Chapter 601 - 294: Chaotic Situation (Part 1)
Su Jiameng connected to the interstellar network and placed a long-distance call to Changxi, asking him to investigate something about that military warship. However, even though Changxi’s methods are extraordinary and there is hardly anything on the interstellar network that he can’t uncover, the information they found was still pitifully little.
Though the amount of information was limited, it was enough to confirm Su Jiameng’s suspicions. There was indeed a highly classified item aboard that military warship, and Augustus held it in high regard. The research facility wanted to target this item, thanks to the now deceased Shangguan Ruiqi, who accidentally learned about it and then leaked the information to the research facility...
However, Augustus guarded this item very closely, and since Shangguan Ruiqi, who was suitable for this task, had been eliminated by Su Jiameng, they had no choice but to let the Star Thief force take action, and then secretly instruct Yun Cuixi under the guise of an expedition to retrieve the item. Su Jiameng was puzzled as to why they didn’t transfer it quietly, but after some thought, she understood the complexities involved.
The Green Wolf Star Thief Alliance was already under high surveillance by Augustus, and their every move would draw intense attention from Augustus. Under such circumstances, if Augustus discovered a connection between the Star Thief Leader of the Green Wolf Star Thief Alliance and the Xilena Military Department, it would be a scandal, and it might also lead Augustus to realize the secret was in Xilena’s hands.
The research facility’s goal was to quietly acquire the secret for its own benefit, without attracting attention, and it didn’t care who took the fall. After weighing all options, sending Yun Cuixi to lead the Expeditionary Army was deemed the best choice.
First, it could enhance Yun Cuixi’s military achievements, hastening his promotion to Vice Admiral; second, it could improve his image and reputation among the general public; third, it could facilitate the secret handover, causing Augustus an unsolvable loss; fourth, it could yield the maximum benefit at the minimum cost, possibly even profiting from a disaster-induced fortune.
If one did not know the truth, who could imagine that a mild-tempered, Alliance-loyal Lieutenant General was actually a traitor who obeyed only the research facility? It was thanks to Yun Cuixi’s benign management over the years that people lowered their guard against him. Even if his crimes were exposed, those who believed in him would likely far outnumber those who doubted him.
"It seems... our speculations weren’t far off," Su Jiameng terminated the call with Changxi, slightly furrowing her brow. "Moreover, if both sides were to hand over the secret, it would likely be Yun Cuixi and that Star Thief Leader who were responsible... just as we thought, avoiding those on the battlefield allows us to capture them all in one sweep, saving us the trouble of searching everywhere."
"Actually, what I’m more curious about now is... what secret did they uncover that caused such a commotion among two Expedition Armies?" Gu Ningyi flipped through the reports sent by his subordinates, finding no resolution to this question.
"We’ll know when we check it out. If even that research facility is so eager for it, I estimate it’s not any good," Su Jiameng sneered. "In any case, we can only be sure once we’ve seen it. Guessing here is useless."
After speaking, the two tacitly lowered their heads to their meal. Luo Xin was true to his word; when he said there would be no lunch service, there wasn’t even dinner for the two of them. So, the two had no choice but to spend their own money, finding a place to appease their hunger.
The saying "A woman’s heart is an ocean of secrets" was Gu Ningyi’s genuine sentiment. His intelligence was not low, but it seemed his emotional quotient was not very high.
As they dined, they discussed those matters, while at the same time, a similar scene was unfolding on the August Expeditionary Warship. Although they were out on an expedition, many in this Expeditionary Army were rookies, just out to experience the atmosphere.
For these newcomers, while the veterans often teased and bullied them, when it came to serious situations, they were vaguely protective. Since there was still some time before the real battle, the atmosphere among everyone was still relaxed and leisurely.
So relaxed, in fact, that they gathered to eat, play cards, and talk about the expedition... Of course, all done in secret, because if their superiors knew about it, they’d surely be punished.
A group of rookies were talking enthusiastically, faces filled with anticipation for the upcoming war, unaware that war always means death and is not worth celebrating or feeling passionate about. Annoyed by their chatter, a few showed signs of irritation... Among them, a woman holding a long object couldn’t resist the urge to rush up and discipline them.