CFRSIO Chapter 44

Lin Yunliang made up his mind and went about his business with even greater fanfare.

Originally, the military’s release of weapons was meant to showcase their strength. After all, laser guns were not weapons that everyone could use before due to various reasons. Fortunately, with Alexine’s help in resolving this issue, the production of laser devices increased, leading to everyone having them now.

But only a few days later, the pirate groups also appeared with such weapons and even launched attacks. What was expected to be an easy victory turned into a hasty retreat for the interstellar forces. This was a direct slap in the face to the interstellar forces. Their conflicts with pirates were countless, and the interstellar forces had always held the upper hand because the interstellar high command had always suppressed pirate groups. This time, they thought they could win, but they lost so miserably.

“What is going on here?” Someone had already approached Alexine, hoping for an explanation. Alexine also didn’t understand, his face filled with disbelief. In his memory, they shouldn’t have such strength! Why! How was this possible!

“Mr. Alexine, why the long face?” Someone who had long disliked him spoke up. “Hmph, don’t pretend to be innocent!” “You’re not colluding with the pirates, are you?” Many people echoed this sentiment. It was evident that Alexine had made many enemies.

“No! It’s not me! Why would I do that?” Alexine argued, feeling a wave of sadness in his heart. Before, when there were benefits, everyone fawned over him. Now that something had gone wrong, they showed their true colors. It was laughable. Why should he be sad? After all, he already knew that they could do all sorts of despair-inducing things before. It was no surprise to Alexine that it was the same now.

“I don’t know what’s going on with this matter!” Alexine said, steadying himself. He told himself that he was no longer the Alexine he used to be. “If I were really cooperating with them, I wouldn’t have handed over these things,” Alexine argued, reasoning with them. “After I told you about these things, would I turn them over to the pirate groups?” “What’s the motive?” Alexine continued. “Why would I do something so blatant? Wouldn’t that immediately make people guess it was me?”

Yes, Alexine had no need or reason to do this. Doing so would only bring him trouble. Wouldn’t that make him appear foolish? “That’s not necessarily true. Some people just want to appear innocent.” Once they’ve decided you’re wrong, no matter how much you explain, you’re still wrong. They will only interpret the facts as they want to see them, as they believe to be correct, without paying any attention to your explanations.

“You!” Alexine knew that many people found him disagreeable, but he didn’t expect it to be to this extent. This was too much. He pointed at someone’s nose and almost cursed him out.

“That’s enough,” Lin Yunyong, who was seated in the main seat, spoke up. He gave Alexine a soothing look. Alexine calmed down and sat back in his seat, his gaze and expression still not very good, indicating that he still had some opinions about this matter. Fortunately, Lin Yunyong was on his side, which made him feel much more comfortable.

What Alexine didn’t say was that he had indeed provided incomplete blueprints. He received the blueprints after submitting the ones he had on hand. As someone who had been researching for many years, he immediately realized that these blueprints were far more advanced and sophisticated than the ones he had given. He didn’t know who gave them to him, but he hesitated when he saw them. Alexine hadn’t forgotten the difficulties they had caused him. Even now, appearing as Specht’s apprentice, he was still unwelcome. He had been harboring a lot of anger in his heart. Therefore, he played along and didn’t submit the optimized blueprints. Instead, he brought them up repeatedly during subsequent inspections. After making them look at him with new eyes, they became convinced that they couldn’t do without him. Who knew that these blueprints would fall into the hands of the pirate groups? When he received the blueprints, Alexine’s status was already significantly higher. He had specifically paid attention but found nothing. Now that the matter was exposed, as long as he stuck to his story of not knowing anything, not being wrong, and never having wronged the interstellar forces, he could hold on.

Fortunately, Lin Yunyong trusted him, which made him feel even more smug. Lin Yunyong eventually became the emperor. He was quite satisfied with this person and was willing to help him. He was also coveting a position by Lin Yunyong’s side. Lin Yunyong believed him, but like all emperors, suspicion was their ingrained flaw. Lin Yunyong trusted him but not completely. More than trusting him, Lin Yunyong cared more about how the interstellar forces would proceed now. The interstellar forces had always appeared as a valiant and skilled force to the public. Now, they had fled in such a pathetic state, defeated! In his opinion, causing trouble for Alexine now was futile. The most important thing was how to turn the situation around and make the public continue to believe in the strength of the interstellar forces.

“It’s useless to discuss this now,” Lin Yunyong said. “Our most important task is to restore the reputation of the interstellar army.” “This battle was fought too embarrassingly.” Lin Yunyong was also annoyed. He was a graduate of the Capital Academy and had participated in several battles. Although they were not large-scale battles, he had experience. He couldn’t even stand watching this battle, let alone the interstellar public.

“The reason for this is both the commander’s poor leadership and the leakage of weapons,” someone with a stubborn attitude stepped forward, but this was still shirking responsibility, not at all what Lin Yunyong wanted to hear. “Weapons Department.” Lin Yunyong frowned upon hearing this and said, “Upgrade the weapons currently in the hands of the soldiers. I want to see the results tomorrow.” The head of the Weapons Department’s face was grim, but he could only steel himself and accept the task.

As a member of the Weapons Department, Alexine’s expression was not very good either. However, it was clearly impossible for him to say that it was impossible to achieve. Therefore, he could only remain silent. Lin Yunyong’s gaze did not linger on these people for long before shifting away again. He looked around at the people before him. Some were arrogant and smug, some were gloating, and some were hoping Lin Yunyong wouldn’t question them. Not a single reliable person. Lin Yunyong grumbled to himself and continued his orders: “Regarding the army’s defeat, I don’t want to see any rumors on the forum.” “At the same time, continue to pursue the pirate groups. The glory and dignity of the interstellar forces do not allow these ants to trample upon them.” “Yes!”

—

Although he had retreated to the second line, the Emperor’s ears still caught the whispers. Learning about recent events from his attendants, the Emperor simply let out a cold laugh. “Even with her bloodline, he is ultimately not even a tenth of her.” The Emperor said, taking a sip of tea. “Still too young and too impatient.” “He deserves it.” He paused and turned to the person beside him. “Am I right?” “My son.” Lin Yunyong’s face was extremely grim. He merely ordered, “The weather is bad today, so don’t let His Majesty continue to be exposed to the wind.” “Take him back to his room.”

The attendant beside him stepped forward, intending to help the Emperor back. After all, he had been emperor for several years, and he still possessed an extraordinary presence. The servants were all flustered by the silent glance he cast, standing frozen in place.

“Lin Yunyong, you are more capable than I was back then,” the Emperor said, looking at Lin Yunyong, yet it seemed as if he wasn’t looking at Lin Yunyong. “But you are not as cautious as I was.” “Watch the people around you, or you won’t even know how you died.” With that, he ordered, “I want to go back to my room.” Lin Yunyong stood with his back straight, not even giving the Emperor a direct glance. But he knew very well that the Emperor was not a good person. Neither was he. What kind of good person could be the father of their children? But thinking of his own background, Lin Yunyong felt extremely nauseous. He released his mental energy into the surroundings, and a perfectly fine small garden was thus destroyed. It was innocent.

As for the subsequent actions of the army, the pirate group seemed to have anticipated them and showed no fear. They continued to act as if they were toying with the army. They didn’t run far before stopping. After a few perfunctory exchanges between the two sides, the pirate group continued to flee. They were spineless but effective. The consequence of this was that many malfunctions appeared on the starships, urgently requiring personnel for repairs. It was in this situation that Zhang Qing’an was summoned.

Zhang Qing’an was once a top student at the Interstellar Capital Academy, outstanding in all subjects. If not for some last-minute accidents, Zhang Qing’an would undoubtedly have graduated from the academy and become an extremely outstanding starship mechanic. His life would certainly not have been spent in a small place, working as a supervisor in a supermarket. Looking at the conscription notice in his communicator, Zhang Qing’an felt an indescribable awkwardness. After falling ill that time, he felt as if he had forgotten something, but he couldn’t recall what it was. However, he knew that from that day on, he began to dislike the interstellar forces. This dislike came inexplicably, and he could only suppress this emotion and continue with his life, until he received this news a few days ago. In fact, he had almost forgotten about his past life.

In the past, Zhang Qing’an, due to his status and abilities, always received overt and covert bullying. Verbal abuse, disdainful glances, and people deliberately picking him as an opponent during class were all forms of humiliation. He appeared calm, but his heart was in pain. He didn’t know what he had done wrong. Was it just because he didn’t have a spirit body? He hadn’t harmed anyone, had he? Fortunately, he had left. But this news had dragged him back again. He was unwilling to go. Therefore, he directly threw away the communicator in his hand. Speaking of which, he had to thank this news, otherwise, he would have forgotten about this matter long ago. After throwing it away, his life returned to peace.

—

If they didn’t want this matter to be on the forum, then there were plenty of people who wanted this matter to be posted on the forum for everyone to discuss and “appreciate.” Someone posted a video online. The video not only showed the army fleeing in a pathetic manner but also something infuriating. While fleeing, they passed by a village, and to intercept their pursuers, they even attacked the villagers. Most of them became casualties of their gunfire at that time. As soon as the video was released, the forum exploded, as did Lin Yunyong.

He knew that many of these soldiers were of noble birth, and most of them looked down on civilians. In fact, when the news reached him, he had already guessed that other incidents might occur. But he had still resolutely suppressed them. After suppressing them and preventing these incidents from spreading, he then approached them to clarify what had happened. Upon learning that they had even attacked a group of civilians! Lin Yunyong was furious. However, they needed subordinates now, so he had to temporarily swallow his anger and ordered them to clean up this mess. Otherwise, if the matter became public, he would abandon them without hesitation.

The subordinate clearly knew that Lin Yunyong was not bluffing. Moreover, after doing this, he regretted it. Naturally, he immediately handled the matter. But no one expected that someone would have seen it and even had a recording.

“How do you do your job!” Lin Yunyong threw the document in his hand at the person. “How dare you let this leak out! Are you tired of living!” Lin Yunyong was furious. When he first learned of this matter, he had wanted to take action. If it weren’t for the lack of personnel, why would he have kept them? “You handle this yourself!” Lin Yunyong said with a cold face, forcefully suppressing the turbulent emotions in his heart, otherwise, Lin Yunyong would have directly taken his life. “If you don’t handle it well, I don’t mind throwing you out directly,” Lin Yunyong said coldly, showing no regard for the consequences this matter might bring. Of course, with such a large outcome, it seemed less serious at this moment. After all, given the current situation, no matter what they did, the outcome was unlikely to be good.

No matter how urgently they handled it, the video of the army attacking civilians still circulated on the forum. Everyone was frantically sharing and commenting on these videos. “Is it real? Did they really attack civilians?” “Was the leader that nobleman? Isn’t he the one who hates civilians the most, always saying that civilians are parasites?” “It’s him!! As everyone remembers this matter! After that accident, didn’t he also blame the temporary workers?” “Ah, now that you mention it, I know who it is. That was simply the joke of the year. Where did such a capable temporary worker come from? He could even write press releases for nobles.” “No way! I knew my aunt’s communicator wasn’t working!! Damn it! My aunt’s family just welcomed a new baby! My poor little niece!!” “Oh my god!?” “Damn it!” “It’s truly detestable!” “Hey, hey, hey, upstairs, aren’t you being too hasty? What if this is a misunderstanding?” “Exactly! You’re too careless. We don’t even know if what this guy said is true! You believe him so easily! Aren’t you afraid of suffering?” “And it’s hard to say if this video is real either. What if someone deliberately released it to shake the morale of the army!” “What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Who would curse their own family for no reason!” “What you’re saying is even worse! And everyone knows what that guy looks like!” “Exactly! If you want to whitewash him, you should see if anyone believes it!” “I don’t believe his appearance!” “Me neither. Besides, why didn’t they do anything before? It’s too fake to say this now!” “That’s right! I don’t believe your words!” “Hey, hey, hey! This ID looks familiar!” “Now that you mention it, I’ve noticed! They seem to be those famous internet trolls!” “Famous internet trolls? What decent family has trolls who don’t change their names!”

The people on the forum were in utter chaos, and they were not the only ones. After the news of the noble youths arbitrarily killing civilians spread, many farces also occurred in various places. Zhang Qing’an, who was at work, encountered some troublemakers, but they were easily dealt with. When the boss and his subordinate came over, they saw Zhang Qing’an beating up the troublemaker. They couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if Master Lin provoked Zhang Qing’an. They got so lost in their imagination that they couldn’t help but chuckle. It was quite obvious, as Zhang Qing’an and his subordinate’s gazes fell upon him. The boss quickly reacted, stifling the awkwardness and clearing his throat. “How is the person? Is he alright?” Zhang Qing’an, standing steadily, exchanged a glance with the boss. Was there anything else to say? Couldn’t they see it? What’s wrong with the boss? Is he possessed? The subordinate muttered to himself. He was slapped on the back of the head by the boss and then assigned a task: “What are you looking at! Hurry up and kick out the troublemaker!” “Oh, oh, oh!” The subordinate eagerly stepped forward, along with others, to take away the troublemaker who had been beaten to the ground.

Zhang Qing’an looked at the person in front of him. In fact, he had long realized that something was wrong. “By the way, how is he?” Zhang Qing’an knew that the boss understood who “he” was. For the past few days, he hadn’t felt the familiar gaze, nor had he seen Siam. Their connection seemed to have been broken, yet it also seemed not to have been broken. Boss Cai was stunned and smiled, saying, “Don’t worry, he’s fine. He’s safe.” “He’s just gone to do something important and will be back soon.” “Do you know what he’s doing?” Zhang Qing’an asked with some urgency. Seeing the person look troubled, he immediately realized he was being too impatient. “I’m sorry, I was too impatient,” Zhang Qing’an said. “As long as he’s alright, that’s fine.” “Don’t worry, Master Lin won’t let himself get into trouble. He still…” he said, looking at the person with a teasing smile. “He will definitely come back safely for you.” Zhang Qing’an didn’t feel awkward at all facing Boss Cai’s teasing gaze. It was quite open. Their relationship didn’t require him to feel awkward.

Lin Yunliang was indeed going to do something important. The Emperor still lived in a magnificent room, but everything around him was in chaos. It was dirty and smelly, and it didn’t look like a place where someone in a high position should live. It was also truly surprising that the Emperor could tolerate it. Lin Yunliang received some more news. Since the Emperor became disabled, he could only travel by wheelchair. Being a person with a bad temper, he naturally couldn’t stand it. His attendants were driven away one after another. If not for his status, no one would have been willing to come and take care of him. However, recently, due to the situation with the nobles, more and more people had resigned. There were also very few people in the palace willing to stay. This led to fewer and fewer people coming to serve and care for this disabled, almost retired Emperor. And the Emperor’s own temper was also very bad. Naturally, his life became increasingly difficult.

“I really don’t know how you can continue to stay here,” Lin Yunliang covered his nose, his brow furrowed, his expression filled with mockery. When this person was still a prince, he had a powerful warrior sister who cleared many obstacles for him. After becoming emperor, everyone flattered and catered to him. Moreover, through fortunate coincidences, he didn’t encounter any major disasters, which made his temperament even more arrogant. He never expected that this person could now live in such a place; it was truly surprising. Looking at the person sitting in his own excrement and urine, on a dirty sheet, clearly emaciated, Lin Yunliang’s eyes were filled with amusement, without any trace of pity or sympathy. In the original plot, this person also met a tragic end. However, it was precisely because of this that he, the variable, caused these experiences to come a little earlier. Lin Yunliang couldn’t help but feel exhilarated for the person who died early.

The Emperor stiffly turned his head and saw Lin Yunliang. The Emperor’s stagnant emotions finally showed some fluctuation. “You…” his voice was hoarse and stiff, indicating that he had not spoken or replenished his fluids for a long time. “You’re not dead after all!” His tone carried a hint of surprise. Although the Emperor had sensed something was wrong from his son’s indifference when he encountered trouble, at that time, he had never expected that the child he truly loved would do such a thing to him. As Lin Yunyong unreservedly displayed his ambition, for the first time in his life, he began to miss this son. Compared to his eldest son, whose schemes were as numerous as a leaky funnel, this second son, who used to affectionately call him father, had now become the only person in his heart who could save him.

“You’re here!” He crawled towards Lin Yunliang. “My son! You’re finally here!” The Emperor said, extending his trembling hand as if the person before him was his salvation. Such an expression was truly surprising. Lin Yunliang smiled, with a hint of mockery.

“You’re here to save me, aren’t you!” The Emperor continued, his eyes shining with expectation, hoping the tall person before him would come and save him. He was about to be rescued! He was about to escape this sea of suffering! Yes! He was about to be saved! That’s right! Lin Yunliang would save him!! He loved his father so much! The Emperor’s thoughts were beautiful, but he didn’t know that the person before him was not his son at all.

Lin Yunliang’s eyes rolled again, as if he had thought of something interesting. “Father,” Lin Yunliang changed his demeanor, approaching with a look of concern. “How did you become like this? Where is elder brother! Shouldn’t he have taken good care of you?” Although he walked forward, Lin Yunliang only took a few steps closer, not even extending his hand, showing that he was not sincere. How could he be sincere?

“Don’t mention that unfilial son to me!” Lin Yunyong remained the Emperor’s sore spot. Whether it was before Lin Yunyong had revealed his ambitions, or now that Lin Yunyong had simply thrown him into a pile of filth without regard, Lin Yunyong was still his sore spot. However, this sore spot was now an object of his disgust.

“Come! Yunliang! Hurry and take me away from here!” the Emperor continued. He knew what “Lin Yunliang” wanted, so he curved his lips, seemingly showing a look of concern. “As long as you save me!” “I can make you the Emperor of the interstellar forces!” “You want to be emperor too, don’t you!” “Don’t worry, as long as Father is here, Father can help you achieve this dream!”

“Really?” “Lin Yunliang” said with “surprise,” but if one looked closely, they would find that the eyes of this person were extremely indifferent, and his actions and demeanor revealed his disdain. After all, the smell on the Emperor was truly unbearable. “But Father,” Lin Yunliang curved his lips, revealing a big smile, “I don’t just want to be Emperor!” “I also want to watch you and Lin Yunyong slaughter each other.”

“Wh-what…?” The Emperor looked at the person before him in surprise. This tone, this way of speaking, this behavior, none of it seemed like his son. He couldn’t tell for a moment whether he had never seen through his two sons, or if they weren’t his sons at all. But at the same time, he knew clearly that half of his blood flowed through these two people! And he now felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. His two sons were now treating him with such an attitude. It was truly disappointing and sad.

What was even more disappointing were the next words Lin Yunliang spoke. “You must have noticed too.” “The backyard was demolished,” Lin Yunliang said, appreciating the Emperor’s stiffened, on-the-verge-of-a-breakdown expression. “Yes,” Lin Yunliang said with pity. Knowing the truth, he knew how damaging these words would be to the Emperor. “Your most beloved son, Lin Yunyong, personally gave the order.”

“What?! What are you talking about!” “How could he do such a thing!!” “What madness is he on!” “No! Impossible!” “This is absolutely impossible!” “No!!” The Emperor shouted maniacally, desperately scratching his hair, roaring hoarsely. “Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!” “No! I’ll kill him!” “Lin Yunyong! I’ll kill you!” “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”

Watching his frenzied state, Lin Yunliang left with satisfaction. He would not need to appear here again. Not long after, shocking news spread: the Emperor, trapped in the palace, had killed Lin Yunyong. No one knew the specifics of what had happened. All they knew was that the Emperor had suddenly summoned Lin Yunyong urgently. Lin Yunyong, who had been urgently summoned, had not appeared for a long time and had made no sound. When someone went to check, they found the Emperor and his son lying covered in blood in the Emperor’s foul-smelling bedroom. Both had stopped breathing.

The interstellar forces were thrown into chaos. Only one person could have done such a thing. Zhang Qing’an rushed out and finally saw the person he had been longing to see. “Li,” Zhang Qing’an paused, and seeing that the person was safe, he couldn’t help but smile. “I said we would meet again.” Siam, seeing the two of them looking reluctant to part, did not speak but stretched lazily from the side.

[Universe Wish Bureau wishes you a happy life and the fulfillment of your wishes.]