Chapter 166

Chapter 166

Yan Jingyi and Yining stared at Bai Sha, who had suddenly appeared before them, both in a state of shock.

"Sha Sha, how come you're here?" Yining gaped, finding it unbelievable that the Imperial heir had appeared so quietly in the midst of the Federation's internal turmoil. His brow furrowed as he leaned forward slightly, "Did you come alone? Who else knows about this?"

"I came alone. Mainly thanks to this one's help," Bai Sha said, letting go of the silver wolf's neck amid Caxin's murderous glare. The wolf seemed reluctant to part, turning back to gaze quietly at Bai Sha. Bai Sha stood up, aligning with Caxin, and extended a hand, "Let me introduce you. This is the heir of the Imperial Greiz family, Caxin Greiz. His greatest dream in life is to defeat me."

...Was that last part of the introduction serious?

Yining and Yan Jingyi were somewhat puzzled about whether Caxin and Bai Sha were friends or not. They seemed like unlikely partners for such a secretive operation, yet the current tense atmosphere and peculiar introductions suggested otherwise.

"Uh, hello?" Yining ventured a tentative response.

Caxin didn't even glance at him, his gaze instead falling on Yan Jingyi with a deep intensity. "I noticed you during the joint military exercise. You're quite skilled, unlike your flimsy teammates."

Yan Jingyi immediately went on the defensive, replying coolly, "Should I thank you for the compliment?"

"No need," Caxin said. "Your strength is top-tier in the entire Federation team. Hearing they expelled you just proves the Federation's shortsightedness. But breaking away from that foolish team isn't a bad thing—predators always walk alone, while only cattle flock together."

Caxin's frankness, tinged with an indescribable sincerity, left Yan Jingyi momentarily at a loss for words.

"I heard the Greiz family is known for strict discipline and excels in team combat," Yining chuckled. "Isn't that statement kind of self-mocking then?"

"It's different," Caxin replied sharply, his expression proud. "In our Empire, we are all predators. When there are too many predators, discipline is necessary to prevent unnecessary conflict and loss."

The way Caxin looked at Yining was akin to a wolf eyeing a sheep.

Bai Sha interjected, "…Stop, stop, stop. We're supposed to cooperate. What's the use of winning this debate?"

Everyone's attention shifted to Bai Sha.

Yining asked, "What cooperation?"

"We need to find the missing head of the Greiz family, Salmer Greiz. But this operation can't be explained to the outside world. Most of my team is hospitalized due to injuries, so I need help," Bai Sha sighed. "That's why I came to get you. Luckily, you were sent to a border star like Lodan, where security for outsiders isn't as tight, allowing us to sneak in."

"So, you didn't tell anyone else about this mission?" Yining asked, concerned. "…Including your uncle?"

"I couldn't explain it to him."

Bai Sha recounted her experiences in the Unbounded City and the "agreement" she made with the Silver Central, downplaying certain details, particularly those related to her "previous life." Despite her understated tone, the remaining information was enough to leave her companions reeling with shock.

"How could you dare to negotiate with the Silver Central alone?" Yan Jingyi asked in a lowered voice. "I know you disdain the conditions it offered, but any mistake could have left you trapped in the Unbounded City like us!"

"As it turns out, my negotiation was effective," Bai Sha said nonchalantly. "At least it returned you to me."

Yining and Yan Jingyi fell into a momentary silence.

They certainly didn't naively think that they were released due to the Silver Central's oversight.

However, they still disapproved of Bai Sha's lone dealings with the Silver Central.

"You should have sought more help," Yining said. "Where are your royal guards?"

Bai Sha was momentarily at a loss for words.

"You probably don't know yet," Caxin said with a hint of schadenfreude. "She knew her uncle would never approve of her plan, so she sneaked out. Before we left, the major Imperial families were collaborating in a search for her. As for the Federation, Ning Hongxue plans to pin the blame for the casualties of the Federation's representative team on the Imperials. Although the official investigation results haven't been announced, Bai Sha, as the Imperial commander and a suspect, has already been banned from entering the Federation. If discovered, she'll be wanted."

"I wonder what it feels like to be searched by two countries at the same time—do you want to experience it, Your Highness?"

Caxin's words grew increasingly sarcastic, as if relishing a point of triumph, but Bai Sha remained composed: "If I'm searched by two countries, your name will definitely be right beside mine on the warrant. Then, I'd like to see how you explain it to your family elders."

Caxin's smug expression instantly collapsed.

Yining found the exchange amusing but didn't want to provoke Caxin, so he suppressed his laughter and changed the topic:

"What about Zhou Xiao and Zhou Ying? Have you considered reaching out to them?"

Bai Sha explained the current situation—Zhou Xiao's consciousness was still trapped in the Unbounded City, and he was recuperating in a hospital in the Federation's capital. Ning Hongxue was watching too closely for him to act, even if he woke up. As for Zhou Ying, he was in a comatose state from Ning Hongxue's poison, temporarily not in danger, but in a similar situation to Zhou Xiao.

"They can't come. But I've made contact with the Zhou family. They're willing to help us within their capabilities... because we have a common enemy," Bai Sha said.

The identity of this enemy was an unspoken understanding among them.

Of course, it was Ning Hongxue, the head of the military.

Yan Jingyi took a deep breath, struggling to suppress her anger.

They always knew Ning Hongxue was ruthless, but they hadn't expected him to go this far!

"I'm sorry I couldn't rescue them for now. You probably can't return home either; you'll have to come with me," Bai Sha said earnestly.

Compared to the Silver Central, they held far too few cards, with a vast disparity in the amount of information each side possessed. Bai Sha's current aim was to balance the scales as much as possible. However, the Silver Central's overtures towards her and her connection with the millennium-old Lighthouse were matters she couldn't openly discuss—perhaps one day she would choose to reveal them, but certainly not now.

"...Anyway, let's take this one step at a time. That virus is a significant threat to all Imperials and potentially harmful to Federals too," Bai Sha said softly. "Are you willing to join me?"

Yining and Yan Jingyi exchanged a glance and then smiled: "Silly question. Of course, we're with you."

Bai Sha seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, stretching out her arms for a hug: "...Good to have you both with me."

Caxin, feeling left out of the circle and unsure what to say: "..."

Fortunately, the sentimental moment was short-lived, and they quickly got down to business.

"The Salmer Greiz we're looking for is a traitor to the Empire. According to you, the Imperials have been searching for him for a long time without any leads. So, there's a high chance he's either in an uninhabited star sector or hiding in the Federation, right?" Yining analyzed.

Bai Sha nodded in agreement: "Exactly."

Yining took a deep breath: "If he's hiding in the Federation, we can search for him as if he's a spy. I've learned a bit about this from Professor Holman—it's somewhat similar. Just need you to narrow down his possible areas of activity."

Professor Holman was a true master in this field, having once disguised himself for a period, hence his rich experience.

"The Silver Central revealed his range of activities," Bai Sha said, opening the star map and pinpointing several small planets in the vast border star sector, "Roughly around here."

Yining took a quick look, recognizing it as a remote area in the border sector, often overlooked in governance.

The remaining issue was—this could well be the enemy's stronghold or lair. Salmer Greiz had been entrenched here for over a decade and was unlikely to have been inactive. Conservatively, he must have his organization, possibly acting as a local boss. With just the four of them, eight hands in total, unarmed and without mechs, how could they stand a chance against him?

"Don't worry about the mechs; we'll have them once we land," Bai Sha reassured them, patting their shoulders as if promising great things. "You know my mentor, right? The legendary figure ranked first among Imperial mecha engineers. He taught me how to make mechs out of scrap."

Yining/Yan Jingyi: "..."

They imagined themselves piloting a mech assembled from scrap and wreaking havoc, which made them shiver.

"Don't get me wrong, it's not literally made from trash. What I mean is that even under harsh conditions, I'll ensure we have quality mechs," Bai Sha clarified. "Besides, I don't expect just the four of us to topple Salmer Greiz's stronghold. I'll find other help."

"What other help could you possibly find?" Yining asked, not very optimistic. "Neither the Federation nor the Empire's armies can support you..."

Bai Sha's finger circled a point on the vast star map: "In this vast universe, not every independent force is powerless."

Her gaze settled on a dark void in the star map.

Yining, intrigued, suddenly realized and looked up in surprise: "You don't mean... interstellar mercenaries, do you?"

Interstellar mercenaries.

Interstellar mercenaries are not a specific organization, but a collective term for a group. They usually operate in a few spaceships, with members being capable fugitives. They are incompatible with secular laws and orders, earning a living through special tasks. Among them are criminals known as "space pirates," notorious for plundering and committing all sorts of crimes in the border star sectors of two nations. The line between mercenaries and pirates is blurred; today they may be bodyguards, tomorrow assassins. They don't judge character, only past reputation.

"Yes, space pirates—ah, I mean mercenaries," Bai Sha said, tapping the table. "I had the Zhou family help make connections, introducing me to a lot of interstellar mercenaries."

Bai Sha then produced a list.

It contained names of mercenaries recommended by the Zhou family, known for their reputation and skills, for Bai Sha to choose the most suitable.

Yining looked at the list of notorious groups, feeling a bit overwhelmed: "Which one did you call?"

Bai Sha raised her hand nonchalantly: "I called all of them. After all, the Zhou family is footing the bill."