Under the severe effects of electromagnetic interference, even transmitting a simple operational directive had become exceptionally difficult.

Inside the command center, several mid-to-high-ranking military officers stood before the surveillance monitors, peering through mechanical optical equipment to observe the unfolding combat situation in the Hemining District.

“This is bad! That sector is being heavily bombarded!” the spotter barked in a low, tense voice.

A sixty-something Alpha Major General, pacing anxiously back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back, felt his heart skip a beat at the report. “Which sector? Be precise!”

The spotter replied, “The invading forces—their vanguard has already been struck four or five times!”

The Alpha Major General shoved him aside to look through the optics personally.

Analyzing the distinct detonation patterns and plasma flares, the Major General determined almost instantly that this was a targeted orbital cannon bombardment.

“Does the Third Army Corps possess undeployed reinforcements?!” A Beta Colonel waiting nearby asked, his expression exceptionally grim.

The Alpha Major General countered, “Not necessarily. It is highly probable that the enemy forces have been outflanked.”

Wringing his hands, the Beta Colonel grew increasingly agitated. “Then what is our course of action? Are we not deploying our forces?”

“You want to deploy them just like that? Have you failed to consider the operational consequences?!” the Alpha Major General roared in fury.

The Beta Colonel argued, “Our failure to execute a rescue mission is already functionally identical to high treason! If we do not seize this window to eliminate the Third Army Corps, our only alternative is to wait for execution!”

Infuriated, the Alpha leveled the man with a single, sweeping punch. “You absolute pig-brain!”

A nearby Alpha Colonel stepped in to clarify, “We merely withheld rescue reinforcements. The civilian population remains completely blind to our operational movements. However, if we actively deploy troops to assault the Third Army Corps, the footage will inevitably be captured by civilians. When that happens, the blowback will severely compromise the reputations of both the Qi and Meng families.”

The Beta Colonel pressed, “So we are just going to stand by and watch?”

The Alpha Major General’s jaw tightened. “We wait a fraction longer. We have not yet reached the absolute worst-case scenario.”

As the words left his mouth, a communications soldier rushed frantically into the center to report: “Sir, the Third Army Corps’ fleet has arrived!”

The Alpha Major General stiffened, instantly rushing outside.

Peering through the reinforced observation glass at the massive fleet hovering in the upper atmosphere, the trailing cohort of field-grade officers sucked in a sharp breath. Their palms grew slick with sweat as an overwhelming, suffocating sensation of impending doom washed over them.

A faint, amplified broadcast echoed from the exterior.

The Alpha Major General raised a hand, signaling the room to maintain absolute silence.

“Attention all personnel within the Garrison Headquarters: Upper General Qi Shoude has been formally placed under arrest for the crime of conspiring with enemy forces and high treason. All officers holding the rank of Major and above are directed to assemble immediately at Landing Pad One to accompany the Third Army Corps for formal interrogation. Should any personnel attempt to resist arrest, the Third Army Corps retains absolute authorization to execute summary judgments on site.”

“Repeating the directive: Upper General Qi Shoude has been formally placed under arrest for the crime of conspiring with enemy forces and high treason…”

The gathered cohort stood completely dumbfounded.

The Beta Colonel’s voice trembled with sheer panic. “Did… did I mishear that? General Qi has been arrested?!”

A Beta Lieutenant Colonel stammered, “I heard… I heard the exact same statement.”

An Alpha Colonel countered fiercely, “Preposterous! It is absolutely impossible for General Qi to be compromised so easily!”

An Alpha Lieutenant Colonel panicked, “But they declared summary execution on site! Are they preparing to flatten the entire headquarters?!”

The Alpha Major General was internally terrified himself, and hearing his subordinates bickering continuously, he snapped fiercely, “Shut up! Can you not identify such a transparent psychological trap?! Do they even possess the structural firepower to flatten us?!”

The moment his words cleared, the exterior broadcast boomed once more.

“Commencing a ten-minute countdown. Any personnel who fail to report to Landing Pad One within the designated window will be classified as actively resisting arrest.”

Immediately following the warning, the rhythmic, automated countdown began to echo.

With every ticking increment, the officers felt their hearts seize with anxiety.

This was an absolute psychological execution!

Several field-grade officers in the rear ranks began casting frantic glances around the room, their inclination to surrender intensifying by the second. Low-level personnel like themselves were merely executing superior orders; even if they were apprehended, it wouldn’t result in a death sentence. Yet, if they maintained this armed standoff, they could genuinely lose their lives right here.

As the countdown cleared its first full minute, the Beta Colonel wiped a layer of sweat from his brow, turning to the Alpha Major General. “Sir, what is our operational play?”

The Alpha Major General countered, “Act as though we heard nothing! They cannot genuinely execute a strike against us.”

The spotter sprinted back into the room, reporting breathlessly, “Sir! Over half of the invading enemy forces have been completely incinerated!”

“What?!” The Alpha Major General bolted back to the surveillance monitor, and the sight left his heart half-frozen.

The invading fleet had adjusted their altitude significantly, appearing to execute a tactical retreat, yet the orbital bombardment pursued them relentlessly. The enemy forces possessed absolutely zero defensive countermeasures; the horizon was painted a violent crimson by the continuous chain of detonations. The expanding plasma bursts were more brilliant than fireworks, yet they caused the Alpha Major General to break out in a cold sweat.

How could the tactical landscape have deteriorated to this point!

If the garrison deployed their forces right now, they might still alter the outcome.

However, he had yet to receive definitive confirmation regarding the Emperor’s death. In the event that he annihilated the Third Army Corps only for the Emperor to survive, he would still face absolute execution.

“There is no time to weigh options!” The Alpha Major General gestured fiercely for the Beta Colonel to approach. “Transmit the order—deploy all forces immediately!”

“Understood!” The Beta Colonel acknowledged the command and rushed out of the command center, only to spot a frantic soldier sprint toward him from a distance.

The soldier panted, “Sir! A massive wave of personnel is breaking for Landing Pad One! We cannot restrain them!”

The Beta Colonel gasped, “What?!”

The soldier explained, “The Third Army Corps broadcasted that all personnel below the rank of Major who report to the assembly point within the window will be granted absolute immunity from systemic prosecution!”

The Beta Colonel froze, his mind turning completely blank.

Why the hell was he ranked above Major?

Why did they have to draw the line right there?!

_

Inside the bridge, Song Jin stood before the central surveillance array, watching the massive swarm of personnel flooding Landing Pad One. Still unsatisfied with the volume, he gestured to the Alpha Colonel overseeing the local operation. “Broadcast a supplement: any personnel who captures a field-grade officer and delivers them to Landing Pad One will not only receive absolute immunity but will also be decorated with a Third-Class Merit.”

The Alpha Colonel: “…”

Song Jin held no formal commission within their military hierarchy and was fundamentally a citizen of the Shengya Empire; how was the Colonel supposed to execute an operational command from him?

Noticing the Colonel’s hesitation, Song Jin recalled that he wasn’t currently operating within Shengya’s jurisdiction. “I am the future Prince Consort.”

“…” The Alpha Colonel turned a conflicted gaze toward Li Xiao.

Even though Song Jin was undeniably the Second Prince’s chosen partner, executing arbitrary operational directives from a civilian would result in his commanding officer tearing him apart upon their return.

“Execute the directive as he outlined. I will clear it with my brother personally,” Li Xiao remarked, glancing at the chronometer. “We need to accelerate our operational timeline; we do not have the luxury of time.”

Yi Yongning had already committed his hand, meaning Meng Jian would likely stop at nothing, potentially mobilizing adjacent regional military assets to encircle them. They needed to clear the sector before that materialized.

The Alpha Colonel saluted, “Understood!”

Song Jin’s striking eyes narrowed slightly. “It seems your words carry significantly more weight.”

Li Xiao countered, “If you had simply informed him that you were the Crown Princess, he would have executed the order without a moment’s hesitation.”

Song Jin: “…”

Song Jin’s voice turned icy. “What structural difference does that make?”

Li Xiao explained, “The Danse Royal Protocol dictates that a Crown Princess must reside permanently within the imperial palace complex with their partner and cannot return to their maternal home arbitrarily.”

Song Jin: “…”

What in the world was a ‘maternal home’ in this context?

_

The Beta Colonel ran himself ragged across the facility, yet he couldn’t secure a single operational squad. When he finally intercepted a pocket of soldiers, they were already sprinting directly toward Landing Pad One.

“Halt!” the Beta Colonel bellowed fiercely. “Deserting the field of battle makes you no different from traitors!”

A vast majority of the enlisted personnel had served on S1301 for over eight years. Given their low rank, they operated merely as insignificant cogs within the garrison framework, possessing zero personal allegiance to any political faction.

The moment the invading forces breached the sector, they had already panicked over potential systemic liability. Seeing that headquarters harbored absolutely zero intention of deploying forces to engage the invaders left them utterly terrified.

They lacked the operational authority to deploy independently, nor did they dare desert the base entirely; they could only grit their teeth and hold their positions, waiting for a command structure that never came.

The Third Army Corps’ directive appeared coercive on the surface, but in reality, it handed them a vital lifeline.

It offered an escape from their compromised superiors and a guaranteed shield against collective legal prosecution.

The majority of the soldiers ignored the Beta Colonel entirely, their focus locked on reaching Landing Pad One before the clock ran out.

A well-meaning soldier paused to urge the officer, “Colonel, General Qi has already been apprehended. Persisting in this error will only guarantee our execution. Drop your weapon and surrender with us.”

“What did you say?!” The Beta Colonel, consumed by rage, seized the soldier by his collar. Yet, before his fist could connect, the Third Army Corps’ heavy amplifiers boomed across the base once more.

“Attention all personnel within the Garrison Headquarters: any individual who apprehends an officer holding the rank of Major or above and delivers them to Landing Pad One will secure absolute immunity alongside an individual Third-Class Merit…”

Midway through the gruff announcement, the broadcast abruptly transitioned to a cool, refined, and distinctly relaxed voice.

“For every field-grade officer delivered to Landing Pad One, you will instantly secure an individual Third-Class Merit. The incentive scales continuously with zero ceiling. The soldier responsible for the highest number of apprehensions will receive an immediate promotional rank advancement. The window is strictly limited to ten minutes; late arrivals will not be accommodated.”

Every soldier froze instantly, turning their heads in unison to lock their gazes onto the Beta Colonel, their eyes gleaming with intense focus.

A cold dread washed down the Beta Colonel’s spine. He took two steps back, spun on his heel, and fled for his absolute life.

A pack of soldiers immediately gave chase: “Don’t let him escape!”

The moment the ten-minute window expired, the Third Army Corps’ Alpha Colonel reviewed the numbers. Virtually the entire complement of the garrison headquarters had assembled at Landing Pad One, save for the Major General commanding the facility.

Li Xiao turned toward the exit. “Commence the sweep.”

The entire headquarters was tightly sealed by the Third Army Corps’ fleet. Combat detachments moved systematically to secure every critical operational quadrant, ensuring not a single individual could evade containment.

Li Xiao, Song Jin, and the Corps Colonel led a primary detachment directly into the central command sector.

The moment the heavy metallic doors were breached, a cohort of mid-to-high-ranking garrison officers were caught frantically debating survival strategies.

Reacting to the breach, several officers drew their sidearms, unleashing a hail of suppressive fire toward the entrance.

However, the kinetic rounds were completely deflected by heavy tactical shields.

Catching sight of Li Xiao, the commanding Major General’s mind stalled in pure terror, causing him to take a panicked step back.

“You dare discharge firearms in the presence of the Second Prince?!” the Corps Colonel roared.

The Major General’s face remained taut. “I merely witnessed you breaching the command center alongside a citizen of the Shengya Empire. I operated under the assumption that the Third Army Corps had initiated a mutiny.”

The Corps Colonel wasted no time on rhetoric. “Drop all weapons, place your hands on your heads, and assume a kneeling position!”

“I answer exclusively to my commanding Upper General!” The Major General’s gaze darted between Li Xiao and Song Jin. “Intruding into a sovereign garrison installation without my express authorization—who is to say what treasonous plot you are executing.”

The Corps Colonel countered, “Resisting arrest warrants summary execution on site!”

The Major General sneered, “You wouldn’t dare—”

A sudden, sharp report echoed through the chamber.

The Lieutenant Colonel standing directly beside the Major General took a kinetic round squarely between his brows and collapsed to the floor.

Song Jin lowered his sidearm, offering a brilliant, serene smile. “What is there to be hesitant about? We possess an abundance of ammunition, and this pocket of officers won’t even require a full magazine.”

The Major General’s psychological resolve shattered completely.

“You… how could you possibly—”

Another sharp report shattered the air.

The Major standing on his opposite flank collapsed instantly.

With that, the collective psychological stability of the remaining command staff disintegrated. They tossed their sidearms to the deck plates, placed their hands over their heads, and dropped to their knees in unison.

The Major General looked around, realizing he was the solitary figure left standing.

Li Xiao remarked in a measured, even tone, “Terminate him.”

“I surrender!” the Major General screamed, instantly dropping to his knees, tears of raw terror welling in his eyes. “I surrender!”

Li Xiao looked down at him with clinical detachment. “Who authorized you to permit the invading forces to breach our airspace?”

The Major General hesitated. Catching Song Jin depressing his sidearm’s trigger out of the corner of his eye, he blurted out frantically, “It was a direct directive from General Qi!”

Li Xiao pressed, “Who authorized you to withhold military reinforcements while the Emperor was actively assaulted by enemy forces?”

The Major General gritted his teeth. “General Qi!”

Li Xiao demanded, “Then why did you deploy personnel to execute a civilian evacuation?”

The Major General lowered his head in shame. “To prevent the civilian population from deducing that the garrison was compromised. In the event that the Third Army Corps was annihilated, the garrison could claim zero involvement. That was General Qi’s explicit strategy.”

Li Xiao turned to the Corps Colonel. “Extract all of them.”

The Colonel saluted, “Understood.”

_

Jiang Hao and his team had pulled back toward the perimeter of the replenishment vessel, watching a spectacular display of tactical fireworks.

With every successive blast that illuminated the upper atmosphere, the public comms channels erupted into cheers, persisting until the entirety of the invading fleet was swallowed by the plasma firestorm.

The enemy warriors left stranded on the forward lines were entirely at a loss.

With their command infrastructure incinerated, they could neither execute a tactical retreat nor press the assault.

A few warriors glanced toward the combat mechs parked across the competition grounds. Gritting their teeth, they powered down their thrusters, brought their units down to a clean landing, stepped out of their cockpits, and voluntarily assumed a kneeling position at the base of their units’ footpads.

Seeing the transition, the remaining enemy units followed suit in rapid succession.

Within moments, the entire arena was populated by surrendering warriors.

The public comms channel was forcibly muted, replaced by the authoritative voice of the Mech Detachment’s Supreme Commander: “Attention all personnel: Return to your respective transport vessels immediately. The enemy forces have been systematically neutralized. The Army Corps will clear S1301 airspace in precisely ten minutes.”

Receiving the directive, Jiang Hao and his peers integrated behind the mech formations, systematically entering the hangar bay of the replenishment vessel.

The civilian spectators who had been positioned to witness the conflict were sheltered within the passenger decks, waiting anxiously for a definitive outcome. Spotting the arrival of the military academy students, they rushed forward to ascertain the status.

Jiang Hao was intercepted by a middle-aged Beta male, who asked frantically for confirmation. Jiang Hao offered a firm node. “The enemy forces have executed a full retreat. The danger has cleared.”

The Beta gasped, “Is that verified?!”

As Jiang Hao nodded a second time, a wave of profound, ecstatic cheering erupted across the entire passenger lounge.

“YEAHHH—!”

“Incredible!”

” Heavens, that was far too close!”

“The Third Army Corps executed a flawless defense!”

“And those students—they fought with exceptional valor!”

Jiang Hao had never been subjected to such public adulation, and the praise left him visibly self-conscious. Spotting Qin Le approaching from a distance, he immediately used it as a pretext to extricate himself.

Qin Le had just reviewed a text transmission from Qian Can. Seeing Jiang Hao approach, he noted naturally, “Let’s relocate to a less populated deck to await Qian Can.”

Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. “My brother and Brother Song are completely unharmed. That was incredibly precarious.”

Recalling Jiang Hao’s mechanical performance during the engagements, Qin Le questioned with genuine curiosity, “Xiao Jiang, did your brother previously operate as a professional mech pilot, or perhaps an advanced mechanical instructor?”

“Absolutely not,” Jiang Hao answered with absolute certainty.

“Really?” Qin Le turned the detail over in his mind. “The universal tactical formulas your brother transmitted to you—I forwarded them to my uncle for review. He noted that the sequencing clearly reflects techniques utilized exclusively by veteran mech masters. Could it genuinely be as Big Boss Li suggested—that your brother simply extracted the data from an outside source?”

Jiang Hao felt a wave of internal confusion surface.

Based on his understanding of his brother, the man normally wouldn’t lift a finger if a bottle of oil tipped over right in front of him; he only demonstrated true focus when dealing with matters tied to his organization.

Given his intimate knowledge of his brother’s character, it was highly probable the formulas were simply a collection of arbitrary concepts he threw together, making it incredibly unlikely he possessed ties to a veteran mech master.

Yet, how could a coincidence be that precise?

Symbols from the subterranean facility at Z152 flashed before Jiang Hao’s eyes, alongside the distinct handwriting inside the book from the ancient bookstore, and that singular character: “Chi.”

Was his brother actively concealing a hidden identity from him?

Jiang Hao murmured, “I will question him directly once we return.”

Qin Le offered a warm smile. “You mentioned previously that he commands a significant following. I am convinced he is an exceptionally formidable individual; I truly hope to cross paths with him if the opportunity presents itself.”

“…Yes.” Jiang Hao found the reality somewhat difficult to articulate.

His brother operated fundamentally as a star pirate who was legally barred from entering any sector outside the deep frontier; such an opportunity would be exceptionally rare.

Shortly after, the airspace above the competition grounds returned to absolute tranquility. Aside from the sprawling fields of debris, it was as though the massive engagement had never transpired.

_

By the time Meng Jian deployed military units to encircle the Third Army Corps, the fleet had long since vanished from the radar arrays.

Inside his private office, Meng Jian seized a porcelain teacup and shattered it against the deck plates, his internal organs aching with raw fury.

“Untraceable?! How can they remain completely untraceable at this hour?!”

His adjutant kept his head lowered. “We have expanded the search parameters to their absolute limits.”

His assistant rushed into the office to deliver a fresh intelligence brief: “Sir! We have just confirmed that every garrison officer holding the rank of Major and above at the headquarters has been systematically extracted!”

Meng Jian stood frozen in absolute disbelief.

How did the Third Army Corps manage to execute so many high-level operational maneuvers within a span of a few hours?!

The adjutant picked up the thread, “Although the Emperor explicitly transferred operational administration of the Xuyang Constellation to your command on the surface, it is highly probable this is merely a stalling tactic. If we permit the Royal Family to systematically dismantle the Qi family, their subsequent target will inevitably be…”

“Do you think I require you to outline the obvious?!” Meng Jian snapped, his tone laced with venom.

He understood Li Ji’s strategic calculus perfectly.

If he failed to safeguard the Qi family asset, the structural losses would extend far beyond the parameters of the Qi family alone.

The moment the remaining political factions deduced that the Royal Family possessed the structural capacity to liquidate the Qi family, those opportunistic elements would immediately realign themselves with the Crown.

He absolutely could not permit this scenario to resolve on those terms!

Meng Jian clasped his hands behind his back, delivering a cold, resolute command: “The insurgent faction Raven has executed a massive incursion into the Xuyang Constellation, presenting a severe operational threat to the Crown. To ensure the absolute eradication of these insurgent remnants, place the Xuyang Constellation under absolute lockdown immediately! Deploy supplementary patrol fleets—the moment any insurgent assets are identified, execute summary judgments on site!”

The adjutant acknowledged, “Understood! The public notification will be broadcasted immediately.”

Following the departure of the Third Army Corps, communications functionality was fully restored to S1301.

The reality of the insurgent incursion instantly claimed the absolute apex of every digital platform’s trending algorithms.

Key phrases like #Raven Executes Massive Bombardment on S1301#, #The Emperor Targeted in Fresh Assault#, and #Second Prince Ambered on S1301# flooded the top slots of the search trends, accompanied by a deluge of live footage and field photography.

The multi-academy mech tournament already commanded massive public interest; its sudden mid-broadcast termination followed by confirmation of an enemy assault plunged the entire network into profound panic.

“Was it truly an enemy incursion? Everything appeared perfectly normal during the live feed, I’m crying.”

“I’ve seen the leaked footage—the arena is entirely reduced to rubble. It’s real, this is absolutely terrifying!”

“Who is the hostile actor?! What is the status of the Emperor?! And the Second Prince?! Why has the military command issued zero clarifying statements!”

“What was the garrison fleet doing?! How could security operations deteriorate to this level?”

“I spotted a status update from a local citizen claiming the Second Prince is entirely unharmed!”

“Heavens above, did the competitors actively engage in the combat? Several of my favorites were on site—why is there zero footage of Song Jin? Please let him be safe!”

“Listen up everyone, I just confirmed with my cousin who attended the match live—he states both the Second Prince and Song Jin are perfectly fine! We still have zero updates regarding the Emperor!”

A user initiated the hashtag #Prayers for the Emperor's Safety#, and within a compact window, total interaction volume shattered the hundred-billion threshold.

Shortly thereafter, the military command broadcasted the formal lockdown of the Xuyang Constellation alongside the active pursuit of the Raven insurgents, sparking a fresh wave of public debate.

The name Raven was dragged back into the trending trends to face absolute public condemnation.

“Can Raven just drop dead already?! I have never harbored such absolute hatred for a star pirate organization.”

“Where does Raven secure the structural audacity for these operations? How do they possess the capacity to breach any sector they target? It’s horrifying!”

“Where did all those internet apologists who used to defend Raven run off to?”

“At the critical juncture, the Meng family remains our absolute rock. On a side note, is the Emperor unharmed?”

“Wait, why was this specific Xuyang Constellation directive issued directly from Upper General Meng’s office?”

Eight hours following the initial engagement, Meng Jian remained seated inside his private office.

The adjutant stepped in to deliver the scheduled brief: “We have still yielded zero tracking telemetry.”

“Persist with the sweep.” Meng Jian poured himself a fresh cup of tea. “We cannot permit him to re-enter the Tianjiang Constellation.”

The adjutant pondered the situation for a moment. “Is it possible they cleared the Xuyang Constellation parameters prior to our lockdown being fully established?”

Meng Jian’s instinct was to reject the premise out of hand.

Yet, the moment his mind settled on Li Xiao, he realized the scenario wasn’t entirely outside the realm of possibility.

That boy seemed to hold a succession of hidden cards close to his chest; from the exact moment of his return to the imperial court up to the present, he consistently left Meng Jian with the distinct, unsettling impression that he was playing the entire board like a master puppeteer. It was an exceptionally grating sensation.

“Instruct Zheng Kangan to establish an absolute blockade along the transit corridors linking the Zifu Constellation to the Tianjiang Constellation. No matter their operational velocity, they won’t outrun that deployment!” Meng Jian calculated for a brief moment. “Reallocate military divisions from the Nanming and Zifu Constellations directly into Xuyang to conduct a comprehensive grid search. I refuse to believe a military fleet of that scale can simply dissolve into thin air!”

The adjutant saluted, “Understood!”

Just as the adjutant turned to exit, the assistant rushed into the room. “Sir! We have an operational crisis along the Nanming Constellation border!”

Meng Jian’s brows knit tightly. “What transpired along the border?”

“The Shengya Empire has massed a massive military presence along our sovereign borders, actively executing combat patrols within the disputed territories!” The assistant projected the live feed of the Shengya Ministry of Defense’s recent press briefing, alongside a fresh status update from Foreign Minister Qian Xun’s personal digital account.

Foreign Minister Qian Xun: “The security landscape along the Tianqi Constellation border parameters has long remained a primary priority for the Shengya Military Command. To fully safeguard the legal rights of Shengya citizens residing within these border zones, the military will initiate localized anti-crime and security sweeps effective immediately, ensuring the baseline survival needs of our border populations are met.”

The update had already accumulated hundreds of thousands of citizen comments.

“Absolute agreement! The border zones have been neglected for far too long; it’s time to re-establish true order!”

“It’s obvious the veteran brass at military command simply can’t sit still without a mission.”

“We finally secured a live operation—let’s stretch out the timeline. If we wrap it up too quickly, they’ll have nothing left to occupy themselves with (doge).”

“Since the fleet is already deployed, they might as well execute a full sweep of Danse while they’re at it (doge).”

“The liberation of Danse is within arms reach!”

“Our exchange students are still inside Danse territory—let’s at least extract them safely before we level the place? And remember to bring Li Xiao back with them, hehehe.”

Meng Jian analyzed the raw intelligence transmitted from the Nanming sector. The data indicated that the volume of forces Shengya had deployed represented roughly one-quarter of the Nanming Constellation’s permanent garrison strength. He slammed both palms against his desk, bolting to his feet.

“Executing an anti-crime sweep requires a deployment of that magnitude?!”

The adjutant’s expression was laced with intense anxiety. “Their intentions are openly hostile! They likely witnessed the Emperor being targeted on S1301 and have chosen this moment to exploit our domestic instability?!”

The assistant picked up the thread, “If their vanguard advances a single step further, they will breach Nanming sovereign territory! If we fail to establish immediate defensive countermeasures, an active assault will leave our forces exceptionally compromised!”

Meng Jian’s expression turned significantly darker than it had been upon learning that Li Ji survived the bombing.

With the Shengya military massing on the border, the strategic forces stationed within the Nanming Constellation were effectively pinned down.

Not only were they immobile, but he would also have to engineer a way to siphon reinforcements from alternative sectors to bolster his lines.

Under these exact parameters, he could not afford to execute an absolute break with Li Ji.

In the event that he and Li Ji engaged in a mutually destructive civil conflict, it would merely permit Shengya to sweep in and seize the ultimate prize. His decades of meticulous political calculations could not be allowed to serve as another man’s stepping stone.

Meng Jian turned to his adjutant. “Convene an emergency briefing with the commanding officers of the Nanming permanent garrison immediately!”

“Understood! And regarding the deployments within the Xuyang Constellation—”

Meng Jian gritted his teeth. “Halt the troop transfers. Utilize our existing local personnel to continue the search! We focus our immediate attention on stabilizing the Shengya border development before executing next steps!”

The adjutant saluted, “Understood!”

_

Yan Qing stepped out of the lavatory after washing his hands, only to spot Wei Feng leaning against the corridor corner, an unlit cigarette resting between his lips, looking the absolute picture of profound melancholy.

Fixing his gaze on the man’s expression for a long moment, Yan Qing approached. “Mr. Wei, this sector is explicitly designated as a non-smoking zone.”

Wei Feng tilted his head slightly, presenting the completely unlit cigarette for inspection. “I am currently waiting for your Emperor to conclude his business inside the lavatory.”

No wonder he looked so miserable.

Yan Qing remarked dryly, “Fortunately, the facility is designed for single occupancy, otherwise you would have been forced to accompany him inside.”

Wei Feng’s expression soured, casting a chilling glance toward Yan Qing. “Are you intentionally attempting to disgust me?”

Exuding the absolute, unshakeable aura of a dignified educator, Yan Qing answered with complete seriousness, “The Second Prince placed his absolute trust in you, which is precisely why he assigned you the vital duty of providing personal security for the Emperor.”

Wei Feng countered, “I have zero requirement for his trust; as long as the financial compensation clears, that is sufficient.”

Following a brief exchange of casual pleasantries, Yan Qing shifted the tone abruptly: “Your name is Wei Feng, correct?”

Wei Feng finally turned his full attention to examine Yan Qing closely. “Did the Second Prince mention my background to you?”

Yan Qing bypassed the query entirely. “What is your current age?”

Wei Feng sighed, “Why is every single individual I encounter obsessed with executing a background check on me?”

Yan Qing smoothed down his rolled-up sleeves, adopting a completely casual demeanor as he remarked, “Based on the biological parameters of your age group, your physical appearance shouldn’t remain this youthful.”

Wei Feng’s brow twitched. He straightened his posture instantly. “What exactly are you implying?”

Just as Yan Qing prepared to expand, he caught sight of Li Ji exiting the lavatory out of the corner of his eye, forcing him to clamp his jaw shut.

Li Ji’s gaze shifted between Yan Qing and Wei Feng standing face-to-face. Sensing a distinctly nuanced, heavy atmosphere between the two, he remarked in a cool tone, “The pair of you possess exceptional refinement—choosing to conduct a sophisticated dialogue right outside a lavatory entrance?”

He was displeased yet again.

Yan Qing offered zero additional commentary, turning on his heel to depart.

“Brother Qing.”

Yan Qing’s footsteps seized instantly.

Li Ji continued walking forward without turning his head. “Since everyone has gathered, we might as well transition to a proper setting to conduct a thorough dialogue. I happen to possess a multitude of queries I intend to direct toward your faction.”

Wei Feng, left completely bewildered by the cryptic exchange, let out a theatrical whine: “Are you two preparing to sell me off down the river? I’m absolutely terrified—could we perhaps invite the Second Prince to join the proceedings?”

“We can,” Li Ji answered as the heavy security doors to the primary bridge slid open, revealing Li Xiao and Song Jin stepping inside from the exterior corridor. “The timing is precise; everyone has arrived.”

Li Xiao and Song Jin had only just returned to the flagship from their deployment at the garrison headquarters when Daxi intercepted them, directing them toward the small briefing room.

Having gone without sustenance for a significant window, Li Xiao was concerned Song Jin might be hungry, prompting him to retrieve a box of pastries from a galley station and press it into his partner’s hands along the way.

“Did he specify the nature of the agenda?” Li Xiao questioned Daxi.

Daxi shook his head. “He merely instructed me to transmit the summons to you both.”

Inside the private briefing room, only Wei Feng, Li Ji, and Yan Qing were present.

Li Xiao and Song Jin selected casual seats across the table. Sensing the exceptionally heavy, serious atmosphere dominant in the room, Li Xiao took the initiative to speak: “What is the core of the matter?”

Li Ji cast a meaningful look toward Yan Qing, his intent transparent.

Yan Qing ran a hand through his hair, hesitating for a brief moment before navigating his personal terminal to project a specific image into the central airspace.

“Let us initiate the dialogue from this specific photograph,” Yan Qing stated softly.

Li Xiao and Song Jin turned their gazes toward the projection.

The image was a formal two-person portrait, capturing a setting inside an opulently appointed private study.

Standing on the left flank was Wei Feng, clad in the full, formal uniform of a Military Middle General. Positioned on the right flank was a young man who appeared to be roughly twenty years of age, dressed in the formal imperial vestments of the Danse Monarch, presenting a slightly youthful, innocent smile toward the lens.

The moment his eyes settled on that specific face, Li Xiao bolted upright from his seat.

Noticing the sudden, dramatic shift in Li Xiao’s expression, Song Jin’s brows knit tightly together. “Who is that individual?”

Li Ji answered, his voice dropping into a solemn register: “My grandfather—Li Ye.”