CFRSIO Chapter 40

The simulation exercise, which was expected to be stimulating, ended in a very stable manner. Turkman and the others thought the person who caused the situation at the fire ant nest would show off. But nothing happened.

As for Lin Yunliang, they never suspected him. Based on Lin Yunliang’s level, it was unlikely he could have done these things.

The hostages were eventually rescued by Lin Yunyong and his companions. Alex also helped a lot in this matter.

Although the discovery was not a crucial clue, and the scheme by the team leaders did not succeed, it was still considered a complete success.

—

Upon receiving the assembly notice, Lin Yunliang informed Zhang Qing’an about the mission’s conclusion and went outside to wait for him.

With his arms crossed, he waited happily for Zhang Qing’an to finish.

Siam could see through him at a glance. He was clearly smug inside but maintained a calm facade.

[Raldi told Lin Yunyong what you did. They might take action.]

[If they do, so be it.] Lin Yunliang didn’t care at all. At the same time, he couldn’t wait for Raldi and the others to make a move.

This identity was good, but it also came with a lot of troublesome matters. Lin Yunliang didn’t want these things to affect him and Zhang Qing’an.

Zhang Qing’an quickly finished and came out.

“Let’s go.” Zhang Qing’an still avoided Lin Yunliang’s gaze and the outstretched hand.

This simulation exercise had brought some unexpected gains for Zhang Qing’an. Of course, with gains came corresponding sacrifices, which he didn’t regret. It was just… he still needed time to accept it psychologically.

Lin Yunliang understood this and didn’t insist. He followed Zhang Qing’an faithfully.

Assembly point:

Turkman looked around. Every simulation exercise had student casualties; this was normal. They always trained excellent soldiers.

Lin Yunliang was not seen in the crowd. He exchanged glances with the teachers beside him, looking somewhat surprised. After returning from the fire ant nest, they rechecked the location and confirmed that the person was still alive, so they stopped paying attention.

So now, Lin Yunyong and Alex were in place, but Lin Yunliang and Zhang Qing’an were not?

The two also appeared shortly after.

Seeing that the surviving students were all in place, they were about to leave.

Then, a familiar starship appeared and landed in front of them. This was a starship of the Interstellar Guard, usually appearing when interstellar residents misused their mental power.

Why would they be here?

[Host…]

[Yes, I know.]

Lin Yunliang knew what would happen. The moment he dared to act, he knew what he might face. Now that it had really happened, he wasn’t afraid.

Zhang Qing’an looked at the people who appeared with confusion, unable to understand why the Interstellar Guard was needed for a mere academy simulation. He couldn’t help but glance at Lin Yunliang, feeling inexplicably that this person might know something.

“Officer, what is it?” The status of the Interstellar Guard was not low; they were mostly soldiers who had retired after being injured on the battlefield. Even the Emperor had to show them some respect.

They were naturally respectful.

The leader was a tall, strong, and imposing man with a scar on one eye. The man made no attempt to conceal the scar on his face. For them, these scars were honors, testaments to a glorious past.

The leading Interstellar Guard officer saluted and explained the reason for his presence: “Teacher Turkman, we received a report that one of the students participating in this exercise arbitrarily unleashed a mental attack on other students.”

“Wh-what?!” Sasha exclaimed in shock. But she quickly understood what was happening.

She knew why Raldi and his group wouldn’t just let it go.

They had received news from Raldi and his group. When they arrived, they saw them injured. When asked about the situation, they refused to speak. They had planned to do it here. They had bypassed them and approached the Interstellar Guard directly. The academy would definitely not be able to protect someone who acted like this.

But if the academy knew nothing about this matter, then…

Turkman’s expression was equally grim. He was the main person in charge of this exercise, and now something had happened, and he knew nothing about it. This was a joke.

The officer glanced at the group and calmly walked up to Lin Yunliang. “Come with me.”

It was him!? It was Lin Yunliang! Turkman felt like spitting out a mouthful of old blood. So, he was waiting here!!

Most of the witnessing students had expressions of schadenfreude. Only two did not.

“Wait a moment!”

“Please wait!”

It was Zhang Qing’an and Alex.

Lin Yunliang was somewhat aware of Zhang Qing’an’s words. He knew that his An’an was just tough on the outside but soft on the inside, and would definitely feel that he was wronged. As long as An’an believed in him, he wouldn’t regret anything.

But what did this have to do with Alex?

Not only Lin Yunliang, but Lin Yunyong also looked at Alex with confusion. However, thinking of Alex’s character, he understood and felt that Alex was still too kind.

Alex looked incredulous. “Officer, there must be some misunderstanding. Although Lin Yunliang is usually a bit arrogant, he definitely didn’t do it intentionally!”

Then, looking at Lin Yunliang with concern, he said, “Lin Yunliang, please quickly tell the truth. The officers and teachers will seek justice for you.”

Although he appeared considerate and virtuous, this did not help Lin Yunliang much. Lin Yunliang could feel the hostile gazes from the people around him.

Moreover, Lin Yunliang himself didn’t care about Alex.

He glanced at the person standing beside him and said softly, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Then, he voluntarily stepped forward to the Interstellar Guard and held out his hands. “It’s true, and I did it. I admit it all.”

Lin Yunliang’s action of ignoring Alex and directly admitting guilt was like a resounding slap that hit Alex squarely in the face. Alex was instantly mortified. At the same time, he noticed some strange things. For example, Lin Yunliang’s attitude towards Zhang Qing’an.

Lin Yunliang used to hate Zhang Qing’an so much, why was he like this now?

Despite his confusion, he maintained his worried expression and immediately turned to Lin Yunyong, “Lin Yunyong, this matter is definitely not like this. He is our comrade; we should believe in him!”

These words sounded good, but Lin Yunyong was the one who orchestrated this entire affair.

If he didn’t have special status and abilities, how could he have called the Interstellar Guard to arrive here so quickly? Lin Yunliang did this, and Raldi was the witness. The residual traces of mental attack were clearly on him, serving as physical evidence.

Now that Lin Yunliang himself admitted it, it seemed like a foregone conclusion.

Moreover, Lin Yunliang’s character was known to everyone, and Lin Yunyong dared to do this with such considerations in mind.

“Don’t worry,” Lin Yunyong said, not revealing that he was the one behind it, and put on a worried expression. “As long as it wasn’t him who did it, everything will be fine.”

Zhang Qing’an glanced at them, feeling an indescribable strangeness. Unlike the others who looked gleeful, Zhang Qing’an was worried about Lin Yunliang.

Having interacted with him, he knew that this person was not Lin Yunliang, or more accurately, this person was not the original Lin Yunliang. Not to mention that this person had helped him greatly.

Lin Yunliang was not afraid. Before leaving, he gave Zhang Qing’an a reassuring look.

This matter naturally reached the ears of the royal family and the nobles. In fact, many nobles wished the Emperor would pass the throne to this good-for-nothing. Now that this good-for-nothing had gotten into trouble.

It made all the nobles feel regret.

The Emperor also felt regret. In his view, Lin Yunyong had not yet achieved any substantial merits. His plan was to have Lin Yunyong join the royal army after graduation and make a real name for himself.

Then, he would succeed to the throne, and no one would have any objections.

However, while the plan was still in progress, Lin Yunliang caused such trouble. Wasn’t this hindering his opportunity?

Therefore, he immediately summoned his subordinates and instructed them to pass a message to Lin Yunliang, telling him to think carefully before answering and not to damage the reputation of their royal family. In reality, his true intention was to hope that Lin Yunliang would use this opportunity to make demands.

He wanted Lin Yunliang to ask to see him, his father. The Emperor had managed interstellar affairs for many years and had many ways to help someone survive. At worst, he could mitigate the impact of this incident.

But this time, his good son did not think of his father.

When the message was delivered, Lin Yunliang sneered upon hearing it. Even now, he was still considering his beloved son.

Lin Yunliang looked at the person who appeared, but he was very calm. There were no emotions beyond those of an Emperor.

The Emperor was not someone who disregarded father-son affection entirely. He only wanted to teach him a lesson, not knowing that the son who always needed his care would not give him any face.

Therefore, he also decided to teach him a lesson and let him suffer a bit. He not only instructed the Interstellar Guard to investigate truthfully without considering anything else but also arranged for some vicious individuals to be imprisoned with Lin Yunliang.

He had a good plan: after a few days, he would go and see his prodigal son, who would surely be crying and begging for his life.

The Emperor’s plan was good, but this Lin Yunliang was not the Lin Yunliang he knew. Otherwise, this situation would definitely have occurred.

He expected to see a bruised and battered son. The Emperor had even thought carefully that if he saw Lin Yunliang’s miserable state, it would not be his fault, but his useless son’s fault for being too incompetent.

However, he did not expect that Lin Yunliang would beat a group of people into submission.

The Emperor stood at the entrance, outside the railing, with a indifferent handsome face, calmly looking at the people inside.

The people inside immediately knelt and kowtowed when they saw the person who appeared.

The Emperor remained silent, but Lin Yunliang could see a hint of hidden pride on the other’s face. This emotion was very real, indicating the kind of life the person had lived since childhood.

Everyone present was respectful, except for one person.

Lin Yunliang.

The Emperor’s gaze fell upon his son, who made no movement.

“You may withdraw.”

“Yes.”

The accompanying Interstellar Guards even opened the prison doors and brought out the individuals inside, leaving only Lin Yunliang alone.

When the person appeared, Lin Yunliang was sitting calmly on the only chair in the prison. Even after the person left, he remained seated calmly.

“Is this your upbringing?” the Emperor said, his tone and expression equally displeased.

“You don’t seem to have the right to say that,” Lin Yunliang said calmly. “Have you ever educated me?”

Not only did the Emperor not educate Lin Yunliang, but he was also indifferent to all his affairs. To outsiders, the Emperor doted on his son excessively, never reprimanding him for any mistake, and even rewarding him, appearing as a loving father.

However, Lin Yunliang, who had obtained all the original body’s memories, understood clearly. What loving father? This person’s true face was far more interesting than what he displayed.

“You are merely using me as a pawn,” Lin Yunliang said, curling his lips into a bright smile. “Do you really want me to reveal everything you’ve done?”

Lin Yunliang had made some unexpected discoveries during his days in prison, so he faced the Emperor with complete confidence.

The Emperor’s expression became even more displeased. He had no feelings for this person to begin with and found his son incredibly embarrassing, just like his mother who was not fit for public display. If it weren’t for Lin Yunliang’s existence distracting everyone’s attention from Lin Yunyong.

He would not allow such an embarrassing figure to continue living.

If this person could have remained obedient and sensible, he would have spared his pathetic life.

Now, Lin Yunliang had clearly begun to show his claws.

“Is this how a son should behave?”

“I learned it all from you,” Lin Yunliang said, feeling no problem with his words. “Whatever you are like, I am like that.”

Lin Yunliang said this, and he had no good feelings towards this father.

After three small worlds, except for Qingyun Demon King, the parents of the other three Wish Fulfillers were all good. Even though his parents had passed away in the first small world, based on the memories left behind, that couple was also good.

As for Lin Yunliang’s own parents, although the father-son relationship was distant, Lin Yunliang’s relationship with his father was still acceptable. However, this person, the Emperor, was not a benevolent figure.

“You!” He raised his hand as if to slap Lin Yunliang, but Lin Yunliang was in prison and had no intention of coming out. In the end, the slap landed heavily on the prison door.

“Lin Yunliang, you are courting death!” As the Emperor, he was the supreme being in this country and on this planet!

“You can try.”

The Emperor left with a belly full of anger. Lin Yunliang’s attitude had truly infuriated him. This time, he was determined to teach Lin Yunliang a lesson.

Lin Yunliang looked at the person who appeared with some surprise. The person who was originally in the innermost part immediately stepped forward upon seeing Zhang Qing’an.

“What are you doing here? Hurry and leave!” Lin Yunliang said, showing a rare expression on his face.

It was rare to be so disgraced and have Zhang Qing’an witness it. He felt somewhat ashamed.

Lin Yunliang was wearing a blue prisoner’s uniform, and his expression and state seemed quite good. He didn’t look too disheveled. Moreover, the place where he had been sitting was very clean.

Zhang Qing’an had expected to see this person in a much more miserable state. But it seemed that was not the case.

“You’re doing pretty well here.”

Lin Yunliang touched his head and said nothing.

In a place like prison, unless you have enough strength, it’s hard to get by. Zhang Qing’an was worried that Lin Yunliang’s identity would cause him to suffer in prison.

But this person still looked quite energetic.

“I came to find you because I have something to ask…” Zhang Qing’an said.

He had thought that the Emperor would take care of things for him. Seeing Lin Yunliang imprisoned with a group of people, he knew what had happened.

His eyes lingered on the person behind him for a moment. He decided not to speak, as this was not the right occasion.

Fortunately, Lin Yunliang’s identity was undeniable. This matter had not yet officially entered legal proceedings. They could still prepare a quiet reception room for them.

“You’re not Lin Yunliang, are you?” Zhang Qing’an asked directly.

Lin Yunliang was not surprised. Moreover, he had never hidden the difference between himself and the original cannon fodder from the beginning. A person who looked exactly the same but had a completely different personality from the people he knew and interacted with.

It was only a matter of time before he would be discovered.

“You’re not afraid,” Zhang Qing’an continued, seeing his calm expression. “You helped me a great deal, and this time I won’t stand by and watch you be executed.”

Arbitrarily using mental power to injure others was a serious crime, let alone injuring their mental bodies. They could no longer summon their mental bodies.

Under these circumstances, Lin Yunliang would have no way of escaping execution. He could not bear to watch Lin Yunliang be executed, nor could he live with himself.

Therefore, he came to find Lin Yunliang.

Lin Yunliang, however, was full of disapproval. “No, I did this willingly. Don’t get involved in this matter.”

“Zhang Qing’an, listen,” Lin Yunliang said earnestly. “You are a very outstanding person, and you should go forge your own path.”

“These people, these matters, should not become stones that hinder you.”

“Listen to me. Instead of you explaining things for me, I’d rather see you stay away from all this trouble and be the real Zhang Qing’an.”

Lin Yunliang could see what Zhang Qing’an was thinking. Years of suppressive education had made him place too much importance on responsibilities that did not belong to him.

Now that he had activated his mental body, he was probably thinking of realizing his long-held dream of becoming Lin Yunyong’s adjutant.

But was this really his dream? This was merely a shackle forcefully placed upon him when he was unable to live for himself.

It was just an excuse when it was learned that Zhang Qing’an could not awaken his mental body and would only become a discard, and they were unwilling to abandon this useful pawn.

Why was Zhang Qing’an so good? Why should he continue to be confined here?

“You are truly very different from him,” Zhang Qing’an said after a long moment of stunned silence. “When did you arrive?”

“That time…” Recalling certain events during the simulation, his expression became somewhat awkward, and he scratched his neck. “Was it you who was with me?”

“Of course, it was me,” Lin Yunliang said.

If it had been the original cannon fodder at that time, he would have been so angry he could have vomited.

“When did you find out?”

“You yourself didn’t conceal anything, which is why it was so easy for people to discover,” Zhang Qing’an said.

Recalling the attentive care he had received from this person during that time, it was clear that the arrogant Lin Yunliang would never have done such a thing.

Lin Yunliang also smiled, “I will never deceive you.”

This was almost a love confession, but it was not suitable for their current identities and circumstances.

Zhang Qing’an did not shy away as expected. On the contrary, he looked at the person in front of him with a serious and calm expression, trying to find any trace of falsehood or hidden emotions on Lin Yunliang’s face.

What he didn’t know was that in front of him, Lin Yunyong’s words and actions were sincere and without any pretense.

“What is your name?” Zhang Qing’an was the first to yield. Although he remained calm, his ears were already as red as they could be.

Never mind, he believed what the person in front of him said. However, he needed to know his name. He couldn’t possibly not know his benefactor’s name, right?

“My name is also Lin Yunliang,” Lin Yunliang’s expression clearly showed some cracks.

Zhang Qing’an was stunned for a moment, clearly surprised by this answer. However, thinking about this person and what had happened, he calmed down again.

There were many miraculous things in this world. It wasn’t as if the world could understand everything that happened. Right?

Zhang Qing’an thought for a moment and said, “Then I’ll call you Xiao Yun.”

This time, it was Lin Yunliang’s turn to be stunned, just like Zhang Qing’an at that time…

No, it was different. The two of them, one with innocence, the other steady and calm. But Lin Yunliang knew very well that they were the same person.

He hadn’t changed. Zhang Qing’an hadn’t changed either.

“Okay.”

“Do you have any plans?” Lin Yunliang was too calm about the entire situation.

“Indeed,” Lin Yunliang said. “They bullied you, and justice must be served.”

Zhang Qing’an was silenced by these words.

Seeing Zhang Qing’an’s speechless expression, Lin Yunliang smiled again, his eyes clear and handsome, his lips curved in a slight smile. If it weren’t for the current setting, it would have been a very sweet scene.

Zhang Qing’an was helpless. Why did this person seem so serious, yet his words always left people speechless? “If you need any help, you can tell me.”

“Okay.” Lin Yunliang naturally had no need for help. But since Zhang Qing’an had offered, how could he refuse?

Before leaving, Zhang Qing’an asked a question.

“Will we have a chance to meet again?”

His visit was already inappropriate. The evidence in this matter was also sufficient. He believed in Lin Yunliang’s abilities. During this time, he had indeed discovered unusual fluctuations in his mental power.

Anyone who could do such a thing was definitely extraordinary.

With this thought in mind, he suddenly looked forward to his next meeting with Lin Yunliang.

“Yes,” Lin Yunliang replied.

“We will definitely meet again. I promise.”