"...Miss Asta, are you sure you didn't add a few extra zeros when transferring the money?"
"No, it's just a day's pocket money. It's a small gift, please accept it with peace of mind. I'll thank you properly once the Space Station's trivial matters are settled."
Asta smiled slightly. Just as she was about to say something, she noticed a notification on her terminal.
"I have important matters to attend to. Excuse me, you two."
Without giving them time to speak, she left in a hurry.
"..."
Qi Zhimu stared at the string of numbers on the screen and fell into a long silence.
If one of the Ten Stonehearts had done this, he would have known with his eyes closed that they wanted to use their wicked financial power to ruin his stomach, making it easier for him to eat soft rice.
But he and Asta were complete strangers; his face wasn't quite at the level where a rich woman would throw a billion at him just for meeting once.
"Let me guess, did Asta transfer a few hundred million to you?"
"A billion. Her identity probably isn't as simple as just being a Station Lead, is it?"
"I don't know. I only know she often says one thing—"
March 7th cleared her throat, imitating Asta's melancholic tone from a certain time.
"Sigh... If I don't work hard and manage the Space Station well, I'll have to go back and inherit the family business..."
It had to be said, her imitation was lifelike.
Qi Zhimu could hear a genuine sorrow in it, not some humblebragging.
"Inheriting the family business is harder to accept than managing the Space Station... I think I understand."
Either it's a fanatical and loyal following of a genius.
Or inheriting the family business would make her lose something more important than wealth.
Hmm... most likely freedom.
Money is precious, but freedom is worth more.
He had developed an iron stomach and only liked eating the food he found for himself. His legs weren't flexible enough to kneel; wasn't it all for those two words?
"Sigh, having accepted a billion from her, if I don't produce some substantial results, it would violate my principles."
"What principles?"
"What I'm doing for the Space Station doesn't meet the standard for a billion Credit Points fee. March, with your clearance on the Space Station, can you take me to a few sensitive areas?"
"How sensitive?"
"Areas involving core defense engineering and power facilities. I need to do a field visit to draft the most suitable improvement plan."
Seeing his serious expression, March 7th couldn't help but look at him askance.
"It's possible, but aren't the skills you've mastered a bit too many...?"
"Are they?"
"Isn't that enough? Just from what I know, you're both refined and martial, and now you even know about interstellar infrastructure."
"After knocking around for over a hundred years, you could do it too. Let's go. Once it's done, I'll treat you to some of my fine vintage collection; I guarantee you'll never want to leave."
"...Um, I'm probably not old enough to drink yet..." March 7th was embarrassed.
At least Himeko and Mr. Yang didn't recommend she drink.
"Oh, it's fine. Home-brewed stuff has no alcohol content." Qi Zhimu patted his chest in assurance.
"Really?"
"Truer than pearls. The raw material is cold plum blossoms from deep mountains."
"No wonder you always carry a scent of cold plums. It seems you really like plum blossoms."
"The scent is from the sachet at my waist. As for plum blossoms... I wouldn't say I like them that much, but I don't dislike them either."
To ensure a professional inspection, March 7th suggested going to the Security Department first to find Arlan to lead the way.
When they arrived at the Security Department, they found no one.
After inquiring, they learned that Arlan was leading the security staff to clear out the remaining Void Rangers and investigate the Rift spaces.
As luck would have it, when the two found Arlan, he had just finished off the last wandering Void Ranger near the power room.
"Miss March, Mr. Zhimu, were you commissioned by Miss Asta?"
"No..."
"Pretty much. What did Lead Asta tell you?" Qi Zhimu subtly stopped March 7th from denying it.
Arlan: "After collecting damage information from various sources, Miss proposed a post-disaster operation mechanism to the heads of the Five Major Departments."
"It also involves many other confidential concepts, such as a Curio Re-containment Squad, safety zone demarcation, and damage assessment by the Interstellar Peace Corporation..."
"My task is to clear out the remnants of Destruction and strengthen disaster training for the Security Department to deal with future uncertain crises."
"Hmm, not bad."
Qi Zhimu nodded, then pulled out his phone to show the transfer record.
"Lead Asta commissioned me to evaluate the Space Station's defense facilities and provide targeted guidance for improvement plans."
Since the display of the transfer amount was partially truncated, Arlan didn't see the specific commission fee, but the sender's account was indeed Asta's.
"Understood. Please follow me. However, there may still be scattered Void Rangers deeper in, so please be sure to stay behind me."
"It's fine. I like fighting Destruction's pawns the most." Qi Zhimu hoisted the a type of chinese lute onto his shoulder.
"Count me in!" March 7th drew her longbow, full of spirit.
For the rest of the journey, Arlan's expression gradually shifted from serious to questioning his very existence.
Whenever Legion remnants appeared, they would be struck by Qi Zhimu one by one... with a single strike of the lute, causing the annihilation phenomenon upon death.
Not just March 7th, even he had no chance to act; Qi Zhimu took care of everything.
While Qi Zhimu's figure appeared dozens of meters away like a ghost, Arlan finally couldn't help but ask.
"Miss March, does Mr. Zhimu have a deep grudge against the Antimatter Legion?"
"...Well..."
March 7th hesitated. Recalling the tone Qi Zhimu used when talking about that past and his personality, she decided to tell him simply.
"Lord Zhimu's home was destroyed by the Antimatter Legion. For more specifics, you can ask him."
"..." Arlan fell silent.
No need to ask.
The simplest and most straightforward reason is often the one that stirs up the most hatred. He understood perfectly and could empathize with Qi Zhimu.
...
A brief jump back in time.
On the other side, Herta's Office.
The Herta Puppet, which was originally in standby mode, suddenly lit up its eyes, indicating that Herta herself was remotely controlling it.
She brought up the simulated universe's information console and began to get busy.
Damage to the Space Station? That's Asta's concern.
Her only interest now is the upcoming first test of the simulated universe.
While she was busy, a report from Asta popped up.
"Tsk... didn't I say to handle it yourself?"
Glancing casually at the content, Herta rolled her eyes.
It's all trivial damage assessments and... Hmm?
Herta's gaze stopped on a surveillance video. What caught her attention wasn't the video content, but the title and the notes below.
The Stellaron contained in the Space Station is now inside that gray-haired girl, and it almost erupted and destroyed the station.
"Ho, interesting."
Herta casually clicked play. On the screen was the scene of the Astral Express Crew intercepting the Doomsday Beast on the Platform.
She didn't have the patience to watch it all, so she dragged the progress bar, just happening to land right before the Stellaron was about to erupt, and also just missing the crucial frame that lasted less than two seconds—
Specifically, the clear shot of Qi Zhimu's face captured by the surveillance camera when he struck the Doomsday Beast's head.
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