Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 124 - 100. Beautiful Wish (Part 1)

Chapter 124: 100. Beautiful Wish (Part 1)

Regardless of Du Zexin’s denial, reaching his position as a man clearly indicated he was from a family of officials.

His arrival surprised Doctor Anna, because unless it was a very important matter, relatives of these officials would not personally leave the political center of Twin Star City.

What’s more, he addressed himself as "Professor."

She hadn’t mentioned the Professor’s death, but the Frost Plated Republic not only knew about it but also sent a message through Du Zexin, congratulating her on taking office.

Deep down, she guessed this was an attitude conveyed by Frost Plated:

We only need a Mingji Humanity that can continue to push research forward; who leads Mingji Humanity is not important.

Her heart tightened, then relaxed again.

The tension was because the rulers of Frost Plated knew about her accidental killing of the Professor, indicating that the privacy and secrecy within Mingji Humanity were compromised, and who knows, someone might already have become the President’s eyes on her.

But this was not something to be afraid of, as the operation of companies and enterprises always had to follow the government’s orders.

On the contrary, Frost Plated’s attitude just showed recognition of Mingji Humanity. They didn’t care about internal struggles for power; as long as research results were provided, they would continue to support it.

’Do you see that, teacher? This is the real world. You’ve been immersed in the world of science for too long and have forgotten that people live in reality!’

Anna’s thoughts churned:

’You were wrong, Professor. Only under my leadership can Mingji Humanity continue. Since we have already used so many human lives for experiments, why not push the bottom line further back?’

’Although technology is human-oriented, some technologies need more capital.’

’I will prove that without the Ersha Theory, the commercial path that Mingji Humanity takes will be smoother. What Frost Plated needs is not humanity, but Mingji Humanity.’

A milestone that the Professor could never achieve in his lifetime—developing Mingji Humanity into a massive organization—would easily be realized under her leadership.

Du Zexin’s face was indifferent; after handing a list to Anna, he turned and entered the armored train behind him—at that moment, Anna finally noticed how terrifying this armed mechanical beast was.

Thick alloy plates tightly protected the train, with six autonomous cannons on each carriage, and a red hammer and wrench crossed emblem on the train’s head, symbolizing the reverence for technology and industry by the members of the Metro Brotherhood.

This was an armored behemoth with numerous traces of a bygone era, and its 480mm railway gun was ferocious, which would bring up an inherent fear of war in any ordinary person at first glance.

Du Zexin had not yet boarded when a man and a woman dressed in thick jackets and mechanical exoskeletons alighted from the train, their cold appearance and pale skin attesting to their Outer World origins.

The man was the train driver, with a face like dark clouds. He clutched a pipe in his mouth and looked at Du Zexin indifferently, saying:

"Frost Plated People, you have 20 minutes. We leave in 20 minutes, not a second more."

"Mr. Zhou Liefeng, didn’t we agree on 50 minutes before?" Du Zexin furrowed his brow.

"50 minutes to transport you to the normal destination, not to Mingji Humanity," Zhou Liefeng sneered. "If it were not for the Brotherhood’s agreement with you, you would not even have the right to step on this train."

"If that is the case, then the spirit of the pact should be honored..." With a grim face, Du Zexin knew that the other side was deliberately making things difficult.

The amount of materials brought by the Third Rule was vast; 20 minutes were simply not enough to unload, and in his view, the Metro Brotherhood did not want them to finish unloading at all.

"No, no, no, you’re mistaken, sir. The contents of the pact were to bring you here, but we have the right to decide if, in the event of danger, we should bring you back intact."

The female member of the Metro Brotherhood said cheerfully:

"I am telling you now: there will be mutant beasts charging at the rail tracks later, so for your safety, giving you 20 minutes to unload is the limit."

"Selya is right; this is considering your safety." Zhou Liefeng squinted his eyes and said mockingly.

Du Zexin was helpless.

If it were any other organization, Frost Plated would simply crush it with its size—but not the Metro Brotherhood.

As one of the three major rogue organizations of the Outer World, with the largest size, most members, and a presence spanning across most of the Outer World, their mobilization and transportation abilities were significant.

Frost Plated was not like Red Arrow or Zhengxu with average infrastructure. If they wanted to rapidly penetrate the Outer World, they had to rely on the transportation capabilities of the Metro Brotherhood.

This was a long-term project, and Frost Plated would not tear its face with the Metro Brotherhood over such a trivial matter.

"I will report this accurately," was all he could say.

"19 minutes," Zhou Liefeng drawled.

"This is going too far."

"18 minutes," Selya chuckled. "What was that you just said?"

Du Zexin turned his head, beginning to direct the moving of supplies.

Anna watched this scene unfold.

’It seems that this official’s child from Frost Plated isn’t anything special,’ Anna thought, ’He looks too young, still a novice in social interactions, perhaps I can bring him over to our side.’

Under her leadership, Mingji Humanity aimed to embark on a path towards commercial transformation. As such, having some connections in the capital, to be forewarned of any significant developments, was essential.

Having made up her mind, Anna approached Du Zexin, unconsciously revealing a smile just like Professor’s:

"Is this your first time to the Outer World?"

Du Zexin did not make a sound to acknowledge her.

Anna was not annoyed; she lowered her head to glance at the list and tablet, as if bringing up something unintentionally:

"The reputation of Mingji Humanity isn’t very good among the people of the Outer World; there are many misunderstandings about our cause."

Du Zexin gave her a look, his gaze momentarily filled with a ’are you serious?’ expression. Only his well-trained composure prevented him from almost bursting into laughter.

For Mingji Humanity to say that the people of the Outer World have many misunderstandings about their ’cause’ was akin to a capitalist crying over being penniless and disinterested in money, somewhat deceitful and self-deluding.

"You can deceive us, but don’t fool yourself."

Du Zexin casually said:

"Your presence here represents Frost Plated’s recognition of Mingji. Don’t waste the taxpayer’s hard-earned money."

"Don’t worry," Anna smiled, "Professor has focused most of her energy on the theory of the Ersha Virus, which has added quite a burden to the Frost Plated People. I can assure you and the Frost Plated Republic behind you: the experiments of Mingji Humanity will strive to enhance the sense of security for Frost Plated People, and the greatest sense of security comes from strength."

"I hope so," Du Zexin said indifferently.

Anna’s words had suddenly piqued his interest.

Although Frost Plated was aware that Mingji Humanity conducted a number of confidential experiments, they were after all carried under the banner of humanitarianism. So far, the only practical applications included the military-grade Ersha Armament and Psychic Communication.

Beyond that?

It was not surprising that Du Zexin was curious—after all, the cargo and manpower he had come to transport amounted to five tons of various drugs alone, no small sum, sufficient to support a local warlord.

Anyone who has visited a research institution knows how projects can easily become a means for the Scholarly Faction to swindle funds and enrich themselves.

But Mingji Humanity was different.

Professor Anna only requested materials, firearms, medicines, equipment, and personnel, without ever mentioning actual money.

Even in Frost Plated, there were not many research institutions so earnest.

If it were just these two secret weapons, the noblewomen of Frost Plated would not have been determined to pay such a high price to support a research institution.

’Is this woman hiding some research project? Or do the higher-ups hold a special regard for Mingji Humanity with an ulterior motive?’

Du Zexin was new to politics but he had started from the grassroots and could easily sense the oddity about Mingji Humanity.

As Anna contemplated how to improve relations, Du Zexin suddenly said:

"Time is of the essence, I would like to have a brief tour of Mingji Humanity’s facilities, if that’s possible?"

"Well..."

Anna glanced at the tablet, the surveillance camera showed Li Aozi and his group had already reached the third underground floor, beginning their search for the entrance to the subway station.

Zexi is really useless—Anna clicked her tongue in annoyance, and a suspicion arose—but how can Li Aozi be so powerful in combat?

Just as Du Zexin had asked, Anna seized the moment to inquire deliberately:

"If I may be so bold—what rank are you?"

Du Zexin looked at her, his eyes showing a cold gaze.

"Mingji Humanity’s internal combat capabilities are weak," Anna explained: "If you remain silent and suddenly release your energy, I’m afraid you’ll scare those nurses. It would be better to give us a heads up..."

Anna’s reasoning wasn’t without merit; Transcendents usually didn’t bother to hide their power, as hiding it could cause problems.

Generally, Transcendents of the Alpha Stage and above would give prior notice when interacting with ordinary people.

"I’m of the Beta Rank, a ’Mechanic.’" Du Zexin said indifferently: "Is that all right now?"