Above the Galaxy
Chapter 314 - 206: Perfect Match!

Chapter 314: Chapter 206: Perfect Match!

Shen Xinglan wasn’t ignoring family affairs; it was that he wasn’t ignorant of the ways of the world.

In this world, there are many things where if you understand one, you understand all.

Those with great wisdom see the pattern in everything clearly at a glance.

Most people, however, are stuck in a quagmire, confused and muddled, drifting through life without clarity.

Hearing Shen Boyu say "I’m afraid," he instantly understood what he was worried and cautious about.

With great property comes great fear.

The Shen Family’s business spanned planets and held a significant stake in the Aus Empire.

Their star sea exploration ships and ore ships even had to pass through the Aus Empire’s military trade routes. What if their relationship soured to the point where the military directly blockaded the trade routes, or intercepted their transport ships? Wouldn’t that result in devastating losses?

Moreover, the reason why the Shen Family had such an extraordinary status was that they rooted in the Phoenix as their foundation and maintained proper relations with other countries.

They would not make the same mistake the Tang Family did, foolishly committing to the Phoenix Empire without leaving any way out for themselves.

When the Royal Family purged its ranks, the Tang Family didn’t have any place to seek refuge or escape...

There were no other countries or important figures to speak for them, and they were cleanly wiped out.

If the Shen Family’s relationship with the Aus Empire became too hostile, it would be tantamount to cutting off their own escape route.

When the time came, whether they’d be rounded or flattened, amputated or crippled, wouldn’t it all be up to the Royal Family’s whim?

If one had nothing at all, this would actually be a journey to fame, where benefits outweighed the risks. Then what would there be to fear?

"I’m sorry," Shen Xinglan voiced his apology, "I was only concerned with my own enjoyment and didn’t consider the family. I’ve made it difficult for Second Grandpa."

"What’s so difficult about this?" Shen Boyu replied cheerfully, "I understand your thoughts. You cultivators seeking enlightenment care about whether things go as you desire. If the heart isn’t in tune, the energy flows poorly, adding endless troubles..."

"In such a state, how can one progress? How can one improve? Being called a young Sword God and said to have subdued a nation with a sword—although these are words of flattery, they still please me when I hear them..."

"I’m telling you this as a precaution. Someone is watching you from behind, looking to cause trouble and attack our Shen Family."

"Do you know who it is, Second Grandpa?"

"I’ve sent people to investigate, but we haven’t received any concrete information," Shen Boyu said. "But the vile methods, the brutal execution, and the precise timing... the opponent is a master."

"If this is a master’s scheme, then we probably won’t find any useful information. Even if we uncover one or two leads, they could well be false clues deliberately left behind. How would they carelessly expose themselves?"

Shen Xinglan nodded and asked, "What should we do now?"

"Just focus on your own affairs, and don’t let these trivial outside matters distract you," Shen Boyu earnestly instructed. "Leave these mind-boggling matters to us. Stop thinking about it and wasting precious time and energy."

"Yes, Second Grandpa."

"By the way, I’ve noticed that Tang Fei boy making a big splash just like you... What do you think? Can he bring you that much pressure?"

Shen Xinglan fell silent for a moment, then said, "This person is a bit strange..."

"Oh? Strange in what way?"

"Despite seemingly having nothing, it’s hard to ignore him... I can’t help but treat him as a real opponent."

"Heroes often emerge from the commoners; emperors come from all over," Shen Boyu agreed with Shen Xinglan’s words and continued, "The first time I saw him, I thought this kid had the ferocity of a wolf, the cunning of a snake, and the shamelessness of a human..."

"He can be submissive or assertive. How bad can such a young man be?"

"Besides, he isn’t truly without assets. He has Xiu Xue backing him, which is a double-edged sword. Although it’s dangerous, if used well, it could bring unimaginable benefits..."

"No matter what Xuanyuan Mingjing’s intentions are for taking him in, at least on the surface, he has become the Great Grandmaster’s disciple... with such a high status, how many could dare to move against him on New Star? Wouldn’t that be slapping Xuanyuan Mingjing in the face?"

"Plus, he won the Mecha competition championship, and he’s got a good reputation online... His fan group is quite special and united. It seems like they don’t care about him, yet they’re always looking out for him... In terms of loyalty, perhaps your ’Starlight’ can’t compare to his lying fei."

"If you think about it, do you still find that he has nothing at all?"

"Moreover, in less than a year from his arrival from the Old Land to New Star, he’s already stepped into the public eye, becoming a person who cannot be ignored. How many on New Star can achieve that?"

"Second Grandpa, I understand. I will be careful and cautious," Shen Xinglan responded.

"Also, do you still think that the Eldest Prince’s public humiliation last time was his doing?"

"I can’t be sure, it’s just an intuition."

"That’s strange," Shen Boyu said with a laugh. "What would be his purpose for doing such a thing? Merely because the Eldest Prince looked down on him? He isn’t the type to recklessly ignore the consequences of profit and loss..."

"I don’t know either. Maybe it has something to do with the Eldest Prince, some other grievance?"

"You pay attention, if you can figure out the truth of this matter, it will be interesting. Consider it indulging the curiosity of this old man."

"I will." Shen Xinglan promised, saying, "Right, the mecha Tang Fei used in this mechanical competition was provided by the Lu Family with a new material... a new technological material unknown even to the Royal Family."

"Tang Fei and the Lu Family have a close relationship? How did he catch the eye of the Lu Family members?"

"I’ve checked, he has a close relationship with that Miss from the Lu Family, it is said they worked together to create the Golden Armored Kirin."

"It must be with the addition of a core member of the Lu Family that they were willing to spend so much, to use such precious material, right?"

"The Lu Family..." Shen Xinglan pondered for a moment, then asked, "That master mechanic who was known as one of the Imperial Double Wall alongside Tang Li... Is there still no trace of him?"

"Perhaps, the Royal Family is more eager to know where he went. Unfortunately, so many years have passed and no one has seen him." Shen Boyu said with a chuckle, "It’s also possible that he’s been hidden away by the Lu Family. The Royal Family has to maintain some dignity; they can’t just send troops to attack Lu Ban Mountain, can they?"

"They wouldn’t dare." Shen Xinglan said in a deep voice.

"Of course, they wouldn’t dare, for that would shake the foundations of the nation." Shen Boyu laughed, "If Tang Li falls, someone else will take his place. The Shen Family can, the Qin Family can. The Shi Family and Dongguo Family can too."

"But if the Lu Family is gone... then there’s no replacement. This line of work requires technical skill, not something the average person can do."

"The Aus Empire would certainly be very interested in taking in the Lu Family and their core technology..."

"Which country wouldn’t be? That’s also why the Royal Family doesn’t dare touch the Lu Family. They know the Lu Family won’t run, but they also understand that if they press too hard, if the measures are too harsh or if their actions look too ugly, the Lu Family might really flee. The Empire can’t afford such a loss."

Pausing for a moment, he continued, "We’ve strayed off-topic, why am I discussing these things with you? When are you coming back? I’ve gotten a box of fine tea here, I’ll wait for you to return before opening it; we can enjoy it together..."

"I will return in a few days." Shen Xinglan said, "Chinese New Year’s Eve is upon us."

"Yes, Chinese New Year’s Eve..." Shen Boyu nodded, saying, "Another year has passed safely, not an easy feat."

"Second Grandpa will have many more safe years."

"Hahaha, that’s great to hear. Safety is a blessing. Alright, let’s not talk anymore, I need to sleep. This old man can’t stay up late... you should rest early too."

"Second Grandpa, good night."

"Good night."

After hanging up the phone, Shen Xinglan sat on the sofa, lost in thought.

"Being watched by someone, but who is taking this opportunity to cause trouble?"

"Are they targeting me or the Shen Family? Or are they using my name as a pretext to bring down the Shen Family?"

"Could it be the Royal Family’s doing? Do they want to create a rift between the Shen Family and the Aus Empire?"

------

For a moment, his thoughts were tangled and his mind in turmoil.

Phoenix Palace.

Zhong Tianque and Phoenix had also hurried back, now reporting the events of the Heavenly Path Exchange to Zhong Daolong.

Zhong Tianyi had also been called back and was sitting on the side, drinking and listening in.

Zhong Daolong had already known the outcome of the competition, and now he was hearing from Zhong Tianque the various situations that had arisen during the competition and how he had dealt with them.

From the minor details, he could assess his organizational, decision-making, and spontaneous reaction abilities.

"Shen Xinglan winning the Martial Arts competition’s championship was entirely within expectations... Although the Shen Family likes to hide their abilities, Shen Xinglan’s talent is something that cannot be hidden. Beneath the starry sky, it’s hard for the younger generation to rival him..."

"For Tang Fei to win the mechanical competition was quite unexpected... He’s only been to New Star for a few days? How did he manage to win the championship of the mechanical competition?"

"Is it because his abilities are too strong? Or are the others too weak? Does one year of his study really rival the efforts of other students over ten or twenty years? Should the education department reflect on this?"

Zhong Tianque glanced at Phoenix, initially expecting Phoenix to speak up for Tang Fei.

Unexpectedly, Phoenix just lowered her head to drink tea, eyes watching her nose, nose watching her heart, with no intention of joining the conversation.

With no other choice, Zhong Tianque spoke up, "I asked Tang Fei about it, and he said he had been interested in mechanical knowledge since his time on the Old Land, taking apart any electrical device he could find..."

"After he came to New Star, he studied mechanical skills at the Imperial First Military Academy for half a year... Moreover, the creation of the Golden Armored Kirin was also thanks to the help of Lu Siyu from the Lu Family... he wouldn’t have been able to achieve this alone..."

"One surnamed Tang, the other Lu..." Zhong Daolong’s gaze sharpened slightly, a mocking smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, "Indeed, a perfect match, complementing each other..."

Phoenix, who was sipping her tea, remembered an ancient case causing her heart to pound violently.