Let’s Squander A Billion First!

Chapter 2090: Chapter 2090: Light-Year Distance (19)

”Deputy Inspector Liang, I’m glad you’re okay. If anything happened to you, how could I explain it to the Marshal.” Inspector Yao saw Chuzheng standing intact in front of him, and the breath he was holding in his heart finally released.

Chuzheng casually responded and dove straight into the main topic.

”Have you found the person?”

Inspector Yao’s expression darkened slightly: ”No, most people on the battleship died, and after the attacking ship left, its trace was hard to find.”

The clues they could find were limited.

The opponent did the job so cleanly that almost all the evidence was destroyed.

”Was it really aimed at Lu Zhaonian?”

”It seems so.” Inspector Yao said: ”Inspector Lu came to our battleship because he received a message. But according to the clues we’ve found now, no one has sent Inspector Lu any message.”

”A false message?”

”But the message did indeed come from our battleship.”

An inside job then.

To pull off such a thing, there must be inside informants, not just one or two either.

”Why act on the Second Legion’s battleship?”

Inspector Yao seemed a bit conflicted: ”...Probably because we’re weak and easy to deal with?”

Chuzheng: ”...”

If you put it that way, I really can’t rebuke that.

”Is there something wrong with Lu Zhaonian?” Regardless of whether it’s a crime of passion or revenge, there should be a motive, right?

Inspector Yao glanced at Chuzheng and cleared his throat: ”You know the five Marshals are jointly managing things now, right?”

”Even a three-year-old knows that.”

Inspector Yao didn’t mind Chuzheng’s way of speaking: ”Our Allied Army consists of five legions, each corresponding to one of the Marshals. On the surface, they seem peaceful, but privately, they’re fiercely competing.”

”Inspector Lu’s father is currently a trusted figure under Marshal Bai Wen. His whereabouts are unpredictable and his strength formidable, making it difficult to target him.”

”But Inspector Lu is different... This affair most likely...”

Inspector Yao left his words hanging.

He glanced around, leaned closer, and lowered his voice: ”Our Second Legion has always lacked presence, so if something happens here, it’s easy to shift the blame, you understand?”

That’s why he wasn’t kidding with his earlier comment ’because we’re weak.’

”Got it.” Just a scapegoat essentially.

If something happens to Lu Zhaonian, and they can’t track down the mastermind, the Lu family’s hatred will surely transfer to the Second Legion.

Lu Zhaonian is part of the First Legion, and if the two legions clash...

Chuzheng isn’t very familiar with the Marshals, leaving the issue to Inspector Yao: ”Who do you think did it?”

”That’s hard to say.” Inspector Yao shook his head, reluctant to disclose.

”There’s no one else here, just speculate.”

”...”

Inspector Yao: ”You really want to know?”

”...Suddenly I don’t.” Chuzheng changed her mind.

If the situation is truly as Inspector Yao describes, with discord among the Marshals, knowing might bring trouble.

Inspector Yao: ”...”

Alright then.

Women are so fickle.

”By the way, the message said Inspector Lu was on the same planet as you, why didn’t you leave with him when you departed?” Inspector Yao remembered the incident.

”Didn’t manage to rescue him.” Chuzheng felt justified: ”Isn’t it better this way by letting you guys do the rescue.” I’m a good person!

Inspector Yao: ”...”

I believe you’re full of it.

If they hadn’t asked, they’d have gotten no information.

Even though Inspector Yao knew Chuzheng purposely didn’t rescue, he wouldn’t call it out.

Some things are known but need preserving the façade, all just plastic camaraderie.

-

After chatting with Inspector Yao, Chuzheng returned to her cabin where Chen Chuan was already waiting with information.

”Miss, these are the materials on the five Marshals.”

Chuzheng waved her hand: ”No need to read, tell me instead.”

”Certainly.”

Chen Chuan summarized the information for Chuzheng.

Marshal Bai Wen leads the First Legion, which has always been the most formidable, with many resources centered there.

The Second Legion’s Marshal Kelly is rather laid-back, not vying neither competing, indifferent to being at the bottom.

The Third Legion constantly clashes with the First, supposedly because of a grudge between the two Marshals.

The Fourth Legion is a fence-sitter, supporting whichever side is doing well.

The Fifth Legion is not lacking in strength and is ambitious, adept at securing resources. Whatever the First can’t seize usually goes to the Fifth.

Hence, the Fifth and Third Legions are also at odds.

In a way, the Allied Army resembles a boy band; the First Legion is the most dazzling ’C’ position, whereas the Second Legion is just the backup, filling in wherever needed, unconcerned about competing.

The Third Legion is the second place constantly aiming for the ’C’ position, yet guarding against others from doing the same.

The Fourth Legion is like a wavering fan within the group.

The Fifth Legion seems non-aggressive, yet always benefits.

”As it stands, the Third Legion is most suspect.” Chen Chuan concluded: ”The Fifth Legion is also a strong possibility.”

Chuzheng pondered: ”Kelly... really not vying or competing?”

Chen Chuan: ”That’s what’s on the record, but to stabilize as Marshal, it can’t be that simple.”

”Makes sense.”

”Should we guard against him a bit?”

”No need, I still plan to become an Executor. Maybe even a Marshal! Wouldn’t it be great to jump straight to it?”

Chuzheng pondered then asked: ”Chen Chuan, do you know how to become a Marshal?”

Chen Chuan’s mouth twitched: ”Miss, a Marshal is appointed... using pre-dated interstellar terms, it’s akin to a retirement system.”

Marshals seek successors in advance, cultivate them, and eventually appoint them upon retiring.

”...”

What happened to earning it through strength?

Why is it about favoritism again?!

Chuzheng’s eyes turned as if she had an epiphany.

-

Despite unexpected events, real drills must continue.

The Second Legion will send new personnel over, and Chuzheng along with Inspector Yao will head to the drill site to prepare, while reporting the Lu Zhaonian incident.

Chuzheng’s spaceship couldn’t land close to the base and had to switch to another aircraft.

Before disembarking the spaceship, Chuzheng went to see Wei Shi.

”The spaceship will take you back to Imperial Capital Star.”

Wei Shi was taken aback: ”You’re sending me away?”

”Weren’t you planning on going back?”

”...” He did intend to return, but based on recent observations, she didn’t intend to release him. Why now specifically let him go back?

”I hope that when I return, you’ll still have all your limbs intact.” Chuzheng sincerely said: ”You’ve seen Chen Chuan, if you need help you can turn to him, he’ll help you.”

Wei Shi’s mind flashed back to the silent, unassuming yet meticulous man who followed her.

Chuzheng said no more, heading outside but paused at the door, turning her head slightly: ”Wei Shi, protect yourself.”