Chapter 82 - Eighty-Two: Official Affairs and Family Matters

"Alright, I’ll help you." Chen Zili could hardly believe it. "Really?" "I will talk to your father." Yet, Chen Zili’s confidence wavered again, and he said sadly, "But my physical skills scores are too bad..." "Leave it to me," Chen Gu declared, taking full responsibility. "But you’ll have to follow my arrangements." Chen Zili clenched his teeth, ready to go all in. "As long as I can get into the Tiangong Military Division, I’ll follow all orders!" Chen Gu smiled. "Good!" 「...」 The dinner Xiao Jiangxia had prepared with great care was sumptuous and delicious, and Chen Gu thoroughly enjoyed it. Chen Qingyu, like a joyful little swallow, flitted around "Grandpa," chirping happily. She was indeed overjoyed. Gao Mengjiu at Tiangong Records had immediately agreed to give her a new song on the spot. Now, a second one had arrived in short order and would soon be released, marking a solid step toward her debut. Chen Jixian’s attitude toward Chen Gu remained cool. After the meal, possibly due to post-meal drowsiness, his adult son’s eyelids drooped even lower. "Come with me." Chen Gu didn’t mind the younger man’s poor attitude and tone and followed him. Chen Jixian indeed asked about the events in Zhaojieze City and learned that Chen Gu had absorbed a precious piece of super-lifeform remains, showing no particular reaction to the news. Finally, he said, "You are a professional now and expected to be on call at all times. The special service is always short-staffed." Chen Gu nodded. Seeing that his son had nothing more to say, he brought up Chen Zili’s situation. "Zi Li, the boy, wants to apply for the Tiangong Military Division." Suddenly, Chen Jixian felt a sense of incongruity: We’re discussing official business, and yet you’re bringing up family matters? But I don’t want to talk to you about family matters! Chen Jixian hadn’t realized that, at over forty, he was experiencing a belated rebellious phase. I have no intention of negotiating with him; I’m just informing him, Chen Gu thought. Besides, I, his grandpa, have already promised my grandson to help him achieve his dream! You all dote on your daughter, but I’m determined to support my grandson! "This child has ambition. He’s a true seed of our Chen family!" Chen Gu stated, his old-fashioned and authoritative tone instantly making Chen Jixian uncomfortable. Just as Chen Jixian was about to object, Chen Gu added, "His physical skills scores aren’t good, and there’s not much time left before the college entrance exam. Get him some potions to enhance his physical fitness." "And get the high-grade ones. Don’t fob my grandson off with those inferior products!" This was clearly not a discussion with Chen Jixian; it was an order, a display of typical authoritarian patriarchal attitude. Chen Jixian was on the verge of erupting with rage at the constant references to "this child" and "my grandson," but Chen Gu’s authoritative stance stirred a strange feeling within him: This is how fathers and sons from other families interact! Chen Jixian didn’t respond for a long time, so Chen Gu took it as an agreement and turned to leave. Chen Qingyu sang her song for everyone, and Xiao Jiangxia applauded vigorously, her face beaming with pride. A hint of a smile touched Chen Jixian’s eyes as well; the family shared a moment of joy and harmony. Only Chen Zili scoffed, "It’s not that good." 「...」 In a flash, it was Friday. Chen Gu had already prepared to go on duty at the Bureau branch over the weekend, but in the afternoon, he suddenly received a secret message: Report that night. After school, Chen Gu went straight to the Bureau branch. When there was a mission, the special service agents were highly dedicated. By the time Chen Gu arrived, the members of Squad Five had already begun their preparations. Team leader Marcus casually flicked a file to him. Chen Gu opened it and exclaimed in surprise, "The target is a precinct chief?" This precinct chief wasn’t from the Bureau of Mystic Security but from the police department: Zhou Shenyu, chief of the City Police Department’s 64th District Precinct. Marcus, while checking his own equipment, said, "The last time we captured that Mutant..." Chen Gu scoffed internally: It wasn’t so much capturing a Mutant as it was you capturing the Mutant’s brain! "The department worked from both ends," Marcus continued. "They followed the deliberately released clue while also retrieving memories from the Mutant’s brain. Ultimately, they cross-verified both to pinpoint this guy." "We move at eight-thirty tonight. Everyone be extra careful and remember..." In unison, everyone declared, "Safety first!" Marcus nodded repeatedly. "Right, right, right! That guy is definitely a Mutant. He’s been undercover for a long time and is not low-level. He could be Beta Level (2), or even Gamma Level (3). Chen Gu and Joseph, you’re the new guys. Stick with me, and don’t get hot-headed and charge in blindly." As Marcus was giving the briefing, a young woman from the internal affairs team knocked and entered. "Chen Gu, the Bureau Chief wants to see you." Chen Gu assumed there was progress on his grandson’s request. This adult son of mine acts indifferent towards my grandson, but he’s actually quite concerned, getting it sorted so quickly! he mused. However, upon arriving at Chen Jixian’s office, he saw that the Bureau Chief looked somewhat troubled. "Last night, in Kloya’s fleet, a mothership mutinied and headed towards the Alien Insect Race they were engaged in combat with." It took a moment for Chen Gu to recall who Kloya was, and he blurted out, "Another Mutant?" "A Mutant contaminated a warrior, infiltrated a Close Range Attack Ship, and then the mothership. But the entire military is still clueless as to why they would defect to the Alien Insect Race." Chen Gu thought for a moment and asked, "Kloya’s fleet—weren’t they originally planning to head to battle against the Alien Insect Race? Weren’t they temporarily redirected to Yinglong Star to handle the Zhaojieze City precinct incident?" Chen Jixian hesitated. "Your clearance isn’t high enough." He couldn’t tell him these things, but Chen Jixian didn’t deny it either. Chen Gu sighed, looking skyward. "Mutants are too cunning! They probably targeted Kloya’s fleet from the beginning! No wonder they launched their plan at that precise moment. Kloya’s fleet was mobilizing nearby and could be readily diverted." The entire incident was likely orchestrated by Mutants who, through a mole entrenched in the higher ranks, learned of this battle plan, Chen Gu continued to deduce. Their ultimate goal was to hijack a warship and take it to the Alien Insect Race, so they timed their move perfectly. The energy generator and the Energy Field were just decoys. But Mutants are inherently greedy; they might have been aiming for three birds with one stone. It’s just that I thwarted their first two objectives. Chen Jixian said, "Mutants are inherently devious, and with the support from those entities in the Endless Realm, each of those beings is a master of intrigue." Chen Gu nodded, pondering some matters. Chen Jixian had nothing more to say. He initially wanted to remind Chen Gu to be cautious during the night’s operation, but his ’rebellious’ phase got the better of him, so he refrained from speaking, merely gesturing for Chen Gu to leave. Chen Jixian informed Chen Gu of these developments because he had personally experienced the incident; there was no need to tell the other special agents. By seven o’clock, the internal affairs, operational, and cleanup teams were all ready for the mission. At half-past seven, they stealthily set out. The Bureau branch building appeared to have only one entrance, but for operational secrecy, there were several tunnels underneath it, each leading to a different hidden exit. The special agents, a team of six, left quite openly through the main entrance.