Chapter 69: Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Chapter 69: Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

When he turned around, Shen Tingyu, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, was standing there, smiling warmly as he gazed at him.

The sea breeze gently stirred his jet-black hair, and his eyes, accompanied by the sound of the waves behind him, evoked an aura reminiscent of the deep sea.

For a moment, it felt as though he were in a dream.

A flicker of astonishment passed through Xu Qingran's eyes.

He then slowly rose and walked toward the newcomer without a word.

Seeing this, Shen Tingyu spread his arms slightly and sighed softly, "Boyfriend, you left me alone for so long. Don't you think you owe me a hug?"

As soon as he finished speaking, his dear boyfriend swung a punch at him.

The punch was delivered with no mercy.

Shen Tingyu: "..."

It was an expected result.

He met Xu Qingran's icy gaze, as if transported back to that night long ago when he had nearly shot Xu Qingran in his attempt to capture Ming Hai.

Back then, he couldn't fight back because his spiritual energy was depleted.

This time, however, it was mostly because—

Xu Qingran grabbed him by the collar and yanked him close until their faces were almost touching, and spoke fiercely and arrogantly, "Shen Tingyu, try fighting back."

Shen Tingyu lowered his eyes.

Xu Qingran had a scent that matched his temperament—cool and distant. Mixed with the aura of his spiritual energy, it was hard not to be enchanted.

He chuckled softly and replied in a low voice, "Alright, I won't fight back."

Xu Qingran paused, then punched him again, still fiercely.

But considering how cooperative he was, the force was lightened by about 1%.

The white dog, utterly confused, watched as its newly recognized master relentlessly beat up a man who seemed even more formidable than its master.

It couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.

Although Xu Qingran was genuinely hitting him, he wasn't trying to kill him.

After all, if he accidentally hurt his 'dog man,' he would feel a bit sorry. Besides, that face was too handsome to ruin.

Shen Tingyu sensed this, so even as his body endured the blows, the smile in his eyes grew deeper.

He even thought to himself that Xu Qingran had dragged him from the rocky area to a flatter spot before hitting him, likely to avoid smashing his head.

Perhaps because his smile grew increasingly smug, Xu Qingran finally stopped.

Pinning him to the ground and straddling him, Xu Qingran stared at him for a few seconds before sneering, "Shen Tingyu, you're only acting this way because you know I like you."

The man on the ground curved his beautiful eyes, one hand instinctively resting on the waist of the person above him, while the other slowly reached up to cup his jaw. Applying a slight force, he made Xu Qingran lower his head to meet his gaze and said, "Xu Qingran, aren't you just the same?"

He chuckled softly, his tone gentle.

"In this world, you're the only one who can hit me like this and get away with it."

He is, after all, an E-type who could lose control at any moment.

Xu Qingran stayed quiet.

He couldn't argue with that and admitted it pleased him a little.

But he was still annoyed: "You quit without a word and ignored my calls."

After a pause, he added with a smirk, "I thought you were planning to dump me too."

Shen Tingyu's fingers, gently tracing his cheek, paused briefly. He raised an eyebrow. "Hear me out first?"

Xu Qingran didn't respond.

His silence was as good as a yes.

"I didn't resign. Golden Wing Battalion wouldn't allow it."

Shen Tingyu said as Xu Qingran pulled him to his feet.

He knew Xu Qingran had been upset lately.

It was unavoidable. Even with their temporary bond, he couldn't help feeling the impact. He also had a rough idea why Xu Qingran was in a funk.

—After stepping down from the interview and finding his communicator broken during the Lyra system battle, he knew something was off.

So he added quickly, "I just wanted to rattle Golden Wing Battalion and Mu Ziyue."

It was a position he'd worked hard to earn.

Though it didn't matter much to him, he couldn't just give it up—if only to spite Mu Ziyue.

When trouble hit the Lyra base, Mu Ziyue was furious and would surely take it out on him, his 'thorn in the side.'

So before Mu Ziyue could strip his achievements, he made his move first. He wanted to remind Mu Ziyue of a few hard truths.

By now, he wasn't just a pawn for Mu Ziyue, the Golden Wing Commander, to control. His success in Golden Wing Battalion was tied to him.

He hoped Mu Ziyue would realize that many things happened only because he allowed them.

Otherwise, someone else could take the Commander-in-Chief role.

"I didn't mean to ignore your calls. My communicator broke."

"It likely got wrecked during the fight with that X-class devil in Lyra. I didn't notice until later."

He'd just replaced it before heading to Tianlong.

He wanted to surprise Xu Qingran, and since the new communicator didn't have his contact info, he decided to visit in person.

Xu Qingran didn't know if he accepted this explanation, but after listening, he asked, "So what about now...?"

If he hadn't quit, how could a Golden Wing General just show up in Silver Dragon's Tianlong without a word? Wasn't he worried about backlash?

Shen Tingyu smiled, "The Golden Wing management rejected my resignation request. They were worried I was under too much pressure, and since I got injured while protecting the Lyra base, they gave me a long vacation."

"They said I could return anytime once I adjusted my state, and that Golden Wing Battalion would always be waiting for me." So, he used the vacation as an excuse to cross galaxies to come find him.

Xu Qingran's expression shifted slightly, his eyes growing serious: "You're injured?"

"Why didn't you mention it earlier?" He had even been so rough with you.

"Where are you hurt?" As he spoke, he lifted Shen Tingyu's shirt, wanting to check his injuries.

On his abdomen, aside from the well-defined abs, there was nothing to be seen.

Xu Qingran's hands had been chilled by the wind for a while, and when they touched Shen Tingyu's skin, the chill was startlingly cold.

Shen Tingyu hadn't expected him to act so quickly. Before he could even say, "It's already healed," Xu Qingran's icy palm made him swallow his words.

Instinctively, he grabbed Xu Qingran's wrist, his eyes darkening: "Stop touching."

"In broad daylight, I don't want to do anything improper with you out in the open."

Xu Qingran stayed silent, his eyes filled with envy as he stared at his excellent boyfriend's abs. After confirming there were no injuries, he gave them a light punch.

With a straight face, he asked, "Do you still want to do anything strange?"

Shen Tingyu chuckled, about to respond, when he caught a glimpse of a white shadow approaching them.

It stopped by Xu Qingran's leg, looking up at him with sharp, icy eyes.

Shen Tingyu: "Huh?"

He had been solely focused on finding Xu Qingran earlier, but now he noticed a wolf-like creature by his side.

His gentle smile vanished instantly.

His blue eyes grew cold, especially after noticing the creature's eyes were quite similar to his own—

"How could you get another dog behind my back?"

Shen Tingyu's gaze at Xu Qingran was full of resentment.

Xu Qingran didn't know whether to mock him for comparing himself to a dog or for being jealous of a dog.

"Isn't it nice?" he retorted, casually patting the white dog's head. "Since you're always busy, it's nice to have a beautiful dog like you to keep me company when you're away."

Shen Tingyu: "..."

Thinking about it, maybe he should just quit his job.

But if he really quit, Xu Qingran would probably leave him too.

Frustrated, Xu Qingran had already walked past him, heading back toward the military camp.

As he walked, he called out, "General Shen Tingyu."

"Hmm?" Shen Tingyu responded in a muffled voice.

But Xu Qingran, as if he hadn't heard, called out again, "General Shen Tingyu."

Shen Tingyu was about to ask when he suddenly saw the white dog, which had been standing in front of him, wag its tail and follow Xu Qingran.

Its eyes were cold and indifferent, but it obediently nuzzled Xu Qingran's hand at his side.

Xu Qingran tilted his head, his captivating gaze sweeping over Shen Tingyu before returning to the white dog beside him, saying, "The general is so well-behaved."

Shen Tingyu: "..."

He was amused and exasperated once again after a long while.

Of course, Xu Qingran hadn't actually named the white dog that.

It was just that the white dog was so clever; besides Shen Tingyu, it was the only creature that could sync with him. He only had to start, and it knew exactly what he was up to, cooperating perfectly.

After Xu Qingran walked a short distance, Shen Tingyu noticed him lowering his head, his shoulders trembling slightly as if he was secretly laughing, and only then did he realize he had been played.

At that moment, he suddenly felt a strange sense of joy through their soul bond.

Like a spring breeze, it swept away the gloom in his heart.

Somehow, the unease he had felt about this newly established relationship, which was about to be separated for so long, suddenly disappeared.

...So what if there's one more dog?

Shen Tingyu thought.

After all, the person was still his.

·

When Xu Qingran led Shen Tingyu into the East City camp, the scene of everyone staring happened again.

Although this place was relatively indifferent to matters outside the Kayan Empire's Dragon System, they were quite familiar with Shen Tingyu.

Mainly because this rarely seen Golden Wing General had recently appeared in the news. Everyone still vividly remembered his stunning appearance, and now the real person had appeared—how could they not be shocked!

Immediately, they grew even more suspicious of Xu Qingran's identity.

Those with wild imaginations began to speculate that he was the new colonel, but they couldn't quite figure out what he was really up to. Some even suggested that Shen Tingyu might have actually resigned from his position in the Golden Wing Battalion, not only planning to join the Silver Dragon Battalion but also to serve in their Dragon System.

There were all kinds of speculations.

Xu Qingran didn't care if the military guards at the East City headquarters could guess his identity.

After all, the people in East City seemed quite manageable for now, the military power was in his hands, and with Deputy Mao helping to oversee the training, everything was running smoothly. Except for their habit of ranting and cursing the inactive colonel, and occasionally smashing the grounds, they were generally fine.

In the office, when Deputy Mao saw the person who only existed on TV standing in front of him, he was so shocked that he leapt up from his chair.

He took off his glasses, wiped them, and put them back on.

Only then did he confirm that it wasn't his eyes playing tricks on him—Shen Tingyu had really come!

He asked, trembling, "Colonel Xu, may I ask what brings the General of the Golden Wing Battalion to our small Shangnan Province?"

Xu Qingran, leaning against the door with his arms crossed, didn't speak, just glanced sideways at Shen Tingyu beside him.

The latter smiled lightly and replied, "Don't be nervous, I'm just here on vacation."

Deputy Mao: "..."

Alright, alright.

So one is here as a 'new recruit', and the other is here on vacation, right?

Thus, for the entire afternoon, Deputy Mao sat in the office watching Xu Qingran chat with the legendary E-type General Shen.

The content of their conversation left him stunned.

Xu Qingran spread out the map of West City on the tea table and outlined his upcoming work plan to Shen Tingyu.

Several areas on the map were marked with red circles: "I’ve investigated these past few days. These areas are hotspots for cults, poachers, human traffickers, and the two largest military camps in West City."

Shen Tingyu calmly asked him, "Are you planning to handle all these points?"

Xu Qingran replied without changing his expression, "Let’s take a look. If they’re all expendable, we’ll kill them all."

Shen Tingyu: "Alright, do you want me to help you?"

Xu Qingran: "If you’re not willing to help, feel free to leave."

Shen Tingyu smiled, his tone exceptionally gentle, "No problem, I’m good at handling these kinds of situations."

Xu Qingran nodded, "Make sure they don’t get off easy. Make it harsh."

Deputy Mao: "..."

???

Wait, is this a conversation I should be hearing?

Is this really how an empire’s colonel and general should be talking? What is this new colonel even planning?

Xu Qingran, however, seemed unfazed by his reaction, as if he trusted him completely.

Before leaving the office with Shen Tingyu, he said to Deputy Mao, "Oh, and Deputy Mao, I’ve emailed you the main task assignments for the four cities of Shangnan Prefecture and the new year’s goals."

"Sort them out and distribute them to the camps in each city."

"Ensure they respond, and report anyone who doesn’t comply."

After Xu Qingran left, Deputy Mao checked his email and found the Shangnan Prefecture plan.

First, he was taken aback by the colonel’s lofty goals.

—He actually aimed to unify the armies of Shangnan’s four cities within a year!

He also planned to reclaim at least half of Shangnan’s disaster zones within a year!

And to bring free internet, high-speed railways, and shopping malls—things only wealthy star systems have—to Shangnan!

Even crazier, his ultimate goal was to retake old Silver Dragon City, which the Silver Dragon’s lazy troops had recently abandoned!

Deputy Mao was so shocked his glasses nearly slipped off.

He thought to himself, ‘Young people these days really talk big.’

Just the first goal is practically impossible, isn’t it? Forget South and West City—if Xu Qingran can get North City’s rebels to fall in line, I’ll call him dad!

Xu Qingran had no idea someone had vowed to call him dad.

He left the building, gassed up the car, restocked supplies, grabbed a backpack, and headed to West City with Shen Tingyu.

Xu Qingran didn’t want to sit idle, so he didn’t let Shen Tingyu take over the driving.

The car rolled forward at a steady pace. The white dog still lay on the back seat, slightly tilting its head to admire the scenery outside the window.

The route they took this time still went through the checkpoint between West City District 19 and South City District 1.

The area had already been cleaned up.

The guards had been replaced with a new batch, and everything seemed pretty routine. From a distance, one could see them on duty at their posts.

Xu Qingran had been wondering if Shen Tingyu would be too noticeable to pass through the checkpoint. However, when the car stopped, one of the guards approached his vehicle and, to his surprise, was an old acquaintance.

The older guard was just as surprised upon seeing him.

After removing the cigarette dangling from his lips and exhaling a puff of smoke to the side, he asked, "Oh my god, Mr. Xu, what are you doing here?"

Xu Qingran glanced at Chen Bin standing before him, noticing he was back in a Silver Dragon military uniform of a different rank and position.

He shot back, "Senior Chen Bin, shouldn't that be my question for you?"

It seemed that he and Chen Bin had some weird connection, always running into each other in various situations.

After not seeing each other for a while, Chen Bin's face showed a few more signs of aging.

He sighed, "What can I do, I'm getting old. And I'm just an ordinary A-level guard with a mediocre spiritual pool rank. I can no longer do much for the faction, so last month I was transferred to the Tianlong system."

Last month, he had gone to South City, which just missed Xu Qingran's absence.

The other guards on the platform seemed not too familiar with Chen Bin. Seeing him casually lean against someone else's car window and chat with the person inside, they just gave him curious looks but didn't come down to join the conversation.

Chen Bin then asked, "What about you? You're not here to join up, are you?"

As he spoke, he caught sight of Shen Tingyu in the passenger seat, his eyes widened so much his crow's feet almost disappeared: "General Shen Tingyu of the Golden Wing Battalion?"

"He's here for a trip, ignore him," Xu Qingran replied.

Then he added, "I'm here for work, though."

Chen Bin thought about it for a second.

From the look on his face, he might have guessed something, or perhaps not, but he simply said, "Oh," without pressing further.

Xu Qingran then asked him, "How has your month in West City been? What do you think?"

"Can you tell me about the military situation here?"

Chen Bin clicked his tongue, the corners of his mouth turning downward as he shook his head. "Not really."

He lowered his voice and said, "The main issue is the overall leader of West City, that lieutenant colonel. He's not a great guy."

"Everyone knows that the colonel of Shangnan Continent doesn't handle things, spending all his time trying to outwit the largest rebel army in North City to flaunt his power. The West City border area has been neglected for so long that military discipline has become totally out of control. Riding on the coattails of the North City rebels, the lieutenant colonel in charge has also made himself the local boss."

The West City military is divided into two main groups.

The first group consists of people like those Xu Qingran had encountered before—those with no moral bottom line, not really interested in doing proper work, only chasing benefits and profits. They collaborate with local shady factions, including poachers, and even use their positions to facilitate their activities.

These military guards are mainly influenced by their leader, a certain lieutenant colonel. It's said that this lieutenant colonel was originally a notorious bully in West City. Before joining the military, he relied on his double S-level spiritual power to dominate West City, engaging in all sorts of unsavory activities.

Later, when he realized that the area would be under military control, unwilling to be stepped on, he entered the West City military. Through cooperation with the local riffraff and his overwhelming strength, he eventually rose to a leadership position.

Since then, the atmosphere in the West City military has only gotten worse.

The second group consists of ordinary, hardworking guards like Chen Bin and Little Mute.

Most of them are local residents of West City, and the main reason they became guards is to protect their homes and defend against the invasion of demon hordes. A small portion were transferred here, steeped in the discipline from other star systems, unable to accept colluding with the local military, but unable to fight against it, so they chose to ignore it.

"I heard that in the past, they used to show a bit more restraint," Chen Bin added. "But it's said that some time ago... about half a year ago? A very powerful mysterious person came to West City."

"How powerful is unclear, I only heard from colleagues last week that this person wasn't afraid of the entire army and even beat their top leader to a pulp, leaving him incapacitated."

"His psychic power is also strong, slaughtering demons in the disaster zones effortlessly."

Chen Bin sighed: "You know the temperament of West City people, they definitely bow to strength."

"Most importantly, if this strong person had a decent character, it would be fine, but he—his conduct is even more despicable than the local scoundrels in West City!"

In the first few days after entering the military, he took over the colonel's office with ease and played boss for a few days.

When in a bad mood, he would randomly select a defiant soldier for torture and execution. It wasn't just about taking their life; the guards outside could hear the victims' agonizing screams, which was extremely terrifying.

After a few days of toying around, the madman grew bored and found it too troublesome to cooperate with them in clearing the demon hordes, so he finally gave the military a break.

Then, he shifted his focus to the civilian sector.

In West City, there is an underground organization, and all illicit operations are overseen by a burly figure known as 'Black Boss.'

This Black Boss is said to be an E-type extremist; even the military has to tip their hats to him, so his organization has always been able to operate freely in West City. The residents here, whose family members have been abducted or harmed, can only weep and mourn, as they have no money to leave and can't fight back.

However, after Black Boss was challenged by that powerhouse, he vanished without a trace.

What happened to him is unclear, but it's common knowledge that the fight was a win for that powerhouse.

"In short, it's not good," Chen Bin said, shaking his head again.

"I've only been here for a month, but I've witnessed quite a few outlandish incidents."

He shrugged again: "It's a pity, the Empire of the Dragon System doesn't care at all; they just want to corral all the destitute, corrupt, and worthless here, hoping that calamities and mishaps will finish them off, so they can blatantly disregard them and conserve a ton of resources."

"If only someone would step in and take charge!"

Xu Qingran listened in silence.

Shen Tingyu sat in the passenger seat, lost in thought.

Half a minute later, Xu Qingran asked Chen Bin again: "So, can we pass now?"

Chen Bin said: "Normally, given your statuses, it would be a bit of a hassle."

Then, he winked at them: "But today you happened to meet me, so consider it your lucky day."

"Go ahead, go ahead," Chen Bin chuckled, taking another puff of his cigarette. "It feels like wherever you go, Young Master, something extraordinary occurs."

"I hope this time, you can also change the situation in the Dragon System."

Xu Qingran listened, chuckled lightly, and turned his gaze back to the front, ready to continue moving forward.

He said meaningfully: "Provided certain individuals are willing to play along."

Of course, if they are not willing, he would, like that lunatic, fight until they are willing.

"Thanks," Xu Qingran left these words for Chen Bin and drove away.

As the car left, the white figure in the back seat was seen rising, shifting its posture, and settling back down.

Chen Bin took another drag from his cigarette.

He probably didn’t tell Xu Qingran that he, too, was from the North City.

He knew that most White Dogs became pack leaders because their unique fur color made them targets from birth.

So they had no choice but to fight back, clawing their way to the top, defeating every rival.

Lose, and they died. Win, and they became the pack’s undisputed king.

When he left the North City to seek his fortune, he was only in his twenties. Back then, he heard rumors of a white wolf-dog pup born in the vast forests of District 9 in North City.

Its eyes gleamed ice-blue.

They said the white dog was a real terror.

Before its first birthday, it could take down an adult wolf-dog twice its size.

As for what happened to it later… Chen Bin had no idea.

With the North City in turmoil, he couldn’t go back after joining the Silver Dragon Battalion. This time, when he got transferred to Tianlong, he hoped to serve his hometown, but they turned him away at the gates. He had no choice but to drift to West City, just outside North City, to kill time.

As the smoke curled around him, his buddy from the high platform wandered over.

He asked casually, “An old friend? What kept you talking so long?”

Chen Bin laughed, “Oh, yeah.”

“He’s the kid of my grandma’s cousin’s son’s cousin’s aunt’s daughter.”

His buddy blinked. “…What?”

·

Winter had settled over Shangnan Continent, and Xu Qingran drove with the window down, savoring the crisp air.

After a while, Xu Qingran realized Shen Tingyu, who usually kept up a steady stream of chatter, had gone silent since the checkpoint.

He glanced over and asked, “Something on your mind?”

Shen Tingyu shook himself out of his reverie.

He said, “Hearing that old guy describe that tough guy made me think of someone.”

Xu Qingran chuckled. “Funny you should say that.”

“I was just thinking of someone I used to know.”

The West City underworld boss was an E-type—a real powerhouse.

Only another E-type could take down an E-type, right? This guy could go toe-to-toe with the military solo, acting like a total madman…

The only one I can think of is that fugitive, Ming Hai.

Just as Xu Qingran finished his thought, he heard Shen Tingyu chuckle.

His tone was gentle yet sarcastic, “Right, that E-type who has a 60% compatibility with you.”

Xu Qingran: "..."

That guy is so petty.

Xu Qingran admitted frankly, "No choice—if it’s a lunatic, I’d probably be interested."

He just likes the unconventional.

But this 60% compatibility likely comes mostly from Ming Hai’s side. He remembers Ming Hai well enough, but that’s it—their craziness is slightly different.

Shen Tingyu sighed, "Guess I’ve been acting too normal."

"If I’d known, I’d have tried to be a little crazier, like him."

Not that he hasn’t been that crazy before.

As Shen Tingyu was lost in thought, Xu Qingran said with a smile, "Alright, whether you score points with me depends on how you do in West City."

Why did Xu Qingran bring Shen Tingyu to West City?

To go wild together, of course. It’s the perfect place to let loose. If he didn’t let this E-type, who’s always suppressing his true nature, blow off some steam, he worried he’d end up like Ming Hai—a total lunatic.

So, West City ended up hosting two lunatics—well, two mysterious figures—for the next couple of weeks.

Xu Qingran’s plan was simple: first, teach those cultists a lesson they wouldn’t forget.

With their bases scattered across West City, from District 1 to 26, it was the perfect excuse for a city-wide tour—and a chance to take out some underground hideouts along the way. As for the military—the backbone of West City—he’d save that for last.

Might as well use their resources to clean up more devil groups while they’re at it.

The cult’s all about worshipping some evil god.

Their creepy rituals usually go down at night, which works out perfectly for Xu Qingran and Shen Tingyu.

No need to disturb the public, and they can keep it low-key.

Leaving the enemy with no way to prepare.

Taking out cult hideouts is a walk in the park for them.

Even with bodyguards and weapons, these guys are no match for pros like Xu Qingran and Shen Tingyu.

When it comes to these blood-soaked heretics, they don’t hold back.

Most of the time, after clearing a base, they’d rescue a few people and send them home, one by one.

Along the way, they stumbled on a hideout for traffickers—kids and women.

It was tucked away under a grocery store, and without the white dog’s sharp nose, Xu Qingran might’ve missed it.

By then, they’d already hit cult hideouts in a few districts.

Maybe they’d caught the eye of their so-called ‘protectors,’ or maybe the traffickers they took out had some dirty deal with the officials. Either way, that early morning, after hitting another base, they got stopped at the checkpoint between Districts 10 and 11.

The number of guards on duty at the checkpoint was twice the usual.

When their car entered the checkpoint, they were divided into two teams, blocking their way forward and backward.

The lead soldier, with a messy bird’s nest of hair, squinty eyes, and flaring nostrils, barked at them to get out of the car. Xu Qingran complied, still wearing his pure black mask.

He gave the one with cartoon patterns to Shen Tingyu before.

When Shen Tingyu stepped out, the nearly 1.9-meter-tall man was wearing a quirky mask featuring a little monster sticking out its tongue.

It was a bit out of place, but it made him seem more 'friendly' and like an easy target.

"Tsk, I've worked in West City for thirty or forty years, and I've been stationed at every checkpoint. I know everyone here."

"But you two, why do you seem so unfamiliar to me?"

In the chaotic West City, where residents live in poverty and mostly farm for a living.

Guys like Xu Qingran and Shen Tingyu, with their posh vibes, stood out as outsiders at first glance.

The man continued, "I heard that two unruly newcomers recently came to West City and smashed several important venues of ours."

He looked them over, not seeing Ming Hai's 'wild' edge, and sneered, "You two trying to copy Hai Ge and take over West City?"

Honestly, their military buddies still hold a grudge against Ming Hai.

But no one in the entire camp could beat that reckless lunatic, and since he's an E-type, they had to accept it.

E-types are rare. West City already has a crime boss and a Ming Hai, which is more than enough.

Everyone knows most E-types are locked up in the Tower of Evil. He doubted West City could spawn another troublemaking E-type in just six months!

Xu Qingran lounged against the car, not bothering to call White Dog, and shot back, "We only hit shady spots. Your military’s not mixed up in that, right?"

"You’re not implying you’re in cahoots with cults and traffickers, are you?"

The man chuckled, "That’s why you outsiders don’t get it."

"You sneer at our dumpy West City, but you’ve got no clue how much cash this dump rakes in. In this lawless corner of the empire, our group relies on other means to secure resources. How else could we have lasted this long?"

Even cults don't stop galactic leaders from secretly investing and supporting them.

Poaching or trafficking—there’s always a market. And places like Tianlong, where the empire turns a blind eye, are ideal for illegal underground ops.

Most collaborators don’t see a problem with it.

If you don’t watch your own back, you’re doomed. As long as they survive and live a bit better, screwing others over or breaking a few laws is no biggie to them.

Xu Qingran scanned them from head to toe and asked, "Then I'm curious, if you were given enough military resources now, with regular salaries and supplies for daily necessities."

"Would you keep supporting this shady stuff, or would you actually shape up, work hard, and fight foreign threats?"

Some of them might’ve paused for a second.

But in the end, they all laughed scornfully.

"What kind of crap are you spewing?"

The squinty guy smirked, "Let’s just say you’re full of it."

"But how many of us joined the military to protect our homeland? Such conservative beliefs are only taken seriously by the fools in other empire-controlled galaxies."

As he spoke, the bird's nest-haired, squinty-eyed man raised his long-handled gun and aimed it at Xu Qingran, sneering, "I became a soldier so I could shoot people like you who I don't like whenever I feel like it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, something cold suddenly pressed against his neck.

A cold male voice came from behind him: "Who allowed you to treat him with such an attitude?"

Almost without giving him time to react, the blade at his neck easily sliced through his only S-Level Psychic Defense, cutting his throat in one swift motion, leaving no chance for him to fire his gun.

The surrounding soldiers only realized belatedly what had happened, quickly shifting their attention away from Xu Qingran in front of them.

They were shocked to realize that the other young man, who hadn’t said a word since getting out of the car, had somehow concealed his presence and moved behind them. If he hadn’t acted, they wouldn’t have even noticed his approach!

The force of his kick carried a gust of wind.

With just one strike to their chests, their ribs were instantly shattered by the already controlled force, the sharp fragments painfully piercing their internal organs.

Observing the tall, composed man, the faint crimson glow in his eyes, a sign of his Psychic Energy, was unmistakable.

...It was a trait unique to E-Type Extremists!

Seeing the situation turn sour, the other team stationed at the checkpoint quickly raised their weapons, preparing to counterattack. Some aimed their guns at Shen Tingyu, who was in the midst of fighting the group on the other side, preparing to seize the opportunity to strike.

However, the direction of their gun muzzles was soon blocked by another dark figure.

Xu Qingran flicked the Psychic Blade in his hand, gripping the hilt firmly, he smirked at the gunman: "Don’t aim at the wrong target."

"Your target is me."

The blade was just a decoy.

While the opponent was still in shock, Xu Qingran’s other hand had already stealthily grasped the Psychic Gun.

He raised his hand, and a thread-like beam of Psychic Energy shot straight into the opponent’s forehead, ending his life instantly.

Xu Qingran sneered.

How dare they attempt to ambush him.

—Did they not realize who was protecting that man surnamed Shen?