Chapter 20: Strategist Enters the Game, One Move Outplays Heaven

“Was the confession and penalty form signed voluntarily?”

“Yes.”

“Your education level?”

“Bachelor’s degree.”

“Occupation?”

“Archaeology!”

…………………………

Under Qi Ming’s “proactive confession,” he was swiftly locked in solitary confinement for further review.

“Not a bad environment,” Qi Ming remarked upon entering, utterly unconcerned.

In the original Ultraman Seven series, Seiji Dan was similarly framed by Dr. Yushima.

He used his x-ray vision to spot Dr. Yushima sabotaging the equipment and tried to stop him—only to be framed and sent to prison by his own teammates.

So Qi Ming skipped all the complicated middle steps and went straight to the end.

“Why are you here?” the guards in solitary confinement stared at Qi Ming in shock.

Qi Ming replied offhandedly: “I summoned a meteor to wipe out the dinosaurs, stomped out Zhuge Liang’s life-extending Seven Stars Lamp, flew a plane into the Twin Towers, and burned down Notre-Dame.”

The guards spat out their drinks: “That’s impossible!”

Qi Ming: “If my current charges can stand, then the ones above probably can too.”

The guards understood: this nobleman had stepped forward to take the blame for something? After all, someone always had to be held accountable when things went wrong.

“Do you have a tablet? I’d like to read the news.” Qi Ming showed no sign of being a prisoner.

“That’s not possible,” the guard hesitated—how could they give him internet-connected devices?

“Then bring me today’s newspapers?”

“No problem.” Qi Ming’s appearance and demeanor were extraordinary, and he lacked the hollow, defeated look of ordinary inmates—so the guards dared not neglect him.

“It’s tea time right now—add a few blueberry mousse cakes.”

“Alright, I’ll get them from the mess hall.”

“Also, swap this chair—I don’t fit it well.”

…………………………

Meanwhile, in the Victory Team’s command room.

Emi still felt something was off: “I don’t believe Qi Ming is an alien—this has nothing to do with him.”

Yamana: “Then why did he step forward and confess? Isn’t it because he knew he couldn’t hide it anymore?”

Kishida, even though he disliked Qi Ming, felt his “confession” carried a strange air: “I get the feeling… he’s doing this on purpose, just to sit back and watch?”

Nami Nishijo, who had been thinking silently, spoke:

“Kishida, you were assigned to guard Dr. Yushima—you’re the one who interacted with him the most.”

“Dr. Yushima never spoke a word to Qi Ming before—why specifically ask him to replace the rectifier?”

Yamana: “Maybe Dr. Yushima sensed Qi Ming was unusual and wanted to test him?”

Emi: “At the cost of paralyzing the entire base’s radar? And didn’t he just claim he’s just an ordinary human?”

Nami Nishijo: “One of the two—Dr. Yushima or Qi Ming—is lying… Where is Dr. Yushima?”

Kishida: “He’s working alone in the machinery room—no guards.”

Nami Nishijo stood up abruptly: “Let’s go check!”

Yamana looked around: “Where’s the captain?”

Emi: “He’s gone to find Qi Ming.”

……………………………… When Seiji Dan saw Qi Ming sitting in an ergonomic chair, reading newspapers and eating desserts in the prison cell, a wave of disillusionment washed over him.

Are you sure you’re here to be imprisoned? You’re barely one sunshade away from a vacation!

“Everyone out—I need to interrogate him alone,” Seiji Dan dismissed the guards with an excuse.

He stepped inside the cell, paused, then asked: “Why?”

Qi Ming replied with a teasing tone: “Since no one trusts me, let them do whatever they want. I’ll save myself the trouble of working hard for nothing.”

Seiji Dan was furious: “You’re being childish! You should’ve confronted Dr. Yushima, exposed his plot, and won everyone’s trust!”

Qi Ming suddenly burst into laughter: “Just kidding—I’m luring the snake out of its hole.”

Seiji Dan thought: The base’s radar is already down—the enemy’s next move must be coming soon—and you’re still joking?

Qi Ming: “They know my profile, so they’re deliberately targeting me. Only when I fall for their trap will they act—otherwise, they’d have to guard against me forever.”

Better to eliminate him now before he collides with other threats.

And he plans to use this setback to establish absolute authority within the team.

…………………………

Meanwhile, Nami Nishijo led the team to the machinery room.

The guards at the door blocked them: “Stop. Dr. Yushima ordered no one allowed entry.”

Kishida: “I’ve been appointed as Dr. Yushima’s guard—does that not count?”

The guard shook his head: “Dr. Yushima specifically said no one, period.”

Nami Nishijo stepped forward: “We received intelligence that an alien has infiltrated the base to target Dr. Yushima. Tongshan’s staff ordered us to reinforce security—open the door.”

The guard hesitated: “But… I haven’t received any such notice.”

Meanwhile, inside, Dr. Yushima adjusted the equipment parameters, attempting to shut down the offshore base’s main server.

The Bila alien: “Excellent, Dr. Yushima. While the radar is down, our fleet has assembled—total assault is ready. Chaos now, so we can break through in one strike.”

Dr. Yushima nodded.

The two guards remained unmoved, ignoring Yamana’s threats of accountability. Nami Nishijo had no choice but to report to Tongshan and request his presence.

While waiting impatiently, Emi suddenly thought: “If arrogant Qi Ming were here, he’d just kick the door down—and if the guards tried to stop him, he’d kick them too.”

Soon, Tongshan arrived and ordered the guards to open the door.

Though Tongshan held no real power, his rank was undeniable—the guards dared not defy him and reluctantly complied.

The next moment, chaos erupted.

The bright main lights went out; dim emergency lights flickered on.

A mechanical voice echoed across every corner of the offshore base: “Main system, function halted. Main system, function halted. All systems shut down. Self-protection disabled. Main control system offline.”

Naturally, this was Dr. Yushima’s “masterpiece.”

“I knew it!” Nami Nishijo gritted her teeth—too late!

Tongshan: “Open the door!”

The guard turned pale: “Can’t! The buttons don’t respond!”

With the main control system offline, all machinery ceased. The offshore base—once a marvel of human ingenuity—was now just a hollow iron shell.

Meanwhile, in the prison cell, Qi Ming heard the commotion outside and lifted his head without surprise: “Finally, it begins.”

——————————

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(End of chapter)