Chapter 321: Arriving at the Border Defense Star
The Director knew that Shi Lan could treat spiritual power collapse.
And since 3S Beastmen were a high-risk group for spiritual power collapse, what Shi Lan said wasn’t without reason.
She was silent for a good while. "But the Border Defense Star isn’t safe right now, and you’re pregnant. Are you sure?"
Shi Lan nodded. "Director, this isn’t something to hesitate over. Whether it’s my status as a 3S Female or my relationship with Admiral He, it is my undeniable duty."
"I’ll take good care of the baby, too. I’m not that fragile."
"Alright."
The Director let out a long sigh and smiled. She had no real intention of stopping Shi Lan, because if it were her own Beast Husband, she would also go to his aid without hesitation.
"Lanlan, your spiritual power is high, but you’ve been with the team for a relatively short time. We’ll probably send a squad of five this time. I’ll have another female act as the team leader. The leader has more responsibilities, and I’m worried it might exhaust you. What do you think?"
"Okay."
Shi Lan had no objections. Her main reason for going was to check on He Hanshi anyway.
That evening, Shi Lan told her Beast Husbands she was going to the Border Defense Star. He Hanshi was the first to object. "No, Lanlan. You don’t understand the situation on the Border Defense Star. The number of Insect Clan members is soaring, likely an effect of the Insect Mother absorbing that Energy Body. The Clan’s attack power is clearly stronger now, too."
Ye Ming was often in meetings with He Hanshi, so he was also very familiar with the situation on the Border Defense Star. He nodded in agreement. "He’s right, Lanlan. The Border Defense Star is extremely dangerous, not to mention you’re pregnant."
The other three men also looked clearly disapproving.
"Don’t worry. Once I’m at the Border Defense Star, I’ll stay put on the military base and won’t wander off. Besides, my spiritual power is 3S and I’ve awakened my Talent Skill. You don’t need to worry so much about me."
"I’m not just going for He Hanshi’s sake, either. My Spiritual Power Level is so high that the entire interstellar public knows about it. With the Border Defense Star in crisis, I have to step up and set an example to avoid public criticism. For now, not many people on the Capital Star have been affected by the Insect Clan; the military’s situation is more critical."
As Shi Lan said this, the expressions on the men’s faces changed slightly.
’That’s right. Lanlan’s spiritual power is so high, and the Border Defense Star is in desperate need of support from females right now. If she didn’t go, it would probably stir up unnecessary controversy.’
"But Lanlan, you’re pregnant. Everyone would understand,"
He Hanshi still tried to persuade her, because the Border Defense Star was no longer the place Shi Lan had seen on her last visit. The Insect Clan could genuinely attack them at any moment.
"Enough. Trust me, I’ll be fine. I am absolutely going this time."
Shi Lan had made up her mind. Seeing her determination, the men fell silent.
However, the very next day, the three men—everyone except Ye Ming—started the application process to enlist as military volunteers.
The Border Defense Star was short on medics, and naturally, it was short on troops as well. The more outstanding males that joined up, the better.
The selection process was complex, and they hadn’t received their enlistment papers yet when the day came for Shi Lan to depart with the medical team.
Before she boarded the ship, the men watched her with deep reluctance and concern. "Lanlan, protect yourself," they said. "Wait for us. We’ll be over there soon, too."
"Okay."
Shi Lan knew they had enlisted, so she nodded and gave each of them a farewell kiss.
After they had finished their goodbyes, the Director spoke to the departing women. "Remember not to wander off, and protect yourselves. It’s not as safe out there as you might imagine. You need to be on guard against the Insect Clan and kidnappers. It seems another two or three females have gone missing recently."
The Capital Star was a major military hub with a large female population, so its security was quite strict. Nothing like this had ever happened on the Capital Star, but the same couldn’t be guaranteed for the outside worlds.
In fact, female disappearances had been occurring sporadically ever since Ye Ming and the others entered the Black Star system. Almost every two or three months, another female would vanish.
The frequency wasn’t high, and the victims were almost all females below Level B, so the incidents didn’t cause a major stir. But because they were females, the military was paying close attention.
Ye Ming was aware of this and was assisting with the investigation. However, he suspected that because he had cracked down on similar cases in the past, the culprits were now being much more secretive. He hadn’t found any leads yet.
Ye Ming checked the partner permissions on his chip, then reminded Shi Lan, "Lanlan, make sure all your partner permissions are enabled so we can see your real-time location."
Shi Lan hadn’t paid much attention to that feature before. She took a look and saw the permissions were enabled by default.
"Okay, they’re all enabled."
She curiously tapped on it to take a look. It was linked to her several Beast Husbands, and by selecting them, she could indeed see their locations and distance from her.
The four of them—Ye Ming and the others—were right in front of her, the display showing a distance of under two meters. He Hanshi, however, was located directly on the Border Defense Star; the specific distance was probably too great to be displayed.
Once all the important matters were settled, the five members of the medical team boarded the ship. They were accompanied by bodyguards, as well as Mu Tangfeng, Jiang Xia, and Yan Huoshui, who were too worried to stay behind and decided to follow along. As for Ye Ming, being the Eldest Prince, he could not leave the Capital Star so hastily.
After a long flight, the five women finally arrived on another day, just before 11 a.m.
He Hanshi knew his wife was coming. Despite his busy schedule, he had cleared some time to go and pick her up personally.
The ship’s landing point was several kilometers from the military base. With the recent surge in Insect Clan numbers, there could be other dangers, and he didn’t feel comfortable letting her travel alone.
He Hanshi was already there waiting, several minutes before Shi Lan’s group was scheduled to arrive.
When Shi Lan stepped off the ship, Yan Huoshui and the other two men were right behind her.
He Hanshi walked over, immediately taking off his thick military greatcoat and wrapping it around Shi Lan. "It’s cold on the Border Defense Star, Lanlan. Bundle up."
The other females shivered as soon as they stepped off the ship and hurried to put on more layers. Out of the corners of their eyes, they noticed what was happening with Shi Lan and stared at He Hanshi with amazement.
’They had always thought Admiral He was cold and unapproachable. Who knew he was so gentle and considerate with his wife in private?’
Shi Lan clutched the greatcoat tighter and looked at him, pleasantly surprised. "He Hanshi, you came to meet us?"
"Mm."
A gentle smile touched his lips, his azure eyes reflecting only her. After a moment, his gaze drifted slightly lower. "Is the baby behaving? Not giving you any trouble?"
Shi Lan shook her head. "I’m not that far along yet. I don’t really feel anything."
"That’s good."
The Border Defense Star was cold, so He Hanshi didn’t chat with Shi Lan for long. He turned to Yan Huoshui and the others. "Thank you for taking care of Lanlan."
Yan Huoshui’s red lips tightened, his gaze turning chilly. "Lanlan is our wife, too. What hardship is there to speak of?"
He Hanshi smiled. "You’re right."
The three of them—Yan Huoshui and the others—didn’t have clearance to stay on the Border Defense Star for long. After seeing Shi Lan to her destination, they said their reluctant goodbyes and headed back on the ship with the bodyguards.