Make money by hiding in the interstellar battlefield!

As soon as Jian Sheng entered the venue, he realized that the scale of this meeting was extraordinary.

Whispers arose from the surroundings: "Did you know? All twelve S-class mecha warriors are here! We haven't seen such a spectacle in over a decade."

"That's right. If the beast tide hadn't been severely damaged this time, eliminating the safety hazard, it would have been impossible to gather them all together."

"What exactly are we going to discuss this time?"

"What else could it be but a clear system of rewards and punishments. First, publicize the achievements and commend the meritorious individuals, then make an example of someone to warn others, and finally, distribute the spoils."

"What profit distribution? I've never heard of that before?"

"You just returned to the city, right? Didn't the family tell you? After repelling the beast tide, Seven Rings City plans to build a large satellite city in the northern forest area as the core of the northern defense line, with at least five S-class mech warriors stationed there; the development of the southern valley is also on the agenda. Today we're going to allocate land planning rights, and whoever has made the most contributions will get the most."

"We captains are not qualified to participate in this kind of thing. The so-called 'killing the chicken to scare the monkey' means that they will probably target those who are not doing well in the battle."

"So we're all just here to watch the show?"

As they were talking, one of them suddenly turned his gaze to Jiansheng, thinking to himself: "The chicken we're going to kill today is probably him."

Jian Sheng had long anticipated this. Having lived two lives, his combat power had steadily increased, yet he could never escape the fate of being used as a pawn and discarded. He had wanted to quietly develop his strength, but was repeatedly pushed out as cannon fodder. It was time to break free from this life of being a manipulated laborer; he had to take control of his own destiny, otherwise, if he was cannon fodder this time, he would be next time too.

Once he understood this, he relaxed his mindset when attending the meeting.

As the meeting time approached, important figures entered the room one by one.

First was the city lord, whom Jian Sheng met for the first time. Unexpectedly, the city lord belonged neither to the nine great families nor to the church. Upon reflection, it became clear that any single power would arouse the suspicion of other forces. The nine great families and the church controlled the city's actual resources and strength, and the city lord was merely a peacemaker in name only, like the president of a republic, whose role was simply to mediate.

Following closely behind were the top three leaders of the city's defense forces and the commander of the mecha army. The commander of the mecha army was appointed on a rotating basis, elected every two years, with the nine major families taking turns in the position, but he had no real power. The Seven Rings City seemed stable, entirely due to this system of checks and balances, but it also made the city extremely conservative. In its seventy years of development, it had never undergone any substantial reforms before the outbreak of the beast tide.

The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the twelve S-class mecha warriors—the true pillars of Seven Rings City's strength:

1. The Windsor Family: Percival Windsor, Mech God Contract Resonator

2. The Windsor Family: Sierra Windsor (Uncle Percival), the Mech Netherworld

3. The George Family: Elias George, the Thunder King of Mechs

4. The George Family: Vivian George, the Mech Ice Whisperer

5. The Fujiwara Family: Fujiwara Takeo, Mecha Kagekiri Onimaru

6. Fujiwara Family: Fujiwara Momiji, Mecha Crimson Blade Warrior

7. Windsor Alliance, Ascot Family: Gaspar Ascot, Mech Rift Bomber

8. Windsor Alliance - Lucas Family: Reed Lucas, Mech Storm Enforcer

9. George Alliance Burker Family: Conrad Burker, Mech Pulse Guardian

10. George Alliance Howard Family: Mech Stardust Scatterer

11. Fujiwara Alliance - Park Family: Park Il-sung, Mech Hellfire

12. Fujiwara Alliance - Lee Family: Lee Kwang-joo, Mech Phantom Sniper

When Jian Sheng first looked through the data, he couldn't help but think to himself: "This is so cringeworthy. Why do they all have to add the suffix 'Zhe'? Does that make them look cooler?"

The twelve men took their seats in the first row of the hall. As they entered, all the officers in the hall looked at them with admiration.

With everyone present, the meeting officially began.

The city lord first announced the battle data: a total of 5,357 general-level intelligent beasts were killed in this battle, while the total number of attacking general-level intelligent beasts was 12,500, and the number of soldier-level intelligent beasts was conservatively estimated to be over 150,000. Thirteen of our fortresses were breached, and the city defense army suffered 650 casualties, plus miscellaneous casualties totaling 800; the C-level mech team lost 70 members, and the auxiliary combat personnel suffered 25 casualties.

"In this battle, the human race achieved a great victory. The intelligent beasts employed a strategy of siege and encirclement, which we anticipated. We defended the city with artillery fire, refraining from rash attacks. Each fortress held firm, awaiting reinforcements. Ten S-class mech warriors led sixty-five C-class mech squads to provide support point by point, using local advantages to defeat the enemy and achieve such a high casualty ratio," the city lord said solemnly. "Percival Windsor of the Windsor family, alone, penetrated deep into the Beast Blood Mother Nest, restraining a large number of aerial intelligent beasts and buying crucial time for the ground mechs to assemble. He deserves the greatest credit."

The tone shifted abruptly, becoming stern: "However, there have also been instances of misconduct during the battle. The White Meerkat Squadron Captain, Kensei, refused to carry out combat orders, abandoned his comrades, and fled alone. The person involved is now present and will be questioned in person by Chairman Fujiwara Tatsu of the Military Commission."

Jian Sheng's heart sank: the spearhead was aimed directly at him, and if this accusation of desertion were firmly pinned on him, he would surely die. He instantly understood the crux of the matter—the major powers wanted to use this opportunity to suppress the Windsor family. Percival had just made a name for himself, and now a deserter had appeared in his team, so the merits and demerits would cancel each other out, and the previously promised distribution of benefits could be voided. As for his life or death as a squad leader, no one cared at all.

Fujiwara Ryu, as the rotating chairman of the Military Commission, spoke first: "Captain Kensei, please stand. All the team members perished, and you are the only survivor. How do you explain this?"

Jian Sheng suppressed the resentment in his heart. The two lifetimes of forbearance and humiliation had already made him extremely frustrated. At this moment, he simply stopped holding back: "The reason is simple: I'm lucky and strong."

"You mean, the other team members were either not good enough or had bad luck?"

"According to your logic, those who are standing here are either lucky or strong, while those who aren't standing are either unlucky or weak?"

"This is a military court. I'm asking a question, and you're asking me one first?"

"I was just answering according to your logic."

Fujiwara Ryu's expression turned cold as he continued his questioning: "The military ordered your unit to break through the encirclement and directly attack the Mother Beast's nest. Why did the force stop fifty kilometers from the nest and instead break out in batches?"

"First, Percival Windsor clearly declared the mission complete upon arriving at the designated rendezvous point; second, we never fled. Mission accomplished, facing certain death, breaking up into smaller groups to break through is the most basic military strategy."

"Why were you the only one who managed to break through? Why did you refuse to obey the military's death order?"

"Are the military orders sending us to our deaths in vain? Our mission was to draw the fire of the intelligent beasts and buy time for reinforcements to return, and we have accomplished that. Vice-Captain Marcus Windsor, lead the Windsor warriors to stay behind and hold off the pursuers, sacrificing yourselves."

"Then why didn't you stay behind and die in battle?"

"Why should I stay? I have completed all military orders. Whether I stay or leave is in accordance with military law and is my personal choice."

"I think you're just a coward who's afraid of death!"

"Who in this world doesn't cherish life and fear death? Are you an exception?"

"At least I will live like a true soldier, with dignity and honor, and die with integrity."

"As a soldier, I have successfully completed all combat missions. As for whether I am manly or not, you and I can compare us in every way."

Fujiwara Ryu's face was ashen. He flipped through the battle report and asked coldly, "Your report shows that you killed fifteen Scythers in ten seconds while dual-wielding sniper rifles before ordering a retreat?"

"That's right, the Hill sisters can testify."

"But the Hill sisters' testimonies did not mention this."

Jian Sheng instantly understood that the Windsor family also intended to abandon him. He immediately said, "Since you don't believe me, I can prove it right here and now: I can shoot down fifteen Scythes in ten seconds."

Where can we find a Scyther right now?

"Fujiwara Takeo, an S-class mecha warrior of the Fujiwara family, is renowned for his unparalleled mobility. Give me fifteen seconds, and I can shoot him down. If I succeed, it proves I'm not exaggerating; if I fail, you can do whatever you want with me. Also, you say I'm not manly enough, afraid to face death. Well then, I challenge you to a duel to the death in three days at the North Seventh Ring Arena!"

"We are soldiers, not street thugs; private fights are against the rules!"

"It seems the men of the Fujiwara family are nothing special after all."

"You dare to be so presumptuous! I accept your challenge!"

"Very well. The Fujiwara family's mechs are skilled with swords, so I'll use a sword to settle things with you and show you what a real man is."

After several rounds of arguments, no conclusion was reached. Fujiwara Ryu finished his statement of accusation, and it was Kenji's turn to defend himself.

Jian Sheng looked at everyone present and said, "Before I defend myself, may I ask a question? May I swear?"

"This is a military court. To use foul language is to show contempt of court and will be severely punished."

"Fine, I won't say anything. Regarding this accusation, I have four points to make: First, please give my regards to the family of the person who devised this battle plan! Soldiers can sacrifice themselves, but there are five hundred laborers and one hundred city defense soldiers in the temporary fortress, who are completely powerless to resist the beast tide. Why send them to their deaths in vain? Just because there is suspicion of a traitor within the ranks?"

Second, all the fallen comrades successfully completed the combat orders issued by the military headquarters;

Third, I greatly admire Marcus Windsor for dying for his family's honor, but I am not him. My life belongs only to myself, and no one has the right to make me give my life.

Fourth, I was entrusted by Marcus on his deathbed to safely return the Hill sisters. Whether they testify or not, I owe them nothing. I am looking forward to the next two matches.

The trial and voting process then commenced, with representatives from the nine families casting their votes in turn:

-Fujiwara family + affiliated Park and Lee families + church representative Lin Lan: 4 votes guilty

- House of Windsor: 3 abstentions

- The George family plus affiliated Burke and Howard families: 2 votes not guilty, 1 vote pending.

Final voting results: 4 guilty, 2 not guilty, 3 abstentions (including 1 pending).

George Thorne of the George family slowly spoke: "Since we cannot verify the truth of what Jian Sheng said, I will hold off on my vote for now. After his battle with Fujiwara Takeo, if he wins, it will prove that he has the strength and is not lying, and I will vote for him not guilty; if he loses, it will prove that he is cowardly and afraid of death, and I will immediately vote for him guilty. In the military world, everything is decided by strength."

With the voting concluded, the meeting moved to the commendation session. The Windsor family proposed that Marcus Windsor, who carried out a secret military mission and risked his life to stop the omnipotent beasts, relieving Percival of immense pressure, should be awarded the highest honor, with a star inscribed on the Wall of Heroes in the First Ring Temple.

The other families had no objections. Marcus had defended his family's honor to the death; to object would have offended the Windsor family and shaken the morale of his own army. The Windsor family thus secured their position of greatest merit, gaining priority in allocating resources for the development of the northern satellite city and the southern valley.

Before the meeting even ended, the news had already spread throughout Seven Rings City. Everyone was talking about it, and the vast majority believed that Jian Sheng had no chance of winning. Let alone challenging Fujiwara Ryu, he probably couldn't even get past Fujiwara Takeo. Once defeated, the charge of desertion would be confirmed, and he would face certain death.

When Jiansheng returned to the mecha officer academy, the whole school was talking about him, with voices of mockery, sympathy, and amusement rising and falling.

Upon learning the entire details of the meeting, Lin Zhizhi burst into tears: "Brother, Sister Lin Lan is so kind, why would she vote for you? She even told me before that she admired you and wanted you to join the church so we could help ordinary people rise up..."

Jian Sheng gently comforted her: "Silly girl, once you step into the circle of power, there's no such thing as kindness. The dirtiest thing in this world is power struggles. Don't even mention admiration; even your closest relatives will be abandoned without hesitation if they become obstacles to the power struggle. Throughout human history, there have been countless cases of people killing their fathers and brothers, and killing their own flesh and blood for power. Listen to me, stay away from the circle of power. People who get trapped in it have long lost their humanity. Don't cry, come and help me."

Lin Zhizhi wiped away her tears, her eyes filled with unwavering determination: "Okay!"