Star Hunter.

Chapter 292 Another brat you dare not mess with

A gift to mark our meeting?

Seeing the gray cat's eager expression, Xilin smiled and asked, "What do you want to do?"

Many nobles like to portray themselves as elegant, but beneath that polished exterior, some are more filthy than a public garbage dump. Like some of the people who just spoke.

Therefore, Xilin did not stop the gray cat's retaliatory actions.

On some starships and spacecraft heading to the wedding, many people were still talking. In order to show off their influence in this circle, many people started video calls with each other before they even met. They chatted and laughed in a familiar tone, and the topic quickly changed from belittling Xilin's "tiny" and "shabby" spacecraft to the people and gifts they brought this time.

However, as they talked and laughed, they noticed the image on the screen began to blur. Soon after, the video became clear again, but it was no longer the other person's image; instead, it showed a different scene—two elephants engaged in primal, impulsive activity on a vast grassland…

For a moment, the surrounding spacecraft and starships were completely silent.

Not only these people, but even Xilin, who was sitting inside the aircraft, twitched for a long time after seeing this image.

"Where did you get these films?" Xilin asked, pinching the gray cat's ear. He really couldn't tell that this cat was so lewd; it had already learned how to hide films.

The gray cat said smugly, "I got it from King Kong! That guy was trying to hide it from everyone!"

"Then why didn't you bring out two gorillas instead of two elephants?"

"It's not good to let the gorilla out. King Kong would be ashamed if he knew."

Still shy... They even hid so many films, and they're all different species. The animals in the first appendix aren't exactly well-behaved either.

The nobles on the starship were furious, their faces turning ashen with rage. Clearly, someone had hacked into their starship's network and signal reception systems, yet no one had noticed or received a warning. Normally, they would have been enraged, but this place was near the wedding venue, and everyone was on high alert. Therefore, any investigation could only be conducted discreetly; they dared not speak out.

It would be too embarrassing to say it out loud. Would you go around asking everyone, "Hey, do you have any elephants?" That would completely ruin the dignity of the aristocracy.

The patrol fleet stationed on the planet's perimeter did not detect anything unusual, as the Gray Cats were not targeting them, and the patrols continued to carry out their missions. Meanwhile, the ceremonial team was already waiting at the spaceport.

If the starships and spacecraft need to be left at the spaceport, the reception staff will arrange everything and then dispatch a spacecraft to transport them to the planet. If guests wish to fly directly into the planet, they will be provided with a map indicating the docking points. Additionally, dedicated guides will be on hand to navigate the way.

Many nobles who bring large armies do not bring all their troops with them when they enter a planet. They do this for two reasons: one is for safety, and the other is to create a show of force and flaunt their family's wealth and resources.

  

To enter a planet, you definitely need identification. For fleets with large numbers of people, the reception staff on the perimeter just make a token video call and say a few words before letting them through. But for someone like Xilin, who is piloting alone and doesn't have any special noble insignia, the checks are definitely more rigorous.

The protocol team at the spaceport had already given a fairly polite instruction: to have Xilin park the spacecraft there. There, specialists would meet them and check their access cards and invitations.

Following the instructions displayed on the received signal, Xilin piloted his spacecraft toward the spaceport. He had nothing to worry about; he had the pass and invitation, and even without a noble background, these people wouldn't make things difficult for him.

Flying through a passageway opened in the spaceport, Xilin landed the spacecraft and opened the hatch. Personnel were already waiting nearby. The higher the rank of the noble, the more they understood the importance of etiquette. Even these seemingly trivial matters were not overlooked.

Therefore, the reception staff did not show any disdain or contempt towards Xilin, who did not have any noble insignia during the identity verification process. They maintained their smiling demeanor.

"Hello, Mr. Xilin, is that right? I am Redo, the person in charge of receiving you here sent by the Lor family. It's a pleasure to have you here." The impeccably dressed middle-aged man who approached us gave a polite greeting.

The Lor family, the family of Ulagano's cousin, is considered a member of the upper nobility. Although they are not as powerful as the military giants like Teita's family, nor as wealthy as Naimi's family who made their fortune by building flying cars, the Lor family still has considerable influence in the business world. They have a wide reach and a large network of relationships. Otherwise, the Gleason family would not have agreed to this marriage and would not have made such a grand spectacle of it.

"Hello." Xilin didn't say much, but took out the invitation and pass card. If he didn't take the initiative, this person would have to beat around the bush and say a lot more.

He reached out and took the invitation and access card, placing them on the nearby device for verification. However, when he saw a small pattern displayed on the device while scanning the access card, Redo's smile became more genuine and heartfelt.

After verifying the documents, Redo returned the invitation and pass to Sirin with both hands, bowing more deeply as he said, "Thank you for coming!"

Xilin accepted the invitation and pass, and asked what else needed to be checked. Redo smiled and shook his head, then took out a map projector and personally explained the flight route after entering the planet to Xilin.

The person who can receive guests here is not an ordinary servant. It can be said that Redo is definitely a confidant of the Lor family. After all, if such a matter is not handled well, it will make enemies of the Lor family. In this process, it is inevitable to face many nobles. Being able to recognize the faces of these nobles means that he must be frequently seen among them. Therefore, even if this person does not hold a large position in the Lor family, he is by no means insignificant.

Actually, after checking the invitation and pass, they would also need to record the identity and verify it again. Since those coming here wouldn't be high-ranking nobles, they wouldn't be afraid of being criticized for a few extra checks. But after Xilin questioned him, Redo decisively shook his head.

The pass in Xilin's possession contained a joint emblem of the Lor and Gleason families, which would only appear when the machine scanned the pass. Although many passes were distributed at the wedding, and they all appeared identical, they were not. The passes that reached Ulagano were all stamped with high-level emblems by the Gleason and Lor families, signifying high-level treatment.

It's no wonder Redo reacted this way upon seeing the pattern. In fact, Redo himself was surprised; he couldn't believe that someone without noble status, piloting a small flying vehicle, would receive such a high-level pass.

Seeing Redo's behavior, Xilin knew there must be a secret behind it, but he didn't care to pry. After Redo said there was nothing else, Xilin returned to his spacecraft and piloted it away from the spaceport to the planet.

After Sirin piloted away in his aircraft, Redo immediately contacted his master—the father of the groom at the wedding, a key figure in the Lor family.

After Redo told him about Xilin, this key figure in the Lor family remained silent for a while before asking Redo to tell him about the information and serial number of the aircraft scan.

Redo reported the scanned serial number and several other data items, and quietly waited for further instructions from the other party.

"It's this..." The other person's voice was filled with surprise.

The serial numbers on some spacecraft and starships are not as simple as they seem. They contain hidden sequences, and these hidden serial numbers reflect coded character information. Only those who understand the meaning of these characters can know what they contain.

The people behind the spacecraft and starships with hidden sequences are all influential figures in the Empire.

Having learned all this, the other party was very satisfied with Redo's subsequent actions, which is why he sent Redo to the spaceport to be in charge of etiquette and reception.

On the other side, following Redo's instructions and with the guidance of a navigation drone sent by Redo, Xilin successfully parked the aircraft at the designated location, which was very close to the main venue of the wedding.

The surroundings were decorated in a romantic style, creating a wonderful atmosphere with the music playing.

Refusing further guidance from the navigator, Xilin took out his communicator and contacted Yuan Xingming.

"Xilin, you're here?!" On the screen, Yuan Xingming was holding a glass of wine, seemingly doing something. He must have seen Xilin's call and moved to another location before answering.

Xilin pointed to his face. "Looks like you guys are doing pretty well here."

There was a fresh lip print on Yuan Xingming's face, it was unknown which young lady had put it there.

Yuan Xingming chuckled and wiped the lipstick mark off his face. "Hey. Same old story, nothing new."

That being said, just by looking at Yuan Xingming's sly grin, you could tell these guys were having a blast.

"Where are you? We're at..." Yuan Xingming reported a location and sent a location icon to Xilin, because Yuan Xingming couldn't locate Xilin's communicator. A communicator sent by Guan Dao wasn't so easy to locate.

"I just arrived. You guys have fun first, I'll wander around for a bit and then come over," Xilin said.

There was a bunch of noble young masters and ladies crowding around Yuan Xingming's place. Although Yuan Xingming managed to find a moment to answer a call, someone was already urging him to hurry over.

"Then hurry up! Gaga and Peter are here. It's more fun with lots of people. Relationships are built through playing together. Didn't your second grandfather tell you to meet more people? Come here, I'll introduce you to some good guys. Of course, I won't be stingy with the pretty girls, hehe..."

"Okay, you go ahead and have fun, I'll look around for a bit and then come find you guys."

"Okay, hurry up, or there won't be any pretty girls left!"

Someone was urging Yuan Xingming again, so Yuan Xingming stopped talking to Xilin, chuckled and cursed a couple of times before disconnecting and going back to having fun.

After disconnecting from the communication, Xilin looked around. This planet was indeed a good natural scenic spot. It was clear that the Lor family had invested a lot of money to maintain the natural appearance of the planet and carry out induced improvements.

Flying vehicles occasionally flew across the sky. Many noble children brought their flying vehicles on large aircraft or starships, but Xilin did not. Instead, he took out a flying glider, which he made himself. He preferred the glider's freedom and convenience to the flying vehicle.

Without a windproof mask, Xilin soared into the sky on the glider. Gray Cat clung tightly to Xilin's shoulder, the wind whipping its fur into a ruffled mess, but the feeling was exhilarating, and Gray Cat loved it. After that experience flying on the back of the giant eagle Mercury, Gray Cat had dreamt of growing wings several times, so it increasingly cherished the feeling of flying; it couldn't experience such thrills on the flying vehicle.

"Wait!" The gray cat raised its paw and slapped Xilin hard.

"What's wrong?" Xilin slowed down his gliding speed.

"...The taste of the food..." the gray cat murmured, savoring the memory.

Because this area is close to the main wedding venue, buffet tables are set up in this area for guests to enjoy. Many people go there to replenish their food after playing around in the area.

Sure enough. Even the most beautiful dream of wings can't resist the temptation of food, can it?

Xilin changed his original flight route and flew towards the nearest buffet restaurant marked on the map he had obtained when he arrived.

Actually, this map isn't necessary; you can find out the exact location just by the gray cat talking to you.

The nearest buffet restaurant is actually a bit far from where Xilin is now, and the gray cat's nose is indeed much more sensitive.

There were quite a few people at this buffet. However, there were relatively few young people; the older folks were all huddled together in a central area, having a great time.

Many people scoffed when they saw Xilin sliding down the slide. Luxury cars were parked all around, and it was no wonder Xilin attracted attention by riding on such a rudimentary contraption.

Xilin didn't care what others thought. He came to eat, not to get caught up in trouble.

After putting away the flying gadgets and washing his hands, Xilin also had the gray cat wash its paws. The gray cat, now with its paws clean, hopped onto an empty small table on its hind legs like a kangaroo, its round body bouncing as it jumped. Once seated, the gray cat rattled off a bunch of things, then waited for Xilin to bring it food. It wasn't very convenient for the cat to run to the self-service table to pick out food in public.

Even though there are service robots available, Gray Cat insists on not trusting the services of such a dim-witted robot. He asks Xilin to help him get some food.

Xilin took two plates and went over there, ignoring the curious glances around him. One plate was filled with seafood, while the other plate had a slightly wider variety of dishes.

As Xilin was selecting food, a voice sounded behind him: "Excuse me, are you Brother Xilin?"

Xilin turned around and looked over. Although the other person had changed a bit, Xilin still recognized him.

"Kiva Lunani?"

The girl standing opposite him was the same girl Xilin had met when he went to the Valenbato Secondary Education School to look for Chang Xiaosan and Chang Xiaosi. Compared to her memory, Lunani now resembled a pure aristocrat, both in her clothing and behavior. After all, there was a difference between inside and outside the school. Plus, after so long, the girl's features had matured, giving her a noble little princess air. Most importantly, this aristocratic young lady didn't discriminate against commoners. Xilin remembered that this girl had been quite interested in Chang Xiaosi back then; he wondered what had become of their relationship.

Lunan was delighted to hear Xilin call her name. She didn't know many people here, and even those she did know well. Her family was only considered a mid-level noble family, and compared to most of the nobles here, she didn't feel very confident standing here. If it weren't for her family's close business ties with the Lor family, they wouldn't have been invited here, especially not to this place so close to the main venue.

Lunan's father was talking to someone not far away. Because of business dealings, he knew quite a few people. Driven by profit, other nobles didn't care whether you were a middle-ranking noble or not. However, besides Lunan and her group, there were other middle-ranking nobles present; after all, the upper-class nobles didn't constitute the majority.

After telling her father, Lunan came over to chat with Xilin. She was happy to run into an acquaintance. However, Lunan's father wasn't pleased to see Xilin, since many people had seen him descend on that "rudimentary" zipline. His first impression immediately placed him on the list of people he shouldn't associate with. But since they were engrossed in their conversation, Lunan's father didn't stop her from going over and talking to Xilin.

After Lunan chose her food, she followed Xilin to the small table and sat down. The gray cat absentmindedly raised its paw to greet Lunan before focusing on eating the food on its plate.

Xilin asked about Chang Xiaosi and the others. From Lunani's words, Xilin learned that Chang Xiaosan and Chang Xiaosi had both entered a top-ranked advanced education school in the star region and were receiving quite good treatment. They were now considered celebrities at the school.

Xilin certainly believed in Chang Xiaosan and Chang Xiaosi's abilities, but he absolutely refused to believe that this wasn't due to Peter's manipulation. The more Xilin was involved in this circle, the more he understood the shady dealings involved. Without Peter's intervention, even if Chang Xiaosan and Chang Xiaosi were highly capable, they wouldn't have received such preferential treatment in such a short time.

Whenever Chang Xiaosan and Chang Xiaosi are mentioned, Lunan's eyes light up with a mixture of pride and shyness.

Besides Chang Xiaosan and Chang Xiaosi, Lunan also mentioned Chang Xiaowu. After treatment, Chang Xiaowu quickly showed his talent and is now studying at another school in that star field that is even better than the Balenbato Intermediate School. However, from Lunan's words, Xilin also deduced that Chang Xiaowu has traces of the Szel family behind him.

Perhaps Peter played a role in pushing Chang Xiaowu's matter, but it was mostly the Szel family who secretly helped. It seems that Fleka has high hopes for this little guy who is not even ten years old yet, and Xilin is absolutely confident that Chang Xiaowu will not disappoint Fleka.

Chang Xiaowu's talent is undeniable, and he's also Gray Cat's prized student—well, maybe half a prized student, if not a full one. Add to that Chang Xiaowu's early experiences, and he's better at seizing opportunities than others.

Chang Xiaosan, Chang Xiaosi, and Chang Xiaowu are all doing quite well, and the other children in the Chang family are also living good lives. Luna Ni visited once; Old Man Chang is getting more and more energetic, and the triplets have grown taller. With a large shop there and the planetary government secretly taking care of them, it would be strange if things weren't going well.

Xilin was listening to Lunani talk about the Chang family when he suddenly heard the gray cat next to him make a "poof" sound.

The gray cat, having just finished eating half a fish head, spat it out. It landed directly on a large piece of cake on a table not far in front of it. A child, who was about to reach for the cake with a fork, saw the half-eaten fish head on the cake, his mouth trembled, and he was about to cry. But when he looked up and saw the cat opposite him, instead of crying, he laughed, pulled the servant next to him, pointed at the gray cat, and said, "Look. There's a little leopard!"

"Young master, that's a cat."

"It's a leopard!"

"...Yes. It's a leopard."

The gray cat no longer cared that people mistook it for a leopard. It jumped onto Xilin's shoulder and whispered, "Look, it's that strange child!"

Xilin looked in the direction the gray cat pointed, and saw a group of people walking towards them, with a boy of about fourteen or fifteen years old at the front of the group.

It was indeed someone Xilin had met once before.

When Xilin left Old Man Chang's place and headed to the capital star system, he saw the boy in the luxury suite on the top floor of a hotel on a station planet through Gray Cat's surveillance.

At that time, the boy and his companions did not have any distinctive markings on their clothes, making it impossible to tell which noble they belonged to. But today, their clothes bear family crests.

They are members of the Gleason family.

"Look, it's Dodge, the young master of the Gleason family!"

"I didn't expect this young master to show up!"

"I've heard that young master Gleason wields considerable influence within the family..."

"real?!"

Blah blah blah...

Some people have already started thinking about trying to curry favor and build relationships.

So this is Gleeson Dodge.

Naimi once said, and now the entire upper class of the empire knows, that besides the people of the Emperor and the Three Kings, there are two other brats in the entire empire whom they dare not mess with: one is Yu Rong Teita, and the other is Gleason Dodge. Anyone who touches them will be in big trouble. There are precedents for this.

Teitashilin was familiar with him, but he didn't expect that the other kid Naimi mentioned who was not to be messed with would be this boy.

If Teita received special treatment from Old Master Yu Rong because of his age and special background, which led to a different attitude towards Teita from other members of the upper nobility, then why was this young man treated differently?

Both Grey Cat and Xilin were deeply impressed by the boy. The boy's keen intuition allowed him to detect Grey Cat's surveillance. It should be noted that very few people could detect Grey Cat's surveillance, and Gleason Dodge was only a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy.

Moreover, he can remain calm and composed even when faced with assassination attempts, which is indeed frightening. However, it's hard to explain why he would be considered a "little kid you wouldn't dare mess with," just like Teita.

Gleeson Dodge walked over from a distance with a group of men. The group's imposing presence forced others who wanted to go over and say hello to stop in their tracks.

For a mere fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy to possess such an aura, it's no wonder he can have influence within the vast Gleason family. Having influence means he can affect the Gleason family's attitudes on many matters, even major decisions.

Gleeson Dodge, one can't help but feel a sense of awe.

The surrounding area quieted down as the group of people approached, and the noise from several children tapping their spoons on the dishes was forcibly stopped by their parents.

Everyone knows about the two not-so-friendly kids, so they dare not mess with the young master with such a strong aura in front of them.

Ignoring everyone else, the group walked straight to the table with a "do not disturb" attitude. The people who were picking out food with their plates at the table quickly left, not daring to block the young master's way.

Gleeson Dodge, who had been leading a group of people and was planning to eat something before leaving, suddenly looked toward Sirin as if sensing something.

Gray Cat was whispering bad things about Dodge to Xilin when Dodge suddenly looked over. Gray Cat didn't back down and stared back with its round eyes.

Dodge frowned slightly. He had a sense of familiarity, but he had clearly never seen this pair before. If he had seen a cat like this before, he would never have forgotten it.

Why does this feeling of familiarity exist?

Seeing his young master's appearance, a guard leaned forward and asked in a low voice. Dodge shook his head and resumed eating the food the guard had prepared for him.

"So sensitive!" the gray cat snorted.

"I've told you so many times, that's called being perceptive!"

"Same meaning." The gray cat perched on Xilin's shoulder, swayed its tail, and then said, "There are four invisible men around."

Xilin, of course, noticed it too, which made him even more curious as to why Gleason Dodge was receiving such treatment and pomp, as if he were constantly on guard against assassination attempts…

Hmm? Assassination?

The first time I met Gleeson Dodge, it seemed like he had been assassinated.

That's really impressive.

Lunan was simply curious about the celebrity people were talking about, Gleason Dodge. This boy, not much older than her, possessed an aura far beyond his years, a feeling even her father had never given her. Like everyone else, Lunan watched Gleason Dodge with curiosity, oblivious to the conversation between Grey Cat and Sirin. Of course, even if she had, she wouldn't have heard their conversation.

Dodge and his group ate very quickly, but this speed did not deviate from the dining etiquette of the nobility, which made the people around them think more highly of the young man.

After finishing his meal, Dodge left with his men without speaking to anyone around him. However, as he left, Dodge glanced at Shilin and Grey Cat.

"Xilin, what did that kid mean by that last look? Did he already know that we were the ones monitoring him back then?" Gray Cat said uncertainly.

This kid is really something else! I knew it the first time I met him.