Chapter 1182: Heading to the Saladin Family

He wore a clean Fengqi Military officer's uniform, and one could not tell at all that he had been a "disheveled survivor who escaped from a prisoner-of-war camp" just a few days ago.

The influence of the Saladin Family was indeed powerful; it took only two days to complete all the vetting and restore his officer status.

"Kelan."

Alan walked over with a smile and patted Yingzhou on the shoulder.

"You look much better."

"Major Alan... thank you. I heard you vouched for me..."

"Don't talk about that."

Alan shook his head.

"In that kind of place, we could only survive by helping each other. Now that we are home, of course I have to take care of you."

He looked around and lowered his voice.

"Besides, I need people I can trust. The situation in the family... is more complicated than I imagined. Come with me, we'll talk on the way."

The two walked through the corridor, heading toward the space station's shuttle port.

On the way, Alan passed important information to Yingzhou in a casual, chatty manner.

"My vetting finished yesterday. The name of the Saladin Family is still somewhat useful; although I am only from a collateral branch, I am, after all, of the family bloodline."

Alan's tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

"However, there are people within the family who do not want me back. During the three days I was at the vetting station, I received three 'welcome home' letters, and the wording of each one is worth pondering."

"What do you mean?"

"The first one is from my uncle, a current member of the family council. He said, 'I'm glad you're still alive, get some good rest, don't be in a hurry to participate in family affairs,' which translates to: don't come here to snatch my position."

"The second one is from my superior when I was in the military, now a deputy commander of the border defense forces. He said, 'Your experience is very interesting, I want to hear your report in detail when there is an opportunity,' which means: I want to monitor you to see if you have been turned by the Human side."

"The third one is the most interesting."

Alan stopped walking and looked out the observation window at a gorgeous private spacecraft entering the port.

"It's from a contact of the 'Pure Eye'. He said, 'Your return is very timely, we are interested in cooperating with you'."

Yingzhou put on a confused expression.

"'Pure Eye'? What is that?"

"A... secret organization. There is very little public information; it is only known that they study ancient technology and have influence among both the military and the nobility.

They contacted me proactively, which indicates two things: first, they have been monitoring the vetting station; second, some quality of mine has attracted them."

"What quality?"

"I don't know yet. But I will know soon."

Alan pointed to that private spacecraft.

"That is here to pick me up. You are coming with me as my temporary Adjutant. I have already handled the paperwork."

They arrived at the port, where a streamlined silver shuttle had already opened its hatch.

There was a Saladin Family emblem on the fuselage.

Before boarding, a Fengqi man wearing a black uniform with a "Pure Eye" logo on his chest stepped forward.

"Major Alan Saladin Weike?"

The man's voice was steady, but all three of his eyes were locked onto Alan.

"Greetings to you. Our Lord Lost is very interested in your experience at the Xiuluo Saint prisoner-of-war camp and hopes to meet with you."

Alan appeared both vigilant and curious: "Lord Lost? I don't know..."

"You will know."

The man handed over a data card.

"This contains the time and location of the meeting. Please be sure to arrive on time. Also..."

His gaze turned toward Yingzhou.

"And who is this?"

"My Adjutant, Corporal Kelan Weike. He saved my life in the prisoner-of-war camp, and I trust him."

The man sized up Yingzhou for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Then, welcome to you as well, Corporal Kelan. Sometimes, a loyal soldier is more valuable than a clever officer."

He saluted and left.

Alan and Yingzhou boarded the shuttle.

The hatch closed, the engines started, and the spacecraft slowly left the space station.

Inside the private cabin with good soundproofing, Alan said in a low voice.

"Your Majesty, that 'Pure Eye' was actually able to enter the VIP area of the vetting station directly."

Yingzhou nodded.

"They mentioned 'Lord Lost', who should be the leader of the 'Talos Project'. They contacted you proactively, which indicates two things: first, they are indeed researching some project that requires knowledge related to prisoner-of-war experiences; second, they have eyes inside the Saladin Family and know the value of your return."

"Are there any relevant fragments in my memory?"

Alan asked.

"Yes. The uncle of Alan Weike, who is a current member of the family council, once invested in a 'Mirror Rift Excavation Project', and the partner for that project was 'Pure Eye'. But the memory is very blurry; it might have been a snippet of conversation Alan overheard by chance."

Alan pondered.

"So there is indeed someone within the family cooperating with Pure Eye. And I, as an officer who just returned from the Human-controlled zone, might possess information they need regarding the technology of the Xiu Luo Saint Human?"

"It is possible."

The shuttle began to accelerate, entering the jump-preparation state.

The two readjusted their states.

Major Alan Saladin Weikes leaned back in his seat, relaxed, and began browsing the family report on his Data Pad.

Corporal Kelan Weike, however, appeared somewhat reserved, looking curiously at the starry sky outside the window.

The engines roared, and the jump began.

The starry sky outside the window twisted into rivers of light.

After six short-range jumps, the Shuttle arrived at its destination: the main territory of the Saladin Family, the planet "Sanchao" located in the core region of the Fengqi Star Alliance.

Viewed from orbit, the planet was divided into distinct zones: the northern hemisphere was an industrial zone with forests of chimneys and continuous factories; the southern hemisphere was an agricultural zone with neat plantations like a chessboard; near the equator was the Noble District, featuring meticulously designed gardens, lakes, and estates.

The Shuttle landed at a private Airport on one of the estates.

The main building of this estate was a magnificent mansion that blended traditional Fengqi and modern styles, with towering spires and vast courtyards.

The hatch opened, Alan stepped out first, and Yingzhou followed closely behind.

A small team of people was already waiting on the Landing Pad. Leading them was a middle-aged Fengqi male wearing ornate family robes.

Behind him followed several guards and servants.

"Nephew Alan!"

The middle-aged male spread his arms in a welcoming gesture.

"Welcome home! We all thought you... sigh, never mind. It is good enough that you came back alive!"

Alan's memory prompted: this was his uncle, Karl Saladin, a member of the family council responsible for the family's mining and military industry operations.

"Uncle Karl."

Alan stepped forward and performed the family greeting with him.

"Thank you for coming to welcome me personally. This is my Adjutant, Corporal Kelan Weike, who lived and died with me in the prisoner-of-war camp."

Karl glanced at Yingzhou, his eyes assessing, and then nodded.

"Since he is someone Alan trusts, he is a friend of the Saladin Family. Corporal Kelan, thank you for taking care of my nephew."

"It is my honor, Excellency."

Yingzhou saluted in the manner of a soldier.

"Come, a welcome banquet has been prepared inside."

Karl turned to lead the way.

"Many people in the family want to see you and hear about your experiences. Of course... some questions might not be very friendly, so you should be prepared."