Chapter 241: Chapter 218: A Qualified Empress
Overwhelmed by extreme longing, swinging from despair to elation, the men were like ravenous beasts—fierce and greedy. Once they had ahold of her, they refused to let go, as if wanting to devour her whole.
By the time their emotions finally settled, an hour had already passed.
Yu Wenzhou, his eyes red, clung to Yu Lan’s side, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist as if terrified of losing her again.
Su Xingye, Li Yucheng, and Pei Shiyi also stayed right by her side, not leaving her for a moment.
Jun Lin Yuan spoke, his expression somewhat grave.
"So, what’s your plan now?"
"I just received a message from Jade Star. They’ve found something unusual over at the Dark Laboratory, and I have to go back to make the final call."
"As for what it is, they can’t say for sure. They didn’t dare take a closer look."
’Dark Laboratory?’
Yu Lan raised an eyebrow, and Li Yucheng added:
"Lanlan, remember how the Male Induction Agent you gave Xingye malfunctioned? And how Louisa showed up so conveniently? You suspected she was involved."
"So we had people keep an eye on things, hoping to catch that black market boss."
"And now..." Li Yucheng raised an eyebrow and scoffed. "We’ve certainly hooked a big one."
It was identical to the Black Heart Laboratory where Li Yucheng had been abducted and experimented on many years ago.
Huo Zhanting added in a hoarse voice:
"More importantly, we’ve discovered that this lab isn’t just connected to the Dark Force. It also has deep ties to Queen Belina."
"What?"
Yu Lan’s brow furrowed.
Shen Zueran delivered the final word.
"I’ve already sent people to Garbage Star to find Qingti. She definitely knows the truth about what happened back then. Unless she wants to keep hiding like a rat forever."
"Otherwise, if she’s exposed, Belina won’t let her go."
"As for us," Shen Zueran said, lifting Yu Lan’s hand to his lips for a light kiss.
"We’ll head back to Jade Star now. Jun Lin Yuan runs a tight ship there; no news will get out."
Besides, Belina would never expect them to be so bold.
Jade Star is extremely close to the Central Star—only a two-hour journey—making it easy for them to react at a moment’s notice.
"Now, we just have to see what, exactly, is locked away in that Dark Laboratory."
Whatever it was, it required Jun Lin Yuan to witness it in person before a decision could be made.
The group finished their discussion. However, not everyone could return with Yu Lan, as that would draw too much attention.
Huo Zhanting and Su Xingye would remain on White Sand Star, pretending to hunt for traces of the Dark Night Star Thieves with relentless determination. In reality, they would be secretly mobilizing personnel from the First Legion to guard against a counterattack from Belina.
Li Yucheng, Shen Zueran, and Jun Lin Yuan would use the excuse of being too busy with official duties to make a hasty departure from White Sand Star.
As for Pei Shiyi and Sheng Yiqing—one was the Lord of the Deep Sea, the Empire’s sworn enemy, and the other was the Prince of Heqin from East Origin Star. They could disappear without anyone batting an eye, no excuse needed.
"Since you have everything arranged, I’ll be taking my leave now."
Ye Moyun stood a short distance away. After the joint beating he’d just received from the men, his handsome face was bruised and swollen. All traces of his initial mysterious elegance were gone.
His clothes were also torn to shreds.
But this was actually for the best. It would make it easier for him to win the trust of the Dark Force.
"Well then, I’ll see you on the battlefield. I hope that day comes sooner rather than later."
Ye Moyun winked at Yu Lan. "Princess Yu Lan, I’m off. Until we meet again!"
Burdened by a deep-seated blood feud, Ye Moyun would never give up on his revenge.
Now was the time for him to proactively seek out the Dark Force and pledge his allegiance. With his 3S-level talent, it was highly likely he would be given a position of importance.
Then, on the battlefield of the next war between the Empire and the Dark Force, he would openly turn against them at the most critical moment, greatly increasing the chances of victory.
But all of this was just the best-case scenario. The people of the Dark Planet were no fools. If Ye Moyun suddenly appeared to defect and couldn’t pass their tests, this meeting could very well be their last.
Watching Ye Moyun’s dashing figure retreat, Yu Lan called out after him:
"Ye Moyun, be careful!"
"We have to see each other again."
"I’ll treat you to the best liquor and the most delicious barbecue on the Central Star."
The wind carried Yu Lan’s voice to Ye Moyun’s ears.
Ye Moyun’s eyes curved into a smile, and a glint of light flashed through his amethyst pupils.
The others only saw Ye Moyun, his back to them, give a casual wave before his figure vanished from the Desolate Star in the blink of an eye.
For some reason, Yu Lan felt a pang of stunned regret in her heart.
Pei Shiyi whispered comfortingly in her ear:
"He’ll be alright."
"There will definitely be a day when you meet again."
Everyone has their own path to walk.
Ye Moyun had his revenge to seek, and so did Yu Lan.
"Let’s go. We should get ready to leave, too."
"I hear that on the Central Star, Belina is already preparing for Louisa’s coronation. We have to beat them to it."
"Time waits for no one."
If they waited until after Louisa ascended the throne, things would become even more complicated.
Even if they proved that Belina was unfit to be the Empress, what about Louisa? There was currently no evidence linking her to the Dark Planet.
"We’re leaving now. Jun Lin Yuan, have your people gather and organize all the information they can find in advance."
"We’ll deal with it directly when we arrive."
Shen Zueran made the final decision.
Jun Lin Yuan nodded.
Everyone’s expression grew unprecedentedly solemn.
A hard battle lay ahead.
But this time, they would face it together.
*
「Meanwhile」
「Central Star」
When the news that Shen Zueran and the others were returning to the Central Star arrived, the one who panicked the most was Louisa.
"Mother, why are they coming back to the Central Star so soon?"
"Shouldn’t they still be on White Sand Star, mourning for Yu Lan?"
When those men had left the Central Star, every last one of them had been grim-faced and broken, looking as if they were ready to follow Yu Lan to the grave and die with her.
How long has it been? Why are they already coming back to the Central Star?
Now, with her coronation right around the corner, Louisa’s face paled. ’Are they coming for me?’
She couldn’t help but ask uneasily:
"Mother, do you think they could have discovered the truth about Yu Lan’s death?"
"When you made your move..."
"Silence!"
Before Louisa could finish, Belina cut her off with a sharp rebuke.
"Yu Lan died in battle against an elite team from the Dark Force. Everyone on White Sand Star witnessed it. What does that have to do with me?"
"She had a Starship and guards. She could have escaped. She was the one who chose to fight for the people of White Sand Star."
"She simply overestimated herself. She was reckless."
Belina’s expression was dark as she stared intently at Louisa.
"You must remember, this has nothing to do with us."
"Yu Lan brought her death upon herself, and that’s why she perished on White Sand Star."
After speaking, the corner of her lip curled up slightly as she addressed Louisa pointedly:
"Louisa, you are far too impulsive right now."
"A worthy Empress must be able to control her emotions."
"Just like you used to."
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