Lu Yuan also knew that he had little influence with just a few words to persuade Old Li, so he immediately walked over to the two mechas and began to inspect them carefully.
Old Li was startled, hurriedly threw away his cigarette butt, and stopped Lu Yuan.
"Hey, hey, hey, donāt mess around, kid. This is the latest model of Zero-Type Mecha. If you break it, working your whole life wonāt be enough to pay for it."
"Could the two of you step aside to talk?"
Lu Yuan observed for a moment, seemed to have discovered something, and then looked at them and said.
The man and woman exchanged glances, gazing deeply at Lu Yuan, making the atmosphere slightly tense.
"Okay."
The tall woman nodded, agreeing to Lu Yuanās request.
"Master Li, I need a room for a conversation."
Lu Yuan whispered.
"What are you up to, acting all mysterious?"
Old Li looked doubtful, but sensing the shift in the atmosphere, he hesitated before leading the three to an empty room inside the repair shop.
"This is my break room. Can you finally speak?"
Old Li urged.
"Master Li, could you perhaps step out for a bit?"
Lu Yuan wasnāt in a rush to answer, instead looking around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, before speaking to Old Li.
"Whose place is this, yours or mine?"
Old Li immediately snapped.
"Master Li, Iām just considering your safety."
"Nonsense, Iāve seen all sorts of storms over the years. Speak if youāve got something to say, or get out if you donāt."
Seeing Old Liās persistence, Lu Yuan reluctantly nodded and let him stay.
Then,
Lu Yuan looked at the two, startling them with his words.
"You tampered with the core code of the operating system?"
Their complexions changed subtly at these words.
The young manās eyes briefly revealed a trace of panic, as if being caught by Lu Yuan.
As for the tall woman, though she masked it well, her subconsciously tense posture betrayed her inner anxiety.
"Donāt speak carelessly, kid."
Old Li widened his eyes, hurriedly trying to stop him.
The terminal control of the operating system rested with the AI brain; normal people couldnāt, nor did they have the ability to modify the core code.
Thatās why he didnāt think in that direction initially.
Only upon seeing the patrol officersā reaction did Old Li realize something was off.
"Could it really be the core code malfunction?"
Old Li found it hard to believe.
These two mechas were intact, with no faults inside or out.
The only possibility was a problem with the operating system.
āThese two must have had a lot of courage to mess with the core code. No wonder they refuse to go to a legitimate mecha repair factory...ā
Old Li looked at the Public Security Bureau badge on the otherās chest and seemed to understand, his expression becoming extremely grim.
"We only made a mistake and accidentally touched the core code. Since this young man can spot the issue, can you help us restore it?"
The tall woman forced a smile, feigning ease.
But Lu Yuan, having experienced countless reincarnations, was more than discerning.
He could see through their pretense at a glance.
Moreover, knowing the core code was faulty, they hadnāt informed Old Li, clearly having guilty consciences!
"I can try, but as for the compensation..."
Lu Yuan thought for a moment before speaking.
The tall womanās eyes lit up as if seeing a savior.
"As long as you can fix these two mechas, I can pay you five times, no, ten times the reward..."
Before the tall woman finished, Old Li suddenly interrupted her.
"Please forgive him, heās just a kid talking nonsense."
Old Li laughed awkwardly, quickly pulling Lu Yuan out of the room.
"Are you crazy, trying to earn money like that?"
"Do you even know who they are?"
Old Li was both anxious and angry, peeking into the room before whispering urgently.
"I know, theyāre infiltrators in the Public Security Bureau."
Lu Yuan replied nonchalantly, having already guessed their identity.
The world has suffered under the Star Alliance for a long time.
Since the Dark Alien Raceās massive invasion of the Cultivation World, the Celestial Divine Raceās control over major star domains has significantly weakened.
Many forces or organizations long discontent with the Star Alliance rose in rebellion, attempting to overthrow the Celestial Divine Raceās rule.
These resistance forces and organizations are all labeled as subversives by the Star Alliance.
Who in their right mind would modify the core code of a Zero-Type Mecha?
Only subversive elements would dare undertake such risky actions that could easily cost them their lives.
"Since you know, why not quickly cut ties with them?"
Old Li lamented, urging him.
Hulao Star is technologically lagging, resource-poor, and located in a remote star domain.
Compared to other thriving planets, Hulao Star is like a tiny speck of dust, considered an abandoned planet within the Star Allianceās jurisdiction.
As such, over the years,
Hulao Star has gradually become a haven for all sorts of rogue elements and subversive forces.
But the Star Alliance isnāt foolish, theyāve recently increased pressure on Hulao Star.
Every year, at least tens of thousands are executed for participating with remnants or being implicated by resistance forces.
Now, the Governor stationed on Hulao Star is a Tier Five Mecha Master, like a Stabilizing Needle, capable of suppressing all upheaval.
No matter how rampant the subversives become, theyāve never managed to cause significant turmoil.
The reason Old Li has lived safely for decades is by keeping to himself, avoiding all danger, and not getting involved with any forces.