Chapter 138 Bug Swarm Approaches

Chapter 138: The Bug Swarm Arrives

Ignoring Ji Anjue's protests, Ji Anzhi sat down to contact the Federation military.

The person on the other end was none other than his former headmaster—Lin Dusheng.

"Oh? *Xiao Anzhi*, you've restored your original appearance?"

Ji Anzhi nodded. He had only found the cure last night; it felt more natural to be himself again.

No more disguises needed.

Lin Dusheng remarked with feeling, "You really haven't changed a bit, the most outstanding Chief of the Star Chart Department from our First Military Academy—Ji Anzhi."

To this, Ji Anzhi merely smiled faintly and said, "You flatter me."

Lin Dusheng shook his head and waved his hand.

"That's not flattery. When you went missing back then, the old professors in the Star Chart Department even went so far as to quietly tear apart my headmaster's office and the dean's office out of anger. And Mu Wen... that guy who taught you programming, after you were exposed, he went around bragging all over the place that you were his disciple, even more outstanding than him, his master. He nearly got beaten to death by the Star Chart Department crowd."

After listening, Ji Anzhi found this unsurprising.

After his first month at the First Military Academy, he had realized the teachers there were... very animated.

At least those around him were all quite lively.

They could even be a bit childish.

However, there was one thing Ji Anzhi asked, "Did X really go around telling people I was his disciple?"

Lin Dusheng nodded, amused, and asked, "So you haven't agreed to Mu Wen yet?"

Ji Anzhi nodded sheepishly, which made Lin Dusheng chuckle. Muttering "I knew it," he then sent a message to someone, likely to rub it in Mu Wen's face.

After Lin Dusheng put down his smart device with satisfaction, they continued chatting.

"Speaking of which, Ji, my young friend, tell me one thing, the truth. After all, there's nothing we can do to you now anyway."

Ji Anzhi gestured for the headmaster to proceed.

"You've taken many courses. I want to ask, did you understand them?"

Ji Anzhi smiled, "Principal, if I said I didn't understand, would you believe me?"

Lin Dusheng smiled back, "No."

"Since you already have the answer, why ask me?"

Lin Dusheng's smile remained unchanged, but he thought to himself, *What a little fox.*

Neither admitting nor denying, it seemed like an answer was given, yet not really.

"Forget it. Let me ask you something else. Would you be willing to be my successor?"

Hearing this, Ji Anzhi was so shocked his pupils contracted sharply, but he returned to normal in just a second, playing dumb, "Sorry, I don't understand what you mean, Headmaster. Besides, I have my own personal plans and truly have no interest."

Lin Dusheng, however, didn't let Ji Anzhi off, continuing, "If you don't understand, I can explain. It means taking over my position."

"After succeeding, you would become the true principal of the First Military Academy, the dean of the Military Academy Research Institute, a specially privileged elder of the Federation Parliament, the Supreme Commander of the Federation's Special Legions—Rose, Xiya, and Judgment Sword—with authority above the Legion Commanders and Marshals, the person in power of the Dawn Group, the richest conglomerate in the galaxy... and so on. Think it over."

Although Lin Dusheng only mentioned five items, any single one of them could send shockwaves through the entire galaxy.

Especially the last three.

Specially Privileged Elder of the Federation Parliament—possesses the privilege to act first and report later, allowing the handling of suspected targets before submitting evidence.

Supreme Commander of the Special Legions—authority above Marshals and Legion Commanders, meaning these three legions are practically private armies.

Person in Power of the Dawn Group—the Dawn Group, which owns the Star Network and Star War, though it seems 60% of Star Network's shares belong to the Federation government. It's the largest mecha manufacturer, financial entity, etc., in all the star systems...

It's no exaggeration to say that with what Lin Dusheng just mentioned, one could establish a new nation that would give the current Sco Federation a run for its money.

For a moment, Ji Anzhi couldn't figure out what Lin Dusheng was driving at.

So he probed, "Headmaster, are you trying to entice me?"

Lin Dusheng shook his head, "No, I'm genuinely asking. I'm over eighty years old and still haven't found a suitable successor. You fit what I'm looking for, so this is a sincere invitation."

Regarding what Lin Dusheng said, Ji Anzhi was skeptical.

He had always thought the Federation operated on a democratic system, but now he realized it was actually more of an autocratic state.

"But I'm not even a Federation citizen."

The implication was, would he really trust an outsider like him with such supreme power?

Lin Dusheng wasn't particularly concerned, "What does that matter? Among the Federation's higher-ups, there are also people originally from other nations."

Ji Anzhi asked curiously, "Aren't you afraid I might ruin the Federation after taking over?"

Lin Dusheng smiled, "You won't, and you won't have the chance. Just like if I were to do something clearly harmful to the Federation, the Legion Commanders and the Parliament have the authority to imprison me."

*Clearly harmful*—a rather difficult scope to define, Ji Anzhi thought.

He was somewhat curious. If the Federation continued with this system, weren't they afraid of an early collapse?

Without a standard definition, based largely on subjective judgment, such a system, in principle, would decline and fall within a century or two at most.

Yet the Federation continues to thrive. Why?

As if reading Ji Anzhi's thoughts, Lin Dusheng suddenly explained.

"We're well aware of the pros and cons of this system. So, there are clear regulations within the Federation: the successor must be an omega or beta, absolutely not an alpha. Moreover, the successor candidate must meet basic criteria."

"First, the secondary gender must be omega or beta."

"Second, must have studied at the First Military Academy or other qualified Federation military academies, and demonstrated excellent leadership abilities fitting for a leader."

"Third, must have experienced ABO inequality and possess a certain level of aversion towards alphas, but not excessively so."

"Fourth, and most importantly, family background must not be from the Federation's decision-making echelons, nor can it be a family protected by alliances within those echelons. Once reported and verified, Judgment Sword will carry out extermination. Blood relatives within five generations will be disqualified and are not allowed to marry descendants of the Federation's decision-making layers."

"Fifth, after succeeding, the successor must remain unmarried and childless until retirement. If marriage is desired, any gender except alpha is permissible."

"These are the five more important points. There are others, but I won't list them all. Young friend Ji, do you understand?"

Ji Anzhi nodded.

As for the fourth and most important point, Ji Anzhi understood perfectly.

Preventing high positions from being monopolized by the decision-making class was indeed a good method. Moreover, after an omega is marked by an alpha, they would unconsciously become dependent on their alpha partner, which could lead to the omega's judgment becoming biased.

"Young Ji, you perfectly meet the criteria. Are you interested?"

"No."

Ji Anzhi answered swiftly, without a hint of hesitation, almost cutting off Lin Dusheng before his words had fully landed.

Seeing Ji Anzhi so stubbornly unyielding, Lin Dusheng was vexed.

Such a great position, why did this young friend dislike it so much?

He had been thinking that after the Bug Swarm passed, he could immediately offload this role of principal and other positions, then become Levin's adjutant. That way, after getting married, the two could always be together, and he wouldn't end up being seen as a resentful husband in others' eyes...

Lin Dusheng glanced irritably at Levin not far away, growing angrier the more he looked.

But he couldn't bear to vent his anger on Levin, nor could he show it to Ji Anzhi, so he had to swallow his frustration.

"Young friend Ji, are you so decisive? What if you regret it later?"

"I won't."

Ji Anzhi's reply was firm, so firm that Lin Dusheng felt like roaring.

Couldn't you at least leave me a sliver of hope?!

"So, what are your future plans, young friend Ji? Can you share them?"

Ji Anzhi fell silent for a moment before answering with a wistful smile, "I want to go to places humans have never set foot in, to see sights I've never seen before."

Lin Dusheng fell silent. This plan meant Ji Anzhi was destined to never stay within the Federation.

An eagle yearning for the high skies would never willingly be trapped in a small corner of the world.

"Does that young friend from the Qi family know about this?"

Faced with Lin Dusheng's sudden question, Ji Anzhi was taken aback, his expression clearly asking: What does he have to do with this?

Seeing this at a glance, Lin Dusheng facepalmed. "That young friend from the Qi family likes you, even loves you, truly. You didn't know?"

Ji Anzhi rubbed the bridge of his nose. Of course, he knew.

But he didn't know how to face Qi Yanshen. In his personal plans, he had never considered falling in love with someone else, let alone an alpha.

If three years ago, someone had told him he would fall for the alpha descendant of a Federation Commander, he would have thought that person was crazy, and then found an opportunity to cause trouble for them—like arranging a disability or an accidental death.

However, he hadn't reacted immediately. Now that he had, Ji Anzhi replied, "I haven't told him yet."

Lin Dusheng raised an eyebrow. "Let me ask you something first."

"Please go ahead."

"Do you like that young friend from the Qi family?"

"...I don't know."

Hearing this, Lin Dusheng's smile brightened.

Indeed, happiness is built on others' pain. He had pursued Levin since he was eighteen, and only now had Levin given him a definite answer.

But Lin Dusheng couldn't show his delight too obviously, so he said, "Are you going to see that young friend from the Qi family later? Matters of the heart are best discussed face-to-face."

Ji Anzhi replied politely, "Thank you for your concern, Principal. I will."

The remaining matters were not for an outsider like Lin Dusheng to meddle in, so he changed the topic again.

"There's one more thing. May I ask if Your Excellency Ji Anjue is willing to help the Federation root out the alpha Conservative Party? We purged them once before, but some slipped through the net."

"This time, I want to clean them up thoroughly, completely."

Lin Dusheng deliberately emphasized the words "thoroughly" and "completely."

Ji Anzhi inquired, "Is it the mastermind behind the drugging incident that day?"

Lin Dusheng hummed in affirmation.

Ji Anzhi turned to look at Ji Anjue, who was leisurely watching a drama nearby.

Before he could even speak, Ji Anjue stated resolutely, "I'll go."

Yesterday, he had read Levin and Lin Dusheng's memories and learned that the root cause of what happened to Ji Anzhi was that the alpha Conservative Party had drugged him. For that reason alone, Ji Anjue was determined to eradicate them.

Even if Lin Dusheng hadn't asked, Ji Anjue would have sought out those alpha conservatives and cleaned them up thoroughly.

Lin Dusheng could hear Ji Anjue's voice. Having obtained the desired result, his mood improved greatly.

This time, those scum wouldn't escape.

However, Ji Anzhi's next sentence turned Lin Dusheng's bright mood partly cloudy again.

"Then let's discuss the payment. I believe the Federation's labor laws won't have us working for free, right, Principal?"

Lin Dusheng: "...Of course."

He really doesn't miss a trick.

By the time the two had agreed on the payment, the Bug Swarm was now upon them.

When the monitoring instruments detected large-scale Zerg movement from the center of the hive, they immediately reported it. All Federation starships on the front lines received the alarm.

"Warning, warning. Hive activity detected. Bug Swarm imminent. Estimated arrival in two hours. Please prepare."

"Warning, warning. Hive activity detected. Bug Swarm imminent. Estimated arrival in two hours. Please prepare."

"Warning, warning. Hive activity detected. Bug Swarm imminent. Estimated arrival in two hours. Please prepare."

It broadcast three full times before stopping.

The Star Eagle, of course, didn't receive it. But being this close, and with an SSSS-level psychic capable of external projection present, they naturally got the message too.

Ji Anzhi looked at Ji Anjue. The little one had finished his biscuits and was now chewing on a pack of jerky.

A glance confirmed it was the same brand as before.

Hadn't he taken back all the Star Cards? So, was this from stockpiles, or had the little one disobeyed and not handed them all over?

Maybe sensing Ji Anzhi's suspicious look, Ji Anjue silently stashed the remaining jerky.

He was afraid Dad Ji would confiscate it if he was in a bad mood.

Looking away, Ji Anzhi said to Lin Dusheng, "When a psychic-type Zerg is detected, please let us know the general area."

"Of course. Looking forward to working with you."

"Likewise."

A battle between an old fox and a young fox, evenly matched.

After muting the comms, Ji Anzhi went to Ji Anjue's side and had him get ready to pilot the Star Eagle later.

"Got it. But after I finish, will there be a reward?"

Ji Anzhi beamed, but his words were icy cold.

"There will be punishment, not reward."

Ji Anjue: "…………" o(╥﹏╥)o

After handling the cooperation matters, Ji Anzhi checked the time. There were still two hours left, enough to drag Xiaoxue out of the ecology room.

"I'm going to the ecology room."

"Mm."

Heading to the ecology room, he'd expected Xiaoxue to be bullying the animals or hunting for a snack.

But upon arrival, he found today's ecology garden eerily quiet.

The birdsong and water sounds, the little rabbits scurrying about, and the squeaking of dragon mice fighting over food all seemed peaceful and pleasant.

So where was Xiaoxue?

Ji Anzhi searched around the ecology room and finally found Xiaoxue on a soft patch of grass, sound asleep on a cushion she had dragged over for herself.

Ji Anzhi crouched down, looking on in amusement at Xiaoxue sprawled out.

At least she hadn't wreaked havoc on the plants and animals. But it was noon now, and Xiaoxue was sleeping so soundly. Could she have stayed up all night, being a night owl?

Thinking this, Ji Anzhi mercilessly reached out and shook Xiaoxue awake.

She couldn't sleep now. Xiaoxue was only three years old and should have a regular sleep schedule.

What kind of night owl was a little kid trying to be?

Startled awake, Xiaoxue thought it was that jerk Ji Anjue again and instinctively chomped down hard.

"Hiss..."

Huh?

Something felt off today. Why was there a taste of blood?

Xiaoxue looked up in confusion, then down, then up again...

Ji Anzhi asked pleasantly, "Awake?"

Xiaoxue shrank back and nodded.

Oh no, she'd bitten Dad Ji and made him bleed...