Ed Campbell

Three days had passed since the ambush in the Asteroid Belt.

Lin Fan and Liang Xue were currently waiting in the docking area of the spaceport. A communicator had just announced that the spaceship carrying the negotiation team had arrived.

Soon, a destroyer docked within the spaceport.

However, as Lin Fan saw the person leading the group descending the ladder, he felt a sense of familiarity, a very strong sense of familiarity.

Wait, he remembered now. He used to see this person on television all the time. Wasn't this Ed Campbell?

Lin Fan thought to himself that Ed was probably from the same family as Emma.

Ed descended the ladder with four other people. Lin Fan, along with Liang Xue, went to greet them.

Hello, I am Lin Fan, commander of the 101st Task Force Fleet. This is my adjutant, Liang Xue.

Lin Fan extended his right hand.

"Hey kid, what do you mean 'hello' to me? Have you forgotten who I am after only 19 years? I even held you when you were just born."

Lin Fan's forehead was covered in black lines. Forgotten you after 19 years? Come on, I'm only 19 years old.

So, the only time we met was when I was just born? Is that something a human can even remember?

Lin Fan was speechless. This uncle's thought process was truly…

"Alright, don't just stand there. I was just kidding. My name is Ed Campbell, and I'm the head of this negotiation team. These four are my subordinates. Also, the part about me holding you when you were born is true."

"Uh, okay, Uncle Ed!"

"That's more like it!"

Ed nodded with satisfaction, seeing Lin Fan had correctly addressed him.

"By the way, Uncle Ed, can I ask you something? Is Emma Campbell from the Interstellar Military Academy related to you?"

"Related? Emma is my daughter. What, do you know my daughter?"

"Uh, yes. We're in the same class. Seeing as you have the same last name, Campbell, I wondered if you were from the same family?"

"Is that so? Wait, I remember a few years ago my daughter mentioned someone in her class who was always telling her dirty jokes. Could that have been you?"

"Uh, it definitely wasn't me!"

Lin Fan shamelessly denied it. When Lin Fan first entered the Interstellar Military Academy, he had discovered a beautiful woman named Emma.

However, this beauty was like an iceberg. Of course, she was much better than Liang Xue, who was standing beside Lin Fan right now.

So, the shameless Lin Fan went to her side every day and told her dirty jokes. At first, Emma couldn't stand seeing Lin Fan.

But when someone constantly bothers you for two years…

The result was that after more than two years, Lin Fan had managed to change Emma's personality quite a bit.

Of course, he couldn't admit this to Ed Campbell.

"Hmm, I suppose so. You don't really look like that kind of person."

"Yes, you see clearly, Uncle!"

Liang Xue, standing nearby, twitched her expression slightly, unnoticed. Liang Xue was thinking:

I think that person is Lin Fan.

"Alright, let's put other things aside for now. Take me to see that Ninth Prince. I need to understand his importance in the Oakes Empire before I can formulate the correct negotiation strategy."

"Okay, Uncle Ed, please follow me!"

Lin Fan led Ed towards the detention room, with Liang Xue following behind them.

"Hey Lin kid, your deputy seems a bit too cold!"

"Yes, Uncle Ed noticed too. I've been trying to find a way to fix her personality, but I don't know where to start!"

"To deal with that type, just tell her dirty jokes every day."

"Hmm, that's true. I'm good at that. I can tell several without repeating any each day…"

Wait, did I fall into a trap?

Thump.

Lin Fan suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder.

Slowly turning his head, he saw Ed Campbell smiling at him. But why did that smile seem so terrifying?

"Uncle Ed, I think there's been a misunderstanding between us…"

"No need to say anything now. Focus on the mission. When we get back, I think we need to have a good chat."

Liang Xue, who had been eavesdropping the entire time, had her mouth twitching. It was clear she was struggling to hold back.

At first, when she heard them talking about her being too cold, Liang Xue almost exploded. But the subsequent development made her almost unable to contain her laughter.

Fortunately, as someone who had been an ice block for years, her basic control over her expression was still quite good. She was just finding it a bit difficult to hold back.

Lin Fan looked at Ed Campbell with a bitter smile.

As expected, people in charge of negotiations are all old foxes. This is troublesome.

Soon, the three arrived at the detention room.

"Uncle Ed, this is it, open the door!"

"Yes!"

The guards at the detention room immediately scurried over to open the door for the three.

After the three entered, they saw a humanoid creature locked in a solitary cell.

Although it was a humanoid creature, there were still many differences in appearance from humans.

It had two horns on its head, somewhat resembling bull horns, and its skin was red, much like the demons of human legends.

Ed was not surprised by Duolun's appearance. After all, this wasn't the first time humans had captured Oakes prisoners, so this appearance was nothing new.

He walked up and spoke through the cell door.

"Oh? Are you the Ninth Prince of the Oakes Empire?"

"Who are you?"

"Me? My name is Ed Campbell. I'll be heading over to your side for negotiations soon. Is there anything you want me to relay?"

"Are you trying to use me as a bargaining chip for negotiations?"

"Oh, you're quite clever!"

Don't let Duolun's appearance fool you; while he was a complete novice in battle, directing troops with theoretical strategies, he was very experienced in politics. After all, he had negotiated with many other civilizations on behalf of the Oakes Empire.

Furthermore, the Oakes Empire's royal family was rife with intrigue and deceit. Duolun had grown up in such an environment since birth, so how could he not understand what Ed was trying to do?

"Don't bother. I'm the least favored prince. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been sent to the front lines to command a small fleet."

"Alright, that's enough. Let's go!"

Ed turned and said to Lin Fan before walking out.

Liang Xue, on the other hand, was completely confused. What were they here to see?

After leaving the detention room, Ed glanced at Liang Xue and said to Lin Fan.

It seems your adjutant isn't quite understanding! Why don't you explain it to her?

"It's actually quite simple. Firstly, from those few words just now, you can tell that this Ninth Prince isn't foolish. On the contrary, he's very intelligent and understands the political machinations very well. Therefore, asking him more questions wouldn't yield any results."

"Secondly, we've already obtained crucial intelligence. When he just told us not to waste our efforts and that he was the least favored prince, his eyes flickered to the left, and his hands made some subtle, unnatural movements. Therefore, he was lying."

"This Ninth Prince isn't just not unfavored, but extremely favored. He's likely the Oakes Emperor's favorite prince!"

He could deduce so much from just a few sentences?

Are you two really human?

While shocked, Liang Xue thought to herself.