Yang Ming wore a sharp black suit, his wristwatch replaced with a standard model, his crew cut with a slight sheen, yet his entire being lacked any greasy feeling, exuding more of youthful vitality.

They were guided to the entrance of a metal building in a corner of the Space Port.

Da Wa and her companions waited outside the door, while Yang Ming went alone to attend the investigation team's meeting.

A familiar figure appeared outside the meeting room, leaning against the window smoking, his tall and sturdy figure and casually flowing medium-length hair exuding a kind of Imperial man's dashing nonchalance.

"Griss?"

"Whoa!"

Griss quickly turned off the e-cigarette, opened his large hands to Yang Ming, laughing heartily as he approached and gave Yang Ming a bear hug.

"Didn't expect it, did you? I applied to be the security team leader of your investigation group! Hahaha! Is Princess Daphne not here?"

"She still has a performance."

"Tsk tsk," Griss squinted, "I really envy you, always surrounded by beautiful women, but... did Catherine really betray?"

Yang Ming said, "Logically speaking, you should know better than I do, aren't you the one responsible for investigating and hunting down those defected supermodified people?"

"They seem to have vanished into thin air, probably already left the Empire's borders," Griss mused aloud, "This matter truly makes one sigh, but Catherine's choice to betray didn't really surprise me, her dissatisfaction with the current state of the Empire was evident long ago, I just didn't expect they could bypass the secondary ideological imprint."

Yang Ming remained expressionless, frowned, and sighed, "Regarding this matter, I can't say anything, nor can I do anything."

"Everyone has their own aspirations, it's not related to you," Griss said, "Besides, didn't you break up earlier? Just being boyfriend and girlfriend, not married, it won't have much impact."

"Let's not talk about it anymore, your presence saves me a lot of trouble."

Yang Ming gave Griss's chest a gentle punch.

Griss almost spat blood.

"Wait, why so heavy-handed! Cough cough!"

Griss glared at Yang Ming, covering his chest as he coughed.

Yang Ming apologized with a smile: "I've had a slight increase in strength, haven't fully adjusted yet, are you alright?"

"I'm okay, my clothes have adaptive armor," Griss looked Yang Ming up and down, mumbling a few things like 'you're already so strong and can still improve.'

"Has everyone else in the investigation team arrived?"

"We'll have to wait a moment, there are still two ministers and three deputy directors on their way," Griss frowned, "Are we really going to investigate the New Federation's patent office this time?"

"Mhmm," Yang Ming said, "That's the order from above."

Griss crossed his arms, puzzled, "What's the point of this? Wouldn't it be simpler to just declare a ceasefire? The war compensation has already been obtained."

"The Empire wants to cease the war, but not withdraw the troops," Yang Ming said, "Every day, the occupied New Federation planets provide the Empire with immense revenue, how could the Empire let go of such a blood supply."

"Then why investigate them?" Griss sneered, "Currently, we hold an absolute advantage, the Free Federation and the Guel Alliance are unwilling to fight to the death with the Empire, and the New Federation wants to preserve their military core, dragging them out for three to five years is no issue?"

Yang Ming said, "After three to five years, the New Federation will recover enough to initiate a new grand battle."

"Then let them fight, in the end, war is a matter of population and resources, and the Empire holds an absolute advantage."

"Why are you innately so belligerent," Yang Ming joked, "This is not within our jurisdiction to interfere with decisions, just follow orders, but you, I've already reached deputy director of the Military Intelligence Bureau, why are you as the strongest field commander still holding a team leader title?"

Griss sighed despondently, "I'm a transformed person."

"So am I."

"Not the same, you as a transformed person are very powerful, and with various additional values."

Griss did a chest expansion exercise:

"I'll just be like this from now on, with no promotion channel, just quietly make it to retirement, that's satisfying enough."

"Let's head in, we'll have more chances to chat later."

Yang Ming smiled and pushed open the alloy door, revealing a warmly decorated hall before him, with over a dozen square sofas forming an inner circle, and more than twenty simple chairs on the outer ring.

Five or six people were already sitting on the sofas, with a few middle-aged men and women standing behind the sofas.

Seeing Yang Ming, these people all stood up at this moment, each showing slight smiles, and some began to lead a round of applause.

Yang Ming nodded with a smile, exchanged a few pleasantries with these Empire officials, and returned to his main seat.

Griss took a seat in the chair behind him, both of them, as if of one mind... began surfing the internet, browsing various information and news.

This information is like a comb, massaging each reader's cerebral cortex, giving them an inexplicable pleasure, thereby ignoring the passage of time.

After waiting for about two Galaxy Times, several rounds of refreshments were served in the meeting room, and finally, all the dozen or so sofas were occupied.

Every official arriving here would proactively engage in pleasantries with Yang Ming, typically involving a self-introduction, small talk, and exchanging contacts in three steps.

Yang Ming glanced at his watch, the scheduled meeting time was about to arrive.

Ding ding, buzz buzz!

The participants' communication devices simultaneously received the same message, all from the 'Imperial Supreme Council'.

Yang Ming carefully read through the information, which included his official appointment and their itinerary for this trip to the New Federation.

—— On the surface, the New Federation strongly opposes, but in reality, they have already negotiated terms with the Empire's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, allowing this investigation team to enter their territory for an investigation.

This is the benefit of achieving an absolute advantage on the battlefield.

"Everyone," Yang Ming began, "I am the leader of this investigation team, sitting here representing the Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau. While entering the New Federation territory, overall, there won't be any danger, but we must still take necessary precautions."

The well-dressed elderly men and women nodded slowly.

An elderly gentleman smiled and said, "With Director Hanton leading the team, we will surely return with success."

"Thank you," Yang Ming nodded with a smile, "Let's first discuss what form the investigation should take and what kind of investigation report we should bring back."

A lady asked, "Will the New Federation really open their patent database to us?"

"They have no room to refuse," another lady remarked, "We are the advantageous party now, and besides, we are there to observe, not to record. Even if our memory is astounding, it's impossible to record any complete patent information solely by mind."

Yang Ming spoke softly: "It doesn't matter how many patents or confidential information we see; what's important is that we make a subjective assessment."

Subjective assessment?

The group nodded in unison, while the assistants and secretaries on the sidelines scribbled furiously.

"Director Hanton, where do you think we should start?"

"According to the higher-ups, we have the freedom to decide where to start," Yang Ming said solemnly, "I believe we must remember three principles."

"Please go on."

Yang Ming raised one finger: "First, the Empire can do no wrong."

The group nodded again.

"Second, our report must include this point; even if direct evidence isn't found, the industrial base of the New Federation is sufficient for them to develop those kinds of high-precision assassination robots."

"Third, although no suspicious targets were found within the New Federation, we have sufficient reason to suspect the existence of secret production lines, necessitating deeper involvement."

The crowd shared knowing smiles.

Yang Ming gently said: "Does everyone understand now?"

"Rest assured, Director, we all understand the higher-ups' intentions."

"Director, when we enter the New Federation, what should we do if we are attacked by extreme armed groups within their territory?"

"Safety is paramount; we must ensure that no skirmishes occur."

Yang Ming thought carefully:

"There are actually very few methods we can employ, like disguised navigation and splitting into two groups, which can be specifically discussed later."

"Once we're in the enemy's rear during wartime, the most important thing is for the Military Department to continue putting pressure on the New Federation to provide more assistance."

"Director," a middle-aged man gestured, "we also need to discuss a small issue."

"What small issue?"

"We need to come up with a team name; we need to start building external momentum and publicity right now. What should we call our investigation team? How about the 'Ghost Investigation Team'?"

The crowd chuckled and nodded, while some suggested naming it the 'Hanton Investigation Team.'

Yang Ming waved his hand: "Don't use my name for it; that would just bring animosity when we're in the New Federation territory. I am already a thorn in their side... let's call it the Peace Investigation Team, wishing peace in the Galaxy."

The effectively authoritative officials in the meeting room exchanged glances and spoke almost in unison:

"Wishing peace in the Galaxy."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.