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The LR236 planet was an ordinary residential planet on the Empire’s border, located close to the frontier where the 823 Incident had resulted in a disastrous defeat. However, it had been fortunate enough to escape the devastation caused by the Zerg. After the incident, the planet faded from public attention once again.
Now, with war erupting between the Empire and the Federation, the residents of all border planets were in a state of panic. Those who had the means had already migrated to inner planets, while those who couldn’t afford to leave could only remain and pray that the flames of war would not reach them.
Xi Ming intended to take control of this planet, so he had gathered extensive information about it in advance. For example, the planet’s administrative executive, due to his connections with the higher-ups, had already relocated to a relatively safe central planet. Additionally, the commander of the stationed military forces, who had been promoted by the executive, was also planning to move his entire family to the Empire’s inner regions to escape the war.
However, there was one problem that needed to be addressed before Xi Ming could develop his power—his appearance.
Xi Ming’s face was more famous than that of any interstellar superstar. The moment he appeared in public with his original face, he would draw attention away from the battlefield and onto himself.
If that happened, he would likely be discovered and targeted by the Empire before he could even establish his foothold.
Looking at Shi Chan, Xi Ming knew he had a way to solve this issue. “I need to change my appearance.”
Shi Chan understood Xi Ming’s concerns immediately. He smiled, eyes curving, and raised a hand to touch Xi Ming’s face. “We’ll prepare on both fronts—I’ll use spiritual power to alter your facial features, and you can further conceal yourself with special materials.”
Xi Ming nodded in agreement.
Liang Yongqing had gained a new assistant—a young man with delicate features. The man rarely spoke, yet he efficiently managed their daily lives, training, and study schedules, keeping everything in perfect order.
This young man was Luo Liang, now recovered from his injuries. Once the most capable aide of the Sixth Prince, Luo Liang was skilled in handling affairs, significantly easing Liang Yongqing’s workload.
Over the past month, Xi Ming and his team had been conducting real-world mech combat training for the Jugu warriors. Thanks to their background in ancient martial arts, the Jugu people had exceptional physical coordination and control, allowing them to progress rapidly in mech piloting.
After a month of intense training, Xi Ming took them to various gray zones to engage in real battles, helping them develop their combat instincts and gain experience in facing real opponents.
While the others focused on honing their combat skills, Xi Ming had been busy expanding his influence. In just three months, he had infiltrated the underworld of LR236, recruiting local residents struggling to survive. His organization had grown into a formidable force.
The group, known as “Stellar,” used LR236 as its base and quickly expanded outward.
When they first arrived, Xi Ming and his team had only a single small, untraceable starship. Now, after months of effort, they had secured a medium-sized starship port, three modified mid-sized battleships with enhanced firepower, and over a dozen smaller ships specialized for different purposes.
Though complete control over LR236 required the right opportunity, Xi Ming reviewed his collected intelligence and future projections, tapping his fingers on the table before making a decision.
“We’re not going to our usual spot today.” As all eyes turned to him, he continued, “We’re heading to the Lima Starfield. A shipment of valuable resources from the capital’s Bai family will arrive there in three days. We’ll intercept it before the pirate crews can get to it.”
In his past life, Bai Wen had leaked information about this shipment to the Red Rose Ghost Pirate Crew. Bai Wen had also sabotaged the escorting fleet, rendering it defenseless. As a result, the pirates had seized everything, inflicting a heavy loss on the Bai family.
Bai Wen was a Federal spy embedded within the Empire. Currently, he was still in the Imperial capital, thriving in elite circles and using his relationships to steal state secrets for the Federation and various pirate groups hostile to the Empire.
Since Xi Ming now had advance knowledge of the event, he wouldn’t let such a golden opportunity slip away. Moreover, it was the Red Rose Ghost Pirates who had ambushed them in his past life, causing them to fall into the wormhole. This heist was just the beginning of his revenge.
None of his subordinates questioned how Xi Ming had obtained the information. His actions in recent months had already proven his reliability and capability. Their job was to follow his lead.
After finalizing the plan, everyone left the room, leaving Xi Ming alone with Shi Chan. Looking at him, Xi Ming spoke, “Chan Chan, in half a month, we’ll receive our first patient suffering from cosmic radiation.”
Shi Chan was aware of this case. Hearing Xi Ming’s words, he looked up. “You’ve contacted him?”
“Yes. He’s hesitant, but in half a month, he’ll come.” Xi Ming’s voice was firm. While expanding his influence was essential, true stability in the coming war required access to weapons.
This patient was Xi Ming’s key to military power—Huo Mengming, the top underground arms manufacturer in the Empire.
Eight years ago, Huo Mengming had been exposed to cosmic radiation during a battle over resources. Though he had managed to stay active for years, the radiation had been deteriorating his body at an accelerated rate. According to Xi Ming’s past life memories, in just over ten days, Huo Mengming would die from radiation poisoning.
Now, with the promise of a cure, Huo Mengming would have no choice but to take a chance.
When he had died in his past life, his vast empire—thousands of private weapons manufacturing planets and tens of thousands of underground factories—had been divided among his subordinates, enemies, pirate groups, and both the Empire and Federation. The Empire had benefited the most, securing a temporary advantage in the war.
Of course, the corrupt Empire still eventually collapsed.
Xi Ming wasn’t only targeting Huo Mengming for his influence in arms dealing but also because he had no strong loyalty to the Empire. His business itself was a direct threat to Imperial interests.
Besides Huo Mengming, Xi Ming planned to recruit ex-mecha soldiers affected by cosmic radiation.
Only the best mecha warriors were sent to deep-space combat in both the Empire and the Federation. However, once they suffered radiation exposure, they were permanently banned from piloting mechas. The radiation not only harmed their bodies and minds but also interfered with mecha control systems.
If Xi Ming could gather these discarded elites, he wouldn’t even need to invest in training—he could form a top-tier mecha fleet overnight.
However, most mecha warriors had strong nationalistic ties, making recruitment difficult. His best chance lay in finding those who had been mistreated by the military after their retirement.
With the Empire’s corruption, such cases were bound to be common.
The Red Rose Ghost Pirates arrived at the Lima Starfield, only to find wreckage floating in space. The entire shipment had vanished without a trace.
In the Empire, wealth was concentrated in the hands of a few—royalty, top officials, first-class families of the capital, and influential figures in the underworld.
The Bai family had spent five years amassing this shipment, intending to trade it for power within the Empire. Now, everything was in Xi Ming’s hands.
Although the cargo wasn’t large in volume, it contained precious resources worth more than entire fleets of standard shipments—materials that could enhance the performance of multiple mech legions.
“We’re rich! This is huge!” Liang Yongqing exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement as he examined the valuable loot.
While the crew celebrated, Xi Ming returned to his quarters. Exhausted from orchestrating every detail of the operation, he hadn’t slept in two days. Shi Chan pushed him onto the bed and used his spiritual energy to help him relax.
“Don’t overwork yourself,” Shi Chan murmured.
“Mm.” Xi Ming pulled Shi Chan into his arms.
As he held him close, he whispered, “Chan Chan, I think it’s time I started learning ancient martial arts.”
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Sia[Translator]
Hi, I'm Sia! Your go-to translator for thrilling tales, happy endings, and perpetual page-turning ^_^.