“So the star map is legit?!” Phantom exclaimed.
Xia Fei did not say anything. He was hinting at Phantom to stay put and keep listening to the news.
“According to the data provided by the Admiralty’s technical department, we strongly believe that the cause of the technical malfunction was our fleet’s super long-distance transmission radar system being disrupted by an unknown signal in the universe. The signal was diverted from its original channel and somehow entered the one the normal citizens use. In addition to this, the Electronic Experiment Center of the Alliance’s Institute of Science claimed this is an isolated incident and won’t affect normal communications of the military, so rest assured that it is still capable of guaranteeing the Alliance’s safety as usual.”
Xia Fei frowned. The official statements from the government were always so cliché. They always sounded like the typical imperial edict.
As Xia Fei expected, some impatient reporters immediately rose to their feet and asked about the authenticity of the map.
Nie Peiyuan wiped the sweat on his forehead with his handkerchief and replied with a lack of confidence, “So far, we only know that map is from the humans with unknown identities, who claimed themselves to be from Eden. The Alliance Geographic Society is still investigating its authenticity.”
Phantom seemed quite excited, while Xia Fei fell into deep thoughts while holding his chin with one hand.
The press conference was in a mess. Many people kept asking questions. The scene almost went out of control.
The cafeteria, which Xia Fei was eating, burst into an uproar, too. It was as if the man could really lead them to the legendary lost land. The owner even brought out a whole carton of beer to celebrate the news with the crowd.
Xia Fei was not fond of the noise, nor did he like to believe in something blindly. He rose to his feet and was about to leave.
Constantine happened to walk into the cafeteria. He seemed to be in deep thoughts. He nodded at Xia Fei and asked, “Where are you going?”
“I’m going back,” Xia Fei answered.
Constantine smiled. “Wait a little longer. Perhaps it might have something you are interested in.”
Xia Fei said with a puzzled look, “I’m indeed interested in Eden, but I already know what I wanted to know. There’s no point in staying here.”
Constantine indifferently took a bottle of beer and handed it to him. “Believe me; you will find it intriguing.”
The press conference suddenly ended. The screen was switched back to the news agency’s broadcasting room. A middle-aged woman in her thirties was reading the script she had just received in astonishment. She seemed to be in a panic.
She was only wearing a single earring. Her makeup was not done properly, either. It was obvious that she had been called impromptu to the broadcasting room.
The people in the cafeteria expressed their discontent. They were displeased by the sudden interruption to the press conference.
The news reporter took a deep breath and spoke sternly. “Here’s an emergency news brought to you by SSNB station. According to the information we have just received, the Death Trio Star Region has entered a state of war at six minutes past eleven, Venal time, this morning.”
Xia Fei was startled. The Death Trio Star Region had been on the brink of confrontation for a few months. He was surprised that the war had broken out at about the same time as the incident of Eden.
He glanced at Constantine. The man merely adjusted his glasses with a calm expression and did not look surprised at all.
‘So this is the news he was referring to, but how did he know it beforehand? Did he have the ability to predict the future?’ Xia Fei was confused.
The news reporter swallowed and tried her best to sound calm as she spoke, “Based on the latest update we have just received from the reporters at the frontline, the battle did not develop according to what we had expected. The military assumed the war would be chaotic with the three regions fighting one another, but the truth is, the Terminus star region has teamed up with the Evil Gulfstream star region to fight against the Black Abyss star region.
“On top of that, the leaders of the two aforementioned regions declared that they will go independent from the Pan-human Alliance and form the New Human Alliance. They will no longer be under the jurisdiction of the Pan-human Alliance, but we still don’t know if Black Abyss will proclaim independence, too.
“The information we have now is still very limited. We’ll immediately report any latest updates through live broadcast. The emergency broadcast has ended, and we’ll now switch it back to the press conference.”
The cafeteria fell silent. Everything was so sudden. First, the map of Eden had placed the entire humanity in chaos. A few hours later, the war in the Death Trio Star Region had gathered the people’s attention to the desolated region. The two pieces of news had surfaced within twelve hours and gave the people a huge shock. Some could not help but ask, “What exactly was going on?”
The Pan-human Alliance’s press conference was even more chaotic than before. The reporters demanded the government to verify the information about the war involving the Death Trio Star Region and the government’s thoughts on it, but a few reporters were still asking about Eden’s map.
The situation soon went out of control. A large troop of armed soldiers went into the hall and stopped the most chaotic press conference in history.
Constatine shrugged. He rose to his feet and left the cafeteria. Xia Fei lit a cigarette and followed him.
The corridor outside the cafeteria was empty. Everyone was busy reading the latest news in their room.
“Why do I feel like you already knew about it?” Xia Fei asked with a frown.
Constantine shook his head with a smile. “Even though my kingdom is close to the Death Trio Star Region, there’s no way they can contact me from so far away. To be honest, I’ve only known about it now, just like you.”
“He’s lying. It’s so obvious he’s already known about it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t bother asking you to stay for a little longer,” Phantom told Xia Fei.
Xia Fei said calmly, “I don’t believe it.”
Constantine burst out laughing. “You have the right not to believe it. I don’t feel like explaining myself, either.”
Constantine left carefreely, leaving Xia Fei behind with a puzzled look.
Xia Fei received a call from Qin Mang when he went back to his room.
“Old man, I can see you are recovering nicely. You have reclaimed your vigor.” Xia Fei smiled.
Qin Mang grinned. “You think I don’t know what you’re trying to say? You’re saying that I’m getting fat. I’ve only eaten a few months worth of food provided by you. I will pay you back later.”
Xia Fei explained himself, “Please don’t misunderstand. I don’t really mean that. It’s good to know that you’re enjoying yourself on Earth. I can still afford the little expense. I can pay for you to stay on Earth for a few hundred years if you’re willing.”
Qin Mang pointed at Xia Fei and said, “Kid, enough with your smooth-talk. A few hundred years? Do you take me as an old monster or what? Seriously, what did you think about the two incidents today?”
Qin Mang’s tone switched when he asked Xia Fei for his opinions. Qin Mang would ask Xia Fei to analyze some situations every now and then as if he was checking whether Xia Fei had done his homework properly or not. This had been the way since Xia Fei knew the old man, so he was quite used to it already.
“I don’t really believe the map is going to lead us to Eden. It feels like someone is pulling the strings from behind the scenes. For example, during the press conference, the government claimed that the map was distributed to the public only because the signal from the fleet had ended up in the wrong channel due to it being transmitted over a long distance.
“I don’t really get it. The military’s super long-distance transmission devices are specifically made, and the signals are protected with high-level encryptions. Even if the signal did divert to a wrong channel due to some unexplainable natural phenomenon, the people would only receive an encrypted message. They would have no chance of decrypting the message, unless this natural phenomenon was so special that not only did it divert the signal to a wrong channel, it also decrypted the message. Otherwise, how could the people see the map and distribute it on the interplanetary internet?
“Even if we assume that it has something to do with a mysterious natural power, which we still don’t understand, it should have other information from the military apart from the map, too. Besides, I’ve already searched around the Internet, but I couldn’t find the time when the map was first released and its source. The whole internet is full of news about the map in a minute. It’s different from the explanation that the Alliance gave.”
Qin Mang nodded. He seemed very satisfied with Xia Fei’s analysis. He asked, “What do you think about the war involving the Death Trio Star Region then?”
Xia Fei said after giving it some thought, “We’ve already expected the war to happen some time, but the only thing that puzzles me is why Terminus and Evil Gulfstream proclaimed independence. It appears that the three star regions are unequally matched in strength on the surface right now, so the two regions’ leaders have decided to team up against Black Abyss. If I’m not mistaken, Black Abyss will find itself at a disadvantage in the early phase of the war.
“The only uncertainty in the war is the Pan-human Alliance’s attitude toward the Death Trio Star Region. If the Alliance decides to take over the three regions that are located so far away, not only do the regions lack resources, the Alliance will have to spend a huge fortune every year to maintain their peace, but this doesn’t mean that the Alliance would allow them to go independent, either, since it’s a blatant provocation directed at the Pan-human Alliance. If I’m the president of the Alliance, I will stop the Death Trio Star Region from going independent at all costs.
“Therefore, I believe that it’s a really bad idea for Terminus and the Evil Gulfstream to team up and form the New Human Alliance. Even if they do manage to defeat Black Abyss, they will have to suffer the wrath of the Pan-human Alliance, too.
“In comparison, the leaders of the Black Abyss are a lot smarter. They are betting their hope on the fact that the Alliance won’t allow any of the Death Trio Star Region to go independent. Once the Alliance’s fleets crossed the No Man’s Zone to invade the Death Trio Star Region, the rebel army in the Death Trio Star Region will not stand a chance against the Alliance’s military might.
“The Alliance has no intention of strictly controlling the Death Trio Star Region as long as the three regions don’t go independent, so it might end up placing Black Abyss’s leaders in charge of the reformation of the Death Trio Star Region. That way, the Black Abyss will be able to secure the power to rule over the three regions without needing to do anything. They are no different from local tyrants, though they are technically still under the Pan-human Alliance.”
Qin Mang smiled. “Very well, you managed to foresee the future of the Death Trio Star Region despite the war only breaking out. From what I know, your Quantum Holdings has been setting up a new factory every two weeks and will modify an old factory every three weeks. The production rate of your company is no longer the same as before, yet you still haven’t fully utilized the factories. Otherwise, you will be able to produce at least five thousand energy-shield boosters in every twenty-four hours.”
Xia Fei nodded. “You’re right. I’ve been preparing the factories for the future. Those factories are only a minor part of my plan. In the future, I’ll increase the daily production rate of the energy-shield boosters to thirty thousand and above.”
Qin Mang said, “You already have the production rate, so all you need left are the demands and clients. If I’m guessing it right, the war will finally trigger an upgrade to the Alliance’s military hardware. If the military decides to use your energy-shield boosters, the Quantum Holdings’ current production rate won’t be enough to fulfill the demands.”
Xia Fei smiled. “Old man, I’ve always known how clever you are with your schemes. You’re right; the war is a great opportunity for me. It’s my key to success. Do you have any connections you can introduce me to?”
Qin Mang shook his head. “I have no plans to intervene with the military for now. They have their own independent system. Even my power in the Adjudicator Union won’t be able to influence the military by much.”
Xia Fei suddenly asked, “Old man, how reliable is your disciple Yawei at the Death Trio Star Region? He does have some influence in Black Abyss; I believe I can make a fortune by selling my energy-shield boosters to them.”
Qin Mang was startled. He fixed his eyes on Xia Fei. “The Alliance has yet to proclaim their attitude toward the war. Aren’t you afraid of the risks involved if you act too quickly?”
Xia Fei explained honestly, “With high risks come high rewards; from what I can tell, the leaders of the Black Abyss are going to claim the final victory of the war, so I must seize this opportunity before the Alliance decides to help them. As the saying goes, ‘It’s easy to throw stones at someone who falls down a well but difficult to provide help in their hour of need.’ I shall establish a friendly relationship with them first before the Alliance reveals their attitude.”
Qin Mang burst out laughing. He shook his head and said, “I knew you are the kind to only do things with purpose, but I bet you’re not just thinking of earning a small amount since you show willingness to take this huge risk of smuggling weapons to the Death Trio Star Region. I can help you contact Yawei; I also know a few of the Black Abyss’ leaders, but you must tell me everything first.”
Xia Fei said in a deep voice, “I’ve always been thinking about something. If the energy-shield boosters do catch the military’s eyes, the money I’ll earn from it is beyond what I can ever imagine, but what’s the point of earning so much money? Haven’t I been aiming to improve my strength and influence in the first place? When will I think I’m strong enough? By having enough money or by having enough warships?”
Qin Mang’s eyes glittered. He had guessed Xia Fei’s thoughts, yet he found it hard to believe that Xia Fei would have such a wild ambition.
“In addition to money and warships, I need territory, too,” Xia Fei said.
Qin Mang was startled. “It’s not going to be easy to secure a territory in the Death Trio Star Region. How are you planning to achieve that?”
Xia Fei said, ” According to my speculation, the Black Abyss is going to win in the end, while Terminus and Evil Gulfstream will be taken out by the Admiralty. Due to obvious reasons, the Alliance isn’t willing to waste any money on the three desolate regions. The best way is to let them manage themselves while they remain under its jurisdiction.
“Currently, it’s two regions against one. I believe that the people of the Black Abyss will find themselves in a pinch in the early phase of the war. If I can offer the energy-shield boosters and help them stand their ground, they will be more than willing to accept my proposal. I’m not planning to charge them for the equipment. It’s not as if they can pay me much considering their financial status, but I can ask them to give me land in return. Once they win the war, I’ll have a place to rule myself.”
Qin Mang fondled his chin as he fell into deep thoughts.
“It’s a plausible way. The Death Trio Star Region lacks equipment and people, and they don’t have high requirements of land. After all, land there isn’t really valuable due to the lack of resources. I’m pretty sure they’ll be more than willing to accept your condition if you’re not asking them to give you a rich planet.”
“But what do you want the desolate planets for?” Qin Mang asked.
Xia Fei replied, “Didn’t you always say I should treat building a Titan as my biggest ambition? I can’t just build the massive warship in the Alliance, can I? It’s too obvious. I have to find a more secluded spot.”
“Do you have the confidence to build a Titan now?!” Qin Mang blurted out in astonishment.
Xia Fei shook his head. “Not now, but I know the importance of putting in effort to achieve my goals; at least, I haven’t given up on my ambition. It’s like playing chess. The players who can only foresee the next three steps will never become a master. It’s a rare opportunity for me. Even though it feels like securing land won’t bring me any good in the near future, what about ten years or even a hundred years? If I don’t take hold of the opportunity now, while the Death Trio Star Region is having an infighting, I may not have the same opportunity again in the future, which is why I must seize it when I see it no matter how difficult it is.”
Qin Mang sighed. “You’re basically gambling. You’re going all in before you know what’s going to happen.”
Xia Fei smiled. “Old man, it’s indeed a gamble, but the odds are just too appealing to me. Think about it; I’m only giving energy-shield boosters which are worth around a few hundred million to the leaders of Black Abyss, so a few hundred million is all I’m going to lose, but if I win, I will be able to claim a few, or even a few dozen planets, to establish my own territory, where I have the freedom to grow without any restraints.
“I read the rules that the Death Trio Star Region has to follow. I can even establish my own country and have my own army and flag, provided that I comply with the rules. The investment of a few million is nothing compared to the potential benefits I can reap.”
Qin Mang agreed to talk with Yawei about it and he would tell Xia Fei the outcome later.
Phantom rubbed his eyes, seemingly still having a hard time believing everything that had just happened.
“Xia Fei, since when did you start planning to exchange the equipment for a territory? Did you already know that a war is going to break out in the Death Trio Star Region? Were you already making the preparations when you started setting up new factories to produce the energy-shield boosters but keep on controlling the sales by selling only to big clients?”
Xia Fei did not answer Phantom’s question. Eventually, he sniffed as he said mysteriously, “Can’t you smell conspiracy and war?”
“No, I can only smell your stinky socks!” Phantom snarled.
Xia Fei smiled. “Do you know when is the best time for a person to become successful?”
“When?”
“When the world is in chaos.”