59: A drop of water in need

Zhiyuan Star, District Seven, the shantytown.

Time seemed to have frozen here, yet also seemed to have accelerated decay.

The low, dense shacks still resembled moss growing on steel ruins, the air thick with the burnt smell of low-grade energy lines, the sour rot of household waste, and a lingering aura of the despair belonging to those struggling at the bottom.

Compared to the Pillar of Leaders on the distant Capital Star, suspended in the starry sky like a divine kingdom, this was a corner deliberately forgotten by the radiance of civilization, the most insignificant and even somewhat ugly terminal capillary on the Federation's massive torso.

Auntie Wang hunched her back, laboriously splashing a basin of gray, foamy wastewater from washing clothes onto the uneven muddy ground at her doorstep.

The water splashed up, wetting her old cloth shoes, which were faded from washing and covered in patches.

She looked up, squinting at the sun in the sky, which was dimmed and drowsy, obscured by industrial smog, and let out a sigh.

Days, like this basin of wastewater, were turbid and powerless, flowing day after day with no end in sight.

A few years ago, the young couple next door, who were just as miserable and had lived here for six years, suddenly moved away. They had truly struck it lucky; they had a remarkable daughter who was reportedly taken by a big figure from the Federation to enjoy a life of luxury.

It caused quite a stir in the shantytown at the time, with all sorts of envious, jealous, and hateful gossip lasting for several months.

At that time, Auntie Wang had even given a few clean pieces of soft cloth left over from her grandson to that girl named Lin Wei, so she could use them as diapers for the child.

That child Lin Wei was so moved back then that her eyes turned red.

Later, there was no more news.

"Sigh, it's all fate." Auntie Wang shook her head, withdrew her gaze, and thumped her aching lower back. "Being able to jump out of this fiery pit is their fortune. As for us, we still have to scratch a living from this mud."

Her son had been seriously injured in an underground pipe maintenance accident a few years ago. Although he survived, he lost his ability to work and could only do odd jobs at home.

His wife couldn't bear the hardship and ran off with someone, leaving behind a half-grown grandson.

The burden of the entire family rested almost entirely on her, an old woman.

Every day she worked from dawn to dusk as a temporary worker at a nearby Trash Sorting Station, barely making ends meet with her meager income and the Federation's pitifully small relief funds.

Lately, however, troubles had been coming one after another.

First, there was that fat-headed, big-eared foreman at the Trash Sorting Station who was always making things difficult for her, docking her hours, and using foul language.

Auntie Wang knew the bastard had his eye on her small shack, which, though dilapidated, was in a decent location; he wanted to force her to transfer it at a low price.

She held out and didn't agree, so the foreman intensified his efforts. A few days ago, he even brought someone from the Environmental Management Bureau, claiming she was piling waste Materials outside her door—which were actually things she'd scavenged to repair her roof—and insisted she was affecting the overall appearance of the shantytown and had to be fined!

The fine wasn't much, but for her family, it was undoubtedly adding insult to injury.

Auntie Wang was so worried she hadn't slept well for days, and several blisters had broken out on the corners of her mouth.

Today, she had just returned from work when she saw the foreman and that arrogant, uniformed clerk from the Environmental Management Bureau blocking her doorway again.

"Old lady Wang, how have you considered it?" The foreman squinted at her, an inferior electronic cigarette dangling from his mouth. "That fine is a large amount for your family, but for me, it's just the cost of a meal. As long as you nod and transfer that shack to me, I'll pay the fine for you and give you another three thousand Credits, enough for the three of you to eat for several months."

The clerk also had a stern face as he tapped on his data pad: "Wang Zhang-shi, the ticket has already been issued. If it's not paid within three days, we will enforce it and record it in your personal credit history. Any future applications for Federation relief will be affected!"

Auntie Wang trembled with rage, pointing at them: "You... you're bullying people! How do those few things affect the appearance? What appearance is there left to speak of in this shantytown? You're in cahoots! Even if I starve to death, I won't sell the house to you!"

"Hey! Refusing a favor, are we?" The foreman slammed his electronic cigarette onto the ground and stepped forward menacingly. "Old hag, don't do this the hard way! Believe it or not, I can make you lose even your job at the trash station?"

Just as Auntie Wang felt hopeless and helpless, and several neighbors peeked out to watch the commotion but dared not speak...

Right at that moment!

A low, majestic roar of an engine approached from a distance, breaking the clamor of the shantytown.

A black hovercar with rugged lines and the insignia of the District Seven Security Management Team drove slowly into the narrow, filthy alley like a silent shark, stopping precisely in front of Auntie Wang's door.

The car door slid open silently.

A man in a crisp security officer's uniform, with shoulder straps indicating the rank of captain, was the first to step out.

His gaze was sharp, and his aura was powerful. Just by standing there, he instantly silenced the arrogant foreman and clerk, making their faces turn pale.

The Security Management Team!

To the residents of the shantytown, they were the heavens!

They were beings who could decide their life or death at any time!

What left everyone even more dumbfounded was that this security captain, whom they usually had to look up to, ignored everyone else after getting out. Instead, he walked quickly to the back seat and respectfully opened the door.

A steady and capable middle-aged man in a well-tailored, high-quality dark gray administrative suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, stepped out of the car.

His gaze calmly swept over the scene, his brow furrowing imperceptibly, as if he weren't quite accustomed to the foul air and environment here.

"Sec... Secretary-General Liu?!"

The clerk from the Environmental Management Bureau was the first to recognize the newcomer. He was so terrified his voice cracked, and his legs began to shake!

The Chief Secretary-General of the District Seven City Hall!

Liu Neng!

He was a favorite of the District Head, a big figure who truly held real power!

To low-level officials like them, he was practically a being from the clouds!

How could he appear in a place like this?!

Although the foreman didn't recognize Secretary-General Liu, seeing the security captain's respectful attitude and the clerk's reaction, he knew a massive figure had arrived. He was instantly too terrified to even breathe, and cold sweat soaked his back in an instant.

Secretary-General Liu didn't look at the two of them at all; his gaze fell upon the dazed and bewildered Auntie Wang.

His face was instantly filled with an extremely warm, even slightly... fawning? smile.

He stepped forward quickly, bowing slightly, his tone incredibly gentle:

"You must be Wang Cui Hua, Auntie Wang, right?"

Auntie Wang was completely bewildered, her mind a total blank. She could only nod subconsciously: "Ah... yes, it's me... Officer, you... are you looking for me?"

"Oh, I wouldn't dare have you call me 'Officer'!" Secretary-General Liu waved his hands hurriedly, his smile becoming even more friendly. "Auntie Wang, you can just call me Little Liu. It's like this: we received a report saying your family has encountered some difficulties lately? If there's any trouble, just tell me, and the City Hall will definitely resolve it for you!"

As soon as these words were spoken, not only Auntie Wang but all the neighbors watching, including the foreman and the clerk, were completely petrified!

The Chief Secretary-General of the City Hall!

Calling himself "Little Liu"!

Speaking to an old woman from the shantytown with such an attitude?!

And even offering to solve her problems?!

Has the world gone mad?!

...

Auntie Wang felt like she was dreaming and said stutteringly: "No... no difficulties... it's just... just that they said the things at my door were messy and wanted to fine me..."

She subconsciously pointed at the clerk and the foreman.

The smile on Secretary-General Liu's face instantly vanished. He turned his head, his gaze becoming as cold as a knife as it swept over those two.

With just a single glance, the clerk and the foreman felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, nearly collapsing to the ground!

"A fine?" Secretary-General Liu's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority. "What exactly is going on? Captain Li, take a record."

The security captain beside him immediately took out a recorder and looked at the clerk with a cold face: "Speak!"

The clerk was scared out of his wits and didn't dare hide anything, spilling everything like beans from a bamboo tube: how the foreman had bribed him, how they had teamed up to make things difficult for Auntie Wang, and their attempt to forcibly buy her property at a low price.

The foreman's face was ashen as he slumped to the ground...

After listening, Secretary-General Liu snorted coldly: "Shantytown renovation is a benevolent policy of the Federation to care for the people at the bottom. How can we allow vermin like you to profit from it and oppress the good and kind?!"

He looked at the security captain: "Captain Li, handle this matter according to the highest standards. Investigate and handle it strictly for suspected fraud, extortion, and abuse of power. There will be no leniency!"

"Yes, Secretary-General!"

Captain Li snapped to attention and saluted. With a wave of his hand, two security members behind him immediately stepped forward, handcuffed the ashen-faced foreman and clerk, and dragged them away like dead dogs.

The entire process was so fast that people couldn't even react.

The whole scene was petrified!

Auntie Wang was still in a state of massive shock and bewilderment...

Secretary-General Liu had already put back on his warm smile and said gently to Auntie Wang: "Auntie Wang, I'm sorry you were startled. We will definitely clear out such black sheep and return justice to everyone."

He paused and continued: "In addition, in view of your family's practical difficulties, the district has decided to grant you the following subsidies: First, your son will be included in the Federation's permanent disability Guarantee system, receiving a monthly subsidy of 3,000 Credits and enjoying free medical care. Second, your grandson has been granted a full scholarship to the best public school in District Seven until his graduation from higher education. Third, a two-bedroom subsidized apartment in the 'Dawn Community' in the Upper City will be allocated to your family."

With every point he made, Auntie Wang's eyes widened, and the surrounding neighbors let out uncontrollable gasps!

Permanent disability Guarantee!

3,000 Credits per month!

That was more than Auntie Wang earned working herself to death for half a year!

A full scholarship to the best school!

This meant her grandson had hope for changing his fate!

A subsidized apartment in the Dawn Community!

That was a proper apartment with its own bathroom and kitchen!

Far away from the filthy and chaotic shantytown!

This... this was simply a pie falling from the sky!

No!

It's a gold bar falling!

Auntie Wang felt her heart thumping wildly, nearly jumping out of her throat. She asked in a trembling voice, unable to believe it: "Chief... Secretary-General... is... is this all real? For my family? Why... why are you being so good to me?"

Secretary-General Liu's smile was profound as he said meaningfully: "Auntie Wang, you are a person of great fortune. The seeds of kindness you sowed in the past are now blooming and bearing fruit. You deserve all of this; just accept it with peace of mind. If you have any more difficulties in life in the future, you can contact my office directly."

[part:deepseek-chat]

He handed Auntie Wang a refined metal business card, which bore only a name and a contact number.

With that, Secretary Liu nodded politely to Auntie Wang once more, turned, and got into the car.

The black hovercar silently drove away under the gazes of the shantytown residents—filled with awe, envy, and disbelief—leaving Auntie Wang, who still felt as if she were in a dream, holding that weighty card in her hand.

"A good karma? What good karma have I ever earned?" Auntie Wang muttered to herself. Suddenly, she remembered the few pieces of clean, old cloth diapers she had given to Lin Wei several years ago...

Could it be... because of that young couple?

Just what level have they... they reached now?

A single word could make the Secretary-General of the Municipal Administration personally handle such a trivial matter?

Simply terrifying!

After the immense shock and confusion came a surging tide of wild joy and tears.

Auntie Wang squatted on the ground, covering her face, and began to sob...

It was a release after being suppressed for far too long!

It was the thrill of a desperate escape from certain doom!

The neighbors gathered around, chattering all at once, their tones filled with envy and flattery.

"Auntie Wang! You've struck it rich!"

"Don't forget us old neighbors in the future!"

"I always said Auntie Wang had a kind heart and would be rewarded!"

Auntie Wang cried and cried, then began to laugh, alternating between tears and laughter like a child...

...

Meanwhile, in the relatively bustling 'Old Street' area of District Seven.

Li Goudan had also been quite troubled lately.

He was now a local celebrity in the Old Street area!

Ever since his good brother Chen Jun, before leaving, stuffed that encrypted credit card with an astronomical sum into his hand, Li Goudan had completely bid farewell to his hard life.

He first bought himself a decent set of clothes, then took over a thriving large tavern and became its boss.

He was a righteous and generous man, quickly making a name for himself in Old Street and gathering a group of 'brothers' around him.

From a poor orphan boy from the shantytown to a propertied 'Boss Li' with assets and business, Li Goudan was immensely proud and satisfied, feeling he had reached the Peak of life!

However, sudden wealth did not bring only good things.

Old Street was a mixed bag, and his prosperous tavern had long been eyed by a small underground gang in the vicinity called the 'Black Snake Gang'.

At first, they only came to collect a bit of 'protection money,' which Li Goudan, thinking to spend money to avoid disaster, paid.

But these people were insatiably greedy, demanding higher and higher prices, later even proposing to 'invest' in the tavern for a share of the dry profits!

Li Goudan, of course, refused, leading to a conflict between the two sides.

Relying on the many 'brothers' he had befriended with his money, Li Goudan temporarily held off the pressure, but a grudge was formed.

The Black Snake Gang sent word that they would make it impossible for his tavern to stay open!

That night, after the tavern closed, Li Goudan was inside with over a dozen hired hands, going over the accounts.

Suddenly, the security door was violently pounded from the outside!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Li Goudan! Get the hell out here! I know you're inside!"

"Damn it! You don't know what's good for you! We're smashing your shitty place today!"

Outside came thearrogant shouts, curses, and sounds of smashing from the Black Snake Gang thugs; from the noise, there were quite a few of them.

Li Goudan's face changed. He grabbed an alloy bat and said to his equally tense hired hands, "Fuck it! Let's fight them!"

Just as he was steeling himself to open the door and face the fight...!

From the end of the street, several blinding beams of intense light suddenly shot over!

The roar of engines was deafening!

Three armored hovercars, painted with the insignia of the 'Planetary Defense Force' and equipped with light energy weapons, charged forth like steel behemoths in combat formation. They screeched to a halt, completely blocking the entrance to Li Goudan's tavern!

The car doors flew open, and a squad of soldiers clad in black combat exoskeletons and holding standard-issue pulse rifles jumped out, their Killing Intent palpable.

The lead officer, his gaze from behind the visor cold as a blade, swept over the group of Black Snake Gang thugs who were already frozen in fear.

"Planetary Defense Force! Drop your weapons! Get down on your knees with your hands on your head! Lethal force is authorized otherwise!" A cold, electronic amplified voice rang out, carrying an unyielding, iron-blooded authority.

When had the Black Snake Gang thugs ever seen such a scene?

Bullying ordinary civilians and merchants was one thing, but facing the Federation'sregular army, especially an elite unit like the Planetary Defense Force, was like a stray dog encountering a fierce tiger!

Scared Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, their steel pipes and machetes clattered to the ground as they all dropped to their knees, hands on heads, trembling. A few even wet their pants in terror.

Inside the tavern, Li Goudan and his hired hands watched this scene through the window, dumbfounded, their mouths agape for a long time.

The Planetary Defense Force?!

Why would they come?

And arrive so coincidentally?!

At that moment, the lead officer walked up to the tavern entrance and knocked on the door.

Li Goudan snapped out of it and hurriedly opened the door.

The officer's gaze fell on him, giving him a once-over. His tone remained cold but seemed less hostile. "You're Li Goudan?"

"Y-yes... that's me... S-sir..." Li Goudan's voice trembled.

The officer nodded and handed over a datapad. "According to the 'Federation Veteran Resettlement Act' and the 'Outstanding Contributing Citizen Protection Regulations,' upon verification, you meet the criteria. This is your new identity chip and asset certification. You have been granted permanent ownership of a standalone villa in the 'Starport District' and a commercial property in the Starport's core business district. Furthermore, you have been added to the Planetary Defense Force's priority watchlist and are under the protection of the force. Any unlawful actions against you will be considered a provocation against the Federation's defensive capabilities."

In a daze, Li Goudan took the datapad. Looking at the asset valuation with its string of zeros and the words 'Starport District standalone villa' and 'core business district property,' he felt his brain completely shut down.

The Starport District!

That was where the upper class of Zhiyuan Star gathered!

You couldn't get in even with money!

A standalone villa there?

It was something he wouldn't dare dream of!

A property in the core business district!

Its value was hundreds, thousands of times that of his current rundown tavern!

Planetary Defense Force priority watchlist? Protection?

What... what in the world is going on?!

"S-sir... th-this... is there some mistake? I... I've never served in the military... I'm not an outstanding citizen either..." Li Goudan stammered.

The officer glanced at him and said flatly, "No mistake. This was specially approved by Governor Liu himself. Do well for yourself."

With that, the officer said no more and waved a hand.

The soldiers, like tigers among sheep, handcuffed all thecollapsed to the ground Black Snake Gang thugs, stuffed them into the armored vehicles, and then the convoy roared away, coming and going as quickly as they had appeared, as if they were never there.

Only Li Goudan remained standing at the tavern entrance, holding the cold datapad, watching the distant flashing police lights and the empty street, unable to regain his senses for a long time.

Governor Liu?

Wasn't that a War God Level big shot?

Personally specially approved?

Li Goudan's heart gave a violent jump!

He suddenly thought of someone—Chen Jun!

His good brother!

Chen Jun!

Only him!

Only he could possibly possess such terrifying influence!

To make a War God Level governor personally attend to such a trivial matter!

"Brother... it's you... it must be you..." Li Goudan muttered to himself, his eyes instantly reddening.

Immensesurprise and emotion flooded his heart!

He knew that from today onward, his life, Li Goudan's life, would leap once again to a height he could never have imagined!

He was no longer the Li Goudan who had money but hardly dared to spend it!

And all of this stemmed from the repeated help he had extended to that quiet, taciturn little brother all those years ago.

...

The instigator of all this, Zhou Zhenshan, Governor of Zhiyuan Star, was currently sitting in his luxurious office aboard the geosynchronous orbital space station.

He had just finished listening to his subordinate's report on the 'proper handling' of the matters concerning Auntie Wang and Li Goudan, and nodded in satisfaction.

To him, this was merely a trivial effort. He didn't even need to give the order personally; just a glance or a phrase like 'These two have some connection to an old acquaintance of mine' was enough to have countless people scrambling to handle it flawlessly.

His motivation for doing this was complex.

It stemmed from both awe and a desire to curry favor with that 'Ancient Existence,' Chen Jun.

Although he could find no direct evidence—every search led to 'Top Secret'—the more he failed to uncover, the more unfathomable Chen Jun seemed.

Until he accidentally saw part of Su Xingyao's file.

When he saw the photo attached to the 'Father' section of the file, he was thunderstruck!

The man in that photo was aged, haggard, with tired eyes, looking well over fifty years old—completely different from the 'young' Chen Jun he had met at the Academy of Sciences!

But Zhou Zhenshan, relying on the acute perception of a Planet-level Expert and his photographic memory, was absolutely certain—it was the same person!

Only their states were worlds apart!

Why had he become so young?

Why was the file photo so aged?

Why could he find no trace of any ancient information about him?

Why had Dean Mo Heng treated him with such an attitude?

Countless questions intertwined into a massive enigma, driving Zhou Zhenshan's curiosity and awe of Chen Jun to its Peak.

He dared not investigate further, fearing he might anger that 'Ancient Existence.'

So, through Su Wan's file, he followed theClues and learned about Chen Xi and Chen Yao.

When he tried to learn about Chen Lu, he found that all subsequentclue were again marked 'Top Secret.'

But this was already enough to shock his worldview.

Chen Xi and Chen Yao were both Innate Martial Bodies!

Su Xingyao was even an Innate Star Body! That was a futureconstant force level powerhouse!

The most terrifying thing was!

They were all actually Chen Jun's biological daughters!

"The Ancient Existence' is actually this terrifying!"

He must be playing in the Mortal World! Experiencing the Mortal World!

Otherwise, how could he chat and laugh with Dean Mo Heng?

How could he have three daughters with Innate Physiques?

Even the Pillar of Leaders doesn't have genes like this, right?!

...

So, by helping people connected to Chen Jun's past, he subtly expressed his respect and goodwill.

Auntie Wang and Li Goudan were the ones he had currently managed to find by following the trail...

"Dig a hoe whether there's a well or not. Perhaps... there will be unexpectedReturn in the future? Anyway, it's just a trivial effort." Zhou Zhenshan muttered to himself.

And all of this he had done, Chen Jun, far away in the Pillar of Leaders, enjoying his leisurely life, was completely unaware...