DALOA CH168

Just as Song Jin was feeling lightheaded from Li Xiao’s flirting, chaos erupted in the control center of the garrison base.

“Who the hell fired that shot?!” The Alpha Colonel, serving as the garrison base commander, flew into a rage. “Who did it?!”

Every sub-console operator’s scalp went numb as they frantically reconfirmed their operations.

In front of the main control console, a Beta Major quickly checked the status of each battery, standing up to report: “Sir, it was Battery 12 that manually fired the light cannon. We have already disabled the automated program, and none of the sub-consoles here have the authority for a manual launch.”

The Alpha Colonel whipped around to glare at the Major: “Didn’t you say you sent people to inspect every battery?! What are they doing?!”

The Beta Major’s brow furrowed tightly: “I will reconfirm immediately!”

The Alpha Colonel turned his gaze toward the monitoring console, where the floating virtual screen displayed the real-time location and current status of the star pirate crew.

A flash of white light zipped past like lightning, and another star pirate ship exploded.

The Alpha Colonel roared furiously: “Go to Battery 12 yourself and clean up whoever is playing tricks!”

Beta Major: “Yes, sir!”

The Alpha Colonel stared at the screen, his back drenched in cold sweat.

If today’s matter was botched, let alone his position, even his life couldn’t be saved.

Suddenly, the screen flickered, popping up a dancing fat rat.

“Someone has breached our management system!”

“Mine too!!”

“Prepare for a system self-check!”

“It won’t work! The self-check was interrupted; the intruder has serious backing!”

“Radar system failed! Monitoring system failed! The communications system is having issues too!”

When the Alpha Colonel saw that all the screens on the sub-consoles were filled with rats dancing coquettishly and even beckoning at them with extended paws—teeming with provocative intent—his composure completely shattered.

“Reboot the system! Fast!”

A well-behaved boy’s voice resounded through the room.

“This is Royal Dedicated AI 07. Attention everyone, by condoning the invasion of the star pirate crew, you have committed treason. Disarm and surrender immediately to face investigation!”

At the mention of the Royal Family, the faces of the Alpha Colonel and the other officers present turned pale.

How was that possible?!

Garrison bases in so many regions had gone on strike, so why did the Royal Family arrive so fast?!

Someone asked hesitatingly: “Sir, what do we do?”

Cold sweat trickled down the Alpha Colonel’s forehead, his breathing tight with extreme nervousness. Finally, he gritted his teeth and ordered: “Ignore it! Continue executing the previous orders!”

That person: “But—”

Alpha Colonel: “It’s just an AI, what can it possibly do to us?!”

The Beta Major hurriedly led a group to the entrance. Just as the metal door slid open, a blur flickered before his eyes, and a cold touch pressed against the space between his brows.

“Is that so?”

Song Jin held the gun against the Major as he strode inside, his peripheral vision sweeping across the entire room before landing on the sweaty middle-aged Alpha. “An AI can’t do anything to you, but I can.”

The Alpha Colonel stared at Song Jin, completely stunned.

There was no mistaking this face—it was the Second Prince’s mate! Why was he here?!

Jiang Chi and Jiang Hao followed Song Jin inside. Passing by, they casually restrained two soldiers who had stepped out with the Beta, their muzzles simultaneously pointing at the Colonel, warning the other officers who were preparing to draw their weapons.

Jiang Hao: “Don’t move!”

“Put your hands behind your heads and all walk over to sit in front of Console 1!” Jiang Chi barked fiercely, his rough voice carrying inherent deterrence.

Jiang Hao glanced at Jiang Chi.

How does my big brother, a star pirate, deliver these lines so smoothly?

The Colonel glanced behind Song Jin’s group of three. Seeing no one else entering, he warned in a deep voice: “I don’t care who you are, trespassing on a garrison base is a capital crime. Our side has the right to shoot you on the spot. If you’re smart, leave immediately!”

Song Jin pushed the muzzle against the Beta Major a bit further, a smile on his face: “Do you know who you’re talking to?”

The Colonel’s face grew uglier by the second.

Battery 12 was still firing non-stop, the main control center’s intelligent system was broken, and he was held hostage by the Second Prince’s mate.

If this continued, his mission would fail completely.

Song Jin: “My patience is limited. I’ll give you three final seconds.”

Colonel: “You dare threaten me?!”

Just as he finished speaking, the Colonel’s terminal vibrated, automatically displaying a message from the military’s internal management system.

Seeing the word dismissal, the Colonel’s heart sank, and his entire body went numb.

The Royal Family hadn’t compromised with the Meng family after all?!

“Three… two…” Song Jin counted down in a relaxed tone.

The Colonel secretly shot a look at several officers in the corner. Just as Song Jin uttered “one,” he rapidly ducked to dodge.

A few gunshots echoed through the room.

Jiang Hao hit the Colonel’s left shoulder, while Jiang Chi shot and killed the three officers who opened fire on Song Jin.

Meanwhile, the three bullets flying toward Song Jin suddenly suspended in mid-air three steps away from him, completely motionless!

Everyone else’s expressions changed drastically.

Song Jin said leisurely, “I gave you a chance.”

Right after he spoke, someone raised both hands and shouted high: “I surrender! My superiors forced me to do it!”

Once this person spoke, others raised their hands in agreement one after another.

“Me too!”

“I surrender!”

“I surrender!”

…

A moment later, Jiang Chi handcuffed the last two people, his gaze sweeping over the Alpha Colonel’s military uniform jacket and locking onto the badge representing the garrison commander.

“I remember!” Jiang Chi slapped his forehead, saying to Song Jin, “I know where that thing is!”

Song Jin looked at him slowly: “If you trick me again this time, you know the consequences.”

Jiang Chi bit the bullet: “…It’s real this time.”

At the same time, Military Headquarters issued three announcements in a row.

1. Dismiss 1,589 commanders of garrison bases that announced a halt in operations, immediately revoking their military status and arresting them on charges of treason.
2. Military Headquarters will reassign temporary command of these bases, taking further coercive measures against bases or individuals that refuse to obey orders.
3. Open a temporary tip-off hotline to accept reports from the public and internal personnel; anyone daring to oppose will be investigated and dealt with immediately upon verification.

Many in the Meng faction hadn’t expected that even after being pushed to this point, the Royal Family would still dare to fight back hard.

Just as netizens were cheering the Royal Family’s toughness, Lingfeng Network suddenly exposed that a large number of star pirate crews had appeared in the Suyang Constellation, preparing to attack residential planets.

“The garrison bases go on a high-profile strike, and the star pirate crews come sniffing after the scent! If this continues, the only unlucky ones are us ordinary people!”

“Star pirate crews are full of desperate outlaws who will do anything! If they really come, we won’t even have a place to hide!”

“Begging the garrison bases to resume operations! Do you want to watch us die with your eyes open?!”

“What’s wrong with the Royal Family lowering their head? Meng Jian cares about face; if they just say a soft word, wouldn’t everything be fine?!”

With their personal safety threatened, local citizens couldn’t sit still anymore.

Regardless of whether the Royal Family or the Meng family lowered their head first, they just wanted to resolve the current crisis immediately.

Only a few minutes passed before Lingfeng Network broke news again—S436 was attacked by a star pirate crew.

This time, the entire network erupted.

The defense system of residential planets relied 90% on the garrison to operate; only when the garrison couldn’t handle it would permanent legions be sent for support.

The Suyang Constellation was previously managed by Qi Shoude, and now handed over to Meng Jian—these two were essentially in the same boat.

Meaning, the permanent legions couldn’t be relied upon, and the garrisons were on strike. No one was going to care about their lives or deaths, and even if the military transferred troops from other constellations, it wouldn’t be that fast.

Soon, online voices pleading for the Meng family to send troops to protect residential planets overwhelmed the voices condemning the Meng family.

Ninth Legion main ship command cabin.

Meng Jian watched public opinion develop according to his predictions, a rare smile appearing on his face as he waved a subordinate over: “Notify them to set off to drive away the star pirate crews.”

Meng Zai snuffed out his cigarette butt, chuckling: “Let them know that half of Danse’s lives are in our hands; let’s see who dares to bark around anymore.”

“Only after experiencing a death threat will they have a personal understanding of the current situation.”

Adjutant Lin Xu said, “As long as one isn’t a fool, everyone knows who they should support now, right?”

Meng Jian straightened his military uniform jacket and tie, having a subordinate arrange to film a video for him, waiting to post it in a moment.

He sat upright in front of his desk, looking at the camera ahead.

“Regarding the star pirate crew invasion in Suyang Constellation, please do not panic excessively. All targets have been locked, and I have mobilized legions to provide support, as well as dispatched additional patrolling troops.”

“Taking this opportunity, I declare once again that at all times, my Meng family will put the personal safety of the public first. I also hope the paused garrison troops everywhere will resume work as soon as possible—”

Before he could finish speaking, Ninth Legion Commander Meng Tu strode to the conference table: “Father!”

His eldest son Meng Tu unexpectedly walked into the frame, forcing Meng Jian to record it all over again.

“What is it?”

Meng Tu’s face was extremely dark: “They acted one step ahead of us!”

For a moment, Meng Jian didn’t catch his meaning: “Did what?”

Meng Tu waved his hand to pull up a map: “Over three hundred legions from the Gao and Yi families poured into Suyang Constellation simultaneously. Looking at their positions, they are all near the star pirate crews’ operational range!”

Seeing the flashing exclamation marks on the map, Meng Jian slammed his hand on the desk and stood up: “Impossible!”

The smile on Meng Zai’s face froze: “Th-this fast? Did they know our operational plan in advance?!”

Who leaked the intelligence?

Meng Jian first thought of Gao Wanxin, but on second thought, he rejected it.

He hadn’t let Gao Wanxin know about this plan at all!

Meng Jian’s expression was grim: “Screen internal personnel immediately and root out the traitor!”

Meng Tu nodded in response: “What do we do now?”

Meng Jian: “Send troops to intercept them!”

Meng Tu: “There’s no way to intercept them all.”

Before Meng Jian could speak, he suddenly heard Lin Xu let out a low gasp.

“Military Headquarters posted another announcement!”

The Meng family looked over simultaneously.

[Reinforcements have arrived.]

An update containing only four words, accompanied by nearly a hundred videos—all taken by satellites in different regions showing scenes of legions bombing the star pirate crews.

The update’s comment section exploded—

“This is the military’s speed!”

“You can always trust the military, trust the Royal Family!”

“First time discovering that light waves exploding in space look so beautiful!”

“While we were busy venting online, they were rushing to the front lines for us, sobbing…”

“After watching all the videos, not a single one is from Suyang Constellation’s permanent legions. Are Meng Jian and his troops dead?! A bunch of rebels!”

“Even without garrison troops or permanent legions, the military can still protect us. What place does Meng Jian have here then?”

“@SuyangConstellationPermanentLegions, you traitors! Get out of Danse!”

Immediately following, Military Headquarters retweeted a report from an S436 local media outlet regarding the star pirate crew invasion, with the caption—

[Crown Princess @SongJin personally rushed to the battlefield, successfully taking control of the S436 District Nine Garrison Base, and driving the star pirate crew out of S436 airspace.]

The retweeted news recorded the entire process from discovering the star pirate crew invasion, to receiving the garrison base’s air defense alarm, to the star pirate ships being shattered into pieces, with numerous videos attached below the text.

Under relevant topics, discussion volume surged exponentially.

“Song Jin went to Suyang Constellation alone and even took control of the garrison base??”

“It’s real! A young man in our local channel was attacked by a protest group, and Song Jin saved him!”

“The air defense alarm was also triggered by Song Jin! Go check our local news if you don’t believe it!”

“Ahhh Song Jin is so handsome!”

“The Second Prince went to support the Academy, and the Crown Princess came to support Suyang Constellation. This couple, honestly, I’m crying my eyes out.”

“The star pirates reached our doorstep—can’t imagine what would have happened if Song Jin hadn’t controlled the garrison base. Meng Jian, go die!”

Ninth Legion main ship command cabin.

The Meng family’s expressions were hideously dark.

Meng Jian’s terminal vibrated non-stop, but he ignored every call, contemplating countermeasures with a sullen face.

“What is this?!” Meng Zai looked at the Shengya social media platform, cursing under his breath.

Under the topic, an account named LIX had posted two video clips.

The first video showed a base Lieutenant Colonel stopping a Second Lieutenant from launching the light cannon, along with the star pirate crew jeering and demanding the officer’s death.

The second video showed the base commander ordering subordinates to deal with the person who launched the light cannon, as well as the scene of them taking action against Song Jin after his warning.

LIX: 【The star pirate crew didn’t come sniffing after the scent; they were invited by Meng Jian @MengJian.】

The exposure of these two videos pushed public opinion to an even higher peak, shocking the entire nation.

“I was wondering why the star pirate crew came so fast! Is everyone named Meng a demon?!”

“So terrifying, my worldview is completely shattered.”

“The Meng family is Danse’s tumor! How many people have died at their hands, yet they still show no remorse!”

“What is the Royal Family waiting for? Requesting an immediate dispatch of troops to clean up Meng Jian!”

“Truly worthy of the Meng family who ate human flesh, drank human blood, and slaughtered other species—they’ll do anything to achieve their goals!”

“If Danse falls into the Meng family’s hands, we won’t have a good day ever again!”

“The Royal Family absolutely cannot lose QuQ! Is there anything we can help with? I’m so anxious!”

“Song Jin! Good, very good!” Meng Jian slammed his fist onto the table, shattering the two walnuts in his hand into dust.

With a grim face, his sharp eyes looked as though he wanted to skin someone alive.

The surrounding group of officers didn’t even dare breathe loudly.

Originally, as long as Meng Jian’s statement was issued, it could have turned public opinion around. Who knew the Royal Family would unleash a face-to-face grand combo, completely blocking this retreat and pushing the Meng family entirely into opposition with the public.

Online condemnation against the Meng family reached its absolute peak.

Meng Zai: “That kid shouldn’t have left yet; I’ll get someone to kill him first!”

Meng Jian waved at his adjutant: “Execute a decapitation strike!”

The adjutant’s expression changed slightly: “Yes, sir.”

Tianjiang Constellation, Imperial Capital Planet.

Li Ji finished a meeting with a group of officials and walked out of the conference room, traversing the long corridor back to his office.

On the way, Old Liu received an urgent report. His expression changed as he hurriedly relayed it to Li Ji: “Bases Three and Five are moving.”

Li Ji: “Act according to plan; keep an eye on them personally.”

“Yes.” Acknowledging the command, Old Liu turned and left.

In the Administrative Hall, a group of cleaning and beverage waiters walked out from the main entrance. Seeing Li Ji approaching, they stepped aside to make way.

As they brushed past, Li Ji stole an extra glance at these people, confirming they were all Betas.

Just as he was about to retract his gaze, Li Ji suddenly caught a scent of red wine. His brain went completely blank, and though a residual shadow flashed before his eyes, he couldn’t control his body to dodge.

The moment the Alpha guard restrained Li Ji, the gun muzzle was aligned with him, pulling the trigger.

Bang! Bang!

Two blank rounds struck the pillar across the corridor.

Wei Feng kicked the guard’s muzzle aside, forced the gun barrel down, and slammed a grip onto his neck.

“Ugh!”

The Alpha guard saw Wei Feng coming, yet didn’t have time to react, feeling immensely shocked in his heart.

This new guard actually has faster reaction speed than me?!

Before he could guess Wei Feng’s identity, he heard a crisp crack by his ear, completely losing consciousness.

As Wei Feng took action, other guards in the corridor moved as well.

A group of Beta waiters pounced toward Li Ji simultaneously.

Wei Feng threw the guard in his hand out to block three waiters, snatched a gun to casually finish off two guards, and rushed into the Administrative Hall carrying Li Ji.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Dense gunfire echoed down the entire corridor.

Wei Feng kicked Li Ji inside, pulling a waiter over to use as a shield.

After several gunshots, the waiter was turned into a sieve.

Far from the source of the pheromone, paired with the effect of the suppressor ring, Li Ji quickly regained his senses. Looking up, he saw two guards rushing out from the outer hall, moving their gun muzzles toward him without hesitation upon seeing him.

Li Ji rolled on the ground, dodging two blank rounds, but accidentally stepped on his heavy royal robes while getting up, nearly losing his footing.

In that brief instant of hesitation, the guards re-aimed at him.

Li Ji thought to himself not good.

In the flash of lightning, a hand extended from the side and yanked him over violently.

Shielding Li Ji behind him, Wei Feng turned while moving rapidly, pulling the trigger on those two guards.

“A grown man like you can trip on flat ground—I’m truly impressed.”

Li Ji paid attention to the surroundings, retorting unhappily.

“Otherwise, what am I keeping you here for?”

Wei Feng: “…”

To be weak so righteously.

Footsteps sounded continuously in the corridor, all moving toward their direction.

“We’re surrounded.” Wei Feng held a submachine gun in one hand, leading Li Ji toward the direction with less commotion.

Pheromones of all kinds filled the entire corridor. With the suppressor ring’s assistance, Li Ji didn’t lose his sanity, but his condition was poor, his reactions slower than usual.

“Poked a nest of modified humans, blegh!”

Wei Feng paid attention to his surroundings, occasionally stepping in to deal with lurking modified humans, so repulsed by the decaying smell that his entire being felt unwell. “Damn it, blegh—!”

Reaching a fork, Li Ji pulled Wei Feng: “Right!”

“Reliable?” Though he said so, Wei Feng charged without hesitation anyway.

Figures darted everywhere in the Administrative Hall, impossible to distinguish friend from foe.

Li Ji and Wei Feng rounded a remote side path, running for their lives.

Wei Feng’s ammunition was quickly spent. Hearing footsteps at a fork in the ear, he took off his magazine and threw it over.

Bang! Bang!

Two blank rounds hit the magazine.

Taking advantage of the guards being distracted, Wei Feng snatched a gun and counter-killed them.

Old Liu’s anxious voice suddenly came through Li Ji’s earpiece: “Your Majesty, a battery in Base Three has been controlled by enemy forces. Please transfer to a shelter immediately!”

In his peripheral vision, Li Ji noticed an object falling straight toward the Administrative Hall from high altitude, grabbing Wei Feng violently to dash into the nearest room.

However, the king’s formal attire on his body was too cumbersome; the swinging decorative chains caught on the door handle, causing Li Ji’s figure to pause.

With a deafening boom—

A violent airwave carrying dust and sand blew in.

Before the door could be closed, various crushed stones and metal fragments flew inside like bullets.

Wei Feng grabbed Li Ji and slammed onto the floor, shielding him.

Once the wave of shock passed, Li Ji heard Wei Feng’s sharp intake of breath, hurriedly checking his condition: “Injured?”

“Ears hurt, head hurts, nauseous.” Wei Feng held his head, buzzing ringing in his ears, his five senses having taken a significant impact. “Kidneys hurt too; done for, can’t have kids anymore.”

Kidneys?

Li Ji looked toward Wei Feng’s lower back—a metal fragment was indeed lodged in his lower back, blood already seeping through his clothes.

“How is it?” Wei Feng reached out to touch the injured spot.

Li Ji slapped his hand away: “Your kidney got blown away; a blood hole the size of a fist.”

“…” Wei Feng swore under his breath.

Everyone with the surname Li had an increasingly poisonous tongue.

Not knowing how deep the metal fragment went, Li Ji saw that Wei Feng sweating profusely wasn’t an act.

Staying here was too dangerous; they had no time to waste here.

Li Ji brushed back his hair in annoyance, tore off the expensive decorations on his body, took off his formal robes and tossed them aside, hoisted Wei Feng’s arm over his shoulder, and supported him as they walked out.

Half-dead, Wei Feng still couldn’t resist a witty remark: “Don’t throw it away; it’s worth a lot of money, might as well give it to me.”

Li Ji: “Say one more word and I’ll leave you right here.”

Wei Feng silently shut his mouth.

The explosion caused visibility to drop severely. Wei Feng noticed Li Ji had brought him into a side hall at the back—there were no guidance signs here, the decor was plain, and there were barely any people.

In front of a metal door, Li Ji scanned his iris to open the access lock.

Inside was unexpectedly an ordinary office.

Wei Feng thought at an inappropriate time that this should be the most austere room in the entire palace, right?

His gaze swept across the desk, seeing a family photo of four placed at the corner of the desk—a teenage Li Ji holding a infant baby in his arms.

If he wasn’t mistaken, that should be Li Xiao.

A cup sat beside the desk, and the items on the desk were placed messily, not looking like a place cleaned daily. Numerous old objects sat on the desk and shelves, and an old-fashioned calendar showed a date from a week ago.

Compared to that luxurious, immaculate King’s office, this place felt more like Li Ji’s private space.

Li Ji placed a medical box and emergency medical light on a small table, reaching out to cut Wei Feng’s clothes, only to be stopped by Wei Feng.

“Can you do it?”

Wei Feng looked at him with disdain, “You look like the clumsy type at a glance.”

Li Ji pressed him down to sit: “You can’t have kids anymore anyway, what else do you have left to lose?”

Wei Feng: “…”

Does this sentence make any sense?

Taking advantage of his lack of education?

Wei Feng pulled out a cigarette from his jacket pocket and bit it in his mouth. The next instant, he saw Li Ji roughly pull out that metal fragment, the pain almost causing him to snap the cigarette in half.

“Brother, gentler!”

Li Ji glanced at the depth of the wound scanned on the instrument, secretly breathing a sigh of relief. He tossed the bloody metal fragment onto a tray, quickly cleaned the wound, then used a skin stapler to stitch the wound with two clacks, turning on the treatment light to shine directly on it.

Just as Wei Feng caught his breath, seeing Li Ji stand up and walk toward the desk, he turned to look and realized the wound had actually been processed.

Biting the cigarette and holding his chin, he murmured softly: “With your style, no wonder you broke up with Teacher Yan.”

Li Ji opened a drawer, retrieved an equipment belt to buckle around his waist, loaded a magazine full, and said offhandedly: “He and I weren’t in that kind of relationship.”

Wei Feng: “So you didn’t even manage to pursue him? You should learn more from my son in this regard—look how fast he made his move.”

Li Ji: “Your son already has a partner, while you as his dad are still a bachelor—is that very glorious?”

Wei Feng: “…”

Listening to Old Liu’s progress through the earpiece, Li Ji quickly selected a few parts to assemble a black large-caliber handgun, testing the grip between his fingers.

He activated the sensor terminal on the desk.

Layer upon layer of virtual screens popped up in the air, displaying conditions across various parts of the palace.

A corner of the Administrative Hall had been blown down, flames and rolling thick smoke raging.

Fully armed Royal Guard units surrounded the entire hall, continuously detaining and leading away waiters and guards.

In the air, numerous fighters and mechs were patrolling, a portion of them blocking the airspace above the Third Military Base in the northern part of the palace, preventing the fighter jets below from taking off.

Clearly, both sides were still in a standoff state.

Wei Feng lost his mood for joking, his gaze rapidly scanning across the screens.

The palace had already been screened in advance, yet so many rebels still remained inside.

Meng Jian’s power had infiltrated almost the entirety of Danse; no wonder the old aristocracy Gao family didn’t dare face him head-on even with evidence in hand.

Thinking of Raven’s past events, Wei Feng’s mood grew heavy.

The Meng family wasn’t something any single person or organization could deal with—unless the power of the entire nation was assembled.

Li Ji’s terminal vibrated, and Yi Yongning’s communication connected.

Yi Yongning: “Your Majesty, are you alright?”

Li Ji: “Mm, how is the screening going?”

Yi Yongning: “762 people have been locked; currently over half have been arrested.”

Li Ji: “Activate high-frequency sound waves.”

Yi Yongning acknowledged, then added: “To be safe, should I lead you to leave the palace temporarily?”

“No need.”

Li Ji looked at the screens ahead, “You bringing people over makes too large a target. Meet outside the Temple of Nine Gods in fifteen minutes.”

Yi Yongning: “Received!”

While they were talking, Wei Feng put a large band-aid over his wound.

Passing by, Li Ji casually tossed a gun to him: “You good?”

Wei Feng: “Two minutes is enough for me to grow another kidney.”

Li Ji: “…”

Yi Yongning waited anxiously outside the Temple of Nine Gods with his people.

“His Majesty is here!”

Hearing a subordinate’s exclamation, Yi Yongning hurriedly looked over, his eyes flashing.

Li Ji had shed his luxurious formal robes, traveling light. His hair was slightly messy and dusted with dirt, a blood trail marked his temple, two guns were held in his hands, and half the magazines on his equipment belt were spent.

It completely contradicted the image of a monarch who was required to maintain proper decorum forever, yet those eyes were sharper than usual, causing Yi Yongning to involuntarily recall the youthful Li Ji.

Li Ji and Wei Feng sat into the back seats of a military vehicle from opposite sides.

Yi Yongning turned his seat around to face Li Ji: “Your Majesty, I’ll have someone treat your wound first.”

Li Ji: “Has the news draft been posted?”

“Posted,” Yi Yongning said, pulling up the Shengya social media platform.

Li Ji and Wei Feng looked over simultaneously.

The video exposed at the S436 District Nine Garrison Base had sparked public fury. Shortly after, the palace was bombed, causing nationwide panic across the Empire, with curses directed at the Meng family visible everywhere.

Li Ji opened his personal homepage—tens of millions of new comments had appeared, all praying for his safety at a glance.

He edited text and sent it out.

[I am fine.]

[@MengJian, this is my final warning to you: stop this farce immediately! Even if I can tolerate you, the Empire cannot!]

Li Ji used his personal account to call out and warn Meng Jian directly, creating a sensation across the entire network.

“His Majesty is tough! Hit him!”

“Can tell His Majesty is already extremely angry.”

“Daring to bomb even the palace—who wouldn’t be angry?!”

“Meng Jian, advise you to be smart and not make it too ugly!”

“Fight! If the Meng family isn’t eliminated, no one gets to live comfortably.”

“Holy crap! Meng Jian replied!”

Countless netizens opened Meng Jian’s homepage, and indeed a new update had been added.

[@LiJi, the Meng family needs fairness and justice. Come to the Nanming Constellation; let’s sit down and talk.]

In the comments—

“Where do you get off?! Asking His Majesty to go to Nanming Constellation to talk with you—get lost!”

“Couldn’t kill His Majesty in the palace, so now trying to trick him into going to Nanming Constellation? Keep dreaming!”

“I don’t agree! Talk my ass, fight directly!”

“At this point, still taking yourself seriously?”

“Your Majesty, don’t waste words on this kind of person; absolutely do not fall for it!”

“@SecondPrince, requesting protection for our Majesty!”

Suyang Constellation S436.

Song Jin, Jiang Chi, and Jiang Hao split up to browse through three underground garages at the garrison base. Just as his patience was running out, he finally spotted a military vehicle with the license plate “Su·99·S436” in the furthest corner.

Jiang Chi and Jiang Hao walked over, seeing a vintage car covered in dust.

Song Jin leaned against the wall with arms crossed, chin tilted toward Jiang Chi: “Find it quickly.”

The moment Jiang Chi moved the car door, dust immediately billowed up.

Song Jin stepped a couple of paces further away in disgust: “If you still can’t find it, you’ll lick all this dust clean before leaving.”

Jiang Chi: “…”

That would be worse than getting beaten up.

Following faint memories, Jiang Chi sat into the back seat, fumbling near the seat for a moment until he felt a slight bulge under the seat cushion. His eyes lit up: “Got it!”

“Where?” Jiang Hao turned on a flashlight, curiously poking his head in to look.

Jiang Chi picked at it for a long time without getting it off, waving at Jiang Hao: “Give me the military knife.”

Jiang Hao drew the knife and handed it over.

Jiang Chi squatted down, levered for a bit, and heard a subtle click.

Standing outside the car, Song Jin watched as Jiang Chi pried off a thin black wafer no bigger than a coin. At first glance, it looked as though he had gouged out a piece of the seat cushion’s leather.

“What is this?” Jiang Hao shined the flashlight directly on it.

Jiang Chi: “Chewing gum I chewed back in the day.”

Jiang Hao covered his nose and dodged away: “…”

Song Jin, who was just about to reach out to take it, silently withdrew his hand: “…”

Seeing the disgusted yet subtle eyes the two shot at him, Jiang Chi felt he needed to defend himself: “This is a special prop unique to special forces. The material of this chewing gum is extremely concealed, able to evade over 99% of instrument scans.”

Song Jin narrowed his eyes: “Why hide the thing in a place like this?”

“This vehicle was the personal car of the District Nine garrison commander back then. I was being watched by them and had no chance to hide it at all, so I could only use this method.”

Saying that, Jiang Chi carefully tore open the long-hardened chewing gum: “The item is inside.”

Tearing open a slot, a corner of the memory chip was revealed. Something flashed rapidly before Jiang Chi’s eyes, and his expression froze.

Seeing him pause with an ugly look on his face, Song Jin sized him up: “Remembered something again?”

Jiang Chi’s brow furrowed tighter: “This is a duplicate I made…”

Song Jin was puzzled: “Didn’t you say you didn’t even have a chance to hide things? You still had a way to duplicate it?”

Jiang Chi’s eyes flashed. After recalling carefully, he looked at Song Jin in shock: “The Gao family cannot be trusted!”

Song Jin narrowed his eyes slightly. Just as he was about to open his mouth to ask, he heard faint noises coming from a distance, tilting his chin at them: “Let’s leave here first.”

First Military Academy.

Zhang Bin was caught by Marines during his escape and pressed onto a military transport vehicle.

“Let go of me! What are you doing?!” Zhang Bin shouted sharply, “I didn’t break the law!”

“I want to see you.”

Hearing this deep voice, Zhang Bin jumped in fright, cautiously raising his head. Li Xiao sat on the opposite vehicle seat, looking down at him.

“How about making a deal?”

Li Xiao spoke at an unhurried pace, “Name the mastermind in front of the camera, and I will ensure your family’s safety.”

Li Xiao’s tone was as casual as usual, yet Zhang Bin cowered, a chill surging up from the soles of his feet.

The meaning of these words was—he was dead for sure.

If he didn’t cooperate, his family would suffer as well.

Zhang Bin bit the bullet and lowered his voice: “Even if I committed a crime, it has nothing to do with my family! Doing this is illegal!”

“Illegal?”

Li Xiao let out a low laugh, “Do you think I want to kill your family?”

Zhang Bin’s pupils shrank, understanding instantly.

Having helped the Zheng and Meng families do things over these years, he had offended many people and framed many others.

While the Meng faction was strong, no one could do anything to him. But now that the Meng faction was teetering, and he was arrested, how those people would retaliate against him could be guessed with one’s toes.

Zhang Bin clenched his hands tightly: “If you can guarantee I won’t die, I’ll confess.”

“Under the current situation, there are plenty of people like you.”

Li Xiao stood up and walked outside, “Giving you five minutes to consider; expired offers won’t be waited on.”

Watching Li Xiao leave without turning back, Zhang Bin began to feel fear after the fact.

Li Xiao was right—if this continued, more and more people would be caught, and his testimony would become less and less valuable.

At least now, it could be traded for his family’s safety.

Seeing the Marine captain prepare to close the vehicle door, Zhang Bin hurriedly crawled over: “I’ll speak, I’ll say everything!”

After getting off the vehicle, Li Xiao went to the Academic Affairs Office to find Ye You.

After control of the military base was restored, the battle situation was basically brought under control. However, the explosion accidentally injured many cadets, keeping the school doctors very busy.

Ye You finished examining a cadet. Rising to his feet, he saw stars before his eyes, stumbling a step before being supported by Li Xiao.

“Go take a rest?” Li Xiao handed over a bottle of water.

Li Xiao’s attitude was ordinary, but Ye You just felt he had something to say, casually taking the water and following him outside.

The two got into a medical vehicle. After Li Xiao had 09 hijack the onboard AI, he looked at Ye You: “Doctor Ye, were you friends with Prince Li Xun?”

After finishing the water, Ye You set it aside, looking left and right through the car window, lowering his voice: “It’s not safe here. Stop beating around the bush, just speak directly.”

Li Xiao: “Besides the photo, what else did Li Xun give you back then?”

Ye You thought to himself as expected: “You’ve been investigating for a long time?”

Seeing Li Xiao nod, Ye You’s gaze swept over the silver ring on Li Xiao’s earlobe: “Also this earring—he only left me these two items.”

Li Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly.

“What did he say when he handed the items to you?”

Speaking of this matter, Ye You’s face turned solemn: “The last time we drank together, he suddenly gave me these two items, saying the matter this time was a bit large. If anything happened while he was investigating alone, he wanted me to hand the items over to your father. Never expected that less than half a month after that, something really happened to him.”

“Investigating alone?”

Li Xiao asked tentatively, “Wasn’t he collaborating with Gao Wanxin?”

“Gao Wanxin?”

Ye You looked puzzled. Recalling for a moment, he shook his head: “I never heard him mention that at all.”

Not right.

Li Xiao intuitively felt something was wrong.

Was it that Li Xun collaborated with Gao Wanxin in secret without telling Ye You, or had they never collaborated at all?

If Li Xun collaborated with Gao Wanxin, why specifically entrust the photo and earring to Ye You? What special meaning did these two items carry?

Every child born in the Li family would receive an accessory gifted by their parents, usually carried for life; even if gifted away, it could only be given to a partner.

Was Li Xun afraid he would die outside, so he had Ye You bring the earring back to the palace, serving as returning home in a roundabout way?

Suppressing his questions, Li Xiao continued asking: “But you only sent the earring back?”

Ye You: “I sent both back, handing them personally into the former King’s hands.”

Li Xiao was confused: “Then why is the photo with you?”

Ye You’s face grew increasingly solemn: “The year you were three, when I went to give your father a routine health checkup, he suddenly gave the photo to me, asking me to keep it temporarily on his behalf. Not long after that, they had their accident.”

Ye You sighed softly: “This photo took away the three most powerful people. To be honest, I was very scared; after that, I applied for a transfer to the Military Academy.”

Li Xiao: “Then why give it to me?”

“I was very hesitant too, but I feel you are a bit different—you are closer to the Bique species. Perhaps this time the truth can be found. And—”

At this point, Ye You’s eyes turned red, “My best friend dying without a clear cause has become my obsession over all these years. I really want to know the truth back then.”

Li Xiao pulled a tissue and handed it to him: “My father didn’t say anything?”

Ye You shook his head: “He seemed like he just didn’t want to leave this photo in the palace.”

The questions in Li Xiao’s mind accumulated more and more.

While talking, Li Xiao’s terminal vibrated—it was a communication request from Song Jin.

He casually picked up: “Jin?”

A video window popped up in Li Xiao’s view that only he could see. In the frame, Song Jin was resting one hand on the steering wheel, weaving through a group of recklessly charging military vehicles.

“The Gao family is dirty,” Song Jin said coldly. “Back then, right after Jiang Chi found the memory chip and handed it over to Gao Cheng, Jiang Hao was kidnapped immediately.”

Li Xiao’s brow twitched.

“The ones who kidnapped him were from the Gao family?”

Song Jin: “Unclear, but the one who used Jiang Hao to force Jiang Chi to wipe his memory was Meng Jian’s eldest son, Meng Tu.”

Li Xiao: “Has the content been exported?”

Song Jin looked at the screen above 07’s head: “Still repairing. I think our next plan needs to be readjusted—”