Chapter 154 A Visit

Having finalized their plan of action, the contingent of Imperial soldiers split into three teams. Millizaus and others escorted the four prisoners sealed in amber back to the Central Star Sea, while Tarrokov remained behind to coordinate the fleet and handle the aftermath. Han Xiao and Heber did not linger, heading off to rendezvous with the waiting Imperial fleet, intending to travel together to the territory of the Star Pupil Civilization.

Watching the Imperial fleet depart, Han Xiao turned his head to look at Heber's image on the virtual screen of the spaceship, and laughed.

"We're teaming up again this time. Once we get to the Star Pupil Civilization, I hope you can live up to your nickname and be more domineering."

"Hmph."

The virtual screen went black as Heber cut off the communication, indicating his unwillingness to speak with Han Xiao. Outside the porthole, the fleet from the Realm of War turned around and streaked away into the depths of space.

Han Xiao clicked his tongue and shook his head, then dialed Sylvia's number.

"Have Melos dispatch some fleets to this rendezvous point. I'll have Phillip send you the star chart coordinates."

"Received."

After a brief exchange, Han Xiao ended the call. He was finding Sylvia increasingly capable. He could entrust almost anything to her without having to worry about it himself.

"I feel like I'm becoming more and more like Ames, turning into a hands-off manager..."

Han Xiao played with the communicator, unable to help but chuckle to himself. It suddenly occurred to him that if he became Ames, then Sylvia would be his Jenny 'Baldy' Lu.

The dashing mechanical knight of his previous life had become the current capable legion administrator and regimental commander's secretary. He didn't know which version was more attractive in the eyes of the players, only that Sylvia seemed to be very popular among the legion players as well.

At this moment, Frenzied Sword Hunter proactively nudged up beside him, nuzzling Han Xiao's head. Han Xiao's mouth twitched. He reached out and stroked the head that Frenzied Sword Hunter presented to him. Frenzied Sword Hunter made purring sounds, straightened his front legs, stretched his back, and proactively lowered his head to allow Han Xiao to pat him, like a pet begging for affection.

Only in front of Han Xiao, who had given him life, would Frenzied Sword Hunter reveal this demeanor. As a beast-type mechanical lifeform, he seemed to have some deviation in his self-positioning. Han Xiao had checked his browsing history and discovered that, in addition to combat data packs, he had also downloaded countless pet-acting-cute videos online, seemingly diligently studying the various skills of being a pet, creating a contrast with his ferocious appearance that made Han Xiao break out in a cold sweat.

Should he pat him? The texture wasn't great. But if he didn't, it seemed disrespectful to his hard work...

Silver Flash watched coldly from the sidelines, inwardly sneering:

— Hmph, simp!

Han Xiao thought for a moment, then sent a communication request to Ames again. Ames' noble and subtly smiling face appeared before him.

"What do you want?"

"I have a mission here, preparing to go to the Star Pupil Civilization to bully Sisko a little. Are you interested?"

Ames rested her right hand on her chin, her sleeve slipping down, revealing a section of her snow-white, slender forearm. She blinked her eyes.

"I've noticed that you really don't like chatting with me casually unless you have serious business."

"Are you coming or not?"

"Let me check my schedule." Ames raised her eyes, looking past the screen at the person next to her, and asked slowly, "Jenny, does Longtan have any tasks that require me to do recently?"

After a good while, a teeth-gritting, haggard voice sounded from off-screen.

"Yes… but have you ever done them?"

Hearing this, Ames waved her hand directly. Han Xiao couldn't see what was happening off-screen, but Jenny's voice disappeared, not knowing if she had been hit by a force field.

"I happen to have nothing to do, so I'll just go take a look." Ames smiled subtly, as if nothing had happened.

"Alright." Han Xiao nodded, selectively ignoring the scene just now.

"By the way, this is an Imperial mission. It shouldn't just be you going, right?"

"Yes, besides me, Heber is also acting together, and there are some Imperial fleets."

"Heber's going too?" Ames narrowed her eyes. "Hmph, I can't be bothered to see him. I'm not going. You go with him."

With that, Ames hung up the communication.

Han Xiao blinked his eyes, staring blankly at the black screen.

Did Ames have such a strong opinion of Heber? To go back on her word so easily.

It seemed he had underestimated how much Heber's previous steel-straight-man courtship had lowered her favorability.

…

Just as the Crimson Empire was holding four prisoners and racking up prestige throughout the universe, the Eternal Night Star System, where the Star Pupil Civilization was located, welcomed uninvited guests.

Homeworld, political building, the Bureau of Important Affairs.

Sisko held the highest authority, and the Bureau of Important Affairs was the organization that assisted him in managing political affairs. The members of the Bureau were partly high-level officials with real power. This system obviously had drawbacks, but for Sisko, these were not problems. His strength and prestige were his right to speak, and his psionic power could identify thoughts and emotions, so no one could overrule him.

During this time, Sisko was on the run outside, and the Bureau of Important Affairs was responsible for the daily operation of the government. The two sides had not lost contact. Although Sisko was fleeing, he had been remotely handling the affairs of the race. It was just that he was not at home, nor had he made a public appearance. The recent storm of public opinion in the universe had made the Star Pupil Civilization panic.

In particular, the recent capture of Sagman and Tylerdie by the Empire had caused concern among the citizens of the Star Pupil Civilization, who were afraid that their leader would also be captured, and were also afraid that the Crimson Empire would retaliate against the Star Pupil Civilization.

Under various worries, a considerable number of people secretly complained about Sisko—why meddle in this muddy water for no reason, making things so passive now!

This view was widely circulated on the Star Pupil Civilization's network. A small number of people, due to the threat to their own safety, became dissatisfied with their leader Sisko. As for Sisko's past merits, they did not affect their judgment. Helping someone when they are in need is appreciated, but if you keep giving, people will eventually become greedy. It was a common human sentiment of some people. Unfortunately, Sisko was not successful. Otherwise, public opinion would have turned into praise.

However, the extreme views of a small number of people could not affect the stability of a quasi-Star Cluster-level civilization's government. Sisko's control over the race was not just on paper. Even if the road ahead was unclear, the government was still working diligently.

The Bureau of Important Affairs issued an instruction to have people promote on the Internet that Sisko was in this situation in order to retrieve the treasure of the race, shaping the image of Sisko risking himself for the dignity of the race, and severely suppressed a batch of dissatisfied remarks, controlling public sentiment.

At this time, in the main hall of the Bureau of Important Affairs, many members were discussing whether to enter a higher-level state of emergency, welcome Sisko back, and protect him with the army, even if it meant confronting the Empire.

A group of high-level military officials also participated in the meeting, each holding their own opinions and arguing fiercely.

Just then, a high-level military official received a piece of intelligence, his face changed drastically. He slammed the table and stood up, his lips trembling. In a trembling voice, he read out the intelligence:

"The No. 17 border哨所 (shàosuǒ, outpost) has detected a large-scale Imperial fleet pressing in, reaching the level of tens of millions, mixed with the Black Star Army and the Realm of War warships."

"What!"

All the members of the Bureau of Important Affairs present were shocked, their faces horrified.

Could it be that the worst had happened and the Imperial fleet had really attacked?!

Before everyone could react, the second piece of intelligence arrived immediately afterwards.

"The other side is staying at the border and has not forcibly broken in. They are negotiating with the outpost officers. It has been confirmed that Black Star and Overlord are sitting in command of this fleet, their intentions unknown."

The hearts of the members of the Bureau of Important Affairs, which had been hanging in their throats, slowly fell back down, and they looked at the military officer with some resentment.

Could you not take such a big breath when you speak and scare us like that!

After the shock subsided, everyone's rationality returned.

"That's right, only tens of millions of warships. It doesn't look like they're here to start a war."

"Their intention, could it be to force us to hand over our leader?"

"This… what should we do? Won't we still have a conflict with them then?"

Everyone's expression was troubled.

Soon, the third piece of intelligence was transmitted back in real time via quantum communication:

"Black Star and Overlord stated that they are just visiting the Star Pupil Civilization as guests and hope to meet with Sisko."

The members of the Bureau of Important Affairs looked at each other in dismay.

Bringing a menacing army to visit as guests, do you think we're fools?

They're here with ill intentions.

"What do you think, if we reject their request, will they wait outside the border or use force?" One of the members hesitantly opened his mouth.

Everyone looked at him speechlessly.

Did you think that the Crimson Empire sent troops and two Beyond Grade As to our territory to travel? If we dared to give them the cold shoulder, that would be offering a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. How could they possibly let it go?

Little brother, how did you get into the Bureau of Important Affairs? Do you have a backer?

"This matter is beyond our authority. Report it to Leader Sisko and let him decide."

The Bureau of Important Affairs immediately contacted Sisko, who was on the run outside.

Before long, the communication connected.

Sisko looked around the room, his seven eyes scanning everyone from various angles. Seeing the heavy expressions on everyone's faces, he couldn't help but ask, "What happened?"

"Leader, the Crimson Empire fleet is pressing in…" A confidant explained the matter.

After he finished speaking, the room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was waiting for his decision.

Sisko took a deep breath and closed his eyes. After a while, he slowly opened them and said, word by word:

"Receive them, I'll go back right away."

"But they're coming for you!"

Many people looked anxious, but subconsciously they breathed a sigh of relief.

If Sisko continued to run away and did not come out to shoulder this responsibility, then they would not know how to end this matter.

"They're doing this to force me back. Black Star and Overlord understand me, they know I won't abandon the civilization." Sisko's expression returned to calm, and he slowly said, "There's no use in running away. I'm always going to face this tribulation. This is the price of failure."

Everyone's face showed a look of grief and indignation.

"Don't worry, the Empire already has four prisoners in their hands. Directly visiting the Star Pupil Civilization is not necessarily to capture me." Sisko shook his head.

The reason he had not returned all this time was not only to observe the situation, but also because he believed that the Empire would not necessarily risk attacking a civilization protected by the peace treaty. Although his base camp was rooted here, the Empire might not forcibly capture him. However, he did not want the race to bear the risk for him, so he was unwilling to accept the protection of the race's army. But just in case, he had not strayed too far, and had been lingering around the border of the territory.

"Understood, we will open the border and let the fleet escort them to a planet." A commander's tone was solemn.

Territorial security was very important to a civilization, but now they were actually taking the initiative to open the border to welcome menacing unwelcome guests. The Empire's actions were undoubtedly putting pressure on them. Everyone present felt uneasy.

…

Before long, the Star Pupil Civilization dispatched troops to the border to welcome them. Most of the Crimson Empire fleet remained outside the border. Han Xiao and Heber led a part of the fleet and followed the Star Pupil Civilization's troops to a border colony planet.

The Star Pupil Civilization obviously did not want too many people to know about this, so the spaceship stopped directly in the internal administrative area of ​​the planet. Before the envoy qualified to receive the two of them arrived, the local lord of this colony star was in charge of the reception work.

After getting off the spaceship, the lord led Han Xiao and Heber to the reception room, walking cautiously and gingerly along the way. Following behind him, Han Xiao could clearly see the beads of sweat sliding down the back of his neck.

The surrounding Star Pupil Civilization soldiers were tense and alert, staring intently at Han Xiao and Heber's group, clutching the weapons in their hands.

Heber was used to people's fearful gazes. He strode powerfully, followed by a group of vanguard officers, big muscular guys looking fierce, which gave off the illusion that they might start chanting "Swimming, fitness, wanna know more?" at any moment.

Han Xiao, on the other hand, was looking around at the Star Pupil Civilization's architectural style. Hela and other guards, as well as the four Apostle Weapons, also followed behind him.

Both of them had brought their own elite Calamity Grade fighters, and next to them were the Imperial officers.

Arriving at the reception room, everyone sat down one after another. The local lord wiped his sweat and said cautiously, "The envoy is on the way, please wait a moment."

Heber sat on the sofa like a small mountain, his aura powerful and majestic. He crossed his arms and said coldly, "When will Sisko return?"

"This, this I don't know…"

Under the pressure of his aura, the local lord's throat felt blocked. He almost lost his composure on the spot and couldn't speak. He barely managed to open his mouth and answer stutteringly. He was already sweating profusely.

Han Xiao casually picked up a local specialty fruit from the table. It looked like a cucumber dyed blue. He took a bite, chewed it twice, smacked his lips, then reached out and picked up another one. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it to Heber.

"I tried it, it's not poisonous. Eat it with confidence."

Heber's face twitched.

I'm showing off right now, and you throw me a fruit, ruining the atmosphere!

And also, am I, a strong and healthy martial artist, need a mechanic to help me test for poison?!

The fruit was thrown over, and it wouldn't look good if he let it fall to the ground. Heber could only sullenly catch it and casually throw it to the vanguard officer behind him.

Now Heber was too lazy to speak, and just closed his eyes to rest. Han Xiao didn't say anything either, and sat there calmly, squinting his eyes and enjoying Aurora massaging his temples from behind.

The atmosphere quieted down.

The guards around, after being wary at first, saw the few people acting as if no one else was there, and then a surge of anger arose in them.

Damn it, these people don't take the Star Pupil Civilization seriously at all!

Especially Black Star, this great villain, not only stole their treasure of the race, but also dared to run to their territory and act arrogantly!

Several guards clenched their weapons, almost unable to resist wanting to shoot Han Xiao, but reason stopped them.

The situation was stronger than people. The Crimson Empire was currently doing whatever it wanted in the Shattered Star Ring, and their backer, the Arcane Church, had also suffered losses. Naturally, they did not dare to act rashly at this time.

Soon, the surrounding guards began to change shifts. One Calamity Grade after another who rushed over served as guards, looking like they were facing a great enemy. Countless eyes stared at Han Xiao and Heber, not daring to be distracted in the slightest.

After a while, there was suddenly a burst of rapid footsteps outside the door. The door was pushed open, and an envoy walked in with a few subordinates.

"Your Excellency Black Star, Your Excellency Heber, envoys of the Crimson Empire, I am the person responsible for receiving you. You can call me Jade."

Jade bowed slightly, but his tone was neither humble nor arrogant.

Heber opened his eyes again, and still asked the same question, "When will Sisko arrive?"

"We don't know either. Our leader has his own schedule. It may take a few days, or it may take half a month. Please wait for a while. We will provide accommodation. If you don't want to stay, we have no objections either." Jade said lightly.

Bang!

Heber's aura exploded, and the sense of oppression increased exponentially, as if an invisible storm had been set off in the room.

He stared coldly at Jade and said slowly:

"Don't fool me. Sisko has been near the border of the Star Pupil Civilization, not far from this direction. I'll only give you three days. Think about the consequences if I don't see him."

Jade's breathing stagnated, and he was somewhat breathless under the pressure of Heber's aura. He gritted his teeth and persisted, nodding with difficulty, "I will convey your meaning to the higher-ups…"

At this time, Han Xiao, who was beside him, opened his eyes, raised his hand to let Aurora step back, and stared at Jade with interest.

"I just took a stroll around your network. You seem to be very keen on blocking news. It seems that not many people know about our visit."

"What do you want to do?" Jade's face changed slightly when he thought of Han Xiao's abilities.

"It's not good to block news. Let me help you."

Han Xiao smiled. With a thought, Phillip immediately sent data packets to the major media websites of the Star Pupil Civilization, forcibly promoting several news articles.

They could be roughly summarized as content in the style of "The Imperial Fleet Comes to Ask for Accountability, the Star Pupil Civilization is Trembling in Fear!", "Black Star and Overlord Arrive Together, Sisko Dares Not Show His Face!", "Sisko Flees Out of Fear of Punishment, Wanting to Abandon the Race!", etc., which stirred up the rhythm of the Star Pupil Civilization's weakness and Sisko's unwillingness to take responsibility on the Internet, making the citizens of the Star Pupil Civilization feel aggrieved and undermining Sisko's prestige.

With his virtual technology, these news articles instantly broke through the public opinion blockade and swept the Star Pupil Civilization's network.

Sisko had brought him a great crisis. This time, he had come to establish the Empire's prestige, and Han Xiao would not be polite. Only when Sisko showed up would he let Phillip stop.

Jade hurriedly walked to the side and exchanged a few words with the higher-ups. Then, he returned to Han Xiao again, his tone serious.

"Your Excellency Black Star, please stop this behavior immediately, otherwise…"

Bang!

Before he could finish speaking, the next moment, Jade's head was grabbed by a big hand and slammed heavily on the table.

The tabletop cracked and collapsed!

Fros, the chief vanguard officer of the Realm of War, pressed his head down and said coldly, "Pay attention to your attitude when speaking to us. If there is a next time, I will crush your head."

After letting go, Jade staggered back, his face full of anger.

However, the situation was stronger than people. He had to endure it, and wiped the blue blood from his head with a handkerchief without saying a word.

The surrounding Calamity Grades, seeing the group of people acting so arrogantly, became more and more unsightly, and anger surged in their hearts. But now what was involved was the entire race, and these people did not dare to act rashly. They struggled inwardly and were indignant.

Han Xiao raised his eyebrows and glanced at Heber, his eyes seeming to say: "You're still the more evil one."

Heber returned a look: "You talk too much nonsense."

At this moment, the news that Han Xiao had spread caused a sensation on the Internet. Countless Star Pupil Civilization citizens were furious. Some scolded the Empire for being too deceitful, actually smearing their leader; some worried whether Sisko was really gone forever; some were angry and indignant, wishing they could come to the planet where Han Xiao and others were located immediately to confront them; and some were angry at their inaction, believing that the Star Pupil Civilization should be tough, rather be a shattered jade than an intact tile, to kill the Empire's arrogant aura… Anyway, it was not he who was risking his life, so this suggestion was made without any pressure.

Countless people wanted to retrieve the "treasure of the race" day and night. The Star Pupil Civilization's hostility towards Han Xiao was very deep. Han Xiao didn't mind them being hostile to him. The more hostile they were, the more Sisko's prestige would be affected.

Jade did not speak, but one of the guards in the room could not help but roar angrily at Han Xiao:

"Do you have no conscience at all?! You stole our treasure of the race and you dare to come here and flaunt your power!"

As soon as these words came out, everyone looked over.

A cold light flashed in Hela's eyes, and she was about to punish him, but Han Xiao held her hand and turned to look at the guard.

"What's your name?"

"… Lallaim!" This guard was obviously going all out, and was very emotional, shouting very loudly.

"Well, then what do you want me to do?"

"Of course, return our treasure of the race!"

"Alright." Han Xiao nodded, took out the Evolutionary Cube, and threw it directly into the guard's hand, "Take it."

The Star Pupil Civilization people present were stunned. The guard stared at the Evolutionary Cube in his hand in disbelief.

"You, you…"

"Didn't you want it? Now the thing is in your hands."

Han Xiao's smile faded, "But I have to remind you, if you walk out of this room, you will have stolen the Evolutionary Cube. Then what will come will be the Imperial Expeditionary Fleet. Are you willing to bear the consequences of that?"

The guard's face turned purple with embarrassment and anger.

"You are threatening us with your strength. Is there any morality in your heart?!"

Han Xiao raised his hand and sucked the Evolutionary Cube back into his hand, shaking his head and said: "You say this is your treasure of the race, but this thing was not made by you. Just because you have owned it for a long time, does the Evolutionary Cube belong to you? This is the legacy of the Evolvers Civilization. You also picked it up. You also relied on your strength to take it for yourselves. In essence, it is not your thing, but you call it the 'treasure of the race'… Also, let me correct you, I did not steal the Evolutionary Cube. Rather, you lost it yourselves. I just picked it up and refused to hand it over to others, just like you did back then. It's a matter of standpoint, and you shouldn't use morality as an excuse. That's meaningless."

"Bullshit, we have owned the Evolutionary Cube for so long, it has long been our master. Leader Sisko has always been connected to the Evolutionary Cube. Of course this is our thing!" The guard roared angrily.

"What you said also makes some sense, but you didn't protect your own thing and it was snatched away by the Otherworlders. I am not noble enough to return what I picked up, and besides, this thing is not the hard work of your civilization, so I have even less of a psychological burden… If you can snatch it back, I can't deny it, but if your strength is not enough, everything you say is empty talk. I gave you the chance, but you didn't dare to take it, so forget it."

Han Xiao shook his head. He asked himself that he had never been a good person. He had another purpose in coming this time, and that was to solve the hidden dangers of the Evolutionary Cube once and for all—to use his influence to force Sisko to lift the psionic induction!

As for right and wrong… Sisko had endangered his life many times. Now that things had come to this, there was no need to dwell on this issue.

"You go out first."

Jade gestured to the agitated guard. Although he was also angry at the loss of the "treasure of the race", he was more realistic. The Empire had come to demonstrate this time. It was a pipe dream to want the other party to hand over the Evolutionary Cube for no reason.

After watching this little episode, Heber threw a look at Han Xiao:

"You're not bad at being the bad guy either."

"We encourage each other."

Han Xiao rolled his eyes secretly.

He had to be a little arrogant to put pressure on them. Alas, a low-key handsome guy like him, who was as steady as an old dog, was not used to this style.