Chapter Fifty-Three: Gathering Storms

After successfully evading the surveillance range of the Bai Ruogen star, Nangong Yixiao did not immediately depart. Instead, he quietly made a wide detour and continued to observe the situation in the Radiant Zone.

Having witnessed in full the battle between Ye Hai’s group and Tang Jie, Nangong Yixiao—whose heart was usually as calm as still water—could no longer remain composed. Scenes of Ye Hai and the others fighting against the mutated beings replayed in his mind, filling him with awe.

Everything he had seen today utterly overturned this renowned strategist’s understanding of ground warfare. Viruses, genes, organic biological weapons, super gene soldiers… This was a mode of warfare entirely different from anything before. Yet, it seemed to hold immense potential and equally formidable power.

Particularly startling was the virus capable of controlling other mutants. This was even more effective than using the Bloodbearer Virus to purge mutants. With just one Lianna, vast swathes of high-level mutants could be brought under control. Whether deploying these mutants onto the battlefield or using them to clear out the mutant population of Zombie Star, the method was simple: subdue the mutants, load them onto a ship, and jettison them on some uninhabited world. The only loss would be the shipping cost.

It truly was an investment that yielded lifelong returns.

Nangong Yixiao contemplated: if he possessed someone like Lianna, capable of controlling high-level mutants, could he then seize vast territories on Zombie Star and deploy high-powered mining equipment for resource extraction? Should high-stage mutants be drawn by the activity, he could control them if possible—or have mutants fight mutants if not.

No matter how he looked at it, the profit far outweighed the risk.

Before the crisis, Zombie Star’s environment had been carefully preserved. Mining was conducted with great restraint, and as the largest habitable planet in the Leviathan System, its mineral wealth was considerable. If extraction could proceed smoothly, the profits would be enormous—enough to spark a localized war.

Fortunately, aside from himself, only the rival powers of Great Tree Star and the Taran Family’s long-standing adversary on Chaos Star, General Kobayashi, were aware of this secret.

Yet General Kobayashi, as Great Tree Star’s agent on Chaos Star, whether his forces became involved or not, meant one thing for certain: the secret would remain contained within their circle.

Afterward, whoever managed to claim a share of the spoils would depend on their capability.

Militarily, the Taran Family could not match a lawful regime like Great Tree Star. However, Chaos Star’s advantage lay in its proximity to Zombie Star. The two worlds were sixty million kilometers apart—about one and a half times the distance from Earth to Venus!

For example, the Taran Family’s fastest spacecraft, capable of speeds up to Mach 5,000, could reach Zombie Star in just ten hours. A full fleet would take about thirty hours, but even so, Chaos Star would maintain its home-field advantage.

…

“General Taran, that’s the situation.” Once his thoughts were in order, Nangong Yixiao immediately contacted General Taran of Chaos Star, reporting everything that had happened in detail.

“Thank you, Chief Advisor Nangong. Your decisions were absolutely correct. Have the Duke of Cannons escort Ze Xi back.”

Nangong Yixiao nodded and asked, “What about Zela?”

General Taran pondered briefly and replied, “The Taran Family appreciates ambitious men, but despises fools. I didn’t object to Ze Xi’s romance with a native of Zombie Star because I admired his ambition. But Zela’s stupidity exceeds my expectations. Since he deceived Ze Xi, there’s no reason for him to live any longer. Deal with him.”

“With time, emotional wounds heal easily. There are plenty of fine young men in the Taran military. As for all prior agreements the Corpse Hunters made with Zela, they remain valid. The resources of the Undercurrent Organization are freely available to them.”

Nangong Yixiao nodded. “Understood, General. Additionally, the virus technology in the hands of the Corpse Hunters is extremely valuable. I intend to personally lead a landing operation.”

General Taran’s expression grew grave. “Landing on Zombie Star is extremely dangerous. According to Zela’s reports, when Harvey of Great Tree Star’s First Defense Army landed, he dispatched ten landing craft—a force of a thousand men. Only three hundred made it to the surface. There’s no need for you to take such a risk. It’s best to remain in orbital command, sending troops and specialists down instead.”

But Nangong Yixiao shook his head. “This time is different. The mysterious Bloodbearer Virus and the gene-warrior modification technology on display could directly determine whether the Taran Army can break free from the meat grinder of Chaos Star. I must oversee the operation on the ground.”

General Taran hesitated for a long while, his brow furrowed in concern. He was reluctant to see Nangong Yixiao put himself in danger—a ‘Top Ten Marshal of the System’ was of tremendous value. Losing such a strategist in the campaign for Zombie Star would be a blow the Taran Family could scarcely afford.

But knowing Nangong Yixiao’s character, once his mind was set, only a direct order could possibly overrule him—and General Taran had no justification to force the issue. Nangong Yixiao was risking his life for the Taran Family’s benefit.

With a sigh, General Taran relented, “Since you’re determined, proceed as you see fit. However, stay in orbit for three days. I’ll have the Leviathan System’s Virus Research and Management Bureau dispatch their top gene warriors to join your command.”

Hearing this, Nangong Yixiao’s eyes flashed with sharp light. “General Taran, does this mean the rumors about the Bureau being infiltrated…”

General Taran smiled, understanding Nangong Yixiao’s question. He spoke openly, “The Virus Research and Management Bureau is now the Taran Family’s private garden. All supervisory personnel from the Four Great Stars are under our control. Whatever you require from the Bureau, just say the word. Every virus technology and product on the Bureau’s ‘Prohibited List’ is at your disposal. I believe the Corpse Hunters’ viral experts will be very interested. Do as you see fit!”

…

For a time, both Edward Teach and Nangong Yixiao—two of the system’s famed strategists—resolved to personally lead landing parties onto Zombie Star.

Aboard the Flagship, General Kobayashi received Edward Teach’s order for withdrawal and respectfully led his fleet out of Zombie Star’s range. After closing the communicator, a cold gleam flashed in his eyes as he instructed his adjutant, “Pass my order: have the elite special operations team bring the power armor procured from the Four Great Stars. We’re landing on the surface.”

Thus, the long-abandoned Zombie Star, nearly forsaken by the Leviathan System, was once again swept by the winds of intrigue and strife, twenty years after its fall.