Starforce Warriors

The person who arrived was none other than Li Sheng, Director of the Military Guard Bureau. He had just returned from the City Lord's Office and had yet to step into his own office when he heard the commotion and stopped at the door.

When he saw the scene that had just unfolded, he waved his hand slightly. The armored guards of the Military Guard Bureau who had rushed over halted immediately, saluted him crisply, and retreated like a receding tide.

"My lord, this madman dared to commit violence within the Military Guard Bureau. He must not be let off!" Yue Changxing's nose was bruised and his face was swollen, but he struggled to his feet. He pointed at Li Xiaofei and loudly accused, "This Li Qingchen is simply too arrogant! He dared to strike someone inside the Military Guard Bureau and assaulted an official in broad daylight! If he dares to hit me today, he'll dare to hit you tomorrow. I now have reason to suspect that he's a demonic agent from Eden. He absolutely cannot be forgiven..."

But his voice gradually trailed off before he could go on. The look in Li Sheng's eyes held no sympathy or concern for him. Instead, there was a chilling coldness that was as sharp as a blade.

As the absolute leader of the Military Guard Bureau, and the wielder of an authority unmatched by any deputy director, even a single glance from Li Sheng was enough to make Yue Changxing tremble in fear.

When he saw Yue Changxing standing there as if frozen by a petrification spell, Hu Shuo grew even more frightened. He quickly stepped forward to explain, "I apologize, Director Li. Please don't be angry. There's been a misunderstanding here..."

Li Sheng's gaze briefly swept over Hu Shuo's face, but even that was enough to make Hu Shuo feel like a blade had been pressed against his throat. A shiver ran through Hu Shuo's heart.

He was also the head of a bureau; and to those unfamiliar with the system, a bureau chief might seem equal to another. But he knew well that his position as Director of the Internal Affairs Bureau was worlds apart from someone like Li Sheng, who commanded a violent military institution and was regarded as a confidant by City Lord Song Jinglun. It was as distant as heaven to earth.

If conflict ever arose between the two, Li Sheng would need only a single sentence to strip Hu Shuo of everything he had.

Therefore, Hu Shuo could only grit his teeth and apologize, "I truly apologize. There's been a misunderstanding here. Of course, it was Li Qingchen who committed a grave offense..."

As he spoke, he turned to Li Xiaofei and barked, "Well? Hurry up and get over here to apologize to Director Li!"

At the same time, Hu Shuo was frantically signaling Li Xiaofei with his eyes. He was trying to warn Li Xiaofei not to dig his own grave any further.

Li Xiaofei walked forward. He looked straight at Li Sheng, but said nothing. Their eyes met. The intensity in their gaze was like steel blades clashing in the air, creating invisible sparks too fierce for the naked eye to see.

"What are you standing there for?" asked Hu Shuo, growing anxious. "Apologize! Show some sincerity! You must satisfy Director Li today. Otherwise, no one will be able to save you!"

"Sincerity?" asked Li Xiaofei as he smiled faintly.

Suddenly, he turned and slapped Yue Changxing across the face again. Caught off guard, the latter spun in place like a ball of fat, half of his face swelling up like a bruised, overripe peach. He crashed heavily into the wall and let out a pig-like shriek of pain. The blow had nearly rendered him half-dead.

Li Xiaofei withdrew his hand and spat disdainfully. Chongque City served as the sole central hub that oversaw all hundred thousand base planets. The Four Divisions and Sixteen Bureaus were its core structure, and each bureau chief was expected to be the elite of the elite. They were heroes chosen for their strength, intellect and character.

But now? Forget about this pig-like Yue Changxing, even Hu Shuo left much to be desired. This left Li Xiaofei deeply disappointed. That single spit fully expressed his utter contempt.

Only then did he turn to look at Li Sheng and ask, "That's my sincerity. Are you satisfied?"

In that instant, Hu Shuo was completely dumbfounded. He felt like even his hair was standing on end from shock.

How can Li Qingchen dare to speak like that to the Director of the Military Guard Bureau? How can he possibly dare?

But to Hu Shuo's surprise, Li Sheng did not erupt in the thunderous fury he had imagined. Instead, he simply nodded slightly and said, "I already know what happened. I will give you an explanation. But remember, this is the first and last time you cause trouble in the Military Guard Bureau. If you still wish to challenge the authority of the Bureau with your personality, I won't hesitate to show you how that authority was forged."

"Alright then, I'll be waiting for your explanation," Li Xiaofei replied. "However, I also hope that parasites like Yue Changxing do not find a place in the Military Guard Bureau. If you truly wish to uphold its dignity, then you should start by investigating whether Director Yue has a clean record."

Hu Shuo stood silently to the side, wishing with all his heart that he could become a stone statue. He would be happy if he could quietly crack and crumble into pieces, disappearing without a trace.

"The affairs of the Military Guard Bureau are not something for outsiders to comment on," Li Sheng said indifferently. "As for you, I hope your report was not covering for negligence. If Earth No. 1818's evolution progress doesn't meet the standard within ten years, you will pay the price for your choices. You may leave."

But Li Xiaofei smiled slightly. "According to protocol, I need to requisition a batch of celestial jade, jade marrow, as well as weapons, cultivation techniques and energy spores."

These were all essential resources for facilitating the evolution of a base star's population. Although Li Sheng was clearly not pleased, he didn't deliberately create obstacles in such matters. He simply returned to his office and signed off on all the necessary approvals.

Hu Shuo didn't say a word throughout the entire process. When they had arrived, he had confidently walked ahead of Li Xiaofei, full of energy and self-assurance, acting like a host guiding and instructing him along the way.

But when they left the Military Guard Bureau, he followed Li Xiaofei cautiously, like an irrelevant escort. His mind was racing with questions, trying to understand why Li Sheng had been so tolerant and accommodating toward Li Xiaofei.

Could it be... An illegitimate son?!

A ridiculous thought suddenly surfaced in Hu Shuo's mind. After all, both of them shared the surname Li.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that Hu Shuo didn't even know how he had left the Military Guard Bureau. When they returned to the general zone, he looked at Li Xiaofei and said, "You were a bit reckless today."

"Hm?" Li Xiaofei turned to look at him.

Hu Shuo's heart trembled, and he quickly added, "Of course, Yue Changxing truly went too far. And his nephew Yue Buchen isn't any better. But still, there were better ways to handle it, you really didn't need to act on the spot like that. You have to understand, that was..."

Before he could finish—

"They're here," Li Xiaofei suddenly said.

"What?" Hu Shuo froze.

Suddenly, he sensed something off; the surroundings had gone unusually quiet. The street should have been bustling with pedestrians at this hour. But for some unknown reason, the street they were on was now completely deserted. The shops on both sides had, at some point, quietly shut their doors and ceased operations.

A sudden wave of danger surged through Hu Shuo's heart. He realized something was truly about to happen.

Clang, clang, clang.

The sound of weapons striking together came from all directions. It was neat and rhythmic, as if an army of thousands was closing in from every side.

Moments later, power armors, small-scale mechs, individual flying bikes, hoverboards, and other aerial vehicles appeared, blotting out the heavens like a swarm of locusts. Hundreds of figures began to emerge slowly from both ends of the street. They were like a black tide surging menacingly toward Li Xiaofei and Hu Shuo.

They held swords, blades, and firearms, which they banged together, producing a sharp, synchronized metallic ringing that echoed through the street. They wore mocking smiles as they stared at the two men like predators eyeing caged prey.

A slick-haired, heavily powdered young man stood in front. Yue Buchen had a vicious grin on his face as he led the group of followers and thugs he had personally groomed to take his revenge.

"I'm going to break your limbs and turn you into minced meat," said Yue Buchen. He raised his hand to point at Li Xiaofei, his expression filled with wild arrogance. "You bumpkin, you're about to find out what the real rules of society are in Chongque City!"