This is really not mechanical ascension

The news conference was scheduled for 10 am, but everyone was already in place by 9:30.

The minister of the Department of Urban Defense was an elderly man with white hair, named Qin Xiao, smiling amiably—a very good first impression.

"Young man, not bad, quite courageous," he chuckled, flanked by several middle-aged men from various departments—Security, Internal Affairs… all the department heads were present.

"It's all thanks to the minister's leadership," Li Ming said solemnly, making Qin Xiao's smile grow even broader as he pointed at him and told those around, "What a slick-tongued youngster."

"Don't be nervous later, just tell the truth," Qin Xiao said kindly, then turned and left.

Among the department heads, only the head of Security—Wang Shoucheng—nodded at him; the rest didn't even look his way.

They all knew what was going on, just a lucky kid who happened to be at the right place at the right time, nothing worth fussing over.

A woman with meticulous makeup approached soon afterward, Qin Xiao's secretary, dressed in a sharp business suit with black stockings vanishing into a tight skirt, smiling as she handed over a script, "Check this, don't get it wrong later."

Li Ming, unsurprised, took it and read carefully.

...

"Minister Qin, it's reported that this human trafficking case involved three races, over fifty lives, making it Silver Grey Star's largest trafficking incident in recent years."

A reporter asked a very sharp question, holding up a microphone, "Why do you think such a large-scale trafficking case occurred under your watch?"

Qin Xiao remained composed, "The evil in human hearts is immeasurable. Silver Grey Star lacks a Sky Space Shield, and the majority of ships can land and take off without passing through starports, which has become a breeding ground for sin."

"But ever since I took office, I have always remembered my original intentions…"

This wasn't his first news conference; he could always find a proper angle to deflect many sharp questions, anyway, it was not his fault.

"..."

Qin Xiao looked around, camera lenses pointed at him, "What comforts me is that, although evil never ceases, there are robust saplings growing in the soil of righteousness."

Many reporters scribbled frantically—

[Shock! Minister Qin says evil cannot be contained!]

[Compared to evil, righteousness is merely a sapling!]

"Li Ming!" Qin Xiao's voice grew louder, "Just started working at Urban Defense a few days ago, this honest and brave young man exemplifies the fearless character of Urban Defense..."

"...the main culprit was killed by him, and after review, we've decided to award him—the Silver Grey City Urban Defense Newcomer Badge!"

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from both sides, although it was from the atmosphere team and their expressions weren't quite as joyful.

"Is he a relative of Yang Peng?"

"I heard he didn't do anything at all, just stumbled upon the corpse of Pang Wenlong."

"Stop talking nonsense, it was clearly Yang Peng who killed Pang Wenlong and simply shoved credit onto him."

"…"

It was already the morning of the second day of the operation, and most of the events of the previous day had been broadcast in various forms—not a secret anymore.

But precisely because of this, rumors were rampant.

Dressed neatly, Li Ming stepped forward, wearing his blue and black Urban Defense uniform, standing upright with a determined look.

Qin Xiao presented him with the badge, a silver-grey planetary badge about the size of a palm.

At that moment, camera flashes went wild.

…

In the bizarre and twisting transition corridor, a silver-winged spaceship was navigating through.

"Captain..." A short man hurried along the corridor, holding a smart device, drawing a glance from several people in the cabin.

The short-statured individual's gaze fell on the slightly aged figure who was holding an old-fashioned smoking pipe and exhaling a thin stream of smoke, "What is it?"

"You see..." the shorter man produced a virtual projection, which was precisely the remarks from Li Ming:

"...Silver Grey City is where I was born and raised, I deeply love this land..."

"This isn't..." the smoking elder frowned.

"It is him, the son of target number 3447. He has now joined the city guard and has gained prominence."

"I always said, to cut the weed you need to remove the root, should have killed him along with the other back then." A youth playing with a dagger in the corner spoke up.

"Intelligence assessment, he poses no threat." Another person spoke coldly, "The more people we kill, the greater the chance of exposure."

"He killed an F-level Life Form." The dwarf added.

Even the smoking elder couldn't remain calm now, his eyebrows deeply furrowed.

"But it was just scavenging, good luck, his own strength isn't enough, you see..." the shorter man inquired.

After some thought, the smoking elder said, "Since the city guard highly regards him, he might become curious about his father's death one day and start investigating. Go back for a visit."

"Just a little guy, no need for everyone to return, I'll go alone." The youth in the corner flipping the dagger casually said, "Going back and forth takes too much time, you guys go on to the next target."

The smoking elder stroked his pipe thoughtfully and slowly nodded, "Sounds good."

......

"Li Ming, you transferred money to me?" Li Ning kicked his legs, sliding his chair over and tilting his head to ask.

"Yes, the bonus came in, so I thought I'd repay you," Li Ming nodded.

"Why did you transfer twenty-one thousand, I only lent you twenty thousand." Li Ning frowned and immediately moved to return the extra thousand.

"Didn't I say, consider it interest." Li Ming did not like owing people favors.

"Your interest is outrageous, even high-interest lenders don't charge like this, one thousand in interest for just a few days." Li Ning speechlessly transferred it back, "Just treat me to dinner sometime."

"This… okay then." Li Ming didn't want to continue the back-and-forth either.

The setting sun was murky like the waves, casting a lazy, tender glow.

As Li Ming stepped out, he saw Yang Yu waiting at the door, dressed in a knee-length white skirt, her long hair fluttering in the light breeze.

"Why are you here?" Li Ming surveyed her and asked.

"What do you think?" Yang Yu faced Li Ming and said discontentedly, "Didn't you say yesterday there was no danger?"

"A benign lie," Li Ming explained briefly, adding, "I won't be going home, you go ahead."

Yang Yu looked at him, "You're going trash picking? Can I come watch?"

"Suit yourself." Li Ming was indifferent, this time he was off work during normal hours, the delay wouldn't be long, just three hours of scavenging, for 20 units of metal energy, one ton of materials.

The security guard's eyes filled with incomprehension, bringing a girl here on a date?

"You came here right after work?"

On the way back in the transport vehicle, Yang Yu smelled the iron rust on her body, "What's fun about this?"

"That just shows you're not the target audience," Li Ming shrugged, Yang Yu sighed, swiftly changing topics and complaining, "My old man is letting me choose a gene seed, Fiery Fire Monkey, Dripping Water Alligator... none of them sound nice."

All were Element grade, opulent and imposing, Li Ming thought subconsciously, then asked, "By the way, when do your classes start?"

"Early October, still a long way off."

Li Ming, concerned about the Zircon Crystal Alloy that arrived late at night, was absentminded, mostly listening to Yang Yu speaking.

After a simple meal at the Yang family's, he went home.