Chapter 125: Danger
Yu Lanfeng's gaze settled on the officer standing at the front, who was obviously the highest-ranking person present.
This man was the one who had ordered their starship brought aboard.
Which meant...
He had now become Yu Lanfeng's primary focus.
The officer noticed Yu Lanfeng looking at him and the corners of his mouth twitched.
He regretted it.
He truly regretted it.
If he had known that the final boss aboard that starship was this man, he never would have made such an unnecessary move.
So...
What was he supposed to do now?
How could he explain himself in a way that would satisfy the man standing before him and keep him from settling the score?
There was only one option.
Tell the truth.
"Marshal Yu, it's an honor to meet you here."
Yu Lanfeng's expression remained cold as he answered evenly,
"Yes. It certainly is quite an honor to meet you here."
He hadn't forgotten to remind the officer under exactly what circumstances they were meeting.
"Well... um... Marshal Yu, I was wondering if you're tired. Would you like to rest here for a while? We've prepared plenty of—"
Yu Lanfeng raised a hand, stopping him.
"I'm in a hurry. Can you let us leave now?"
Of course!
The very moment he had recognized the Marshal, all he could think about was how to send him away as quickly as possible.
Now that Yu Lanfeng had brought it up himself, he couldn't have been happier.
Still...
Simply letting them go like this would make him seem terribly negligent.
And Marshal Yu was obviously carrying out a classified mission.
Who would have thought he had intercepted him halfway?
"Well... if there's anything you need my help with, Marshal Yu, please tell me. At least let me make up for this."
Unexpectedly...
Yu Lanfeng really did need his help.
In fact, if the officer hadn't mentioned it himself, Yu Lanfeng probably wouldn't have thought of this solution.
"Then I'll have to thank you. There actually is something I need your assistance with."
"Just say the word. No problem! Absolutely no problem!"
Yu Lanfeng nodded.
"We're returning to the Capital Star to rendezvous with my legion, but there are still several days left before we arrive. Traveling with only a single starship is too dangerous. I'd like your fleet to escort us. Would that be alright?"
That simple "would that be alright" was almost fatal.
"No problem, Boss— I mean, Marshal Yu! Absolutely no problem! I guarantee we'll escort you safely all the way to the Capital Star and won't leave until you've reunited with your legion!"
Yu Lanfeng replied,
"Don't worry. I won't let you work for nothing. I'll officially issue the escort commission, and once it's completed, you'll receive the appropriate payment."
The officer scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"That's really too generous..."
Yu Lanfeng simply said,
"Then it's settled. Let's go."
With that, he led his people back aboard their own starship.
However, the starship didn't leave the enormous warship.
Instead, it remained quietly docked inside.
Since the escort fleet had agreed to accompany them all the way to the vicinity of the Capital Star, there was no longer any need for Yu Lanfeng's starship to travel independently.
If anyone questioned it later...
They could simply skip everything that had happened in between.
They would merely say that after completing a classified mission, Marshal Yu had hired this fleet to escort him back.
Everything in the middle could simply be omitted.
Once the officer realized that...
His gratitude toward Yu Lanfeng deepened even further.
He was practically a savior.
Even if this savior happened to be rather cold.
The moment Yu Lanfeng returned, Nan Yu immediately stood up.
"How did it go?"
Yu Lanfeng simply answered,
"It's fine."
He took Nan Yu's hand and led him back.
The two sat down on a nearby sofa.
Yu Lanfeng briefly explained what had happened outside while Nan Yu listened with great interest.
"I have to admit," Nan Yu said, "having an entire military fleet escort us definitely makes things much safer. But at the same time, it also exposes our exact location."
Yu Lanfeng nodded.
"Our location was already exposed the moment we encountered that fleet."
"That's true."
Nan Yu thought for a moment.
"Then... do you think they'll attack again during this period?"
Yu Lanfeng's expression changed slightly.
"They probably will."
"But they definitely won't attack this fleet openly."
Nan Yu suddenly had an idea.
"Maybe the spies hidden inside that fleet will find various excuses to approach our starship... then board it and try to capture me?"
Yu Lanfeng nodded.
"Exactly."
"Their target is definitely you."
"I just don't understand why."
"Your reputation has been excellent for a long time. Your powerful mental power isn't exactly a secret anymore."
"And yet..."
"They chose this particular moment—the most difficult possible time—to capture you."
"They even decided to act knowing I was by your side."
"That alone proves they're after you..."
"Or perhaps..."
"...something even more important."
Almost simultaneously...
Both Nan Yu and Yu Lanfeng thought of the Nianshen Grass stored inside Nan Yu's spatial button.
That explained everything.
If it was the Nianshen Grass...
Any organization in the world would go completely mad trying to seize it.
Especially now.
There were only five known Nianshen Grass plants left in the entire world.
One of them belonged to the Empire.
It was stored in the most heavily guarded location in the entire Empire.
Even if someone somehow managed to infiltrate that place...
Stealing the Empire's only Nianshen Grass would result in the entire Empire relentlessly hunting them down.
Anyone with a functioning brain wouldn't set their sights on the Empire's Nianshen Grass.
As for the other countries...
Their security measures were no less terrifying.
One country had even installed a live broadcasting system directly inside the facility where their Nianshen Grass was stored.
Twenty-four hours a day.
Every single day.
The surveillance footage was livestreamed continuously to the entire nation.
The number of viewers never dropped below several hundred million.
At peak hours...
It could even reach tens of billions of cumulative views.
Under the watchful eyes of an entire nation...
No one dared tamper with it.
After all...
No one knew how many extraordinary individuals were secretly hidden among those ordinary viewers.
The slightest abnormality in the surveillance feed could immediately be noticed.
Nan Yu took a deep breath.
"That's impossible."
"You're the only one who's ever seen it."
"I'm always extremely careful."
"And even if someone had seen it..."
"It's unlikely that organization would have found out."
"If anyone did happen to notice it, it would've been when I accidentally used it while carrying out one of my commissions."
"I think the first thing they'd do would be report it to the Empire and let the Imperial authorities—"
He stopped himself.
This wasn't the right place for such a conversation.
Although everyone had deliberately kept their distance to give them privacy—
Even Nan Ming sat gloomily on a sofa far away—
The two of them still looked around carefully.
Everyone was far enough away.
No one was paying attention to them.
Only then did they relax slightly.
Besides...
They trusted everyone aboard this starship.
These were all people personally selected by Yu Lanfeng.
If there were spies even among them...
Then that organization truly was frightening.
Nan Yu exhaled slowly.
He wasn't entirely sure what Yu Lanfeng was thinking.
"So... what do we do now?"
"Wait and see?"
"I don't think things will be that simple."
Yu Lanfeng nodded.
"For now, we wait."
"They haven't made their move yet."
"Until they do, we have no way of knowing who they are..."
"...or what method they'll use to deal with me and capture you."
Nan Yu asked,
"So as long as I never leave this starship, everything should be fine?"
"Exactly."
"The only thing you need to do is stay aboard."
"Don't go outside under any circumstances."
"As long as I'm here..."
"No one will be able to take you away."
Nan Yu smiled.
"Alright."
"Then I'll stay here until we reach the Capital Star."
Yu Lanfeng finally relaxed a little.
He stood up.
"Come on."
"I'll walk you back so you can get some rest."
Nan Yu smiled.
"Alright."
"Let's go rest together."
Yu Lanfeng glanced at him.
"Right now we can't—"
Nan Yu interrupted him immediately.
"We can!"
"For safety's sake, Dad doesn't mind anymore."
"Besides..."
"You'd never touch me without my consent anyway."
"So..."
Yu Lanfeng looked at him quietly.
"While I was outside..."
"...did you talk to him?"
"...Did you talk to Dad?"
Nan Yu nodded.
"Yeah. So, what do you think? Did I do alright?"
Yu Lanfeng looked at him.
"You did very well..."
But for some reason...
He still had an ominous feeling.
However, there was no time to dwell on it now.
Their priority over the next few days was to make sure nothing happened.
They simply had to remain aboard this starship.
They couldn't let their guard down regarding anything happening outside.
Nor would they accept anything sent over by the escort fleet.
Then again...
If that officer had any sense, he would know he shouldn't send anything at all.
After all, as far as appearances were concerned, they were soldiers returning from a successfully completed classified mission.
To avoid suspicion, the officer should order everyone to stay away from their starship.
Still...
Judging from the expression the officer had worn earlier, Nan Yu couldn't help feeling that he might try to curry favor with Yu Lanfeng in hopes that he wouldn't remain angry.
Yet several hours passed.
No one from the escort fleet approached their starship.
Needless to say...
No gifts arrived either.
Nan Yu found it rather strange.
"They're actually not coming over to apologize?"
Yu Lanfeng gave him an odd look.
"Of course they won't."
"That's the most basic rule."
"They wouldn't dare violate it."
"If they sent people over or delivered gifts, we'd naturally suspect they were trying to obtain classified information—or even steal items related to our mission."
"In that case, we'd become hostile toward their entire fleet."
Earlier, after realizing Yu Lanfeng didn't seem to hold a grudge against him, the officer had already been overjoyed.
How could he possibly send people over now?
That wouldn't be repairing the relationship.
It would only create another conflict.
After all...
There would always be opportunities to give gifts later.
There was no reason to choose now.
Nan Yu immediately threw himself onto Yu Lanfeng's large bed.
"I knew your room would have a huge bed."
Yu Lanfeng smiled faintly.
"I had it prepared for you."
Nan Yu grinned.
"Then I'll sleep here tonight!"
Nan Ming would probably feel miserable.
No...
He would definitely feel miserable.
But there was nothing anyone could do about it.
Right now...
Keeping Nan Yu beside Yu Lanfeng was the safest option.
Even if they were only in neighboring rooms aboard the same starship, Yu Lanfeng still wasn't at ease.
After all...
Hadn't Nan Yu been kidnapped from a hospital before?
Watching the two of them head toward the room together, Nan Ming sat quietly for a while before finally standing up.
He intended to return to his room and calm himself.
His heart still felt rather complicated.
Just as he stood...
Someone from the bridge called out to him.
"Major General Nan! Someone is approaching our starship. What should we do?"
Yu Lanfeng was currently resting in his room with Nan Yu.
No one dared disturb him.
Everyone knew perfectly well that their Marshal would never do anything improper to the underage Nan Yu.
But...
Everything else...
Nan Ming walked over.
The bridge's panoramic surveillance system displayed a live feed.
"Isn't that Du Ying?"
"Major General Nan... is he here to see you?"
Nan Ming frowned deeply.
Seeing Du Ying approaching with two companions gave him a strange feeling.
Du Ying had always been someone who strictly followed regulations.
For him to approach their starship like this...
Something was obviously wrong.
Nan Ming immediately ordered,
"Do not open the hatch for anyone. Understood?"
"Yes, Major General!"
It was a very simple order.
No matter who came...
The hatch remained closed.
That meant no one could accomplish whatever they intended.
Yu Lanfeng also received the report at that moment.
He had specifically instructed them beforehand—
If anything unusual happened, report it immediately.
If speaking wasn't convenient, send him a message.
If ten minutes passed without a reply, come find him directly.
Fortunately...
He saw the message almost immediately.
The instant he read it...
His expression darkened.
The aura around him instantly became frightening.
Had anyone else been present...
They probably wouldn't even have dared speak.
Nan Yu, however, merely looked surprised.
"They actually came."
"Seriously?"
"Who is it?"
"Did that officer send them?"
"Let's go take a look."
Yu Lanfeng nodded.
Less than two minutes later...
The two of them arrived at the bridge.
Nan Ming was currently communicating with the people outside via the screen.
Du Ying smiled.
"I'm here to see you."
"I never expected you'd actually let me in."
"I've already obtained permission from my superiors."
"I just wanted to have a meal and a few drinks with you."
"So?"
"Can you come?"
Nan Ming frowned slightly.
Strictly speaking...
People outside couldn't come in.
Likewise...
People inside couldn't go out.
Still...
He truly hadn't seen Du Ying for many years.
Normally, both of them were so busy.
Either Du Ying was carrying out missions...
Or Nan Ming was.
There was practically never an opportunity to meet privately.
Now that Du Ying had finally seized such a rare chance...
He had actually ignored regulations and come looking for him.
It really did seem as though he simply wanted to catch up over a drink.
Nan Ming's gaze shifted between Du Ying...
...and his youngest son.
In the end...
He chose his son.
He wasn't going outside.
He could only apologize.
Just as he was about to speak...
Du Ying interrupted him.
"Don't refuse so quickly."
"I've already brought everything."
"Tables, chairs, food, wine..."
"If you're willing, we can just eat right here beside the ship."
"When we're done, we'll leave."
"I honestly just wanted to catch up."
Normally...
Nan Ming would have simply ended the communication immediately.
He wouldn't have wasted another word.
But the person outside happened to be Du Ying.
He owed Du Ying several favors from years ago.
He had repaid quite a few already.
The main reason everything had gone smoothly before...
Was because Du Ying had never crossed his bottom line.
This time...
He had.
Nan Yu was Nan Ming's bottom line.
Coming to him now, when Nan Yu was being targeted...
There had to be another motive.
Anyone with common sense knew exactly what should be done.
Nan Ming looked at the screen.
"Sorry, Du Ying."
"The situation is special."
"I won't allow anyone to open the hatch."
"You can't come in."
"And I can't go out."
"If you really want to eat and drink together, I'll have someone prepare food here."
"We can chat over the communication screen."
"Eating separately while talking is perfectly fine."
There was no need to sit face to face.
Each of them could eat on their own side.
Raise a glass toward the screen.
Drink together.
If Du Ying truly only wanted to reminisce...
This arrangement should have been perfectly acceptable.
Unless...
His motives weren't that simple.
Nan Yu looked at Nan Ming's back.
For some reason...
He felt his father looked slightly stooped.
He didn't quite understand why.
Nevertheless...
He walked over and gave his father a big hug.
By the time he arrived...
The communication screen had already been turned off.
That meant the people outside, including Du Ying...
Still hadn't seen Yu Lanfeng.
However...
They had almost certainly guessed that a Mental Power User was aboard the starship.
Nan Ming smiled.
"As expected of my son."
"You're so thoughtful."
Just as he was about to continue...
His communicator rang.
It was Du Ying again.
The moment the call connected, Du Ying shouted loudly,
"Could you at least give me a clear answer before hanging up?"
"I don't even have your private communicator number!"
"You told me to contact you, but I couldn't!"
"I had to ask the technical department to dig up your private number."
"Otherwise I'd still have no way to reach you!"
Nan Yu silently took a deep breath.
He didn't interrupt.
The two men had already been arguing back and forth for more than half an hour.
Nan Ming looked increasingly close to giving in.
Then...
He refused again.
"I refuse."
Du Ying sounded utterly helpless.
"Why?"
"I'm not asking to board the ship."
"You just come outside."
"We'll put a table beside the ship, eat, drink, and catch up."
"Don't you trust me?"
Nan Ming smiled faintly.
But he said nothing.
Something still felt wrong.
No matter what...
As long as he didn't leave the ship, nothing would happen.
Finally he answered,
"I'm currently carrying out a mission."
"I can't casually interact with members of another legion."
Technically speaking...
Du Ying did belong to a different legion.
Although outsiders would assume Nan Ming's mission had already ended...
Until they reached their destination safely...
It wasn't truly over.
Eventually...
Nan Ming was once again persuaded to return and rest.
Nan Yu looked at him helplessly.
"You can practically fall asleep the moment you close your eyes."
"And you're still wandering around outside?"
Nan Yu wanted to continue persuading his father.
But Yu Lanfeng pulled him away instead.
Only after returning to their room did Nan Yu ask,
"Why wouldn't you let me talk to Dad a little longer?"
Yu Lanfeng looked at him.
"Didn't you notice?"
"Something about Du Ying is very unusual."
Nan Yu nodded.
"I noticed."
"His objective has always been extremely clear."
"He wanted my father to leave the ship so they could sit down together, eat, drink, and chat."
"But the moment Dad refused..."
"He just kept trying to persuade him."
Someone this persistent was incredibly rare.
Almost unheard of.
Yet now...
They had encountered one.
Nan Yu smiled.
"Forget it."
"Let's rest."
"Dad isn't stupid."
"He's already suspicious of Du Ying."
"If Du Ying keeps pushing..."
"Dad might simply get angry and hang up."
Yu Lanfeng nodded.
"That would be the best outcome."
"I trust him."
Even so...
The more Nan Yu thought about it...
The less reassured he felt.
Eventually...
He secretly brought Yu Lanfeng along to check on Nan Ming.
What they found shocked both of them.
Just moments earlier...
Nan Ming had actually headed toward the hatch.
"Dad!"
Nan Yu shouted immediately.
Nan Ming stopped.
He turned around.
Confusion flashed across his eyes.
It seemed he couldn't understand why his son had stopped him.
"What is it?"
"If it's not important, I have something to do."
"We'll talk after I come back."
Nan Yu immediately grabbed his arm.
"Dad."
"Where are you going?"
"Are you going to open the emergency hatch?"
Their starship had two exits.
One was the main hatch.
Nan Ming would obviously never open that one.
The other...
Was a much smaller hatch beside it.
It was intended solely for emergency evacuation.
To save time during emergencies, its mechanism had been designed to be extremely simple.
It could be operated either automatically or manually.
Yet the moment Nan Ming reached the hatch...
Nan Yu firmly grabbed his arm.
"Dad!"
"What are you doing?"
"You know you can't go outside right now!"
Nan Ming turned to him.
His expression looked genuinely puzzled.
"What's wrong?"
"Why can't I go out?"
"Du Ying just thinks it's been a long time since we've seen each other."
"He simply wants me to go outside and have something to eat and drink with him."
"We'll stay right beside the ship."
"There's nothing to worry about."
Nan Yu stared at him.
It was as though his father had become a completely different person.
He looked toward Yu Lanfeng.
"What do you think?"
"How likely is it that Dad has been hypnotized or mentally controlled?"
"And who did it?"
Yu Lanfeng answered immediately.
"It should be Du Ying's people."
"I'm ninety percent certain."
Nan Yu nodded.
"I think so too."
"Besides him..."
"There really isn't anyone else."
"But after Dad told the bridge crew to close the communication screen..."
"We have no idea what they discussed afterward."
"If we knew what was said..."
"We might be able to stop Dad from continuing this foolishness."
Nan Yu knew he couldn't physically stop Nan Ming.
But throughout his life...
Nan Ming had never once hurt him.
So Nan Yu simply held tightly onto his arm.
It had become such a deeply ingrained habit...
That he never imagined Nan Ming would actually use force.
Without hesitation...
Nan Ming shook off the hand gripping his arm...
Turned around...
And continued walking toward the hatch.
Nan Yu had never expected his father to push him away.
Caught completely off guard...
He stumbled backward.
Although Nan Ming hadn't used much strength...
Nan Yu still lost his balance.
Fortunately...
Yu Lanfeng happened to be standing directly behind him.
Just in time...
He caught him.