By the next evening, the list Chi Yao asked the Dark Division to investigate was confirmed.

Liu Wu: “Preliminary checks only. All enterprises on the list have abnormal transactions, and 45% of them are already on the Dark Division’s surveillance list.”

There were countless enterprises registered in the Empire. Investigating them one by one would exhaust the entire Dark Division, but this list narrowed down the target to a very small range, making it not difficult to check.

Chi Yao: “I understand.”

He lifted the quilt and got up, but his clothes were suddenly tugged.

“Where are you going?” Jing Xi’s sleepy voice came from behind.

Chi Yao bent down and kissed his forehead, whispering, “I’m going to find the old man. You sleep first.”

Although the war was over, the Flying Dragon was both the rescue legion and the resident legion of Cetus. The follow-up work was still very cumbersome, and Commander Jing Xi couldn’t rest for a moment.

Jing Xi struggled to sit up: “I’ll go with you.”

Chi Yao pressed him back: “I don’t have to get up at 6 am for work tomorrow. Go to sleep quickly, I’ll be back in half an hour.”

Jing Xi hugged his waist and was silent for several seconds before reluctantly letting go after getting enough hugs.

“Half an hour then.”

Chi Yao was amused by his clinginess.

“Sleep.”

Jing Xi looked cold and held a high position; outsiders saw his aura as powerfully unapproachable. In reality, he was very dependent on those close to him, especially when he wasn’t fully conscious or during his susceptible period—he was simply a clingy bug.

So cute.

Arriving at the command cabin, Lin Chengde was on night duty.

Officers of his rank no longer needed to strictly follow the shift schedule. As long as they handled things when they arose, general affairs could be left to subordinates.

However, Lin Chengde was rather unlucky; he hadn’t had a single leisurely day since taking over the Dark Division.

“Pulling an all-nighter at your age?” Chi Yao walked over slowly and casually sat on the chair beside him.

Eating braised pork, Lin Chengde almost choked upon suddenly hearing this voice.

“Didn’t you go back to rest?”

Chi Yao rested his chin on his hand and looked at him: “So you’re secretly eating meat?”

Lin Chengde handed him a piece: “Stop being sour, have a piece.”

Chi Yao avoided it: “Let’s talk business, my wife is still waiting for me to go back to sleep.”

Lin Chengde huffed angrily: “You ran over here in the middle of the night just to piss me off?”

Chi Yao kept a wooden face and gave him the list.

“Got it from a reliable source. Arrange people to monitor them.”

Lin Chengde took it without even looking and tossed it to the subordinate in charge of monitoring.

“You’re not even going to review it?” Chi Yao asked.

Lin Chengde ate his meat: “What’s there to review? I trust you to do things.”

Chi Yao: “Is it trust, or laziness?”

Lin Chengde: “…”

To salvage some image, he stiffened his neck and said: “The master who taught me before did the same thing. This fine tradition must be passed down.”

Chi Yao: “…”

The next day, Chi Yao contacted Zhang Sheng again and agreed to cooperate.

Regardless of whether the ultimate goal was the same, as long as the direction was consistent, they were not enemies.

Chi Yao: “Who is ‘It’?”

Zhang Sheng: “It’s inconvenient to say here.”

Chi Yao raised an eyebrow: “Then where is it convenient?”

Zhang Sheng didn’t answer. He tapped a few times on the virtual keyboard and smiled: “I will contact you proactively.”

After speaking, he hung up.

Chi Yao looked at the string of numbers he sent over; they seemed to be coordinates.

Just then Jing Xi returned, and Chi Yao beckoned him over.

“Encrypted coordinates.” Jing Xi sat down, rubbing his somewhat sore forehead. “Xiao Hei can decode and locate.”

Just as he finished speaking, Xiao Hei’s voice automatically rang in Chi Yao’s mind.

【Want to locate? One catty of energy.】

“Locate.”

Saying that, Chi Yao walked behind the sofa and let Jing Xi lean back so he could massage him. “How much longer will the work here take?”

“If the garrison’s work is in place, Flying Dragon can leave in half a month.” Jing Xi leaned back relaxedly and closed his eyes.

Chi Yao: “Some things can be left to Zhuo Lin.”

Jing Xi: “The help he can provide is very limited.”

After all, with the commander present, authority couldn’t be completely outsourced.

While talking, a huge holographic projection popped up in the air in front of them, quickly zooming in from countless planets, locking onto a certain planet, then locking onto a certain point in a certain area.

【Cetus C85, C86.】

Both planets were Level 5 Danger Zones.

Jing Xi pulled up the military files. There were only routine inspections every three years. They had remained at Level 5 for 30 consecutive years, with no downgrades and no records of land reclamation to date.

“Both planets have highly dangerous mutated beasts, and conditions in all aspects are not suitable for human habitation. Developing them into residential planets would be too costly.”

Jing Xi explained simply, “Planets with such conditions are generally left untouched unless necessary.”

The Empire’s territory was vast and rich in resources. Coupled with the current low population growth rate, there was no need to develop too many planets.

Chi Yao had Xiao Hei pull up the live satellite feeds of planets 85 and 86. Apart from wastelands and forests, no abnormalities were found.

“What does Zhang Sheng mean by throwing these two coordinates at me?”

Jing Xi: “Related to ‘It’?”

Chi Yao frowned.

Previously he guessed “It” should be a humanoid beast, but now he wasn’t so sure.

There was still half a month. Chi Yao planned to continue watching.

Bai Yi was already losing his composure. Just a little more provocation, and he would definitely jump.

The internet was bustling with activity.

The Star Pirate Group had never been as popular as now. For a time, their traffic even surpassed top celebrities. Just mentioning the words “Star Pirate” could garner a lot of attention.

The military timely reposted some updates from the Star Pirate Group and gave affirmation. From beginning to end, Chi Yao wasn’t involved, but he was still frantically name-dropped.

Netizens—

“I didn’t expect the Star Pirate Group could really do good deeds. Chi Yao is too amazing!”

“I dare say, except for Chi Yao, no one can straighten out the Star Pirate circle.”

“Star Pirate groups queuing up waiting for Chi Yao’s approval before posting updates hahahaha, I can already picture it.”

Chi Yao originally wanted to see if there was any abnormal public opinion online, but ended up seeing his own name everywhere.

“You could debut right here and now.”

Qiu Shuang, with a candy in her mouth, leaned slouchily against the table, teasing with a smile.

Chi Yao: “If I wanted to debut, those traffic stars wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Qiu Shuang: “…”

Have some shame.

After a while, Chun Qin returned from her rounds.

Seeing her, Chi Yao’s mood was very subtle.

Chun Qin was more than ten years older than him. In his perception, she was like an older sister, although ordinary older sisters probably wouldn’t teach their younger brothers marksmanship and killing techniques.

In that base full of felons, Chi Yao could clearly feel the malice emanating from those people. Although Chun Qin was also full of murderous aura, he knew she wouldn’t hurt him.

He didn’t say it when he was young, but he knew in his heart that if there was danger, Chun Qin would definitely help him if he asked.

But now knowing she was the person Bo Jin found to “protect” him, he suddenly didn’t know how to face her.

“Feeling unwell?” Chun Qin asked.

Chi Yao shook his head: “Very well.”

Chun Qin approached, observing his expression: “Trouble in the bedroom?”

Chi Yao: “…None.”

Chun Qin: “Is it no trouble, or no bedroom activities?”

Chi Yao: “…”

Hearing Qiu Shuang’s ruthless laughter beside his ear, Chi Yao looked over.

Qiu Shuang laughed halfway, then nearly swallowed her candy in fright.

“I wasn’t laughing at you, really.”

Chun Qin put down the tools in her hand, sat behind the desk, and said seriously: “If you have any difficulties, I can help you.”

Chi Yao: “No difficulties.”

Chun Qin: “Really?”

Chi Yao considered himself fearless, but thinking about it now, Chun Qin and Jing Xi were people he couldn’t handle as he pleased.

If asked further, he might be suspected of impotence.

Chi Yao pretended to be calm and stood up: “I still have things to do, going back first.”

Qiu Shuang: “What did you come for?”

Chi Yao: “To check your work progress.”

Chun Qin said softly: “If you want any educational videos, you can ask me—”

“No need!”

Chi Yao ran away hastily.

Qiu Shuang laughed until her stomach hurt: “Ah Qin, you’re really something. You’re probably the only one who can force that kid to this extent.”

Chun Qin looked confused: “Why did he run?”

Qiu Shuang teased with a smile: “Probably doesn’t want to face reality?”

But Chun Qin took it seriously. Thinking for a moment, she searched through her terminal for a while, found some files, and clicked send.

Seeing those files, Qiu Shuang’s brow twitched.

“Is that necessary? Even kids understand these things.”

Chun Qin shook her head: “Boss never received formal education growing up and severely lacks knowledge in this area, but he’s too proud to say it.”

Qiu Shuang: “…”

He really isn’t proud.

Suddenly felt that kid Chi Yao was quite pitiable.

In the command cabin, Chi Yao was discussing the encirclement and suppression of the amusement parks with Jing Xi and Lin Chengde.

Over the past twenty years, the amusement parks monitored by the Dark Division accounted for 20%. They had cleared some by creating various accidents, but the rate of spread was much faster than their clearing speed.

Chi Yao: “Wait until the info leak reaches 45%, the rest can be acted upon simultaneously within a month.”

Jing Xi: “If done simultaneously, military strength will definitely be insufficient. We need to discuss troop deployment with the Commander-in-Chief.”

Lin Chengde: “I’ll talk to Old Pei.”

Just then, Chi Yao’s terminal vibrated non-stop. Thinking it was another Star Pirate group sending copy for approval, he opened it without thinking.

The result was indeed a long string of videos popping out.

Seeing the auto-playing video content, Chi Yao: “…………”

Jing Xi: “……”

Lin Chengde cleared his throat awkwardly: “Watch these things privately when you get back. Behave yourself during the meeting.”

It was simply a social death scene.

The other officers in the meeting dared not breathe loudly, fearing it would be interpreted as mockery, which would inevitably lead to Chi Yao’s crazy revenge later.

Although Chi Yao didn’t care, he still reluctantly explained: “I am behaving very well.”

Afraid Chi Yao would be misunderstood as slacking off, Jing Xi added: “He is indeed very well-behaved, I can testify.”

Chi Yao: “…”

Why does that sound weird?

Lin Chengde: “…”

Enough from you two.

Others secretly glanced at Chi Yao: “…”

Is there some misunderstanding about the word ‘well-behaved’?

Sensing the atmosphere getting increasingly weird, Jing Xi: “?”

Did he say something wrong?

Chi Yao caught the doubt in his eyes, laughing and crying at the same time, and said with a righteous face: “When we’re free, let’s study hard together.”

Others: “…”

Spreading dog food is prohibited during meetings!

In the subtle atmosphere, Lin Chengde suddenly received a communication request from Pei Zhenyue.

He made a gesture for silence and clicked answer.

Pei Zhenyue’s holographic projection appeared in the middle of the round table. Judging by the background, he seemed to be at home.

He scanned everyone: “In a meeting?”

“Just about to find you, and you came yourself.” Lin Chengde said with a solemn face, “Based on current progress, we will leak 45% of the data within a month, then take another month to fully clear them out. Any problems on your end?”

Besides clearing the amusement parks, they also needed to collect massive amounts of illegal information and evidence. These would be important bases for conviction when the military court opened in the future, requiring enormous support in manpower and resources.

Although the amusement parks were scattered and targets numerous, with the military’s strength, even without using legion forces, local garrisons alone could break them one by one. The difficulty lay in not knowing who was reliable.

Once judged wrongly, reinforcements could very likely become enemies.

Pei Zhenyue paced back and forth a few steps with hands behind his back: “Not a big problem.”

He stopped and looked at Lin Chengde: “Send over the remaining 55% of the locations. I need to deploy in advance.”

Lin Chengde: “You plan to use the garrison?”

Pei Zhenyue shook his head: “The Supervision Group is guiding work in various places. If necessary, they can immediately control the local garrison bases.”

Lin Chengde huffed angrily: “The garrison system must be thoroughly reshuffled!”

Pei Zhenyue looked at Jing Xi: “Regarding reinforcements, what’s your view?”

Jing Xi: “The initiative for data exposure is in our hands. To avoid excessive pressure later, we can first break down locations with difficult reinforcement one by one in the early stage. As for reinforcements—I think we can mobilize forces from multiple parties, not limited to the military.”

Pei Zhenyue glanced at Chi Yao. Just as he was about to speak, he heard him say leisurely: “Star Pirates don’t do losing business.”

“…”

Pei Zhenyue rubbed his nose: “Whatever you want, just apply to Jing Xi.”

In less than a month, 30% of the locations were cleared. The butler got the day’s data and knocked on the master bedroom door with fear and trepidation.

“Master—”

Bai Yi was leaning back in a rocking chair, facing the window, his emotions unreadable.

“How is ‘It’?”

The butler’s eyes flickered, hesitating: “Currently still within controllable range, however—”

The rocking chair swayed lightly, Bai Yi’s voice very low: “If it can’t be stopped, lure them over.”

The butler’s eyes widened in shock.

“Right now—?”

“Still don’t understand? We’ve been played.”

Bai Yi pulled at the corner of his mouth, his smile sarcastic. “They likely already possess all the intelligence, just waiting for me to jump in.”

Telling Jing Xi about Bo Jin was to divert attention, and also a probe.

Judging from Jing Xi’s reaction at the time and their series of recent actions, his move failed.

Butler: “I’ll notify them to close all locations immediately!”

“Closing or not has no meaning anymore.”

Bai Yi was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, “Mobilize everyone, focus fully on dealing with ‘It’.”

Is he giving up?

The butler was startled: “Then the locations—”

Once all locations were cleared, their decades of operation would go down the drain.

Bai Yi looked out the window and sighed a long sigh.

“I have no choice.”

The butler’s fingertips trembled. It took a long while before he made a sound: “Yes.”

According to the original plan, after Flying Dragon completed the reconstruction task here, there would still be enough time left for them to prepare for the upcoming full-scale cleanup.

But within two days, Chi Yao sensed something was wrong.

“Too calm.”

Jing Xi stood beside him, looking up at the monitoring console.

“Maybe this is all the manpower they can freely dispatch?”

Chi Yao observed for a moment, frowning.

“Incorrect.”

After suffering 30% damage, the opponent should have strengthened defenses, but now they appeared fatigued. This was definitely not the opponent’s true strength.

Just as he spoke, Jing Xi’s terminal suddenly rang. It was a communication request from adjutant Jiang Feng.

“What’s wrong?”

Jiang Feng looked slightly anxious: “Boss, last night two thousand people fled from the garrison headquarters. Pursuit is currently underway.”

Jing Xi and Chi Yao exchanged a look.

“I’ll notify to seal all jump points in that vicinity and strengthen headquarters defense. Report immediately if there’s any situation.”

Jiang Feng said guiltily: “Sorry, Boss, you told me to watch closely long ago—”

Jing Xi: “This isn’t your problem.”

While they spoke, Chi Yao suddenly thought of something and sent a message in the Dark Division group chat.

【Any personnel movement at each location?】

【254 people withdrew.】

【1352 people withdrew.】

【3761 people withdrew.】

…

Chi Yao’s face turned cold.

Inflow and outflow are normal, but now there was only withdrawal and no entry. Where did all these withdrawn people go?

He sent another message.

【Report tracking status of withdrawn personnel.】

A long string of messages followed quickly, all locations of space stations and jump points in various places. At first glance, there seemed to be no major abnormalities.

Chi Yao squinted for a moment: “Brother Black, simulate routes.”

Xiao Hei: 【One catty per line.】

Chi Yao: “Put it on my tab.”

Soon, countless threads appeared on the virtual screen before his eyes. These threads gradually converged towards Cetus from all directions.

Catching this scene out of the corner of his eye, Jing Xi looked over.

“Coming towards us?”

Cutting flesh bit by bit like this would undoubtedly anger Bai Yi. According to his usual methods, it wouldn’t be strange to send assassins again.

Chi Yao saw the nearest ones had already reached Cetus. Even if Jing Xi had ordered controls, it still couldn’t stop their invasion.

But this position seemed not quite right.

He suddenly thought of something and said urgently: “Mark C85 and 86.”

In the center of all the threads, two adjacent red marker points appeared.

Chi Yao and Jing Xi were startled simultaneously.

Across the screen, Jiang Feng looked bewildered.

Those two marked planets didn’t seem to be within their monitoring range.

“What’s there?” he asked.

Chi Yao’s hands hanging by his sides tightened.

“It is ‘It’—”