Chapter 55: The Stellar Version of Seven Captures of Meng Huo

After Bodean’s detailed explanation, Lena and the others finally understood the true nature of the conflict between him and Dorian.

At first glance, it seemed like a power struggle within the corporation—two factions vying for control of Tianhai Group. But in reality, it was a proxy war waged by two towering figures from the Shuangyin Family, each using Bodean and Dorian as pawns in a shadowy, ruthless battle.

Dorian’s backers sought to seize the rights to mine the Deep Blue Tear, aiming to elevate their standing within the family. Bodean’s allies, however, were determined to defend their own interests—refusing to allow anyone to siphon off their share of the profits from Deep Blue Metropolis.

Though tensions between the two sides continued to escalate, the Shuangyin Family strictly forbade internal conflict. As a result, neither Bodean nor Dorian could act openly. Instead, they waged a covert war over the right to operate the newly discovered mine—specifically, the mining license for Tianhai Group.

Tianhai Group, though far weaker than the long-dominant Lanyin Group—which held a near-monopoly on Deep Blue Tear mining and operated across multiple major cities—had a legitimate shot at the new vein. According to the laws of the New Federation, as long as Tianhai Group could provide sufficient capital to the government and prove its technical capability, it could claim the rights to develop the new site.

This rule wasn’t just policy—it was enshrined in the New Federation Constitution and universally upheld by the Four Great Families. Even the families themselves were bound by it. It was an unbreakable law, sacred and immutable.

Thus, the only way to strip Tianhai Group of its mining rights was through one method: at next month’s shareholder meeting, Dorian had to be removed from the presidency, and Bodean had to take his place. Only then could the rights be formally relinquished—and sold to Lanyin Group.

Bodean had already gathered support from several major shareholders within Tianhai Group. But despite this, his total votes still fell short of Dorian’s bloc.

To win the vote, he would need to resort to underhanded tactics—such as kidnapping Dorian’s daughter to force his surrender.

“But what does this have to do with the kid letting Rongshan and Claude go?” Lena asked, frowning. “Even if he didn’t kill them, he could’ve just handed them over to the Deep Blue Defense Force. That would’ve been enough to prove your collusion with the Dark Stellar Envoy—and send you straight to a New Federation prison.”

Bodean remained calm.

“Dorian won’t do that,” he replied. “Because if he arrested me, the fallout wouldn’t stop at me. It would drag down the entire Tianhai Group.”

He paused, then continued.

“It’s not just because I hold sensitive information about the company. There are many others out there waiting for Tianhai Group to stumble—ready to pounce and exploit the chaos. If the company collapses, both Dorian and I lose all value.”

“So neither of us will risk pushing things to that point. We both know the stakes.”

He exhaled slowly, then added:

“Releasing Rongshan and Claude? That was a warning. And a gesture of goodwill.”

“It meant he was willing to tolerate my small moves—but not my overreach. Not if it threatened the entire group.”

With that, Bodean stood up, walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window behind him, and stared out at the dazzling neon sprawl of Deep Blue Metropolis.

His expression was heavy, conflicted.

“Admittedly… I don’t have the same breadth of vision as he does.”

“If our roles were reversed, I’d purge every rebel—even if it meant sacrificing a third of the company—just to send a message.”

“Dorian… Dorian. Do you really believe you can control everything?”

“Why is it that we’re both pawns, yet you act like you’re stepping off the board to become the player?”

Hearing this, Lena and the others finally understood why Tian Dao—the so-called “little god of stars”—had let Rongshan and Claude go.

To be honest, even though they were currently on opposing sides of the conflict, they couldn’t help but admire Dorian’s restraint.

Not everyone could remain calm and rational in the face of threats to themselves and their loved ones. Not everyone could choose restraint over revenge, strategy over rage.

“So should we feed the information about those kids to the Stellar Envoy Association?” Lena asked. “It’d relieve a lot of pressure on us.”

Bodean shook his head.

“No need. I’ve already conceded this round.”

“Dorian has the grace to forgive. So do I.”

“Sure, I lost this time. But that doesn’t mean I’ll always lose.”

“If he truly navigates the challenges ahead with wisdom and strength, then I, Bodean, will bow to him willingly.”

“Understood.”

“Alright. Even if we lost this round, it doesn’t mean we abandon our plans. I don’t believe even Dorian is so infallible that he can dodge every trap I set.”

“Relax. If you follow my instructions, the rewards I promised you—every last penny—will be delivered.”

“Yun Instructor,” Kalolin asked, returning to Yun Meng’s side after disabling the supermarket’s surveillance and electronic systems, “are you certain we shouldn’t tell Tian Dao the truth? Won’t he be angry?”

She looked worried, brows furrowed.

Yun Meng smiled, gently ruffling her hair.

“Kalolin, you’re underestimating little Tian Dao a bit too much.”

“Just because he doesn’t like thinking doesn’t mean he can’t.”

“Do you really think that kid—so fearless and defiant—would’ve let Rongshan and Claude go without knowing why? Come on.”

Kalolin paused, then blinked, her expression shifting as she thought it over.

She had to admit… that made sense.

Because Tian Dao only ever obeyed when he agreed with you. When he didn’t, he became stubborn, uncompromising, and utterly unyielding.

And Yun Meng and Kalolin were right.

Tian Dao did know exactly what Yun Meng and Dorian were trying to do.

It was simple, really.

The Stellar Version of the Seven Captures of Meng Huo.

Dorian was Zhuge Liang. Bodean was Meng Huo.

From the beginning, Dorian never wanted to destroy Bodean. He wanted a unified, cohesive Tianhai Group—not a fractured, weakened one.

So rather than oust Bodean, Dorian preferred to win him over.

After all, if one Bodean fell, another De’an—East De’an or West De’an—would rise to take his place.

So why not keep Bodean, and turn him into an asset?

Of course, that only worked as long as Bodean didn’t cross the line.

And that was why Tian Dao had said this mission in Deep Blue Metropolis, while it looked dangerous on the surface, was actually effortless.

Because he’d read the original story.

He knew the dynamic between Dorian and Bodean—the same one between Zhuge Liang and Meng Huo.

He was Zhuge Liang. The enemy was Meng Huo.

With such a setup, how could they possibly lose?

So rather than obsessing over completing the mission, Tian Dao was more focused on something else.

Kalolin’s birthday—just a few days away.

Because this would be their last shared moment of peace.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end