On the very first day of term, a problem broke out at the Interstellar Academy's China Branch. A student vanished from the infirmary for no reason at all.
The General slammed the table, furious with the guards. "I've never seen such a huge security breach. A living person disappeared right in front of your eyes for no reason. Are you all blind?!" This wasn't some minor slip-up. It was a major security crisis. The Interstellar Academy was too important, and now the negligence was outrageous.
"Search! Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, bring Liu Su back!"
"Master, could it be that the enemy warned us by the Force and has now started moving?" Ben asked.
Liu A'dou wasn't sure. But from the faint traces of strange energy still lingering in the infirmary, he noticed it was very similar to the energy left behind at the explosion site. That meant Liu Su's disappearance was connected to Ming Wen's murder.
The only lead left was Ming Wu. They had to find him. Liu A'dou acted immediately.
Inside the cafeteria, the cold standoff had already dragged on for three hours, lasting from noon into the afternoon. Jiang Yuliu was feeling triumphant. By now, most people stood behind him. As soon as the doors opened, he planned to confront the instructors, demand lighter training, and get an explanation. If not, they'd walk out of the academy.
Too young, too naïve. Did he really think stirring up public opinion was enough to turn the sky upside down?
Click—crack—
The doors swung open. All the students inside rose to their feet. The ones in Jiang Yuliu's camp were smiling, ready to make their move.
Standing at the entrance was Liu A'dou. "Ming Wu, come with me."
Ming Wu glanced at him once, then slowly walked forward.
"Hold it!" Jiang Yuliu's voice cut through. Surrounded by dozens of students, he stepped out to block Liu A'dou. "We have something to say."
Liu A'dou sneered. "Your business has nothing to do with me. Ming Wu, follow me."
"No. Unless we get results today, we're not backing down." Jiang Yuliu's face was firm, as if they had already won. "We demand an explanation."
"If anyone doesn't want to stay here, step forward now. We'll send them back to their original schools," the General said, walking up beside Liu A'dou. His voice was heavy. Right now, the most important thing was investigating Liu Su's disappearance, finding the academy's weak spot. He had no time for Jiang Yuliu's petty tricks.
The General's gaze made Jiang Yuliu flinch, but he forced himself to stand tall. "We cannot accept this kind of training. We want to exercise our democratic rights. You can't abuse us like this!"
"Do the ones standing behind Jiang Yuliu feel the same way?" The General's eyes swept over them, making the students shrink their necks in fear. Some already regretted their choices. Nobody here was stupid. They had only sided with Jiang Yuliu because they couldn't handle the high-intensity training. Their relationship with him was purely transactional—he used them to gain a voice, and they hoped he could ease the training load for everyone. They all considered themselves talents, unworthy of being treated like this.
"Why isn't anyone speaking now?" the General roared. "If you're dissatisfied, stand out. Don't think you can hide behind Jiang Yuliu and reap the benefits. Let me tell you, this academy is the cornerstone of the future. If you don't like it, you're free to leave. But if you choose to stay, you will abandon your petty thoughts and cut the nonsense. Now, whoever wants to leave, step forward!"
No one moved, because they all knew this place was far from ordinary. They couldn't just leave. They couldn't give up this chance.
"If you don't want to leave, then shut your mouths. Now, everyone return to your dorms. Without orders, no one steps out."
The General's sudden outburst terrified the students. His aura carried the scent of blood.
"I have something to say." At that moment, Ouyang raised his hand high.
The General frowned slightly, unsure why Ouyang chose now to speak up. "Say it!"
"I was wondering… could I go along with Ming Wu? Maybe I can help." He volunteered himself. Smart move. Sitting around and waiting was the most passive, useless choice. If he wanted to truly understand the academy, he had to take part. Ouyang knew this well.
The General smiled in satisfaction. He had judged right about this one. "Good. Ouyang, you'll go too!"
Liu A'dou didn't care. He couldn't keep everything hidden from the students forever anyway. "You two, come with me."
Jiang Yuliu watched Ouyang and Ming Wu leave and suddenly felt regret. Why hadn't he thought of that? But then he reassured himself—most of the students already stood on his side. As long as he stayed, he wouldn't fall behind anyone.
Following Liu A'dou's steps, Ouyang and Ming Wu entered his temporary office. His two apprentices were already there.
"Sit down," Liu A'dou told them, then studied Ming Wu curiously. Aside from his eyes, there wasn't anything striking about him. "First, I need to tell you some bad news. Liu Su has disappeared."
Both of them widened their eyes in shock. They knew this was supposed to be just a school, but the security here was airtight, loose on the outside but strict within. For a girl like Liu Su to vanish in such a place—this was no joke.
"Teacher Lin, are you saying you suspect this has something to do with Ming Wu? I can vouch for him. Since Liu Su fainted, Ming Wu has always been with me." Ouyang stepped forward to testify for him.
Ouyang knew how to deal with people, smooth and easygoing, impossible to hate. But Ming Wu couldn't see through him, so he didn't trust him either.
"I know," Liu A'dou said. He turned to Ming Wu, his face serious. "I suspect someone is pulling strings behind this. And I suspect their next target is you."
Ming Wu's eyes widened. Did that mean his brother had also been one of their targets? Thoughts exploded in his head as he considered countless possibilities. In the end, he calmed himself. The enemy was hidden, while he was exposed—troublesome. "What do you need me to do?"
"If the enemy's next target really is you, then I want you to act as bait," Liu A'dou said bluntly. "It'll be dangerous, but I don't think you'll be afraid."
"Right!" Ming Wu wasn't afraid at all. "I can't wait to see their faces."
Ouyang looked puzzled. Finally, he couldn't hold back. "I know Ming Wu's brother and Liu Su were a couple, but why target the two of them? And if the enemy's goal was only Liu Su, with Ming Wen's death just collateral damage, then maybe they won't come after Ming Wu at all."
Sharp analysis. But aside from Ming Wu, they had no other leads. "Let's hope Liu Su isn't the only one they need."
Ming Wu's eyes were firm, his heart pounding. He was about to face the murderer of his brother. Ming Wu was straightforward, a one-track mind. Ouyang's reasoning couldn't sway him.
"From now on, Ming Wu, my two apprentices will protect you. You're not allowed to be alone, understood?" Liu A'dou said. He was certain the enemy would come again. But if this was only about a few ordinary people, then the Force's warning seemed way too exaggerated. More likely, there was a much bigger scheme at play. That was what the Force had truly wanted to tell him.