Chapter 107 Two Difficult Choices

Han Xiao had accurately predicted Yi Shen's thoughts. His first reaction wouldn't be to guess that he already knew about this, but rather to mistakenly believe that the empire had made progress in its research on wormhole data. This would give rise to a faint hope. In his desperate situation, he would weigh the pros and cons and ultimately be very likely to give up resisting. Judging from the result, he had bet correctly.

All warfare is based on deception. Psychological warfare is paramount. If he hadn't successfully subdued Yi Shen with this news, capturing him would have taken much more effort and involved many uncertain factors.

"Speaking of which, this hanged man is a two-time offender. The last time he was sealed, he was covered in sweat and in such a suggestive pose. This time, he's much more dignified, like a damsel in distress…"

Han Xiao sized up Yi Shen in the amber, feeling somewhat emotional.

If other factors were ignored, this guy was actually a fairly pure person, but this also meant he would resort to any means to achieve his goals. As long as you didn't get in his way, everything was fine; otherwise, the opposite would be true.

While he was admiring Yi Shen's "sleeping posture," the surrounding Imperial Group fleet, seeing that the combat mission was complete, immediately ceased their attacks and retracted their weapon arrays into their armor.

A large number of mechanical soldier parts floated in the battlefield. Some mechanical units were torn apart by the aftershocks of the Imperial fleet's concentrated fire. In order to maximize output, they couldn't worry about friendly fire. Han Xiao didn't know if these teammates were attacking Yi Shen or attacking him.

He deactivated Mechanical Deity and released mechanical force from his palm, turning it into a chain of electric arcs. He stuck to the broken parts one by one and used Advanced Mechanical Creation to reassemble them, restoring them to mechanical soldiers.

At this moment, the fleet commander spoke in the communication channel, relieved, "Fortunately, we deployed enough traps in advance and had the upper hand, so we were able to recapture him with minimal cost… Alright, please hand over Yi Shen to us. We'll find a place to lock him up again."

Because it was Black Star who requested to open the coffin for inspection, recapturing the person didn't count as merit, but letting him escape would be a serious responsibility. It was a thankless task, so the fleet commander naturally didn't feel any gratitude toward Han Xiao, and spoke in a purely official tone at this time.

This time, capturing Yi Shen seemed easy, but it was the result of taking full advantage of favorable timing, location, and popular support. Yi Shen was unable to move, so they could freely set up a encirclement and release the weakened Yi Shen after making adequate preparations. If Yi Shen had been able to move freely from the beginning, it would have been almost impossible to lure him into a trap… It was like players fighting a dungeon boss, making all preparations in advance, and then opening the monster at the end.

Several Imperial spaceships came to take over the prisoner. Han Xiao watched as the other party took Yi Shen away. He waited in place for a while before the Imperial fleet closed various space devices and lifted the space-time lock on this area.

He curled his lip, then opened the Dimension Factory and stuffed all the mechanical legions present into it for maintenance. Then, he declined the invitation to board the ship, took out a set of Emperor's mechanical armor, and disappeared from the spot with a whoosh.

His vision blurred. The next moment, the surrounding scene became a mechanical factory. He was no longer in the Constellation Corridor, but had directly crossed several star fields, instantly arriving at Black Star's palace in the Shattered Star Ring, teleporting to the "throne" left in his private workshop.

"Beep, beep, beep—"

Just then, the communicator rang in a timely manner. Han Xiao took it out and, as expected, it was Uranrel calling.

Because she used the President's special order to approve the coffin opening inspection targeting Yi Shen, she had been watching the real-time broadcast. At this time, she contacted him immediately.

"Black Star, I've seen the specific process. It seems that the situation you were worried about didn't happen."

Uranrel nodded.

“…Perhaps,” Han Xiao shook his head.

Yi Shen's main body was still alive and kicking, not an empty shell. In the Empire's eyes, he was naturally the real deal, dispelling their doubts.

Although he had confirmed the relationship between Yi Shen and Gothe on this trip, the information on the panel couldn't be used as evidence to convince the empire.

Although Yi Shen showed signs of soul splitting, the difficulty of verification was too high. First, Yi Shen would resist and couldn't accept the inspection peacefully. However, he couldn't be detected while locked in the Space-Time Amber, so he had to be released. Second, Yi Shen's level was too high. Only a few peak Super-A Grades in the entire universe who were proficient in the soul domain could thoroughly investigate his soul state, provided that Yi Shen didn't resist fiercely. This was like the difference between using abilities to fight and to heal. The latter required more precise control. Third, from the point of view of performance, the soul weakness and soul split effects overlapped, making them extremely difficult to distinguish. They could both be regarded as sequelae of the Space-Time Amber. Even if all difficulties were overcome, and it was finally found that Yi Shen had symptoms of soul splitting, from the Empire's perspective, the connection between Yi Shen and Gothe couldn't be confirmed, and the relevance of the evidence was too low.

Considering various factors, Han Xiao felt that it was difficult to find substantive evidence in this regard.

Uranrel didn't have any other ideas and said, "Worrying is a good thing. At least this time, you've eliminated a hidden danger for the Empire, allowing us to imprison Yi Shen with peace of mind. Moreover, you've re-imprisoned Yi Shen without paying much of a price, which didn't disappoint me."

She didn't think Han Xiao was being superfluous. The order was given by her, and Black Star carried out the coffin opening inspection after getting her approval. At this time, the inspection result was correct, which was a good thing rather than a bad thing. In her opinion, this action was just insurance.

"It's alright…"

Han Xiao didn't have the mood to say anything flirty, so he chatted casually for a few words before saying goodbye and going offline, his expression somewhat helpless.

Uranrel was very kind. This time, the action had no merit at all, but there was a risk of letting Yi Shen go, and she would have to bear the responsibility for the wrong decision. At the end of her term, she must prioritize stability. She was willing to approve his plan, which was already giving him face and trusting him very much. He couldn't ask her to do more.

Yi Shen… no, Gothe, if he wanted to completely clear his name, he would definitely focus on working for the Empire when he was weak and wouldn't reveal any flaws. Since he didn't find any actual evidence this time, he couldn't level any accusations against Gothe.

Without evidence, the Empire had no reason to cooperate with his empty accusations to set up a trap and test the loyalty of a direct line powerhouse for no reason, so this path was mostly impassable.

He even suspected that if Gothe really cleared his name, even if he produced evidence, as long as it wasn't solid proof, the Empire might not want to expose this matter to avoid losing a direct line Super-A Grade with unlimited potential. It wasn't completely impossible for this to happen.

"I have to make other plans. Since I can't convince the Empire to thoroughly investigate Gothe on its own, I can only do it myself…"

Han Xiao frowned and pondered.

If he secretly attacked Gothe and the matter was exposed, he would be in great trouble, needless to say.

And if it was done secretly, the Empire would also vigorously search for the murderer in a fit of thunderous rage and thoroughly investigate it. Because of its own organizational nature, the Super-A Grade Association would inevitably become the main target of the Empire's search, which would also cause a huge storm, and might become the fuse for a new Tragedy of the Pinnacles.

Han Xiao had to admit that Gothe's trick of washing his hands and going ashore was enough. He transformed himself and became a direct line of the Three Civilizations, obtaining a super-powerful amulet. Once something happened to him, more Super-A Grades might be buried with him.

But if he didn't care about him, he would be threatening the entire explored universe and would be a huge hidden danger, especially since this hanged man had already infiltrated the Empire. Who knew what kind of tricks he could pull out? Maybe he would eventually become a guiding party for the World Tree Civilization.

Moreover, Gothe's ability was too potential. He had just entered the Super-A Grade, so he was still easy to deal with, but once he grew up, he would become more and more difficult to deal with, and it would be difficult to handle him at that time.

"A dilemma…" Han Xiao rubbed his forehead, feeling a little egg pain.

Sometimes there was no perfect solution. In reality, one could only make trade-offs. The choices faced by decision-makers were mostly so difficult.

He struggled with his thoughts for a while, and finally hardened his heart.

"Before Gothe grows up, get rid of this time bomb as soon as possible. If we wait for him to reveal his flaws, it will be too late… Let's do it!"

Han Xiao gritted his teeth.

His thoughts ran quickly, analyzing the possible consequences while constantly coming up with bad ideas in his mind. All kinds of schemes to borrow a knife to kill someone and frame them jumped out one after another.

"The best situation is not to make Gothe disappear out of thin air, but to let the Empire have an object to vent its anger on, a target for directed strikes, so that it won't blame others. So, I not only have to avoid being suspected, but it's best to find a way to put the blame on someone else. At the same time, I have to consider the impact of throwing the blame on different targets on the overall situation…"

Han Xiao's thoughts turned quickly, and he soon had an idea.

Regardless of the differences in various plans, there were only two choices in terms of actual operation. One was to do it himself, carry out a secret attack, and then find a way to frame someone else afterward. The second was to try to create a desperate situation and lure others to attack Gothe, so that he wouldn't be suspected.

The former was self-explanatory, while the core of the latter was "luring." It was best not to come forward in any form. Actively calling friends to besiege Gothe was not feasible.

For example, the Sacred Covenant had sufficient strength to besiege and kill Gothe, but Han Xiao couldn't come forward and ask them to do it. This was equivalent to actively handing over a handle to others and burying hidden dangers. The resurrected First Ones all had their own ideas. They weren't of one mind, let alone his subordinates. He couldn't guarantee that they wouldn't leak the secret in the future… Moreover, it was another matter whether they were willing to help with this.

The more people who knew, the greater the risk. The same was true for other forces.

"And no matter which path I take, I have to muddy the waters first…"

Han Xiao's eyes flickered.

…

On this day, the Super-A Grade Association's headquarters, Feinn Star, welcomed an Imperial fleet, which docked at the outer spaceport.

Gothe walked out of the cabin. The Imperial high-ranking officer's uniform shone brightly in the light of the artificial sun, looking very imposing.

"Welcome to Feinn Star, Your Excellency Gothe."

A receptionist wearing an association uniform was waiting at the dock early on. He immediately came up to him and raised a warm smile.

The news that a new direct line Super-A Grade had been born in the Empire had already spread in the upper circles, but it was limited to the name of this person. Almost nothing else was known. The Empire didn't reveal too much information, and even controlled the outflow of intelligence. So now, many forces were secretly guessing Gothe's style of doing things and specific abilities… This was the normal treatment for a new Super-A Grade.

Gothe submitted his application to join the association, and the procedures were complete. So the Super-A Grade Association held an extra meeting today to welcome the newcomer and had already arranged for staff to wait for Gothe here.

"Lead the way," Gothe said casually.

The two left the dock and boarded an anti-gravity vehicle, flying toward the spherical conference room at the top of the headquarters building in the center of the city.

Overlooking the ground from the high altitude was a dense group of buildings, like a high-tech interstellar city. The receptionist introduced Feinn Star like a tour guide. Gothe didn't stop him, but silently observed the streets that flashed past his sight.

Various Super-A Grade forces had set up offices here. In the past ten years, Feinn Star had been built into a prosperous interstellar city. Flying vehicles formed a stream of cars, flying at low altitude, forming a traffic network.

Basic personnel wearing uniforms of different forces could be seen everywhere on the street. Gothe also saw many basic clerical personnel from the Black Star Army.

However, these forces were just stationed here. The association's own staff was responsible for managing the planet.

The vehicle quickly arrived at the platform outside the conference room. Gothe followed the receptionist to the exclusive lounge. Because he was the protagonist of today's welcoming meeting and had arrived in person, he had to wait for someone to notify him before entering the venue from another door.

Watching the receptionist close the door and leave, Gothe casually picked up the fruits and snacks on the table and began to nibble on them, looking at the magnificent lounge with admiration in his eyes.

"The Super-A Grades have been scattered for so long. In recent years, they have finally shown a trend of unity. Black Star, Marnison, and Kasuyi have done a really good job. It's a pity that I didn't wait for such a good time in the past… However, they probably don't have the guts to accept the most ferocious criminal in the universe. If I hadn't changed my identity, all of this would have been out of my reach."

Gothe couldn't help but reveal a playful smile.

When a gangster earns enough wealth, he will consider washing his hands and going ashore. He was the same. Crime was not his goal, but a byproduct of the primitive accumulation process.

Getting rid of his former identity allowed him to start a new life.

After sitting in the room for a while, someone finally came to remind him to enter the venue.

Gothe stood up, tidied his clothes, and walked all the way along the passage to the end, pushing open the exquisite fifteen-meter-high door. The scene in front of him suddenly opened up!

The huge round table conference hall came into view. All the remote projections of the Super-A Grade members were in their respective seats, turning their heads in unison. Gazes fell on Gothe, carrying different emotions such as scrutiny, friendliness, curiosity, and so on.

Gothe became the focus of the audience. He looked around at a group of familiar faces and couldn't help but feel a moment of trance.

It was the first time he was appearing in front of most of the Super-A Grades in the entire universe with a brand-new identity. There were no more gazes of disgust, hostility, or fear. There were no more past grudges. His relationship with everyone was brand new…

The feeling of rebirth had never been so vivid as it was at this moment.

Just then, Marnison, who was sitting at the head of the table, spoke and nodded, "This friend is Gothe. On behalf of all members of the Super-A Grade Development Federation, I welcome you to join us."

"It's my honor to join the association." Gothe came back to his senses, a strange smile flowing in his eyes. He put his hand on his chest and gave a slight greeting in a universal interstellar etiquette.

Chloe, who was usually silent, pointed to the empty seat next to her and said:

"You are a direct line of the Empire. We have reserved a seat for you. Come and sit down."

Seeing this, Gothe smiled lightly, stepped over, and sat down next to Chloe. A row of seats next to him were for direct line members of the Empire, looking like he had found his organization.

However, his butt had just touched the chair when he suddenly heard someone asking with strong curiosity.

The content of the question made Gothe's peaceful mood suddenly jump.

"Gothe, is it? I heard that your ability is a super-high-risk ability that only exists in theory—energy manipulation! I wonder if it's true?"