For the next three days, Ding Meng stayed on planet KV303 peacefully. In addition to catching up with the people in the refugee camp, Ding Meng connected to the international space network through the base and browsed through some of the things that had happened in the past ten years after he left, mainly about the current situation of his former friends.
First of all, in the past ten years, the Xinhong Group had risen again. After a series of internal reforms and the upgrade of the Curved Mirror technology, Xinhong and Sheng Hao were now on par with each other. Ling Zhixing was still the boss of Xinhong, but the Transit String had announced that she would be the CEO of Xinhong five years ago, which showed that the rise of Xinhong in the past few years had a lot to do with her.
Secondly, Ding Meng was concerned about Cartel and Li Yu, who had also changed a lot. Cartel was now the chief designer of the Xinhong Curved Mirror technology, and Li Yu had been transferred to the vice president of the Blue Moon branch of Xinhong.
However, Ding Meng felt that it was not appropriate to contact Li Yu and the others now. Fang Zhenghao's death had not been investigated clearly, but at least they knew that it had something to do with Xu Mengqing. The situation of planet KV303 could not be separated from the Transit String's neglect. All kinds of clues pointed to the Xinhong Group. His mission this time was to find out the name list of the people on the Kun Peng Starship, so it was inevitable that he would have to deal with Sheng Hao and Haitian. It was very likely that he would be on the opposite side of the Xinhong Group in the future.
This was also why Ding Meng's thinking was more mature than ten years ago. This was a normal human society, and many things could not be done purely by force.
In addition to the Xinhong Group, the Haitian Group had also suffered a disastrous decline because of the death of Chu Mingliang, Chu Yifeng, and Chu Lei. Now, Chu Zhongyu's third aunt was in charge, but it was declining day by day. It had long been removed from the Federation's list of major groups.
As for the Du family, Du Mo had long followed his brother to join the Federation's military, so he could not be contacted for a while.
Xueyan and Ren Tianlan had already returned to the capital of Saint Splendor many years ago. Meng Yan and Lan Bing's whereabouts were uncertain. However, according to what Four-eyed had revealed, Meng Yan had always been active among the major mercenary forces.
The Holy Grail Federation's outer space forces were actually very similar to the Norse Empire's. The Empire's forces were occupied by the four major families of Toughman, Sky Dragon, Lightning, and Lightning. On the other hand, the Federation's forces were occupied by the four major families of Green Arrow, Dragon Slayer, Sky Wolf, and Surprise Assault. Originally, the Bandit Federation was also considered one of the four major families, but many years ago, Ding Meng single-handedly defeated the Bandit Federation, so they could be ignored.
Since Meng Yan could not be contacted for a while, Ding Meng's travel and information were greatly restricted. After thinking for a while, Ding Meng suddenly thought of a suitable person to ask for information.
Three days later, a starship carrying the Surprise Assault Regiment landed on Planet KV303. It was reasonable to say that the starships between the regiments did not interact with each other unless there was an extremely special reason. However, Yu Liang still sent an invitation to the Surprise Assault Regiment. He did not expect the Surprise Assault Regiment to give him enough face and arrive on time.
On the tarmac square, Yu Liang led the Four-eyed Russian to personally welcome them. A group of people walked down the stairs connecting the cabins. The leader was dressed in a suit and had a big belly. The group of people followed him in front and behind.
The Four-eyed Russian sneered and said, "This guy really has good fortune after surviving a great disaster."
The Russian deeply agreed. "That's right. If Brother Ding had not spared his life back then, how could he be where he is today?"
This middle-aged man with a big belly was none other than the marshal.
The marshal could completely ignore Yu Liang's invitation, but the Four-eyed Russian and the Russian were on Planet KV303. The marshal had to give them face no matter what.
"Ahem, hello, both of you. It's been a long time." The marshal took the initiative to greet them.
The Russian smiled embarrassedly and walked forward. He habitually handed over a cigarette. "Come, have a cigarette first!"
After the marshal took it, he saw that the logo was Hongshan. He could not help but frown. He had always only smoked cigars. He did not like low-grade cigarettes like paper cigarettes.
At that moment, a lighter secretly reached out from the side to light his cigarette. At the same time, a lazy voice sounded. "Marshal, you're living very comfortably now. Are you looking down on Red Pagoda Mountain?"
How did this person come? The experts of the Surprise Assault Regiment did not react at all. The marshal was shocked. He turned his head to look, and the cigarette in his mouth immediately fell to the ground with a thud.
"Ding … Ding …" The marshal's voice stuttered. He looked as if he had seen a ghost. "Brother Ding!
Boss Ding! "
Ding Meng put away the lighter. "What's wrong?
Did you think I died? "
The marshal was surprised and happy. "Brother Ding, you're still alive and you're back. That's great."
Ding Meng's eyelids drooped. "I remember that the commander of the Surprise Assault Regiment was a guy called Xi Qing, right?
Why didn't Xi Qing come this time, but you did? "
The marshal smiled embarrassedly. "Xi Qing is no longer the commander of our Surprise Assault Regiment. That guy owed someone a huge debt and ran away. I'm the commander now."
"That's even better!" Ding Meng looked thoughtful. "Let's go. Get on the ship!"
The marshal was stunned. Why did he want to leave so soon?
Ding Meng seemed to know what he was worried about. "I want to use this carrier ship. Do you have any objections?"
"No, no!"
The marshal was so shocked that he almost jumped up. Ten years ago, Ding Meng was an existence that he looked up to. He did not even dare to think about the current Ding Meng. He could only smile and say, "It's our honor that Brother Ding wants to use my starship. Everyone, call him boss!"
"Boss!"
"Brother Ding!"
"Boss Ding!"
A group of mercenaries immediately scrambled to shout, and at the same time, took the initiative to give way.
The marshal's attitude was very proper. He bowed and lowered his head. "Brother Ding, where are we going?"
Ding Meng said decisively, "Holy Grail Federation, Azure System, Blue Moon Planet!"
The marshal's expression turned bitter again. "Brother Ding, don't play with me. It's not like you don't know that our mercenary starship from outer space can enter the Federation's jurisdiction."
Ding Meng looked at him meaningfully. "I know you have a way, right?"
The marshal was most afraid of seeing Ding Meng's playful gaze. He could only bite the bullet and say, "Yes, yes, yes. Brother Ding is still the best. You know to call me over."
Among the few major mercenary forces, only the Surprise Assault Regiment had the most transportation capacity. They controlled a large number of transport ships. With such a large transport fleet, it would be a lie to say that the marshal had never dealt with the space station border.
How big of a deal would it be if the commander of the Surprise Assault Regiment did not want to squeeze people into the Federation's territory through the space station?
Of course, Ding Meng's purpose in doing so was not to alarm others. There were many things to solve on this trip, and he wanted to keep a low profile as much as possible. If the outside world focused all their attention on him, it would inevitably cause trouble.
The resting area of the transport ship was very luxurious. It was almost as luxurious as Qu Xiaoqing's starship. It could be seen that the marshal had lived like a prince all these years and had indeed lived a comfortable life.
However, Ding Meng did not have much of an appetite when he saw the fruits and pastries on the coffee table. "I called you over this time mainly because I need your help with a few things."
The marshal knew that it was not something good, but he could only bite the bullet and say, "Brother Ding, please tell me."
Ding Meng said, "I know that you have a good relationship with the leaders of the major mercenary groups. You are also quite popular in the Federation's territory. Let me ask you, how did Fang Zhenghao die?"
The marshal felt his scalp go numb. He did not know that Ding Meng had returned, but when he saw Ding Meng appear on Planet KV303, he knew that Ding Meng would investigate this matter sooner or later.
"Commander Fang died in an accident. Green Arrow accepted a bounty mission. The mission location was at the border of the Devouring Sector. He unfortunately died after he went there," the marshal answered.
Ding Meng stared at him. "I'm afraid that's the official explanation, right?"
The marshal lowered his head. "That's what the Starbow Group said."
Ding Meng sneered. "You're a mercenary leader yourself. How dare you go to the Devouring Sector?"
The marshal also knew that it was impossible to hide this from an expert like Ding Meng. He could not help but sigh. "I only heard about it from Yan Fengwei."
"Yan Fengwei?" Ding Meng frowned as if he was trying to recall this person. "The guy from the Flying Star City?"
The marshal nodded and said, "He has a good relationship with many influential people in the Federation, so it's more likely that it's true."
Ding Meng said, "Tell me more about it."
The marshal said, "Brother Ding, do you know Xu Mengqing?"
Ding Meng said, "I've dealt with her more than once. I even know that Fang Zhenghao used to be her lover."
The marshal said, "After you left, the Starbow Group's attitude toward the Green Arrow Group changed a lot."
Ding Meng said, "I already know that."
The marshal said, "Captain Fang knew that you had a good relationship with Xu Mengqing when you were still around. In order to seek development, he took the initiative to find Xu Mengqing. We guessed that he might want to use Xu Mengqing to connect with the Starbow Group again. Moreover, the two of them seemed to have rekindled their old relationship. However, Xu Mengqing has been too popular in the entertainment industry over the years …"
"What does this have to do with Captain Fang?" Ding Meng did not understand.
The marshal could only explain patiently, "Brother Ding, you're not from the entertainment industry, so you naturally can't understand. Xu Mengqing was made famous by the Starbow Group. If her secret relationship with Fang Zhenghao were to spread, the outside world would be in an uproar …"
Ding Meng understood now. Xu Mengqing was a goddess that everyone admired. If she were to get involved with a mercenary leader from outer space, not only would it affect her reputation, but it would also cause the Starbow Group to suffer losses. This was something that the investor behind Xu Mengqing would absolutely not allow.
"But there's no need to kill someone, right?"
Ding Meng's eyes burned with anger. He did not have a deep relationship with Fang Zhenghao, but he admired people like Fang Zhenghao and Lehmann. If Fang Zhenghao had really died in an accident, then so be it. However, if he had been plotted against, then Ding Meng could not sit idly by.
Ten years ago, he did not have the qualifications to challenge big groups and forces. However, ten years later, he had the strength to uphold justice.
The marshal answered carefully, "I also heard from Old Man Yan that the women in the entertainment industry are all buses. I just don't know why Fang Zhenghao was still attached to her. Xu Mengqing might be a slightly more advanced bus."
Ding Meng glanced at him again. "You've been talking for a long time, but you still haven't explained the cause of death."
The marshal sighed helplessly. "I heard that Xu Mengqing was the woman of a big shot in the Starbow Group."
Ding Meng was expressionless. "So Captain Fang was plotted against?"
The marshal shook his head and said, "I don't know the details."
Ding Meng said coldly, "What's the name of this so-called big shot?"
The marshal spread his hands and said, "It's even more impossible for me to know."
Did the Transit String know about this?
Ding Meng really wanted to ask, but after thinking about it, he decided not to. It was already quite rare for someone of the marshal's status to know about Fang Zhenghao and Xu Mengqing. The marshal was not even qualified to look up to someone of the Transit String's status.
"I didn't want to go to the Starbow Group, but it looks like I have to go." Ding Meng's eyes flashed coldly.