hearing his subordinate’s report whispered into his ear, he raised his voice in disbelief, “What?!”

The subordinate glanced at the other people nearby and said in a low voice, “There’s a video online.”

Zheng Kang’an hurriedly made an excuse about a sudden matter, led his subordinate back to his own office, and stared at the virtual screen projected in front of him.

In the video, Li Xiao was leaning against the headboard of a bed with bandages wrapped around him. His face was pale and haggard, and his voice carried a sickly hoarseness as he looked away from the camera. “Is it ready?”

A voice full of vigor came from off-camera, “We can start now, but Your Highness’s body hasn’t recovered yet, so it shouldn’t take too long.”

Li Xiao nodded and looked back at the camera.

“I am Li Xiao. I didn’t expect so many things to happen during my coma. First, let me say I’m sorry for making everyone worry.”

Countless text comments flashed across the video screen—

“Is this not an AI-generated deepfake?! My male god is still alive! Sob sob sob”

“I’m not dreaming, am I? Sob sob This is wonderful!”

My god, he was in a coma for a full four days! But as long as he’s not dead, that’s what matters. Wounds will heal!”

“No need to say sorry! You saved so many disaster victims, you’ve already done great!”

In the video, Li Xiao coughed twice, clutching his flank and catching his breath imperceptibly.

“The videos leaked online are all true. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have run around during the insect swarm, causing the garrison to mistake us for terrorists.”

At this moment, a baritone voice came from off-camera.

“But we didn’t even have a stick in our hands at the time. How could we be identified as terrorists?”

Another bass voice added, “Good thing we hid fast, otherwise we would’ve been shot into sieves already.”

“Stop talking,” Li Xiao interrupted their conversation. “Everyone, please do not blame the garrison. As for those officers who were arrested, I will contact the Royal Family immediately to clarify the situation.”

Qian Can, playing the baritone voice, said, “They arrested Captain Gao Mo. The Royal Family actually arrested the wrong person, I’m truly speechless.”

Jiang Hao, playing the bass voice, chimed in, “How could they arrest the wrong person? Aren’t these names submitted by the local authorities?”

Qian Can said, “That’s really strange. I clearly heard them calling out ‘Captain Ma’ back then.”

Jiang Hao echoed, “I heard it too. Is Captain Ma a subordinate of Captain Gao Mo?”

“I told you all to stop talking. Go out first.” Li Xiao’s face turned cold.

The sound of footsteps and a door opening and closing came from the video.

The video comments section erupted—

“Injured like this and still thinking about other people’s safety, you really make me cry to death sob sob”

“As expected, it wasn’t Captain Gao! Release him immediately!”

“That Captain Ma has a problem! If it weren’t for Li Xiao and his companion’s skills, they’d be dead by now!”

“Thoroughly investigate Captain Ma!”

“Someone inside the garrison is shifting the blame! With such brutal law enforcement, we can’t let these people off easily!”

“Li Xiao!” Zheng Kang’an slammed the table in rage, pointing his shaking finger at the screen as he looked at his subordinate. “Where is he? Find out for me immediately!”

The subordinate lowered his head. “We’ve already sent people to trace the origin of the video.”

On the surface, Li Xiao seemed to be speaking up for the garrison, but in reality, it was revenge. Every single sentence was like an iron hammer destined to crush the garrison to death, and he had even dragged Ma Minghao into it. His intentions were downright malicious.

Zheng Kang’an made a video call to Meng Jian with a grim face, but it kept ringing with no answer.

On the screen, Li Xiao spoke calmly, “I heard that everyone suspects His Majesty sent people to deal with me. I find it necessary to clarify this. Before the explosion that day, the Beta Major I met did indeed say he was under orders from the Royal Family, but the actual situation requires further investigation. In fact, it was the people sent by His Majesty who saved me. If they hadn’t arrived in time, I would already be dead.”

At this point, Li Xiao coughed a few times, took a water glass, and drank a little. “My relationship with His Majesty is very harmonious. I don’t want to see everyone being incited by people with ulterior motives to hate the Royal Family over some fabricated matters.”

Listening to this, Zheng Kang’an began to question his entire life.

Li Ji was the one who saved him? When? Did old Meng know about this long ago and keep him entirely in the dark?!

Not long after the video was posted, it claimed the number one spot on the trending lists across all platforms.

Media outlets scrambling for traffic analyzed Li Xiao’s words practically word by word, coming just short of writing an essay for each character.

Before long, a wave of internet trolls emerged. Some claimed the video was fake, some said Li Xiao was lying to cover up for the Royal Family, and others claimed Li Xiao had been threatened.

For a time, opinions varied wildly, and the top dozens of trending topics were all related keywords.

Soon after, someone claiming to be an insider within the garrison posted an update under the topic.

[The troops in the mountainous area that day were indeed not Captain Gao Mo’s responsibility. The garrison’s internal ranks have already fallen apart over this matter. Captain Ma Minghao has a powerful backing, so when trouble arose, he made someone else take the fall. Captain Gao Mo has no connections, so he could only take the blame.]

It was even accompanied by a garrison personnel relationship chart.

The post quickly attracted a massive wave of netizens.

Top Comment 1: Cold knowledge: Ma Minghao is the nephew of a certain general’s adjutant. To say his power reaches the heavens wouldn’t be an understatement. He’s usually a tyrant whom no one dares to provoke.

Top Comment 2: Daring to make a lethal move against the Prince—this time, even if the Jade Emperor himself comes down, he won’t be able to protect him!

Top Comment 3: Manually tagging @Royal Family, hurry up and arrest him. The time to prove yourselves has come!

Top Comment 4: Not even putting the Royal Family in their eyes. It’s hard to imagine how they treat ordinary citizens on a daily basis. Keeping this kind of person around for the New Year?!

Before Zheng Kang’an could suppress the heat of this post, allegations about Ma Minghao accepting bribes, secretly frequenting casinos and sensual establishments, and illegally replacing others’ positions cropped up on the other end, leaving him entirely overwhelmed.

“Call the adjutant here!”

In another office, Meng Jian’s expression was not much better than Zheng Kang’an’s.

He hadn’t expected that even a bomb couldn’t blow Li Xiao to death, and had instead given the opponent an opportunity to counterattack.

With this matter blowing up to such an extent, not a single person named by Li Xiao would be able to escape. At a time like this, anyone who dared to stand up and protect someone would be a fool.

Once a reputation turned rotten, it was very hard to wash it clean again.

It wasn’t worth it for a few small fries.

After watching the video, Meng Tu looked at Meng Jian behind the desk. “He said His Majesty sent people to save him. Did you not receive any news on your side?”

“No.”

Meng Jian rolled walnuts in his hand, lost in thought. “I didn’t expect Li Ji to still have people he could mobilize.”

The Yi family army was all back at the Tianjiang Constellation; distant water couldn’t extinguish a nearby fire. As for those small fries of the Yi family within the Z152 garrison of the Zifu Constellation, they weren’t even worth mentioning. It was impossible for them to run off to save Li Xiao on their own without superior orders.

“Then His Majesty has been acting all these past few days?” Meng Tu was puzzled. “Since when did his relationship with Li Xiao become so good?”

For a moment, even Meng Jian couldn’t entirely see through it.

If Li Ji were truly good to Li Xiao, it would have been impossible for him to throw the boy out of the palace at eight years old.

He had always been indecisive, very cold toward this brother of his, yet unable to make up his mind to kill him. This time’s incident clearly showed that Li Ji had let out a sigh of relief.

Being able to use someone else’s hands to kill this younger brother solved the trouble while preserving his reputation—allowing him to reap all the benefits.

But what did Li Xiao’s words mean?

“Li Xiao is full of tricks. This matter still needs to be pondered further…”

Just as Meng Jian was planning to head to the palace to test the waters, his terminal vibrated. The Royal Family’s communication came first.

Special Assistant Lao Liu said respectfully, “General Meng, His Majesty requests your presence.”

Meng Jian arrived at the King’s office. Just as he finished his salutation, he met Li Ji’s cold face.

Suppressing his fury, Li Ji walked up to Meng Jian. “You people can’t even check clearly whether a person is dead or not?!”

Meng Jian replied calmly, “After all, it is old Zheng’s station. It wasn’t proper for me to interfere.”

“Every time a problem arises, you deflect!” Li Ji gritted his teeth, saying every word with deliberate force, “Every single person under your responsibility for the investigation is to be demoted and sent to fourth-class residential planets to be tempered for a few years. If they can’t learn to be smart, don’t come back!”

The corner of Meng Jian’s eye twitched slightly. “Didn’t you send people to save him? Did you not know the person wasn’t dead?”

“Anyone thinking with their toes would know he’s lying!” Li Ji slapped the documents on the desk away. “If I knew he wasn’t dead, would I need to be cursed for so many days?!”

Meng Jian observed his actions. “If you want him dead, it’s still not too late now.”

Li Ji sneered, “What do you mean I want him dead? Watch your choice of words!”

Meng Jian changed his phrasing, “Accidents happen every day. Perhaps the Second Highness might run into one?”

With a dark face, Li Ji glared at Meng Jian. “Cut it out with your bad advice here. In the current situation, no one can touch him! Do you think the Royal Family’s reputation hasn’t been ruined thoroughly enough?!”

Being pointed at and scolded by someone dozens of years younger than him made Meng Jian’s face turn grim.

This time truly was a case of losing the bait along with the fish.

He couldn’t even find someone to finish Li Xiao off, forced to watch such a perfect opportunity slip away.

Thinking of this, Meng Jian’s expression softened as he offered respectfully, “The Second Highness needs to recuperate from his injuries. It’s truly too dangerous outside. It’s better to have him return to the palace.”

Li Ji retorted impatiently, “Just threw the person out, and now we’re bringing him back?”

Meng Jian said, “Leaving him ignored at this time makes the Royal Family look very heartless. Regardless of his purpose in claiming you saved him, why not take advantage of the situation to bring him back to the palace for care? First stabilize the Royal Family’s reputation. I have always believed that letting a prince wander outside is not the best strategy.”

Li Ji ruffled his hair irritably. “I’ll consider it.”

Meng Jian walked out from receiving a harsh scolding, running into the rushing Zheng Kang’an.

The two exchanged a glance and brushed past each other with fallen faces.

On the afternoon of the video’s exposure, the Royal Family issued another announcement.

The Z152 garrison had not only enforced laws against regulations but someone had also publicly made another person take the blame for a crime, which seriously violated military discipline.

This announcement from the Royal Family listed the entire chain of personnel involved under Captain Ma Minghao, from Middle Colonels down to Sergeants, as well as the list of personnel responsible for investigating the incident, urging the military to uncover the truth as quickly as possible.

The next morning, the military issued an announcement releasing Gao Mo. Ma Minghao and the other involved personnel were all taken into custody, while a series of investigators were either detained or demoted to barren border planets.

Subsequently, the Royal Family also posted an update, stating they would bring Li Xiao back to the palace to recuperate.

The comments section called it a massive relief.

“This time you must dispatch reliable people! Don’t give them a chance to harm the Second Highness!”

“We will supervise through the cloud!”

“They only agree to investigate seriously when things blow up.”

“Looking at it this way, His Majesty being cursed was indeed quite unjust.”

“Recuperate well! Post more videos!”

While Zheng Kang’an was busy sending people to look for Li Xiao, Li Xiao had long since flown out of Z152’s airspace.

Li Xiao turned on his terminal, which had been switched off for a few days, and received a message from the Royal Family stating they would send people to pick him up.

This suited his intentions perfectly.

“You’re going back?” Song Jin sat at the small table by the window working, drinking his coffee without raising his head. “When are you leaving?”

Li Xiao replied, “The agreement is to meet at Zifu Constellation’s Space Station Nine in eight hours.”

“So rushed?” Song Jin turned his head over. “Then doesn’t that mean we only have eight hours left to spend together?”

Li Xiao chuckled, “Can’t bear to part?”

Song Jin said, “You’re my wife, of course I can’t bear to part.”

“Where are you headed next?” Li Xiao asked.

“To take a look at the border of the Nanming Constellation.” Song Jin dragged out his voice, his tone chilling. “It’s not like I can follow you back to the Danse royal palace.”

Li Xiao didn’t argue.

Going back together wasn’t impossible, but it was too dangerous. Even with the protection of combat armor, a hundred percent safety still couldn’t be guaranteed. The incident at the freight center was the best lesson.

The enemies in the dark were far more ruthless than they imagined. There was no need, nor any requirement, for Song Jin to take this risk with him.

“I’ve arranged for Jiang Chi and Wei Feng at the border. You should head back to your country first.” Li Xiao stood behind the chair, scratching Song Jin’s chin. “I’ll let you know when there’s a need.”

This action was just like coaxing a pet. Song Jin leaned down and took a bite out of his finger, highly dissatisfied. “What, am I your summoned beast to be called at your whistle and dismissed at your wave?”

Abruptly touching Song Jin’s lips, Li Xiao’s fingertip twitched, reminding him of that fierce kiss from Song Jin in the restroom.

The teeth that had clashed back then still throbbed faintly even now.

This brat clumsily didn’t know how to restrain his strength, clearly indicating he wasn’t an experienced hand.

Li Xiao asked, “If you stay out of the country for a long time, won’t your brother worry?”

Song Jin replied, “He only needs to worry when I return to the country.”

Li Xiao: “…”

“Boss.” Qian Can ran over from the pantry biting a piece of bread. “I found a little something.”

The two looked at the magnified virtual screen.

On it was the data retrieved from the abandoned base.

“I tried to repair these two pages of garbled code.” Qian Can projected the repaired pages out. “This is a list, but the header is gone.”

The very top of the page displayed a single character: 渡 (Ferry/Pass). Li Xiao and Song Jin spoke almost simultaneously, “The Ferryman?”

Qian Can was puzzled, “What kind of thing is a Ferryman?”

Li Xiao magnified the page. Every row of data followed the exact same format.

[4.20 200 N7969 F6]

Song Jin casually pointed out a row, “Looking at the pattern, the first column is the date. Assuming the second column is the quantity, the third is the planet serial number, and this fourth column—”

“The Ferryman’s code?” Li Xiao finished.

The data obtained wasn’t much, and the code in the final column corresponding to each planet was different.

“Here.” Li Xiao pointed at the third row from the bottom on the second page. [T999, G2].

Song Jin remarked, “Even if this is something from thirty years ago, this person must be at least fifty years old by now.”

Li Xiao noted, “G2 might not necessarily refer to a specific individual. It could very well be a group of people.”

T999 was the Shengya empire’s most important military education planet, carrying far more investigative value than the border of the Nanming Constellation.

This trip was an absolute must.

Beep, beep, beep.

07 sounded a prompt, “Master, the file reception is complete.”

Song Jin looked at his own screen to review the received files. After confirming, he had 07 run a comparison with the DNA test report obtained from the abandoned base.

“Where did the data come from?” Li Xiao asked.

Song Jin replied, “I had my dad package and send it over. It’s still incomplete, but let’s treat a dead horse as a live one.”

07 announced, “Match successful!”

Seeing the personal information that popped up, Song Jin straightened his posture, somewhat unable to believe his eyes.

“Wei Feng?!” Qian Can leaned over the desk to scan it carefully twice, confirming he hadn’t misread. “How could it be him?”

The DNA report from the abandoned base matched Wei Feng perfectly!

In an instant, Li Xiao’s mind went through a hundred turns.

The abandoned base had once been a breeding base. The base data contained Wei Feng’s DNA report, and Wei Feng was his biological father in terms of bloodline.

Then who was he?

Suddenly, Li Xiao felt a bit uncertain.

Seeing that the worst-case scenario had still occurred, Song Jin stood up. Noticing Li Xiao’s grave expression, he pulled him into a hug and comforted him in a low voice by his ear, “It might not necessarily mean he was breeding stock. Perhaps he was captured and brought inside back then.”

Thirty years ago, Wei Feng was three years old. If he had been captured, did he truly have the ability to escape from that hellish place?

Li Xiao’s thoughts were a bit chaotic. He patted Song Jin to indicate he was fine.

“No matter what, it’s highly likely Wei Feng has been to this base before.”

Song Jin nodded, “He mentioned Li Xun before. Let’s find time to look into it. There might be clues in that regard.”

The era was far too distant, and many people were no longer around, causing the difficulty of the investigation to climb sharply.

Arriving at Space Station Nine, Song Jin escorted Li Xiao to the docking port.

“History repeats itself. Last time it was you seeing me off, this time it’s me seeing you off.”

Li Xiao said, “You didn’t have to come.”

Walking around blindly on a civilian spaceship risked exposure.

Song Jin had a serious expression, “But I wanted to accompany you until the very last minute.”

Li Xiao caught the teasing in his eyes. “Anyone who didn’t know better would think I was about to die.”

“You can shut up now, so unromantic.” Song Jin stopped at the docking port and waved at him. “Go on.”

To think he would be so distant.

Li Xiao was somewhat surprised, having assumed this clingy little lion would at least pester him for a kiss.

“A hug?” Li Xiao opened his arms.

Song Jin rejected him coldly, “Leaving you empty-handed is the only way to keep your heart scratching and your mind yearning for me.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Where did he learn such twisted logic.

Qian Can and Jiang Hao on the side: “…”

The big boss clearly didn’t do anything, so how did they still end up receiving a basin of dog food?

By the time they reached the Capital Planet of the Tianjiang Constellation, it was already the early hours of the morning. Li Xiao first returned to the side palace to rest, planning to look for his brother the next day.

Just as he returned to the palace, the butler Lin Hai led a grand entourage of attendants to welcome him, changing his clothes, switching his shoes, and wiping his hands. Jiang Hao, following behind, also shared the luxury. Seeing these people serving on their knees, he couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the favor.

It was his first time properly witnessing a prince’s treatment; previously, every time they returned, no one bothered with them.

Early the next morning, Li Xiao went to the main palace. In the long corridor of the outer palace, he ran into Meng Jian.

Having received the news, Meng Jian knew Li Xiao was coming to the main palace today and had timed his arrival precisely to check on the situation.

Seeing Li Xiao wrapped up tightly, his complexion not as pale as it was in the video, he tested, “Has Your Highness’s injury healed?”

Li Xiao spoke calmly, “Much better. Thank you for your concern.”

The two walked side by side toward the inner palace. Meng Jian remarked neither hot nor cold, “As a prince, it is truly unsafe for you to wander outside at will. That is why I previously proposed your transfer to the military academy.”

“I didn’t expect things to turn out like this either.” Li Xiao looked ahead, a helpless smile carrying in his voice. “Just after leaving the palace, I was treated as a reactionary element and nearly killed. I always believed that with several of you generals presiding, the country would be very safe.”

Being mocked explicitly and implicitly, Meng Jian held his patience to reply, “No matter how strong one’s ability is, there are always places where one’s hand cannot reach.”

Li Xiao chuckled, “Are you implying that the military academy is a place where your hand can reach?”

Meng Jian defended, “You misunderstand my meaning. The military academy is heavily protected by the military, so you will also be much safer there.”

The two entered the inner palace.

Li Ji’s expression was indifferent, clearly showing no great joy at Li Xiao’s return.

“What is it?”

Li Xiao replied, “Nothing much. Just came over to greet you.”

Li Ji flipped through the approval documents, “I see. You may go back.”

Just as Li Xiao was preparing to leave, he was called back by Meng Jian.

Meng Jian looked toward Li Ji, “Your Majesty, the Second Highness cannot remain idle indefinitely; it affects the Royal Family’s image. I suggest we first transfer his school registration to the military academy.”

“Why are you still talking about this matter?” Li Ji raised his head impatiently. “Didn’t I say not to mention it again?”

Meng Jian questioned, “Do you already have other arrangements?”

Li Ji was about to reprimand him but was interrupted by Li Xiao.

“Brother, I want to go.” Li Xiao looked toward Li Ji. “Nearly losing my life this time made me realize I still have a long way to go. I want to go to the military academy to learn more skills, or at least learn to protect myself.”

Li Ji’s face darkened.

Neither Li Xiao nor Meng Jian could figure out what this master was actually thinking.

“If you insist on going, then suit yourself.” Li Ji’s tone was cold. “But do not stir up trouble for me. If you make a scene like you did back in Shengya, pack your bags and roll right back to the palace immediately.”

Li Xiao added, “My friends will go along as well.”

Before Li Ji could speak, Meng Jian cut in first, “Of course. How can a prince be without study companions by his side?”

The three of them held their own calculations, settling the matter in a matter of a few sentences.

After resting in the palace for two days, the military academy’s school registration was approved.

Jiang Hao looked at the notification he received, simply unable to believe it.

He had actually enrolled in the First Military Academy! Furthermore, it was an exemption from testing and examinations. This was enough for him to brag about for half a year back home.

“This trip over will be very dangerous.” Li Xiao packed his backpack. “You must remain alert at all times and cannot slack off.”

Jiang Hao replied, “I know.”

Seeing how determined he was, Li Xiao smiled, “Not afraid?”

Jiang Hao said, “Wealth and honor are sought amidst danger.”

Li Xiao: “…”

No flaws in that logic.

Taking a spaceship to arrive at T999, they transferred from the space station to a flying vehicle, landing on the number eight helipad of the First Military Academy.

A group of school leaders came over to receive them. At a single glance, Li Xiao spotted that General Affairs Director, Zhang Bin.

They had to head to the political and education office first to handle the admission procedures. Upon reaching the administrative area, Li Xiao noticed a significant crowd gathered ahead, with occasional screams ringing out, causing him some discomfort.

Noticing Li Xiao’s expression, Zhang Bin explained, “A batch of Shengya exchange students is enrolling today.”

“Shengya exchange students?” Li Xiao’s heart skipped a beat.

A flash of gold appeared within his vision, and Li Xiao snapped his gaze over.

A group of students wearing Shengya military school uniforms passed by the plaza not far away. Following behind them was a tall, blonde youth with a lazy and detached expression, completely ignoring the enthusiastic students around him.

Perhaps noticing Li Xiao’s gaze, the other party unhurriedly looked over. The moment their eyes met, a smile spread across his face.

The childish, mischievous grin couldn’t conceal the high spirits unique to this age, making it impossible for Li Xiao to tear his eyes away.

A group of Omegas, completely captivated by Song Jin’s appearance, gathered their courage to run up in front of him to strike up a conversation.

“I don’t understand your Danse language.” Song Jin waved his hand toward Li Xiao, speaking in the Shengya tongue, “That classmate over there, come over and help me translate for a moment.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Playing the pretend-not-to-know-each-other game?