The weapon refiner is not doing her job properly

Chapter 216 You Can Walk Sideways (5,000 words)
The two argued back and forth, and the debate reached a stalemate once again.

The Star Alliance tried their best to reduce the difficulty of the mission, as this was the only way to increase their chances of winning. They could simply add more rounds of competition.

As for those four-star contaminated areas that have been accumulating for many years, intelligence is scarce, the dangers are unknown, and even preliminary exploration is extremely difficult, so they are simply unwilling to take the risk.

The Star Alliance insisted on raising the challenge level. Even if they ultimately couldn't lead the project, they believed they had to use this opportunity to push the Star Alliance to invest manpower in clearing these high-threat contaminated areas, eliminating potential threats to their rear. In their view, this was not just a competition, but a necessary purge.

"Alright, you're all sticking to your own opinions. If you keep arguing, it'll give us a headache." Xing Qingping finally stepped in to mediate. "The Star Alliance's requirements aren't unreasonable. Only by being able to enter and exit the four-star contaminated zone can we truly see the hunters' qualities and courage. But the 'average age of twenty-five' requirement is indeed a bit harsh. Let's raise it to thirty-five. As long as the average age of the entire team is below thirty-five, it'll be fine. In addition, to reduce the influence of chance and luck, there will be a total of three matches. The first match will be held in the 'Filthy Feast Spirit,' the slaughterhouse contaminated zone."

Xing Qingping made the final decision, and the meeting, which lasted for more than five hours, finally came to a conclusion.

The final agreement stipulated that the winner of the three competitions would become the leader of the Key of Prophecy project.

Although the Star Alliance had achieved its basic goal, everyone felt a sense of frustration. They had put in a lot of effort to launch the project, but what if they ended up losing it to the Star Alliance because they were not strong enough? Wouldn't that make them a laughing stock?

Xing Qingping glanced at Principal Yan's indifferent face, then his gaze swept over Yuan Dusen.

I don't really care about the open and covert struggles between the two companies. As long as those polluted areas that are difficult to eradicate can be eliminated, no matter who wins, he will be the real winner.

The group left the conference room one after another. Assistant Sun's face was gloomy. Watching Yun Fei and Principal Yan's departing figures, he bit his lip in resentment: "This project was clearly initiated by us. If the Star Alliance really took over the leadership, then why did we bother to start this project in the first place?"

“We did indeed initiate the project,” Qian Rujin said coldly. “But because a certain theorist’s practical abilities are limited, the project has made no substantial progress to date.”

Assistant Sun was speechless with anger: "My theory is flawless; it's just that the hunters you sent simply lack the ability to execute it! How can you blame me for that?"

"So, Professor Sun, you have theories but can't put them into practice, so who can you blame?"

"Enough, stop arguing." Hara Watari stepped in to smooth things over. "Now that it's a done deal, we should focus on discussing our next steps. We need to carefully consider who to send out and make sure we get our first win."

"You make it sound so easy." Qian Rujin was disappointed by the way Yuan Dusen and his assistant Sun worked.

If they had partnered with Star Alliance from the beginning, Assistant Sun could have remained hidden within Star Alliance indefinitely.

The Star Alliance wouldn't have to sacrifice so much manpower and resources.

They were too greedy; they only wanted to monopolize the fruits of their labor.

Qian Rujin straightened her collar. "Let's think about how to gather hunters of the right age first. The slaughterhouse's contaminated area is a place where almost anyone who goes in dies; even four-star hunters are not immune."

The only exception is Yuan Tingchao, who broke into it seven years ago but lost all related memories.

Therefore, no one knows for sure what the inside of the contaminated area looks like now.

A sense of oppression hung over the Star Alliance, while the Star Alliance itself appeared quite composed.

Everyone understands that if the slaughterhouse contaminated area is not cleaned up in time, the burden will most likely fall on the Star Alliance, simply because their hunters are generally of higher quality and have a stronger sense of responsibility.

Now that the Star Alliance is sharing this "disaster," Yun Fei is probably laughing in his sleep.

After the meeting, General Ji prepared to part ways with Xing Qingping and Lao Wang.

Xing Qingping stood with his hands behind his back, somewhat puzzled as to where this soldier, who was always busy with official duties, was suddenly going.

"Where are you going?"

"fall in love."

After General Ji left, Xing Qingping couldn't help but ask Old Wang, "Did he win over that young lady from the Tong family?"

"You've asked the wrong person," Old Wang said. "Let's not pry into other people's private affairs."

Just as Lao Wang was about to take his leave, Xing Qingping suddenly suggested, "Want to go for a walk together?"

Old Wang thought about it and realized that he did miss his old friends Xingyuan and Su Ninglong a bit, and maybe he could run into them on campus.

So he nodded and replied, "Then let's take a look around."

The two fully armed military bodyguards behind them could only helplessly follow along as they toured the campus.

Neither of them were very familiar with the Star Alliance's road layout, but fortunately there were road signs along each path.

As they walked slowly, they unexpectedly arrived near Yang Zhu's courtyard.

Standing on the wooden boardwalk, a cool breeze blowing from the forest gently swept over them, carrying away the sweat from their brows. The towering trees along the roadside cast deep shade, sheltering them from the summer heat.

Xing Qingping looked up at the giant tree with great interest, his tone tinged with surprise: "This is... a summer jasmine?"

The thick trunk stands tall, like a tower reaching to the sky, and its unique and deep woody aroma is faintly permeating the air.

"Xia Xiangmu?" Old Wang leaned forward uncertainly and sniffed lightly. "It really does smell like that. How strange!" He had been to the Xia Xiangmu forest area before, and in his memory, those old trees with more than 500 years of history were at most as thick as two adults could hug.

But this tree in front of us is so thick that even ten people couldn't encircle it with their arms.

"This must be a thousand-year-old tree!"

"I think it will probably take tens of thousands of years!"

Just as the two were aimlessly guessing the age of the summer jasmine tree, three figures suddenly appeared at the end of the plank road.

Each one of them had an outstanding presence that made them unforgettable, and Old Wang's attention was immediately drawn to them.

Upon seeing who it was, Old Wang's eyes crinkled with laughter.

"Ninglong".

“Uncle Wang!” Su Ninglong responded warmly.

Old Wang: "..." This form of address doesn't sound quite right.

"Come over here, I'll make you some tea."

"Okay, okay..." Old Wang no longer cared about the form of address, responding as he eagerly wanted to have a good chat with the young man, as he had finally found some free time.

They had only taken a few steps forward, before even entering the door, when Xingyuan suddenly spoke, his expression filled with surprise:

"Dad! What are you doing here?"

"Huh?" Everyone turned around abruptly, exchanging bewildered glances. Xingyuan's father? Who is that?
A faint smile appeared on Xing Qingping's usually serious face. "Son, it's been a long time."

"Huh? No, you're father and son?" Old Wang was completely stunned. He couldn't help but scrutinize Xing Yuan's features, trying to find out which characteristics he had inherited from Xing Qingping.

Upon closer inspection, their face shape, eyebrows, and eyes do indeed resemble each other somewhat, but their aura, temperament, and overall impression are completely different.

Xingyuan is a gentle and tolerant type, with a calm temperament that doesn't lack an elite feel, making people feel relaxed naturally when they are with her.

Xing Qingping, on the other hand, is closer to the enterprising and decisive faction within the official system. His brows reveal a subtle air of ruthlessness, and he is serious and earnest. People around him will always unconsciously examine themselves to see if they have made any mistakes.

Old Wang wasn't the only one surprised; Su Ninglong and Lei Qingya beside him were also clearly taken aback.

Su Ninglong whispered to Lei Qingya, "Lei Lei, who is this person?"

Lei Qingya also looked bewildered: "I don't know either! Let me ask Song Liu."

Lei Qingya received a reply shortly afterward.

She read the information on the screen in a low voice: "Xing Qingping, Director of the Interstellar Energy Regulation Bureau, Director of the Hunter Organization Center Monitoring Bureau."

Su Ninglong was completely confused: "???"

Xingyuan always said his family was just average, right? But how poor could the director of the Interstellar Energy Regulation Bureau be?
"Wow, does that mean we can walk sideways from now on?" Lei Qingya was so excited that he almost wanted to carve a crab on his forehead, looking every bit the "I'm the strongest and most domineering" type.

Su Ninglong patted Lei Qingya on the shoulder, took a deep breath, and her face was full of "Watch me."

She cleared her throat and called out in a clear voice, "Grandpa, hello! Why are you only coming to visit me and Xingyuan now?"

What could be a faster and more domineering way to "rule the law" than recognizing someone as a relative on the spot?

Everyone was speechless for a moment: "..."

Xingyuan's initial doubts and frustration vanished completely after Su Ninglong's shout.

He was both amused and exasperated, and gently tapped her forehead: "Stop fooling around, go make some tea. Never mind, Qingya, you can do it."

"You don't trust my tea-making skills?"

"Let me do it, let me do it." Lei Qingya couldn't bear to let Su Ninglong waste these good tea leaves, so he quickly took over the tea set. He first brewed tea for the two elders, and then enthusiastically offered a cup of tea to the soldier bodyguard standing straight to the side, but they politely declined.

Xing Qingping waved his hand and said, "Drink up, it's good for your health."

The two bodyguards exchanged a glance before taking the teacup. Anyone who has tasted the calming tea knows its wonders; it not only soothes the mind, but regular consumption can also heal old ailments that medication cannot cure.

"Grandpa, you'd like some tea too?" Su Ninglong softened her aloof demeanor, her eyes crinkling into crescents, revealing two small tiger teeth, and her smile was exceptionally bright, making anyone who saw her feel a sense of goodwill.

Xing Qingping smiled slightly and turned to Xing Yuan, asking, "Xing Yuan, aren't you going to introduce this girl?"

Xingyuan sat on the stone bench, his tone calm and concise: "She calls you grandpa, so naturally she's my daughter."

"puff--"

Old Wang and Lei Qingya turned their heads at the same time, and both spat out their tea.

Although Xing Qingping knew he wasn't a good father, he couldn't possibly be completely unaware of his son's important life event: "When did you get married and have children?"
He recognized the child; wasn't she the highly regarded genius from the Star Alliance's records? When did she become Xingyuan's daughter?

"Not married yet." Xingyuan took a couple of sips of tea, his face expressionless, seemingly unwilling to start a conversation.

"Is it the woman's child?" Xing Qingping pressed.

“It’s our children.”

Are they really related by blood? Xing Qingping probed, "Are you unwilling to take responsibility, or do you not want to get married?"

“I don’t need to explain my relationship status to you,” Xingyuan said. “Why don’t you explain first what’s going on between you and your mother? Also, when did you become the ‘director’?”

"This matter cannot be explained in a short time."

"Then let's make a long story short."

Xing Qingping had no choice but to recount part of his past.

Su Ninglong munched on a spicy snack, her gaze shifting back and forth between the father and son, watching with great interest; the conversation was truly fascinating.

Although there were no dramatic and intense conflicts between Xingyuan and Xingqingping, their relationship was filled with misunderstandings and estrangement caused by unforeseen circumstances.

It turns out that before Xing Yuan was born, Xing Qingping had been working as an "undercover agent," lurking around a criminal for a long time to hide his true identity.

Xingyuan's mother, Hui Baxian, is now the highest leader of the Interstellar Security Bureau. Thirty years ago, her job was similar to Xing Qingping's, both belonging to the covert front.

The two met during a mission and immediately hit it off, playing the role of a "couple." Later, their on-screen romance blossomed into a real-life relationship. This continued until the birth of their child.

Xingyuan, around the age of ten, they gradually returned to their normal jobs.

Even after returning to "normal," they never revealed the truth about their work to their son.

The two, who were already used to playing roles and hiding their true selves, simply told Xingyuan that they were "very busy with work" under various pretexts, and dragged their tired bodies home every day.

They never mistreated their son financially, but they also never overindulged him.

As the director of the Energy Regulation Bureau, Xingyuan's father was naturally good at calculating, so Xingyuan's living expenses were always just right and never too much.

As a "sensible and intelligent" son, he had to learn to take care of himself from a young age.

As a result, an invisible barrier gradually formed between the couple and their son.

But none of them realized they should take the initiative to communicate with their son. As they got busier, Xingyuan gradually disappeared from their home, leaving only the occasional text message to let them know he was safe.

Over time, they got used to this way of getting along.

Lei Qingya, standing to the side, was in extremely complicated feelings. He muttered to Su Ninglong, "I used to think that my dad slapped me all the time because he hated me and didn't approve of me. But now I realize that this is what true 'free-range parenting' really means. It must have been really difficult for Xingyuan to grow up to be so handsome."

“I also think… I called him ‘Grandpa’ too early. Now I really feel sorry for my dad.” Su Ninglong became angrier the more she thought about it, and couldn’t help but glare at Xing Qingping like an annoyed kitten.

"Boom!"

She received another light tap on the head.

Xingyuan glanced at her sideways, "Don't let your imagination run wild. There's just a misunderstanding between me and your grandparents."

In fact, even if these two high-ranking officials didn't pay much attention to their sons, they would never let them go astray.

Although Xingyuan was intelligent from a young age, once certain ideas were formed, he became somewhat stubborn, so he always firmly believed that his family was quite poor.

In fact, his parents never hid it from him.

The refrigerator at home is never short of food, and occasionally there are rare and unusual items.

There was also always "tribute" tea in the drawer, because close friends were not from wealthy families and naturally did not know the special nature of these things.

From the moment he began using various ingredients in his cooking, to the moment he returned from Youmu Star, he could immediately discern the quality of the tea that Song Hu served him.

Xingyuan himself had already vaguely sensed that his family might not be poor, and might even be richer than the average family.

However, Xing Qingping and Hui Baxian were always so busy that they were rarely seen. He had grown up and no longer needed his parents' company, so he silently suppressed these confusions in his heart.

Only today has everything become clear.

Xingyuan poured Xing Qingping a cup of tea and asked softly, "Did you come here this time for the cooperation between the Star Alliance and the Star Radiance Alliance?"

"I've confessed, don't change the subject. You still haven't told me where this 'granddaughter' came from?" Xing Qingping carefully compared the two women's appearances. Both were outstanding, but they didn't look alike at all.

Xingyuan brushed it off with a single sentence: "I used to be her mentor, now I'm her assistant, and I'm also dating her godmother."

It turned out to be the case.

Xing Qingping suddenly realized that Su Ninglong was too tall and didn't look like a twelve-year-old child. He only remembered her appearance but didn't pay attention to her actual age, so he didn't realize that Xing Yuan was her guide.

"So who is your girlfriend?"

"Zou Shuyi".

Xing Qingping was clearly familiar with the name; his expression faltered slightly, showing some surprise.

"she……?"

"Hahahaha..." Old Wang couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Xingyuan, you're really something, you actually managed to win over the 'Grand Princess' of the Star Alliance."

Lei Qingya silently complained to himself, "I can serve even the little ancestor perfectly, so what's wrong with dating the eldest princess?"
"Why is my godmother called 'Princess'?" Su Ninglong asked, puzzled. In all these years, she had never heard Zou Shuyi called that.

"You really don't know?" Seeing that she was truly clueless, Old Wang explained, "Your godmother is the controlling shareholder of Star Alliance, and her father was one of the founders of Star Alliance. The shares of another deceased founder were also transferred to her name. You could say that she is the largest shareholder of Star Alliance, and her actual power is comparable to that of Principal Yan."

There is a world of difference between such a controlling shareholder and an ordinary shareholder. Ordinary shareholders can at most exercise their rights through voting, but she can directly influence the entire Star Alliance's operational direction.

However, she has always been unwilling to participate in specific management, so she entrusted all matters to Principal Yan for management.

As the true founder, Principal Yan naturally managed to keep the other shareholders in check.

This has led to a situation where shareholders have to hold meetings and votes every time they want to fight for any interests, and they even try to seize control of the narrative through forceful means.

The Star Alliance does not disclose these matters to the public, so as not to disturb Zou Shuyi's peaceful life.

It wasn't until he reached his current position that Lao Wang learned a little about Zou Shuyi's true identity and background.

Su Ninglong was completely stunned. She had no idea that her godmother had such a powerful background.

The saying "the darkest place is under the lamp" is indeed true.

She herself is a typical example; she has almost dug out all the details about the enemy, but knows nothing about the people around her.

Lei Qingya stood there dumbfounded, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and the rapid pace of the internet. Before he could even process everything, he was struck by yet another wave of shock.

At the stone table in the courtyard, no one spoke for a moment. Everyone looked at each other, falling into a subtle and quiet silence.

I've changed the editing method, and there should be no more repeated paragraphs. Thank you again for pointing this out.

If there are repeated instances in later chapters, they can be marked as typos so that the backend can receive them immediately and the author can see exactly where the error occurred.

It's all my fault. I'm sorry for giving you a bad reading experience. I'll add a little more word today to reach 5,000 words.