Chapter 421 - 421: Star City Military Department 2

Translator: CinderTL

The headquarters base was located in Star City's Central District, built along the northern shore of Starlight Lake. It predated both Tiger Soul and the Scarlet Research Institute.

When it was first established, the Star City Military Department didn't bear its current name.

Back then, each district of Star City was an independent city, yet to be consolidated into the unified metropolis.

Faced with the relentless onslaught of domain creatures, these individual cities struggled to cope.

Under this immense threat, the cities united to form the "Southern District Joint Operations Department," the precursor to the Star City Military Department.

In the early days of the cataclysm, every battle against the Domain Force inflicted heavy casualties on the Southern District Joint Operations Department's soldiers.

To bolster their ranks, the department expanded its recruitment, incorporating personnel from the City Law Enforcement Department.

From its inception, the Star City Military Department was destined to become the premier institution of the future city, Star City, wielding both law enforcement and foreign war powers.

The department comprised seven subordinate divisions:

Foreign Operations Department

City Law Enforcement Department

Command Department

Logistics Department

Training Department

Communications Department

Intelligence Department

Each division operated under the unified command of the Command Department.

To address potential crises within Star City, the Military Department maintained garrisons in every district, equipped with advanced weaponry and equipment.

The department's personnel were recruited from various academies, with top-tier institutions responsible for training high-level officers for military departments across major cities.

For example, Victory Academy served as the primary source of command-level officers for frontline units and military departments in major cities.

Furthermore, the department operated a comprehensive merit-based promotion system to ensure that talent was never overlooked.

After following the barbed wire fence for some distance, Feng Qi and Mu Qing arrived at the main gate of the Star City Military Department.

Eight guard posts flanked the entrance, each manned by fully armed soldiers on duty.

As they approached the main gate, a soldier immediately called out:

"This is a restricted military zone. Unauthorized entry is prohibited. Do you require assistance?"

"Dean of Tiger Soul has already contacted your commander-in-chief. We're here on urgent business."

Without hesitation, the soldier picked up the communicator clipped to his chest and began inquiring about the situation.

After a brief exchange, the soldier lowered the communicator and waved toward the rear.

The retractable bollards blocking the gate lowered, and the second barrier's gate lifted.

The on-duty soldier stepped out of his guard booth and addressed Feng Qi:

"I'll escort you inside."

"Thank you."

"Please wait a moment while I get the vehicle." With that, the soldier jogged toward a military vehicle parked nearby.

Moments later, Feng Qi and Mu Qing boarded the vehicle, which then drove into the headquarters base.

This was Feng Qi's first time visiting the Star City Military Department, and he was immediately struck by the base's comprehensive facilities. Each building bore clear signage indicating its function.

In addition to these, there were also open-air training grounds and armories.

Half an hour later, the military vehicle pulled up before a towering building shaped like a clenched fist.

After disembarking, they were led through security by a duty soldier and entered the building.

Taking the elevator to the sixth floor, they arrived at the main command center.

"The commander-in-chief is aware of your arrival. Please proceed directly inside," the duty soldier said.

"Thank you."

The soldier nodded and turned to leave.

Feng Qi stepped forward and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Pushing the door open, they saw a wide desk piled high with documents of various types. To the left of the monitor stood a small military flag of the Star City Military Department.

Behind the desk, two flags were displayed diagonally: the Star City flag on the left and the Star City Military Department flag on the right.

To the left of the room was a miniature sand table model of Star City.

Numerous military department flags were planted across the model, each representing a military department outpost within the city.

The sand table revealed many other details.

At that moment, a dignified old man with snow-white hair sat before the city model.

"commander-in-chief," Feng Qi immediately greeted respectfully.

"Don't be so formal. Have a seat first," the old man said, rising and smiling as he walked to the sofa and sat down.

Seeing this, Feng Qi led Mu Qing to sit on the sofa opposite the old man.

"Old Li mentioned you had urgent matters to discuss with me. I'm now quite curious about what it could be that he couldn't explain over the phone."

The "Old Li" the old man referred to was none other than the current dean of the Tiger Soul Research Institute.

In response to the old man's inquiry, Feng Qi nodded and began:

"commander-in-chief, this matter is of utmost importance and cannot be adequately explained over the phone. I believe it's best to discuss it in person. You may find what I'm about to say hard to believe, but I assure you, everything I'm about to tell you is the truth..."

Without further preamble, he chose to dive straight into the matter.

Before arriving at the Star City Military Department, Feng Qi had considered a crucial question:

Could the Star City Military Department itself have been infiltrated by the Domain Force?

He couldn't know the answer, and this timeline didn't afford him the luxury of extensive infiltration or investigation.

As a Sacrifice Line, its very purpose was to test and learn through trial and error.

Before arriving, Feng Qi had briefed the Scarlet Research Institute on the situation, explaining that even if he died within the Star City Military Department, his head wouldn't be retrievable.

News of his death within the Star City Military Department would still reach his future self through other channels.

However, Feng Qi suspected this concern was likely unnecessary.

The Star City Military Department's core principle was "Guardian."

Just as every organization has its own code of conduct, the Tiger Soul Research Institute was infiltrated because its guiding principle was exploring new paths in cultivation studies.

This inherent uncertainty made it vulnerable to manipulation by the Domain Force.

In contrast, the Star City Military Department's code was crystal clear: to protect Star City and safeguard Human Civilization.

Any attempt by the Domain Force to manipulate the military department's power for its own purposes would face formidable obstacles. Even the commander-in-chief couldn't arbitrarily deploy military resources for personal agendas.

For example, ordering Star City Military Department soldiers to massacre civilians.

Such an order, even if issued by the commander-in-chief, would violate the military department's operational principles and be vetoed by other commanders during the chain of command.

There were only two legitimate ways to mobilize military forces:

First, it must be determined that the matter could endanger the development of Human Civilization or threaten the safety of Star City's citizens.

Second, it must be approved by the highest-level military department meeting and receive the consent of the heads of all seven major departments.

Furthermore, every military department operation is subject to oversight by the Star City Supreme Council.

Therefore, it is extremely difficult for Domain Forces to infiltrate the Star City Military Department. Unless they control all mid- to high-level management personnel, any mission detrimental to Human Civilization cannot be effectively executed.

Having understood these reasons, Feng Qi grew bolder.

Moreover, with Mu Qing by his side, he felt confident that even if unforeseen circumstances arose, she had the strength to get him out of there.

The only concern was that if there were problems within the military department, the future development of the Dawn Organization would face severe challenges.

As he listened to Feng Qi's explanation, the white-haired elder's expression gradually turned serious.

Especially when he heard about the large number of Domain Forces lurking within Star City, his face darkened with anger. He suddenly asked:

"Was the mysterious explosion at Starlight Lake earlier today related to you?"

(End of the Chapter)

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