The report of the battle for the Nebula Boundary was quickly sent to the Federation's military headquarters. Just the first sentence in the report was enough to cause the entire military to erupt.

“Lingtian wiped out Knight Ace Mecha Clan?” Everyone's legs were quaking when they read the report.

“Knight Ace Mecha Clan? The one that's ranked 18th in Caesar?” They double-checked and triple-checked before they could be certain that there wasn't any mistake in the report.

“Where did Lingtian come from? I don't remember our Federation having a mecha clan in the top ranks with such a t.i.tle.” Lingtian's t.i.tle was unfamiliar to everyone of the higher-ups in the military.

“If I remember correctly, Lingtian Mecha Clan was 250 Ace Mecha Clan that was under General Ling Xiao's 23rd Division.” In the military, there were definitely those who had such information on hand and would explain the situation to their colleagues.

“So it's Prince Ling's mecha clan!” After the name '250 Ace Mecha Clan' was mentioned, everyone immediately knew who the mecha clan belonged to.

“Didn't the military hospital's G.o.d-like military doctor deem him to be unable to pilot mechas anymore? How could they have wiped out Knight Ace Mecha Clan?” an officer asked in shock.

“Prince Ling didn't make any moves. It was his subordinates,” said an officer who had the luck of reading the battle report.

“Holy sh*t, just his subordinate? What kind of monsters are they?” said another officer who was listening in on their conversation. “To annihilate Knight Ace Mecha Clan, they must have the strength of a legendary level mecha clan.”

“From what I know, Lingtian has 600 or so peak-level ace operators, 800 elite aces and more than 1000 thousand standard ace operators.” An officer read out the data of mecha operators who Lingtian had registered.

“Although their numbers aren't bad, it's still only considered between first-rank three stars and first-rank four stars. On paper, they aren't strong enough to wipe out Knight Ace Mecha Clan which has already reached first-rank five stars.” It was clear that someone had tweaked Lingtian's data.

“What if… half of the 600 or so peak-level ace operators hadn't updated their piloting skills in the past 10 years? Moreover, the most recent update was 5 years ago by a peak-level ace operator” suggested the officer who read the data.

“Holy sh*t!”

“Holy sh*t!”

“Holy sh*t!”

This insane suggestion caused the discussing officers to all cuss.

Peak-level ace operators more often than not would advance into imperial operators. Five years was usually enough time for a peak-level ace operator to get their foot out of the door into becoming an imperial operator and there would usually be quant.i.tative changes in a decade. Lingtian's 300 or so peak-level ace operators hadn't updated their levels in the past decade so it was quite possible that out of these mecha operators, some had advanced into the imperial level.

Of course, the other half of mecha operators could also have advanced into imperial operators, but the probability of that happening was lower than those who haven't updated in a decade. However, no matter what, they couldn't claim that Lingtian was a first-rank three star or first-rank four star mecha clan based on outdated data.

“Looks like our General Ling Xiao put in a lot of effort to create such a strong mecha clan to protect Prince Ling,” an officer said mockingly.

“Prince Ling gave up his future for the Federation. He originally was going to be able to live freely and safely under the watchful eyes of General Ling Xiao. However, we aren't sure which idiot from the military made Prince Ling's 250 Ace Mecha Clan into its own ent.i.ty. They even sent them to stand guard as the main mecha clan in Base Nebula. I don't even understand why the Federation would do this to those loyal to them.” An officer heard the mocking tone of his comrade and didn't feel good about it. He instantly began ranting, “The military is so unreliable. If his father didn't have the insight to build such a powerful mecha clan for his son, then it might become the older generations mourning for the younger generation. That would be a joke.”

“Yeah, you're right. However, I heard that 250 Ace Mecha Clan originally had 250 veteran peak-level ace mecha operators. Among them were people like Ursa Major and Sagittarius… They were all people who were considered to have a high chance to advance into the imperial level. Lingtian having such capabilities may not be General Ling Xiao's will,” an officer spoke out his own opinion on the matter.

“That's true. General Ling Xiao has always strictly followed the rules. General Ling Xiao didn't even dispute when the military idiotically sent the severely injured Prince Ling to Base Nebula. He fully accepted it. After everything General Ling Xiao had done for the Federation… hah.” Sighed an officer. If there were more people like General Ling Xiao in the military, the Federation might be even stronger than it was now.

“Yeah. If someone suspected General Ling Xiao, that would be quite foolish.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

“I just mentioned the possibility… I didn't mean anything by it.” Seeing that he had angered everyone, the officer who had mocked Ling Xiao instantly had a terrible expression on his face and explained the meaning behind his words.

“It better mean nothing,” coldly replied the ranting officer. Just from his tone, everyone knew that he didn't want to make peace with the mocking officer. Someone who dared to be disrespectful to General Ling Xiao definitely had something wrong with them and wasn't worth it to befriend.

The atmosphere instantly became awkward. A colleague who was in good relations with the mocking officer immediately b.u.t.ted in and said, “Alright alright. Everyone was just blindly chatting. Don't take it seriously. Let's go back to work.”

No one had the desire to continue the discussion anymore because of the altercation, and they began to work on their tasks again.

However, they were still curious about how Lingtian had annihilated Knight Ace Mecha Clan. Everyone was waiting for the military to give out the final report of the battle and publicly announce the rewards and merits.

In a dimly lit living room, two people were sitting face to face in a dark corner of the room. A chess board was between them as they silently played against each other.

“Chief…” The subordinate had waited for a long time. After seeing his chief not making his next move on the chess board, he raised his head and called him softly.

“Hmm?” The chief seemed to have been awoken from his daze. He looked up towards his subordinate and said calmly, “What you told me earlier, tell me about your thoughts about it.”

His subordinate's finger shook as he dropped the chess piece onto the board.

He calmed his nerves before he carefully replied, “Chief, Ling Xiao's name is like the sun in the sky. In the military, if someone were to speak about him disrespectfully, they would be publicly attacked and or shamed by groups of people.” After saying all this, he carefully glanced at his chief and said, “We have to be on guard.”

“How? His son achieved miracles one after the other. He can get all that he wants while doing absolutely nothing,” the chief said calmly.

“But we still can't let them do as they please. Otherwise, it would affect your plan,” said the subordinate anxiously.

“We're not in a hurry. Water can make a boat float but can also sink it. It isn't necessarily good for his name to be held in such high regard,” The eyes of the chief seemed to be full of wisdom. “I want to see just how Ling Xiao will react.”

“We're only going to watch?” asked the subordinate.

“Ling Xiao can do as he pleases but he has a fatal weakness.” The chief raised his head and smiled coldly. The black chess piece decisively fell onto the board. “G.o.d-cla.s.s operator! The Federation's rules states that unless it was a nation-wide problem, G.o.d-cla.s.s operators are restricted from taking the position of marshal.”

“Prince Ling… He thinks he could use his son as a proxy marshal while in reality he would be the one in power?” The chief smirked. “He won't be able to get past the three marshals.”

“I understand, chief.” After hearing his chief's words, he instantly understood why his chief was so calm.

“Although we don't need to do anything, we can still cause some trouble for Ling Xiao. We can get rid of some disgusting parasites along the way as well. Doing something that kills two birds with stone isn't bad, right?” The chief stood up.

“Chief, you're saying…” the subordinate understood.

“I think Ling Xiao will be very willing to take care of this troublesome issue.” The chief waved his hand and said, “Go make the arrangements.”

“Yes, chief.” The subordinate replied excitedly. The information they had accidentally discovered 10 years ago was finally going to be used.

Finally, the dimly lit living room now only had the chief in it. He stood in the dark corner and looked towards a certain direction as if he was remembering something.

After a long while, he raised his right hand and clenched with great force. “Only the person who could last until the end can be considered the victor… Ling Xiao, you will obey me in the end.”

A burning desire showed in his eyes.

That person, who seemed to be mild-mannered and actually aloof, would definitely bow down to him. Just thinking about Ling Xiao bowing down to him made the chief feel b.u.t.terflies in his stomach.

“I didn't lose 20 years ago and I won't lose now either! Ling Xiao, the final result will not change. You will never win against me.”

In the 23rd Division headquarters, Staff Officer He ran hurriedly into his division commander's office.

“General!” He Xuyang shouted excitedly.

“What's the matter?” Ling Xiao asked calmly. He didn't raise his head and was still reading the doc.u.ment in his hands.

“Young Master Lan made new achievements again,” He Xuyang said excitedly.

“Uh huh.” Ling Xiao continued flipping the page and was seemingly unmoved by He Xuyang's words.

“Young Master Lan's Lingtian wiped out Caesar's Knight Ace Mecha Clan!” The overly excited He Xuyang didn't care whether his general was listening to him or not. He just quickly poured out what he had read in the report he just received.

Ling Xiao's hand froze. He slowly raised his head. “Knight Ace Mecha Clan?”

“Yeah, Caesar's 18th rank Knight Ace Mecha Clan. Our Young Master Lan is as impressive as always.” He Xuyang looked as if he was happy his own child had grown up. His expression made Ling Xiao's lips twitch uncontrollably.

'That's my daughter! What's the meaning of your expression!'

“He didn't fight?” Ling Xiao put down the doc.u.ments and asked the question he was most concerned about.

“Based on the report, Young Master Lan didn't fight,” replied He Xuyang.

“It seems those people she took under her have matured a lot.” Smiled Ling Xiao.

“Of course. Our Young Master Lan is definitely a great coach for soldiers.” He Xuyang showed the same expression as before and it continued to make Ling Xiao feel his teeth itch.

“However, after this, another battle will erupt in our military.” After He Xuyang finished being excited, he thought of this issue.

“Although Ling Lan had left the 23rd Division to create her own army which has nothing to do with me, our father and son relations.h.i.+p still makes it impossible for me to escape from being connected with him.” Ling Xiao knew of this outcome. Everything he did was to protect his precious daughter. At least, under his supervision, she would have been able to fly freely.

“However, it's going to be an uphill battle. General, your current situation is somewhat dangerous, right now.” He Xuyang knew better than anyone of Ling Xiao's current situation.

The better Ling Lan did, the more General Ling Xiao would be burned by the fires that are on him. It was just that someone like Young Master Lan, an otherworldly monster, would eventually fly to the top in the end where no one will be able to stop him.

“It's not like there aren't any chances…” Ling Xiao's eyes glimmered, “It must be at the right place and the right time. Now is not the time. We must wait.”

“But waiting until when?” He Xuyang frowned. He was afraid that before getting a chance to turn the tides around, General Ling Xiao would be burned to cinders.

“Should be soon.” Someone probably couldn't hold it any longer.

Although Ling Lan's military achievements made it more difficult for him, it also forced those people to lose their patience. Once it pa.s.sed the amount they could endure, they would definitely make moves. When that happens, Ling Xiao would have his chance.

Yu Huan actually didn't quite understand why the battle report would be written in that way. However, Ling Lan was the person responsible for reporting to the higher-ups. If she didn't mind, then Yu Huan would put his suspicions into the back of his head and sign his name on the final battle report.

After the mainframe sent out the report along with the video feed to the military, he asked what he was most concerned about, “Regiment Commander Ling, why did you not write that you had also entered the battle?”

It turns out, Ling Lan's report and virtual video feed all had her presence erased from it.

“Overflowing is a bad thing,” replied Ling Lan calmly. “Getting to this position at my age… is enough.”

Yu Huan's eyes trembled. He didn't expect that this Prince Ling would be so knowledgeable of the position he was in. Indeed, even with a strong background, Ling Lan was already a G.o.d among men for having such a position at his age. He wasn't any worse than General Ling Xiao back in the day. However, it wouldn't necessarily be a good thing if he were to rise any higher in the ranks. This was the truth especially because General Ling Xiao was already at a high point of the ladder whereby now he couldn't even climb the up or down the ladder.

“Plus, I'm the commander-in-chief of the mecha clans in the base so I should be in the base commanding the battle, not going out there,” Ling Lan continued. “I would rather just let it be and not take the merits or the punishments. That way no one could say anything about it.”

“Morally sound.” Sighed Yu Huan. After reaching a certain position, one would be able to understand that the seemingly useless morally sound path was actually the safest choice.

“Maintain stability.” Ling Lan said calmly. She could only use this method to make herself less noticeable to decrease the troubles she was giving her father. However, despite her making herself less noticeable, as long as she was still Lingtian's regiment commander, these troubles wouldn't decrease by too much.

“I still want to thank Regiment Commander Ling for allowing the other mecha clans in Base Nebula to receive merits,” Yu Huan said gratefully. However, he quickly began to worry, “I'm not sure if Caesar would publicize the video feed.”

Falsifying military merits was a huge crime, despite the fact that it was Lingtian splitting theirs on their own accord.

“They won't have it. They'll only talk about it… We can say that it's their excuse for losing to avoid losing face.”

If Ling Lan dared to do this, she would definitely not let anyone blackmail her. The information that Knight Ace Mecha Clan and two other mecha clans were wiped out and would not be leaked. Plus on the battlefield, Little Four had jammed the video feed of every camera that had even caught a glimpse of her. The opposition only had videos of Lingtian's ruthless mecha operators. However, the mecha operators on the base behind them were all real. Additionally, Little Four's zoomed in video feed made it even more realistic.

“That's good to know.” Just from the fact that Ling Lan had managed to create a realistic virtual battle video feed, Yu Huan knew that within Lingtian Mecha Clan, there definitely was at least one imperial level hacker.

If Ling Lan said that Caesar wouldn't have it, then he definitely had enough confidence to not let them have it.

After all, imperial level hackers did indeed have the ability to jam the video feed for a short while.