Chapter 1179: Following the Captives to the Fengqi Star Alliance

Xiuluosheng time standard, twelve hours after the video release, Yingzhou's office secret room.

This place is not on any design blueprint, and even in Selina's database, there are only records with the highest encryption level.

Yingzhou stood in front of a full-length mirror.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Yingzhou used his psychic powers to begin changing his physique.

Three eyes emerged on his face.

Yingzhou deliberately made the Third Eye above his left eye slightly cloudy; this was a characteristic of many Fengqi veterans, a sequela of long-term exposure to warship engine radiation.

He added an old scar to his right cheek, extending from the cheekbone to the corner of his mouth.

Yingzhou turned into a Fengqi soldier of about thirty Standard Days of age.

"Appearance disguise completion: 99.8%."

Selina's holographic image appeared in the corner of the room.

"Biological feature scan shows: heartbeat, body temperature, and metabolic rate have been adjusted to the Fengqi standard range."

Yingzhou moved his facial muscles in front of the mirror, testing the naturalness of his expressions.

"What about personal information?"

Selina pulled up a data window.

"The backstory has been implanted into your surface memory: you are 'Kelan Weike', a Corporal in Company B, Seventh Infantry Regiment, Third Marine Division of the Fengqi."

Yingzhou nodded, speaking in Kelan's voice.

"And then? How did I 'escape'?"

"You were imprisoned in a 'Prisoner Management Camp' at the north pole of a border planet. This camp does exist, but it only holds the lowest-level prisoners, and the treatment is far worse than what was shown in the video.

Three nights ago, a 'Disturbance' occurred in the camp, and in the chaos, you and one hundred other prisoners seized a transport craft and escaped into space."

Selina played a forged surveillance video.

"The transport craft was damaged during the jump and drifted to the Fengqi border, where it was discovered by a Patrol Squad."

"A very reasonable story."

Yingzhou checked his uniform in the mirror.

"But what about the other prisoners? Those one hundred 'fellow escapees'?"

"They are all disguised Kalidusi assassins. Alpha-1 will act as the leading 'Lieutenant', and you will be one of the ordinary soldiers."

Yingzhou adjusted the position of his belt one last time; Fengqi soldiers are accustomed to hanging energy magazines on the right side and daggers on the left rear waist, contrary to the habits of the Human military.

"That 'Talos Project' makes me uneasy. If the Fengqi are truly researching some kind of forbidden technology, or perhaps even related to the mirror rift... I must confirm it personally."

Selina's holographic image was silent for a moment.

"Then at least let me arrange for a Shadow Squad to accompany and protect you. Some of the Kalidusi assassins are specifically responsible for the protection of key personnel..."

"No. Any extra protection will increase the risk of exposure. I am now Corporal Kelan Weike, an ordinary soldier who was lucky enough to escape back. There should be no special treatment."

Yingzhou walked to the corner of the room and opened an inconspicuous locker.

Inside were not the Emperor's weapons or equipment, but an ordinary Fengqi soldier's marching pack: it contained half a pack of synthetic rations, a worn-out water canteen, a few forged holographic photos of family, a copy of the Fengqi military's "Soldier's Code", and some personal sundries.

"These items have all passed authenticity tests."

Selina said.

"The wear on the ration packaging is consistent with a six-month service period, and the bottom of the canteen has mineral deposits from the polar region..."

Yingzhou shouldered the marching pack, feeling its weight and center of gravity.

"Very good."

Yingzhou looked at the door at the other end of the room.

"After I leave, you will act as my full proxy."

Yingzhou said to Selina.

"Daily government affairs are to be handled by Lu Zhenda, and strategic decisions are to be negotiated by Luojia and the Primarch Council. If there is an emergency..."

"I know the procedure. His Majesty, please take care. Humanity needs you to return."

"I will." Yingzhou nodded, "Because I also need humanity."

Having said that, Yingzhou left the secret room.

Selina's holographic image lingered in the secret room for a moment, then dissipated.

Leaving only one line of top-secret record in the database:

【Star Date 978. M41, Xiuluosheng time standard day 217, 03:47. The Emperor disguised himself as Fengqi Corporal Kelan Weike and infiltrated behind enemy lines. Person in the know: 1 (Selina). Estimated return time: Undetermined.】

【May the God of Humanity return safely.】

Yingzhou's private study.

Lu Zhenda came to report the schedule before 06:00 in the morning as per custom.

He held a Data Pad, which listed twenty-seven documents that needed the Emperor's review today: frontline battle reports, logistics supply applications, development reports of liberated planets, technology research applications from the Adeptus Mechanicus...

The door to the study was not locked. Lu Zhenda knocked gently, but there was no response.

"Yingzhou?"

He pushed the door open.

The study was empty.

Lu Zhenda walked to the desk and found a handwritten letter on the surface.

Lu Zhenda picked up the letter, his hand trembling slightly.

【Lao Lu, when you read this letter, I will have already left Xiuluosheng. Do not try to find me, do not make a scene, and continue the daily government process.】

Left Xiuluosheng? Go where? Why?

Lu Zhenda continued to read.

【I am infiltrating the Fengqi Star Alliance under a disguised identity to personally understand the enemy situation and supervise the execution of the "Hundred Faces Project." Only Selina knows the full details of this trip. During my absence, you shall act as my proxy for daily administrative affairs; important decisions are to be deliberated by Luojia and the others.】

【Special reminder: The psychic projection I have left behind will appear daily at scheduled times to handle necessary ceremonial matters. The projection has no autonomous consciousness and can only execute preset, simple behaviors. Please ensure it is not discovered.】

【Notify the four Primarchs currently on Terra: Perturabo, Luojia, Fulgrim, and Leman Russ. Tell them the truth and require them to cooperate in maintaining the facade.】

【Humanity is at a critical moment, and some risks must be taken. Trust me, just as I trust you.】

【May the glory of humanity last forever.】

【Yingzhou】

The letter trembled slightly in Lu Zhenda's hands.

Infiltrating behind enemy lines? Yingzhou personally? Disguised as a Fengqi?

This was simply insane! If Yingzhou met with an accident behind enemy lines, if his identity were exposed, if...

Lu Zhenda forced himself to calm down.

He walked to the Control Console in the study and activated the highest level of privacy shielding.

"Selina."

A holographic image appeared.

"Lord Lu Zhenda. You have received His Majesty's message."

"You knew about this?"

Lu Zhenda struggled to suppress his emotions.

"Why didn't you stop him? This is too dangerous! The Emperor is the pillar of the entire Star Alliance; if he..."

"I have no authority to stop him."

Selina said.

"I can only provide support. Moreover, His Majesty has his reasons for this decision."

"Then at least an escort should have been arranged! Or tell us, let us make preparations..."

"An escort would increase the risk of exposure. As for preparations..."

Selina pulled up a schedule.

"His Majesty has already made sufficient preparations. The psychic projection will be activated for the first time today at 09:00 AM. The projection can maintain basic interactions; as long as no complex decisions or long conversations are conducted, it will not be discovered."

Lu Zhenda sat in a chair, pressing his hand to his forehead.

"The four Primarchs... Perturabo is supervising the Orbital Defense System upgrade, Luojia is handling propaganda affairs, Fulgrim is directing the creation of a new mural in the art hall, and Leman Russ... should be in the cafeteria."

Lu Zhenda took a deep breath and stood up.

"Fine. Summon them. Where shall we meet? This place is too conspicuous."

"Underground, Emergency Meeting Room Thirteen."

Selina said.

"It has complete psychic shielding and anti-reconnaissance systems. I will arrange a reasonable excuse: discussing response plans for the 'Talos Project'."

"Reasonable."

Lu Zhenda adjusted his collar.

"Notify them to meet in one hour. Use the Highest Priority code."

"Understood."

Selina's holographic image vanished.

Lu Zhenda stood in the study for a while, looking at the chair Yingzhou usually sat in.

"I thought you had become steady, but I didn't expect you to drop such a big one on me."

Lu Zhenda turned and left the study, beginning to execute the orders Yingzhou had left behind.

Because this was the Emperor's will, and also the hope of humanity.