Jiang Ye felt a chill surge through his body. "Please, go on."
"The matter of Quartz Star has been difficult for you, I noticed," Huan Yunhe said.
"More than difficult, it's like walking through a minefield blindfolded," Jiang Ye said, still shaken.
"That's why I've found a patron for you," Huan Yunhe continued. "This person is incredibly capable, and happens to have some funds he wants to invest in the planet trading market. He specifically requested your help with it. He asked me to inquire about your thoughts."
"A patron?" Jiang Ye was surprised. He had just been thinking about finding one, and now one was being delivered to his doorstep. "Which celestial being are we talking about?"
"He was my division commander when I was in the military, Dai Zhixing. He's since retired from the front lines, but his status remains highly respected. Many of his former subordinates and students now hold high-ranking positions in the Galactic Empire's military. Very high-ranking, almost at the very top." Huan Yunhe explained.
Jiang Ye was startled.
The chill continued to emanate from him uncontrollably.
He knew Li Nannan's status was already quite significant, but that was only in comparison to the small pond around him.
If one looked at the entire universe, Li Nannan's position was merely that of a small fry, completely unknown.
According to Huan Yunhe's description, Dai Zhixing was like an ancient dragon dormant in the mountains.
Was this ancient dragon looking to collaborate with a prairie dog?
"Honestly, Mr. Huan, this news has startled me. My heart is pounding," Jiang Ye said. "I'm just a nobody, young, with no seniority. How could I possibly be worthy of relying on such a true dragon?"
"Don't tell me, Director Dai wants to speak with you," Huan Yunhe said. "He's right next to me, and I've handed the phone to him."
With a *snap*, Jiang Ye's hand trembled, and the teacup shattered on the floor.
In an instant, sweat poured out of him. The chill within his body seemed to dissipate all at once, and Jiang Ye felt as if he had recovered from a cold.
The young women in the room heard the noise and rushed out to see what had happened, crowding at the doorway in surprise. But Jiang Ye gestured for them to be quiet.
"Hello, Jiang Ye. I'm Dai Zhixing," a deep male voice came from the phone, with a hint of a smile. "I'm no 'true dragon,' just a little old man with some spare cash. I heard you have some experience in planet trading?"
"Director Dai, you flatter me. I've just dabbled with a few planets, trying my luck, and Mr. Huan helped me with all of them. I don't have any real skills," Jiang Ye replied with a forced smile.
The young women watching quietly at the doorway were astonished, exchanging glances.
They had never seen Jiang Ye in such a state.
Nervousness, excitement, fear, and joy were all intertwined. Every muscle in his face was stiff, like a little rabbit being invited to dinner by a tiger.
Cen Yemeng looked on with concern. Her husband's demeanor, so utterly flustered by this call, made her wonder what kind of person was on the other end of the line.
"Don't be nervous, Xiao Jiang. Luck is also a part of strength. History is often shaped by luck," the voice from the phone was indeed deep, like an old dragon. "I've seen your file. You have a rich background, ability, and youthful drive. You are a talent."
Jiang Ye was filled with trepidation, desperately trying to muster various humble replies.
"Would you be free to come have tea with me sometime in the next half month?" the old dragon asked casually.
Jiang Ye wanted to decline, to say he was just a small figure, but a subtle, indescribable pressure emanated from the phone, completely stripping him of his ability to refuse. He could only mechanically agree.
"Alright." Upon receiving Jiang Ye's agreement, the old dragon's tone became even more pleasant. "Then I'll be waiting for you here. You can claim your travel expenses from Xiao Huan."
The call ended.
Jiang Ye was covered in sweat. He raised his sleeve and wiped his brow.
"Who was that?" Cen Yemeng asked softly.
The other young women also looked curious.
Jiang Ye waved his hand, stood up, and entered the adjacent room, closing the door.
He wanted to message Huan Yunhe, to ask why this had happened so suddenly, and who exactly this ancient dragon Dai Zhixing was.
But then he remembered that Huan Yunhe was currently in the dragon's lair, and sending a message would surely be seen by the old dragon. Jiang Ye gave up the idea, deciding that later, Huan Yunhe would likely call to provide further explanation.
Jiang Ye searched for the name Dai Zhixing online.
He found over three million results from different planets, but all were irrelevant. There were too many people named Dai Zhixing in the universe: the vagrant Dai Zhixing, the university professor Dai Zhixing, the Dai Zhixing rumored to be romantically involved with a female star, the Dai Zhixing who died in a spaceship accident... countless pieces of information about ordinary people flooded the search results.
Jiang Ye thought for a moment, then sent a message to Li Nannan.
"You're probably very busy right now, so there's no need to reply immediately. I wanted to ask if you've ever heard of a name like Dai Zhixing?"
After a few minutes, Li Nannan's reply came.
"Why are you suddenly asking about this name?"
Jiang Ye's eyes lit up. It seemed Li Nannan knew something!
"Someone mentioned him to me, I don't know him and I'm very curious," Jiang Ye replied.
"He's an old monster, with incredible abilities. I've only heard some rumors," Li Nannan replied. "Last year, during a major conference, I was in the back row. He was on stage, and I couldn't see his face clearly. I caught a glimpse from afar, and my impression was that his posture was very commanding."
"Very commanding posture? Feet on the table?"
"Jiang Ye, are you out of your mind!"
"Just kidding."
"He was wearing all black and glasses, sitting in a chair. His elbows rested flat on the arms of the circular chair, his hands lightly clasped, sitting there quietly, occasionally offering a smile," Li Nannan described. "He gave off a powerful aura, like an ancient dragon from a fantasy novel waking up after millennia of slumber."
"You couldn't even see his face."
"It's a feeling, perhaps I was just imagining it because he's too mysterious."
"What have you heard? About Director Dai?"
"Let me tell you what I know for sure first. This person has immense influence. According to the principle of 'small meetings for major issues, large meetings for minor issues, and no meetings for critical matters,' the decision to go to war with the Meer people was initially made by a handful of people in a small meeting. He was present at that meeting. After I was promoted, I saw a top-secret document, a signed document from that small meeting, and Dai Zhixing's name was among the signatories."
Jiang Ye's face turned pale again.
The war between the human military and the Meer people, its duration, intensity, and the resources invested were all concepts of unimaginable terror.
Dai Zhixing was involved in such a significant historical event.
Jiang Ye felt as if someone from a history textbook was calling him.
"Then let me tell you some of his legends," Li Nannan continued to message.
"He was an officer during the Third War, and one of the first officers when humanity was integrated into the Galactic Empire. He's a founding member, considered an ancient figure like you. It's said that during the Third War, he achieved a terrifying victory ratio of one to a hundred. The ten thousand or so men under his command, through complex mobile warfare, annihilated nearly a million enemy troops. His operations were god-like. And it's said that this wasn't a nominal million, but an actual, verifiable number."
Jiang Ye fell silent. Based on what Huan Yunhe had said earlier, this rumor was likely true.
This old dragon was a legend.