64: Chapter 64: The Interstellar Review Panel Finally Arrives (Please Subscribe First!)
64: Chapter 64: The Interstellar Review Panel Finally Arrives (Please Subscribe First!)
âThe interstellar inspection team, along with the Blue Star accompanying personnel, are about 10 hours away from our Silver Grey Star,â
âThey will arrive at 10 a.m.
tomorrow morning.
Due to special reasons, they wonât go through the star port but will land directly in our Silver Grey City.â
Minister Qinâs expression was solemn as he looked around, âBy then, weâll take over their security duties on Silver Grey Star; I hope there wonât be any issues!â
âUnderstood!â
The next step was to assign tasks.
The landing spot was chosen to be the first sports arena in Silver Grey City since it had more open space.
However, being in the city center, surrounded by high-rise buildings, there were many potential sniper spots.
âWho would dare touch them?â Old Yao was nonchalant, âNot to mention the interstellar inspection team, just a slight stomp of their foot, and our Silver Grey City would shake three times.â
âBesides, they have their own security team, close protection consists of Class D life forms, we are just going through the motions.â
Yang Peng didnât like Old Yaoâs carefree attitude and frowned, âDo you know how many people are in the entire team?
312 people.
The core members are naturally not in any danger, but what about the others?â
âIncluding reporters from the Blue Starâs major media, what if something really happens?
Do you want to appear in the news?â
Old Yaoâs expression paused, somewhat sheepishly.
âLi MingâŠâ They were arranging tasks when the security chief approached.
âChiefâŠâ
âChiefâŠâ Several people quickly greeted him.
âYouâre busy, youâre busyâŠâ Chief Wang waved his hand, appearing very amiable, âLi Ming, come with me.
And Yang Peng, donât assign him any tasks.â
Li Ming followed him out.
âIs there a special task for him?â Old Yao said enviously, âLi Ming has a great future ahead, itâs good to be young, unlike us old timers.â
âLook at the defense map!â Yang Peng averted his gaze and scolded.
âŠ
He was taken by Chief Wang to a private office, which was filled with several people, including a few acquaintances like Wang Zhiheng and Zuo Ling.
As he entered, many eyes showed surprise; Wang Zhiheng slightly frowned and muttered to Zuo Ling beside him, âOld Yang really is generous, giving away such a great opportunity.â
Li Ming heard some low discussions and felt slightly puzzled.
Zuo Ling didnât respond to him but nodded slightly to Li Ming; she had a good impression of this young man from the way he handled the sniper incident last time.
âAlright, everyoneâs here,â Chief Wang clapped his hands, drawing everyoneâs attention.
âOur colleagues outside are responsible for the perimeter security.â
âHowever, close protection is also necessary.
You all are the elite of the elite and must exhibit the standards of Silver Grey City.â
Those outside are deployed around the periphery, controlling the scene, or squatting between those high-rise buildings, not even having the chance to get close, let alone be seen by the bigwigs of Blue Star.
But itâs different for them; they obviously need to get close, even interact, with the bigwigs from Blue Star.
If it went according to Qin Xiaoâs plan, even if Yang Peng hadnât given up his spot, Li Ming would still definitely be arranged into the close protection team, saving Qin Xiao the hassle.
âThe most important person among the Blue Star accompanying personnel is this oneâProfessor Wu.â Behind him, a photo appeared on the screen, featuring a hooked nose, deep crevices beside the wings of the nose, and indifferent eyes that seemed devoid of any emotion.
At first glance, he didnât seem like a scientific researcher but rather quite stern.
âDue to special reasons, Professor Wuâs physical condition is only equivalent to an ordinary person, but he has wide connections, one of the few people from our Blue Star who can speak on interstellar matters.â
Chief Wang shrugged, âIf a hair on this man were to fall on Silver Grey Star, let alone you, even the minister would be in big trouble.â
The group couldnât help but laugh.
âOf course, he has his own private bodyguards, we basically donât need to concern ourselves with him; however, the othersâŠâ
Chief Wang introduced one by one; there were quite a few accompanying personnel from Blue Star, including several media reporters and officials of various levels.
There are only five core members of the interstellar inspection team; the rest are just ordinary workers accompanying them.
âAlright, everyone, go prepare.
Weâll gather at six oâclock sharp,â Chief Wang arranged everything, and the meeting dispersed.â
âLi MingâŠâ Wang Zhiheng came over, his hair combed back, appearing somewhat unrestrained.
âChief WangâŠâ Li Ming greeted.
âOld Yang and I have a good relationship; he has led me before, heâs like half a master to me,â Wang Zhiheng sighed, âThis is a rare opportunity.
Heâs almost forty, at best he would reach chief level.
If he were to be well-regarded, perhaps he could climb higher.â
âSince he gave you this opportunity, for the sake of his and my relationship, Iâll teach you a few tricks,â Wang Zhiheng said solemnly, âDo you know how you can quickly gain the favor of those bigwigs?â
âPlease enlighten me, Captain Wang.â Li Ming hesitated slightly, knowing this manâs idiosyncratic reputation within the city guards.
âActually, itâs quite simple.
You saw the document just now.
Thereâs a woman named Fan Xiaosu who, at only 38, is the Secretary-General of the Blue Star Interstellar Exchange Affairs Department.
She still has her charmsâŠâ
Initially, Wang Zhiheng remained serious, and Li Ming listened attentively, but Wangâs expression gradually turned sleazy, and Li Ming was left speechless.
âMore importantly, sheâs still single.
Youâre young and handsome, and you look no worse than me.
You understand what I mean, right?
This could save you 20 years of struggle.â
He winked and grimaced, then suddenly twisted his face and howled as Zuo Ling appeared behind him, retracting her dagger.
Expressionless, she said, âDonât listen to him.â
âIdiotâŠâ Zhao Xiong passed by, scoffing.
Wang Zhiheng, in pain, gritted his teeth but didnât bother to argue.
âCaptain ZuoâŠâ Li Ming greeted her.
The impressive-looking woman wiped a bit of blood off her dagger and seriously said, âI think Professor Wu is key.
Heâs a professor at the Capital University of Science and Technology, highly esteemed.â
âAlthough you didnât take the Star Exam, if he notices you, you still have a boundless future ahead, perhaps even better than those who pass the exam.
Itâs a shame to let your youthful years waste away on Silver Grey Star.â
âThank you, Captain Zuo.â Li Ming nodded.
Wang Zhiheng, grimacing in pain, said, âZuo Ling, are you trying to harm him?
Donât get your hopes up.
Do you know what kind of person Professor Wu is?
His vision is broader than a planet; itâs too difficult.â
Zuo Ling hesitated a bit, then added, âI just mentioned it offhand.
Donât harbor any hopes.â
If ideals clash with reality, it can destabilize oneâs mentality, and Li Ming, being so young, might tumble and never recover.
âRest assured, both of you, I am aware,â said Li Ming calmly.
He then asked, âBut what did Captain Zuo mean when she said that being noticed by Professor Wu might be even better than passing the exam?â
âBy special channels of admission, wonât the Capital University of Science and Technology recognize it?â
Zuo Ling and Wang Zhiheng exchanged glances, their eyes conveying subtle hints.
âYouâre quite informed, knowing even about admission through special channels,â Wang Zhiheng explained.
âThe Capital University of Science and Technology is supported under key interstellar projects, and itâs also the university with the most resources allocated on Blue Star.â
âPrivileges are not absent there, just minimized to the lowest.
Through these special channels, you can enroll, but your name wonât appear on the admission list, nor on the graduation list.â
âYouâll only have a certificate from the University of Science and Technology, proving that you studied there.
Though it still has value, itâs far less compared to that of official students.â
Li Ming pondered; the cripple had also told him that his name wouldnât appear on the admission list.
Wang Zhiheng casually said, âAlso, these students receive the least resources.
Most just get in to make connections or to âgold-plateâ themselves.â
âThere are also a few ordinary people who fail the exams, who spend their entire fortunes for a chance to change their fate drastically.â
Zuo Ling added, âOnly those who enter through the normal exams are considered true students of the Capital University of Science and Technology, enjoying regular resource training and various benefits.â
âHowever, these students mostly end up staying within Blue Star after graduation, hardly ever venturing beyond their civilization.â
âOnly the top, the most outstanding individuals are nurtured best.
From six star systems, ten million peers, only ten thousand are selected, and from those, only a handful truly stand out,â Zuo Ling remarked, âBoth innate talent and family background are indispensable.â
After talking for a while and seeing Li Mingâs silence, Wang Zhiheng couldnât help but pat his shoulder, âAlright, donât think too much about it.
Consider the brighter path that your elder brother has pointed out for you.â
Li Ming gave him a glance, âWhy arenât you charging ahead yourself, Captain Wang?â
âMe?â Wang Zhiheng sighed, âI wanted to, but if my son doesnât carry the Wang surname, my father would skin me alive.â
âYour father is long gone anyway; it doesnât matter.â
Li Ming fell silent.
âŠâŠ
With the arrival of these prominent figures, not just the city guards but the entire Silver Grey City became bustling.
At 2 a.m., the streets began to be cleaned.
All departments worked through the night, coordinating.
Even the Star Creation Company sent representatives in a grand manner, with over a dozen hovercars, each bodyguard towering and formidable, not just for show.
âTsk, Chen Songnan, the head of the Star Creation Companyâs local branch.
Donât be fooled by his smiley appearance; heâs a crafty old fox,â Wang Zhiheng and Li Ming dressed in city guard uniforms, robust and imposing, stood aside.
Chen Songnan was chatting amiably with Qin Xiao and a few others.
As the time neared 10 oâclock, everyone took their positions.
Qin Xiao and the others composed themselves, though not without difficulty.
Rumble!
The wind speed increased gradually, the groundâs weeds bowed low, and a shadow formed on the ground, which then expanded as the wind pressure intensified.
A large spaceship came into view, hundreds of meters long, resembling a massive metallic meteorite.
The surface, made of some advanced alloy, flickered with a faint blue glow.
They could only see the fluorescent glow under the spaceship and the gradually dimming thrusters.
Boom!
The spaceship landed completely, accompanied by a buzzing sound, as the hatch slowly opened.
Standing at the door was a slender figure, skin crimson, with an unusually long neck adorned with a metal ring, and narrow eyes like slits.