Chapter 81: Return to the Setting Sun Star

Chapter 81: Return to the Setting Sun Star

The investigation into the conspiracy by the Weapons Research Institute, in collaboration with the Guard Department and the External Affairs Department, to frame Cang Cheng, yielded results in less than a day.

A joint announcement was issued simultaneously on major interstellar websites:

"Investigations have revealed that the Director of the Weapons Research Institute, XX, Deputy Director, XX, and others were guilty of embezzlement and leaking weapon information from the Canglan Star Region. Their actions were particularly malicious, and they have been sentenced to death.

The Chief of the Main Planet Guard Department, XX, and officials from the External Affairs Department abused their power for personal gain, with equally malicious actions. They have been stripped of their military ranks and sentenced to 150 years in prison.

The Minister of External Affairs, XX, has resigned in disgrace.

Prince Cang Junting, the third prince, was found guilty of colluding with foreign enemies and forming private cliques. His actions were particularly egregious, and he has been disowned by the royal family and sentenced to life exile."

Thanks to Hilmeth's efforts, the most significant criminal case in the Canglan Star Region in recent years was solved. The criminals were either captured or killed, and the authorities took decisive and ruthless action.

For a while, fear gripped the entire main planet. Everyone was on edge, terrified that they might be next in the purge.

Real-time comments:

"Even the third prince was colluding with foreign enemies? And the Weapons Research Institute was selling weapon data? The high-ranking officials of the Canglan Star Region are rotten to the core!"

"It is said that the general was seriously injured in the last Spirit Runes combat due to the leaked weapon configurations. These high-ranking officials all deserve to die!"

"Our soldiers are fighting desperately, while our own people are selling weapon data. It's truly disheartening."

"Over a hundred people have already been exposed, but it is said that over a thousand actually participated in the weapon leak, and they were all high-ranking officials."

"The fifth prince is so pitiful... used as a scapegoat, but fortunately, the general arrived in time."

"The Canglan Star Region is lucky to have the general; it must have done something good in a past life."

...

The Star Net trending topics were dominated by discussions about the weapon leaks, with unprecedented attention. Discussions about Cang Cheng's capture dwindled to just a few scattered comments.

At the same time, the authorization of ANKEN's Level A Spirit Runes, Blizzard, garnered little attention.

Cang Cheng thought this was for the best. He just wanted to return to the Setting Sun Star to study Spirit Runes and develop the planet, not seeking too much attention.

After replying to his Exchange Competition teammates, including Yi Moshang, who had messaged him with concern, Cang Cheng was about to pack and return to the Setting Sun Star when a golden message appeared on his Star Net.

The Emperor of the Canglan Star Region, Cang Yan, had summoned him.

Cang Cheng gave an amused smile.

Cang Yan was his nominal father. Ever since Cang Cheng was a child and was found to be unable to awaken due to illness, he had never seen his father again. Other than their biological connection, there was no father-son bond between them.

Cang Cheng didn't care much for family ties. As long as his so-called father stayed out of his way, they could pretend to get along.

After leaving a message for Hilmeth, Cang Cheng boarded the hovercraft sent by Cang Yan. The hovercraft took off, accompanied by six other protective crafts that escorted Cang Cheng to the main planet's royal palace.

Cang Cheng had few memories of the palace, as he had been sent away from it as a child and only returned during festivals.

He was escorted to the executive council hall, where the sound of a heated argument echoed through the halls, even before he stepped inside.

After waiting for a moment, Cang Cheng watched as the door was forcefully pushed open.

Cang Mu, usually calm and composed, now wore a dark expression and radiated an icy chill.

However, upon seeing Cang Cheng waiting nearby, Cang Mu instantly became gentle, his change of expression swift.

"There was a disagreement with Father. Didn't scare you, did it?"

"No."

"I'm very sorry about Cang Junting. I can't believe he added you to the Exchange Competition roster. Fortunately, the General saved you in the end."

"No worries, I didn't get hurt."

"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll cut the chat short. Feel free to visit the main planet whenever you can."

With that, the eldest prince left.

The smile vanished instantly.

Cang Cheng then entered the council chamber.

Inside the council chamber, apart from Cang Yan, there was no one else. Two guard robots stood on the left and right of Cang Yan. Their metal eyes scanned Cang Cheng a couple of times before turning away.

Cang Yan, at 171 years old, was an S-level Awakened.

He wore formal attire, adorned with a badge symbolizing his ruler status. His tall, imposing figure and serious expression made it difficult to meet his gaze.

Cang Cheng met Cang Yan's deep gaze without any hesitation. Instead, he found it interesting to observe this so-called father of his.

Compared to how he remembered him, Cang Yan had grown a beard, adding a rugged, powerful edge to his appearance.

"Long time no see, Cang Cheng."

Cang Yan initiated the conversation with a voice full of authority, "The matter with Cang Junting is settled. He will receive his due punishment."

Cang Cheng responded coldly, "I know."

Cang Yan narrowed his eyes, "You've changed quite a bit."

In Cang Yan's memory, Cang Cheng had always been timid, not daring to speak up even when bullied, lacking any princely dignity. Because of this, Cang Yan had no concern or affection for Cang Cheng and, upon his adulthood, had his secretary send him away from the main planet.

But the Cang Cheng before him now was entirely different from the one in his memory.

A faint smile appeared on Cang Cheng's face, though it didn't reach his eyes, "So have you."

A moment of silence followed.

Despite being father and son, they were probably less familiar with each other than Cang Cheng was with a cow on Sunset Star.

Cang Yan said, "The Exchange Competition incident was the organizers' oversight. What kind of compensation are you looking for?"

Cang Cheng lifted his chin, his eyes sharp, "Just... compensation?"

Cang Yan chuckled lightly.

He hadn't expected that the one who could challenge him face-to-face would be the very child he had least expected, the one with the least presence.

Quite surprising.

Cang Yan: "You and the general get along well."

There's no doubt about that.

"You and ANKEN are the same person."

That's a fact.

"Sunset Star blocked the reconnaissance signals I dispatched. Sunset Star is well-organized under your governance, but it also has its secrets."

Still a statement.

Despite being exposed, Cang Cheng remained unperturbed.

His demeanor was calm, and his gaze steady. "What does it matter if I am?"

"I'm happy for your growth, Cang Cheng."

Cang Yan sighed. "I'm getting old, and the Canglan Star Region will eventually be yours."

The word 'yours' caught Cang Cheng's attention. Cang Yan was hinting at a power struggle between Cang Cheng and the eldest prince.

"I have no interest in power."

"I know. But sometimes, it's not about not wanting to, it's about not being able to refuse."

Cang Yan released his aura.

The wind around Cang Cheng stirred, meeting Cang Yan's aura head-on.

The breeze brushed his black hair, making him seem as if he was at the eye of a storm, calm on the surface but surrounded by hidden dangers.

"This is your elemental control! Impressive, Cang Cheng."

Cang Yan seldom smiled. He retracted his aura and handed him a few documents. "The ownership of the Class A planet and the military fortress, they are yours now."

Cang Cheng frowned. "Why are you giving me these?"

"You and Cang Mu are the only sons I have left. I can't favor one over the other. What he has, you will have too."

Cang Yan said, "Prepare yourself, Cang Cheng. Time is short."

Cang Cheng left with the newly acquired planet ownership.

After he departed, the robot beside Cang Yan reported, "Footage from Cang Cheng's participation in the Exchange Competition has been deleted. All scenes of Cang Cheng using the Blizzard have been obscured and replaced; no one can decode them."

Hearing this, Cang Yan nodded.

During the Exchange Competition, each person had their own camera feed. However, upon discovering that Cang Cheng used a small slate to pass a message to Hilmeth, Cang Yan ordered the robots not to switch to Cang Cheng's feed.

Thus, in the live broadcast, no one noticed Cang Cheng drawing a Class A frost and snow Spirit Rune without a medium.

To the public, Cang Cheng was still seen as the weak, pitiful, and oppressed fifth prince. Cang Yan used this method to buy Cang Cheng a little time.

Otherwise... Cang Cheng would have been ambushed by extraterrestrial domains during the competition.

"Only the strongest survive. Don't disappoint me, Cang Cheng."

*

A few days later, the eldest prince Cang Mu publicly apologized on the Star Net. "Due to severe incidents of weapon configuration leaks and factionalism within my jurisdiction, significant harm has been caused to the Canglan Star Region."

I resigned from my position as the assistant to the ruler of the Canglan Star Region, taking responsibility for my shortcomings.

Two days later, the third prince, Cang Junting, died during the transfer process.

Everyone could sense a storm was brewing, and for a while, there was widespread unease.

But all that chaos on the main planet didn’t really concern Cang Cheng. He had already boarded the shuttle back to the Sunset Star and was about to arrive.

At the same time, he had two unexpected followers tagging along.

Mo Yu followed because he was looking for his master.

And Hilmeth, who should have been busy with affairs on the main planet, had also followed.

Cang Cheng sighed. "General, you’ve got your hands full. Is it really okay to leave the mess on the main planet behind?"

Hilmeth replied, "There are specialists handling the matters on the main planet. Besides, escorting Cang Cheng back to Sunset Star is more important. I hope you don’t mind my intrusion."

Cang Cheng glanced at Hilmeth. "Be serious, why did you follow me?"

Cang Cheng didn’t think Hilmeth was someone who easily acted on impulse. His following must have had a purpose.

Hilmeth answered truthfully, "During the Exchange Competition at Fort 0 in the Giant Rock Star Region, I captured one of their contestants.

After interrogation, we discovered that the weapon leak wasn’t the third prince’s doing. Someone else had done it half a year earlier."

Cang Cheng asked, "So you found out? Is the other party preparing to strike against me?"

Hilmeth nodded. "Yes. Although we don’t know when they will make a move, I want to stay by your side. I don’t want you to get hurt."

Hilmeth’s sincerity made it hard for Cang Cheng to say no.

However... he always felt that since they had cleared the air between them, the general’s attitude towards him had become more blatant.

During their conversation, the border planet, Sunset Star, appeared on the main screen of the starship.

The planetary defense system encircled the planet like gleaming metal ornaments, giving the beautiful blue world a striking, almost menacing edge.

Near the defense system, several docked patrol starships had locked onto Cang Cheng’s starship.

They only lowered their main cannons after confirming it was a ship from Sunset Star.

Cang Cheng remembered that when he left Sunset Star, the planetary defense system didn’t look like this.

In just a month, the defense system had been improved, and there were also a few patrol starships added.

Ming Bai is really capable.

The starship docked at the port, and when the cabin door opened, Cang Cheng was the first to step out.

Remembering something, he turned around and smiled slightly as he extended his hand to Hilmeth, "Welcome to Sunset Star as a guest, General."

Hilmeth took Cang Cheng’s hand and bowed, placing a kiss on the back of his hand, "It’s my honor, Cang Cheng."

As soon as Hilmeth stood up, his view was blocked by someone with half their body covered in isolation metal.

The person positioned himself between Hilmeth and Cang Cheng, clearly intent on keeping them apart.

Cang Ye’s pure black eyes warily scanned Hilmeth, radiating a clear warning.

Then, like an overexcited puppy, he threw his arms around Cang Cheng. "I missed you so much, bro! Bro!"

Cang Cheng sighed and ruffled Cang Ye's hair. Once his own hair had been messed up by the enthusiastic Cang Ye, he commanded, "Stand still. Stop rubbing against me like that."

"Okay."

Cang Ye stood up straight, looking obedient, but his eyes flicked toward Hilmeth with a hint of challenge.

Hilmeth’s hand tightened at his side, his jaw set, and his eyes darkened.

Who is this guy?

And why is he all over Cang Cheng?

Why is he hugging Cang Cheng? Like they’re old friends or something. What did I miss while I was gone from Luoxing Star?