"This shouldn't pose any issues regarding the security situation in Country M," I mused while examining the data. "Who on earth could steal something that massive? Furthermore, the complicated launch procedures and environment preclude any single individual or organization from managing it. Besides, even if terrorists acquired the thing, it would be useless; stealing a nuclear warhead would be more practical and simpler."

Ouyang Qian, also reviewing the information, remarked, "It’s not impossible that Country M is stirring up trouble again. They always resort to mudslinging before a major election. Perhaps the space shuttle wasn't actually stolen, but merely vanished from public view, prompting the media to blow the story out of proportion, only for the government to issue a clarification later, making it all go away."

Su Xue settled into my lap and sighed, "Junior Brother, Qianqian certainly has a wealth of experience. Unfortunately, I’m skilled in nothing; I can only assist Sister Xiaoya."

I comforted her, "Take your time. You will succeed just like them, I have faith in you."

Su Xue wrapped her arms around my neck, pressing her full bust against me. "Mm, I will work hard. But let’s forget about all this now and watch the show, okay? What’s so interesting about the news?"

Ouyang Qian laughed at Su Xue, "Little ** girl really can't wait. Before long, you’ll be leaving me in the dust. Look how close you and Zhao Qian have gotten in just a few hours; you can’t even wait for the sixteenth. The thirteenth will do just fine; I worry you’ll be consumed by desire."

A specific phone ringtone cut through the air. I apologized to Su Xue, "I need to take this call; it’s from home."

Su Xue immediately dove under the covers and hid her head, perhaps afraid the others would see her like this. The call was from Little Raindrop, her voice tinged with urgency. "Brother, there’s something I didn't inform you about in time: 40 hours ago, a space shuttle was launched from a secret aerospace base in Country M. This launch was not announced to any foreign nation, and based on its current trajectory, its destination is the Moon! If Country M intended to explore the Moon, they wouldn't be so secretive. This was my oversight; I didn't give it enough attention at the time. If you had decided sooner..."

My mind raced, connecting these disparate events. The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency must have been infiltrated by the Changed long ago. And from early intelligence gathered by Peach, a large number of high-ranking aerospace officials in Country M were infected by the virus. The disappearance of the space shuttle certainly wasn't a recent event, only revealed by the media today. In the six months I was away, the Man in Black must have made thorough preparations for a lunar landing. He must know the secret of the Moon and intends to control it, using the interstellar craft up there to then control the entire Earth!

It had to be! No wonder the Man in Black made no moves for half a year, and even after taking control of those high officials and merchants, he didn't press his advantage. He must have used the authority, money, and resources those people commanded to fund a lunar expedition—that’s entirely plausible. Now his plan is on the verge of success. What should I do?

I paced the room twice before speaking to Little Raindrop, "Little Raindrop, notify Hope immediately to halt all current projects. Prepare for launch to the Moon in one hour. I need to intercept that shuttle!"

Little Raindrop sounded panicked. "But Brother, Hope’s weapons and defensive systems aren't complete yet! Launching now means it will be vulnerable to external threats!"

"I can't worry about that now," I retorted. "The dangers in space right now are mostly meteoroid impacts, which the Hope’s performance can easily withstand or avoid. We aren't going to fight a space war; just use the Hope as a manned space transport. Drop me off at the Moon and withdraw; I'll handle the rest."

"But leaving you alone on the Moon is extremely dangerous. Besides, the gravity there is weak, there's insufficient oxygen, and we don't know how to access the Moon’s interior—maybe..."

I cut Little Raindrop off. "Stop talking. Listen to me, Little Raindrop. There isn't enough time. Don't worry, I'll be fine. We’ll rendezvous at the underwater base later."

"Are you leaving again?" Su Xue poked her head out from under the covers to ask.

I nodded. "There's something I absolutely must do. I have a premonition: that detestable Man in Black is definitely on that space shuttle. His intentions for the Moon are sinister. If I don’t stop him, I fear he will bring immense disaster upon humanity. Besides, we have been fighting for six thousand years; this battle must continue—it’s either his death or mine!"

Su Xue scrambled out and threw her arms around me. "No! Junior Brother, I just found a shred of happiness. Don't frighten me."

Ouyang Qian joined us, and the three embraced. She consoled Su Xue, "Su Xue, you have to trust Zhao Qian. He has the capability to defeat all villains. We'll wait for him here, and he'll return victorious with the Dragon Girl."

Since there was no prior preparation, the plan was to launch in an hour, but in the end, the Hope only managed to lift off from the Pacific under the cover of the approaching dawn, quickly catching up to the shuttle heading for the Moon. This work is exclusively the text version first published on 16k Novel Net. Unauthorized reproduction or excerpting is prohibited. For the fastest and latest chapters, please visit www.16k.cn!

Little Raindrop suggested, "Brother, should we try sending a signal to contact the Prehistoric Ones inside the lunar base? Perhaps the Dragon Girl will receive it."

I nodded. "Try it, regardless of whether it works. Also, are the space suits ready?"

Xiao Hui replied, "They are ready. Brother, are you really going to the Moon alone? It’s truly perilous."

I chuckled. "Don't I have you all? You can wait for me in lunar orbit. If danger arises, come down to provide support."

Though I spoke lightly, I felt uncertain inside. I could move freely through Earth’s waters, on the surface, in the prehistoric eras, or the modern world, but what about space? Would this superhuman body still be effective? I had never tested it. But then again, the Man in Black couldn't be doing much better, otherwise, why go to such lengths? He could just strap two rockets onto his back and fly up. His so-called eternal life, the need to maintain his physical form—if that body ceases to exist, doesn't he die just like anyone else? I should test if he dies without a spacesuit.

This was everyone's first time testing the Hope’s performance. Although this interstellar craft couldn't compare in size to the ten vessels from six thousand years ago, it was over three hundred times larger than an Earth-class underwater fortress. I was deeply worried about being detected by other nations. Thankfully, Xiao Hui informed me that the Hope’s stealth capabilities were at their peak, and the exterior was coated in light-absorbing material. Even if visible to the naked eye, one would only see a dark shadow.

As for the Hope’s weapon and defense systems, for now, it was only equipped with a laser cannon and a counter-shield. More advanced weaponry would be overkill for current Earth-Moon system travel and would be developed and installed later.

Because the propulsion system utilized an Energy Core plus three small energy stones, the Hope could breach spatial limitations and execute a space jump. However, making a jump within the Earth-Moon system was unnecessary. Although Country M's shuttle launched two days before us, we quickly caught up to it in lunar orbit.

Following Xiao Hui’s suggestion, we considered using the Hope’s already installed main laser cannon to shoot down the shuttle, but I stopped them. I intended to shadow the Man in Black and let him lead me onto the Moon. After all, six millennia had passed, and I wouldn't recognize the Moon's original appearance. The Man in Black, after half a year of planning, was surely well-prepared.

The others did not follow. Under the concerned gazes of Little Raindrop and Xiao Hui, I donned my spacesuit and used the small thrusters to leave the Hope, descending toward the lunar surface. Not far off was the space shuttle that had just performed a soft landing. It seemed the Man in Black’s technology was formidable; with Country M's current capabilities, a soft landing of that shuttle in the lunar maria should have been impossible.

This particular lunar sea was named Oceanus Procellarum, covering about five million square kilometers. In reality, it is a vast basin encircled by mountains, though its surface is significantly lower than the lunar average. From Earth, these areas appear extremely dark, and historically they were named as various 'seas.' However, no one currently can prove the existence of water on the Moon; Country M's claims about ice at the poles are mere speculation.

After landing in a corner of Oceanus Procellarum, a figure in a spacesuit emerged from the shuttle and walked down. Without pausing, he headed straight for a massive cliff face not far ahead. Beyond the cliff stretched continuous mountain ranges. I activated my thrusters and followed closely. It seemed all my conjectures were confirmed. I thought about seeing the Dragon Girl soon, but it might also mean receiving heartbreaking news; my emotions were tumultuous, and my heart hammered so violently I nearly fainted.

The astronaut ahead 'flew' to the massive cliff wall and began maneuvering near it while holding up a sign. Since the sign faced away from me, I couldn't tell what it was. As I pondered his actions, the cliff face suddenly transformed. The seamless rock surface slid open to both sides, revealing a large metal gate.

None of this matched my memory from six thousand years ago; I didn't recall constructing such a cliff or secret door. The astronaut ahead tossed the sign aside and darted through the now-open metal gate. Then, the gate and the rock face began to close, and by the time I reached the spot, everything had returned to normal.

This place was not like Earth’s atmosphere. I tried to accelerate my movement, but the Moon’s atmosphere was so thin it was negligible. No matter how fast I tried to move, my progress was snail-like. I looked down at the discarded sign and curiously picked it up to examine the front.

It was a dragon! Precisely the insignia of the Red Dragon Security Guard! Damn it! The Man in Black used my identity to open the gate! No, the people inside are in danger; I must rush in to save them!

I considered smashing a path open with a single punch or trying to blast through the mountain with my body, but both efforts proved futile. However, when I raised the sign, the cliff face opened for me as well. Did the mechanism here recognize the dragon and not the man? Never mind that; I had to get inside first.

Stepping through the metal gate, my senses instantly scanned everything within. Unexpectedly, it was nothing but a huge, empty chamber. Furthermore, there was still insufficient gravity and air, though the lighting was extremely bright. The astronaut who entered before me was wandering a short distance ahead; it seemed that while he found the entrance, he hadn't penetrated deep into the Moon’s interior yet.