Well, it seems like this old body is on its final stretch. I was hoping I could hang in there for a few more years to watch that little rascal Feng Yi grow up. But, my health keeps on deteriorating, and it seems like it's irreversible now. So, that might just be wishful thinking.

"Rascal, join me for a couple of rounds of chess after you finish cleaning." Lasso slowly walked out of the room and sat on a stone chair, instructing Feng Yi.

Chess? Lasso rarely played chess with him, this little numbskull, for two reasons. One, Lasso didn't want to waste time with him, this amateur. Two, when Lasso harbored some troubles. Clearly, the old man's sudden invitation to play chess was the latter. Every time they played chess, Feng Yi was either being tricked or, well, being tricked.

"Chess? What's going on? What happened?"

"Heh, you youngsters are just too impatient. Let's chat while we play. Might not have other chances, wouldn't you want to know the activation code for the Space Crystal in advance?"

At Lasso's words, Feng Yi immediately froze in his movements. He slightly tilted his head, as if hoping to glean something from Lasso's depths of his eyes.

Yes, from Lasso's brief sentences, Feng Yi gathered countless pieces of information. Lasso's uncommon visit to the Martial Arts Hall was strange and he seemed to be planning to hand over the Space Crystal's activation code early. However, the most significant part was when he said that there might not be another chance, "Tell me, what exactly does 'chance' mean in this context?"

"Ha-ha, it's really nothing. I plan on retiring to a distant planet, living in seclusion, and disassociating myself from worldly matters. Before doing so, I wanted to see you, lad."

"Is that really it?"

"Of course."

Feng Yi began to doubt, his gaze quickly zeroed in on Lasso's neck and he said regretfully: "You're lying." Because Lasso had a habit of his neck turning red whenever he lied. This immediately told him that the old man was just messing with him, and that Lasso's arrival at Alpha had to be more complex than what he described.

"Ah!" Lasso let out a deep sigh, his expression bore utter disappointment, "you haven't improved even a bit. Can't you be promising at all? I've already said it, my neck turning red is just a physical issue. Even if I want to leave, you won't make it easy for me."

"You're lying."

"I'm not."

Feng Yi's words were faint, but they held an unwavering stance, as if he were convinced that the old man was fooling him: "Keep lying."

"I've already told you I'm not."

"Go on."

"I'm not."

"Please continue."

"I! I'll be damned…" Frustrated that he couldn't convince Feng Yi, Lasso suddenly picked up his cane and swung it angrily at Feng Yi. The force behind the swing was so great that it made an ominous whistling sound. However, at the very last moment, a hint of unwillingness flashed in Lasso's eyes, but the force of the swing was already in motion and it landed onto Feng Yi's body with a succession of thuds.

Thud, thud, thud... After a few whacks, Lasso abruptly stopped, "You silly boy, why aren't you dodging?"

"Ahem! Well... You wouldn't have the heart to actually hurt me, it's all for show. Since you're actually going through with it, something serious must be happening today, and I suppose this deduction will satisfy you, old man?"

This boy was right, and Lasso couldn't muster the energy to oppose. He didn't want to tell Feng Yi about his real condition, for he feared that Feng Yi might fall ill due to his worry. Unfortunately, Feng Yi knew about his physical tell when he lied – his neck turning red – and for once, Lasso felt trapped.

After some thought, he reluctantly shook his head, revealing a benevolent smile that an elder would only show a dear one, "Oh boy, I'm afraid my time is running out."

"What!? The boy suddenly flushed light-headed and felt a wave of dizziness sweep over him. He wobbled a bit before regaining his balance. He turned and asked in a cool tone, "Old man, you're just joking with me, right? If it's a practical joke, please stop it." At that moment, Feng Yi didn't want to look at Lasso, for he didn't want the result that there were no visible signs of Lasso lying.

"Boy, I believe you're aware of WBC Syndrome, aren't you?"

"WBC Syndrome..."

"Yes, that's it. A blood disease with no cure. I don't have a lot of time left."

"What the hell, old man!! What kind of sick joke is this!" Feng Yi spun around, not believing what he was hearing and looking at the elder who'd raised him from childhood.

"Ha, ha, ha, and so, I'm here to specifically say goodbye to you, rascal. And, by the way, remember Athena?"

Feng Yi nodded his head; when he lived in the Colonial Planet, Lasso often brought him Athena's albums.

Lasso was about to speak but swallowed back his words after reconsidering; he was planning to reveal the truth to Feng Yi. The Saudi Empire had implemented a heinous scheme to rid the possibility of any potential threats that might arise during the Star Wars of Lipton. Under public pressure, Saudi couldn't afford to be blatant and had to carry out their plan in the distant, remote corners of the Solar System. He also wanted to let Feng Yi know that what he saw that day wasn't the actual Athena and that her WBC Syndrome wasn't mere coincidence. Both he and Athena were on the Saudi Empire's hit list.

But unfortunately, when Lasso last arrived at Alpha, the Saudi Empire's had also sensed his magnetic field. All thanks to the Federal AI 'Noah's scan, the Saudi Empire was forced to halt their plans of infiltrating the Federation, lest their scheming be exposed.

Lasso wished Feng Yi to stay away from politics. If even an individual like him, who had no involvement, could be drawn into this needless war, then what about Feng Yi? The boy was naturally intelligent and if he chose a military career, he was bound to achieve great success.

But that could also become his greatest vulnerability! No one knew him better than Lasso, who knew that Feng Yi's lack of talkativeness was merely a façade. He was obstinate and stubborn, solitary yet deeply emotional. As Feng Yi always tried to avoid this aspect of his, he maintained a complicated distance with others.

Feng Yi struggled with a lump in his throat, dropped the broom, and rubbed the corner of his eyes. "Damn, the sandstorm today is no joke… By the way, old man, what do you like the most?"

Hearing Lasso going silent, Feng Yi suddenly smacked his own head, feigning forgetfulness, "Let's go out, wherever, preferably a quiet pub."

"Going out for a walk? You've rarely ever asked me to join you for a walk."

"What's the big deal? Stop fussing over every little thing." Feng Yi wiped the corner of his eye, flashed a smile as he turned around.

His familiar smile of confidence left Lasso feeling inexplicably depressed, knowing that Feng Yi was putting on an act so he wouldn't show his distress, what a great actor.

"Wait a minute."

Having said that, Feng Yi vanished from Lasso's sight and appeared in front of Francis, "Buddy, how much money do you have on you right now?"

"How much do you need?"

"Whatever you have."

Francis was taken aback but curious what Feng Yi would do with so much money. He said, "Who keeps that stuff on hand? I've got 150 Federal Coins left in my card, that's all my hard-earned money for the month. If you need more, I can borrow some more." Francis handed over his money to Feng Yi, who started musing: "Ha... you're finally wising up, planning to make your move now? I know a place."

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