Chapter 24: The Mysterious Organization Led by a Madman

Qu Yuzhao.

In his youth, following a Zerg pirate attack on his hometown, he left his life behind to enlist in the military, eventually graduating from the Federal Academy with top honors.

At twenty-five, he served as captain of the destroyer *Sentinel*. Leading his squadron with unwavering composure, he successfully thwarted a raid by the pirate ship *Marauder*.

Promoted to lieutenant colonel at thirty, he participated in the suppression of the Vega Sector rebellion, leading his legion to defend the border space station of Drake Planet.

At thirty-five, he commanded forces stationed on the border of Creek Planet, where he earned distinguished military honors.

On the night he was promoted to colonel at thirty-seven, he suddenly suffered a mental breakdown and blew up his own villa. From that day on, he was committed to a psychiatric hospital, where he has remained ever since.

Now sixty-two, he is spending his twilight years within the confines of the institution.

That was over twenty years ago; those who knew him, or his contemporaries in the service, have long since grown old.

"It is precisely because so much time has passed that no one remembers him anymore."

Shi Qiyuan tilted his head to look at the screen. The resolute, cold face displayed there perfectly aligned with the high-spirited man in his memories.

He still remembered.

When he was a young boy, he had followed his father to tour the Federal Academy and had seen the man on the display board for distinguished graduates.

Later, during his own studies, he had researched Qu Yuzhao’s command tactics and benefited greatly from them.

Jiang Chen’s expression stiffened as he slowly turned his neck to look at him.

"So, are we sitting here listening to a mental patient recount a 'great cause'?"

Shi Qiyuan’s face remained calm. "No, he didn't enter the psychiatric hospital until twenty years ago—that is, five years after the time in Xu Rui’s memory."

"The Qu Yuzhao of today is thirty-two and already a lieutenant colonel. His mental state should be normal at this point."

Shi Qiyuan watched the screen, his gaze darkening.

He was two years older than Xu Rui. They had met at the Imperial First Academy, where Xu Rui had pursued him with relentless intensity. He had thought they would marry, so he took her to meet his parents.

He never expected that to be the beginning of a life of misery.

Seeing the person he admired most acquainted with the person he loathed and despised most, a wave of betrayal and anger welled up within him for no reason.

Jiang Chen laughed in disbelief. "A mental patient doesn't just snap overnight. Five years ago? It's possible his mental illness was already in its incubation period."

"In my opinion, this 'Special Department' with such a sloppy name is likely just a lie he fabricated."

"Head of State, did you authorize the establishment of such a special department back then?"

Tang Feng replied, "The Head of State was not yet in power at that time. A secret department of this level is something the Head of State would likely be unaware of."

Xu Chu wanted to defend Xu Rui, but the words died on his lips. Instead, he said, "Let’s continue watching the memories. Whether it’s a lie or not, we will know soon enough."

...

The spacecraft did not stay on the planet for long.

The Special Department personnel collected data, took photographs, and gathered several Zerg corpse specimens. By the next day, the ship departed.

Xu Rui and Eleven had a wide range of access; aside from a few private quarters for regular staff, they could go anywhere within the ship.

Eleven sat at the bar, mixing a drink suitable for a child for Xu Rui.

"This must be your first time encountering the Zerg, right? How does it feel? Are you afraid? Will you have nightmares tonight?"

Xu Rui’s face paled slightly; she pursed her lips and shook her head. "No. It’s inherited through genetic memory."

"Oh, right," Eleven said, slapping his forehead. "I, too, only began fighting the Zerg because of the inheritance in my genetic memory."

He placed the drink beside Xu Rui’s hand.

"I don't know if you have this feeling, but after receiving the genetic memory inheritance, you always feel as if you should shoulder the mission of fighting the Zerg."

"It’s a feeling as if... behind you stand many ancestors, encouraging you, pushing you forward."

"You must walk this path; if you don't, your existence has no meaning."

Xu Rui’s eyes brightened, and she nodded vigorously. "You’re amazing. You put all my feelings into words."

Eleven laughed heartily. "Others envy our genes, but I would give anything not to have them. Only we can truly understand this feeling."

Xu Rui held her glass and stood by the window, looking out at the deep, mysterious expanse of space.

"Brother Eleven, where are we going?"

Eleven replied, "I'm taking you to the training grounds. There, you can learn how to deal with the Zerg."

"Of course, due to the secretive nature of the mission, you will only see fully automated mechanical facilities there. Once I teach you how to use them, I will go off to work."

The smile on his face suddenly vanished. "This path is lonelier than you imagine."

Xu Rui was still so young; how could she understand the meaning of loneliness?

She was only worried about her younger brother back on Silver Frost Planet, and Augustus, who also possessed SSSS-rank genes.

Hearing Xu Rui’s concerns, Eleven said, "I will contact the organization to help you resolve this. Once we reach our destination and your identity is registered, you will receive a communicator and can submit your requests directly to the organization."

An hour later, Eleven received the data. He sat on the sofa and pressed play.

A projection screen appeared before them, displaying the detailed profiles of several individuals.

"Take a look. Choose one of these people to adopt your brother. Their detailed files are right here."

"These people all have some connection to our organization. Some are those we have rescued, others are family members of fighters like us. In short, they are all trustworthy people. You can rest assured."

Xu Chu stood before the screen, his face calm, but his body trembling slightly.

His foster father—was he chosen for him by his sister?

He had thought his sister had completely forgotten him after she left.

It turned out the bond between him and his sister had never been broken all these years.

A bittersweet, stinging sensation welled up in his heart.

Eleven pressed a button, and the profile of a woman appeared.

"Iron-blooded soldier, Ms. Talisa. Three-star Admiral of the Interstellar Federal Fleet, A-rank genes, combat specialist."

"She and her husband have three sons and two daughters. Their youngest daughter is the same age as your brother. It’s a military family."

Xu Rui shook her head. "No. My brother is in poor health; he has genetic defects. In a military family, the pressure would be too great."

Eleven pressed the button again.

"Genetic defects? Your brother isn't a servant of your royal family, is he? I recall the upbringing of your Qiongling tribe is extremely rigorous; such things as genetic defects shouldn't happen."

Xu Rui nodded.

"Then how about this one? The weapons dynasty, Mr. Caleb. He is the head of a super military-industrial conglomerate with hundreds of years of history. He has five daughters."

"Commander of the Mecha Knight Order, a direct descendant of the Einhart family..."

"Business tycoon, Mr. Scott. Founder of the Walker Transcendent Group, a self-made legend. He has no children, his wife passed away long ago, and he has never remarried."

Xu Rui’s eyes lit up. "He’s the one!"