Shi Lang made the introductions and shortly after, the team headed to the monitoring station. He was in a hurry because before he entered the hole, the envoys of the galactic council had tried to raise a ruckus inside the base. He was eager to show them their place.
He changed back into his uniform, and then after giving a few instructions to Jenkins he left the place with Hayley. OB-One was left behind to guide Jenkins and the technicians about the various aspects of the ruins, and the matter of the spirit stones was left to be discussed later. Hayley wanted to drive the vehicle but Shi Lang took the steering and he drove it to the limits of the vehicle.
The more he recalled how some outsider dared to come inside his base and dared to meddle with the order of the place, his blood began to boil and he wanted to kill someone. This was the aura and the demeanor of a true cultivator. A cultivator who will defy even the heavens let alone someone mortal.
During the tests, Shi Lang recalled his original dream, to reach the peak of strength and achieve longevity. This was why, he made a decision to himself, he will get rid of anyone that came in his way to achieve that unfinished goal. With a lot of thoughts going inside his brain, Shi Lang drove the vehicle. It took them half the time to reach the base than usual.
He got off and the soldiers on duty saluted him. Shi Lang nodded and said, “At ease.”
The soldiers did not understand why the base was suddenly pushed into battle mode, but seeing that the general has come back, they were eased. The news of his arrival channeled through the base like a fire through dry woods. Shi Lang and Hayley made haste and they all came to the command center.
Deputy General Sikar was moving around with an anxious face. He stopped when the door opened and Shi Lang walked in with a condensed look on his face. Sikar saluted him and said, “Sir, I accept all the punishments.”
Shi Lang smiled and said, “I will have you suffer later, now, please follow me to deal with the so-called Galactic Envoys.”
He did not intend to waste a single moment. Shi Lang walked out after dropping his command, Sikar was flustered and he followed the man. On the way, they came across a lot of troops stationed on guard duties throughout the base. Every corridor was like a death maze. The soldiers were given an order, that was to stun the galactic envoys if they were to come out of the rooms without permission.
Shi Lang and Deputy General Sikar came to a room, the latter said, “Sir, Lady Minerva is inside this one, and the rest of her companions have one room each.”
The young man nodded and said, “Open it.”
Sikar nodded and opened the door by scanning his communicator. Inside the room, Minerva was reading a book at leisure. Shi Lang walked inside with a calm face, and the lady put down her book. She said, “Do you understand that it is impolite to step inside a lady’s room without knocking, General?”
Shi Lang was not in the mood for theatrics and he said, “I think you should better not teach me what is polite and what is not. Your companions tried that charm trick on my deputy, do you believe that I will kill you all right now?”
Minerva was surprised, at first she thought that this was all done because Shi Lang was outside. But this was news to her. However, she did not wish to lose like this and said, “You are making blatant accusations. How do you prove this?”
Shi Lang said, “I do not need to prove anything. I will be submitting a report to the Galactic Council, and then I would like you to answer in your own department. I guess a lot of people know that your kin is capable of using charm. Not only will I have the Terran rep, but the allies move together with me.”
Minerva was shocked deep inside her but then she composed herself and asked, “What will you achieve by doing such a thing, General? Why cause mutual harm?”
Shi Lang smiled and said, “I will not cause mutual harm, but one thing is sure, you will be humiliated if this sort of issue is surfaced. I will be satisfied by that only.”
“Do not cross your line, General.”, said Minerva as she lost her temper.
Shi Lang flashed and appeared next to her with the barrel of his handgun stuck inside her mouth. He said, “Do not dare to raise your voice here, Lady Minerva. I will not succumb to your tricks, and I have my own means to prove what you are capable of and what you tried to do. You surely do not want that. So, if you wish to stay here, then recognize a few lines. Otherwise, you might be the first Galactic Envoy to be evicted from The Federation.”
Minerva could tell that Shi Lang was not joking; he dared to kill her and she felt he also had a card up his sleeves. This was a psychological battle, she could tell that Shi Lang was acting from pure rage, and he was not lying.
This was what she thought, but in reality, Shi Lang had no cards up his sleeve. To force someone back, one needed to show strength, while showing strength one had no room to act soft and poised. Rage is the best way to project a facade and stun the reasoning of your opponent.
A slight numbness of the enemy and they will miss a lot of details, start doubting themselves, and eventually succumb to the strength you projected. Shi Lang was not only good at fighting, but also at psychological warfare.
Deputy Sikar, who was witnessing all this from the threshold of the room was shocked, and his forehead was covered with cold sweat beads. He ran up to stand behind Shi Lang, but the fierce aura did not allow him to get close to him. The old man could only say, “General, please control yourself. Please, sir.”
Shi Lang snorted and said, “Hmph, you better deal with your bitches, Minerva. Or I will not stand back.”
He withdrew his handgun and walked out of the room. Sikar watched him leave and sighed. He turned to look at the stunned Lady and said, “Madam, I hope you understand the circumstances. If the same thing happened in your territory then you would have reacted the same way. He is young and has just taken charge. Please try to understand.”
That said, he also walked out and closed the door. His speed was quick but he still could not catch up to Shi Lang. The young man was sitting inside the command center frowning and sweating. He was completely different from the guy in front of Minerva.
Shi Lang gazed at Sikar and said, “You will go down the pit discovered when they moved those plants, and stay there till you have completed the whole course. Leave now.”
Sikar did not understand what this was about, Shi Lang said, “Jenkins will tell you. Leave.”
The deputy general nodded and after a salute, he left. He was punished because he fell to the charms of the girl and almost gave away crucial information. Hayley asked, “Why are you sweating?”
Shi Lang sighed and explained to her the happenings in the containment room. Hayley opened her so big that a quill egg could be fitted inside without breaking. Suddenly, she grabbed Shi Lang by his collar and said, “You fucking idiot. What were you thinking? What if that bitch went rabid and complained to the Galactic Council. You moron, we will face galactic sanctions and be isolated.”
Shi Lang did not push her away but said, “That is the aim, Adjutant Hayley. If she complains and we get isolated, then we will have the chance to make our whole territory stronger than what they could ever imagine for us. If she did not complain then we will get to rule her ass.”
Hayley shook her head and said, “I am going to report this to the president and the General Council.”
Shi Lang said, “You can do whatever you feel is necessary. I need to talk to the president and the council regarding the discoveries we made inside the ruins. They will stand beside me with complete support.”
Hayley let go of his collar and said, “You know that you are a pain in the ass? I am telling you, take it as a warning, or a reminder of a friend. Your ways of doing things, will one day get you in a bind. Try to be careful Shi Lang. Life is very random.”
Shi Lang winked and her and said, “I understand, now if you please, after making your reports. Arrange a security detail for those women.”