The company, Laike Shangtiao Co., Ltd., lived up to its understated founding principle with great flair—or perhaps, its tiny storefront nestled among the row of street-facing shops was so inconspicuous it could barely be called modest; it was simply utterly mundane.

“Gentlemen, what can I get for you?”

The sales attendant’s face was a mosaic of professional smiles, embodying a simple yet precise etiquette that reeked of commerce. Yet, in the way she moved, there was a distinct quality that set her apart from a typical clerk—subtle, almost imperceptible, but keenly felt by Qin Fen, who had been honed by elite military discipline.

This was a female soldier. She must have undergone rigorous commercial training, successfully masking her military bearing and demeanor to a degree that made her nearly undetectable to the casual observer.

Had Qin Fen not already known this was the headquarters of the Federal Military Department, he might have easily overlooked it, concluding this woman was merely a former soldier now working as an ordinary sales clerk.

“I am Colonel Qin, from the Federation,” Qin Fen stated flatly. “I need to see your highest-ranking commander, now.”

“I beg your pardon?” The sales attendant looked at Qin Fen with a perfectly pleasant smile, though her eyes flickered with confusion and doubt, a vestige of fear, like a shifty rodent, hiding deep within her pupils. “Sir, you must have the wrong address. This is a clothing store. There is no commander here, only a manager.”

Qin Fen shook his head slightly. On the current Saturn of the Federation, a military member still required official arrangement just to secure a meeting? Was this place truly still a part of the Federation’s Saturn?

“I require one million red trench coats.”

The wariness in the sales attendant’s eyes dissolved, replaced by a slight relaxation. She maintained her composed demeanor, replying politely, “Sir, our trench coats are quite expensive. One million pieces—I question whether you possess the means to cover that cost.”

“One unit for one dollar; a million is nothing, really,” Qin Fen said, delivering the passphrase. He felt a flicker of admiration for the person who devised such a code.

“At that price, I cannot make a decision. You must discuss it with our manager.”

“Better call your General Manager as well. Your manager won’t be able to decide this time either.”

The female attendant paused. This visitor was only a Lieutenant Colonel, yet he demanded an audience with the highest authority here. Lieutenant General Solov? She cautiously observed the men behind Qin Fen, narrowing her beautiful eyes to slits, her inner suspicion deepening.

Years spent in reception work had not increased her martial prowess, but they had gifted her with an insight few possessed. These young men looked relatively young, and their aura was placid. Yet, upon closer scrutiny, one could sense a profound difference beneath their ordinary presentation—a quality she couldn't precisely articulate.

“Please, follow me this way, gentlemen.”

The sales attendant turned and led Qin Fen toward the warehouse area behind the shop. She pressed a red button, and the floor smoothly retracted, revealing an elevator.

The elevator descended slowly, groaning softly, plunging a full hundred meters before stopping. When the doors reopened, they exposed a vast underground cavern.

It was large enough for two soccer fields, and the number of people within exceeded expectations, easily numbering over a hundred.

All the cubicles were constructed of transparent soundproof glass, making it possible to see exactly what everyone inside was occupied with.

Only the innermost room was completely sealed off, its blinds drawn tight. No one knew what the occupant was doing, save for the sign on the door: Lieutenant General Solov, which informed everyone present that the highest military commander of Saturn was located within.

In the outermost glass room, a soldier stood watch—a white man with blond hair and blue eyes. He wasn't handsome, but he possessed the crisp efficiency of a career soldier. He glanced up as Qin Fen and his group walked in unannounced, a hint of displeasure clouding his brow.

He opened his door and blocked Qin Fen’s path, squaring his shoulders slightly toward the Lieutenant Colonel, his eyes blazing with challenge. He shot the sales attendant a severe look, as if warning her about admitting unauthorized personnel. These men weren’t even in uniform! Didn’t she know that personnel below the rank of Captain were forbidden entry? Could these youths even meet the standard for Captain?

“Where are you from? Don’t you know the rules?” the Major challenged, fixing his glare back onto Qin Fen. “Before entering here, one must file a preliminary report! You entered without reporting! Who is your commanding officer? Send him to see me! And don’t you know military protocol? You salute your superiors when you see them.”

Qin Fen regarded the Major before him. The posturing of the Saturn military was far more inflated than that on Earth. Before he could even speak, he had been thoroughly dressed down. In just a few sentences, several weighty accusations had been hurled at him.

Qin Fen pulled out his officer's identification, unused for quite some time, and flicked it open, revealing his Lieutenant Colonel insignia. “I am Colonel Qin, dispatched from Earth Headquarters. Major [Jiang Sheng—assuming character name based on context], state your name. According to military regulations, you will now—”

The Major froze, his expression stunned. A Lieutenant Colonel at such a young age? That was excessive! It must be fake, surely?

The latest laser-printing technology, coupled with the Federation’s official seal, proved beyond doubt that the document was authentic.

The Major’s vacant expression held for a full three seconds before he snapped back to attention, standing as rigidly as a javelin, his heels clicking together as he executed the most flawless salute. “Major Slack, reporting to Lieutenant Colonel Qin.”

Qin Fen returned the salute crisply. “Major Slack, greetings. I require an audience with your highest-ranking commander now.”

“Yes, Colonel!” Slack remained standing stiffly, his gaze fixed solemnly on Qin Fen. “Colonel, may I ask if you filed a prior report and appointment?”

A prior report? Qin Fen frowned slightly. This wasn't a genuine corporation; when did the military start implementing such procedures?

“No.”

“I apologize, Colonel!” Slack stood rooted to the spot, blocking Qin Fen’s way. “Without a prior report and appointment, you cannot see Lieutenant General Solov! Please file a report, leave your contact information, and we will notify you when our General has time to see you.”

Qin Fen glanced at Solov’s office in the distance and asked calmly, “Is he very busy?”

“It is the rule!” Slack shouted, keeping his eyes on Qin Fen. “Please adhere to it!”

Qin Fen tilted his chin up again, looking toward the distant office. Even with his strength as an eighteen-star Martial Artist, he couldn’t detect any life fluctuations from within that room. Solov was either powerful beyond measure, or he wasn't in that office at all.

“I will request an appointment. How long will it take to see General Solov?”

“I do not know,” Slack replied, looking at Qin Fen. Despite his loud voice, there was a clear undertone of disdain and provocation in his tone—utterly lacking the deference a subordinate should show a superior. “Our General is very busy. It could be tomorrow, or perhaps next year; it depends on our General’s schedule.”

The soldiers in the surrounding cubicles had also paused their work, looking up with half-smiles at Qin Fen. Everyone had heard clearly that Qin Fen was from Headquarters. Was this young man trying to flex his authority? He deserved a lesson, one that would teach him this was Saturn, not Earth Headquarters!

Qin Fen felt the probing stares of provocation around him. It seemed every place had its own clique, and when outside forces tried to enter, they were always met with resistance—even the military was no exception. The Saturn military had solidified its own faction during this time, an unavoidable reality.

After all, the distance from Earth Headquarters to Saturn wasn't a journey of a day or two. In ancient terms, this was a case of the emperor being too far away; the supreme commander here was practically a local sovereign.

“Major, answer my question,” Qin Fen frowned slightly. “Is your highest-ranking commander currently in his office?”

“Colonel,” Slack boomed his reply, “That is not your concern to inquire about.”

Qin Fen looked at the soldier before him. A mere Major was challenging him openly. It seemed taking over the military command might be slightly more complicated than anticipated.

“He isn’t there, then? I will wait for him inside.”

Qin Fen stepped forward. Slack stood like a wooden post and yelled, “Colonel! This is a military sensitive area! If you take one more step—”

Chen Feiyu instantly flashed forward, grabbing Slack by the back of his collar and hauling him aside. Hearing Qin Fen continue his advance, he commanded flatly, “Tie him up.”

The plain tone carried an unmistakable air of arrogance. The other soldiers in the room froze, stunned. What were these people trying to do? Slack was an eight-star Martial Artist! How had he been pinned to the ground so easily and his belt used to bind him?

Clatter, clatter,

A dozen soldiers reacted first, shoving their doors open. The distinct sound of safeties being released echoed in succession. These young officers were rebelling! How dare they assault someone here? What did they think this place was? This was the Saturn Military Command! Their brazen, high-profile intrusion meant that even if they were executed on the spot, a simple report would suffice for Earth Headquarters!

More soldiers drew pistols from their holsters or snatched weapons from nearby surfaces, snapping back their bolts. The iron-blooded killing intent of soldiers instantly saturated the entire basement.

Brooks suddenly swung the battle blade in his hand, unleashing the power of a fifteen-star Martial Arts Master. The air-shattering blade energy sliced past Qin Fen’s side, directly blasting open the door to the General’s office, shattering the General's desk, and carving a deep scar into the wall behind it.