326: Chapter 320 A Tacit Agreement

By the time Lister finished handing everything over, it was already night.

Zhang Xinmei sank entirely into the massive sofa in the living room, which looked ridiculously expensive, and let out a moan of satisfaction.

"This sofa seems to be able to automatically adjust its shape to my body; it's so comfortable! I declare that this will be my exclusive throne from now on!"

Yang Yueqi, meanwhile, ran around the ridiculously spacious living room like a curious kitten.

One moment she was touching the mirror-smooth walls, which immediately displayed dynamic images of the starry sky;

the next, she waved her hand at the air, and a virtual operation interface appeared out of thin air before her.

"Brother Song Yang! Look! You can order food here! Wow, it has delicacies from the entire universe! I want to eat the roasted dragon lizard legs from the Paragon Galaxy, and they can actually make it here!"

Every inch of land and every item here exuded an aura called "privilege."

This feeling was a hundred times more intense than the impact brought by the VIP passage at the starport earlier.

Song Yang picked up the data pad Lister had left behind and swiped through it casually.

It not only contained a detailed introduction to the manor but also an initial staff allocation list.

Butlers, chefs, gardeners, security staff—thousands of them, all professionals who had undergone rigorous screening.

He swiped directly to the end and selected the "Do Not Enable Yet" option.

He was not yet used to having so many strangers active in his territory.

After the group made a ruckus for a while, the novelty wore off and the fatigue of the journey set in, so they all quietly nestled into the sofa, turned on the giant wall-mounted light screen in the living room, and began browsing the Galactic Federation's TV channels.

The programs on it were diverse: paid courses teaching the cultivation systems of different civilizations, thrilling interstellar gladiatorial matches, and even food and travel programs introducing the customs of various rare races.

Just as Zhang Xinmei and Yang Yueqi were arguing endlessly over a cheesy alien romance drama, the silver-gray bracelet on Song Yang's wrist suddenly vibrated slightly.

Hum—

A soft beam of light shot out from the bracelet, projecting two clear, three-dimensional figures onto the open space in front of them.

A man and a woman, both wearing well-tailored dark blue Federation uniforms, looked capable and steady.

The sudden turn of events caused the living room to fall silent instantly; Zhang Xinmei and Yang Yueqi stopped arguing and looked at the two light figures curiously.

"Good evening, Inspector Song Yang."

The man in the light projection spoke first, wearing a smile on his face.

"I am the administrative director of the star region you selected, and this is my deputy."

The woman beside him also bowed slightly: "Greetings, sir."

Song Yang leaned back, shifted into a more comfortable position, and looked at them calmly.

"It's so late; is there something you need?"

"We are here to report to you and confirm if you have any matters that you need our assistance with."

The man's attitude was very respectful. "As star region directors, we are under your supervision. If you have any needs, you can also tell us."

Song Yang understood.

A problem that had long been lingering in his mind, yet one he had been powerless to solve, surfaced in his thoughts at this moment.

"I do have one thing."

"Help me check which civilization is currently occupying the Solar System."

The man and woman exchanged glances, seemingly a bit surprised that he would ask this.

The woman immediately began operating on the virtual light screen in front of her, her speed so fast that it left an Afterimage.

In less than three seconds, she looked up.

"Reporting, sir, the search is complete.

The Solar System is currently controlled by a Level 3 civilization called 'Chiwu.' They use the Sun as an energy source for their branch clans and have established outpost bases on Mars and Europa.

This civilization submitted an application for the development and usage rights of this star system to the Galactic Federation fifty-two standard years ago, and it was approved."

Although Bai Jie and Zhang Xinmei didn't quite understand the concept of a Level 3 civilization, they understood the words "occupying" and "controlled."

That was their home, humanity's only cradle.

Now, it had become someone else's energy source.

An inexplicable sense of humiliation and anger rose in their hearts.

"The Solar System is my home."

Song Yang said, "I do not wish for any outsiders to be occupying my home."

His words were very direct, even somewhat unreasonable.

But the man and woman's faces did not show any signs of difficulty or doubt.

"Understood, sir."

"I will immediately issue a Federation 'Territory Evacuation Order' with the highest priority to the Chiwu civilization, ordering them to withdraw all personnel and equipment located in the Solar System within twenty-four standard hours and permanently renounce any claims to this star system."

The man paused and added:

"At the same time, we will permanently transfer the jurisdiction of the Solar System to your private name. From now on, without your permission, no civilization or spaceship may enter without authorization."

Hearing this,

Zhang Xinmei and Yang Yueqi covered their mouths tightly.

One sentence.

Just because of one sentence from Song Yang.

An alien civilization that had occupied the Solar System was going to be expelled?

Even the entire Solar System was going to become Song Yang's private property?

Is this the power of an Inspector?

Even after the two had left, Zhang Xinmei and Yang Yueqi remained in the posture of covering their mouths.

After a long while, Zhang Xinmei lowered her hands and asked curiously:

"You just arrived; how did they come to find you? And with that kind of attitude..."

She wanted to say "obedient," but felt that this word was not enough to describe the attitude of the two high-ranking Federation officials just now.

"So respectful?" she finally changed the word.

Song Yang tossed the data pad back onto the sofa, sank into the soft cushions, and lazily picked up a glass of juice on the table that someone had poured, taking a sip.

"There is no such thing as a free lunch."

"The power of an Inspector sounds amazing, but to local tyrants like them who have operated in the Federation system for countless years, it's more like a sword hanging over their heads."

He swirled the liquid in the cup, watching the orange-yellow luster flow.

"They took the initiative to come to me and lowered their stance so much, respectfully doing what I wanted to be done, not because they are my subordinates."

"But because they need me, this 'Inspector,' to turn a blind eye to some things that happen in the star regions they govern at some point in the future."

Once this was said, everyone understood a little.

So, behind that suffocating awe was a tacit transaction.

They offered loyalty and convenience in exchange for Song Yang's tacit approval of potential "irregular operations" in the future.

This was the truest form of power: not one-way commands, but mutual needs and checks and balances.

"It's just taking what each needs."

Song Yang concluded, placing the cup back on the table.

Zhang Xinmei understood.

She leaned back on the sofa and let out a long sigh, her stunning curves rising and falling with it.

She thought she had seen enough deception in the business world, but compared to everything Song Yang was talking about now, those so-called business empires on Earth were simply like children playing house.

The look she gave Song Yang, besides the original appreciation and admiration, now added a deeper sense of awe.