Hong Jiang was slightly stunned, clearly showing signs of not understanding.

Niu Houdao held the teacup, his tone unusually serious, and said, "Which side are you on?"

Hong Jiang replied, "Old man, have you overdosed on cephalosporin? What nonsense are you spouting?"

Due to the appearance of the imitation mech "Heavenly Dog," led by the Alliance Research Institute, the product quality was presumably guaranteed, thus capturing the attention of most people in the tea room who focused on purchasing these imitation mechs. The conversation between Hong Jiang and Niu Houdao went unnoticed.

Despite this, Niu Houdao deliberately lowered his voice and said, "Don’t play dumb with me. I know you understand."

Hong Jiang immediately sat up straight, squinting his eyes, and said, "I don’t understand."

Niu Houdao’s eyes sank.

A silent confrontation enveloped Hong Jiang and Niu Houdao.

Which side are you on?

This is a very serious question, with Niu Houdao merely hinting at it without revealing the specifics. But he knows Hong Jiang understands. No one understands more than Hong Jiang.

Once upon a time, Lanyue Star Military Academy was just one of countless obscure schools, but through persistent efforts, its reputation gradually improved, eventually producing geniuses like Ye Lin, bringing fame over time.

However, Ye Lin was also the epitome of brilliance leading to vulnerability. His life hadn’t yet painted vibrant strokes in this world before it ended like a meteor streaking across the sky, vanishing instantly.

Ye Lin’s sudden death left countless people who cared for and expected much from him deeply regretful. Niu Houdao was one of them, still feeling the sting of loss to this day.

The once sensational Ye Lin had turned to dust, disappearing from this world, his name becoming an ordinary one, unknown to many young people — only those of Niu Houdao and Yang Zhi’s generation understood his significance.

Ye Lin was a genius among geniuses.

His physical strength and spiritual power were the only peaks humanity has ever known, focal points for research and advancements in human genetic improvement.

With SSS-level physical strength and spiritual power, even his Spiritual Silk Cleaning Rate reached an unprecedented 100% purity. Just how strong was he?

He didn’t even need to pilot a mech or use any assistance to fight Level 10 and above Star Beasts with his bare hands!

Many believed only such individuals represented the pinnacle of human evolution!

Yet! Was Ye Lin’s ability innate or acquired? Many people couldn’t figure it out; ever since his rise to fame, his official Talent Level was as stated above.

Precisely because these figures were so extraordinary, when Ye Lin died unexpectedly, many rumors arose — the most widespread being:

Ye Lin was a transformed person. He was the Alliance Research Institute’s most successful and perfect masterpiece.

However, many claimed that the experiments Ye Lin underwent did not meet transformation standards; those human experiments and modifications he went through were wholly banned, inscribed in Alliance laws and regulations as prohibited. It was illegal, diametrically opposed to existing gene purification technologies and concepts.

In the interstellar era, human genes have continually optimized and improved through generations to survive; such evolution and improvements occur without harming the original human genes—they’re harmless. After genetic evolution, you and your descendants remain human, possessing complete human genes.

And Ye Lin?

It’s said that the root cause of public antagonism towards Ye Lin being a transformed person was rumors insinuating his genes contained dozens of Star Beast genes.

In other words, Ye Lin was no longer purely human.

...

But these rumors heavily impacted Ye Lin and the Alliance Research Institute’s reputation, prompting the Alliance to intervene and, before these rumors could escalate, they quickly vanished without a trace.

Afterwards, Ye Lin’s name and everything related to him disappeared entirely.

However, there were still many people alive back then, remaining, Ye Lin’s disappearance merely induced by deliberate and intentional forgetting.

Truly erasing him, obliterating him from history, will take a long time, unless everyone from back then is entirely gone.

...

All this flashed swiftly through Niu Houdao’s mind as he lowered his gaze, his voice slightly hoarse, "Hong Jiang, no one understands better than us the dangers of taking sides. We are mere educators amongst countless others; our duty is to teach these young children well, imparting the knowledge and experiences humanity has accumulated over countless years..."

You—"

Niu Houdao paused, lifting his eyes to look at Hong Jiang, his eyes dark and deep.

What does the Alliance Research Institute represent?

Both Hong Jiang and Niu Houdao understand.

And now, what does Hong Jiang’s involvement with the Alliance Research Institute signify?

Is it simply about the imitation Heavenly Dog?

Even in Niu Houdao’s eyes, one, two, thousands of imitation biological mechs don’t matter; he doesn’t care what Hong Jiang intends to do with these imitation mechs.

He only wants to know one thing:

—Has Hong Jiang already aligned himself with the Alliance Research Institute, stood on their side?

Niu Houdao’s gaze at Hong Jiang was very deep and profound. After a silent moment, he said, "Back then, you could hold on to your conscience; I do not wish for you to fall now."

Hong Jiang said nothing.

Niu Houdao kept a stern face and said, "Ensuring education returns to education, preserving our heritage, that is our duty as educators, and it’s our dignity."

Hong Jiang still remained silent.

second.

seconds.

seconds.

...

As Niu Houdao’s face gradually sank, Hong Jiang suddenly smiled and said, "Niu Houdao, you just don’t get it. No matter how I explain or elaborate, you don’t understand. I don’t enjoy arguing with fools and stubborn mules.

Forget it, I’m done playing with you." Hong Jiang shook his head, suddenly lifted his teacup, and moved to sit elsewhere.

Niu Houdao: "..."

Damn it!

I’m so angry now! I want to punch someone!

Niu Houdao, blowing his beard and staring, forcefully put his teacup down, just as he was about to turn his head, he met Qu Hongqiang’s eyes.

Niu Houdao paused, then picked up his now empty teacup again.

Holding the teacup in his hands, as he brought it to his lips, he took a light sip, realizing it’s devoid of tea, but his expression remained calm. He put down the teacup, folded his arms, and looked at Qu Hongqiang, noticing Qu Hongqiang seemed to intentionally avoid his gaze. Without any concealment, he straightforwardly asked, "Old Qu, what side are you on?"

With one sentence, Qu Hongqiang lightly pinched his lips, not immediately responding, nor did Niu Houdao press for an answer.

The surroundings were noisy, as the evening sun’s rays cast onto Qu Hongqiang, half illuminating his face, half leaving it in shadow...