Chapter 1187: A More Practical Project

Lost nodded, put down the Bone Staff, and leaned back.

"Alright, since you've figured it out, we can... talk openly and honestly."

He spread his hands.

"Yes, the Mirror Rift Project is a front. Or rather, we were indeed working on it before, but there were too many competing organizations, and the research made no progress. So the real funding was diverted to... other, more practical projects."

"What projects?"

Alan asked.

Lost waved his hand.

"Not important. What's important is that this project still exists, still receiving three hundred million Bode Coin in research funding from the Star Alliance Treasury every year to maintain the expenses of the Pure Eye.

And I, as the project lead, ensure everyone gets paid: the officials above take kickbacks, the researchers below collect salaries, and the suppliers outside get orders."

He stood up and walked to the edge of the light, revealing his full face.

"That is the reality, you two. In times of war, everyone needs to survive. Some big shots in the Council need an organization like the 'Pure Eye' to place their cronies, launder money, and conduct some inconvenient public transactions. We provide this service in exchange for funding and protection."

"Then what exactly is the Mirror Rift?"

Yingzhou pressed.

"What did you actually research?"

Lost glanced at him and continued.

"That is top secret. But since you have already seen the truth here... it wouldn't hurt to tell you."

He walked back to his chair and sat down.

"The Mirror Rift theoretically exists. Parallel worlds, time branches, reality Anchor Points—these concepts are all possible.

But researching them is too costly and too risky. So we 'adjusted' our research direction."

"Adjusted to what?"

"Adjusted to 'how to make the higher-ups believe we are researching the Mirror Rift with the least amount of cost'."

Lost said with a smile.

"That is the real research topic. We developed perfect report templates, techniques for forging experimental data, and manufactured equipment that looks high-end but is actually cheap."

Yingzhou felt a wave of disappointment.

He had expected to find clues as to why corrupted Primarchs appeared in this universe, or perhaps even a threat concerning the survival of Humans. Instead, he had only learned of a farce of bureaucratic corruption.

Alan clearly felt the same. His voice carried restrained impatience.

"Then, why did Lord Lost invite us here? To show off your... acting skills?"

"Of course not."

Lost's expression turned serious.

"I need your... cooperation."

"Cooperation?"

"You returned from the Human-controlled zone."

Lost leaned forward.

"You have seen Human powerhouses and come into contact with Human technology. This information can become material for our 'research progress' reports."

Yingzhou understood.

This man wanted them to provide false intelligence to flesh out that non-existent "Mirror Rift Research Report."

"What if we refuse?"

Alan asked.

Lost's smile turned cold.

"Then that would be a pity. You see, while the research at this facility is fake, the security system is real.

The big shots above do not want the truth here to be leaked. If you cannot become collaborators, then you can only become... part of the confidentiality measures."

A threat, a naked threat.

Alan's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his chair.

"We can cooperate."

Yingzhou said suddenly.

Alan looked at him but did not object.

Lost's eyes brightened.

"A wise choice. You provide intelligence, I provide rewards—not just money, but also support within the Saladin Family. I know about your conflict with Dalian this morning. I can help you suppress the power of his faction."

"Then tonight."

Yingzhou stood up.

"Before dinner, we will give you the intelligence you want, but not all of it. For now, we need to go back and discuss the details."

Lost stared at him for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Fine. But remember: if you choose not to cooperate, or attempt to leak the truth here... while the research of the Pure Eye is fake, the assassins are real.

We have tens of thousands of highly trained liquidators across the entire Star Alliance. You, your families, your friends... will all disappear."

"Understood."

Yingzhou bowed slightly.

"Then, we shall take our leave."

Lost pressed a button on the desk.

The door slid open, and he said to the guard at the door.

"See the guests out."

The process of leaving the facility was much simpler than coming in.

The guards merely scanned their biological information, confirmed they were not carrying any equipment or samples, and let them pass.

Lina's vehicle was still waiting in the parking lot.

Seeing them come out, she was visibly relieved.

"How did it go?"

As soon as they got into the car, she asked eagerly.

Alan glanced at Yingzhou, then said.

"We'll talk when we get back."

The vehicle drove away from the mountainous area, returning to Salading Zhuangyuan.

On the way, Lina tried to press for details several times, but seeing the serious expressions on both their faces, she ultimately chose Silence.

Returning to the estate, they entered the secret room in Alan's room.

This was prepared in advance by Lina and had complete anti-surveillance equipment; only then did the three begin their real conversation.

"So, it was a scam?"

After hearing the brief description, Lina found it hard to believe.

"The entire Pure Eye, hundreds of millions of Bode Coin in funding, just for... a performance?"

"More accurately, it was for money laundering and placing cronies."

Yingzhou said.

"The Mirror Rift Project is a front; the true flow of funds is unknown, but it definitely went into someone's pockets."

Lina's expression turned ugly.

"Father once supported this project. He said it concerned the future of the Fengqi Star Alliance... as it turns out, the last report he saw before he died was full of lies."

"A norm during wartime."

Alan analyzed calmly.

"When resources are tight, corruption spreads in the name of 'necessary evils.' Some big shots use Pure Eye to control finances, place cronies, and eliminate dissenters. People like Lost take the opportunity to line their own pockets."

"So what do we do now?"

Lina asked.

"Lost wants you to cooperate by providing false intelligence. If you refuse, he will silence you. If you cooperate, we become accomplices."

Alan looked at Yingzhou.

"Kelan, what are your thoughts?"

Yingzhou paced in the room and finally said.

"We cannot cooperate. Not out of morality, but out of risk. Once we start providing false intelligence, we will be completely controlled by Lost.

He will keep demanding more until we can no longer satisfy him, and then he will still silence us."

"But if we don't cooperate, he will act immediately."

Lina said.

"So we need to act before he does."

Yingzhou stopped pacing.

"But not a direct confrontation. We need to... borrow a knife to kill."

"Borrow whose knife?"

"The Supreme Council."

Yingzhou said.

"What Lost fears most is the Supreme Council, or even the Speaker knowing the truth about Pure Eye.

If we can prove that the corruption in this project has already threatened the war itself, Valken will personally clean house."

Lina pondered.

"But how do we prove it? We don't have evidence."

"We do."

Alan suddenly said.

"Those 'fake devices' and 'fake test subjects' in the facility are the evidence. A detailed investigation report, accompanied by video footage, is enough to make Valken believe his money has been wasted."

"But how do we obtain that data?"

Lina asked.

"You were only there for a tour today; it's impossible to have filmed in depth."