Chapter 254: Those Behind The Scenes

Pistura, Fu Qingqing and Goryeo’s arrival was perfectly understandable to most people. After all, they were disciples under the same master. But the Gen Family? What was their reason to show up here?

It still wouldn’t be a big deal if the one who arrived was just a normal messenger, but no, he was the future successor of the Fuji throne, Gen Xingchen himself. The young prince’s actions were representative of the entire Fuji Family’s will, especially since the current king had been transferring his power over slowly to the young prince. For example, Gen Xingchen had attended many occasions on behalf of King Fuji.

His presence on the planet quickly silenced the people who wouldn’t stop slandering and making wild guesses behind Cillin and Guan Feng’s backs. Everyone had the right to think whatever they wanted about the royal families in their heads, but no one was allowed to voice those thoughts in the open.

At this point, most people had shifted their attention away from the sea blue gold formulas and onto Cillin himself.

Gen Liao, Gen Xingchen’s grandfather and the former king wasn’t a good-tempered man. It was also no secret among the upper circle that Gen Liao and Guan Feng shared a less-than-amiable relationship with each other, so much so that even the juniors were caught in the crossfire. For example, it was no coincidence that Gen Xingyao and Gen Xingming had suffered a lot of pain in Guan Feng’s hands back whenever they were stuck in the affiliated schools. Guan Feng was very influential in that place, so their royal identities didn’t provide them with any protection.

In fact, it seemed like no one whose name had the word “Gen” in it or was affiliated with the Gen Family had ever won any favors from Guan Feng at all. Guan Feng had never taken in a Gen Family member as his student. He also avoided attending any occasion that had Gen Liao in it, and vice versa. If they had to attend an occasion together, they would act like complete strangers and forego all courtesies. It was almost as if their eyes would hurt if they saw the other person for even an instant longer.

But for some reason, the hostile duo had come together to help out the greenhorn, Cillin. Normally, as Guan Feng’s student, Cillin should be grateful that the Gen Family hadn’t slandered him to hell and back, much less expect them to have his back. However, what happened in reality was the exact opposite of everyone’s expectations. The Royal Army and the Imperial Army had to pick their eyeballs from the ground after they saw how amiably Cillin and Gen Xingchen were conversing with each other.

Gen Xingyao and Gen Xingming hadn’t come along with Gen Xingchen this time. He was alone besides the subordinates he brought with him. Right now Pistura, Fu Qingqing, Goryeo and Gen Xingchen were sitting around a table and chatting with Cillin. The young prince’s attitude towards Guan Feng’s students was cool and indifferent, but he didn’t give them a hard time despite their past relationship either. He always smiled when he was facing Cillin though.

Cillin finally learned the reason he was watched as strictly as he was after he spoke to them. Originally, he didn’t think that the sea blue gold was all that important, not even after the upgraded formulas were found, but apparently the subject had escalated in terms of importance right after Cillin had turned in his findings. There must be something the higher ups weren’t telling, and judging from his guests’ expressions they were all in the know except him. Unfortunately, they couldn’t tell him anything since he was under surveillance. It was something that was best kept off the record.

Gen Xingchen did drop a bombshell, however.

“My grandfather would like to see you after all this is over. He would come over right now if he could, but the situation is a little more complicated than expected.”

The first reaction of the observers listening in on the conversation was: what absolute bullshit!

Their second reaction was: how is that possible?!

Their third reaction was: Cillin is a member of the Gen Family!

Pistura shot a glance at Cillin. He was certain that Guan Feng knew about Cillin’s background, but his teacher had never accepted a student that was affiliated with the Gen Family until now. He didn’t know what was the truth behind all this, but his teacher must have broken his own rule for a reason.

Obviously, Gen Xingchen wasn’t sharing this for Cillin’s ears only. This is the man under the protection of the former King Fuji himself. I dare you to mistreat him.

Goryeo and Fu Qingqing exchanged a glance with each other before thinking: looks like our little brother would’ve been safe even if we haven’t shown up. He sure plays his cards close to his chest though.

Cillin had expected that the former King Fuji would want to meet him in person. It was something he had been expecting ever since he met Gen Xingchen for the first time. Was this years long quest finally coming to an end?

After the guests left, Cillin returned to his bedroom, grabbed a seat and read a book. Wheeze was sitting on the waist tall egg it spat out. It was very bored and irritated, but it didn’t feel like eating anything because the eggs it ate earlier were enough to last it for a while. So Cillin tossed Wheeze the egg and told it to play with it or eat it.

Wheeze used the egg as a scratcher and a plaything because the attachment clinging to the egg’s surface was pretty rough. Every time Cillin saw the gray cat sleeping on top of the egg, he had the strange feeling that the cat was hatching the egg despite the extreme size difference.

Cillin was no longer as restricted as he was at the beginning thanks to his many supporters. However, there were still a lot of troops stationed outside the building. For some reason, Cillin felt that his guards weren’t just trying to prevent him from leaking the sea blue gold formulas. They were also trying to… protect him?

Have I become a target?

Cillin often trusted his own instinct. Recently, he felt like someone was watching him and waiting for an opportunity to ambush him. Moreover, he was certain that this behind-the-scenes person - if they were indeed real - was probably the motivator behind the higher ups’ decision and his acquaintances’ silence.

Cillin couldn’t understand why the enemy had decided to make him their target. Even if he was Guan Feng’s student, surely he didn’t deserve such ‘luxurious’ treatment?

The next day, Cillin voiced his doubts to Goryeo. “Have I become a target?”

Goryeo was caught off guard by Cillin’s question. He replied with a wry smile on his face, “I knew we can’t hide it from you.” He then let out a long sigh before asking, “You were the one who found that thing, haven’t you?”

Cillin understood that Goryeo was referring to the sea blue gold formulas. He nodded.

“Well, that’s why. Maybe they can’t get what they want, but there’s still the person who found it in the first place.”

Cillin frowned. Wasn’t this a little too presumptuous of the enemy? How different was this from rising openly against the empire? They even went so far as to butt heads against the RAS…

No, wait, there was an enemy who didn’t mind fighting against the nobles or the RAS!

Not every latest technology was controlled by the RAS. Inevitably, there were people out there who weren’t willing to join the RAS or throw their lives away for the nobles. They were a group that had scattered themselves across the empire’s territories to carry out various purposes. They were a massive headache and a constant thorn in the empire’s sides. Their name was Black Viper!

Black Viper was the empire’s biggest criminal syndicate, and it was one that had existed since a very long time ago. Every time a new emperor rose to power, they would do their best wipe out Black Viper’s criminal organizations to little or no avail. Worse, corrupted noble families could always be uncovered every time a large-scale sweep was carried out.

The Black Viper obeyed the nobles, but sometimes it was the nobles who fell for their charm.

Their members were unscrupulous to say the least. They could turn a prosperous planet into a dead one, or sell banned drugs or microbes to willing buyers, all without being caught by the authorities.

Cillin had never fought against the Black Vipers before, but his senior brothers and sisters did. This meant they hadn’t come to support Cillin only. Some things were better done by one’s own hands.

Cillin’s expression told all Goryeo needed to know. He clapped Cillin’s shoulders and said, “Don’t worry, we all have your back.”

Cillin rolled his eyes at him. “I’m not scared.”

“Five days. If no progress is made, and no one is found five days later, we’ll bring you back to the capital.”

Goryeo shot a glance at the napping cat on top of the egg before he left. “Is it hatching the egg?”

“Yeah.”

Goryeo imagined Wheeze keeping the egg warm until it was hatched, then swallowing the newborn in one gulp. Felids were seriously strange.

When Cillin walked Goryeo to the entrance, he suddenly looked out of the window as if he just sensed something.

“What are you looking at?” Goryeo followed Cillin’s gaze but saw nothing but the same-old clumps of dull-colored buildings. He didn’t notice anything amiss.

“Nothing, I was just staring at the scenery. It’s been a while since I got out, you know.”

“Oh you, it hasn’t even been ten days yet. Teacher Guan once put a gun to my head and made me reflect upon my actions for over twenty days straight! Your treatment is much better than mine in comparison.” Goryeo thr