726 Project Dark Swallow! (2/2)

Few understood the strategic value of that decision. Not Li Xingwen, Duan Muque, and the other upper echelons of the Federation though, who had sought Wang Baole's advice and understood the situation. They were prepared to cordon the region and create a place that belonged solely to Wang Baole.

The alliance overflowed with life and opportunity. The smooth assimilation between the Dao Palace and the Federation allowed many great things to be done. Civilization advanced without stop. At the same time, Wang Baole received the Federation's recognition. He had not only become their hero, but everyone—from the citizen on the ground to the upper echelons of the Federation, and even the Dao Palace—knew very well that he was going to be the next Federation President. He was going to hold the highest office in the Solar System Alliance!

That wasn't going to happen anytime soon because the Federation and the Dao Palace had just begun their assimilation and alliance. There was still a great deal of work to be done. They had to rebuild, to set up laws and rules. They needed to decide how to divide profits. There were so many tedious details to be ironed out. Most importantly, Duan Muque didn't want Wang Baole to have to deal with such a chaotic situation immediately when the latter got into office. He wanted to get all the grunt work done. He intended to untangle the political chaos in the Federation, which was caused by the presence of the various political entities. He intended to amputate the malignant tumor hidden in the Federation. He was going to exploit the authority and power he had gained from the war and consolidate all power in the hands of the presidency. Then, he would hand over a brand new Federation to Wang Baole, one free from troubles and burdens!

Wang Baole couldn't wait to be made president. However, he also understood Duan Muque's good intentions. After gaining consciousness from his battle with Daoist You Ran, he returned to Earth. He spent his time with his parents, enjoying an ordinary person's life while burying the unresolved matter that had risen inside him after his battle with Daoist You Ran. He put it to rest silently, unwilling to touch the matter again.

He told himself to be happy. As he kept brainwashing himself quietly, he seemed to slowly forget about the existence of this unresolved matter. He began to look forward gleefully to the announcement declaring him as the Federation President.

Wang Baole's life with his parents became peaceful and calm. Besides staying by his parents' side, what Wang Baole enjoyed doing the most was leading his donkey out secretly. It was then that he would eavesdrop on conversations, listen in on heated, passionate voices, and watch the looks of adoration on the speakers' faces as they discussed him.

He even put up the occasional pretense of being a wolf in sheepskin. He would pretend to be bullied, then reveal his powerful self at the end and observe the shocked expressions on everyone's faces. The experience brightened his mood every time. But after doing that too many times, his donkey grew tired of it. He himself found it meaningless as well. After some thought, he began protesting his singlehood in his mother's presence. Soon, his mother began setting up matchmaking sessions for him.

His mother knew how amazing his son had become. However, no matter what, Wang Baole would always remain a child in her eyes. As she went through her selection of candidates, Wang Baole began bringing his donkey to session after session of matchmaking. The experience became a new source of fun for Wang Baole.

Then, Bunny arrived. Wang Baole could only end the matchmaking. Still, he enjoyed his time with Bunny. The academic exploration they conducted with each other was extremely enjoyable.

This didn't last long. However… Li Wan'er arrived next. The feelings of happiness that Wang Baole had been experienced shifted immediately to that of absolute terror. Wang Baole's head began to throb. Time crawled as three months passed. The alliance was running along smoothly, and rebuilding efforts were nearing completion. After spending a great deal of effort, Duan Muque finally got the Federation into shape. Everything was pointing to a new beginning. Wang Baole was sitting on his hands, waiting in excitement. It was then that…

Many of Wang Baole's friends—Zhao Yameng, Liu Daobin, Li Wuchen, Jin Duoming, Lin Tianhao, and Kong Dao—came knocking on his door and bid him farewell.

They didn't share any details of their departure, they only informed him that they were off to carry out a secret mission. The duration of this mission might be short or very long.

Zhao Yameng had originally not been part of the mission. She was the daughter of the Martian Colony Governor and Zhao Pinfang, so she had a bright and stable future in the Federation and in the alliance. However, she had chosen to join the mission of her own accord. No one knew why she had done so. Her tone had been cold when she had said farewell to Wang Baole. She had even glared at him fiercely before her departure.

The intense hostility in her eyes had made Wang Baole shiver with guilt. He had quickly made use of his access rights to find out the details of their mission. There was nothing he wasn't allowed to know in the entire Federation.

A quick search left him looking somber. Their mission was highly classified, with only four people allowed to access the mission details!

They were Li Xingwen, Duan Muque, Zhao Pinfang, and Wang Baole!

The mission was a continuation of the Hundred Seedling Plan and the Federation's plans involving the Dao Palace. It had been drawn up many years ago. It had been given a name… Dark Swallow!