Chapter 159

Chapter 159

"What? The Federation is in such chaos, and the joint military exercise will still go on as usual?" Sen Yuehuai exclaimed, his face showing disbelief.

"Why can't it continue? If I were from the Federation, I would also choose to end this joint military exercise quickly. With the outside world in turmoil, it’s even more crucial not to show weakness at this critical moment, ending the exercise sooner to avoid further complications," Xino tapped his chin with a finger, "I'm actually quite curious about their newly proposed mental matrix system. Wonder what it would be like when it encounters the resonance of our royal family—aren't you curious at all, Your Highness?" He winked at Bai Sha with a smile.

Bai Sha: "..."

Observing Xino's eagerness for chaos, she guessed he wanted Bai Sha to use "Resonance" to counter the Federation's new technology, making them suffer a taste of their own medicine. However, she didn't agree with this idea.

"My uncle has warned me not to use 'Resonance' frequently."

"How is this 'frequent'?" Xino argued, "So far, you've only used 'Resonance' once, right? We're not abusing power here. There's no more official occasion than a joint military exercise. His Majesty's caution is unnecessary."

Bai Sha turned to him: "Since you put it that way, let me ask you, do you know how many times my uncle has used 'Resonance' since his ascension?"

Xino pondered for a moment, counting seriously: "His Majesty seemed to have used it symbolically only once at his coronation and never again after that..."

"Exactly," Bai Sha waved her hand dismissively, "Incorporating others' mental strength into the Resonance network isn't something to be taken lightly. To show respect for the will of the citizens, it must be used cautiously."

"But you can still initiate a small-scale Resonance within our team. None of us mind sharing our strength," Xino muttered under his breath.

"He's right," Ji Ya, who rarely spoke, suddenly interjected.

Sen Yuehuai was taken aback but quickly agreed, "I think so too!"

Yu Yan nodded without hesitation.

Bai Sha: "…?"

She looked at the expectant eyes of Xino and Ji Ya, and the slightly flushed cheeks of Sen Yuehuai, suddenly recalling that the main reason her uncle Cecil had advised her to use "Resonance" sparingly was—the risk of addiction.

She had been skeptical... but now it seemed to be true!

Bai Sha took a cool breath and decisively changed the subject: "Let's not worry about the military exercise for now. We need to plan carefully. In case the Federation refuses the Empire's medical aid, how do we bring Ya Ning and the others back to the Empire?"

"Then we'll have to steal them," Xino, a bit disappointed at Bai Sha's refusal of his suggestion, seriously strategized for her, "We send people to quietly infiltrate the Federation and steal them along with their holographic simulation pods. As long as we coordinate in advance with the Zhou family and your foster father Holman, Ning Hongxue's people can only investigate covertly. Without cooperation from the families of the missing, Ning Hongxue can't publicly accuse us. We just need to use some tactics to delay, then hurry up and cure their illness. All will be well."

Ji Ya laughed softly, crossing her arms: "If only things could go as smoothly as you say."

Xino: "Do you have a better suggestion?"

Ji Ya: "No, I just have an addition. Infiltrating Federation territory is no joke; we need to seek His Majesty's permission in advance, right? Moreover, infiltration always sounds a bit shady. It's more reliable to do it ourselves than to find someone else to do it. Currently, we have a legitimate excuse to enter Federation territory, don't we?"

Xino, thoughtful: "You mean..."

"The last match of the joint military exercise, the elite team competition for third-year students," Sen Yuehuai spoke softly, continuing the thought, "We can propose to hold it within Federation territory! As for getting closer to our targets... we can coordinate with the Zhou family beforehand for an inside-outside strategy, and we naturally have ways to approach them."

"Good idea," Bai Sha nodded, "Another issue is maintaining their vital signs during transport. Their holographic simulation pods are connected to the City of No Boundaries. If we transfer them by spacecraft, we need to ensure they stay connected until they can link to our Empire's star network."

This meant the holographic simulation pods couldn't lose connection during the transfer. If someone discovered their operation and used this to track them, they would immediately expose their location, only becoming safe once the pods were connected to the Empire's star network, beyond the reach of Federation tracking.

"Looks like we need to thoroughly research this issue. Even if we're tracked midway, our identities must not be exposed, or we'll leave behind evidence," Bai Sha frowned slightly, "Regarding this issue..."

Ji Ya: "Our family knows some military communication experts. Anti-tracking is a piece of cake."

Xino: "My family, too. And I can help organize transport spacecraft and manpower."

Sen Yuehuai pondered seriously for a moment: "I don't think I have much to help with? Maybe I can only offer up my sister."

Everyone's gaze turned to Sen Yuehuai.

Sen Yuehuai: "What? I'm telling the truth. I'm pretty useless, and my sister is the most accomplished in our family. The best I have to offer is my sister."

Xino, somewhat speechless, gave her a thumbs-up.

"Aren't we getting too excited? What if His Majesty doesn't approve of this plan? Then all our efforts will be in vain," Sen Yuehuai suddenly said with some anxiety. She didn't have confidence in convincing Sen Haiyun to join the plan, and normally, they wouldn't have to worry about these issues if His Majesty commanded. But she instinctively felt that getting His Majesty's approval might be difficult.

The group fell into silence.

Bai Sha leaned back: "I also think my uncle might not agree."

"Maybe I should just go directly to the City of No Boundaries? After all, there are no cases of Empire citizens losing consciousness because of it. Maybe I could just bring them out..." Bai Sha muttered. Before she could finish, the other four unanimously opposed the idea.

Entering the City of No Boundaries was far more dangerous than just stealing a few people!

In reality, even though they all came from prestigious backgrounds and Bai Sha was the Crown Prince of the Empire, their lives were not in danger. But the City of No Boundaries wouldn't care about their status outside. If it went berserk, it could trap anyone it wanted.

They firmly persuaded Bai Sha to abandon this idea.

"Let's focus on how we can steal them instead. Just a few people – for our team, it's hardly a challenge," Sen Yuehuai tried to lighten the mood, stretching out her pale hands in an exaggerated gesture. She was clearly in her bed in a dark room, judging by the time difference on her planet, it was deep into the night. But the next moment, her bedding was forcefully thrown open, and Sen Haiyun, in her nightgown, scolded her: "What are you doing up so late, sneaking around? Planning to steal people? Are you some kind of outlaw? Are you not grateful for what our family and Her Highness have done for you?..."

Suddenly, Sen Haiyun's eyes fell on the lit screen, and she immediately understood which "team" Sen Yuehuai was referring to.

Bai Sha on the screen: "..."

An abruptly silenced Sen Haiyun: "..."

Suddenly, the angry expression on Sen Haiyun's face vanished. She put down Sen Yuehuai's bedding, turned off the light with a click, and closed the door as if she had never entered the room that night.

Everyone: "..."

Yu Yan hesitantly asked, "Does this mean our plan is exposed?"

"Not at all," Sen Yuehuai climbed back into bed somewhat disheveled, straightening her hair, a triumphant gleam in her eyes, "My sister won’t breathe a word of this to anyone. Hehehe."

"Don't be so sleazy," Xino said, his face as serene as a chrysanthemum, "And your wording was inappropriate. How can what we're doing be called stealing? It's clearly a rescue mission. Rescuing people is honorable, not shameful. So, Your Highness, you should call in any help you can get, and let’s put together a detailed plan. We’ll present our ideas and the plan to His Majesty—this will show our determination and convince him of the plan's feasibility, surely gaining his approval."

Bai Sha: "..." Why did she feel like Xino was trying to drag more people into this?

Nevertheless, Bai Sha promptly pulled Han Chang into the video conference room.

This meeting was impromptu and somewhat informal. Xino had just finished training, his muscles in his training outfit more pronounced under the bright lights, giving off a rugged vibe. Ji Ya was in a similar state. Yu Yan, having his dinner hour, brought his meal to his room under the pretext of studying for exams, locking the door to join the meeting. His attire and surroundings reflected the simple, fresh aura of a student. The most exaggerated was Sen Yuehuai, tired of lying in bed, she lay on her back, her face so close to the camera that only her nostrils were clearly visible. Thus, when the formally dressed, serious Han Chang entered the meeting, he seemed utterly out of place, like a sheep among wolves.

Han Chang: "...Your Highness?"

"Yeah, I'm here," Bai Sha was studying a list of military communication experts Ji Ya had sent her, so she let Xino introduce Han Chang to their plan and the key points of the operation.

Xino looked at the refined Han Chang, realizing he was Bai Sha's Chief Minister.

Xino had long heard of Han Chang's esteemed reputation. Han Chang had always been the "child from another family" everyone talked about, and the Han family's influence was no less than that of the Marquis of Uss. Xino, as Bai Sha's guard, knew he would have many future collaborations with the Chief Minister and wanted to make a good impression. He had heard about Han Chang's personality and knew that Han Chang disliked people who were indecisive and unreliable. Thus, Xino cleared his throat, adopted a serious military posture, and spoke to Han Chang in a noble and deep tone:

"Hello, Mr. Han. We are planning a secret operation and hope you can join us."

Han Chang slightly furrowed his brows, showing an attentive expression.

Xino decisively said: "We need to help Her Highness steal a few people."

Han Chang: "..."

Xino: "Ah, spit. Not steal—we need to help Her Highness rescue a few people."

Han Chang raised his hand in a halting gesture.

Although he lacked top-notch combat ability and was considered more delicate compared to the solo fighters in the team, he had chaired many important meetings in the Congress. His raised hand had the magic to make people instinctively stop talking.

"I think I understand what you're referring to. But please forgive my bluntness, I cannot agree to your request. This idea is absurd and risky. Any slight mishap could bring tremendous pressure on our diplomatic department."

Xino closed his mouth.

Han Chang wasn’t just rejecting Xino’s idea; he was communicating with Bai Sha.

"But I must save them," Bai Sha said calmly, "No matter who tries to stop me, I won't be deterred."

Han Chang pondered for a moment.

"This isn't just about a few individuals, Your Highness. The Federation insists on holding the joint military exercise at this time; we all suspect it might be a trap."

"Currently, Ning Hongxue's tendency towards war is very clear. We are entering a special and sensitive period, where the relationship between the Federation and the Empire may undergo drastic changes."

Bai Sha: "You mean, a war might break out?"

Han Chang: "That's the worst-case scenario, but it's not impossible."

Bai Sha fell into silence.

Han Chang's attractive brows and eyes narrowed slightly: "If, Your Highness, you only wish to bring your two childhood friends to the Empire, it might be feasible."

Ya Ning Kelly and Yan Jingyi are orphans, and regardless of their talents, their value has limits, leaving some room for negotiation in Bai Sha's desire to bring them over. However, it's different with the Zhou brothers. They are relatives of Ning Hongxue. Specifically asking for these two would be seen as demanding hostages by the outside world. Regardless of whether their comatose state is related to Ning Hongxue, in the eyes of others, they are his blood relatives. Even if the Empire uses the pretext of providing medical assistance to bring a few more people, the outcome would be the same; the Federation would not allow them to leave the country.

"…No," Bai Sha replied after a long silence, "I can't abandon any of them."

Han Chang: "But Your Highness—"

"I'm giving you an order, not discussing it with you," Bai Sha knew how to handle Han Chang, "I'm going to save those people. Even if it means flattening the Federation's capital star, I will save them."

Han Chang closed his eyes briefly, and when he reopened them, his tone was noticeably softer.

"I understand."

"Then let's not think about stealing them. Rather… let's just take them by force."

Everyone's attention focused on Han Chang.

"Take by force?" Ji Ya asked, "You mean, openly?"

"Yes," Han Chang nodded, "If they vanish silently, suspicion naturally falls on all likely suspects. But, if the abductors openly announce their identity, we won't become suspects."

Han Chang was suggesting "framing someone else."

"Given the current chaos in the Federation, a bit more won't make a difference. Their unconscious state is not an accident. With a bit of planning, we can manipulate the reasons behind their coma to significantly reduce our suspicion."

Consider who the true mastermind behind the City of No Boundaries is.

This mastermind most likely wants Ya Ning and the others to die. Thus, we can pin the blame for the abduction on this mastermind. Everything will appear logical and justified.

As for the relationship between the two nations... as long as this incident doesn't trigger a war, the "disappearance" of a few students isn't sufficient cause to start a war. If the Federation's military really wants to go to war with the Empire, then war is an inevitable consequence, and it certainly wouldn't be Bai Sha's fault.

Consequently, they added another task to their plan: how to create a credible mastermind.

Conveniently, Han Chang had many past cases on hand, including names of organizations, codenames of personnel, and their strategic styles, all of which could be referenced — because they had chosen the "Silver Core" as their designated mastermind.

Any blame could be shifted onto the Silver Core. After all, it wasn't anything good anyway!