"Also, there's something else..." Yangdi met Hao Xuan's gaze who was staring back at him intently.

"W-What?" Hao Xuan asked, wide-eyed.

"There is someone else, in the shadows. Trying to influence things."

"Who?"

Yangdi shook his head, "I don't know. For the past few months, there has been an influx of new powers into Mei. New traders and merchants with no special background are coming in with deep pockets, buying properties, entire towns even."

"Merchants? Why is that so strange? Isn't it in their job description to buy things?" Hao Xuan asked curiously.

"Not like this," Yangdi picked up a thick folder and threw it towards Hao Xuan, "Each one of those pages is a large property located in a strategically important place. Some around military compounds, some around government offices. And all of them were bought in the last year. Normally, it should not have been possible to buy such properties as their sale and purchase is restricted by the government."

"But somehow, no one questioned these people. It's all connected. I've been trying to find out who is behind all this but I was discovered a couple of weeks ago when I sent one of my men to report these people. He was killed on his way home and his entire family died in a house fire the same day. It was deemed an accident by the authorities within a few hours and no further investigation took place."

Hao Xuan picked up the folder and went through it. There were hundreds of mansions, shops, even a couple of parks in there. The more he looked, the more his brows furrowed.

He put down the folder and looked up at Yangdi who was waiting for him.

"What did you find out so far?"

"A few things...."

They talked for over an hour. Hao Xuan got all the information Yangdi had before leaving and things were indeed strange.

Several important figures had either died in the last few months or suddenly reached new heights. A large part of the country's government had seen changes.

But the strange thing was that these people were from both sides. Some supported the crown prince while some the princess. The overall power dynamic had not changed much at all.

"Hungry!" Fortis's bored voice came from Hao Xuan's head as he tapped his forehead with his tentacles, waking him from his daze.

Under normal circumstances, Fortis could basically become one with his surroundings like a Chameleon. That was the only reason Hao Xuan allowed him to stay on his head all this time.

Otherwise, with his above-average height and a white octopus as a hat, he would stand out wherever he went.

"Yeah yeah, wait," he waved his hand absentmindedly like he was shooing away a fly, making Fortis balloon up in annoyance.

The sun had already set and the streets were bustling with people. There were many new places that Hao Xuan had never seen before. He picked a direction and started walking.

He had tried calling First a while back but his number was busy. He tried again and the call was picked up on the second ring.

"Ninth brother, you're finally back?!" First's excited voice came from the watch. It was only audio.

"Yes, brother, I'm back in Fortuna. Are you guys back in the base as well?"

"No. Everyone is out on missions. We are at war so it's only normal. Did you talk to the general yet?"

"No, I'm on my way there now though."

"Does anyone else know you're back?"

"Nope. At least I don't think so. Why?"

"Take care of your other affairs first then. Take a few days before going to the general. He will send you out to the battlefield immediately and you won't have time for anything else then."

"Ohh..." Hao Xuan stopped midstride. He was near the barracks so he took a turn and started walking towards his own mansion.

"I heard a few rumors about what happened on the other side of the rift, you'll have to tell me in detail when we meet. And if you have time, visit Anya and check how they are doing before leaving. Qiye'er still remembers you you know." (Authors note)

"Haha, of course. I haven't seen sister-in-law in a long time as well, will definitely pay her a visit."

"Alright, good luck. Call me if anything comes up!" and with that First hung up.

*Beep*

Hao Xuan was almost skipping on his way back when the watch vibrated. He stopped and looked down.

"What's wrong?"

"The call was being monitored," Baracus replied nonchalantly.

"What?! Did you find out who it was?" Hao Xuan's heart skipped a beat. Yangdi was right!

"No. But they are monitoring him, not you."

"Why would they be monitoring First brother?" he mumbled.

"I don't know, but I downloaded everything and found a few strange things you might want to know."

"What things?"

"HUNGRY~!"

*Whip*

Before Baracus could answer, Fortis's tentacle whipped Hao Xuan on the back, almost making him squeal like a pig in pain and anger.

"Goddamnit, you little sh*t! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"No, YOU!"

"Fine, we'll eat here then," he pointed at a nearby ramen shop indignantly.

They went in and booked an entire VIP room for themselves, ordering one of every single dish.

They were served within a couple of minutes. Fortis happily climbed down his shoulder and jumped on to the table. Using the chopsticks as shovels, he started spooning everything into his mouth without even chewing.

Hao Xuan relaxed a bit and laid back on the seat.

"Now, what did you find?"

The watch beeped once again, "There is a type of virus on the network. It's not affecting anything, simply doing surveillance. It's rooted deep within the systems."

"Is it the Jia?"

"Unlikely. From what I've gathered, this type of virus requires a high level of access. The chances of those little giants making something like this are extremely unlikely. It's more likely a power at or above a Grade-1 kingdom that's behind this."

"Grade-1 kingdom? Why?"

"How would I know?" Baracus cooly replied.

"..."

"Alright. What else?"

****

Authors Notes:

Anya is First's wife and Xin Qiye is his son.

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