This Is My Planet - Chapter 44

The temperament of Yan Wuyue neither fears the Cultivators Association nor the Divine Descendants. Just not rushing into confrontations was already commendable.

With Gongsun Jiu backing her up, there should be even less reason to fear.

Gongsun Jiu’s inquiry is almost like directly asking, ‘What strange thing are you afraid of that can’t even be mentioned to me?’

Yan Wuyue truly cannot speak of it. Exposing Xia Guixuan to the upper echelons of humanity is not her desire. This might be the only thing she has hidden from Gongsun Jiu in all these years…

After a considerable silence, she found an excuse: “To inform the Deputy Marshal… this matter is linked to the Zhou family’s research on modifying humans. I’ve submitted evidence of their illegal activities to the military tribunal, but it’s all been suppressed. The Zhou family hasn’t suffered any consequences, and they are busy fighting legal battles with the Yin family over the pharmaceuticals. In such an environment, what’s the point of my investigations?”

Though an excuse, it holds ground.

When blatantly unlawful matters were not thoroughly inquired, what was the point of deeper investigations? It was as good as doing nothing.

Gongsun Jiu leaned back in his chair, contemplating for a while before slowly speaking, “The Zhou family’s affair is somewhat complicated. While modification of humans is considered taboo, in the eyes of many within the military, anything that enhances strength should be pursued relentlessly. It’s not seen as a crime at all. Some also attempt to derive immortality for themselves from this research… when it matures, who knows, they might apply it to themselves…”

At this point, his expression turned somewhat mocking, and he continued, “Of course, such inhumane endeavors draw too much opposition. It could easily spark a war with the Divine Descendants. The authorities can’t openly conduct this research themselves, so they delegate it to others. The Zhou family operates under such a backdrop. If they don’t cause significant trouble, they won’t be thoroughly investigated. It’s not that the Zhou family has an absolute cover-up; they represent a group’s needs.”

Yan Wuyue sneered, “So, does my investigation hold any significance? Judging by the Deputy Marshal’s tone, perhaps he’s part of that group himself.”

Yan Wuyue was venting her frustration, unable to hold back. In truth, after serving under Gongsun Jiu for so many years, she knew he wasn’t part of that group. However, who knew if his family was involved?

Even if neither were involved, dismantling such entrenched societal corruption couldn’t be achieved by one person alone. Gongsun Jiu, being a part of that societal stratum, couldn’t possibly play the hero in this scenario.

After listening to Yan Wuyue’s sarcastic retort, Gongsun Jiu didn’t get angry. Instead, he revealed a charming smile, saying, “What I meant was, if they don’t cause major trouble, they won’t be thoroughly investigated. Now that they’re linked to the attempt on your life, whether they’re the masterminds or not, they’re at least accomplices, and that’s a serious matter.”

Yan Wuyue was momentarily stunned, then she heard Gongsun Jiu continue, “Humanity’s real opponent isn’t the Divine Descendants or even the Zerterians; it’s ourselves… I’ll handle the Zhou family’s matter. If you’re free, focus on studying more about that energy explosion that threatened you. That’s a military concern.”

Yan Wuyue saluted and turned to leave.

As she opened the office door, she heard Gongsun Jiu’s voice from behind, “My actions… might stir up more unfavorable rumors for you. Bear with it a little longer.”

Yan Wuyue turned to look at him, suddenly smiling, “Deputy Marshal, what would you do if one day I fell in love with a man?”

“Huh?” Gongsun Jiu widened his eyes, appearing somewhat dumbfounded, “You’re over a hundred years old and never thought about finding a man. Why this sudden question?”

“…” Yan Wuyue wanted to retort but didn’t know where to start. She just shook her head, closed the door, and walked away briskly.

Just as she left the military headquarters, a voice resonated in her soul sea: “General Yan, please come to meet me at Moon Mountain.”

Yan Wuyue was taken aback. This voice seemed familiar, like the previous woman in the black robe?

Moon Mountain was a small hill within the city, not too high in altitude, just a small mound. Usually, it was a public park for the citizens with quite a bit of foot traffic, but at night, it was quiet, devoid of any human voices. Sometimes, it became a spot for young couples to rendezvous, but apparently not tonight.

Yan Wuyue took just over ten seconds to reach the peak of Moon Mountain, and indeed, she saw the woman in the black robe standing with her back turned, gazing at the moon.

Yan Wuyue’s initial reaction wasn’t hostility; rather, it was surprise. “You’re standing there with your back to me. Aren’t you afraid I’ll strike and kill you in a single blow?”

This woman wasn’t her match to begin with. In their last encounter, the five of them had formed a formation, but she dismantled it within a second. If it hadn’t been for that strange explosion, Yan Wuyue would have defeated all five. Now, it seemed she had improved, but Yan Wuyue was still confident she could easily dispose of her.

Yet, she dared to stand there and watch the moon with her back turned…

Ling Moxue sighed softly and murmured, “I’ve come to apologize to General Yan. About the last time… I wonder how you can forgive?”

Yan Wuyue was dumbfounded. “Are you sick or something?”

Ling Moxue secretly rolled her eyes. This was the master’s task, after all.

Of course, she wouldn’t say that. Instead, she replied, “I did wrong, so I should apologize. What’s so surprising about that?”

Yan Wuyue wondered, “What did you do wrong?”

“Wrong in attempting to harm the General.”

Yan Wuyue was so stunned by the statement that she ended up gazing at the moon, stroking her chin for a long while before saying, “Why do I feel like, from your perspective, there’s nothing wrong with that at all? You were after the relic, I was the contender. If you didn’t kill me, would you save me for the New Year’s dinner?”

Ling Moxue turned eagerly, “Is that what you think too?”

Yan Wuyue: “…”

“Ahem,” Ling Moxue cleared her throat. “So, has General Yan forgiven me?”

“Not really.” Yan Wuyue said sternly, “Your problem isn’t just about whether you’ll kill me or not. The military wants the relic, whether it’s for energy research or for a multifaceted study on the history and techniques of the Divine Descendants. This concerns the nation. Deputy Marshal Gongsun was just asking me about the whereabouts of the relic. If you seek my forgiveness, I suggest you seek forgiveness from the law by handing over the relic’s findings and turning yourself in.”

Ling Moxue: “…”

Xia Guixuan, hidden in the void, found it quite interesting. Indeed, the same thing viewed from different perspectives led to entirely different answers.

From this angle, it was utterly impossible for Ling Moxue to gain Yan Wuyue’s forgiveness.

Because there was absolutely no chance she would surrender the sacred blood she acquired, let alone accept any judgment from the authorities.

Ling Moxue also realized this, feeling close to tears: “General Yan, let me strike you once. Give it your all, and let fate decide, okay?”

Yan Wuyue looked at her with an extremely strange expression, sighed, and said, “Forget it. If I were to kill Ling Moxue, Great Xia wouldn’t have a place for me anymore.”

Ling Moxue’s hair stood on end, but she persisted, “General, I didn’t quite catch your meaning. Are you mistaking me for someone else?”

Yan Wuyue tested the waters with a sentence but didn’t delve further. She just smiled and said, “If you really intend to repent, there may be room for it soon. Whether forgiveness is granted or not doesn’t depend on me, but on someone else.”

Ling Moxue felt angry and anxious. Master said that no one else had the authority to grant forgiveness instead of you. Wasn’t this a deadlock?

Can you two please get on the same page? How long will this go on? When will a slave girl like me be able to stand up?!

Unable to hold back, she said, “Today, Yin Xiaoru has come from the Yin family. General Yan, would you like to visit a friend?”

Yan Wuyue blinked. “Perhaps you have misunderstood. The someone else I was referring to is Deputy Marshal Gongsun.”

Ling Moxue: “?”

At that moment, her wristwatch beeped. Ling Moxue awkwardly glanced at it and saw a text message from her grandfather: “Gongsun Jiu is visiting tonight, which is quite unusual. I suspect it might have something to do with romantic matters. Come back and meet him, let’s have a chat.”

Ling Moxue was taken aback, glanced at Yan Wuyue, who remained calm.

Suddenly, she realized this definitely wasn’t about romantic matters or matchmaking.

Gongsun Jiu must have a certain understanding about the Ling family’s involvement with the Cultivators Association.

This was a phoenix soaring in the galaxy, trying to find a place for his subordinate, attempting to untangle a complex web.