The next day, Chi Yao woke up feeling hot.

Before opening his eyes, he reached above his head and plucked off the well-fed, chubby Iron Bear.

Once the Shadow Guards left, Iron Bear became a left-behind child, eating and sleeping all day, living more carefree than anyone else.

“Awake?”

Jing Xi came out of the bathroom, putting on his military jacket. “I’m going to a morning meeting first. Later, I’ll go with you to see Chen Bingfeng.”

Chi Yao propped up his head, watching him put on his disguise, enjoying this beautiful visual assault early in the morning.

“If you’re busy, you don’t have to come.”

With Chun Qin there, the scene would be too bloody, not suitable for his wife to watch.

Jing Xi walked to the bedside, bent down, and kissed him on the cheek.

“Interrogating Chen Bingfeng is the most important thing right now. I must be present.”

Chi Yao wasn’t part of the military system. For the interrogation results to be valid, they had to follow procedure.

After Jing Xi left, Chi Yao comfortably lay back down, preparing to go back to sleep.

Pfft—

A muffled sound came from under the blanket.

Chi Yao yanked the blanket open abruptly, almost gagging from the smell.

What on earth has this little brat been eating these days? Why are his farts so smelly?!

Chi Yao’s drowsiness vanished instantly, while the culprit burrowed into the blanket, flipped over, and slept happily.

He couldn’t stay in this bed anymore. Chi Yao ruffled his hair in annoyance and got up to wash.

When he arrived at Chun Qin’s office, several military doctors were there, seemingly having a pleasant technical exchange.

Seeing Chi Yao, the military doctors inevitably became a bit nervous.

Chi Yao glanced at the lingering smiles on their lips, walked to the windowsill, sat down, and said lazily, “Don’t mind me, carry on.”

He said that, but who could continue chatting?

“It’s about time, I should go do rounds—”

“I need to go dispense medicine too.”

“Then I’ll be leaving as well—”

The military doctors got up one after another and slipped away.

Only after walking a sufficient distance did they breathe a sigh of relief.

“If everyone in Extreme Shadow were as gentle as Miss Chun, their reputation would definitely be much better than now.”

“Exactly, she has more class than any noble lady I’ve seen, not like a star pirate at all.”

“Could she be a noble lady in distress?”

“Skilled in medicine, beautiful; she’s simply my goddess.”

Their voices, which they thought were hidden enough, reached Chi Yao’s ears word for word.

“How many ignorant young men are you going to deceive?” Chi Yao mocked.

Chun Qin put the sterilized scalpel blade into a storage box, closed the medical kit, and stood up.

“If you could learn half my skills, you wouldn’t be unable to even pursue a partner.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Chi Yao struggled: “Xi Xi has been head over heels for me long ago.”

Chun Qin picked up the medical kit: “That only proves his self-brainwashing ability is very strong.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Chen Bingfeng was a high-risk target, detained in an independent confinement cell.

Walking to the end of the corridor, soldiers guarded both sides of the heavy metal door.

Although there was no need to be too formal on Flying Dragon’s warship, they were outsiders after all.

Facing Jing Xi’s subordinates, Chi Yao rarely wanted to explain his purpose politely.

Unexpectedly, before he could speak, the two soldiers gestured for him to enter.

“Good morning, Mr. Chi.”

They let him through without even asking.

Chi Yao was somewhat surprised.

There was a sensor above the hatch, scanning faces and irises into the warship’s AI system for identification.

Almost immediately, the hatch opened in front of them.

After walking a few steps, Chun Qin said softly, “Even after all this, you still haven’t caught him?”

Chi Yao: “…”

Chun Qin looked ahead: “Do you need me to create a customized tutorial for you?”

Chi Yao: “No need.”

Arriving at the second metal door, there was no one here.

The AI scanning sound beeped overhead. Chi Yao added, “I want a soulmate, not a bedmate.”

Chun Qin’s eyes flashed, corners of her lips turning up slightly.

Just as she was about to say full marks for that answer, she heard Chi Yao mock: “Someone like you who acts so fast, didn’t you scare the person away?”

Chun Qin: “…”

The metal door slowly opened, revealing narrow rooms on both sides of the passage.

Chi Yao opened room number 44 at the end. Inside the cage, a pair of dark eyes glared at him fiercely.

“Lieutenant General Chen, we meet again.”

He walked to the chair by the wall and sat down, looking down at Chen Bingfeng with a smile. “Is your throat cured?”

Chen Bingfeng: “You knew it was me all along?”

“How is that possible? I’m not a god.” Chi Yao scoffed. “But I’m curious. Aren’t you Jing Xi’s superior? Why are you mixing with Ghosts again?”

Chen Bingfeng’s face darkened as he heard Chi Yao say lazily, “Don’t tell me Ghosts are the military’s special forces?”

“You should stand by my side, share my stance.”

Sitting on the ground, Chen Bingfeng’s voice was cold.

“Share your stance?” Chi Yao acted like he heard a joke. “Assassinate Jing Xi and Imperial Generals with you?”

“I didn’t!” Chen Bingfeng retorted loudly. “I only went to stop the mutant beasts!”

“Invading Flying Dragon’s control center to stop mutant beasts?” The smile on Chi Yao’s lips faded. “Take me for a fool?”

“Believe it or not.” Chen Bingfeng said calmly. “Those beasts will destroy humanity. Only Ghosts can stop all this.”

Chi Yao: “Are those beasts trying to destroy humanity, or you people?”

A gleam flashed in Chen Bingfeng’s half-lowered eyes.

“The beasts’ mutation level is gradually increasing, beast tides are erupting more frequently everywhere. These are facts. Ghosts exist to completely resolve this matter.”

A group of criminals who killed and robbed without a bottom line became saviors in Chen Bingfeng’s mouth.

“You’re saying all Ghosts voluntarily accepted modification and are willing to give their lives to stop beasts from attacking humans, right?”

Chun Qin stood by Chi Yao’s chair, her voice soft and low. “Were you also voluntarily injected with black bear genes?”

Hearing “black bear,” Chen Bingfeng flinched.

Chi Yao had been observing his micro-expressions.

Rather than fear, it was more like he was disgusted by the term.

“For justice, sacrifice is necessary.” Chen Bingfeng clenched his hands on his thighs. “As an Imperial soldier, naturally I should have this awareness.”

Not only twisting Ghosts into saviors but also praising himself.

Chi Yao had to admire this man’s thick skin.

Seeing Chi Yao’s attitude wasn’t as confrontational as at the start and seemed to have softened, Chen Bingfeng turned to look at him and said seriously, “Since you are already recognized by the Marshal, I’m not afraid to tell you: the beasts have mutated to level six.”

Chi Yao gave an appropriately surprised expression. Just when Chen Bingfeng thought he took the bait, he said expressionlessly, “What does that have to do with me?”

Chen Bingfeng grasped the iron bars, saying earnestly, “As a member of the modified humans, you have an obligation to eliminate all level six beasts!”

Chi Yao: “No one ever told me I had this obligation.”

Chen Bingfeng: “That’s because the time hadn’t come!”

Chen Bingfeng turned to him, hands clinging to the bars.

“You are among the relatively successfully modified batch, fully capable of dealing with level six beasts. Why not do it? The Empire spent huge financial and material resources to create us. This is a debt you owe and must repay!”

Spoken with such certainty, Chi Yao almost believed it.

Because beasts mutated to higher levels, reaching a strength humans couldn’t handle, the Empire spent money and effort researching drugs and modifying human bodies to fight level six beasts and bring peace to the world.

Chi Yao: “But I didn’t voluntarily accept modification.”

Chen Bingfeng: “Because the situation was urgent, the Empire had no choice! Someone had to sacrifice! I am the same as you!”

Find common ground when opinions diverge.

This deception technique was decent.

Chi Yao said indifferently, “Then what about you ordering Ghosts to attack Jing Xi?”

Chen Bingfeng hesitated for a moment, then said seriously under his gaze, “Because we found out he is related to the sudden mutation of beasts, possibly involved in serious crimes. We needed to capture him secretly for investigation.”

Chi Yao almost laughed out loud.

Chen Bingfeng really took him for a fool to say such things.

Chi Yao: “You say the Empire required modification. Who gave the order? Who is the person in charge? Who researched the drugs?”

“Is this the time to talk about these things?!”

Chen Bingfeng’s eyes turned cold. “Since it has come to this, I’m not afraid to tell you. There are several level six beasts in this beast tide. If we don’t act quickly, not just the southern continent, but all humans on Planet 820 will die!”

Playing with his ring, Chi Yao said leisurely, “Act?”

“Ghosts have already formulated an extermination plan, but it needs me to command.” Chen Bingfeng patted the iron bars. “Release me immediately, otherwise the consequences will be unbearable for anyone!”

After speaking, he saw Chi Yao seemed to be considering.

The waiting time became particularly long. Chen Bingfeng clenched his teeth to stop his chin from trembling.

A moment later, Chi Yao suddenly got up and walked towards the iron cage.

Chen Bingfeng’s eyes lit up.

As long as Chi Yao believed it, this operation couldn’t be counted as a failure.

Whether independent or united with the military, Chi Yao was an enemy. But if he joined the Ghosts, he would be a very powerful force.

“Chun Qin.” Chi Yao looked at Chen Bingfeng and said to Chun Qin behind him, “Lieutenant General Chen seems to have injured his brain; his mind is a bit abnormal. Check him.”

Separated by only a set of bars, Chen Bingfeng could clearly see the mockery in Chi Yao’s eyes, causing his pupils to shrink.

“Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you.”

Chi Yao smiled. “You shouldn’t be unfamiliar with Chun Qin. Over the years, she has turned over a new leaf. Her medical skills are no worse than those quacks at White Crane who treat lumbar disc herniation. A few injections and your mind will clear up.”

“Chi Yao, you played me?!” Chen Bingfeng struggled to stand up, roaring in anger.

Chi Yao turned and walked towards the cabin door.

“Getting mental illness at such a young age, how pitiful.”

Watching Chun Qin approaching with the medical kit, Chen Bingfeng was both fearful and angry. Moving a few steps into the corner, he shouted at Chi Yao.

“If you change your stance, I can overlook those things you did before!”

“Saving the world and whatnot, better leave it to a loyal and patriotic general like you.” Chi Yao waved his hand. “I’m just a star pirate. I love nothing but money and beauties.”

The cabin door opened and slowly closed.

Heart-rending screams passed through the door crack into Chi Yao’s ears, inexplicably feeling stress-relieving.

It was still early. While Chun Qin was “disciplining,” Chi Yao detoured to the main cabin.

Li Yuan and Fang Liang had just returned from those seaside villages.

“Found a large amount of medical waste at an abandoned garbage station.” Fang Liang projected photos into the air, scrolling down one by one. “Judging from the footprints and other traces left at the scene, this should be where the sea turtles forage.”

Li Yuan leaned back in his chair, legs crossed on the table.

“That garbage station is an old-fashioned landfill type. Our people are still digging through the trash.”

Chi Yao leaned against the table: “Give a copy of all data to Flying Dragon.”

Fang Liang: “Already coordinated with the Information Department head. Some clues found inside also need to rely on their database to investigate.”

With the bosses of both sides hooking up, doing things became much more convenient.

Jing Xi rushed back from outside after his inspection. Seeing Chi Yao in the small meeting room, he walked over hurriedly.

Smelling a faint scent of alcohol on Chi Yao, Jing Xi asked, “You went to see Chen Bingfeng?”

“Mn.”

Thinking of what just happened, Chi Yao’s smile was a bit cold. “Might still need a few more procedures before he tells the truth.”

Jing Xi could somewhat imagine the “procedures” he mentioned.

Chi Yao pulled his hand over, feeling the cold touch of his fingertips, and touched his face.

“Is it very cold outside today? Go back and add a layer of clothes.”

Jing Xi shook his head, pulling up the data investigated by Xiao Hong.

“Regarding Chen Bingfeng’s contact, we have a lead—”