Chapter 723: Chapter 496: The Next Target
Mu Fan truly hadn’t expected Qi Longxiang to be able to appear here.
People from two different worlds were actually intersecting at this moment, and the other party’s appearance meant that all the little tricks Black had pulled before had been seen through.
The ability to change information in the government’s most superficial databases had suddenly become the greatest risk to his identity being exposed.
However, a single sentence from Qi Longxiang quelled the rising silent killing intent in Mu Fan.
“We are friends, not foes, sent by Falcon Major General to rescue you, and also due to my personal reasons, as after all, you are my junior and the new hope of Dingchuan Academy.”
After looking around for a moment, Qi Longxiang turned to Li Cheng, “Congratulations, Lieutenant Colonel, no one here has died.”
Although the words were of congratulations, Li Cheng felt uncomfortable no matter how he listened to them.
“If there’s nothing else, I will take him away. If there are further arrest operations, please come directly to me. I, Qi some, will be stationed here for three days.”
The plain voice was simply stating a fact, yet it made Li Cheng unable to muster any intent to refute.
The higher-level forces that were truly wrestling for power had finally appeared, and this was completely beyond Li Cheng’s decision-making.
He, the security team, Rong Wei, Xiang Shan, Wu Ju… were just pawns that had failed in this power struggle.
Looking back on the Night Assassination Team, which had been described as ruffians, admiration unavoidably rose in his heart.
Indeed worthy to be the “ace” team of Blue Capital Star, they had taken knowing oneself and the enemy to the extreme.
Qi Longxiang quietly looked at Mu Fan, whose features showed a determined spirit, and couldn’t help but feel emotional.
In just a few short months, this kid had changed dramatically.
And his own troublesome cousin, still just knew how to play…
“Now I can’t help but feel envious of the Flying Dragon. If I had known sooner, I certainly would have requested to transfer you under my command,” said Qi Longxiang, somewhat sentimentally.
Mu Fan just smiled. He wouldn’t say that he also wouldn’t truly join Flying Dragon.
He didn’t want to join any forces; even the identity of a military officer was just a cover for him to navigate within the Federation.
Black, Base 131, Shadow Fleet—these were his real roots.
After speaking, Qi Longxiang did not insist, merely mentioning it in passing.
The officers in the back, still unable to conceal their shock, couldn’t believe such a peaceful rescue scene was happening right within the Special Service Department. Such a friendly encounter should have taken place in a luxurious banquet hall.
But at this moment…
A middle-aged man with a gloomy face was silently listening to the content of a Sky Communication message in a villa at Blue Moon Bay. Without uttering a word, he turned it off straightaway.
Then, with a ferocious glance at the Sky Communication device in his hand, he smashed it violently on the ground, shattering it under the force of his anger.
“How dare you warn me? I am the Family Head of the Tang family of Blue Capital Star; I just lost my dearest son, and you outsiders dare to warn me!”
“I don’t care who you are. You want me to back off openly? Fine… but every time I think of you people living happily while my son is already dead, I can’t wait to grind your bones to dust.”
The middle-aged man’s face twisted in grief, yet after speaking, suddenly let out a chilling smile before returning to calm.
“You are innocent? So was my son…”
His eerie voice faded away, as Tang Zhi walked out of the study, once again assuming his usual serene demeanor.
…
Walking beside Qi Longxiang, Mu Fan felt awkward all over at this moment.
He always felt that the youth, who was seven or eight years older than himself, seemed to exude a wisdom that was not fitting for his age. That sharp gaze appeared as if it could pierce through anything.
Even during conversations, the occasional peripheral glance always instinctively made Mu Fan consider whether there were any flaws in his words.
Talking with such an intelligent person was truly exhausting. Mu Fan had never expected that the person who would appear before him in the end would be him.
Moreover, the awkward part was that the only person he was familiar with, Major Lin Hao, was on duty aboard a ship and did not accompany the team.
“Your combat skills are truly unexpectedly good, no wonder those arrogant fellows pleaded on your behalf.”
Finally, he brought up the issue of Mu Fan’s concealed identity at that time, and then started to discuss the situation observed by the Special Service Department, Colonel Qi Longxiang said with a smile.
Mu Fan really did not know what to say and could only awkwardly scratch his head.
“I’m pleased to see such an outstanding student like you emerge from the new blood at Dingchuan Academy. A continuous stream of elites will keep the academy’s bloodline vigorous. In a while, I’ll come to the academy for a month-long lecture series. I hope we can make progress together on the path of realizing our ambitions.”
Colonel Qi Longxiang stood still, looking at the empty and spacious road ahead, a hundred meters away was Dingchuan Academy’s gate number nine.
“Alright, I’ll leave you here. For now, you’re safe, or let’s say as long as you stay inside the academy, you should be safe. Considering your opponent’s methods, I would advise always assuming the worst when making your deductions. Be careful with everything. Goodbye.”
Colonel Qi Longxiang’s voice was as gentle as ever, but Mu Fan always felt there was an underlying message in his words.
If it came to combat or a fight, Mu Fan’s terrifying combat intuition and instincts were more than enough for him to handle anything. However, this kind of conversation was not his strong suit; he was just grateful that the other party did not delve deep into Hei Fan’s identity.
After nodding to express his gratitude, Mu Fan walked toward the academy, clad in his tattered school uniform.
He felt his recent expenditure on clothes was somewhat excessive.
Ah, it’s all about money…
A group of officers in dark blue fleet uniforms stood on the lush, tree-lined roadside, attracting glances. A number of young women bursting with youthful vigor couldn’t help but gaze longingly at them.
Every girl had a dream of marrying a hero, and this group of people was clearly fleet officers, and moreover, those from the deep-space fleet, practically the perfect candidates for a Prince Charming.
“Colonel Qi, this junior brother of yours is… quite fierce,” said a major who chuckled beside him. He and Lin Hao shared the role of Colonel Qi Longxiang’s aides, and when he saw the groaning security team soldiers strewn across the Special Service Department’s underground facility, his worldview on personal combat prowess was instantly refreshed.
Like mentor, like protege.
Colonel Qi Longxiang smiled gently and did not speak, walking towards the back, his transcendental demeanor once again made the passing women take repeated glances.
Clearly, there were many secrets hidden within his junior brother.
If one were to assume the worst, what if that fleet called “Shadow” really did have something to do with him?
Impossible.
Thinking thus, Colonel Qi Longxiang chuckled helplessly.
Everyone has some secrets; as long as you haven’t betrayed your country, what’s the harm in keeping those secrets forever?
The group gradually walked away, and Mu Fan, wearing his ragged uniform, entered the academy.
As he walked into an empty green corridor, Black’s voice echoed in his ear:
“Mu Fan, the deciphering speed of the Star Map Relic has doubled, and it’s about to unveil its final secret. You were right; the two relics point to the same location. Moreover, in the analysis, I seem to have found traces of artificial creation…”
“Then, about the War Armor Dragon Rider, the remaining two materials needed have also been found. If you can craft this war armor soon, then with its sense of resonance, you will be better equipped to find what that old man Mohandas mentioned… the Jade Tear.”
Mu Fan’s body stopped abruptly, his eyes bright.
If he remembered correctly, the Jade Tear was the only material needed to activate the heart of Ghost Energy.
So it seemed, the next target was completely clear!