Everything seemed to fall into place, unfolding methodically.
Zhong Li Feiyu was still occupied with military matters. The day after Lu Wanqing reported to the armory, the Mu family announced their plan, which had been discussed previously, to release news about the five small mechs designed by Lu Wanqing for children. Simultaneously, the external design schematics for these five super-3S small mechs were made public, stating that they had reached an agreement with Lu Wanqing and that this children's mech set would soon be available for customization across the entire interstellar network.
The announcement immediately garnered immense attention on the Star Network, especially the news about children's mechs, which instantly excited children throughout the galaxy and also made many parents eager and curious about the children's mechs.
The Mu family did not hold back. They directly released the video of Zhong Li Feiyu piloting the Flying Eagle against three opponents, accompanied by the Little Phoenix, Giant Panda, and Bai Ze mechs.
As soon as the video was released, the entire Star Network's trending topics exploded. Many were captivated by the cute and unique appearance of the small mechs, while others were stunned by the Phoenix's destructive power. However, concurrently, many questioned the Phoenix's structure, deeming it too fragile and likely just a flashy toy.
As netizens debated heatedly, the federal high command was also in turmoil. During this period, various factions had been closely monitoring the Zhong Li family's affairs. Zhong Li Feiyu's return not only signified his personal return but also the return of a series of evidence, supported by video proof.
It turned out that Zhong Li Feiyu had not deliberately initiated internal conflict against Ouyang Hao on the border planet; rather, Ouyang Hao had intended to kill Zhong Li Feiyu, and Zhong Li Feiyu had fought back in self-defense.
The video previously leaked on the Star Network had been maliciously edited, cutting out the part where Ouyang Hao first provoked Zhong Li Feiyu and only releasing the segment showing Zhong Li Feiyu fighting Ouyang Hao and defeating him. This led to the subsequent wave of cyberbullying.
With the video and evidence presented, the Fourth Legion was speechless and dared not aggressively confront the Seventh Legion. Instead, they had to apologize to Zhong Li Feiyu, Marshal Zhong Li, and the entire Seventh Legion.
However, the matter did not end there. Clearing his name was one thing; once Zhong Li Feiyu's innocence was established, it was time for accountability.
The Marshal of the Fourth Legion was deceased, but this incident did not solely involve the Fourth Legion; it also implicated the Presidential Palace!
Marshal Zhong Li also presented a series of evidence, exposing the collusion between the Presidential Palace and the Marshal of the Fourth Legion, Ouyang Hao, in their conspiracy against Zhong Li Feiyu and framing him.
Was the Zhong Li family easy to bully?
Was the Seventh Legion easy to bully?
The Presidential Palace and the Fourth Legion had set their sights on taking Zhong Li Feiyu's life, Marshal Zhong Li's life, and the Seventh Legion's life. Now that Zhong Li Feiyu had returned, he would naturally not let the masterminds behind the scheme off the hook.
Ouyang Hao was dead, but what about the President?
This was a major affair, significant enough that major federal powers had to investigate. However, with the evidence laid bare, who was willing to admit fault?
Lu Wanqing's sudden rise, coupled with the ambiguous relationship between the Mu family and the Seventh Legion, and the potential for them to become entangled with the Wei and Yu families in the future, instilled fear not only in the Presidential Palace and the Fourth Legion but also in other legions and factions.
The investigation was being dragged out, perhaps because many wished to delay it by even a second, searching for any opportunity or evidence that could be used to target the Zhong Li family and the Seventh Legion!
This was a silent struggle. If Lu Wanqing and the Mu family did not step forward to declare their stance, the position of the super-3S mechs, this struggle might continue indefinitely and even escalate to an irreconcilable point.
However, at this critical juncture, Lu Wanqing joined the Federation's Supreme Weapons Bureau. Henceforth, not only Zhong Li Feiyu but also other legions could obtain at least one super-3S mech. This was a tremendous enticement, temporarily suppressing the ambitions of other legions to challenge the Zhong Li family through the leverage of profit.
After all, everyone knew the relationship between Lu Wanqing and the Zhong Li family. If they were to destroy the Zhong Li family at all costs, Lu Wanqing would absolutely sever ties with them and would never provide them with super-3S mechs again. Perhaps they would never even have the chance to get their hands on a super-3S mech in their lifetime!
While Lu Wanqing used the super-3S mechs to temporarily suppress the ambitions of other legions, the Mu family simultaneously announced the upcoming release of a full set of small super-3S children's mechs. This undoubtedly signaled that they were telling everyone that Lu Wanqing, like the Mu family, would stand at a fair and just position, sharing her researched mechs with the entire Federation!
All factions in the Federation would have the opportunity to acquire these exceptionally superior mechs. This benefit would not be exclusive to the Seventh Legion. They would not have to worry about Lu Wanqing providing super-3S mechs solely to the Seventh Legion, making them superior to other legions and potentially absorbing them.
Some matters, seemingly unrelated, were intimately connected. After the Mu family released the news, they quickly received inquiries from numerous factions, all of which the Mu family confirmed.
At the federal high command, the protracted investigation finally yielded results. Most parties acknowledged the evidence presented by Zhong Li Feiyu and collectively held the Presidential Palace accountable!
While Lu Wanqing was diligently working on the Little Fox mech in the Mu Corporation's laboratory, everything finally reached a conclusion.
The conspiracy by the presidential couple and Marshal Ouyang Hao of the Fourth Legion to harm Zhong Li Feiyu and subsequently frame him was exposed. Along with it, the full video brought back by Zhong Li Feiyu, detailing the entire conflict between him and Ouyang Hao on the border planet, was also released!
The moment the video was broadcast, the federal populace erupted once more. The citizens were outraged by the actions of the presidential couple and Ouyang Hao, their fury directed at the still-living presidential couple. Even the deceased Ouyang Hao was not spared; the same people who had once lamented his fate now cursed him.
Outside the Seventh Legion's official website, numerous flowers and fruits appeared, with citizens who knew the truth coming to apologize to the Seventh Legion, the Zhong Li family, and Zhong Li Feiyu!
Not only on the website but also at the Seventh Legion's military family residential area, many people delivered flower baskets and fruits as apologies.
The Zhong Li family was finally out of danger. Zhong Li Feiyu personally came to the Mu family to pick up Lu Wanqing and the young Zhong Li Yi.
Upon seeing his father, the young Zhong Li Yi was overjoyed and immediately ran over to hug his father's leg.
Zhong Li Feiyu was momentarily stunned, surprised by the child hugging his leg. The young Zhong Li Yi had never done such a thing before.
However, Zhong Li Feiyu quickly understood. The child had been living with the Mu family recently, and their child would often act spoiled towards adults in such a manner. Perhaps the young Zhong Li Yi had learned from Mu Lan?
Nonetheless... it felt quite nice.
Recalling Lu Wanqing's past remarks about the Zhong Li family's approach to child-rearing, Zhong Li Feiyu hesitated for a moment before bending down and picking up his son.
He realized he had rarely held Xiao Yi like this before. However, he soon smiled. In fact, as long as it wasn't in a military context, and within the home and daily life, what was wrong with being closer to one's child, with a hug, or with the child occasionally acting spoiled?
Zhong Li Feiyu had come to terms with it, and his embrace of his son became more natural.
The young Zhong Li Yi froze. His act of running out to hug his father's leg had been entirely instinctive. He had been staying with the Mu family for a while, witnessing Mu Lan hug his father's and mother's legs every day. He had envied it deeply but had suppressed it until his father appeared to pick him up. He could no longer hold back and ran to hug his father's leg.
The moment his father picked him up, he was startled. His father... was holding him?
Lu Wanqing also emerged from the house. She wasn't entirely surprised to see Zhong Li Feiyu, as he had sent a message and given them advance notice. However, seeing Zhong Li Feiyu holding Xiao Yi, she was taken aback. Zhong Li Feiyu had always been very strict with the child. This was the first time she had seen him hold his son like this.