In a flash of realization, Ziye understood. "Bobo, one last question. Is there any way for us to go back to how things were?"

Bobo turned back, his gaze condescending, looking at her as if she were a joke. "Do you think so?"

Ziye managed a strained, humorless smile. "Heh." Then she turned back to face the viewport.

She and Bobo were out of things to say.

Before this, she had often wondered how Bobo would react if the Star Federation and Wolf Den ever went to war. Perhaps it was for the best; at least she wouldn't have to worry about hurting someone then.

Divergent loyalties meant that sooner or later, they would become enemies.

She murmured inwardly, Bobo, this is your choice, and I will respect it. But on the battlefield, I absolutely will not let you off!

Right now, the most crucial thing wasn't asking Bobo why he was doing this, but figuring out how to escape alive. She absolutely could not fall into Bai Lanxue's hands. Given Bai Lanxue's nature, she would surely end up without a burial place, just like Xiaoxiao!

The more terrified Ziye became, the calmer she grew. Even with cold sweat trickling down her back, she maintained a composure that allowed her eyes to covertly search for Little Sprout.

Douzai crawled along the couple's path; if someone went looking for him, they would surely find him. But Little Sprout had told her to run and then suddenly vanished.

Little Sprout's body could turn transparent, invisible to everyone except her.

However, Little Sprout was not on the shuttlecraft.

Perhaps it had gone to find An Junlie to rescue her?

She desperately did not want to implicate An Junlie.

Bai Lanxue's intentions were as obvious as the sun at noon. Holding her hostage was merely to gain leverage when confronting An Junlie. Otherwise, Bobo could have just ended things with a single shot—so much simpler and quicker.

As Ziye calculated these possibilities, Bobo suddenly strode to the Co-pilot's seat, sat down, activated the console, and connected. "Shuttlecraft 0399XJ requests a transfer to Destroyer 2774LB in five minutes. Estimated coordinates are 367, 119, 923. Please expedite docking preparations."

A change of ships?

She knew quite a bit about Star Federation vessels.

Especially this shuttlecraft right here—she had piloted it for a full year when Tang Wen was at the Star Federation Research Institute; she knew its performance and strengths inside and out. Although she hadn't piloted that destroyer, she had certainly reviewed its data files.

In any case, a destroyer was several tiers below a battleship, and couldn't compare to a Raider-class vessel.

As for its firepower? Heh.

Ziye's thoughts moved with lightning speed. Having quickly formed a plan, she simultaneously kicked the staff member standing beside her with both feet: "I need to step away for a moment. Let me go."

Bobo turned back, giving her a cold glare. "Don't even think about pulling any stunts. Here, you either sit still obediently, or you become space debris. Choose."

Ziye let out a muffled "Hmph," turning her face away.

She wasn't actually planning to step away; she was deliberately planting a false sense of security in Bobo, making him think she was helpless!

Five minutes later, the shuttlecraft reached the designated coordinates and docked with Destroyer 2774LB. Upon completion, the staff members dragged Ziye out of the shuttlecraft like a sack of sand and threw her onto the destroyer.

The destroyer was larger than the shuttlecraft, and there were more personnel onboard.

Upon seeing Bobo arrive, the staff snapped to attention and executed a crisp military salute.

Bobo’s expression was blank. "Watch her. No incidents are permitted."

"Yes!" the staff replied in unison.

One of them approached and continued to drag Ziye forward.

In their eyes, although Ziye was not dead, she was as good as dead already.

Ziye was in such pain that cold sweat poured from her, and finally, unable to bear it, she passed out.

Surrounded by his soldiers, Bobo proceeded to the briefing room, activated the holographic screen, and reported to Bai Lanxue, "Ziye has been apprehended."

On the screen, Bai Lanxue smiled warmly, looking at Bobo with the kind, gentle affection of an elder watching a junior. "Bobo, I knew you were a good child. You haven't disappointed Auntie."

Bobo masked the emotion flickering in his eyes and softly responded, "Mm."

Bai Lanxue didn't make things difficult for him. "Go to Military Space Station Volun-7. The Blade of the Seventh Fleet is waiting for you. From now on, you will be the Commander of the Seventh Fleet. You may choose your own Deputy Commander. The data has been sent to your comms-link."

The Seventh Fleet was one of the Star Federation's most formidable forces.

Since its inception over a century ago, six of the Star Federation's most famous Ten Grand Admirals had risen from its ranks.

Bai Lanxue appointing him as the commander of the Blade was the highest affirmation of his worth!

From this moment, Bobo had truly stepped into the ranks of the Star Federation military.

A smile touched Bobo’s lips as he lowered his head to review the Seventh Fleet's data. He had always wanted to join the Seventh Fleet, even if only for experience.

But Bai Lanxue had handed him a major command directly.

He was overjoyed beyond measure.

He suppressed the urge to laugh aloud and replied with a calm smile, "Understood."

Suddenly, a staff member rushed to the entrance of the briefing room, his face pale with shock. "Major General, the Major from Medical Team Three requests an audience! There's an emergency!"

Bobo commanded, "Speak!"

The Major stammered, "That captive... she's dead!"

The holographic screen in Bobo's hand smashed onto the floor with a crack.

In reality, he felt like throwing the screen at the Major's face: "How could she possibly be dead?"

The Major, drenched in sweat, replied, "Your subordinate does not know."

Bobo shoved the Major aside and bolted out of the briefing room, his face ashen.

Since the vessel used to transport the captive was only a destroyer, the sudden change of events caught everyone off guard. When Bobo reached the infirmary, he saw a figure lying on the floor. A doctor in white scrubs was kneeling beside the body, performing emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Bobo roared, "What happened?!"

He had just witnessed the rough way they had handled Ziye, but hardening his resolve to the utmost, he had forced himself not to intervene and let them have their way, but...

He suddenly sensed that something was wrong.

Before he could speak, the doctor suddenly flipped backward and fell near his feet. Bobo instinctively stepped back, and the person lying on the floor suddenly sprang up, launching three rapid kicks in succession (Bang bang bang) directly into Bobo's chest.

Bobo reacted instantly, his fingers coiling into a claw to grip her ankle. She suddenly spun, pinning him from above.

CRASH!

Ziye and Bobo tumbled to the floor together, Bobo ending up underneath.

In a movement as fast as lightning, Ziye drew a blade, thin as a cicada's wing, and pressed it against Bobo's carotid artery, her voice cold. "Don't move!"

The things he had done to her that morning were now being repaid twofold in the space of an instant.

The distance between them was barely the length of a fist. Bobo could clearly see the blade—it was black and lightless, yet utterly transparent, shimmering with killing intent.

Anyone possessing such a blade could not possibly be an ordinary student.

He had known Ziye for two years, yet he never knew she possessed such skill.

He had underestimated her severely!

The Major was nearly scared senseless, drawing his sidearm and aiming it at Ziye’s head. "Release her!"

Ziye gave a cold smile. "See if your gun is faster than my blade."

"You!" Bobo raged. "You won't escape!"

-RS