Chapter 42: Son and Father-in-law Cooperation

Hearing only a sharp beep, a huge three-dimensional image suddenly appeared in the middle of the conference hall without warning. Before the people present could react, a series of low, piercing roars shook the room and startled the audience, leaving their scalps tingling.

At that moment, they knew it was only a projection, yet everyone instinctively stood up and hurried back. Then, within the image, they witnessed a shocking scene unfold before their eyes.

Dozens of dark shadows rushed quickly toward several giant smart mechas in the image. Their speed was so great that the figures appeared only as vague blurs, making it impossible for the people present to see what the shadows truly were.

What was most shocking was that several S-class smart mechas had no chance to fight back. In just a few minutes, they were overwhelmed and torn apart by the black shadows.

The harsh sound of machinery being smashed, sparks flying in all directions, and giant mechas torn apart every minute—all of it rattled everyone’s nerves.

It was an S-class mecha. How could such a powerful shell and combat strength be so vulnerable? If even these machines were destroyed so easily, then what chance would an ordinary person have against the dark shadows? Surely they would be devoured until not even bones remained.

Just thinking about the scene made everyone’s scalp tingle with fear. At that moment, they finally saw the true face of the shadow.

Its entire body was dark and shiny, like black crystal, but its shape was strikingly similar to that of a wolf. Its two dark eyes glowed with a gloomy light, and its movements were fast and ruthless.

“It’s that kind of black wolf—the one that is so hard and twisted!”

Someone exclaimed, and then all eyes turned toward Moore and Ji Feng. The major general’s husband appeared indifferent, his expression strangely unreadable, as if silently confirming their suspicions.

Several black wolves seemed to be waiting for the right moment, their dark eyes scanning the surroundings and giving those present the terrifying illusion of being marked by death. Just then, several S-class mecha fighters descended from the sky, each carrying a massive box in their hands.

The mech fighters landed at least fifty meters away from the black wolves, but in an instant several of the creatures had already rushed forward.

Within seconds, the wolves closed in on the mecha warriors. Compared to the giant smart mechas from earlier, the fighters were far more agile, and they quickly opened the box doors just as the wolves came within four or five meters.

Then a black wolf suddenly rushed into the box. With lightning and sparks flashing, the mecha warrior quickly slammed the door shut and lifted off from the ground, leaving the other black wolves below, roaring furiously.

The image froze abruptly, and the scene fell into deadly silence. Everyone stared at the screen in disbelief, the brief but terrifying sequence replaying in their minds.

“What kind of twisted species is this? How have we never discovered it before?”

“It’s too abnormal—an S-class mecha can be crushed in minutes.”

“If this kind of creature were to arrive on a planet where humans live…”

Everyone turned pale, unable to imagine such a scene.

Marshal Wip’s cold eyes swept slowly across the crowd before he delivered a heavy statement: “This is the secret of the Lungu Star Cave you have always wanted.”

“So what the major general’s husband said is true.”

“It’s still not right. How could such twisted creatures exist without mechas?”

“Yes, and how do you explain the amnesia?”

—

The whispering voices did not affect Marshal Wip’s expression in the slightest. He simply shifted the conversation and declared, “You have seen the aggressiveness and combat effectiveness of this thing, but that is not the most frightening part of it. Does anyone wish to experience it firsthand?”

As Marshal Wip spoke, his gaze swept casually across the crowd, and anyone caught in his line of sight immediately shrank back, avoiding his eyes altogether.

S-class mechas could be destroyed within minutes—who would dare to face such creatures personally? And besides, how could anyone even attempt to?

Marshal Wip gave a faint smile, his eyes finally settling on Rad Nelson.

“His Royal Highness, are you interested in experiencing it yourself?”

A gasp swept through the hall. Was the Supreme Commander of Lopa insane?

Ji Feng curled his lips slightly; he found himself liking Marshal Wip’s bold style more and more.

Everyone knew that Rad Nelson was a madman. Perhaps he was the only one bold enough to entertain such an idea, which made him the most suitable candidate. Of course, under the gaze of the entire assembly, if the SSS-class Rad Nelson refused, he would likely lose all face.

Marshal Wip had cornered him completely, leaving no room for retreat. On the surface, it seemed like he was asking for Nelson’s opinion, but in reality, it was nothing more than a direct command.

Ji Feng was satisfied with Marshal Wip’s arrangement, knowing that what came next would be quite exciting. He was especially pleased that Rad—whom Moore found extremely annoying—would be the one to demonstrate it before everyone.

Sure enough, a trace of wild interest flashed across Rad’s dark face, and a sharp smile curled at the corner of his mouth. He understood everything clearly, as all clever men did, yet he remained utterly fearless.

“How to feel it?” Rad snarled, like a provoked wolf—arrogant and aggressive.

Admiral Xu Yaohui, standing to the side, darkened his expression. “Marshal Wip, what kind of joke is this?”

“Admiral,” Wip sneered, cutting him off before Admiral Xu Yaohui could respond. “Don’t worry.”

Marshal Wip twitched the corner of his mouth and cast Admiral Xu Yaohui a glance. The Admiral could only grit his teeth and glare back. At that moment, Wip snapped his fingers, and in the next second, a wall on the left side of the conference hall transformed into hard transparent glass, resembling a fighting arena. From below, an empty platform slowly rose until it stood before everyone’s eyes.

Several boxes stood at the center of the fighting platform. They were made of special materials—the same kind used to capture the black wolf alive in the video everyone had just seen.

The crowd immediately realized that the terrifying creature was likely inside one of those boxes. Faces hardened, and a sense of guarded tension spread among them.

“Didn’t they say the black wolf hadn’t been found? Then how did my father manage to capture it?” Moore frowned and whispered.

Ji Feng, standing beside him, knew Moore was speaking to him. He leaned slightly closer to Moore’s ear and replied in a low voice, “Look down.”

Moore tilted his head and noticed Ji Feng watching with an expression that suggested he was anticipating a good show. There was even a hint of amusement in his eyes. Moore’s heart stirred suddenly, and he whispered, “Do you know something?”

Ji Feng only laughed without saying a word, his eyes signaling Moore to keep watching the spectacle unfold.

Moore could only look at him suspiciously, sensing that this man had done something he did not yet know.

On the other side, Marshal Wip addressed Rad. “For the sake of safety, His Royal Highness Rad should wear a mecha. Otherwise, if something happens, I will not be able to explain it to the old man.”

Rad twitched the corner of his mouth. He was a forty-year-old, maneuverable SS-class mecha pilot, yet Marshal Wip had spoken to him in such a tone before the entire assembly, deliberately emphasizing his identity as a grandson. It was humiliating, but refusal was impossible. After all, Rad was reckless, but not suicidal.

The battle between Rad and Moore in the Mo Tian Arena was well known. Although Rad had lost, his twisted strength was undeniable. Moore understood this clearly in his heart—if not for the changes that occurred later with his mecha, he might not have been able to defeat Rad at all.

Although Rad was filled with fear of the black wolf, his presence in the mecha was powerful enough to make everyone anticipate what would happen next.

When Rad stood at the center of the fighting platform encased in his mecha, the entire crowd held its breath. Even though a hard transparent barrier separated them, those present could not help but feel their hearts tighten, afraid of being caught in the danger that loomed.

Marshal Wip immediately activated the switch, and five black wolves burst out of the box at once. The unfamiliar environment seemed to have no effect on them. They moved like soulless bodies, driven only by instinct as they searched for scents different from their own. Within moments, several pairs of glowing eyes locked onto Rad, standing at the center of the arena.

With a series of low, guttural roars, the black wolves lunged toward him.

Rad was, after all, an SSS-level powerhouse. Drawing on his countless battles, he swiftly evaded the snapping jaws of the black wolf, dodging several attacks in quick succession with ease.

The pack of black wolves attacked frantically from every direction, their fangs bared as they lunged at him. Rad moved with precision, dodging while striking back at the same time. Yet each wolf that was knocked into the air immediately rose again, relentless, and charged toward him once more.

Before long, Rad grew irritable, and his attacks became increasingly fierce. Yet in a moment of carelessness, one of his arms was bitten off. Sparks burst violently from the wound, dazzling the eyes of everyone watching—but that was all.

Although S-class mechas were vulnerable against such creatures, Rad was an SSS-class powerhouse. If even he could not withstand them, it would deal a devastating blow to humanity’s confidence.

Just as the crowd began to relax, Rad’s massive mecha suddenly shuddered, as though struck by an invisible force. In that brief moment of vulnerability, the five black wolves leapt forward and sank their fangs into his arm, clinging tightly and refusing to let go.

The wolves bit wildly, tearing at the mecha from every angle. Something seemed wrong with Rad; his towering machine staggered several steps, unsteady, before collapsing heavily to the ground.

“What’s happening? What’s going on?”

"It shouldn't be."

"His Royal Highness Rad seems to be in pain."

—

Everyone was stunned when they saw Rad tumbling across the fighting platform, clutching his head in agony as several wolves clung to his mecha, biting at the fuselage with frenzied force.

“His Royal Highness Rad!” Admiral Xu Yaohui shouted urgently. The other military and political staff turned pale; if Rad Nelson were to suffer an accident here, their entire military office would face ruin.

Yet Marshal Wip remained indifferent. At that moment, a burst of noise erupted—an abnormal sound echoing from the terminal.

"What happened to the terminal signal?"

"My signal is disturbed!"

—

The babbling sound pierced everyone’s eardrums, startling and frightening them. By now, Rad’s mecha had already been torn apart in several places, and in the blink of an eye the black wolves were close to ripping him out of the control cabin. Yet Rad, overwhelmed by pain, could only roll on the ground clutching his head.

“ Marshal Wip Houston! What are you doing? Is this personal vengeance? Let him out at once!” Admiral Xu Yaohui shouted frantically, his composure shattered.

Marshal Wip pressed a button slowly, and suddenly a powerful suction erupted from several boxes. The force dragged the black wolves back inside, sealing them shut once more.

Even then, the crowd remained stunned, their eyes fixed on Rad, who lay motionless on the fighting platform.

It was only when Rad was carried out that everyone saw his bloodless face. His eyes were vacant, his complexion pale and frightening, and sweat drenched his features—as though he had just endured a nightmare beyond imagination.

“His Royal Highness Rad?”

At Marshal Wip’s signal, several attendants quickly gathered around to examine him. They determined that the attack had affected only his brain, leaving no life-threatening injuries. With rest, he would recover.

Xu Yaohui and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Yet the calm, professional demeanor of the attendants suggested they had been prepared for this outcome all along, leading those present to reasonably suspect that Marshal Wip Horston had orchestrated the entire incident deliberately.

“It’s okay,” Rad forced out with difficulty, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as his eyes fixed fiercely on Wip.

“What just happened?” The question burned in Rad’s mind—and in everyone else’s.

They had all seen with their own eyes that Rad held the upper hand. The black wolves had not inflicted any real damage, yet in the blink of an eye he had collapsed to the ground without resistance. And then there was the terminal signal, inexplicably disrupted—what had caused it?

Even Moore was confused. Having been in direct contact with the black wolf before, he knew the creature could interfere with signals. But what explained Rad’s sudden collapse?

“Don’t you want to know what happened in Lungu Star Cave?” Wip said again. “This is the truth.”

“What? What is going on?” voices echoed in disbelief.

“Could it be that those people’s amnesia was caused by this?” someone murmured.

—

Regardless of what the others said, Wip continued, “Moore reported this long ago. I believe your people also sent word to the planet before the accident. After they entered the cave, the signal was suddenly interrupted—every transmission cut off. When they emerged again, nothing remained. Those few survivors collapsed, their memories lost.”

“As for these matters, Moore has already spoken,” Wip added, his gaze sweeping across the representatives of the other five planets. “I trust your people investigated after the accident. It is not that the two of them are lying—it is simply that I am more patient than you. That is all.”

The implication was clear: if they had failed to uncover the truth, it did not mean his son had lied, but rather that they had been impatient and incompetent.

Ji Feng raised his eyebrows, his admiration for his nominal father-in-law growing even stronger.

“You mean our memory loss is because of the black wolf?” someone asked.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Wip retorted, before turning his gaze toward Rad. “Or perhaps you should ask Lord Rad of Lopa how he felt just now.”

Rad’s brain was under a powerful assault. If not for his strong temperament, he might already have been reduced to a fool. As for how he felt—at that moment, Rad’s heart burned with the desire to tear Wip apart.

One look at Rad’s bloodless face made the answer obvious. The man had collapsed, yet even in his weakened state he forced out a sarcastic retort: “Then why don’t your son and husband suffer amnesia? Could it be that the black wolf recognizes them?”

“Heh,” Wip sneered. “Has Your Highness Rad lost his memory?”

“They don’t suffer amnesia; it only proves that they are strong-willed. Why should your people place the blame on me?” Wip declared coldly.

“You—!” someone sputtered in outrage.

Ji Feng nearly clapped his hands in admiration, finding his nominal father-in-law’s sharp retort truly remarkable.

In truth, the black wolf had been summoned by the spiritual power beads Ji Feng provided, and it was his own spiritual force that had just crushed Rad Nelson. To Ji Feng, this father-in-law seemed almost too perfect a partner—seamless, reliable, and worry-free.

Ji Feng felt he had found the right person. There was no need for further words; Wip was far more thoughtful than he had expected.

Moore, however, grew increasingly unsettled. The more he listened, the more his father’s words seemed plausible, yet they did not align with what he knew. What troubled him even more was Ji Feng’s expression—there was no surprise on his face, as though he had already known this to be true.