Eight zero eight.-Começando com um Kun(Corvo Ilusório)

Because she was famished and could not wait until she returned to school to take advantage of the free cafeteria meals, Yuan Hanshuang had no choice but to head to the black-market supermarket around the corner. There, she bought a pile of cheap, clearance-priced nutrient packs that were only a dozen days away from their expiration dates.

After leaving the supermarket with her shopping bag, she walked along while pouring the nutrient packs into her mouth.

Only after downing three in a row did she feel her growling stomach settle, no longer cramping from hunger as it had been before.

When someone is severely hungry, they feel as though they might die at any moment, but once full, they quickly regain their vitality. For instance, Yuan Hanshuang was now contemplating whether to turn back to the fighting gym to win a few more matches and earn some extra cash.

However, after a few seconds of hesitation, she chose to give up.

"Forget it. I'd better just go home."

Perhaps because her first synchronized combat had drained her too much, she felt an uncharacteristic sense of exhaustion.

Right now, all Yuan Hanshuang wanted was to go home, collapse into bed, sleep until noon, then rush to the school cafeteria for a free meal before attending her afternoon practical training class.

She carried her shopping bag toward the exit.

It was then that Yuan Hanshuang noticed something was wrong. Many people around her seemed to have caught wind of something; they were leaving the buildings lining the black market and hurrying toward the exit.

"What’s going on? Why is everyone suddenly leaving the black market?"

"You don't know?"

The person in the elevator looked back at her. "Someone posted a rumor on their light-brain saying the Empire’s Third Legion’s starships just landed at our 1987 Starport and are on their way to the black market."

"Holy crap?! The Imperial Legion? The Third Legion, at that?!"

Fear appeared on many people's faces.

There were many different political entities in the interstellar space—for instance, the Papal State of the Temple of Light, the Five Great Duchies, and the Federation formed by the union of those five. But there was only one that could truly be called an Empire.

—That was the Holy Xiyixia Empire.

Not for any other reason than the fact that their fist was the biggest.

Thousands of years ago, the Xiyixia Empire swept across the star sectors and sat firmly on the throne of hegemony. Although it split apart a millennium later, none of the breakaway duchies had any real teeth. It wasn't until the five strongest duchies united to form the Federation nearly a century ago that they finally gained the power to have a dialogue with the Empire—though not on equal footing.

Whenever the Federation and the Empire went to war, the Federation was always pinned down and beaten; your daddy is always your daddy.

Later, because a new Zerg Queen was born and stirred up a bloody storm, the Empire and the Federation weighed the pros and cons, ceased hostilities, and reached a peace agreement. By now, it had been ten years.

"For no reason at all, the Empire is sending the Third Legion to the black market—could they be planning to wipe it out?"

"That shouldn't be the case." Someone tried to analyze it rationally. "Why would the Empire bother with the black market? There’s no benefit to it."

In the past, the Empire would designate troops to encircle and suppress the black market every year.

But in the last ten years, the great war had consumed too many resources and they needed to develop their economy. Now, both the Empire and the Federation had tacitly accepted the existence of the black market.

The black market had grown increasingly large, its business expanded everywhere, and its subordinate forces spread like a spiderweb. Its core organization, renamed the Black Tower, had effectively become one of the top powers at the apex of the interstellar pyramid.

"Everyone, don't worry, they aren't here for us."

Soon, someone received the latest news. "The Imperial authorities just issued a notice. The Third Legion is here to catch escaped interstellar fugitives."

He showed his light-brain screen.

The host on the screen floating in the air broadcasted in a soft voice: "Attention citizens of stars 1987 through 1999: Dangerous Imperial fugitives may have fled to nearby star systems... If you have seen anyone with the following characteristics, please call the communication line immediately. If you can provide definitive clues, you can receive a reward of up to one million star coins... The Imperial Third Legion has arrived at the destination to ensure public safety."

Hearing "one million star coins," Yuan Hanshuang stood in the crowd and took a look.

A line of fugitives appeared with fierce and sinister faces; she didn't recognize a single one.

"Does it really take a whole legion to catch fugitives? They must be high-level fugitives."

The onlookers were shocked. "I remember when they caught 'Sea-Tung' ten years ago, they mobilized a legion too. That person was a genuine SSS-class fugitive, the only one in the entire interstellar space. They sent three full legions to execute the capture, and it stayed on the top of the Star-Net search trends for nearly half a year, yet they still didn't catch him. I bet 'Sea-Tung' has already escaped to the Dark Star by now."

"Not sure. There’s talk on the Star-Net that given this formation, the Third Legion is preparing to build a temporary military base near our 1999 star. I suspect that catching fugitives is just a cover; maybe a Zerg tide has appeared near our star sector. You know, these things are usually not announced to us for fear of causing panic."

"Would the Zerg give us a heads-up before organizing a tide?"

Another person curled his lip. "In my opinion, although our 1999 star is under the Empire's jurisdiction, it’s closer to the Federation. The Empire might be thinking of starting another war with the Federation, so they’re sending the legion to deploy military force in advance."

"You're talking nonsense! The military geeks on the Star-Net forums have already analyzed that the Zerg tides have been fierce these past few years; there's no time for infighting unless they want to destroy the nation."

"Then you tell me, why build a military base for no reason! To set off fireworks for you?"

As the two talked, they began to bicker. Yuan Hanshuang was left completely speechless.

"Ding—" The elevator reached the ground floor.

She picked up her shopping bag, ready to leave, only to see a throng of people ahead.

"All Imperial citizens who have left the black market within the last fifteen minutes, please immediately move to the right and undergo security screening."

A cold, mechanical female voice echoed through the street.

Every entrance and exit to the black market on this street had been blockaded by the military; not a single one was spared. Anyone entering or leaving the black market had to undergo facial scanning, fingerprint detection, and iris screening.

Not far away, Imperial soldiers in silver-black uniforms stepped off their hovercars. Their expressions were stern, their waists adorned with cold, hard lightsaber hilts and crystal-core pistols. Their military boots struck the ground with a blood-iron cadence, carrying a sense of extreme oppression.

Every soldier was a Gifted one, and their levels were not low. Just by a glance, Yuan Hanshuang knew that she definitely couldn't beat them right now.

"Damn, so they really are here to catch fugitives?"

The guy from earlier stopped arguing and sighed repeatedly. "The Imperial Legion is badass. Even an ordinary soldier isn't low-level. No wonder they treat the Federation like a bulldozer."

"Give it a rest." Another person rolled his eyes at his mindless worship of the Empire. "Back then, three Imperial legions couldn't keep 'Sea-Tung' from getting away, and he’s still at large. The Imperial Legion isn't all that."

"Are you a professional contrarian?"

Provoked repeatedly, the guy finally got angry. "Before 'Sea-Tung' turned traitor, he was a genuine star of the Empire’s future, reaching the Saint Stage at a young age. How many Saint-Stage individuals are there in the entire galaxy now? Unless the old Marshal, who hasn't fought in years, comes in person, who could stop him? Gifted ones at the Saint Stage can't even be described as human; they are gods, damn it!! Someone like you, a mindless Empire sycophant, doesn't know a thing."

"I don't know a thing? I think you’re the one groveling at 'Sea-Tung’s' feet, wishing you could push him back onto the throne of the national hero he once was. Wake up! He’s a sinner who colluded with the Zerg and betrayed all of humanity! I really don't understand the mindset of fawning over a wanted criminal—is this anti-human worship?"

"You...!"

So noisy.

Yuan Hanshuang felt a throbbing pain in her temples from the noise.

So, while waiting in line, she silently fell back two steps, let the two bickering men move to the front, and then slowly followed the queue.

***

The subsequent screening went smoothly.

After honestly finishing the screening, Yuan Hanshuang left the area and headed straight home to sleep.

Her father wouldn't be off work until nightfall, so she wouldn't be caught for skipping class.

At 11:30 AM, Yuan Hanshuang sprang out of bed like a coiled spring. She spent twenty minutes accelerating all the way to school, expertly ran up to gain momentum, vaulted over the wall, and charged toward the cafeteria.

Because there was actual cooked food, everyone at the Primary Academy was very enthusiastic about mealtime.

Usually, as soon as class ended, the upperclassmen would pull out all the stops; they would snatch up all the limited-supply chicken legs, leaving nothing for the lower-grade students.

When it came to speed against agility types, Yuan Hanshuang naturally couldn't compete, but she had her own underhanded tricks.

For instance, skipping class to come early and stake out a spot in line.

"Ring-a-ling-ling—"

The end-of-class bell rang, and the academy’s teaching building trembled.

Yuan Hanshuang put down her chopsticks leisurely, watching the sea of people in the distance.

"Charge, brothers!"

Fighting for food at the Primary Academy was always the liveliest event. Once the bell rang, the Gifted students from every grade displayed their unique abilities.

For example, the senior girl running in the front synchronized with her ginger tabby cat, her eyes slitting into vertical pupils as she leapt gracefully and agilely from the fourth floor of the teaching building, without a single wasted movement. Even Yuan Hanshuang couldn't help but applaud.

Under such momentum, the limited-supply chicken legs were snatched up in just a few minutes.

By the time Yuan Hanshuang finished eating her chicken leg, the lower-grade freshmen were just arriving.

Today was different from the past. Seeing Yuan Hanshuang sitting in the cafeteria eating calmly, the freshmen all looked as if they had seen a ghost. "Holy crap, Yuan Hanshuang is here!"

Hearing the name, the cafeteria went silent, and everyone turned to look at her in unison.

Stared at by so many eyes, the speed at which Yuan Hanshuang gnawed on the chicken bone slowed down.

To be honest, having so many people watching really interfered with her licking the sauce off her fingers.

Ke Junda hurried over with a small trot. "Boss Yuan, did you not come to class this morning?"

Yuan Hanshuang didn't say a word.

Ever since she had rubbed Gu Deze’s face into the ground last time, she had been recognized as the boss by the freshmen. The other C-grade freshman, Ke Junda, followed her lead, looking like a devoted little fanboy.

Although teased by others as the "Chief and her secretary," Yuan Hanshuang’s interactions with Ke Junda were limited to that one fight; they weren't close.

Ke Junda had a simple, honest personality and didn't notice Yuan Hanshuang’s coldness at all. "Director Song suddenly came to look for our homeroom teacher this morning, specifically asking to see you. But the teacher checked the whole class and couldn't find you."

Being at large for over half a month, skipping class was indeed refreshing. But if you walk the night path too often, you’re bound to run into a ghost.

Yuan Hanshuang felt a dull ache in her head. "What did the Director want with me?"

"I don't know." Ke Junda shook his head. "But it must be something very important, because when the Director couldn't find you, he went to the school broadcasting room and made an announcement... It was broadcast on a loop during every class break, ten times in total."

No wonder everyone was looking at her like that.

Being broadcast to the entire school—that counted as being a person of interest, at least.

Yuan Hanshuang spat out the chicken bone unhurriedly. "Fine, I see."

She put away her meal tray and walked out of the cafeteria without looking back.

Everyone stared at her back, as if watching a lone soldier about to head toward an honorable death.

In this Primary Academy where everyone was usually an obedient little kid, it was indeed rare to see a troublemaker.

Director Song had, after all, waived her tuition. Yuan Hanshuang conscientiously wrote a long apology letter, handed it to the Director’s desk, and repeatedly stated that she would not do it again.

Who would have thought that during the first practical training class in the afternoon, the teacher would scan the playground and call her out directly: "Student Yuan Hanshuang, please step forward."

"Teacher Xiao mentioned earlier that before you go back to class or report to the Director, you need to go to her office first."

"Yes."

The Director was done; now it was the teacher’s turn. Yuan Hanshuang took a deep breath, ready to be reprimanded.

She wasn't afraid of corporal punishment or a public reprimand; she could stand in the office for an entire afternoon if she had to. She only hoped the teacher would consider this her first offense and not notify her parents.

Although her father was intellectually disabled, he could still understand things like violating school rules.

Even though her father’s good temper meant he certainly wouldn't get angry, Yuan Hanshuang felt a pang of guilt when she remembered the happy smile on his face when she told him she had been successfully admitted to the school for the Gifted.

Upon arriving at the office, Xiao Yunmeng pointed to a chair. "Sit."

Looking at the seemingly well-behaved blonde girl in front of her, a complex look flashed in Xiao Yunmeng’s eyes.

A few hours ago, she and Hong Nian had arrived to find an empty room, and in the process, they had uncovered the student’s unexcused absence.

They had been teachers at the Primary Academy for years, and this was the first time they had seen such an unruly student.

But giving up so easily was not in Xiao Yunmeng’s nature.

So, she and Hong Nian knocked on the neighbor’s door.

"Oh, that family."

The neighbor poked their head out to look. "I remember it’s a single-parent family. The adult is disabled with an intellectual impairment. The nine-year-old daughter handles everything in the household. She’s almost never home during the day; she must be working outside."

Following the clues provided by the neighbor, Xiao Yunmeng and Hong Nian arrived at a bar.

"Looking for someone? The disfigured fool? Oh... we do have someone like that here."

The bartender gave a prompt reply. "He usually works as a security guard in our bar. But he usually goes out for a stroll after eating lunch and doesn't come back until it’s time for his shift in the afternoon."

Just then, the sudden blockade of the nearby block by the Imperial Legion forced them to turn back.

To tell the truth, their mindset had undergone several changes as they pursued this.

At first, they wanted to try to help a good seed. Later, they found that the child was deceiving her teachers, which inevitably made them a bit angry. But after they truly understood the other party’s family background, the anger eventually vanished.

Living in the slums, a single-parent family with an intellectually disabled, disfigured father—most of the burden fell on a nine-year-old child.

"You really can’t blame the child for this." Hong Nian lit a cigarette in the hovercar. "With those home conditions, if she didn't come to class today, it must be because she went to work a part-time job to earn money."

"You have to realize that for a slum student her age, even having enough to eat is a struggle; how could she possibly have money?"

"She wears the same few clothes every day; I should have realized that earlier."

Xiao Yunmeng looked at the star trails below. "Before, when she said the patches on her clothes were 'Capital fashion,' I was still wondering if it was just a child’s vanity..."