Chapter 113: Luring Them In

After disconnecting the video call, Feng Mo immediately issued orders to the group: "Storm System is to enter Level One combat readiness. Increase patrol frequency in interstellar space, and any detected reconnaissance vessels are to be destroyed without warning!"

Over the next week, Feng Mo implemented a series of strategic deployments, including dispatching four T4 Scorpion stealth ships on a covert mission. During this time, a critical piece of intelligence came in from the Intelligence Division.

"Commander, Intelligence reports that in three days, a slave convoy will conduct a transaction with the Demon Star System in the interstellar space at the U5 System's border. This deal supposedly involves up to 200 million slaves."

Feng Mo nodded in acknowledgment. Quite the pretense—they knew Storm System was short on population, assumed he'd attempt an ambush, and intended to turn that area into his grave. Clever, but everything had already been foreseen, which meant that space would be their burial ground instead.

"Hua Qin, notify Intelligence to continue tracking the exact transaction coordinates. In three days, the Storm Fleet will set out!"

"Yes, sir!"

With Hua Qin's acknowledgment, she turned and left the office. Meanwhile, Feng Mo opened two simultaneous video calls and held a private discussion with the others for nearly an hour, finally ending it with satisfaction.

Three days later.

In Hurricane's command center, Hua Qin stood behind Feng Mo, reporting, "Coordinates are locked, route is secure, propulsion is optimal, and energy reserves are full. Synchronizing for warp jump. Awaiting your command!"

"Let's go!"

Feng Mo had a strong premonition—today would mark the decisive battle against the Demon Star System.

The meeting point of the U5 System and the Demon System was a sprawling interstellar space filled with numerous small asteroids, forming an extensive asteroid belt. The space held substantial quantities of plasma—commonly known as ionized gas—that reacted to magnetic fields. In this environment, the two T4 biological starships moved like fish in water, as this plasma could serve as an endless energy source.

In essence, the two T4 biological ships could operate indefinitely here, drawing energy from the plasma fields until they were fully depleted.

The Storm Fleet entered interstellar space, adopting a standard carrier formation as it advanced near the specified transaction coordinates and awaited patiently. Before long, two fleets appeared on radar, both registering as T3.

Feng Mo smirked at the overly elaborate staging. He had arrived, making his presence clear. Lawrence and Qiao wouldn't need to continue the charade, though, since they were only here to put on a show for him.

"This kind of clumsy foreplay deserves a poor rating. How long do they think people will keep up with such uninspired tricks?" Feng Mo muttered, chuckling. "Alright, let's liven things up—surround them."

Listening to Feng Mo's complaints, Hua Qin couldn't help but laugh. Although she didn't fully understand his meaning, she knew his humor well by now. If Ai Er or Kylan had been there, they would have caught on instantly.

As the two fleets pretended to conduct their slave trade, Feng Mo ordered the Storm Fleet to encircle them, though without changing formation.

Inside the "trapped" fleets, panic ensued. Their commanders frantically tried to contact Lawrence and Qiao, only to be met with silence. No one would answer because they were merely bait, disposable tools whose lives held no value.

In fact, they were here to lure Feng Mo into a trap—a sacrificial lamb in the grand scheme. Recognizing this, Feng Mo casually ordered, "Deploy two T3 Boxer ships for a slow bombardment. Make it last."

This wasn't intended as torture but rather to play along with Lawrence's script, ensuring they weren't awkwardly left hanging in the climax of the scene. After all, life was a performance, and timing was everything.

As each T3 Boxer launched its volley of 500 interstellar missiles, the radar alarm sounded once more.

"Alert! Incoming unidentified fleet approaching fast. Radar scan complete: one quasi-T5 starship, 314 T4 starships, 1,340 T3 starships."

Feng Mo raised an eyebrow in amusement. The Demon System's fleet was impressive, with over 1,600 ships in total and T4s making up nearly 20% of the forces—a considerable number. Such a ratio was higher than the typical mixed fleet. The more they sent, the better it suited Feng Mo; fewer reserves in the Demon System meant less resistance when he moved in to conquer it.

He wondered idly if Lawrence himself was here or hiding out on his home planet. Having him here would make things all the more convenient.

As Feng Mo entertained such thoughts, a video call request came in. Hua Qin answered, and Lawrence's and Qiao Senior's faces appeared on the main screen. Feng Mo feigned surprise at the sight of them.

The two glanced at each other and then broke into laughter. Lawrence addressed him, saying, "Lord Feng Mo, let me introduce you to the esteemed steward of the Federation's Qiao family."

"No need for introductions; I'm well aware of Qiao Senior," Feng Mo replied, cutting him off with a slight smile. "But Qiao Senior, aren't you worried that I might upload this video across the Federation? Helping an alien species to ambush a Federation noble isn't exactly something Qiao family can afford to hide."

At Feng Mo's threat, Qiao Senior sneered dismissively. "Your bluff won't work here. I resigned from my post with the Qiao family before setting foot in the Demon System. Whatever I do now has nothing to do with the Qiao family."

Feng Mo smirked. "So, they're discarding you. Got it."

Qiao's face tightened at the remark, and he struggled to maintain composure. Feng Mo had hit a nerve—the steward was, in fact, an expendable pawn. Following his arrival in the Demon System, war broke out across the Federation with three alien factions, leaving the Qiao family with no choice but to cut their losses.

"Wretched boy! Don't think you can hide behind the Chu family and the Yun Clan forever. Today, this will be your grave!"

"Oh? You think I opened this call just to exchange insults? Or that the Storm Fleet has let the Demon fleet surround it without a counterplan?"

His words sent a flash of panic across the faces of his enemies. This was impossible. There was no way he could have prepared an ambush. Qiao Senior believed his scheme was flawless.

In reality, his plan was riddled with holes—a clear demonstration of the superiority of Feng Mo's intelligence network and strategies. Qiao Senior had been utterly outclassed by Hua Yucheng.

"Alert! Large fleet detected at our rear. Scan complete: two quasi-T5 starships and 314 T4 starships."

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