Sword Shatters Stars

Chapter 163 + Chapter 164 (Morning and Evening Chapters Combined) It was supposedly a family dinner.
"What are Zhao Zongshan and Qin Yong anyway! If they're not going to help, they're not going to help! Why are they lying to us like this!"

"It's no big deal! If we say a few nice words, the transport team will be willing to help out!"

The capricious man was furious. He never dreamed that Qin Yong, who seemed so harmless and reliable, would do such outrageous things!
Just as he was cursing, Zhao Youyue came over.

"Look how affectionately you call him 'senior brother,' but what good is it? He's just playing us!" she retorted sarcastically.

"When Qin Yong comes next time, I'm going to beat him up!"

Fang Yuan remained silent, pondering the reason. Such an illogical situation had very limited explanations.

Zhao Youyue had anticipated that the impulsive act would cause trouble before she arrived, and after considering it, she speculated:
"This doesn't make sense. After thinking it over, there's only one reasonable explanation:"

“My uncle or Qin Yong already knew who Lin Xiufeng’s enemy was. The initial promise of a year was just a bargaining chip, in case Lin Xiufeng found out and sought revenge.”

He said sarcastically, "The deputy commander is quite good at making excuses for them, but even if his explanation holds true, it's still the work of those two bastards!"

"That's going too far. After all, he's the deputy commander's uncle. He's in a position to do his job, and using what others want to get them to do things is just how he manages people. There's no need to escalate it to his character."

Fang Yuan's reminder was met with a willful snort.

"Yes, yes, what an amazing way to manage people. I never thought that I was a human being too."

Zhao Youyue didn't want to engage in a pointless and willful argument, so she looked at Lin Xiufeng and said:

"We'll wait for Qin Yong to come back so we can confront him face to face! In the meantime, we'll try to find out more from people who entered the Heavenly Martial Realm two years ago and have relevant work experience."

"Alright then." Lin Xiufeng thought that this was the only option for now. He also really wanted to figure out why Qin Yong had lied to him.

Originally, it shouldn't have been done, nor was it necessary.

After discussing it, Zhao Youyue, seeing that Lin Qiru wasn't there, said to Renxing:

"In a few days, it will be the first anniversary of Lin Qiru's entry into the Heavenly Martial Realm. I'm planning to celebrate it for her."

Still angry, Renxing was surprised to hear this and thought Zhao Youyue remembered it, so she said:

"I'm going to find her. She's a great contributor; we've already treated her unfairly, so we have to make the best of it!"

"I'll do my best, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!" Zhao Youyue promised with a smile, and went off to get busy.

Feeling down, I haven't been in the mood to look for mutated fish around Lonely King Volcano lately, so I decided to stay at Mirror Lake for two more days.

Not long after, Qin Yong suddenly arrived in the Central City, alone.

Zhao Youyue suppressed her emotions and greeted them with the same enthusiasm as always.

Seeing that Qin Yong was drinking tea and chatting for a few minutes without asking about Lin Qiru, Zhao Youyue couldn't help but smile and say:

"Why didn't you ask about Xiaoru this time? Has Senior Brother fallen for someone else?"

"Master wants you and Lin Xiufeng to go to Lonely King Volcano." Qin Yong paused, then added:
“There are many things that Master is prepared to say to you frankly and openly, all at once.”

"Speaking of being open and honest, I have something I'd like to ask you, senior brother—"

Zhao Youyue guessed that Qin Yong knew what was going on, and sure enough, before she could ask, Qin Yong took the initiative to say:
"Just as my junior sister guessed, my master and I already knew who Lin Xiufeng's enemy was, but we couldn't reveal it for some reason."

"On this trip to Guwang Volcano, you'll find the answers to everything you want to know. There's no exaggeration!"

Zhao Youyue realized that her uncle and Qin Yong were well-prepared.

What exactly is the reason?

Zhao Youyue's curiosity was piqued, but Qin Yong refused to reveal anything beforehand.

When Fang Yuan learned that the two had gone out, he chased after them and said, "I happen to be free, so I'll keep you company."

Qin Yong replied, "Master said it's a family dinner."

Zhao Youyue was overjoyed. Did this mean that Zhao Zongshan had acknowledged Lin Xiufeng?

So, along the way, Zhao Youyue happily speculated that her uncle was indeed hiding Lin Xiufeng's enemy in order to use him as a tool.

After seeing them leave, Fang Yuan went straight to Huanshan Jinghu, found Ren Xing and Lin Qiru, and told them what had happened.

"Perhaps I'm overthinking it, but I always feel that Zhao Zongshan's sudden decision to treat the group leader to a family dinner is a bit abrupt."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go together. If we can't attend the family dinner, we can stay outside! Can't we stay outside?"

After learning that Qin Yong had lied about asking for a favor, Renxing lost all trust in Zhao Zongshan.

"There shouldn't be any danger, right?" Lin Qiru said with a speculative look. "They'll probably just talk about the fake news in person. We'll just wait for them to come back."

"Since we're going to wait anyway, we might as well go over there. At worst, we won't show our faces. If something happens, at least we can provide timely support."

Renxing was still worried, but he also felt that Lin Qiru made sense. It was a family banquet, and they insisted on going there as if they were going to fight.

What is the relationship between Zhao Youyue and Zhao Zongshan?
Should we get them involved?
"If you're really worried, I'll go. I'm fast on foot. You guys just wait for news at the base."

Lin Qiru volunteered and then packed up to leave.

"It's okay, we can stay with you..."

Before she could finish her impulsive words, Lin Qiru had already jumped into Mirror Lake, and her clone emerged from the water.

Being willful always felt a bit strange, Fang Yuan pondered and said:
"Did you notice? Lin Qiru said that when she went there, she took out a small bag but didn't put anything in it."

With a puzzled look, Renxing asked, "Why?"

"It's as if they've been prepared for a long time and are ready to set off at any time."

Fang Yuan had already suspected that Lin Qiru had not returned to the base even once after the battle that wiped out Fantian.

"...What are you waiting for? Let's go!"

Renxing thought of how Lin Qiru had repeatedly inquired about news of Lin Xiufeng's enemies and had even asked him to inform her immediately if he had any news.

However, Renxing really couldn't understand the strange situation before him!
"What happened?!"

"We'll find out when we get there." Fang Yuan already had many guesses in his mind, and the clues he had at this moment were more than enough for him.

However, saying it now would be of no use, or rather, his guesses were simply—something that could never be said!
The rainy year continues.

Many parts of the Dream Continent have been submerged by water.

In many other places, even low hills have become underwater scenes.

No one knows how long the rainy years in Dreamland will last, because Dreamland's history is too short.

The carriage, pulled by two mutated Heavenly Martial Realm horses, sped along the higher ground.

These roads are paths of experience traversed by many people.

The carriage wasn't as fast as the Heavenly Warriors, but it was more comfortable.

Sitting on the soft cushions brought in from the Blue Star, I looked through the carriage window and saw crowds flashing past on the road, each wearing a large raincoat and various kinds of straw hats.

Qin Yong poured some more wine, drank it, and stared silently out the window.

Lin Xiufeng was also looking out the car window. He had been thinking too much and for too long, and he needed to clear his mind like this.

When it's difficult to determine the answer to something.

If you've either not found the right angle or there aren't enough clues, then you should clear your mind, change your perspective, and look for more clues.

Lin Xiufeng has never liked to actively seek out bloody, violent, or dark information since he was a child, firstly because it is too far removed from his life, and secondly because he prefers positive and beautiful content.

Since entering the Heavenly Martial Realm, he realized that his past mental preparations were simply insufficient. Lin Xiufeng remained silent the entire way, while Zhao Youyue, full of anticipation and believing that the family banquet represented her uncle's approval of Lin Xiufeng, always took the initiative to start conversations.

However, it was discovered that Qin Yong was not as talkative as he used to be.

"My senior brother has suddenly become silent; the change is a bit too abrupt."

"Something's happened on Tianlan Star." Qin Yong closed the car window, watching Zhao Youyue's surprise turn into worry, and said, "We're almost there, let's wait for Master to tell us."

What happened to Tianlan Star?
Both Zhao Youyue and Lin Xiufeng cared deeply, but their feelings were quite different.

Is there a problem with the environment of Tianlan Star?
No, if that's the case, why is it a family dinner?
That is……

What happened to your relatives or friends?
Zhao Youyue and Lin Xiufeng walked through the base, appearing calm on the surface, but in reality, they were both terrified and uneasy.

Lin Xiufeng didn't know if it was his enemy who had hurt his family again...

Zhao Youyue, however, had no idea whether something had happened to a relative...

We crossed the base, traversed the blood-red sea, and headed straight for the Lone King Volcano Base.

Qin Yong led the way, with Zhao Youyue and Lin Xiufeng walking side by side, holding hands as they followed.

As they approached Zhao Zongshan's residence, Lin Xiufeng and Zhao Youyue realized that there were quite a few people.

A group of Heavenly Warriors, though quite a distance from the headquarters' residence, formed a tight perimeter around it.

Lin Xiufeng then recalled that the number of people patrolling the sea was much greater than the last time he came from the base.

What are they guarding against?
Qin Yong knocked on the door and said, "Junior Sister and Lin Xiufeng are here."

"Let them in," Zhao Zongshan's voice came from inside.

Zhao Youyue sensed that her uncle's voice sounded heavy, and she immediately had a worse premonition.

So he couldn't wait to push the door open and go in. Qin Yong didn't go in, but closed the door and stepped back a little, but stood closer to the other guards here.

Passing through the entrance hall, you enter the living room.

The candlelight illuminated a patch of orange.

Zhao Zongshan sat at the dining table and gestured for the two to sit down.

There was a table full of food, but no one had an appetite.

"Uncle, what happened?"

Zhao Youyue arrived full of joy and anticipation, but now she only felt worried about her bad premonition.

Instead of answering, Zhao Zongshan asked, "How much do you know about Lin Qiru?"

Lin Xiufeng and Zhao Youyue looked at each other, never expecting the conversation to turn to her.

So Zhao Youyue told the truth:
"Lin Qiru is the twin sister of Lin Xiufei's high school classmate. She rarely talks about her own affairs, and we are used to not probing into each other's affairs."

"Uncle, what happened to Lin Qiru?"

"Could she have committed a crime on Tianlan Star? She doesn't seem like that."

"The Sky Blue Star Martial Corps issued an arrest warrant for her about a year ago, and it was only delivered during this shipment of supplies."

Zhao Zongshan's tone was calm, but Lin Xiufeng felt that he was trying his best to control his emotions and suppress them.

He was all too familiar with this state; it had been like this since he was a child, whenever his father, who should have been angry, forced himself to remain calm while talking to him.

"Lin Qiru? Committed a crime on Tianlan Star? To the point that he's wanted by the Tianwu Corps?"

Zhao Youyue was so shocked she almost stood up...

She wouldn't believe it if someone else said that!

But when Zhao Zongshan spoke, Zhao Youyue immediately remembered...

"After the battle to wipe out the enemy, Lin Qiru never returned to the base. Could it be that she knows—the next time Tianlan Star sends supplies, they will be carrying her wanted poster?"

“That’s only natural.” Zhao Zongshan already knew this, then asked, “Can you find her?”

"..." Zhao Youyue could not reveal the secret of Mirror Lake, so she could only shake her head.

Zhao Zongshan had taught her long ago that a person's value lies in their irreplaceable qualities.

Mirror Lake is her unique advantage in cultivating star points faster, which is her irreplaceable value in the long run.

Zhao Youyue was extremely shocked, unable to guess what Lin Qiru had done on Tianlan Star.

Lin Xiufeng said, "Lin Qiru said that she gained some insights from the battle with the Grand Commander. I guess the Grand Commander's anger touched her. After that, she went out to cultivate alone and never came back."

What bad things did Lin Qiru do?

Zhao Youyue still couldn't equate Lin Qiru with evil deeds.

"Let's talk about Lin Xiufeng's enemies first," Zhao Zongshan suddenly said, catching everyone off guard.

Lin Xiufeng said solemnly, "I would like to hear the details!"

He assumed that Zhao Zongshan already knew about their interception of the transport team, so there was no need to say anything more.

Zhao Zongshan raised his glass, and after the three of them finished their drinks, he began to speak slowly and deliberately:
"Your enemy was able to return to Tianlan Star because he had accumulated enough merit in the Tianwu Realm's other world. It's only natural that the Tianwu Group would protect and tolerate him."

"Qin Yong and I already knew more about your enemies than the transport team could find on Tianlan Star."

"Qian Shaoyong is just an unrelated person, but his death is not a pity. If you can take care of him, it will be a great achievement."

"My original plan was to send you to the dark alternate world to eliminate Qian Shaoyong, make merit, and then transfer you to a new alternate world as a branch manager or even the head of headquarters."

"Uncle just wants to separate us! He wasn't like this before, how can he ignore my wishes?"

Zhao Youyue confirmed her suspicions and was somewhat angry, feeling that her wishes were being disrespected.

Zhao Zongshan looked at Zhao Youyue and said:

"My original plan was to wait until you were both more mature and your relationship could withstand the test of time apart before you could reunite."

"Unfortunately, it didn't go as planned."

Zhao Youyue didn't know what to say next, and she certainly didn't want to interrupt her uncle's conversation about Lin Xiufeng's enemies.

Zhao Zongshan continued speaking to himself:

"Lin Xiufeng, your enemy's own sister, who was born of the same mother, has encountered a madman who is seeking revenge on society. Her organs have been damaged and she urgently needs a replacement. If it is delayed, she will be beyond saving."

"So we used the special privileges of the Heavenly Warriors to find out which organ your mother had replaced during the surgery, and all the indicators matched perfectly."

"The answer is self-evident: between saving your own sister and killing a stranger."

Lin Xiufeng suppressed the turmoil in his heart, but unusually calmly replied.

"Yes, if it were me, I probably would have done the same."

Zhao Youyue suddenly looked puzzled...

Zhao Zongshan nodded and said approvingly, "Lin Xiufeng, you are much more mature now. You can put yourself in others' shoes and understand them, which will reduce unnecessary resentment."

"Thank you for the compliment, Minister Zhao." Lin Xiufeng glanced at Zhao Youyue, noticing her puzzled expression, and a hint of unease flashed in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)