Chapter 4
The Ink Blade tore through the tranquil nebula, like a dark fish, slipping into the luminous passage of hyperspace. Outside the portholes were twisted, elongated bands of light, magnificent yet ethereal, reflecting the oppressive silence within the bridge.
Wen Ling stood at the cabin's viewfinder. Not far behind him, Miao Weizhen sat at the main control station. Several screens unfolded before him, their flowing data casting a cold, pale shadow over his features. Over three standard hours had passed since they'd departed from Sailiang Imperial City. This was their first time alone since leaving their homeland—if standing and sitting, more than ten meters apart, could be considered alone in this vast ship.
Wen Ling's gaze withdrew from the window and landed imperceptibly on Miao Weizhen's back. This man was far from the fawning, greasy traitor he had imagined.
He was like a piece of black jade repeatedly polished by ice and snow, cold, hard, sharp, and exuding an aura of keeping strangers away. Wen Ling noticed that when he operated the light screen, his white-gloved fingers were incredibly steady, without any unnecessary movements, and his efficiency was almost ruthless.
Wen Ling wondered, did he sign those treaties with these hands?
Although Miao Weizhen didn't turn around, he could clearly sense the scrutinizing gaze behind him. Young, sharp, with an inexperienced critical eye and a hint of well-hidden...uneasiness. He calmly pulled up Wen Ling's public profile and some of her remarks in Sailiang, quickly skimming through them.
At this moment, the ship suddenly experienced an unusual and violent tremor, several times more intense than a normal jump. The warning light flickered silently, and the AI's synthesized voice rang out:
"Warning, encountering unmarked gravity well disturbance, the jump channel is unstable."
Wen Ling instinctively steadied herself against the wall, her heart clenching. But Miao Weizhen, standing in front of her, hadn't even changed his stance. His fingers slid faster across the screen, his voice steady as he issued instructions: "Reduce the jump depth to the safe threshold, activate the auxiliary stabilizer, and recalibrate the course."
His magnetic voice was incredibly calm, conveying an invisible force that instantly soothed the turbulent atmosphere within the ship. After a few minutes, the tremors subsided, and the light channel returned to normal.
The last time Wen Ling had traveled abroad on a warp ship was when he was a child, traveling with his parents. However, that memory was so long ago that it had long since blurred into fragments. He hadn't expected Miao Weizhen to personally pilot the ship on this trip.
"Did you always drive the ship yourself on your previous missions?" Wen Ling couldn't help but ask.
"Yeah." Miao Weizhen replied indifferently.
Unable to bear the long silence, Wen Ling asked again, "What happened to the gravity well disturbance just now?"
"It's a small jammer deployed by interstellar pirates, trying to force the merchant ship to break free and plunder." Miao Weizhen explained lightly, as if stating a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him. "This star field is not peaceful."
Wen Ling said, "Minister Miao seems very familiar with this route. Presumably, he often travels for 'state affairs'?"
Miao Weizhen's eyes never left the screen, and he said in a distant tone, "It's my duty."
"Including signing a treaty like the Huangquan Rust Port Development Project?" Wen Ling couldn't help but ask, his tone filled with sarcasm that he himself didn't even notice.
Miao Weizhen finally turned his head and looked at him. There was no anger of being offended in his eyes, only a deep fatigue, and... a barely perceptible trace of pity?
"Your Highness," he turned back, his voice flat and calm, "while you were studying classical medicine at the academy, the Federation's Seventh Fleet was conducting a 'friendly patrol' on our border."
Wen Ling remained silent, neither agreeing nor asking further questions. She stared out the window at the starry sky, wondering what she was thinking.
A brief, routine stop at a neutral space station called "Crossroads" to refuel. The station was a hodgepodge of people, all kinds of people constantly coming and going. Miao Weizhen seemed familiar with the place. He led Wen Ling through the bustling market and toward the reserved energy station.
On the way, an old man in tattered clothes and missing a mechanical arm stumbled towards Wen Ling. Wen Ling subconsciously reached out to support him.
"Sir... please be merciful. I escaped from the 'Ashes Star Region'..." The old man's cloudy eyes were full of begging.
Wen Ling felt pity and was about to express his feelings, but Miao Weizhen stepped forward and stood between him and the old man. He stuffed a small high-energy nutritional tablet into the old man's hand and said in a cold voice, "Take it and leave."
The old man left with many thanks.
"Why not give him more?" Wen Ling was a little puzzled, and also a little dissatisfied with Miao Weizhen's indifference.
"Here, excessive generosity will only make you a fat sheep in the eyes of more people, and may even bring you disaster." Miao Weizhen watched the old man disappear in the crowd with a sharp look in his eyes. "The Ash Star Region was completely cleansed three years ago, and there are no refugees. The emblem on his sleeve is the mark of the fraud gangs in this area."
Wen Ling was stunned. He didn't notice these details at all. He turned around to look at Miao Weizhen's back and frowned slightly.
Back aboard the Ink Blade, the eternal starry sky still shone through the portholes. But the atmosphere inside the ship seemed to have subtly shifted. The absolute hostility remained, but beneath the ice, a hint of limited scrutiny and understanding, born of shared experiences, seemed to have emerged.
The journey continues. The outline of the Federation's capital planet, Beichen Prefecture, gradually becomes clearer on the distant star map. Awaiting them are increasingly complex situations and more severe tests. And the seeds of mutual observation sown on this unfamiliar journey between the stars are quietly waiting for the right moment to break ground.
The federal capital planet, Beichen Prefecture.
This city is the embodiment of federal power. Cold streams of data flow across the towering buildings, while anti-gravity craft shuttle silently along invisible tracks. The city is orderly yet devoid of life. The air is meticulously filtered, so clean it lacks a trace of odor, as if even breathing is controlled by a program.
Miao Weizhen's "Ink Blade" shuttlecraft landed silently at the designated airport like a drop of water merging into a river. He changed into the dark gray formal suit granted to foreign officials by the Federation. The tailoring was perfect for him, but it was a silent sign of submission.
Wen Ling followed him. Prince Sailiang's traditional formal attire looked awkward and outdated against the minimalist, technological backdrop. He clutched the sealed metal box, the "Zero Element" within weighing heavily, a symbol of both hope and humiliation.
The reception room in the Presidential Palace is more like an extension of a space station surrounded by huge curved viewing windows, overlooking most of the glittering capital.
Federal President Qu Beichen sat in the main seat. He was wearing a well-tailored dark suit, had an elegant face, and his gray hair showed the traces of time. However, his heavy gaze was like a precise scanner, able to instantly assess the value of the visitor.
"Your Highness Wen Ling," Qu Beichen said in a gentle and magnetic voice, with the composure of someone who had long held a high position. "I still vividly remember your grandfather, Mr. Xu, working with me on the Deep Space Exploration Council. He was a true pioneer."
His words brought them closer, but his gaze was scrutinizing, finally landing on Miao Weizhen, who was standing quietly beside him, as if with a touch of familiar admiration, "Weizhen, thank you for your hard work on this trip."
"It's my job, Mr. President."
Miao Weizhen bowed slightly, his posture impeccable.
Wen Ling stepped forward and presented the sealed box according to etiquette: "Your Excellency, this is a small gift from Sailiang Country. Please accept it."
The adjutant stepped forward, and after rigorous biometric identification and physical opening, the "Zero Element" inside the box was revealed.
The thumb-sized piece of matter that seemed to be able to swallow light was suspended quietly, causing slight distortion in the surrounding space.
A hint of satisfaction flashed across Qu Beichen's eyes. He looked at Wen Ling, his smile widening. "It's rare for you to be so sincere. I accept this gift. Please also give my regards to your uncle."
The words were polite, but carried an undeniable sense of gain.
Wen Ling felt a sting of humiliation. This hope, which should have been used to open up a new home, had now become a tribute in exchange for a peaceful life. He tried to maintain his composure:
"May this object bear witness to the future peace between our two countries."
"Peace has always been the Federation's long-cherished wish." Qu Beichen signaled his attendant to put away the Zero Elements. His tone became distant and official. He turned to Miao Weizhen, as if the warmth just now was just an illusion. "Weizhen, I have read the recent report on Huangquan Rust Port."
The topic suddenly changed and the pressure was put on Miao Weizhen.
When Wen Ling heard the words Huangquan Xiugang, his heart tightened and his face became stiff.
Miao Weizhen bowed slightly, his demeanor still humble: "Please give me your instructions, Your Excellency."
He spoke casually, as if he were discussing the weather, but every word carried a great weight.
"The output is 0.3 percentage points lower than expected." Qu Beichen's tone was flat, but with an invisible pressure, "Is it because the equipment is outdated, or... people's hearts are a little unstable because of some old memories?" His eyes swept over Wen Ling meaningfully.
Wen Ling clenched his fists quietly in his sleeves.
Miao Weizhen's voice remained steady, as if stating a fact unrelated to him: "Your Excellency, the quality of the ore veins in District Seven is slightly lower than that of the initial exploration. District Nine has been added to supplement it, and it will return to normal in the next cycle. As for people's hearts," he paused, his eyes lowered, "under the glorious order of the Federation, there is no room for doubt."
"The glory of order..." Qu Beichen pondered the word, an unfathomable smile plastered on his face. His gaze shifted between Wen Ling's youthful and forbearing face and Miao Weizhen's submissive demeanor. "I thought it was His Highness Wen Ling's return that reminded some people of... the original name of this mine and what it once represented."
These words were like a cold needle, piercing Wen Ling's heart. He almost couldn't help but speak, but Miao Weizhen beat him to the punch.
Miao Weizhen's voice remained calm, even tinged with a hint of sincerity, a voice that shared the emperor's concerns. "Your Highness's attachment to his homeland is natural. A touch of nostalgia stems from a pure heart, a testament to his good nature. Reality itself depends on foresight and order, as demonstrated by people like you."
Qu Beichen gave Miao Weizhen a deep look, a look that seemed to say, "You'd better make sure it's like this." He didn't continue the topic, but walked towards the star map, his tone returning to its previous "gentle" tone:
"Weizhen always understands my intentions. Go ahead. The 'Ink Blade' has been upgraded for you. I hope that with His Highness Wen Ling by your side, he can gain a deeper understanding of...what it means to make realistic choices."
He waved his hand, signaling the end of the meeting.
"Yes, sir." Miao Weizhen bowed.
Wen Ling also politely took his leave. He took a last look at Ling Su who was being carried away by the attendant, and turned away silently.
Leaving the reception room, a heavy silence filled the air between the two. Wen Ling finally couldn't help herself, her voice filled with suppressed anger: "He doesn't care about my grandfather at all, nor does he care about peace. He only cares about..."
"Your Highness," Miao Weizhen interrupted him, his voice low but carrying a cold warning, "The President accepted the gift and 'praised' your kindness.
Wen Ling felt that there was some deeper meaning in his words, but she didn't catch it at the moment and just frowned slightly.
The two walked in silence on the enclosed corridor leading to the airport.
Beyond the covered bridge, the neon lights of the federal capital and the fleeting aircraft created a breathtaking bustle. Wen Ling's gaze swept across the scene, his heart heavy. Images of Lingsu's weight and Qu Beichen's all-seeing yet indifferent eyes alternated in his mind.
Just as they were about to board the "Mo Ren" with its cold and hard lines, something strange happened!
The shrill alarm tore through the order of the airport without warning, and the flashing red light instantly flooded the berth area.
Wen Ling only heard a teeth-grinding sound of metal tearing, and then, cold white mist gushed out from the nearby broken pipe and quickly spread - it was a high-purity coolant leak!
"Follow me and take the emergency exit."
An extremely calm voice sounded in his ears.
At the same time, a powerful force grabbed his wrist and pulled him back almost without any resistance.
Wen Ling was caught off guard and staggered, her long golden hair fluttering in front of her eyes in her quick movements.
The next second after he was pulled away from his original position, a huge metal structure wrapped in cold air fell heavily on the place where he had just stood with a sharp whistling sound, making a dull loud noise and shaking the metal floor.
"Bang!"
The emergency airtight door closed heavily behind them, completely isolating the chaos and danger.
The passage was dimly lit, illuminated only by the pale blue emergency lights. Wen Ling leaned against the cold, rough metal wall, breathing lightly, his heart pounding violently in his chest. A few strands of golden hair fell, partially obscuring his vision, and he could feel the slight chill of his fingertips.
He raised his head and looked at Miao Weizhen, who stood across from him. He seemed to be struggling as well. The collar of his usually impeccable dress was slightly disheveled, and his overly pale face remained expressionless. But those always bottomless eyes seemed even deeper than usual in the dim light, staring intently at him.
"Your Highness is frightened." Miao Weizhen's voice was the first to break the silence. His tone was still calm, but there seemed to be a slight, almost unnoticeable hoarseness than usual. "It seems that the Federation's airport management is not impeccable."
Wen Ling straightened up, took a deep breath, and tried to calm his frantic heartbeat. He reached out and tucked his stray hair behind his ear. He looked at Miao Weizhen, recalling the split second it had taken, the cold hand that had pulled him back from the brink of fatal danger. A complex mix of emotions welled up within him—fear, gratitude, and an inexplicable strangeness.
"Thank you... just now."
Miao Weizhen didn't respond to his thanks, but simply turned his gaze away and quickly and clearly issued instructions via the internal communication, arranging the aftermath and spare ships. His tall figure seemed somewhat lonely in the dim light.
After a while, he ended the call, turned his head, and his eyes fell on Wen Ling again. His eyes were heavy, with a kind of scrutiny and consideration that Wen Ling could not understand.
"Your Highness, the itinerary has changed," he said, his voice returning to its usual coldness. "We must head to Huangquan Rust Port immediately."
Wen Ling was stunned. Huangquan Rust Port? The Cangling Island left to him by his father?
"What happened there?" he asked subconsciously, a hint of instinctive concern for his homeland flashing in his green eyes.
Miao Weizhen's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, as if trying to read something from his eyes. Then he explained calmly, "There's an energy outage in the Ninth Mining Area, and the President has ordered us to deal with it."
The reason was reasonable and logical, even hinting at putting them to the test. Wen Ling nodded, suppressing the surging memories and emotions about Cang Lingzhou in his heart.
"I see."
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