Chapter 8

Because she was too hungry and couldn’t wait to go back to the school cafeteria for a free meal, Yuan Hanshuang had no choice but to go to the dark street supermarket on the corner and buy a bunch of cheap clearance items that were about to expire in just over ten days.

After leaving the supermarket with her shopping bag, she poured the nutritional supplements into her mouth as she walked.

After drinking three bottles in a row, Yuan Hanshuang finally felt some relief in her hungry stomach, no longer in excruciating pain like before.

When a person is extremely hungry, they feel like they could starve to death at any moment, but after eating enough, they quickly regain energy. For example, Yuan Hanshuang was now considering whether to turn back to the combat gym and earn some extra money by fighting a few more matches.

However, after hesitating for a few seconds, she decided to give up.

“Forget it, I’d better go home first.”

Perhaps it was because the first resonance battle had consumed too much of her energy, she rarely felt tired.

Perhaps it was due to the excessive consumption of her first resonance battle, she rarely felt tired.

Yuan Hanshuang just wanted to go home and sleep until noon, then rush to the school cafeteria for a free meal, followed by her practical training classes in the afternoon.

Carrying her shopping bag, she headed towards the exit.

At that moment, Yuan Hanshuang realized that something was amiss. Many people around her seemed to have received some news and were leaving the buildings on both sides of the dark street, hastily heading towards the exit.

“What’s going on? Why are so many people suddenly leaving the dark street?”

“Don’t you know?”

Someone in the elevator turned to look at her. “Someone on the Star Net just released a message. The Third Legion of the Empire is here to capture interstellar fugitives.”

He displayed his Star Net screen.

The holographic news anchor on the floating screen softly reported, “Attention residents of 1987 to 1999 stars, the Empire’s dangerous fugitives may have fled to nearby star systems… If you have seen individuals with the following appearance, please contact us immediately. A reward of up to one million star coins will be given for providing accurate information… The Third Legion of the Empire has already arrived at their destination, ensuring the safety of the citizens.”

Hearing the reward of one million star coins, Yuan Hanshuang, standing amidst the crowd, also took a glance.

The row of fugitives looked fierce and none of them looked familiar.

“They sent a legion just to capture fugitives? It must be high-level fugitives.”

Onlookers were shocked. “I remember when they were trying to capture Haidongqing ten years ago, they also deployed a legion. Haidongqing was a legitimate SSS-level fugitive, one of a kind in the entire interstellar realm. They sent three legions to capture him, and it was a hot topic on the Star Net for nearly half a year. In the end, they couldn’t catch him. I guess Haidongqing probably escaped to the Dark Star.”

“I’m not sure. Some people on the Star Net are saying that based on the Third Legion’s deployment, they are planning to establish a temporary military base near our 1999 star. They speculate that capturing the fugitives might just be a cover-up. It’s possible that there’s an infestation near our star domain. You know, this kind of information is generally not disclosed to us to avoid causing panic.”

“If the insects were organizing an infestation, would they bother giving us a heads-up?”

Another person scoffed, “In my opinion, although our 1999 star is under the Empire’s control, it’s closer to the Federation. Maybe the Empire wants to start a war with the Federation and sent the legion to deploy military forces in advance.”

“Are you talking nonsense? The military experts on the Star Net forums have already analyzed it. In recent years, the infestations have been fierce. They wouldn’t have time for infighting unless they want to destroy the country.”

“Well then, why would they be building a military base for? To set off fireworks?”

The two individuals started arguing, and Yuan Hanshuang couldn’t help but feel speechless.

“Ding.” The elevator reached the ground floor.

She was about to leave with her shopping bag when she saw a commotion up ahead.

“All Imperial citizens who left the dark street within the past fifteen minutes, please move to the right side and undergo security checks.”

“All Imperial citizens who left the dark street within the past fifteen minutes, please move to the right side and undergo security checks.”

“All Imperial citizens who left the dark street within the past fifteen minutes, please move to the right side and undergo security checks.”

The cold, mechanical female voice echoed through the street.

All the entrances and exits of the dark street were sealed off by the military, not a single one was missed. Everyone leaving the dark street had to undergo facial scanning, fingerprint detection, and iris screening.

Not far away, Imperial soldiers in silver-black military uniforms stepped down from floating vehicles. They had solemn expressions, and their waists were adorned with cold lightsaber handles and crystal core guns. Their military boots made a resounding impact on the ground, exuding a sense of oppression.

Each soldier was a talented individual and held a high rank. With just one glance, Yuan Hanshuang knew that she absolutely couldn’t beat them in her current state.

“Damn, so they really came to catch the fugitives?”

The person who had been arguing couldn’t help but exclaim, “The Empire’s legion is impressive. Even an ordinary soldier among them is of high rank. No wonder they treat the Federation like a pushover when they fight.”

“Come on.” The other person looked at him with disdain. “Back then, even with three legions, they couldn’t catch Haidongqing, who had betrayed and colluded with the insects. He betrayed all of humanity! I don’t understand why you’re so admiring of a wanted criminal. Is it a cult-like admiration for anti-human behavior?”

“You…!”

They continued to argue, and Yuan Hanshuang’s temples started to throb from the noise.

Thus, she quietly stepped back two steps while waiting in line, allowing the two bickering individuals to move ahead, and then she slowly caught up with the queue.

The subsequent security check proceeded calmly.

After dutifully completing the screening, Yuan Hanshuang left the area and hurried home to sleep.

Her father wouldn’t be home until evening, so she wouldn’t get caught for skipping class midway.

At 11:30 a.m. sharp, Yuan Hanshuang bounced off her bed like a spring. It took her twenty minutes to sprint to school, accelerating all the way, vaulting over the fence with ease, and heading straight for the cafeteria.

Due to the presence of cooked food, everyone in the Junior Academy was enthusiastic about meals.

Normally, as soon as class ended, the senior students would snatch up all the chicken legs, leaving nothing for the lower-level students.

Compared to the agility types in terms of speed, Yuan Hanshuang naturally couldn’t keep up. But Yuan Hanshuang had a trick up her sleeve.

For example, skipping class and arriving early to line up.

“Di-di-di—”

The bell for the end of class rang, causing the school building to tremble.

Yuan Hanshuang casually put down her chopsticks and admired the bustling crowd in the distance.

“Charge, brothers!”

The cafeteria in the Junior Academy was always bustling, and as soon as the bell rang, the talented individuals from various grades showcased their abilities.

For example, the senior student running at the front synchronized her Garden Big Orange Cat and transformed her eyes into vertical pupils. She gracefully leaped from the fourth floor of the school building, displaying agility and elegance. Even Yuan Hanshuang couldn’t help but applaud when she saw it.

Under this momentum, the limited supply of chicken legs was quickly snatched up within a few minutes.

As Yuan Hanshuang finished chewing her saucy chicken leg, the freshmen from the lower grades finally arrived.

Today was different from usual, and when the freshmen saw Yuan Hanshuang calmly sitting in the cafeteria eating, each of them looked as if they had seen a ghost. “Wow, Yuan Hanshuang is here!”

Hearing this name, the cafeteria fell silent, and everyone turned to look.

Being stared at by so many eyes, Yuan Hanshuang’s pace of gnawing on the chicken bone slowed down.

To be honest, being watched like this greatly affected her enjoyment of licking the sauce off her fingers.

Ke Junda hurriedly rushed over. “Boss Yuan, did you not come to class this morning?”

Yuan Hanshuang didn’t respond.

Ever since she pinned Young Master Gu to the ground and rubbed him, she had become the recognized leader among the freshmen. The other C-level freshman, Ke Junda, treated her like a boss and followed her like an avid fan.

Although they were jokingly referred to as the Chief and her Secretary, Yuan Hanshuang and Ke Junda’s interactions were limited to their previous fight, and they didn’t have much contact otherwise, so they weren’t close.

Ke Junda had a simple and honest personality, and he didn’t notice Yuan Hanshuang’s distance. “Principal Song suddenly came to look for the homeroom teacher this morning and specifically asked for you. But the homeroom teacher called out the names of the entire class and couldn’t find you.”

Having been blissfully evading responsibility for half a month, it was refreshing. However, when you walk the dark path, you’re bound to encounter ghosts.

Yuan Hanshuang felt a dull ache in her head. “What does the principal want with me?”

“I’m not sure.” Ke Junda shook his head. “But it must be something important because the principal couldn’t find you and went to the school broadcasting room… They broadcasted it throughout the school during every break, a total of ten times.”

No wonder everyone was looking at her like that.

Having received a school-wide broadcast, she was also considered a person of influence.

Yuan Hanshuang calmly spat out the chicken bone. “Alright, I understand.”

She put away her tray and left the cafeteria without looking back.

All eyes followed her departure, as if they were watching a soldier who was about to march to their death.

In this Junior Academy where everyone was well-behaved, a troublemaker like her was indeed rare.

After she left, the school resumed its lively atmosphere.