Gao Wanxin’s father, Gao Zhe, had also served as an assigned Admiral, belonging to the same era as Meng Shan.

The Gao family maintained a rigorous family culture, possessing the ingrained loftiness of an old-money aristocratic house, whereas the Meng family had only risen to prominence over the past century.

In the eyes of the Gao family, the Meng family was no different from nouveaux riches—unspoken, but held in quiet contempt.

No one expected Gao Zhe to have been entangled with the Meng family.

Which meant that from the very beginning, the Gao family knew about the modified human project and had even participated in it.

Back then, when Jiang Chi discovered this storage device in the underground base and handed it over to Gao Cheng, who was investigating alongside him, the Gao family realized Gao Zhe was exposed, prompting the Meng family to immediately wipe Jiang Chi’s memory.

Song Jin: “Wouldn’t it have been simpler to just kill Jiang Chi? Why go through all that trouble?”

Jiang Chi re-combed through his fragmented memories: “I belonged to the same term as Meng Tu; could I have accidentally offended him back then?”

Song Jin: “Old Man Gao’s behavioral logic is also very strange.”

Compiling the evidence of the Meng family’s crimes and tossing it to them—was it a backstab against the Meng family, or a trap?

And how to explain protecting Li Xiao for ten years? Could there be some hidden catch inside all this?

Seeing Li Xiao remain silent, Song Jin asked probing: “Do you suspect the Gao family is also related to the Gold Peacock case back then?”

Li Xiao didn’t deny it: “Lacking evidence.”

Song Jin: “If the Gao family truly participated from the very beginning, given their style, it’s very likely all evidence has already been erased.”

Li Xiao looked at Gao Zhe’s personal file in his field of vision: “We’ll know once we test it.”

Fifteen minutes later, the starship Song Jin was on merged with the Third Legion.

reached the docking bay of the main flagship. When Song Jin stepped off the starship, Li Xiao was already waiting at the bottom of the steps.

“Personally coming to receive me?” Song Jin walked up in front of him.

Li Xiao took his hand: “Even prepared dessert.”

Song Jin raised an eyebrow: “Such attentive hospitality? A privilege exclusive to foreign guests?”

Li Xiao: “Restricted only to you.”

Song Jin couldn’t suppress the corners of his lips from curving up.

They say a brief separation is better than a honeymoon, and it sure wasn’t a lie.

Seeing the cub looking very happy, Li Xiao said casually, “The school’s ferryman has been found out.”

Song Jin felt light and airy, failing to catch the underlying meaning in Li Xiao’s words for a moment: “Soon all ferrymen will be out of work. Consider him lucky that he can go inside early to eat prison food.”

Li Xiao nodded: “Although war is about to start, I’m not particularly busy.”

Song Jin was puzzled: “So?”

Li Xiao: “You can dance for me whenever you want.”

Song Jin: “…”

Only then did Song Jin recall the previous bet—whoever lost had to dance.

They say unsolicited attentiveness means either villainy or theft, and sure enough, it was true.

Seeing Song Jin narrowing his eyes slightly as he looked over, Li Xiao said with utter seriousness, “You can think about what dance to perform first. I’m in no rush.”

Song Jin draped an arm over Li Xiao’s shoulder, a smile on his face: “How about a striptease? I’m super good at it.”

Li Xiao’s gaze wavered: “You know how?”

Song Jin adopted a light tone: “I used to be a top gigolo at a club anyway, dancing at least seven or eight times a day. I’m used to taking off clothes—just returning to my old trade. As long as it makes you happy, I don’t mind.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Song Jin bit his lower lip, hesitating as if holding back, his tone carrying a bit of grievance: “I thought what you liked was my soul, but it doesn’t matter. I can endure it for you.”

Seeing the expressions of several nearby officers looking over grow increasingly bizarre, alongside the accusing eyes of the Jiang brothers, Li Xiao: “…”

Dead brat, where did you learn this routine?

Jiang Chi: “Second Prince, this is where you’re in the wrong. How can you poke at someone’s sore spot like that?”

Jiang Hao nodded along.

Although he felt Song Jin was in all probability talking nonsense, it didn’t stop him from enjoying the show.

Behind the back of the others, Song Jin revealed a subtle, mischievous smirk, even giving Li Xiao a provocative look.

Li Xiao: “You guys believe whatever he says?”

Jiang Chi and a group of officers took another look at Song Jin.

This appearance, this build, this aura—what top gigolo compared to him wouldn’t be inferior down to a single toe?

Seeing that they all bore an expression of having no choice but to believe it, Li Xiao remarked casually, “Tricked you. When he was a gigolo, he didn’t know how happy he was.”

Song Jin: “…”

Jiang Chi and the officers: “…”

Li Xiao: “Just that the customers were a bit few—only me.”

Jiang Chi and the officers: “…”

Feeding dog food in circles.

Ascending from the lift to the command module, Yi Lian saw Li Xiao and the others return, walking up to greet them with a grave expression: “His Majesty and the Eighth Legion have already reached the vicinity of Corona Borealis No. 303 Military Space Station. They’ll reach Nanming Constellation after just one more jump point. But we just received a report from the Intelligence Bureau that ten legions have gathered near Jump Point 90. The moment the Eighth Legion enters the border, they will be ambushed and encircled.”

Li Xiao and Song Jin walked over to the monitoring console, where intelligence sent from the Intelligence Bureau was displayed.

The flashing red dots on the map of Nanming Constellation represented the deployment of the Meng family army.

Every external jump point had quite a few red dots gathered near it, especially Jump Point 90. Apart from those ten legions already laying in wait, there were many cruising legions hovering nearby without leaving. As long as the Eighth Legion crossed the jump point, they would inevitably face a joint attack.

Li Xiao looked at his own side’s troop deployment map, connecting to Yi Yongning: “Dispatch ten legions from nearby to follow the Eighth Legion.”

Yi Yongning: “Going over like that is still very dangerous.”

Song Jin looked at the data on the monitoring console: “Meng Jian never intended to let us enter smoothly; of course he would make thorough preparations.”

Yi Yongning: “I can transfer a portion of troops over from Suyang Constellation.”

“No need.”

Li Xiao looked at Yi Yongning on the other side of the screen, “Did you and Gao Wanxin both come out?”

Yi Yongning: “Old Zheng and I stayed at headquarters. Old Gao accompanied His Majesty over; they are currently both with the Eighth Legion.”

The commander of the Eighth Legion was Yi Yongning’s man, which made things easier to handle.

“Notify everyone to hold an operational deployment meeting.” Li Xiao walked toward the conference table, issuing orders to Yi Lian, “Change direction and head to Jump Point 90.”

Yi Lian was startled, exchanging a look with his father Yi Yongning on the other side of the screen, both feeling deeply worried.

Yi Yongning spoke first: “Your Highness, I do not advise you and His Majesty entering through the same jump point. In case something goes wrong…”

Li Xiao: “I know what I’m doing.”

Yi Yongning still disapproved, but Li Xiao wasn’t someone he could persuade, so he could only push all questions to be discussed during the operational meeting.

Eighth Legion Flagship Command Module.

Li Ji and Gao Wanxin were sitting at the conference table discussing subsequent actions when Old Liu received a message and reported respectfully: “Your Majesty, the Second Prince notifies us to hold a meeting.”

Li Ji: “They’ve all arrived?”

Old Liu: “They will rendezvous here in an hour.”

“Rendezvous here?” Li Ji only then looked up from the map, “Xiao’s intention?”

Old Liu nodded.

Gao Wanxin had a heavy expression: “The Second Prince is definitely worried about you, but him coming over together makes people even more worried.”

Li Ji pondered for a moment: “Prepare the meeting.”

Old Liu: “Yes.”

Old Liu activated the conference system, pulling everyone into the channel.

Soon, layers of virtual screens descended mid-air, unfolding in sequence and hovering around the conference table.

Participating in the meeting alongside Gao Wanxin and Yi Yongning were the legion commanders acting as the main combat forces under both sides.

Li Ji looked at Li Xiao across the screens.

“What plans do you have?”

Li Xiao looked around at everyone, not rushing to discuss the combat plan, instead letting everyone report the current situation first, his peripheral vision subtly observing Gao Wanxin.

Once the legion commanders finished reporting, Yi Yongning glanced at his notebook: “Currently, the situation in Suyang Constellation is relatively stable. After resolving the star pirate group, Meng Jian made no further major moves. Eighty percent of the striking garrison bases have recovered, and the remaining fewer than two hundred still controlled by Meng Jian are being handled by the legions under Old Gao and me.”

Gao Wanxin picked up: “Meng Jian’s fox tail has been completely exposed. Even among controlled garrison bases, many people don’t want to join in his treachery. Resolving them isn’t too difficult.”

Yi Yongning nodded: “For those garrisons, following Meng Jian in rebellion brings no benefits whatsoever while risking their lives. As long as they aren’t foolish, anyone knows what to choose.”

Li Xiao waved his hand to open the map of Suyang Constellation, marked with the current distributions of both families’ legions.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be handled by the legions. Try mobilizing garrison forces residing near residential planets to form temporary inspection units, dealing with garrison base management, dispatching temporary commanders from headquarters, or temporarily promoting someone from within the base to manage things—either works.”

Saying this, Li Xiao swiped his finger, rapidly moving the markings representing the Yi family army on the map.

“Tianjiang Constellation is the top priority for defense. Old Yi’s legions must keep at least 70% in Tianjiang Constellation while inspecting local garrisons to ensure no accidents occur.”

Seeing that Li Ji had no objections, Yi Yongning nodded in agreement: “Inspection work is already underway. As for the legions—withdrawing them is easy, but this way, I’m afraid the forces supporting Nanming Constellation won’t be enough. Furthermore, there’s a Zifu Constellation that requires close monitoring.”

“You keep 20% to defend the border between Zifu Constellation and Tianjiang Constellation, and the remaining 10% will support Nanming Constellation.”

As Li Xiao spoke, he shifted the markings on the map, “Old Gao keeps 30% in Corona Borealis, and all the rest support Nanming Constellation.”

Hearing this plan of his, everyone present was utterly taken aback.

The commanders on the screens subtly exchanged looks, temporarily unsure of how to react.

Keeping only 30% of standing legions in Corona Borealis reached the absolute baseline for defense; if something truly went wrong, it would be difficult for support to arrive in time.

Moreover, the Gao family was contributing 70% of their forces to support Nanming Constellation, while the Yi family kept 70% behind to guard Tianjiang Constellation.

This was equivalent to making the Gao family the absolute main force in the upcoming war in Nanming Constellation.

Yi Yongning couldn’t help but take an extra look at Li Xiao, then silently looked over at Gao Wanxin sitting on Li Ji’s right, feeling an indescribable sense of weirdness.

The importance of Tianjiang Constellation went without saying, and Li Xiao’s arrangement made sense.

However, based purely on the bloodline binding between the Yi family and the Royal Family, they should be the ones most worthy of the Royal Family’s trust. Yet this time, it constantly gave him the illusion that Li Xiao trusted the Gao family more than the Yi family.

Even Li Ji felt something was off, looking toward Li Xiao with some confusion: “How about having Old Gao split 20% to the border of Zifu Constellation and Tianjiang Constellation to swap with Old Yi’s?”

Li Xiao shook his head: “Old Yi’s troops can defend the border line without stepping out of Tianjiang Constellation—no need for such trouble. Tossing back and forth might cause issues. The Zheng family is currently a ticking time bomb.”

Li Ji raised his eyes to look at the map: “That’s true, but letting Old Gao send 70% of his troops—if losses are too severe—”

“They won’t be.”

Li Xiao looked at everyone, “Meng Jian’s support rate hasn’t dropped to its lowest yet. Have the External Affairs Department release all the black-mark evidence we hold. Just like Old Gao said, most ordinary people aren’t willing to work for rebels. Among the legions in Meng Jian’s hands, those truly willing to follow him whole-heartedly amount to 30% at most.”

A commander on the Gao family’s side spoke up: “But we have no choice but to take into account the garrison bases on over one thousand residential planets in Nanming Constellation. Those reaching B-grade alone number over five thousand, equivalent to the Meng family army possessing an almost infinite pool of reinforcements and supply stations. If a real fight breaks out, we’ll be at a heavy disadvantage.”

Li Xiao: “Just like Suyang Constellation, not all garrison bases will fall under the Meng family’s control. Moreover, what we are deploying are active-duty legions, possessing an overwhelming advantage against garrisons.”

Even for garrison bases at A-grade or above, their weapon configurations couldn’t compare to standard-issue active legions.

Yi Lian took over: “Then the current issue is how to determine what percentage of Nanming Constellation’s garrisons and Meng family armies actually obey Meng Jian.”

“We’ll get an approximate figure today. Judging from the situation in Suyang Constellation, the proportion won’t be very high.”

Li Xiao said, turning to Gao Wanxin, “Old Gao, what do you think?”

Gao Wanxin: “The troop strength in Tianjiang Constellation cannot be moved, while Zifu Constellation harbors hidden dangers—giving us very little room for choice. I previously discussed this with His Majesty as well; judging from all current proposals, the Second Prince’s is the most secure. I have no objections.”

“The specific deployment ratio will be decided after roughly confirming the enemy numbers.”

Li Xiao looked at Li Ji: “Brother?”

Li Ji: “Let’s proceed according to what you said.”

Li Xiao nodded, looking at Yi Yongning and Gao Wanxin: “One of you is responsible for guarding our base camp, while the other is responsible for wiping out the rebels. I have placed my 100% trust in you both. I hope we can cooperate well moving forward to fight a beautiful turnaround battle.”

Yi Yongning and Gao Wanxin stood up, followed immediately by all participating commanders standing up to salute: “We will never fail the trust of You and His Majesty!”

Song Jin was eating the dessert Darcy brought over, unable to find a moment to speak throughout the entire process.

After Li Xiao disconnected the conference system, Song Jin scooped a spoonful to feed him: “Isn’t your troop deployment a bit too extreme? If Gao Wanxin turns around to deal with us right after entering Nanming Constellation, wouldn’t we just be sitting ducks?”

Li Xiao opened his mouth and bit down: “He won’t.”

Song Jin: “So certain?”

Li Xiao: “Want to make a bet?”

Song Jin licked off the remaining cream on the spoon, raising an eyebrow: “Deploying troops as if making a joke is one thing, but using it to make a bet—how come I never realized you were this crazy before?”

Li Xiao: “Don’t dare?”

Song Jin let out a light snort: “What wouldn’t I dare? Even if I lose the bet, it’s not like I suffer any loss.”

Li Xiao nodded: “If the Gao family helps the Meng family deal with us, consider it your win; vice versa, consider it mine.”

Song Jin: “Bet on what?”

Li Xiao thought for a moment: “If I win, we continue what wasn’t finished during the previous rut.”

Song Jin: “…?”

Song Jin met Li Xiao’s gaze, suddenly realizing, his goosebumps standing straight up.

“No way!”

Li Xiao teased: “Turns out there are things you’re afraid of too.”

Song Jin leaned in, narrowing his eyes slightly: “Reverse psychology doesn’t work on me.”

Li Xiao chuckled softly: “Is that so?”

Song Jin was blinded by his good looks: “If I win, it’ll be your turn to lie down.”

Li Xiao: “Sure.”

Song Jin: “…”

Agreeing so readily—there must definitely be a trick.