Chapter 31
Feng Ran went home when it was time. She had been paying close attention to Shen Shiqian during this period. It would be a loss if this little act of rebellion caused a bad influence. She left Bai Sha's people in the same place to hold a meeting and discuss the matter with a headache.
Raul was almost stunned with fear. When he came to his senses, he grabbed Fran and shook him violently: "Fran, you traitor! You're really good at keeping your mouth shut! Why didn't you say this woman was so vicious sooner!"
Fran, with a calm expression of utter despair at the thought of being "exiled," stopped struggling altogether: "Brutality? Not really, I'll get used to it and forget about it."
Raul released him: "You've really had a tough time."
Liux rested his chin on his hand: "Superpowers... Does that mean she's a double 3S-level like Shen Shiqian? I thought such things only existed in legends; I've never even heard of Shen Shiqian having superpowers." His smile was also forced. "Besides, is this something you can just learn by chance...?"
Fran chuckled: "Of course, Feng Ran is much more powerful than Shen Shiqian."
The scratch on Cheng Fei's cheek had already scabbed over, and she blushed for some reason: "Are all 3S-grade pheromones this domineering? My legs went weak. Although it was scary, it felt strangely comfortable after I got through it..."
Fran glared at her: "Don't even think about it."
Jiang Lan used his terminal to search for Feng Ran. Apart from being an ordinary young girl from the once prestigious but now obscure Feng family, he found nothing else. He frowned and said, "How could the Empire not know that there is a second 3S-level being? And given her status, there's absolutely no need for her to do these things. Does she have any grudge against Shen Shiqian?"
Fran: "I don't know about that. I only know that she doesn't like Shen Shiqian..." Fran paused, thinking of the boy who came to the herb garden with her when they first met. She felt a slight bitterness in her heart, but still asserted, "Anyway, she must have her reasons for doing this."
Liux: "You've really switched sides, kid? She just said you wanted to capture Hilde for experiments?"
Fran initially wanted to create the impression that he had a powerful and influential backer, but because Su Wen's identity was too perfect and the timing of his rescue in the lower city was too coincidental, Jiang Lan became suspicious of Feng Ran. He was not good at lying and concealing things, and Xing Tong's efforts only made things worse, almost confirming the truth. So, with his tacit agreement, he was dragged away by Raul and beaten up. Fortunately, he didn't lose face. He was almost recovered, but Feng Ran's perception was still too sharp.
Fran felt a little guilty towards this number two Hilde fan and didn't want to appear too smug: "You know, I always have to offer some attractive value from our side to impress her. I'm working on research projects under her. Although you may not know, any one of these experimental projects could easily slap the Empire and the Academy of Sciences in the face!"
As for why we didn't mention Number One, Number One has already beaten him up.
Cheng Fei scoffed, unfazed by his eccentric personality: "So what? Just because of this you'd willingly betray us? Do you really expect her to bring down the empire and make you famous in history?"
Fran remained steadfast in defending his master: "What do you know? If Feng Ran wants to, there's nothing she can't do."
His terminal vibrated. When he swiped it open, he saw a detailed action plan that Star Eye had devised for them. Every step had a strict time limit. It also included information on the deployment and rotation of the central prison, a map of the distribution of Kempin's police forces, a detailed escape route map, starship passes, temporary false identities, and so on. It was comprehensive and included everything.
Fran forwarded the things back to them, then put on a sour face: "That's it, the plan is done and everything is arranged. I need to go back and pack my things."
Raul, looking at the classified deployment documents and the priority pass, grabbed Fran, who was about to leave, with a hint of panic: "Hey, did she hack into the entire Empire's security system? Where did she get so much stuff?"
Fran said with considerable pride, "I told you, she's an omnipotent being."
The reason why various space pirate groups and rebellious forces emerge under the rule of the empire is simple: its equality is not complete, and its justice is not absolute. As long as a privileged class exists, it is difficult to guarantee that the entire vast empire is free of dark corners. Contrary to Shen Shiqian's grand ideal blueprint, these dark corners are not uncommon, especially in some star sectors governed by lords, where conflicts and rebellions are suppressed, presenting a false sense of calm.
The emergence of the White Sand Star Pirates stemmed from a form of oppression and rebellion. They resisted the exploitation and oppression of their lord, but failed and fled. They once had their own sense of justice, but no justice could shake the mighty empire in the slightest. As a result, their wanted level rose higher and higher, and their reputation became increasingly infamous.
The lord and the administrative district chief have the same political functions, but in a sense they keep to themselves. Although they are both administrative officials under the administration of the council, the lord has a title and, although he is a weak clan far from Qilia, he is still part of the emperor's faction in terms of identity. When there is no conflict between the two forces, they will choose to deceive each other about the dirty things that happen in their respective territories. Although this goes against the empire's governance policy, the council's supervision and management cannot extend that far.
Unlike the military, which emphasizes absolute strength and where one can climb to a high position as long as their abilities and methods are strong enough, the council is actually quite divided and conflicting. Due to the infiltration of noble forces, there are many internal disputes over interests. In addition to these two groups of people who have ulterior motives for their own benefit, there are also absolutely neutral forces and scoundrels who like to stir up trouble from time to time. Therefore, they are really willing but unable to deal with the affairs of other star sectors. In addition, most of the illegal and disorderly conduct is caused by the lords, so they turn a blind eye to it. Some even patiently wait for the truth to come out so that they can report it to the emperor, remove those nobles, and replace them with their own people.
Meanwhile, the weaker lords on the periphery, seeking to rejoin the central government, exploited their people to amass wealth, then used the spoils to bribe higher-ranking officials or central nobles. Hilde and her companions hailed from the Zerinkel sector, a rather large outer sector ruled by a viscount, consisting of four inhabited planets and several energy satellites. When a small black hole appeared near Zerinkel, the resulting matter reaction gave birth to several new planets. The lord bribed the planetary chiefs, forcibly conscripting soldiers from his territory to infiltrate the Empire's mining teams, all in an attempt to steal some resources. Their equipment and experience were far inferior to professional mining teams, resulting in numerous deaths when the mines collapsed. The lord covered it all up, forcing the families of those who protested to remain silent, including Hilde's father. When the guards confronted her, Hilde refused their "appeasement," killed them, and escaped.
Jiang Lan also lost his family in that incident. The difference was that he briefly incited others to rebel against the lord afterward. For a time, he had a great momentum and thought he was sure to win. He even collected evidence to report and expose the lord to the commanders of other star sectors. However, it was as if nothing had happened. He was arrested and imprisoned by the side of justice that he believed in. It was Hilde who found a way to save him.
The difference between justice and evil is not great; they are merely two sides of the same coin. When Jiang Lan joined Bai Sha, this coin was already thrown into a dangerous situation and gently landed. They slowly lost their original intention to leave and could only struggle to survive in the interstellar space, putting up a last-ditch resistance.
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When Feng Ran arrived home, Shen Shiqian looked like he had just finished work and came out of his study. He hadn't gone to the military headquarters today. He was wearing a casual light gray crew neck sweater, and his hair was hanging down softly, making him look much younger.
The thought of him being busy and struggling to make a decision again tomorrow made Feng Ran feel good. She tossed her schoolbag to the little robots lining her feet and went to greet them excitedly.
Shen Shiqian is very tall, standing at 1.89 meters, while Feng Ran, at 1.7 meters, is not short either, but he has to stand on tiptoe to barely reach him.
Feng Ran didn't like looking up to others. She hugged Shen Shiqian's waist affectionately and buried herself in his arms, thinking to herself that it would be great if she could start a war, have the empire fall, and then have Shen Shiqian become her prisoner. After being trained, he would become as obedient as a puppy, only able to kneel on the ground and look up at her in flattery.
Unfortunately, it would be difficult for her to start a war with her current abilities, and all the related matters would be very troublesome. In fact, she did not have a strong desire to invade. After all, if she could, she would only want to live as an ordinary person to make up for all the regrets and remorse of her past life and live carefree. Unfortunately, fate clearly did not give her this opportunity.
Shen Shiqian wrapped one arm around her and touched her soft hair whorl with the other: "What's wrong, Ranran?"
Feng Ran slightly raised his head, his expression evasive, somewhat shy and hesitant. He stood up a little to create some space: "You...don't you like me like this?"
On the contrary, Shen Shiqian was distracted by Feng Ran's initiative, feeling his mind wander. The cute, clever, and lively girl was so perfect that he couldn't find fault with her. He felt that whoever her innocent and clear eyes looked at would have to go to church to confess their sins, even if he was an atheist.
He scooped her up with his large hand, lifting her up by her bottom and pulling her close to his chest. The gaps between them were intimately filled again, and Feng Ran's delicate and bright face instantly appeared before his eyes. He felt an itch even in his breath.
"No, I like it very much."
Feng Ran was satisfied with the height and distance between them. She boldly kissed Shen Shiqian's cheek and smiled sweetly:
"I'm really looking forward to my date tomorrow."
When she met Shen Shiqian's gaze, her eyes were direct and intense. Only when she saw the love and wavering in Shen Shiqian's eyes did she feel a little relieved. Fortunately, this was within her control. People who have become blinded by love are no longer so awkward and difficult to understand.
The so-called illusion of love—Feng Ran learned a lot from Qin Xin. The sweeter it is, the more poisonous it is. The most sophisticated deception often deceives oneself first. Therefore, Qin Xin always believed that she had never neglected or acted improperly towards Feng Ran, and comfortably controlled and managed her. Only when Feng Ran got close did she realize that her mother's love had long since dissipated into a phantom that was within reach.
Feng Ran wouldn't make that mistake, because she could have the conditions for love, but at the same time, she wouldn't forget the hateful past. She could accept Shen Shiqian's love, because that would lead him to eternal damnation.
All those strange thoughts were melted into excitement and joy when facing Shen Shiqian's gaze. The intense emotions ignited the ambiguity in the air. Shen Shiqian was completely unaware. Holding Feng Ran's back, he couldn't help but kiss him.
Feng Ran felt weak all over from the kisses, his thoughts drifting away. He began to think that the information he had gathered about Shen Shiqian was indeed very inaccurate. How could someone who was supposed to be abstinent be so easily aroused?
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