by <unknown>
Hila frowned. “You know I have no interest in these activities. If I have time to attend a banquet, I’d rather be training.”
“Just training itself wouldn’t help. You need to rest and relax at times.” Han Xiao waved his hands. “Recently, because of the problem with the Arcane Church, my nerves have been stretched out, and now that this problem has finally been solved, I can relax for today. Don’t think about training anymore.”
“I don’t like conversing with strangers.” Hila shook her head.
“Uh… these people are all the elites of their civilizations. They’re probably formidable characters, and if you get to know them, you could organize a spar.”
“That sounds good.” Hila’s eyes flickered.
Han Xiao chatted with his entourage while he walked, all the way until they arrived at the banquet. There were already a lot of people within, and it was boisterous.
The banquet hall was a special hall designed for this purpose, and its decorations were opulent. Tables were filled with full, and innumerable delicacies were delivered like flowing water. The foods were complex and catered toward the tastes of different races.
The elites of all races were present, and various styles and designs of clothing were on full display, dazzling the eyes. It fully demonstrated the diversity of the interstellar society.
Han Xiao led his people to the front, where he attracted all gazes.
“Ahem, on behalf of the Black Star Army, welcome to the evening banquet…”
Clearing his throat, Han Xiao smiled as he spoke. As the host, he had to give some pleasantries before the banquet could formally begin.
After giving a brief speech, the atmosphere at the banquet grew much warmer. Many people took the initiative to approach Han Xiao and chat with him enthusiastically.
The majority of people had stayed behind in order to converse with Han Xiao. It was not every day that one had the means to come into contact with a Beyond Grade A.
Very quickly, a crowd was surrounding Han Xiao. With a smile on his face, and seemingly not bored of the small talk, he continued to access everyone present.
In just this short period, he had seen many of the ‘acquaintances’ he knew in his past life. All of these people were famed personalities that the players from Shattered Star Ring had met in various regions while adventuring.
Some of them were very cheerful and sociable, while some wore hooded cloaks as though they were trying to hide themselves. One of them was even mumbling to himself, as though he was neurotic.
While, in front of Han Xiao, these characters’ fame was not worth mentioning, in front of the players, they were all big-shot characters.
As for all the elites that came to talk, Han Xiao collected all their contact details. This gave them a pleasant surprise because they did not expect a Beyond Grade A to be so easy to approach.
Collecting their contact information was akin to collecting their potential storyline missions for Han Xiao. In addition, these elites all had considerable power in the respective civilizations, which could be regarded as networking.
While conversing, Han Xiao heard someone calling him from behind in a shy tone.
“Your… Your Excellency Black Star, I’m Pamela from the Flower Sprite Tribe, a biological genetic engineer.”
Han Xiao turned back and smiled. “Is there anything you need?”
“I… I’m one of your admirers. I would like to know you. Could you accept my communicator number?” Pamela looked excited. She had watched him from the side for a while and realized that Han Xiao did not reject such requests. Thus, she had gathered up her courage to talk to him and exchange contact information.
Feeling her impure gaze on him, Han Xiao laughed dumbly.
Am I being picked up now?
What a rare occasion.
“Ok. Send it to me.” Han Xiao did not reject her. A biological genetic engineer was worth him befriending.
Although it was impossible for these elites to jump ship, he could still recruit them if he ran into some special situations in the future or request their aid.
“Thank you!” After exchanging contact details, Pamela behaved as though she had just obtained his autograph, her face full of joy as she hugged her communicator close to her chest.
Not far away, Sylvia saw this entire scene and lightly snorted. “Humph, airhead.”
As the banquet progressed, the guests became more absorbed in the atmosphere and relaxed more.
Batch after batch of guests exchanged their contact information with Han Xiao before being content enough to retreat. Han Xiao finally managed to get a breather and sighed in relief as he grabbed one of the alcoholic beverages from a floating tray. He drained half the cocktail, which held a blue gradient, to moisten his throat.
The cooling yet spicy alcohol flowed into his throat, and there was an aftertaste of sweetness. Han Xiao felt rejuvenated and smiled.
Walking to a corner, he slowly drank whilst surveying the scene.
After working for so many years, the Black Star Army had finally reached its current scale, which gave Han Xiao mixed feelings.
“What are you reminiscing about?” Hila carried a deep red cocktail as she walked over.
“How did you know?” Han Xiao raised a brow.
“I’ve known you for so long. How could I not understand? Seeing your eyes, I know that you’re recalling something,” Hila blandly replied.
“Speaking of, I just recalled something. Twenty years ago, back on Planet Aquamarine, when I just… cough, just lost my memories, you were the first friend I met, and the earliest.”
“That’s right. In the blink of an eye, it’s been so many years.” Hila followed Han Xiao’s gaze and looked around the entire venue. “Those years, I struggled in despair and never thought that I would step into the universe one day and have such a future. Now, looking back, it seems like those days on Planet Aquamarine belonged to a past life.”
“Thinking back, I endured for a good half a year in the Germinal Organization base. It was lucky that you left the base once in a while, or else I would never have escaped.”
“It’s good that you know this.” The corners of Hila’s mouth curled up.
Han Xiao laughed as he reminisced, but suddenly, his laughter stopped, and he shook his head. “There are so many things that happened after. You felt that you owed me, so you always chose to fight for me. However, your ability is not only at this level, and you have the potential to reach Beyond Grade A. One day, you will obtain this power, and at that time, will you still fight shoulder to shoulder with me?”
Hila hesitated for a while before shaking her head. “I don’t know.”
“An honest answer. Promises are the most unreliable thing. Who can predict the future properly?” Han Xiao shrugged and raised his glass. “At least, you’re still by my side now. To our friendship, cheers.”
“You sound so old fashioned.”
“Please, we’re already in our forties… although if we look from the perspective of our life spans, we’re just little brats.”
“You’re the little brat.”
Hila’s expression was disdainful, but a smile still hung on her lips as she raised her glass to clink Han Xiao’s.
“Cheers.”
They both took a sip of their drinks.
Han Xiao wiped his mouth. He was about to say something else, but a guest suddenly walked over, as though he wished to talk, yet there was a hesitant look.
Seeing someone approached, they both stopped talking, and Han Xiao took the initiative to ask, “Is there something?”
“Your Excellency Black Star, I’m Ceselin from the Gulal Civilization. I have a matter that I would like to discuss privately.”
Gulal Civilization? Han Xiao quickly searched on his quantum network.
This was a Star Cluster Civilization that seemed to have been embroiled in civil strife for a long time. Their internal issues were serious and had evolved to the point of military division.
<
br /> This Ceselin was a Calamity Grade elite belonging to the current ruling party of the civilization. Not only was he one of the strongest guardians but also an army commander with high power.
“What do you want to talk in private for?” Han Xiao raised his brow. “Can’t we talk here?”
Ceselin shook his head. “It’s not suitable in a public venue.”
“You must at least tell me your intentions.”
Ceselin paused for a moment before solemnly saying, “This is a request. Please believe me. I come with sincerity.”
Han Xiao stroked his chin, smelling the possibility of a mission.
To have a mission bring itself to me, it’s quite worthwhile to listen to it…
As he thought of this, Han Xiao passed his glass to Hila before turning to walk toward a side entrance. There were private conference rooms located along the corridor there.
“Follow me.”
Chapter 873. S Grade War Hire |
Both of them left through the side entrance, walking along the hallway to a conference room. Phillip locked the door as they entered. The soundproofing system here was good, completely isolating the noises from the banquet.
They sat down facing each other, and Han Xiao snapped his fingers. The simulated mechanical waiter stepped forward to pour two glasses of amber mead for them, adding a few cubes of ice before placing the glasses on the table in front of them.
“We can speak now.” Han Xiao swirled his glass, and the fragrance of the liquor wafted out from the mouth of the glass.
Now that he was a great character within the Shattered Star Ring, no longer did he need to actively search for missions. People would naturally come knocking to request his aid.
This phenomenon was not only limited to himself. Players could also achieve this if they managed to carve out a name for themselves within a certain star system. NPCs would then also seek help from them from time to time.
“It’s like this. My request is about the future of the Gulal Civilization…” Ceselin sat on the edge.
I guessed it. If it wasn’t something of that magnitude, who would come and disturb a Beyond Grade A? Han Xiao’s expression, however, remained unchanged, and he lifted his hand, gesturing for him to continue.
“Before this, please allow me to briefly explain the current situation of my civilization.” Ceselin solemnly spoke. “The Gulal Civilization has always been in a state of military division, and the three main parties have formed their own military regions and are opposed to each other. They are the Ancient Emperor Party, the Pioneer Party, and the Descendant Party. The current ruling party representing the Gulal Civilization government is the Ancient Emperor Party, and my teammates and I are members of this party.”
As one of the edges of the explored universe, the Shattered Star Ring had a complicated situation due to the lack of control. Some civilizations were stable and peaceful, whilst some faced external and internal problems. The situation of internal military division such as the Gulal Civilization would be considered quite serious.
“Okay, I understand. So, what is your request?” Han Xiao asked.
“I beg the Black Star Army to lend the war efforts and end the split of the Gulal Civilization, letting us find peace.”
“I understand. You wish to apply for war employment and have my people assist the current ruling party to suppress the other two, right?” Han Xiao raised a brow.
However, Ceselin shook his head and gave an unexpected answer.
“No, I hope for Black Star Army to assist the Pioneer Party in overthrowing the Ancient Emperor Party and suppressing the Descendant Party.”
This was getting more interesting. Han Xiao sized Ceselin up. “You’re someone of the Ancient Emperor Party, yet you are helping the Pioneer Party to speak. Are you a spy?”
Ceselin shook his head. “That’s not the case. I was born on a colonial planet of the Ancient Emperor Party and even joined their army. I’ve never joined another party.”
“Then, why? For benefits? Did the Pioneer Party give you any advantages?”
“That’s not true either. My position in the Ancient Emperor Party is high, and I’m even a War Hero. The Pioneer Party would not try to pull hardcore members like me over, and whatever they can give me, the Ancient Emperor Party can do so as well.”
“Then why?”
“Ideals,” Ceselin gravely replied. “I’m more inclined toward the ideology and beliefs of the Pioneer Party. The Ancient Emperor Party is decaying, and only the Pioneer Party will be able to lead the civilization to greater hope.”
“I get it.” Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. “You’re a traitor. The Ancient Emperor Party has given you both authority and standing, even allowing you to obtain the power of the Evolution Cube, yet you decide to stab them in the back and overthrow them?”
“From their viewpoint, I’m indeed a traitor, but from the viewpoint of the Pioneer Party, I’m someone who has thrown away the darkness and embraced the light. One’s perception is based on their viewpoint, so I’m only looking at this objectively and not caring about one’s judgement,” Ceselin replied in a low voice. “Back when I was young, I was also passionate and wanted to serve the nation. However, my thoughts were not mature, and like many others, I was just keen to maintain the orthodox Ancient Emperor Party. Since I was born on the colonial planet, my position was largely determined from birth… but after so many years, I’ve become skeptical of their ideals and behavior, and my beliefs have become more and more shaken.”
Han Xiao looked at him silently. Before Phillip presented him with the complete information on Gulal Civilization, he would not just take anyone’s words at face value.
This time, Ceselin’s tone became more animated, and it even hid some anger.
“Due to its position, the Ancient Emperor Party wanted a totalitarian rule and has done many bloody things under wraps to our people. I’ve participated in many of them and have seen the darkness of politics, the bloodshed of domination, and the confinement of thought. My house is filled with medals awarded by the party, and I used to like to look at the past glories. However, when I stare at them now, my nose fills with the sickening smell of blood.”
Han Xiao stroked his chin. “So, you decided to betray the party that groomed you?”
“To be specific, it was only after I began to doubt myself that I finally freed myself from the shackles.” Ceselin took a sip of his drink and sighed. “I’ve always been bound by my identity, and when I woke up, I realized that the three parties were only the standpoints of internal division of our civilization. The so-called opposition is meaningless, and what we should be concerned with is the future of our entire civilization. Whoever can bring prosperity should be supported. I chose to follow the idea of freedom and the judgement of my heart, so I chose the Pioneer Party, which the majority of citizens support. They will be able to bring Gulal Civilization further.”
“So, in this way, you believe yourself to be noble?” Han Xiao raised his brow.
“I never thought of myself that way.” Ceselin shook his head.
“… Regarding your choice, I cannot give any comment because I’m an outsider,” Han Xiao slowly said. “I just want to know. You mentioned that you have never joined the other parties. So, on what basis can the Pioneer Party talk to me about cooperation?”
“I’m not representing the Pioneer Party. I’m just making a request to you personally.”
Han Xiao laughed at this. “What makes you think you can persuade me to intervene in a civil strife that I do not care about? You haven’t even reached a consensus with the Pioneer Party, and let’s not talk about whether the other party wishes for me to intervene. Just how are you even going to afford the war employment wages? Why should I kick aside the Ancient Emperor Party that I’m working with now to help you? What can you bring me?”
“I know that it’s very abrupt to bring this up as an individual, but I have no choice,” Ceselin replied. “The Ancient Emperor Party has assigne
d me the mission of applying to you for war employment. They are ready to use force to eradicate the other two parties and take back all the divided land.”
“So, it’s like that.” Han Xiao understood it.
The Ancient Emperor Party wanted to resolve the strife once and for all, but they did not wish to be controlled by an advanced civilization. Thus, instead of asking for help from the Star Cluster civilizations, they planned to hire foreign aid in the form of interstellar mercenaries. In the Shattered Star Ring, the most representative of the mercenaries were the Mercenary League, Bloodshed Land, and Black Star Army.
Since the Black Star Army was also the head of the Mercenary League and an ally of the dynasty together with Bloodshed Land, as long as the Black Star Army was hired, the mercenaries of Shattered Star Ring would not be employed by people wishing to oppose the Black Star Army. After all, with the current might of the army, no one wished to send themselves to die, and mercenaries that are cooperating with each other would not send their people to opposing sides.
In the mercenary world within the Shattered Star Ring, the Black Star Army had already reached the highest level of influence and reputation.
As the ruling party, the Ancient Emperor Party had already attached themselves to the Black Star Army. As long as aid was received, the Pioneer Party that Ceselin looked upon fondly would be destroyed, so he could only brave this risk and boldly make this request of Han Xiao.
Man, of all the people you chose to be the emissary, you chose an emissary that is a backstabber… Han Xiao’s mouth twitched. Could this be the legendary plot of ‘I didn’t choose this, but now I wish to be on the good side?’
Han Xiao shook his head. “Let’s be practical. Which party is in power has no impact on me. Since the Ancient Emperor Party is cooperating with the Black Star Army, they will definitely offer a good price. And since you came here in a rush to find me, that means nothing is set in stone on your side… Forget it. I don’t wish to say any more unpleasant words. Let’s consider this conversation over.”
Han Xiao put down his glass and stood up, walking toward the door with a dissatisfied mood.
