Hearing this, Chi Yao and Jing Xi exchanged glances, neither seeing any surprise in the other’s eyes.

Chi Yao said, “Lock them up. Continue with the original shift schedule until I return.”

“Don’t we need a full search?” The yellow-haired subordinate on the screen pointed to the trembling military doctor beside him. “They’re all scared like this.”

Jing Xi glanced over: “…”

Although both Extreme Shadow and Ghost were pirate groups that gave the military headaches, there was a fundamental difference between them. Extreme Shadow had its own set of principles. While you couldn’t predict what would happen if you fell into their hands, you’d likely keep your life. But if you encountered Ghost, if you couldn’t fight them off, death was the only outcome.

Three hours remained until the scheduled refugee transfer time.

During this period, everyone on the warship had to coexist with Ghost.

“Chi Yao, let me say something.”

Hearing Jing Xi say this, Chi Yao turned the camera toward him.

On the screen, the military doctor’s eyes lit up when he saw Jing Xi, nearly crying with relief.

Although they were military personnel and could fight better than ordinary people, they couldn’t handle Ghost!

“C-Commander!”

“Don’t leave Extreme Shadow’s sight. If necessary, let them follow you.” Speaking, Jing Xi glanced at Yellow Hair and Red Hair. “I think they’ll be very happy to help.”

The military doctors looked at these two fierce faces and nervously swallowed.

Would they be forced to kneel and fold clothes at the slightest provocation?

Just as they thought this, they saw Red Hair drag a hoodie-wearing beta with a bruised and swollen face into the sickroom.

“Kneel here, take off your clothes, and fold them yourself!”

Military doctors: “…!”

“That video had a great effect. Right after we posted it, they made their move.” Hanging up the video call, Chi Yao sneered. “But if they want to save someone, they’ll have to see if I agree.”

“When it comes to provocation, you’re the expert.” Jing Xi commented lightly and sent a message to Jin Ze.

[Monitor Extreme Shadow’s movements, coordinate arrests at any time.]

Almost immediately after sending it, he received a reply.

[Jin Ze: Already preparing!]

The two followed their planned route to the southeastern part of the forest.

Entering the sonic interference range, the instrument panels showed slight fluctuations.

Chi Yao pressed his hand: “Don’t rush over yet.”

Jing Xi looked at him: “Can you sense something?”

Chi Yao shook his head.

He just suddenly remembered when Jing Xi was affected by the sonic waves last time, lying in the medical pod.

“Let’s land.” Chi Yao said.

Jing Xi checked the distance. It was very close to the marked point—just a few dozen minutes’ walk.

The fighter landed in a relatively spacious patch of grass. The two brought sufficient equipment and walked toward the marked point.

Dawn hadn’t broken yet, and the forest was filled with mottled tree shadows.

The humid air carried the scent of grass and soil, with occasional animal calls from near and far.

The ground was very wet, covered in wild grass, making it difficult to walk.

Chi Yao took Jing Xi’s hand, observing their surroundings: “Watch out for puddles.”

Feeling the familiar warmth in his palm, Jing Xi glanced at him.

Instinctive?

When they first met, he happened to be crying, and Chi Yao mistook him for a girl, so he assumed the role of older brother, always holding his hand when walking, afraid he’d fall.

“I’m a general after all. Would I really step in a puddle and slip?” Though he said this, Jing Xi quietly tightened his grip on Chi Yao’s hand.

Chi Yao chuckled lightly: “You’re so clumsy, it’s hard to say.”

Jing Xi: “…”

After walking about a hundred meters, the sonic waves suddenly intensified. Chi Yao stopped abruptly: “How are you?”

Jing Xi raised his left hand: “With your ring, I’m fine.”

As he spoke, the sonic waves suddenly weakened, then intensified again.

Seeing Chi Yao frown, Jing Xi asked: “Can you understand it?”

After listening for a moment, Chi Yao shook his head.

“It’s not speaking.”

Jing Xi: “Can you sense the distance?”

Chi Yao carefully discerned for a moment, looking to the left front: “Should be less than a kilometer.”

This close?

Compared to the sonic waves from Cave 333’s southern mountain cave, this was indeed much weaker.

After walking a few minutes, they heard rustling sounds ahead. Jing Xi pulled Chi Yao’s hand and made a gesture.

Chi Yao understood and awakened Xiao Hei.

Xiao Hei and Xiao Hong, two small beans, touched in the air, then almost simultaneously attached to their respective masters.

Then Chi Yao found himself wearing a large floral jacket.

Chi Yao: “…”

Fuck.

Jing Xi tightened his lips to keep from laughing.

Receiving Chi Yao’s unhappy look, Jing Xi pointed at the clothes and gave a thumbs up.

Very nice.

Right after making the gesture, his own clothes also turned into a large floral jacket.

Jing Xi: “…”

No, that’s not what he meant.

[Xiao Hong: I must be the most considerate AI, hehe.]

Jing Xi: “…”

Chi Yao, who could hear Xiao Hong’s voice through the connection: “…”

It seemed karma didn’t just strike him alone.

Activating stealth mode, the two jumped onto the nearest large tree, crouching on a thick branch to look ahead.

Starlight shone obliquely through, and the huge locust tree was covered with giant pythons.

The pythons intertwined with each other, moving slowly.

Snakes again.

Through the protective armor, Jing Xi tugged Chi Yao’s hand.

[Still here?]

Chi Yao nodded, his gaze focused intently on the snake group.

[Still here.]

He had suspected before, but that snake king wasn’t it.

Yet this time it was still snakes.

He didn’t think it was a coincidence.

Before they could make their next move, the snakes suddenly dispersed, and a snake head several times larger than the others emerged from beneath the “snake mountain.”

Green snake eyes stared directly in their direction.

Jing Xi’s fingers moved to his terminal, awakening Xiao Lan, ready to counterattack at any moment.

[It can see us.]

Chi Yao met those snake eyes.

[The sonic waves can feedback our location.]

Rather than seeing, it was more like sensing.

If this were true, they didn’t need further verification—they had already gotten the answer they wanted.

Chi Yao lightly tugged Jing Xi’s hand.

[Retreat to a safe distance first.]

Before clarifying the whole situation, just killing this one snake king had no meaning, and they might even lose clues.

The two carefully jumped down and slowly retreated.

Snakes were wriggling in the grass all around. The snake king’s gaze followed their movement, but it didn’t seem to intend to attack.

After retreating about twenty meters, Chi Yao breathed a sigh of relief.

At least they wouldn’t have to return covered in stench tonight.

“Trash…”

Hearing this voice, Chi Yao’s expression paused, his eyes turning cold.

[What’s wrong?]

Jing Xi asked through the super-intelligence system.

Chi Yao: [It just cursed at us.]

Jing Xi: “…”

He looked up at the snake king.

Perhaps feeling they posed no threat, the snake king’s upright body softened, and other snakes covered it again.

[Brother Hei, open a gap for me.]

Chi Yao pointed at the large floral jacket, and a slit opened on one pants leg.

Xiao Hei had turned into protective armor. Chi Yao settled for using the sidearm he brought, loading it with armor-piercing rounds.

Seeing him about to start shooting without warning, Jing Xi grabbed his wrist and shook his head.

[No need.]

Chi Yao broke free, raising his gun toward that direction.

[Leaving a mark, so we won’t have trouble finding it next time.]

They should indeed mark it.

Thinking this, Jing Xi didn’t stop him.

The next moment, the bullet tore through the air, passed through gaps in the snake group, and blew out one of the snake king’s eyes.

“Roar—!”

The snake king hissed, its body twisting violently.

Snakes wrapped around it were flung to the ground.

Jing Xi: “…”

You said just marking it?!

Before the snake swarm attacked, Chi Yao grabbed his hand and ran.

Jing Xi asked tactfully: [Isn’t this mark a bit big?]

Chi Yao: [This is special treatment for cursing at us.]

Jing Xi: “…”

Halfway through their run, the snake swarm was already chasing close behind.

Chi Yao looked at the distance to the fighter, calculating the time in his mind.

If they ran at full speed, they should make it.

[Xiao Hei: Need to activate auxiliary function?]

Chi Yao: [You learned to do charity today?]

[Xiao Hei: As an exchange, don’t change my shell.]

Chi Yao was amused by his annoyance.

[You’re quite self-aware.]

Jing Xi, listening to them bicker: “…”

Who knows oneself better than oneself?

Hearing the clicking sound of metal parts moving in his ear, in just an instant, Xiao Hei’s voice rang out again.

[Limb power system activated, please adjust balance yourself. This great lord takes no responsibility if you eat dirt.]

Chi Yao: “…”

Just as he finished speaking, Chi Yao felt a force lift him up, flying into the sky like a kite, his body shaking uncontrollably.

“Fuck.” Chi Yao cursed under his breath, trying his best to find balance.

In less than a second during the transformation, the snake swarm had already rushed over.

Chi Yao pulled Jing Xi’s hand toward himself.

“Get on!”

Jing Xi pushed off with his long legs, hugging Chi Yao’s shoulders.

Chi Yao wrapped his arm around his waist: “Hold tight!”

[Xiao Hei: I only said I’d let you fly, didn’t say you could bring someone your first time.]

Jing Xi: “…”

Chi Yao: “…”

[Xiao Hei: Fine, I’ve written the favor owed into my log.]

Chi Yao tried his best to control balance and fly forward, saying in Jing Xi’s ear: “After we get back, let’s draw a dog on his shell.”

Jing Xi: “…Why?”

If they were going to draw anything, shouldn’t it be a wolf?

Chi Yao sneered: “A dog bastard should have a matching shell.”

[Xiao Hei: …]

Jing Xi: “…”

When angry, even cursing yourself?

Before being beaten up by the snake swarm, Chi Yao rushed into the fighter’s hatch holding his person, tumbling onto the seat.

“Good thing we didn’t fall to death.” Chi Yao seriously breathed a sigh of relief.

Jing Xi was pressed under him. He raised his leg and stepped on a button on the control panel, and the hatch slowly closed.

“Well done.” Jing Xi patted his head, joking: “Rarely romantic for once.”

Chi Yao looked up, wooden-faced: “If we’d landed headfirst in the mud, would it still be romantic?”

Jing Xi unconsciously imagined that scene.

“If we’re together—”

Chi Yao: “Are you serious?”

Giant pythons struck the fighter’s outer shell, making loud noises.

If the snake king chased over, it could strangle the fighter. They had to leave.

Chi Yao got up and took the opportunity to steal a kiss on Jing Xi’s fair face, instantly feeling refreshed.

“Let’s go, big brother will take you for a joyride.”

This childish fool.

Jing Xi climbed into the co-pilot seat: “Not taking me to see the stars anymore?”

Chi Yao choked, his ears burning.

“Stop bringing that up.”

Jing Xi: “Why?”

Chi Yao: “…”

Embarrassing history.

Starting the power, the fighter ascended. Chi Yao said seriously: “Romantic things aren’t romantic if you keep mentioning them.”

Jing Xi suppressed a smile and nodded: “Makes sense.”

Just after taking off, the instrument data suddenly jumped drastically.

“Must die!… Must die!…”

Faint voices entered his mind. Chi Yao opened the surveillance screen, tracking the snake king’s movements.

It didn’t chase them but twisted in its original location, sweeping down a patch of nearby trees.

Somehow, Chi Yao suddenly felt it was a bit like a child lying on the ground throwing a tantrum.

Noticing his expression change, Jing Xi asked in a low voice: “What’s it saying?”

Chi Yao pulled full power and flew out.

“Throwing a tantrum.”

Jing Xi frowned: “So it’s the same as that thing at 333?”

Chi Yao held his chin, looking ahead.

“Chun Qin happens to be there too. Let her test it and compare with last time.”

Based on the current clues alone, no testing was needed to explain the problem.

But was this also because it was discarded by the laboratory?

Chi Yao quickly rejected this idea.

There was more than one source of sonic waves here.

On the warship, the atmosphere was very tense.

Although only Jin Ze currently knew about Ghost infiltrating, the people below had already sensed something unusual.

Just after adjusting the guard shifts and routes, the hatch was knocked on.

A soldier ran in, looking slightly panicked.

“Director, there’s a commotion in the passenger cabin.”

Jin Ze’s scalp tingled as he walked out quickly.

Passing through the door, he leaned close to the soldier’s ear and said quietly: “Go call two Extreme Shadow brothers over.”

The soldier didn’t understand but went to find them anyway.

Arriving at the passenger cabin and opening the door, noisy voices poured out.

“Officers can’t hit people either! Can we withstand your beatings?!”

“Too much! Send them back!”

“You could have just refused if you didn’t want to accept. Why beat them?! What did they do wrong?!”

“Don’t stop us! If you don’t give us an explanation today, we’ll report this to the military!”

A group of people blocked the corridor, shouting loudly at the guard soldiers and getting physical.

Jin Ze took a deep breath, slapping his palm against the metal wall.

“What’s going on?!”

The loud noise made everyone quiet down.

Jin Ze stepped forward, but thinking that Ghost was mixed in among them, he pulled his foot back.

“What can’t be discussed calmly?”

A young alpha standing at the front was red-faced with anger. Seeing Jin Ze’s calm attitude, his temper calmed down a bit.

“Commander, we’re not trying to cause trouble, but your soldiers went too far! We have nothing to say about not accepting gifts as it’s the rules, but why beat people?”

Jin Ze looked at the soldier beside him and asked quietly: “What happened?”

The soldier pressed his lips together: “It seems they were beaten by Extreme Shadow brothers when delivering things to the medical area.”

Medical area?

That’s when Extreme Shadow discovered Ghost, right?

At this time, a short, fat beta next to the young alpha spoke: “The ones who hit them weren’t military soldiers, but Extreme Shadow people!”

This statement set everyone off again.

“Why is Flying Dragonallowing pirate groups to run wild on the warship?”

“Can’t our safety be guaranteed?”

“Everyone knows how bad Extreme Shadow is! If these people aren’t locked up and someone actually dies, who can take responsibility?!”

“Please deal with the troublemaking pirates immediately, or we won’t feel safe!”

Jin Ze watched them attack Extreme Shadow and speak ill of them.

Honestly, he also disliked pirates.

But he didn’t dislike pirates who would reform. As long as their attitude was right, they should be given a chance to turn over a new leaf.

Jin Ze made a gesture, signaling them to be quiet.

“Regarding Extreme Shadow, I want to explain first. The reason they’re here is to assist our corps in clearing out wild beasts—”

“Why would clearing wild beasts require beating us?!”

Jin Ze’s gaze swept over.

It was just those few people constantly stirring things up in the crowd.

“There must be some misunderstanding, right?” Jin Ze said seriously. “We believe Extreme Shadow brothers wouldn’t beat people for no reason. Can you leave this matter to me to handle? Before you leave, I’ll give you a satisfactory answer.”

Chun Qin, who happened to be out for a walk and got dragged over, heard these words. Her beautiful eyes flashed.

Most people had nothing to say when a major-level military officer could discuss things with them so calmly.

“How could pirates tell the truth?! Won’t this just be swept under the rug?!”

Jin Ze looked at the short, fat beta, his expression growing impatient.

He still had lots of work waiting, wishing he could split every minute of rest time in two, yet here he was wasting time.

“It won’t.”

Just as he was about to speak, a low female voice suddenly came from behind. Jin Ze turned to look.

It was Chun Qin, right?

When fighting against Flying Dragonbefore, he had never seen this person. After all, she worked in logistics and wouldn’t likely come out to show her face.

However, it was surprising that Extreme Shadow’s group full of big men would have such a beautiful and cultured female beta—like beings from completely different worlds.

As Chun Qin walked over, she nodded to Jin Ze in acknowledgment, then looked at the refugees.

“I’m from Extreme Shadow. If you don’t believe me, I can stay here until Director Jin finishes handling this.”

The refugees looked at her, and the air suddenly quieted.

“You’re not from Extreme Shadow at all!”

“If you’re finding someone to fill in, at least make it believable?”

“So pretty—is she some officer’s wife?”

Jin Ze glanced behind the door.

Gone.

Actually gone?!

He glanced at Chun Qin, who was alone facing the refugees’ difficulties, and pulled over the soldier who went to call for help, lowering his voice: “I told you to call for backup, and you only called her?”

The soldier was nervous to the point of stuttering: “I-I was in a hurry! Big sister said she alone was enough.”

Jin Ze: “…”

You sure call her ‘big sister’ smoothly enough.

Jin Ze had no choice but to walk beside Chun Qin to bolster her courage.

Originally wanting Extreme Shadow brothers to come bolster his courage, how did it reverse?

Seeing Jin Ze come over from the corner of her eye, Chun Qin turned to smile at him: “They said I look like your wife.”

Jin Ze: “…”

The soldiers nearby: “…”

Why are you blushing?!

After speaking, Chun Qin walked toward the crowd as if nothing happened.

The soldiers blocking the refugees saw this delicate, beautiful sister approaching and feared she’d suffer, quietly reminding her.

“Big sister, don’t get so close.”

“Go to the director’s side, it’s too dangerous.”

“If you don’t believe it, then just call a few more people over.” Chun Qin motioned for them to step back a bit, then turned to Jin Ze. “Director Jin, please call two more Extreme Shadow brothers. Also, if you have other matters, please attend to them. I’m enough here.”

Jin Ze wanted to say of course not.

Leaving you, this soft woman, alone here—if something happens, won’t Chi Yao make everyone in Flying Dragonkneel and fold clothes when he returns?

Just as he was about to refuse, he suddenly received Chun Qin’s subtle signal. Jin Ze’s eyes flashed.

“Then—alright.” Jin Ze waved, signaling the soldiers blocking the refugees to retreat.

When the people withdrew, the refugees immediately pressed forward.

Chun Qin walked unhurriedly into the nearest rest cabin.

“Wait here then.”

The refugees looked at each other and walked in.

Having come this far, they had to see what the handling result would be.

Jin Ze and the others watched Chun Qin go in, getting a bit panicked.

“Director, what do we do?”

“She won’t get bullied, right? These people are pretty fierce.”

“Should we ask the boss? My heart’s racing.”

Just thinking this, sounds of fighting and screaming suddenly came from the rest cabin.

“Fuck!”

Jin Ze immediately ran over, kicking the closing hatch door.

Through the crack, he could vaguely see people flying around inside.

This intense?!

We’re screwed.

“Everyone come here!” Jin Ze shouted.

Just after shouting, the corridor door behind them suddenly closed.

The entire passenger cabin formed a huge sealed space.

Noticing from the corner of his eye that some refugees were walking over, goosebumps rose all over Jin Ze’s body.

In the rest cabin, the refugees huddled in the corner, trembling with fear.

Everything was fine just a moment ago—how did people start flying as soon as they entered?!

“Mmph—!”

“Ah—!”

Chi Yao grabbed the short, fat alpha trying to escape, choking his neck and pressing him against the wall.

The refugees watched as this person left the ground on his own, legs struggling desperately, face turning the color of pig liver, screaming while holding their heads.

Too damn strange!

“Making moves while I’m away—you’re quite self-aware.”

Hearing this familiar voice, the refugees tremblingly looked over.

A tall, slender figure gradually appeared in the empty space before the short, fat alpha—it was Chi Yao!

Chi Yao tightened his fingers, smiling but not smiling: “Daring to sow discord against my people?”

A gust of wind came from behind. Chi Yao didn’t turn around. A black pistol appeared in his hand, the raised muzzle aimed precisely at the person’s brow behind him.

“Really can’t learn.” Chi Yao laughed lowly and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

Splattered blood sprayed onto the ceiling, dripping blood leaving long, glaring marks on the floor.

The beta behind fell with a blown-out head.

In the corridor outside the hatch, fighting was equally intense.

The corridor was too narrow, and Jin Ze feared hurting real refugees, quickly becoming passive.

Suddenly, a middle-aged alpha rushing over fell to the ground without warning.

Jin Ze was dumbfounded.

What’s happening?

Then, more refugees crashed into walls on their own.

Jin Ze: “What the hell!”

Haunted?

“Have them guard the hatch doors of each passage; don’t let refugees from other cabins come over.”

Jing Xi’s voice rang out in the space.

Jin Ze searched everywhere, then suddenly saw him appear from thin air three steps in front of him, startled.

Jing Xi: “Detain anyone suspicious first.”

Jin Ze: “Yes!”

Before running over, he suddenly thought of something and said urgently: “Miss Chun Qin was locked inside; I don’t know how she is now?!”

Jing Xi knocked out the person in his hand, waving for people to take away the unconscious people on the ground.

“She’s fine.”

“How can she be fine?”

Jin Ze was anxious, “She—”

The hatch slowly opened before them. Jin Ze stared stiffly.

Blood sprayed everywhere—the rest cabin’s original appearance was unrecognizable.

Chi Yao stood in the middle of the pool of blood, gun in hand, expression indifferent.

How is Chi Yao here too?!

Jin Ze thought again—since the boss could appear from thin air, Chi Yao’s appearance seemed to make sense too.

He immediately went to find Chun Qin.

She walked out following Chi Yao, not even a hair out of place.

Fortunately.

No need to be livestreamed, kneeling and folding clothes.

Chi Yao raised his hand, speaking on the public channel.

“Except for the medical area, everyone come to the passenger cabin.”

Just as he finished, the forcibly closed corridor door opened, and Chu Xiao and others rushed in.

“Director! Are you alright?!”

Jin Ze supported himself on Chu Xiao’s shoulder, breathing a sigh of relief.

“At least I kept my dignity.”

Chu Xiao: “?”

In less than two minutes, Extreme Shadow’s people assembled in the corridor.

Chi Yao’s face was dark.

“Two per group, follow Fei Long. Make sure to root out all Ghost members!”

Extreme Shadow members: “Yes!”

Jing Xi stood beside Chi Yao, ordering Fei Long’s people.

“Everyone form eight-person squads and coordinate with Extreme Shadow’s actions!”

Flying Dragon members: “Yes!”

Chi Yao looked at Jing Xi, smiling lightly: “Let’s see how many turtles we can catch this time.”

Jing Xi turned, his gun touching Chi Yao’s barrel, striding inside: “First joint operation—of course it’s all of them.”