"Let's stop in this star system."
"Master, why?"
“We have spies in the Federation. Do you think the Federation doesn’t have any traitors in our pirate group? The news that we’re challenging several major legions to compete for the vice-captainship has probably spread to all the legions by now. They must be on guard.”
"Master, what do you plan to do?"
"Let's disguise ourselves and go gather some information first."
"We'll go, how can we let you risk your life alone, Master?"
"Only a woman like me can better dispel their doubts. Just wait for my notification."
“But I want to go with you.” Song Ye insisted this time, “Master, let me accompany you.”
Nikas nodded: "It wouldn't be good to go without anyone. Even if the Third Legion receives the news, they probably won't guess that we're only sending two people, and one of them is you, Master."
Song Xia opened her mouth and sighed, "Alright then, let's disguise ourselves first."
She put on makeup and looked three parts like Xia Song, but also four parts like the original Song Xia. Nikas looked her over a few times and laughed, "Master, you really do look a bit like Song Ye."
Song Xia ignored Song Ye's stunned expression and instead rolled up her sleeves, saying, "We were originally playing mother and daughter this time, so it's only natural."
Then she patted Song Ye on the shoulder: "Don't just stand there, let's go. If Pav and the others manage to cripple the First Legion first, then even if we get all the military supplies back from the Third Legion, it won't be of any use."
The two turned and went to another star system, then boarded a civilian spaceship to the headquarters of the Third Legion. On the spaceship, seeing the strikingly beautiful mother and son, someone asked, "Are you also going to the Third Star System? Are you going to visit relatives?"
“We went to ask for help.” Song Xia feigned sadness. “My husband joined the army many years ago and we haven’t heard from him since. The star system we live in is relatively close to the third star system, so after saving up some money, we brought the children here to ask for help and try to find him.”
"How could there be no news about joining the army?" More and more people around were puzzled.
“I don’t know either.” Song Xia looked haggard, then bit her lip in embarrassment. “The neighbors all say that his joining the army was just an excuse, and that he might have run off with someone. I don’t believe it. I came here to ask for an answer.”
The people on the spaceship looked at them with pity: "Why don't you try calling the military?"
"I called, but after hearing my request, they ignored me and haven't responded since, so I..."
Someone muttered under their breath, "The military has become increasingly outrageous in the last two years."
"It's not just the military; how many of those so-called administrative departments actually care about ordinary people like us?"
After everyone finished scolding her, they comforted Song Xia, saying, "Don't worry, even if something unexpected happens, you and your son should live a good life together."
"Yes, it's important to look forward to the future."
"I know." Song Xia seemed unable to bear it, and then tightly grasped Song Ye's hand. Song Ye was startled again, and then tightly grasped back, his expression like that of a stubborn yet helpless teenager.
“I don’t have much ability, and I have to think about my son’s future. So I’ll give it a try this time. Even if there’s no result, I’ll be content. I’ll just take my son home and live a good life, and I won’t care about anything else.”
That's how it should be.
"It's good that you can figure it out."
Song Ye never knew that his master's acting skills were so good. However, his master's hands were so warm, just like a mother's. He really wanted to never be separated from his master. If only he and his master were like the ordinary mother and son his master talked about, without any power struggles or bloodshed, they could just live out their lives quietly on a small planet.
"Young man, your mother has had a tough time. You must treat her well from now on."
Song Ye's breath hitched, then she nodded emphatically, her voice hoarse: "I will take good care of Mom."
He spoke those two words with particular solemnity, and Song Xia's breath hitched for a moment. She gripped Song Ye's hand even tighter. The two of them were preoccupied with their own thoughts, but to others, they appeared to be a pitiful mother and son relying on each other.
"We've disembarked from the spaceship."
Upon reaching the third star, the landscape changed dramatically. This was because the third star system was under the jurisdiction of the Third Legion, and behind the Third Legion stood the Church. Therefore, the entire third star had a strong religious atmosphere. Due to the Church's extravagance, the third star even looked more luxurious than the main star, with gold everywhere.
The people on the spaceship had already started packing their luggage. Song Xia also packed a few things, including some clothes and personal items belonging to her and Song Ye.
"Halt! Passes." The soldier stopped the two. Because of the strong religious atmosphere, many church elders lived here, so the checks for entry and exit were very strict. However, the Fog Sea Pirates had long been familiar with such matters, so Song Xia and Song Ye's identities were not a problem.
"How luxurious!" Song Ye exclaimed with a hint of sarcasm.
Song Xia also sighed slightly. Both of them had been to many star systems, but most of them were not very peaceful. They had seen too many scenes of poor people struggling to survive, so when they saw that even the open air on the third star had air conditioning to keep the temperature constant, they felt that it was a huge waste.
No wonder the Federation is becoming increasingly unstable. It's not that the Fog Sea Pirates are good at winning people's hearts, but that ordinary people simply can't make a living.
It's not that the rich shouldn't enjoy life, but the federal government collects so much tax and monopolizes so many resources. Shouldn't it provide some support to planets that are being depleted by resource extraction, instead of using them and then ruthlessly abandoning them?
Without resources and without sources of income, how are ordinary people on those mining planets supposed to survive?
Some federal laws sound good, but when those who enforce them keep delaying, the amount of money allocated decreases and eventually ends up in private pockets.
"What's that?" Song Ye asked, pointing to a spot.
"It is the church's donation center, where religious people donate to the church for its daily operations."
"They're so rich, why do they need donations?"
"Who would complain about having too much money? Many people are willing to donate their entire fortune for their faith."
"What about the wife, children, and elderly people in the house?"
“Some family members are also believers. They don’t mind being cold or hungry because they feel at peace because of their faith. Others can only struggle.”
Song Ye asked, puzzled, "Are they stupid? Wouldn't it be better to use the donated money for their own living expenses?"
“It’s just that everyone has different ideas. Most of the people living on the third star are superstitious.” Song Xia said, then suddenly his eyes lit up. “Perhaps we can take advantage of this.”
"Master, what are you planning to do?"
Song Xia tapped him on the head: "You should call me Mom."
Song Ye's fingers twitched slightly, then he whispered, "Mom..."
"Yes," Song Xia responded loudly, feeling a warm feeling in her heart.
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