Star Rank Hunter

Chapter 419: Conflict

Planet J-C335 was not a particularly important world in the J Star Sector. However, its significance skyrocketed during this incident because of Senior Senator Beythor. This was Beythor’s hometown, and apart from the transit hub, it was the second planet in the sector to suffer a severe infection during the Dream Tapir crisis.

Beythor had been on the planet handling personal matters when the severe infection broke out. After the Dream Tapir disaster erupted, he ordered his subordinates to lock down the entire world. Not long after, Beythor was diagnosed with a Dream Tapir virus infection—and he had contracted more than one strain.

When Cillin and the others arrived, they could see the planet’s unusual state from afar. The spaceport was heavily guarded by multiple layers of security, and several patrol fleets stood watch nearby, deployed to prevent infected outsiders from entering and to strictly forbid anyone inside from leaving. After all, this was a heavily infected planet.

The planet was completely locked down. Energy shields rose across its surface like blisters breaking out on a patient’s skin, giving it a bizarre, sickly appearance.

Although Senator Beythor’s subordinates were escorting them and personnel from the military legions were receiving them, they still had to watch out for anyone trying to pull dirty tricks in the shadows.

The Eight Great Legions were currently split into two alliances. One coalition consisted of Feigler Hulandu’s Third Legion, the Ji Family’s Fourth Legion, the Ci Family’s Seventh Legion, and Marshal Daniel’s First Legion. (Old Man Mo’s son, Mo Qing, belonged to the Ci Family’s Seventh Legion.) The other coalition was led by the Yu Family’s Second Legion, joined by the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Legions.

These two camps had maintained their respective alliances both before and after the GAL descended into chaos. It just hadn’t been as obvious in the past, but the current turmoil had forced their divisions out into the open.

Ci Jincheng’s words meant they had to prevent the opposing coalition from interfering and causing sabotage. Those people might not do anything to Beythor, but Ci Jincheng and the others—who had been ordered by their families to provide treatment and negotiate—could quickly become their targets.

Their flying car landed at the spaceport, as it wasn’t allowed to enter the planet itself. Inside, personnel from the First, Third, Fourth, and Seventh Legions were already waiting to receive them. Looking over the situation, Cillin saw that the people sent were highly trusted individuals familiar with Ci Jincheng and his group. For instance, the Ji Family had sent Zweig Feihang. The moment Pride stepped off the flying car, Zweig Feihang snatched him up like a little chick and beat him to the ground. Because Pride had run away from home without permission and successfully driven several elders mad with worry, Zweig Feihang did not hold back.

Knight fared no better. He was beaten into a swollen pig’s head by his cousin, Feigler Hulandu.

Ci Jincheng had it slightly better; he only received a verbal warning. Of course, he wasn’t being let off the hook—his punishment was merely delayed. Once Beythor’s situation was resolved, he would be dragged back to the Ci Family to face the wall.

Meanwhile, Yue Lou and Fenghai Chao didn’t dare make a peep in front of the officers and their superiors. After finishing his lesson with Knight, Hulandu cast a glance at them, and they instantly stood at attention. After all, they could clearly see the state Knight had been beaten into.

Lung sat off to the side, looking completely relaxed. The people who had come were military personnel and political figures, none of whom had any authority over Young Master Lung. Here, his group was the only one that could afford to be at ease.

Lung patted Allen and pointed at the guys getting chewed out.

“Make sure to record this too. You can report it later and show everyone the fate of our heroes,” Lung said.

“Didn’t your foxy grandpa tell you to go back?” Cillin asked, turning his head.

Lung curled his lips.

“I kept my communicator off,” he said.

Cillin was speechless.

Cillin, Czedow, Mengqialuo, Lung, and Allen sat on the sidelines, watching the others get berated not far away. Compared to that group, their side was much more relaxed. They could catch their breath, drink tea, and eat snacks without worrying about the virus. After all, this was a heavily defended military spaceport with multiple layers of security, and scanning equipment was installed both inside and out.

Ever since the research team announced the successful development of vaccines for sixty-two viruses, a series of good news had followed. The number of available vaccines was steadily increasing, and treatment had already begun in many places.

After all the tension caused by the Dream Tapir incident, everyone felt it was finally time to catch their breath. However, Cillin couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

The research team that had caught a first-generation Dream Tapir had become the center of attention. The First, Third, Fourth, and Seventh Legions were treating the team like absolute treasures. Not only did this team give them hope for resolving the Dream Tapir crisis, but they had also pushed the coalition’s prestige to unprecedented heights. When diplomats from these four legions went out, they walked with straight backs and spoke with imposing authority.

Cillin had asked Ci Jincheng about the head of that research team and its members, but even Ci Jincheng didn’t know exactly who was in it. The team had recently undergone personnel changes and was no longer the original crew Ci Jincheng was familiar with. Knight and Pride didn’t know the reasons behind it either. Looking at Hulandu and Zweig Feihang, who had come over this time, they didn’t seem worried about the Dream Tapir incident at all. To have that much confidence...

Cillin had to think deeply about the overall leader of that research team. As far as he knew, the heavyweights in the original team had significant influence in the GAL and had even been featured in the top-tier publications Glory and Code. Yet, Cillin simply didn’t believe they could produce nearly a hundred viral vaccines in such a short time. He wasn’t underestimating them; he just felt that after the personnel changes, the chief director couldn’t possibly be one of the original figures. But aside from those famous experts, who else possessed such formidable ability?

“Hey, Cillin, are you coming with us?” Knight shouted from across the room.

Hulandu, who was up front negotiating with Beythor’s subordinates, frowned. He looked at Zweig Feihang, who showed no reaction. Since Ci Jincheng and the rest wanted to stick together—none of them willing to stay behind alone—he didn’t object to Cillin and Lung’s group tagging along. This wasn’t their territory anyway, so they might as well bring everyone along.

Before leaving the spaceport to head down to the planet, Cillin checked his communicator. He had two messages.

Lung saw Cillin stop.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“It’s about the 11th Team,” Cillin said.

After replying to one of the messages, he led Czedow and the others aboard the flying car headed down to the planet.

The flying car had been specially arranged by Beythor. Hulandu, Zweig Feihang, a portion of their men, and Cillin’s group were all seated inside.

Battles were breaking out in many places across the planet. Anyone infected with the virus whose condition had worsened to the point where they could no longer control their emotions fell within the kill zones.

Now, Beythor’s people were busy cleaning up the planet. Security forces in combat gear and medical staff in white hazmat suits rushed about. Such scenes could be witnessed all over the world.

A portion of the new vaccines had been sent out for appraisal, while the rest were kept here for treatment. Medical equipment had already begun synthesizing more based on the existing samples; after all, their current supply was limited.

Cillin had already sent all the data regarding the vaccines to Vanguard, the Free Army, and their contacts in the S Star Sector. The data for these eighty-six vaccines was no longer a secret anyway. Anyone with connections and a little effort would find out sooner or later.

The largest energy shield on the planet covered Central City, the seat of the planetary government. Beythor was resting there.

The energy shield was divided into several layers. After the flying car passed through the outermost barrier, it had to undergo a viral scan. Everyone who stepped off the vehicle had to be strictly inspected to ensure they weren’t carrying any lethal viruses.

Only after passing these fundamental checks were they allowed to enter Central City.

The city had already weathered the initial chaos and had been purged by Beythor’s security forces and the planetary government. It was safe to say that, aside from Beythor and a few core officials, no one else inside Central City was infected. Anyone who caught the virus had long since been executed.

Security cameras and viral scanners were installed everywhere. While this was understandable, no one enjoyed being scanned over and over again. This was especially true for those from the military; they reflexively tensed up and had to force themselves not to dodge the beams.

“Fucking bullshit!” Knight cursed after being swept by another hovering scanner.

Hulandu slapped the back of his head and gestured for Knight to shut up.

“Enough, just bear with it,” he said.

Hulandu found the scanners annoying too, but there was no helping it. These machines were standard issue on every severely infected planet. When they detected an infected person, they would sound an alarm and immediately initiate a kill sequence. That was how it worked before, anyway. Now, infected individuals were sent to treatment facilities first. If their strain fell within the scope of the available vaccines, they would be injected. If not, they could opt for alternative treatments; after all, new vaccines were being rolled out one after another, and surviving just one more day meant a chance at recovery. However, if they truly couldn’t hold on—if they lost emotional control or their condition became unmanageable—they would be thrown into the processing station and disposed of.

A security squad walked past. Everyone was clad in combat suits, covered from head to toe. Cillin had seen this exact outfit all over the planet.

Cillin and the others were also wearing hazmat suits, as Cillin had ordered even Czedow and Mengqialuo to suit up. However, their gear was visibly different from what the city’s residents wore. Many people cast curious glances their way when they entered the city.

“I feel like I walked into a zoo, and we’re the monkeys,” Lung muttered beside him.

Cillin didn’t comment on that. His attention had been drawn by something else. The Emperor in his palm was stirring. It wanted to come out, but Cillin forcefully suppressed it. He didn’t want to cause any trouble at a time like this.

The only thing that could make the Emperor stir was a Dream Tapir. Judging by the Emperor’s reaction, that Dream Tapir had to be inside the city. But with so many scanners and mechanical defenses active, it was impossible for a Dream Tapir to slip through. Otherwise, the alarms would have been blaring by now.

Their local contacts led them to a place to rest. After all, they couldn’t all crowd in to see Senator Beythor at once; sending representatives was enough.

“Alright, Knight, you guys stay here,” Hulandu said, sweeping his gaze over the group. “We’re going to see Senator Beythor. Keep yourselves out of trouble.”

Only after they promised did Hulandu grab the vaccines and leave with Zweig Feihang and the other high-ranking officers for their meeting with Beythor. The vaccines were one reason for the meeting; securing Beythor’s votes was the other. The negotiations definitely wouldn’t be concluded quickly. Worried about Knight and the others, Hulandu gave them several more warnings before finally departing.

The moment Hulandu and the senior officers were gone, Knight and the others finally relaxed.

“Damn it, he hits hard,” Knight said, rubbing his face through his hazmat suit. His cheeks were still swollen.

Pride didn’t speak, but he looked just as miserable. His beating had been just as severe, if not worse.

“Can’t we take these off? They’re really uncomfortable,” Lung said, stretching his arms. Being restricted by the suit didn’t feel good.

“It’s better to keep them on,” Ci Jincheng advised. “You never know when a Dream Tapir might pop up. They’ve only made a little over a hundred vaccines, and most strains are still unknown. If you get infected, you’ll have to be locked up for a long treatment. It’s not worth the risk.”

While they were talking, Wheeze, who had been curled up in Cillin’s backpack, suddenly darted out.

“Meow! This great one is going to find some food!” it announced, bolting for the door.

Ci Jincheng and the others tried to stop it, but they were too late; Wheeze disappeared in a flash. “Cillin, don’t let Wheeze run loose,” Ci Jincheng said. “This isn’t our territory. If it causes a conflict, it’ll be hard to deal with.”

“Those guys outside are purging everything,” Knight added. “I didn’t see a single pet on the streets. They’ve probably all been exterminated. Cillin, call Wheeze back.”

“Yeah, I’ll go drag that cat back,” Cillin said, standing up and heading for the door.

“I’ll come with you,” Ci Jincheng said.

“Me too,” Knight added.

Knight and Ci Jincheng both stood up and followed. Cillin wasn’t part of the military, so if they tagged along, it would be easier to handle any issues. Even if people didn’t give them face, they still had to respect the two legions backing them.

After Knight and Ci Jincheng moved out, Lung and Pride followed suit. The rest of the group tried to join them but were stopped by the men Hulandu had left behind. The guards couldn’t stop the young masters, but they could definitely block Yue Lou and the others, who didn’t have high enough ranks to protest.

They hadn’t taken many steps. Before the officer Hulandu left in charge could even persuade Knight and the others to go back inside and sit obediently, the sound of gunfire erupted outside.

Cillin shoved past the officer blocking his way and charged out. The others quickly followed.

Just as Knight and the others had said, the security guards’ first reaction upon seeing a cat was to kill it on sight. Because of the Dream Tapir crisis, all pets in the city had been exterminated; there wasn’t even a single rat or fly left.

But how could Wheeze be caught so easily? The guards chasing him failed to lay a hand on him and ended up injuring a few of their own men instead.

Moreover, before the guards could even say a word to the group stepping outside, Cillin charged forward and viciously pummeled the armed men at the front. The situation instantly exploded. Cillin didn’t pull his punches, dropping them to the ground one by one.

As he pummeled them, he roared, “How dare you pull a gun on my cat! I’ll beat you to death!”

Beside him, Wheeze seemed to take this as encouragement. The cat grew even more arrogant, showing absolutely no intention of stopping.

Watching the chaotic scene, the officer who had hurried out felt a massive headache coming on.

By now, others nearby had noticed the commotion, and two more security squads rushed over. However, since the incident didn’t involve the virus, the detection drones hovering in the sky did not react.

When Knight and the others saw the two approaching security squads raising their guns, Knight didn’t hesitate to join the fray. ‘Throwing punches is one thing, but they actually dare to pull their guns?!’

Meanwhile, Wheeze darted back and forth through the crowd. The guards couldn’t even touch a single hair on his body.

The face of the senior officer Hulandu had left behind turned a sickly shade of green behind his visor. He screamed for both sides to stop, but the fight only grew fiercer. Left with no other choice, the officer ordered his own men to physically pull the two sides apart. After spending a long time negotiating with the security squad captain—offering both apologies and promises—the conflict finally settled down.

Once the dust settled, Wheeze nestled peacefully in Cillin’s arms. Completely devoid of any guilt for causing the mess, the cat leisurely licked its paws, ignoring the murderous glare of the officer who looked like he wanted to draw his gun and shoot it.

“Let’s head inside. We’ll leave this to Colonel Max,” Knight called out to Cillin, waving his arm as he walked indoors.

Max—the officer Hulandu had left behind to babysit these little ancestors—wore a gloomy expression. He patiently negotiated with the security captain, discussing the issue of compensation. After all, several members from the three security squads had been injured. A few of the more heavily wounded men had already been dragged back for treatment, though their lives were likely not in danger.

Even as Max negotiated with the captain, he couldn’t help but think, ‘That cat is incredibly formidable. It actually shredded their protective suits, scratching them until blood spurted everywhere.’

As they walked indoors, Ci Jincheng continued to ponder. ‘Cillin acted a bit impulsively just now, charging in to beat those men without asking a single question. Besides, everyone knows what Wheeze is capable of; those guards couldn’t have hurt him at all. So why did Cillin still intervene?’

‘Furthermore, wasn’t that cat scratching way too hard? Most of the men from those three squads were left bleeding by Wheeze’s claws. And strangely enough, neither Czedow nor Mengqialuo stepped in; they didn’t seem worried in the slightest.’

‘Then again, there’s really nothing to worry about, is there? There’s no way that cat would be caught so easily.’

Ci Jincheng continued to mull it over, feeling that something wasn’t quite right. Just as he was about to ask Cillin about it, the communicator on his wrist chimed with an incoming message. He wasn’t the only one; the communicators worn by Knight, Pride, and the others all displayed the exact same message:

“These men are from Miracle.”