454: Imperial Front General Combat Corps

Inside the Command Center of the Xili Empire’s Frontline General Combat Regiment Headquarters, the blue light from the holographic sandbox projecting a star map reflected on the Commander’s chiseled face.

He wore a marshal's uniform embroidered with black and gold patterns, and the eight-star insignia on his epaulets, symbolizing his rank, refracted a chilling light under the illumination.

He was the supreme Commander of the Frontline General Combat Regiment, an eight-star Imperial Marshal, just one major rank away from the highest military rank.

(Above the General rank were Imperial Vice Marshal, Imperial Marshal, and Grand Imperial Marshal.)

His fingertips glided across the virtual command screen, each touch triggering the deployment of several armies, and the steady aura around him seemed to freeze the air in the entire office.

Suddenly, a brilliant golden light tore through space without warning, condensing into a line of flowing Imperial text beside the command screen.

The golden light pierced the cold light of the room, carrying an undeniable coercion.

The Commander’s pupils contracted sharply, and he sprang from his command chair, his crisp uniform taut from the movement.

Seeing this, the two adjutants behind him immediately stood at attention, their right hands clenched into fists and pressed firmly against their left chests over their hearts, then raised them high above their heads, their voices as loud as bells.

“Long live the Xili Empire!”

The golden light slowly faded amidst their salute, leaving the text suspended in mid-air.

The Marshal took a step forward, his gaze sharp as an eagle, scanning the line of instructions word by word.

“Troops, search in direction xx and rescue a comrade named Li Yang.”

He frowned slightly, quickly searching his mind for all registered personnel, but he had no impression of “Li Yang.” After all, as a Commander who had always been on the front lines expanding territory, he naturally didn't know much about the affairs of the Imperial Military Department, as his rank was not yet among the highest echelons of the Military Department.

But this did not affect his judgment in the slightest; the Emperor's command was an ironclad rule.

“Transmit my order!”

The Marshal turned, his voice carrying a metallic quality.

“All frontline troops are to immediately adjust their course, expand their search in the direction of coordinates xx, suspend all regular missions, and report immediately upon discovering an Imperial signal!”

“Yes, sir!”

The adjutants responded in unison, their military boots clanking on the ground as they turned to quickly relay the order.

Inside the Command Center, the sandbox, which had displayed the star map, instantly switched coordinates, and countless light points representing fleets began to gather in the designated direction; the entire frontline army operated efficiently like an awakened behemoth under the command.

The Marshal gazed at the moving light points on the sandbox, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table.

No matter who this “Li Yang” was, to have the Emperor use a golden light to transmit an order, he was certainly no ordinary person.

He raised his hand and brought up an encrypted communication.

“I want the files of all Imperial Citizens named ‘Li Yang’.”

...Meanwhile, on the blue planet where Li Yang had fallen, Qi Fang was carrying the unconscious Li Yang, staggering towards his own apartment building.

The old residential area where he lived was in the suburbs of West City; although it was “suburban,” it was only a half-hour drive from the city center, with supermarkets and pharmacies all around, home to many young people like him who sought peace and quiet, and retired elderly.

“Phew... we’re finally here.”

Qi Fang panted, looking up at the stairwell less than twenty meters away, and silently prayed.

“Please, don’t let me run into anyone I know...”

No sooner had he spoken than a figure suddenly emerged from the entrance of the apartment building, carrying a bag of trash ready to be thrown away—it was Uncle Wang, who lived in the same building.

Uncle Wang was known in the community for his warm heart, always eager to chat with anyone he met.

“Oh, Qi Fang?”

Uncle Wang recognized him at a glance, his voice booming.

“Didn’t you go traveling somewhere else? You’re back already?”

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Li Yang on Qi Fang’s back, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Is this... your friend? What happened to him?”

Qi Fang’s heart skipped a beat, and sweat instantly broke out on his back.

He quickly adjusted Li Yang higher on his back, forcing a natural smile.

“Ah, it’s Uncle Wang. This is my friend; we had some drinks tonight, and he got too sleepy and just passed out on the way. I’m just taking him to my place.”

As he spoke, he quickened his pace, trying to get past, afraid that Uncle Wang would get closer and notice the flaws—Li Yang’s strange uniform, stained with blood, and the smudges of dirt and blood on his face that hadn't been wiped clean, which in no way looked like someone who had simply had too much to drink.

“But these clothes...”

Uncle Wang narrowed his eyes, his gaze lingering on Li Yang for a few more turns.

The clothes were indeed peculiar; the dark fabric looked like some kind of uniform, with sharp angles at the collar and cuffs, unlike any style he had ever seen, and the stains on it were also suspicious—they didn't look like wine stains, but rather... burn marks and bloodstains?

Qi Fang’s heart tightened, his mind racing, and an idea suddenly struck him.

“Uncle, he’s playing cosplay! He just bought these new clothes yesterday, and he was crazy from drinking red wine tonight, got covered in dirt, and almost burned a hole in his clothes. You see this...”

As he spoke, he pretended to pat Li Yang’s back, a “helpless” smile in his eyes.

“Cos...play?”

Uncle Wang smacked his lips, clearly not understanding the word, and waved his hand.

“Never mind, never mind. You young people’s new fads, this old man doesn’t understand them anymore.”

“Go on up quickly, don’t let your friend catch a cold.”

With that, he turned around and slowly walked towards his own home, muttering, “These kids nowadays...”

“Alright, sure thing, thanks for your concern, Uncle!”

Qi Fang quickly responded, practically half-supporting, half-dragging Li Yang into the apartment building.

It wasn’t until they entered the elevator and the doors slowly closed, cutting off the view from outside, that he finally let out a long sigh of relief, his back soaked with cold sweat.

The elevator’s fluorescent light was stark white, illuminating Li Yang’s bloodless face.

Qi Fang looked at the faintly glowing wound on his chest, secretly groaning inwardly.

This “alien general’s” disguise work was much harder than he had imagined.

Opening the door, Qi Fang gently placed Li Yang on the bed in the bedroom. Looking at his still unconscious face, then down at the faintly glowing wound on his chest, his suspended heart finally settled halfway.

He pulled the black sphere from his pocket, weighed it in his palm, and tentatively called out.

“Hey? Are you still awake? What should I do now? This wound... should I put some medicine on it?”

The faint blue light on the surface of the black sphere flickered twice, like the low battery indicator of a toy, then completely dimmed, and there was no further movement.

Qi Fang held up the black sphere, shook it, and patted it, but still got no response.

He sighed, placed the black sphere on the nightstand, and plopped down on the edge of the bed, worrying about Li Yang.

Call an ambulance? No, this wound was too bizarre; what if the hospital treated him like a monster for research? Deal with it himself? He didn’t even know where his bandages were, let alone this “alien wound.”