The sound of sirens grew louder, approaching swiftly from the distance.
From the central district of Star City, numerous unmanned aerial vehicles took off, rapidly converging toward Starlight Lake Bridge.
The punch that Mu Qing had unleashed toward the lake's center had caused a massive disturbance.
The abnormal detection division of the Star City Military Department had obviously picked up on the immense energy fluctuations, and at the same time, many civilians near Starlight Lake who had heard the thunderous explosion had chosen to call the authorities.
The military forces stationed in the central district of Star City were swiftly deployed into action.
From where he stood, Feng Qi could already see the formation of aerial reconnaissance drones in the distance, along with the flashing red and blue lights of magnetic levitation military vehicles rushing toward the bridge.
It was time to leave.
He turned to look at the leader of the domain beings and said:
"From now on, if anything happens, you can reach me through the Tiger Soul Research Institute. For now, you should leave."
"Understood."
The leader immediately nodded. Without hesitation, he turned and led the other two domain beings as they swiftly slid down the steel cables toward the lower sections of Starlight Lake Bridge, disappearing into the shadows.
Once they were gone, Mu Qing finally spoke.
"Qi-ge, I don't think they are truly loyal to you," she said, her tone carrying a hint of doubt.
"It doesn't matter," Feng Qi replied indifferently.
"Why not?" Mu Qing looked at him curiously.
"Because they don't have a choice. As long as they are within my control, their thoughts don't concern me."
A similar question had once crossed his mind in the previous timeline, and he had asked Old Mist about it.
Back then, Old Mist had explained things very clearly.
He had said:
"An opportunity like this is a massive temptation for weaker forces. They may never come across another one like it in their lifetime."
"They might not fully trust you, but that doesn't matter. To them, this is a gamble—a chance to change their fate."
"Not everyone has the power to stand above the world and freely choose their future. The weak have no say in their own destiny."
"If you offer them a dream of prosperity, they will cling to it like a drowning man grasping at a lifeline."
"They know full well that there's a chance that once they reach the shore, they may only find more despair waiting for them."
"But if they let go of this opportunity, they may never get another one."
"So, they will gamble."
After listening to Old Mist's analysis, Feng Qi had come to understand this principle.
He had later witnessed the same situation among the Dark God Clan in another timeline.
Faced with the resources offered by the Psionic Race, the Dark God Clan had undoubtedly known that there were hidden dangers involved.
They had never been naïve enough to believe that the Psionic Race was helping them out of goodwill.
The resource aid came with undeniable risks.
Yet, the Dark God Clan still chose to submit to the Psionic Race.
It was the same gamble, the same risking of their entire future for a sliver of hope.
This was why, in the previous timeline, the Mist Lord had never worried that the higher-ups of the Weak Tribe Alliance would betray him.
Because what he had offered them was hope, whether real or an illusion.
Hearing Feng Qi's explanation, Mu Qing fell into deep thought before finally nodding.
"Let's go," Feng Qi said.
With that, he leaped off the bridge without hesitation.
Mu Qing followed immediately, diving into the shadows after him.
A short while later, the two figures reappeared on the eastern shoreline of Starlight Lake.
Their next destination was the Star City Military Department Headquarters, located in the central district of Star City.
If Feng Qi wanted absolute control over Star City, there was no way around dealing with the military department—the strongest force in the city.
As Star City's only law enforcement and external defense institution, the military department commanded the majority of the city's armed forces.
While the Star City Military Department was generally low-profile, rarely interacting with civilians unless major incidents occurred, there was no doubt that it was the most formidable military organization within Star City.
If Dawn Organization mishandled its relationship with the military department, it could severely impact their future plans.
It was already 10 p.m., but the lake promenade was still bustling with activity.
Many pedestrians stood by the lake's railing, gazing toward the lake's center, discussing the loud explosion they had heard earlier.
Above, drone squadrons occasionally swept across the sky, their searchlights scanning the water's surface for anomalies.
Meanwhile, Feng Qi and Mu Qing walked casually along the promenade, blending into the crowd.
On both sides of the walkway, various food stalls lined the path, packed with tourists.
The air was thick with the aroma of sizzling food, mingling with the smoky fragrance of grilled meat.
The warm street food atmosphere was a stark contrast to the high-stakes battle for control that was quietly unfolding in Star City.
"Are you hungry?" Feng Qi turned to look at Mu Qing.
"I'm not!" Mu Qing responded immediately, her expression serious.
"But you didn't have dinner. You must be hungry. Let's eat first before heading to the military department. My treat. They won't mind waiting a little longer."
Without waiting for a response, Feng Qi took a step toward a street vendor's stall.
Hearing his words, Mu Qing's stomach suddenly let out a small growl.
She glanced at the steaming food stalls, hesitated for a moment, then quietly followed him.
A short while later, the two of them were seated at a small street-side food stall, enjoying a late-night feast.
The night breeze brushed against his face as Feng Qi observed the bustling streets around him.
When everything slowed down, he realized how beautiful the world around him was.
He still remembered the first time he had visited this place—it was with his parents.
But now, those memories had become blurry, and he was long past the carefree years of childhood.
As he was lost in thought, Mu Qing, who was devouring grilled skewers, suddenly spoke up.
"Qi-ge, are you tired?"
"Yeah," Feng Qi admitted without hesitation.
"Have you ever thought about giving up?"
"I've hesitated, but in the end, I pushed through. It only made me more determined."
"What drives you forward?" Mu Qing asked, her eyes full of curiosity as she momentarily paused her eating.
Instead of answering directly, Feng Qi raised a hand and pointed toward Starlight Bridge.
"Do you know the history behind the construction of Starlight Bridge?"
"Of course. This bridge was built to connect Fragmented Light City and Starshine City before they were merged. At the time, there were no defensive walls, and during construction, the site was attacked by domain forces. If it weren't for the warriors who fought to the death, the bridge would have never been completed, and the two cities would have never merged to form the central district of Star City."
Hearing Mu Qing's response, Feng Qi smiled.
"You're absolutely right. If not for the sacrifices of those who came before us, we wouldn't be living in peace in Star City today."
"Every era presents new challenges. The ancestors faced their own battles and built Star City, creating a fortress that has shielded us. This is a legacy—a responsibility passed down through the generations. Just like them, we must face the challenges of our time. Only by doing so can human civilization continue to thrive."
"The past generations protected us. Now it's our turn to protect those who come after us."
As Feng Qi spoke with a determined smile, a flicker of light shone in Mu Qing's eyes.
Once again, she felt that unwavering conviction from him, a resolute will that seemed to carry the weight of history itself.
"Qi-ge, I will always stand by your side," she declared.
"Good. Now, eat." Feng Qi grinned, grabbing a handful of skewers and taking a big bite.
Looking at the growing pile of empty skewers on the table, Mu Qing hesitated before asking:
"Am I going to eat you into poverty?"
"Of course not, I've got plenty of money!"
"In that case… Boss, bring another five hundred skewers!"
Nightfall deepened.
It was almost midnight.
After finishing their meal, Feng Qi and Mu Qing arrived at the Star City Military Department Headquarters.
Compared to Tiger Soul Research Institute and Crimson Research Institute, the military headquarters didn't have towering walls. Instead, a simple chain-link fence surrounded the perimeter.
Through the fence, they could see rows of weapons and equipment neatly arranged in the main plaza of the base.
The military department's headquarters was located in the northern section of Starlight Lake within the central district of Star City. It had been established even before Tiger Soul and Crimson Research Institute.
At its inception, Star City Military Department had not been called by that name.
Back then, each district of Star City was a separate city, and they had yet to be unified under one government.
During the initial domain invasions, the individual cities struggled greatly to resist the overwhelming force of the enemy.
Faced with an existential crisis, the leaders of the southern cities decided to form an alliance, leading to the creation of the Southern United Combat Division, the predecessor of the Star City Military Department.
In the early days of the calamity, every battle against domain forces resulted in horrific casualties for the Southern United Combat Division.
To bolster their ranks, they eventually expanded and absorbed the law enforcement agencies into their structure.
From its very foundation, the military department was destined to become the first major governing institution of the future Star City, holding jurisdiction over both law enforcement and external warfare.
The military department was divided into seven main divisions:
External Combat Division
City Law Enforcement Division
Command Division
Logistics Division
Training Division
Communications Division
Intelligence Division
Each division was directly managed by the Command Division.
To prepare for emergencies, the military department had established bases in every district of Star City, equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry.
As for recruitment, the military department primarily sourced its personnel from various academies.
The top-tier academies were responsible for training high-level officers for both frontline battlefields and urban command centers.
For example, Victory Academy was the primary training ground for commanders who would lead military operations both within Star City and on the frontlines.
Additionally, the military department had a comprehensive merit-based promotion system, ensuring that talented individuals would never be overlooked.
As Feng Qi and Mu Qing walked alongside the chain-link fence, they eventually arrived at the main entrance of the military headquarters.
On both sides of the gate, there were eight security booths, each manned by fully armed guards on duty.
Upon reaching the entrance, one of the soldiers stepped forward and warned them:
"This is a restricted military zone. You are not allowed to enter without authorization. Do you require assistance?"
"The Dean of Tiger Soul Research Institute has already contacted your Commander-in-Chief. We are here on official business."
Hearing this, the soldier didn't hesitate. He grabbed the communicator attached to his chest armor and began confirming the situation.
Moments later, he lowered the radio and waved toward the back of the checkpoint.
Immediately, the barriers at the entrance lowered, and the second security checkpoint was lifted.
A soldier on duty stepped forward from the booth, looked at Feng Qi, and spoke:
"I'll take you inside."
"Much appreciated."
"Wait here, I'll go get the car."
With that, the soldier on duty jogged toward a military vehicle parked further inside the checkpoint.
A moment later, Feng Qi and Mu Qing boarded the vehicle, heading toward the headquarters.
This was Feng Qi's first visit to Star City Military Department, and he couldn't help but be curious about its internal structure.
The facilities were extremely well-developed. Every building had its function clearly labeled, making it easy to navigate.
Aside from the main buildings, there were also designated outdoor areas such as training grounds, open-air armories, and tactical drill fields.
Half an hour later, the vehicle came to a halt in front of a towering structure shaped like a clenched fist.
After exiting the vehicle, they followed the soldier inside, passing through security verification to enter the main building.
Taking the elevator, they arrived at the sixth floor, standing before the Command Center.
"The Commander-in-Chief has been notified of your arrival. You may proceed inside."
"Thank you."
The soldier nodded before turning away and leaving.
At that moment, Feng Qi stepped forward and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Pushing the door open, the room before them was spacious and organized.
At the center of the room sat a massive desk, covered with documents and files. To the left of the desk, a small military flag of the Star City Military Department was placed on display.
Behind the desk, two flags stood on angled poles—on the left, the Star City flag, and on the right, the flag of the Star City Military Department.
To the left side of the room, a miniature model of Star City was displayed.
Numerous military flags were planted across various points on the model, each marking a military outpost within Star City.
The details on the city model were incredibly intricate, highlighting various key strategic locations.
At that moment, a white-haired elder with a stern expression sat before the model of the city.
"Commander-in-Chief." Feng Qi greeted respectfully.
"No need to be so formal, have a seat."
The old man stood up with a gentle smile, making his way to the sofa and sitting down first.
Seeing this, Feng Qi and Mu Qing took their seats across from him.
"I heard from Old Li that you have urgent matters to discuss. I'm quite curious, considering Old Li couldn't even explain it properly over the phone."
The Old Li he mentioned was none other than the current Dean of Tiger Soul Research Institute.
Hearing the commander's inquiry, Feng Qi nodded and spoke:
"Commander-in-Chief, this matter is of great importance, and it's difficult to explain over the phone. I felt it would be better to discuss it in person. What I'm about to tell you might sound unbelievable, but I assure you everything I say is true…"
Without wasting time on pleasantries, Feng Qi got straight to the point.
Before coming to the Star City Military Department, he had seriously considered an important question—
Was it possible that the military department had also been infiltrated by domain forces?
He had no way of knowing the answer.
And on this sacrifice timeline, there was no time for an in-depth investigation or gradual infiltration.
After all, the purpose of this timeline was to test the waters.
Before arriving, he had already informed the Crimson Research Institute of his plans.
Even if he died here and his head couldn't be recovered, another version of himself from the future would still receive the message.
Still, despite his concerns, Feng Qi felt that he was probably overthinking.
The mission statement of the Star City Military Department was clear-cut—to protect.
Just as every organization followed its own code, the Tiger Soul Research Institute had fallen to infiltration because its core directive was to explore new frontiers in cultivation research.
That ambiguity left room for manipulation by domain forces.
But the Star City Military Department had an unwavering doctrine—to defend Star City and safeguard human civilization.
For domain forces to manipulate the military department, they would have to overcome immense obstacles.
Even the Commander-in-Chief could not issue orders freely without justification.
For example, if someone ordered the military to slaughter civilians, the order would be rejected immediately, regardless of who issued it.
There were only two ways to mobilize the military forces:
A confirmed threat to humanity or the safety of Star City's citizens.
Approval from the highest-level military council, requiring unanimous agreement from all seven department heads.
Additionally, every military operation was monitored by the Star City Supreme Council.
This meant that domain forces would need to control not just the military leadership but also mid-ranking and high-ranking officers to push any anti-human agenda.
Understanding this, Feng Qi made his move boldly.
Besides, with Mu Qing by his side, even if something unexpected happened, she had the power to ensure their safe retreat.
The only real concern was that if there were hidden problems within the military, the future development of Dawn would face severe obstacles.
As Feng Qi explained, the white-haired commander's expression grew increasingly serious.
Especially when Feng Qi mentioned the widespread infiltration of domain forces within Star City, the commander's face turned grim, his hands clenched tightly into fists.
Then, as if suddenly recalling something, the commander narrowed his eyes and asked in a low voice:
"The mysterious explosion at Starlight Lake earlier… was that your doing?"