"Your Excellency must be aware that in the Federation, every individual's genes are unique. He may evade detection once, but he cannot do so every time. Therefore, behind him, I fear there is..."
"The Royal Family," Xing Yuan finished for him.
Only the Royal Family had the authority to tamper with gene check results. It seemed her existence had become intolerable to them. She wondered if the Royal Family behind this was merely a prince or the Emperor of the Federation himself.
If it were just one person, it would be manageable. But if it were the Federation's Emperor, she might have to start a rebellion.
Thinking of her previous life as a miserable office worker, Xing Yuan shivered.
Xing Yuan's expression grew serious. "Bai Xingyu, I'm entrusting this matter to you. Investigate discreetly. If possible, before I expose their identities, regardless of who stands behind them, I need to make a decision."
"Understood," Bai Xingyu nodded. He had accumulated many connections over the years, so gathering information should not be a problem.
"Also, the Weiguang is broken. If the Royal Family is truly behind this, we need to make plans. I recall depositing some interstellar credits with you earlier, and I can't retrieve the rest immediately."
"Please keep an eye out for any high-grade mecha materials and try to collect them. If war truly breaks out, I will need a suitable mecha."
"Understood. Your Excellency, rest assured, no matter who is behind this, I will always be your most loyal follower," Bai Xingyu pledged his loyalty.
Xing Yuan's clear eyes met Bai Xingyu's. "I trust you. This matter is too significant, so let's keep it confidential for now. We'll discuss everything once the results are out."
"Alright!" Bai Xingyu turned to leave, but then he looked back and smiled. "Your Excellency, you've changed a lot since you returned. You never used to bother with these things."
"Yes! Dying once made me see things clearly," Xing Yuan said with a self-deprecating smile.
They left the room one after the other. Bai Xingyu gave Xi Yue a perfunctory greeting and hurried off to handle the tasks Xing Yuan had assigned him.
"What were you two talking about?" Xi Yue asked, her gaze fixed on the floor, as if it were a casual question.
Xing Yuan answered honestly, "I asked him to help me keep an eye on the news from that side, and also to collect some mecha materials. I'm planning to build a legendary mecha this time."
"Sister Xi Yue, did you help me repair the Weiguang?" Xing Yuan leaned in front of Xi Yue, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her.
Xi Yue had once qualified as an intermediate mecha technician, so Xing Yuan felt she was incredibly skilled compared to her own half-baked abilities.
Xi Yue paused, then nodded. "I've looked at it. The Weiguang isn't a major problem. It's just that its power is unbalanced due to the disconnection from the mecha. Once it's reconnected to a mecha, it will be as good as new."
Xing Yuan pretended to understand and nodded. "Is it urgent? If not, I'll wait until my new mecha is finished before reconnecting it."
"No rush! Take your time."
Xing Yuan rested her chin on her hand, appearing very interested. "Sister~ Why don't you teach me how to build mechas? Or what I should do when a mecha is damaged to slow down its loss of control."
Xi Yue thought for a moment, then nodded decisively. "Alright! Although I have some knowledge in this area, I'm not an expert. At most, I can offer you some of my experience."
Xing Yuan gently rubbed her nose, seemingly displeased, but her face showed admiration.
"Sister, you're already amazing. But from now on, you don't need to call me 'Your Excellency' at home. It makes us seem so distant. How about this! You call me 'A Yuan.' It's intimate, and I'll instantly know it's you calling me."
Hearing Xing Yuan's familiar, almost spoiled tone, Xi Yue's heart stirred. She nodded.
"But let's focus on the book for now!" Xi Yue smiled gently, but Xing Yuan wanted to escape.
"No, no need. I suddenly remembered I haven't exercised in a few days. The weather is so nice today, I want to go out and train." Xing Yuan retreated, trembling.
Xi Yue looked at the pitch-black sky outside and fell silent. She looked at Xing Yuan with a half-smile. Couldn't she come up with a better excuse?
Xing Yuan: I messed up!
"Um, can I not read it?" Xing Yuan asked with a bitter expression, her voice lacking conviction.
"What do you think? A, A Yuan must read it, and then write a summary for me," Xi—cold and merciless—Yue said.
Seeing Xing Yuan about to make another excuse, Xi Yue slowly spoke, "A Yuan should still remember, right? You once felt that most people in the military lacked education and specifically chose me, with my high academic qualifications, to supervise their studies."
"I remember. And it seems that included you!"
Xing Yuan was speechless. She did seem to have said that, but she never expected to be on the receiving end of it! After all, she was never idle.
"Sister~" Xing Yuan attempted to charm her way out.
Xi Yue chuckled and instantly opened the authorization document from back then on her datapad. It was signed, sealed, and legally processed.
Xing Yuan was angry. She huffed, then walked up to Xi Yue... and took the book away.
Xing Yuan: I'm not backing down, this is a strategic retreat!
Watching Xing Yuan stride away, her every move conveying her displeasure and reluctant submission, Xi Yue smiled happily.
Her young general was so amusing!
As Xing Yuan disappeared from sight, Xi Yue opened her datapad and began a meeting.
As the chief negotiator, she had many tasks, especially the troublesome annual negotiations with other warlords.
"How is it? Have there been any unusual situations in the military recently while I was away?" Xi Yue asked with a stern face and a commanding tone.
"Everything is normal. It's just that Beiyu is once again late with their payments. The military's suggestion is for us to send someone to accompany them as a precaution. We haven't selected a suitable candidate yet."
One subordinate asked, "Does the Chief have any recommendations?"
Beiyu was always late with payments a few times a year. Their leader was a stingy old miser, and they only grudgingly paid up after the military sent someone to urge them.
Xi Yue had been to Beiyu to mediate before. The harsh environment bred difficult people. Despite being severely oppressed, the people there viewed the Lord of Beiyu as a great benefactor who even gave them gifts during festivals.
Therefore, the military faced immense difficulties there. Other legions had simply abandoned this mess to them. Xi Yue's brow furrowed. If such a problem wasn't resolved soon, it would eventually lead to major chaos.
A spark of inspiration flashed in Xi Yue's eyes. She looked up and said, "I recall that our corps also has a negotiator who got in through the exams from Beiyu, doesn't it?"