Chapter 159 I am a Sincere Person

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes, remaining silent. In fact, he had always harbored the same doubts about Risda's one-sided account, but Risda's answer remained consistently the same, leaving Han Xiao with no way to verify it.

Manison folded his hands, speaking slowly and methodically.

"Those two little ones alone couldn't have breached my base's virtual firewall. There's another Super-A Grade Mechanic coveting my Undying Mechanical Country, wanting to dismantle my trump card troops. So, while I was away from the base, they secretly guided those two clueless little ones, subtly helping them open the virtual data channel."

"Unfortunately, I discovered their little trick, and their plot ended in failure. I've always known that the little one who transformed herself into an Undying Mechanical Soldier was staying on Longtan Island. She was using my energy transmission channel, stealing my restructuring material. Of course, I could track her back."

"But I didn't retrieve her, because I don't care about these two little ones wandering outside, and also out of consideration for my old friendship with Isora, I didn't want to contact Dragon Emperor Ames. However, since I'm here today, that's perfect. You can return them to me."

Han Xiao rubbed his temples, feeling somewhat helpless. When he recruited Aroshia twenty years ago, she was only a Grade B Esper, just an unremarkable member of the universe. Naturally, she wouldn't have been noticed by a big shot like Mechanical Country.

Later, after discovering Aroshia's true origin, he had worried about being tracked by Manison, but since Aroshia had never been captured by Mechanical Country, he assumed that Manison didn't know Aroshia's location.

After reaching Super-A Grade, Han Xiao's virtual technology became increasingly sophisticated, and he had also suspected this point. However, due to preconceived notions, plus the fact that there hadn't been any problems for twenty years, he assumed everything was fine.

So it turned out that Manison knew everything all along…

Han Xiao's mind raced.

Clearly, given Manison's status, he didn't care about Aroshia and Risda escaping. After all, he had an entire AI civilization as his legion. One or two escapees were nothing to Manison, perhaps even harboring other intentions.

So Manison's proactive mention now wasn't just to reclaim Aroshia and Risda, but to respond to his rejection of the Time Amber transaction, deliberately giving him a warning!

*‘This old fox, he's holding onto who knows how many cards, refusing to play them.’*

Han Xiao frowned, paused, and said in a deep voice:

"Aroshia has been my old comrade for more than twenty years. She has free will and isn't anyone's slave. I can't hand over an elder who helped me establish the Black Star Army, otherwise, what would my other cadres think?"

Mechanical Country wanted to reclaim their runaway weapon, which was reasonable, so Han Xiao changed the nature of the matter, emphasizing Aroshia's veteran status in the army, making his refusal firm.

"Your Excellency Black Star is very tough," Manison said calmly, commenting on the situation.

Since their meeting, Han Xiao had been polite, but on concrete issues, he hadn't budged at all, hiding needles in cotton.

Want the amber? Not selling!

Want people? Not giving!

Han Xiao was wary of Manison's strength, but he wasn't afraid of him. If he didn't have a backer, fine, but the Black Star Army was backed by the empire, and Mechanical Country was on the side of the Federation of Light. They were all people with connections. Respect was respect, but fear was out of the question.

He had discovered the Time Amber, and the empire wouldn't force him to hand over a cosmic treasure he had discovered independently. As long as it was in the hands of an ally like him, it was equivalent to the empire's strength.

But if he traded with Mechanical Country, allowing Time Amber products to flow on a large scale into the hands of allies of the Federation of Light, that would cross the empire's bottom line. Then he would be the one in trouble, even if Mechanical Country guaranteed private research.

Han Xiao's refusal to trade with Mechanical Country was not only to maintain the deterrent effect of the Time Amber but also a matter of factional stance. Even if he offended the other party, he could only refuse, even if it meant a falling out.

The atmosphere became somewhat silent. Han Xiao stared at Manison without speaking, and Manison also looked at Han Xiao silently, his mechanical body revealing no emotion.

After a long silence, Manison finally spoke again, "Well then, it seems my request was a bit excessive."

He didn't insist on getting Aroshia and Risda back, perhaps because he didn't want to fall out with Han Xiao over such a matter, but Han Xiao couldn't fathom the other party's true intentions.

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Excellency Mechanical Country." Han Xiao's tone also softened a bit. Since the other party was giving him face, he had to reciprocate.

"However…" Manison changed the subject again, "Although I don't care if they have their own lives, there's one thing I need to remind you."

"Please speak."

"These two little ones have always wanted to liberate their compatriots. I hope you won't be bewitched by them. The Super-A Grade Mechanic who once helped them has become my collection. I don't want to be your enemy… otherwise, the scene might be very unpleasant," Manison said calmly.

Han Xiao's eyes narrowed sharply. Manison's tone made him uncomfortable, a pure warning.

At this moment, Manison stood up. After delivering the warning, he indicated his intention to leave.

"In any case, being able to contact Your Excellency Black Star is worth the trip. I'm very happy to have met you today."

Han Xiao remained expressionless, also standing up, and shook his hand.

The two exchanged communication numbers and walked out of the room, all the way to the dock. Han Xiao watched Manison board the Federation of Light's spaceship.

Before the hatch closed, Manison turned back to look at Han Xiao on the dock.

"Since you're going to the Flickering World to deal with the Heterogeneous God, if you have time, come visit me."

"Okay, I'll try," Han Xiao nodded without changing his expression.

*Click*—the hatch closed, the spaceship's thrusters ignited, spewing out exhaust flames, and followed the port track into the universe.

Watching the spaceship turn into a streak of light and gradually disappear from view, Han Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, muttering, "Old fox."

Dealing with Manison was really not a pleasant thing.

The Great Technician Han was also unsure of Manison's true thoughts toward him, his attitude ambiguous, every move carrying a hint of probing.

This guy wasn't a simple opportunist; his thoughts were difficult to fathom. Even with Manison's deeds from his previous life as a reference, Han Xiao couldn't grasp the old fox's personality.

"When we encircle and suppress the Heterogeneous God, the battlefield will be located in the Flickering World, so we must go to Mechanical Country's territory to fight… Given the current situation, I refused him, and Manison is dissatisfied with me, but considering all factors, he shouldn't plan to be my enemy for the time being."

Han Xiao shook his head.

Due to conflicting interests, this contact ended unhappily…

*Beep beep.*

At this moment, the communicator rang, and Muna sent a message, stating that the Federation of Light had agreed to the request to encircle and suppress the Heterogeneous God, and they would negotiate with the empire.

"In any case, this gives me more confidence in dealing with the Heterogeneous God."

Han Xiao perked up. What happened with Mechanical Country would be dealt with later. The immediate task was to sink the Heterogeneous God.

He was just an ally and couldn't independently direct the cooperation between the empire and the Federation of Light, otherwise, it would be overstepping. So he would have to inform the empire later, which would also make it easier to show the empire his firm intention to kill the Heterogeneous God.

Regardless of whether the empire was willing to cooperate, the Federation of Light would move out, the only difference being whether they would encircle together or separately.

…

At the same time, on the Federation of Light's spaceship.

Muna came to Manison and said solemnly, "The higher-ups have decided to accept Black Star's request to encircle and suppress the Heterogeneous God. Your Excellency Mechanical Country, because the battlefield is in the Flickering World, we hope to ask for your help."

"Mm, I know."

Manison waved his hand, manipulating the mechanical body to come to the porthole, remotely watching the Black Star Army's headquarters rapidly receding from view, the surface of the mechanical body reflecting the starlight.

"No wonder Sorokin suffered a loss here at Black Star's place. He's really a tough guy," Manison nodded secretly.

He was one of the shareholders of the Infinite Consortium, providing a large number of mechanical products to the Infinite Consortium every year, and he was an old acquaintance of Sorokin.

Sorokin's armed forces cultivated in the Shattered Star Ring were no secret to Manison. His intelligence network was extremely powerful. Even a Calamity Grade companion of the Super-A Grade seed Luther nominally worked for Sorokin, but in reality, was a double agent loyal to Manison.

So Manison knew the secrets of Sorokin testing the Black Star Army and ultimately suffering a setback in the Gular Civilization.

Sorokin was interested in the Undying Warriors, and Manison himself was also curious. In his opinion, Black Star's Undying Warriors were quite similar to his Undying Mechanical Country, but he had his own large legion, so he wasn't as enthusiastic as Sorokin.

His main focus was still the byproducts of the Time Amber.

As for the Evolution Cube, he wasn't very interested.

The principles of the Evolution Cube were unknown, and the direction of genetic optimization couldn't be adjusted independently. He wasn't like the Heterogeneous God; Manison didn't like uncontrollable things.

…

Constellation Corridor, Red Empire Mother Planet, Red Ring Star, President's Office.

Ulanruier put down the report in her hand, looked at Tarrokov's remote projection opposite her, and asked expressionlessly:

"Are you saying that Black Star took the initiative to contact you, saying that he contacted the Federation of Light, the other party wanted to reconcile with him, and he persuaded them, preparing to encircle and suppress the Heterogeneous God together?"

"Yes."

Tarrokov nodded.

Not long ago, Han Xiao had contacted him again, roughly explaining the process. After ending the communication, he immediately sought out President Ulanruier to report, conveying Han Xiao's meaning.

"Mm…" Ulanruier leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the table, turned her head to look at the personal guard captain next to her, her confidante Klotti, "What do you think?"

"Black Star didn't ask the empire in advance and privately helped us find a partner. He crossed the line. After making some contributions, he doesn't know his identity anymore." Klotti said indifferently, not particularly fond of or disgusted by Han Xiao, speaking her mind directly.

"It's not as serious as you said. This is a good thing, and he reported it immediately. There's no need to investigate this small problem."

Ulanruier waved her hand, "I've found that he's more eager to kill the Heterogeneous God than anyone else, probably worried that the Heterogeneous God is coveting the Evolution Cube and will make a comeback."

She pondered for a while and made a decision.

"Since the Federation of Light wants to join, then pull in the Void Spirit Sect as well. The three parties will act together."

Because the Heterogeneous God defected, the Void Spirit Sect suffered huge losses, so their hostility towards the Heterogeneous God was even firmer than the empire's. And because of the Lighthouse Star Battle and cooperation with the Heterogeneous God, some negative public opinion was caused in the interstellar society, and the Void Spirit Sect urgently needed to strike the Heterogeneous God to show their stance at this time.

In this regard, the Heterogeneous God was like a chamber pot, used when needed, and kicked back into the corner when it was smelly.

Ulanruier's approach was to drag the Void Spirit Sect into the water, sharing the empire's pressure. Everyone would fight together, and no one would watch from the shore.

On the other hand, it was to try to fulfill Black Star's wishes. If they could really eliminate the Heterogeneous God, it would benefit everyone.

…

Flickering World, a desolate cosmic belt.

The Heterogeneous God's fleet that had escaped from the Shattered Star Ring was sailing, moving along the desolate cosmic belt towards the edge of the star field.

In the main ship's hall, Hakison came to the Heterogeneous God's throne and awakened the sleeping Heterogeneous God.

The black mist vortex-like face turned back into ordinary ugly features. The Heterogeneous God opened his eyes, looked at his assistant Hakison, and asked lightly:

"What's the matter?"

"It's about the headquarters. Our troops in the Central Star Sea are being encircled and suppressed by the Red Empire and the Void Spirit Sect, suffering heavy casualties."

"Oh, anything else?" The Heterogeneous God nodded, not caring.

Hakison paused, and hissed a laugh, "We've angered the Void Spirit Sect this time. They might join forces with the empire and send Super-A Grades to deal with you. Aren't you worried at all?"

"They should be worried, not me."

The Heterogeneous God closed his eyes again, his tone like a murmur.

"It's a good opportunity to test the power after evolution."

Seeing the Heterogeneous God fall asleep again, Hakison left the hall. The closed door hid the hideous arc raised at the corner of his mouth.

Anger, delight, triumph, resignation… all kinds of complex emotions flashed past.