353 Just as Ziye leaned in to support Tang Wen, he suddenly reached out and pulled her into a bear hug, beaming like a child. “I caught you, time to pay up.” Ziye’s body stiffened, then she delivered a solid punch.

“See how you like that!” Tang Wen grimaced, unable to even speak. Ziye shook her head and walked away after landing the blow.

She didn't want to admit that her fist was throbbing painfully. It was because Tang Wen’s abdomen was pure, solid muscle!

Damn it! Little Sprout floated above Ziye's head, shaking its tiny form in exasperation.

What was it Bran had said? Love is the most agonizing thing in the world, bar none.

Even the esteemed young master of the Tang Clan would debase himself just to utter a few more words to the one he cherished. Sigh...

Ziye reached the scanning area by the door. The portal automatically scanned her entry, opening to reveal a breathtaking, endless mountain range and a base so vast it defied description.

A wave of gloom washed over her; in this day and age, venturing out without an airship was pure folly. Wretched predicament: she couldn't walk to the end of the path ahead, and retreating meant trekking across the planet.

How utterly miserable. Just then, the roar of an airship engine sounded from behind her.

She turned to see Tang Wen deploying an airship from his spatial buckle. She took three quick steps and turned back, scrambling aboard.

“Give me a lift,” she pleaded, playing the eager sycophant. Tang Wen stopped walking, his face stern.

“Terms of surrender, apology, and reparations.” A person under someone else’s roof has to bow their head, but no one carried cash these days. Did he expect her to offer him a bank card?

She fumbled in her pockets for a long moment, finally retrieving two small silver tokens used for children's games. She thrust them toward him.

“I’m sorry, I was wrong, but I truly can’t afford a planet, so no land ceding. Please let me off the hook.” Tang Wen looked at her, suddenly struck by a profound sense of helplessness.

Arguing with Ziye was absolutely the wrong choice. He extended two fingers, plucked the coins from her hand, flicked them into the air, and caught them.

“Get in.” The airship shot forward like an arrow! Tang Wen was the fastest and fiercest airship pilot Ziye had ever witnessed, second only to Red Hair.

The moment they launched, he pushed the vessel to maximum speed, handling everything else with ruthless efficiency. The base was built into the karst landscape, its architecture mirroring the rugged, lava-like formations.

From a distance, it was impossible to tell if one was looking at rock or structure. The airship streaked through the main gate, seeming to possess its own eyes, navigating directly to a landing platform atop a structure built into the mountain.

Soldiers stood waiting on the platform. Upon spotting Tang Wen, they snapped to attention and saluted.

Tang Wen nodded once. He disembarked, leading Ziye into the building.

The structure was essentially a series of hollowed-out mountain caves—unassuming on the exterior, but fiercely military inside, where everything was meticulously arranged in sharp, square blocks. Tang Wen walked forward without looking aside, under the fixed gazes of the soldiers, until he finally stopped in a specific room.

Ziye found the room unsettling. One entire wall was a matte black mirror surface.

The other three walls held no windows, only a single door. Once inside, the door closed, instantly isolating them in what felt like a sealed world.

Ziye couldn't help but ask, “What is this place used for?” It felt like solitary confinement. Tang Wen settled onto a sofa.

“Didn’t you want to see Xiao Xiao?” Ziye instinctively scanned the area again, confirming Xiao Xiao was not present, nor was there any obvious place he could be hiding. “Where is he?” Tang Wen sat up straighter, then lightly tapped the coffee table in front of him.

The table illuminated, revealing a holographic display screen. He tapped the screen, and the matte black wall opposite them simultaneously lit up.

It wasn’t a bright glow like the data screen, but rather as if a layer of black matte coating had been peeled back, revealing perfectly clear glass. On the other side of that glass sat Xiao Xiao!

Ziye nearly leaped up. Xiao Xiao was sitting directly across from them.

That room held nothing superfluous besides the stool Xiao Xiao sat upon; the four walls were stark white. Staring too long might even induce a strange sense of vertigo.

Xiao Xiao gazed fixedly at the wall, seemingly unaware of their presence. Ziye rushed forward, frantically waving at the mirror surface.

Tang Wen stated calmly, “He can’t see us.” Ziye watched Xiao Xiao, tried a few more gestures, and when she confirmed he truly couldn’t see her, she slumped onto the sofa in defeat. “Teacher, what exactly are you planning?

You should tell me by now.” Being kept in the dark every time was utterly frustrating. Alas.

Tang Wen tilted his head, observing her. “If I tell you the truth, will you believe me?” Ziye affirmed firmly, “I will.” Tang Wen curved his lips slightly.

“Base Number One is where the Integration Corps confines people. Any soldier who violates military law is placed here for disciplinary isolation.” Ziye rolled her eyes.

“Stop messing with me. He’s not a soldier.” Tang Wen explained, “Currently, all legion leaders are gathered at the Gallun Space Station for a conference.

We cannot allow him to interfere. So, he is detained here for the time being.

We will process him according to law once we secure sufficient evidence.” Ziye sneered. “You actually found the evidence long ago, didn’t you.” Tang Wen did not deny it.

Ziye held out her hand. “Give me the evidence.” Tang Wen shook his head, retrieved the two silver token coins from his pocket, and placed them in her hand.

Annoyed, she snapped, “That’s not what I want.” Tang Wen leaned back on the sofa. “Ziye, don’t be so aggressive.” Ziye paused, her tone softening.

“Fine. What do you actually want?” Tang Wen countered, “What is he to you?

Is he worth you yelling at me like this?” Ziye: “…Alright, I was wrong.” Seeing her lower her head, Tang Wen felt his own frustration stir. He wanted things to go smoothly, but somehow, the tone of their conversations always veered off course.

Perhaps this was what they called an emotional knot. Tang Wen recalled Bran’s words: “You are only in your twenties, but your heart is already old.” His heart was old.

Tang Wen gazed deeply at Ziye, collecting his thoughts. “I will only tell you this: he is here, and perhaps he will never leave.

You know what you need to do. If you wish to speak to him, you can.

There is a voice modulator; every sound transmitted to him will be a uniform electronic synthesis.” With that, he stood and walked out. Ziye sighed dejectedly.

“Doudou, did I say the wrong thing again?” Little Sprout: … Receiving no response after a long pause, Ziye reached up and plucked Little Sprout from her head, only to find it playing dead. “Even you are abandoning me?” Little Sprout’s form slowly inflated, and it retorted crossly, “You were far too harsh with that big jerk Tang.

I don’t love you anymore.” With a whoosh, it shot out of the room, intercepting Tang Wen, and landed thwack right on his head. The standing soldier suddenly saw the impeccably dressed, stylishly attired Tang Wen sporting a fluffy, adorable creature on his head, and couldn’t help but let out a sharp snort of laughter.

Tang Wen shot him a fierce glance. Before he could speak, the soldier immediately turned his back, adopting a posture of self-reflection against the wall!