Chapter 224: President Lucas’s Request

Chapter 224: Chapter 224: President Lucas’s Request

President Lucas’s personal visit to the Tianyao Star Protection Zone this time was mainly because he was entrusted by someone and had a favor to ask.

"I wonder if you remember the young man named Goring, the Vice District Chief of Skalan Star, who sat next to you during the meeting back then," he said.

"Goring?" Liang He thought. If President Lucas had only mentioned the name, she might not have remembered. But when he mentioned the person sitting next to her, she immediately recalled him. After all, the Vice District Chief had played a part in her rare, mortifying social blunder back then.

"I remember. He previously asked me if I wanted to change jobs," she replied.

"Change jobs?" Huo An’s radar instantly went off.

"Great, just great," Huo An thought. "Not only does President Lucas have his eyes on my employee, but there are even hidden rivals I didn’t know about. They really don’t care if I live or die! The Tianyao Star Protection Zone clearly has the most Evolutionary Beastmen; I’m the one who needs Liang He the most!"

"Ahem, President Lucas, you can speak your mind directly. As Liang He’s superior, I will consider it at my discretion." Huo An subtly reminded President Lucas to stop targeting Liang He, let alone help others target her. Poaching employees shouldn’t be done like this!

"Alright, then I’ll be blunt." President Lucas wasn’t used to humming and hawing or hiding things anyway. He had specifically studied Blue Star culture before coming, planning to build rapport first and then take things slowly. "Here’s the situation..."

As President Lucas explained, Huo An and Liang He finally understood the whole story. As an Ocean Planet, Skalan Star was mostly covered in water, and its protection zones only raised marine animals. Liang He still remembered the Mermaid Goring had mentioned. However, the normally tranquil Skalan Star had recently experienced abnormal phenomena in a certain sea area. The maritime Guard Team responsible for daily patrols suddenly disappeared there. The maritime Law Enforcement Team that went searching for them subsequently lost contact upon arriving at the same waters. Even their special signal transmitters were rendered useless.

"After realizing there was a problem with this sea area, the Federation also attempted to dispatch the Federation Army for search and rescue operations. Unfortunately, they found nothing and nearly lost another group of people." Goring had no other choice. Out of sheer desperation, he sought out President Lucas, hoping he would step in and invite Liang He to visit Skalan Star.

He asked President Lucas to intervene because he had noticed the president speaking up for Liang He when she was being smeared by the Rebel Army’s internet trolls. It was clear the two had a good private relationship.

"Don’t worry! Goring isn’t asking Liang He to go looking for them," President Lucas hurriedly explained, seeing Huo An hesitate with a disapproving expression. "If he really wanted to put Liang He in danger, I wouldn’t have come to put you in a tough spot. I would have rejected his request right from the start."

He genuinely valued Liang He as a junior. Whether out of appreciation for her talents or an elder’s affection, he couldn’t bear to let her take risks.

"What Goring meant is that since Liang He can communicate with animals, it would be wonderful if she could get new clues from the marine animals, or even have them guide the way to find the missing personnel!"

After hearing all this, Liang He finally understood Goring’s intentions. He hoped to use her ability to communicate freely with animals to figure out the problem in that sea area. Even if the issue couldn’t be resolved, bringing the missing people back would still be a win.

"It looks like a truly thorny issue," Huo An remarked. If it were anything else, he would have a reason to help Liang He refuse. But now, lives were at stake. Even the Federation Army was helpless and almost got dragged into it. No wonder Goring had thought of Liang He.

"Liang He, I respect your thoughts on this matter. If you are unwilling, I will personally contact Deputy Governor Goring and refuse him in the name of the protection zone," Huo An stated. He was never the type of saint to be generous at the expense of others. Therefore, whether Liang He agreed or not, he completely respected her decision. "If you do want to go, I will accompany you to Skalan Star."

Unlike her last business trip to Greenfield Star, this time there would clearly be danger, so he naturally couldn’t let Liang He go alone. His desire to tag along was also because his Beast Form was a Kunpeng, capable of soaring into the sky and diving into the sea. He could protect Liang He if she encountered danger, and even contribute to the search for the missing people.

"Brother Hao, I want to go." After careful consideration under President Lucas’s expectant gaze, Liang He decided to head to Skalan Star.

The reason was simple: for the sake of lives. Whether human or animal. Having just experienced the Iron-eating Beast poisoning incident, she valued life more than ever.

"Besides, based on the president’s description just now, I think the Rebel Army might have a hand in this," she added. For a historically peaceful sea area to suddenly become this bizarre anomaly, Liang He didn’t believe it was a natural disaster. Her intuition told her that the Rebel Army might be playing tricks behind the scenes.

"The Rebel Army?" Liang He’s words made both President Lucas and Huo An frown. They really hadn’t considered the Rebel Army.

"Could you be overthinking it?" Huo An asked. Why would the Rebel Army mess around on an Ocean Planet for no reason? To turn marine animals into Fierce Beasts? But that would at most bring disaster to Ocean Planets like Skalan Star. Planets with more landmass shouldn’t be affected much, right?

"Some animals are amphibious. Plus, I heard Deputy Governor Goring mention that Mermaids exist on Skalan Star. Maybe they could be utilized somehow?"

For instance, using a Mermaid’s song to bewitch the Federation Army... Doesn’t it always happen like that in fairy tales? Liang He didn’t know that Mermaids were also Beastmen, so it was perfectly normal for her to make this connection.

Huo An and President Lucas, however, believed her concerns were not unreasonable. The Rebel Army’s style of doing things had never followed any rules. No one could say for sure.

"I understand. I will communicate with Goring regarding this matter," President Lucas said. "I’ll also inform him that you’ve agreed to take a trip to Skalan Star so he can prepare in advance." Regardless, he was very grateful that Liang He was willing to do him this favor and make the trip. No matter the result, he would remember this kindness.

"Then can I take them with me?" Although she was going to help, Liang He was still very attached to her furry companions. Moreover, it hadn’t been long since she returned from her business trip to Greenfield Star. She was reluctant and unaccustomed to parting with them again so soon.

"Taking all of them probably isn’t possible." Huo An raised an eyebrow as he looked at the Mojin King Tiger and Canglan Hunting Eagle, who had their ears perked up, eavesdropping openly. "Xuan Jiao hasn’t fully recovered yet and needs to continue resting."

The journey to Skalan Star was long. Given the Iron-eating Beast’s current physical condition, he wouldn’t be able to handle the rough travel.

"Cyril’s adopter, Eureka, happens to be visiting him recently, so it’s not convenient for him to travel either," Huo An continued.

The water poisoning incident had become widely known, and naturally, it couldn’t be hidden from the Empire’s King and Queen. Although they knew their precious son hadn’t been affected, they couldn’t help but worry. Therefore, they wanted to take some time during their state visit to come see Cyril.