A commotion took place at the school's open grounds after everyone learned about the familial connection Feng Jing and Navi Naja have. Feng Jing despite being only a sophomore and a few years younger than Prince Navi Naja, a senior student of the First Military Academy just happened to become a little nephew of Feng Jing.
Every Senior student considered Navi Naja as a prince due to his mother being a Regulus. It might be only half but Navi Naja is undoubtedly blue blood. But this is the first time they heard that he is a nephew to the young lord of the Phoenix Clan. A sophomore student, Feng Jing. It is widely known in the noble circle that the Navi Clan and the Phoenix Clan were like oil in water. They can never mix and hate each other to the core.
Raging in anger Navi Naja almost shouted at Feng Jing at that moment but when he did what he had done would be considered a disrespectful move towards an elder and he would be punished by his Clan due to it.
Navi Naja, "Y-You!? I ---" His shoulder was pulled away and saw his cousin from his mother's side, Regulus Rigel, giving him a warning gaze. He could only shut up and swallow the rest of his words.
Regulus Rigel stepped forward and the rest except Feng Jing and Feng Wu had fallen down on one knee before him.
"Greetings to Your Highness Rigel!"
They've collectively greeted each other. It was only then that Feng Jing's figure was seen standing languidly while leaning at Feng Wu. He was smiling towards Navi Naja and the rest like he was friendly with him.
Unlike Navi Naja who showed his hate openly, Regulus Rigel reacted by the normal protocol. He placed his hand on his chest and lowered his head to greet Feng Jing.
Regulus Rigel spoke, "This imperial nephew greets Imperial Uncle Feng."
"Un! Be at ease. You may go," said Feng Jing with a gentle smile as if he is really close at Regulus Rigel and Navi Naja but only his highness could notice the mirth within those eyes which glows like a garnet under the sunlight
Navi Naja, "I'm not yet ---"
"Enough! NAJA!?" Exclaimed coldly by Regulus Rigel as he stared at this foolish cousin of his.
Unlike Navi Naja, he is not blind enough not to notice that Feng Jing's silly and innocent demeanor is nothing but a façade.
Regulus Rigel, "Please forgive Naja, Imperial Uncle Feng. I will surely discipline him properly in the future."
"You have it hard. I do not take it to heart, you can take him away," said Feng Jing with a nonchalant attitude and no longer looked at their group as if they were losing interest.
Navi Naja who is standing beside his Highness Rigel had an ugly and gloomy expression on his face.
"Yes. Please allow us to be excused, Imperial Uncle," said Regulus Rigel before walking away after making his greetings.
Seeing Regulus Rigel straight back going farther, Navi Naja had to hold back his anger and followed back to where his cousin had gone. Of course! He didn't forget to glare at Feng Jing once more before walking away.
HMPH!?
Only once that group's haughty team had walked away from that everyone else in the area had calmed down. Feng Jing's teammates had all stood up from the ground.
Bai Yuyan said, "That one is as arrogant as always ba~" He commented based on the original's memories.
Xue Ran spoke, "Lord Jing, are they really your nephews?"
"Yes~ After all, my elder sister is the Crown Princess," answers Feng Jing. "Just be on guard but ignore them. Move now, the spaceship has arrived."
The battleship which would bring the participants to the location is provided by the Fallen God's Corps. As they boarded, the students of the First Military Academy, who had never seen this kind of thing before, we're all looking around with excitement in their eyes. Only people like Feng Jing whose family is completely related to the Federation choose a corner to sit on and take a rest.
With soldiers from the Fallen God Corps around to supervise the students didn't dare to roam around but this doesn't mean that they couldn't look around the place. The interior of the ship was made wide like an open area that would allow a huge quantum beast to roam around. The students were led to an ordinary compartment separated by teams. Though there are only three-layered metal military bunk beds in the room it is enough space to sleep. Their journey basically will take at least a day before they reach Planet Citlali.
Feng Jing followed a soldier who brought them into a room different from the rest. The big room that they were brought to had an exterior is close to that of a suite. Each member at least has their own bed. Two double beds in a room. Those who had partners had stayed together; those who were single took one room.
Room arrangement in Feng Jing's group.
Feng Wu and Bai Yuyan.
Han Ling and Si Shen
Qu Yul and Wu Liu
Vega Solaris and Lin Yven
Only Xue Ran was given a room by himself. As soon as they've chosen their room they gather in the living area and look at their leader.
Feng Jing smiles, "Everyone has chosen their rooms, yes?"
"Yes, leader."
"Good. You guys can take a rest for now. If you wish to train this room has a separate training area, you guys can go there. But since this place isn't our own territory do not leave the room without permission. Inside this room, you can do anything you want. There is also a kitchen. If any of you are hungry I was told that anything in this room is for us." said Feng Jing.
Bai Yuyan and Feng Wu who already know the relationship of their Lord to the owner of this battleship no longer shy away and use whatever is provided in the room. The others who came from a common background were still a bit restricted with their actions and sat uncomfortably in the couches. Their eyes were looking around with dodgy eyes.
"L-Leader, is it really alright to roam around as long as it is just inside this place?" asked Han Ling.
Feng Jing answered, "Yes, as long as it is in here you can do anything you want."
"Are all rooms provided for the participants like this?" Qu Yul asked. "This place is too luxurious for ordinary students to use."
Si Shen, who is holding his communicator which is connected to Star Network, showed a few updates from the students who participated with them for this competition. They've seen their post about bunk beds like in an ordinary military dormitory. It was unlike theirs which looked like a suite.
"I-It doesn't seem to be the same..." said Si Shen as he showed the post to the rest of the team. Then they look at their leader who is nonchalantly sipping his iced milk tea which no one knew where it came from.
Feng Jing who noticed them looking at him stared at his milk tea and then at his silent teammates. "What? You want milk tea as well. I just took this from the fridge in the kitchen. If you want some you can take some for yourself."
Lin Yven and Solaris Vega looked at each other and nodded. They seem to make a decision to get the same drink as their leader as it looks delicious. As for the problems of the room and its difference, they don't care as Feng Jing isn't saying a thing.
"We will get snacks and drinks. What do you guys want?" asked Lin Yven.
Han Ling, "Um~ If there are soft drinks, please. If none just a cup of juice would do."
"Ice coffee," answered Qu Yul.
Si Shen, "I want milk tea too."
"Same as above," said Wu Liu.
Xue Ran, "Hot tea, thank you."
Vega Solaris, "Okay~"
Then Lin Yven and Solaris Vega had headed to the kitchen where Bai Yuyan and Feng Wu had gone too. It took half an hour for the four of them to arrive carrying trays which includes everyone's request for a drink. There are other trays for sweet desserts and other snacks like bread and cheese. Everyone enjoyed their afternoon tea without any problems.
On the other hand at the battleship's control room.
Xue Ying was staring at the newly arrived masked man with helplessness in his eyes. All soldiers in the room had saluted in that mysterious man's presence.
"Welcome back, Marshal!" They greeted collectively.
Altair Sirius had removed his mask which covered his face. Revealing a cold and stern face he always possessed. Then he looks at his right-hand man, Xue Ying.
"Did you prepare what I've asked you to, Ying?" asked the Marshal.
Xue Ying politely replied, "Yes. I had some soldiers escort Madam and his team to the VIP room. Everything is provided in the suite as the Marshal ordered."
"Good." The Marshal walked towards his usual seat and pacified the sulking dragon quantum beast of his for being away from his partner. But all the marshal did was pat the dragon's head lightly.
"Xue Ying. Report," said Marshal Sirius.
The strongest Marshal finally got back to his dwelling but none of his enemies had noticed his return as Feng Jing and Dean Astra had covered up all loose trails for him just so he could return to his unit. They had made changes in their plans. The original plan is for the Marshal to stay at the Phoenix Brigade until he is tasked to receive the mission of protecting the students in the shadows.
Because of the news that Marshal Janus had decided not to attend the competition, Marshal Sirius felt that the latter had also made changes to his plan. As for what that plan is, no one knows but it gave Marshal Sirius a premonition that the old marshal already knew that he was alive. If this is correct, that can only mean that Marshal Janus had an insider in the Feng Clan. Though this is close to impossible, it is better to be prepared than not. This is the reason why he chooses to return early to his unit. With the Fallen Gods Corps in his command, he should be able to protect his guide more securely.
Evening.
Feng Jing and his group had passed their time playing with cards or watching movies. They rested and ate while the others did whatever they wanted. He had also given his team the instructions for tomorrow's competition. It was decided that Feng Jing would move like a weak salted fish1 in the first and second half of the competition. In short, he would only make his move when the team is in imminent danger. Only in a life and death situation, that their leader would make a move.
The command would fall under the control of Bai Yuyan, Feng Wu, and Xue Ran. They would take shifting tasks for leadership. Plus, they need to keep their whole team safe including their real leader who will be pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger. It took a whole afternoon by the time Feng Jing finished informing his groups around the planet's advantages and disadvantages. He points out the death zones that they need to avoid and even the weather movements in the star were quoted as well.
Feng Jing asked, "Does everyone remember what I've told you? Just remember the important points. In the program, I've given you before would also provide that star's terrain and those living creatures' data in it."
Everyone then started checking their communicators and looked through the program their leader had them installed before the competition. It has the usual three modes they were used to but now there is another option to activate scanning radar. They've tried using it on each other. The scanning only took a few seconds before the profile about their target had appeared in their communicator. The details were simple but straight to the point. The target's potential chart plus its advantages and disadvantages were listed.
Wu Liu murmured, "T-This is too... heaven-defying... The weakness is exposed as well."
"This is amazing. Leader! You are really a god-level programmer!" exclaimed Han Ling.
"You guys do not need to worry. The source of those data is 100 percent precise. By the way, you can't share the program with others. It would self-destruct and cause glitches on your communicator and the receiver would get a virus gift pack. So~ No sharing to the other group ba~" said Feng Jing.
Everyone saluted and said, "We understand, Leader."
"Tomorrow you guys can call me just by my name," said Feng Jing.
Their journey to Planet Citlali was quiet and unhindered. Since everyone from the Federation knew that the event's participants would be brought over by the Fallen God's Corp, no one dared to backstab them at this moment.
[Host, the Marshal is on his way to pick you up for dinner.]
Feng Jing ended their conversation with this. Just after he dismissed the discussion of their group they've heard a knock coming from the outside of their room. Feng Wu checked the cameras outside the room and saw that it was Xue Ying smiling at him.
Xue Ying: {Hello, guys~ I'm here for my cousin Feng. Tell him it's time for dinner. You guys should also prepare to head to the dining hall to eat your meals.}
Feng just nodded his head and told his Lord about it. After learning that it's time for dinner everyone had made preparations to get about but was once again startled when they saw Lieutenant General Xue Ying waiting for them outside the room.
They exclaimed, "L-Lieutenant G-General Xue!??"
"Un! It's fine there is no need to salute. You already did so this morning. I only came to pick up my cousin." said Xue Ying.
"Cousin?" Han Ling mumbled.
Xue Ying as soon as he saw Feng Jing, this general acted like an excited child and jump on the young man. He hugged Feng Jing like how close the Feng Family members were to each other.
"Cousin Jing~ you're so adorable as always~," said Xue Ying.
Feng Jing was tapping his elder cousin's back as he couldn't properly breathe with how tight the latter is hugging him.
"Y-Ying-ge~ let go! I can't... breath ba~" said Feng Jing whose face is now a bit pale from suffocation.
Xue Ying has suddenly pulled away and thrown to the side by the hidden figure that came out from the shadow. This man's face is covered and his intimacy with Feng Jing is open for everyone to see. Everyone can see this man appeared from behind Feng Jing out of nowhere and wrapping his arms around the latter's waist embracing him from behind.
His face may be hidden for everyone to see his face but the coldness from those obsidian orbs was enough to make everyone feel chills climb up from their spine. The atmosphere around this masked man is cold and indifferent but right now he is glaring at Xue Ying with sharp eyes.
"Don't touch my fiance!" The man's icy voice can be heard echoing in the hall.
Everyone instinctively moves away from him. Han Ling and the rest recognized him and immediately greeted him.
"Lord Si! Greetings~"
Nods
Marshal Sirius whose face was covered still accepted their greetings due to the fact that they are his future mate's people. He returned their greeting with a nod and continue glaring at Xue Ying.
Xue Ying raised his hand in surrender and said, "Okay~ I won't hug Xiao Jing like that anymore. Please don't kill me~"
The Marshal ignored him and look at the young man in his embrace worriedly.
"Jing'er, are you okay? Don't worry I will beat up Ying later," said Marshal Sirius.
"Come on~ I'm just joking~," said Xue Ying but the couple ignore them
"Don't worry I'm fine but... I'm hungry already," said Feng Jing as he was looking at his flat tummy.
Everyone laughed at him. They knew that Feng Jing had the tendency to act like a baby in front of his family and loved ones. His team got used to it after visiting the Feng Mansion a few times before this.
Marshal Sirius smiled and said, "Don't worry. The dinner is prepared. Come back to the room with me, Jing'er."
Feng Jing nodded his head and then look at his teammates. "Return back to your rooms and sleep early. Your condition must be perfect for tomorrow's event."
"Yes, Leader." then everyone sees the couple off. They knew that the pair won't be joining them for dinner.
Afterward together with Xue Ying the team had gone to the dining hall for dinner. Xue Ying's presence is too big for the others to ignore and their involvement with this General causes some bad rumors to spread around. But none of their group knew as they were busy eating their dinner that night.
In Cantonese, a salted fish is a metaphor for a corpse, but can now mean people who have no intention of doing anything.