by <unknown>
The two parties were the two sides of the same soul after all and could not be completely separated. After lingering outside for a while, it had to return to the brain for nurture and training.
"More haste, less speed," Li Yao said. "We were in so much a hurry to absorb the enormous energy that we are unable to manipulate it perfectly. Look. At the last moment, I failed to control my strength, and tremendous spiritual energy flowed out of my pores. Together with the high-speed collisions with the enemy's crystal suit, my pants were ripped apart."
"Such accidents are unavoidable in a fierce battle," the mental devil said. "What's the problem?"
"It is not a big deal if the pants were only ripped apart. But look. My thighs are utterly clean and smooth. Even the leg hair has been accidentally burnt up. Do you not feel that it is very humiliating? It's almost like I'm a pervert who has intentionally shaved off all my leg hair."
"Well…"
"Speaking of which, I'm suddenly very curious about one thing. How do other Cultivators address the problem when they encounter it? After all, it is impossible for them to control their spiritual energy accurately in a fierce battle all the time. Some of the spiritual energy will flow out sooner or later and may cause high-speed friction with the air. They will be bombarded by the enemy's magnificent magical equipment, too. So, won't their clothes be ripped apart and their hair be burnt up every now and then?
"If two graceful, dominating experts somehow both become naked in a fierce fight and entangle each other, won't it be very embarrassing?
"It is already embarrassing enough if two male experts are having a fierce fight. What if dozens of experts that involve both males and females are having a gang fight? If somebody performs such a destructive skill that other people's clothes are all blown up, what should they do next? Do they continue fighting or not?"
"Hey, hey, hey," the mental devil interrupted. "I don't think that this is the time to reflect on such issues!"
"Perhaps the armor and suits were invented at the very beginning exactly to avoid the awkward situations where the participants of a battle got naked in the middle of a fierce fight…"
"Really, brother." The mental devil sighed. "You've absorbed too many irrelevant thoughts in the past six months. Why don't we take a rest for a while before starting the next training phase?"
"…Let's talk about it later. Somebody's here!"
Shua!
A new Mystic Skeleton Battlesuit flowed around his body like black mercury and covered him tightly in a moment. Li Yao stared at the No. 9 airtight gate. What entered the space station were a large team of medical soldiers and Di Feiwen, the de facto leader of the defeated soldiers of the Black Wind Fleet, who had the emblem of a general of the Imperium of True Human Beings carved on the breastplate of his crystal suit.
Unlike Li Yao, who was fully armed and highly wary, the moment he made sure that the air pressure and the temperature were steady after he entered the space station, Di Feiwen took off his crystal suit.
Perhaps the Immortal Cultivator who was best at administration and studies was very clear that, whether or not his Cultivation was higher than Li Yao's, his combat ability was definitely incomparable to Li Yao's. It would not matter at all if he wore a crystal suit or any number of crystal suits.
Holding a vintage bronze box that was carved with the emblems of the Imperium and the Black Wind Fleet, Di Feiwen walked up to Li Yao unhurriedly. He bowed deeply at Li Yao and introduced himself in a warm and comforting voice. "Greetings, President Li. I am Di Feiwen. Nice to meet you."
If someone's identity and character could be decided by their voice, Di Feiwen would not be a ferocious intruder at all. He did not even have the dominating air of the vice commander of the expedition army. He looked more like a clever but dutiful merchant who appreciated peace and prosperity.
Of course, the countless enemies who had been killed by him miserably, according to the intelligence that Li Yao had collected, would certainly beg to differ.
After receiving Li Yao's permission, Di Feiwen opened the bronze box in the most gentle and slow movement before he picked out an enormous emblem of the Black Wind Fleet, a mottled flag, a statue or specimen of a red spider, a pearl that contained bouncing purple fire, a black and seemingly plain stone, and a bracelet made of wolf fangs from the box one after another.
"The Black Wind Sector, the Purple Fire Sector, the Fiery Spider Sector, the Hard Rock Sector, the Wild Wolf Sector—the tokens that represent the highest power of the five Sectors that have come to attack the Star Glory Federation are all here. During the most prosperous days of the five Sectors, the loss of any one of these tokens would've raised a storm of blood. The sacrifice of countless lives would need to be made first before they could be found again."
Di Feiwen waved the five Sectors' symbols of power in front of Li Yao and spoke unhurriedly.
Chapter 1868: Di Feiwen's Scheme! |
Li Yao observed the pile of garbage with great interest. He could almost feel the auras of countless souls of the Immortal Cultivators from the tokens.
He had heard a lot about the succession of the major Sectors in the Imperium of True Human Beings from Su Changfa and Heiye Lan. He knew that the symbols of power were not necessarily invincible magical equipment but had indeed been fought over in bloody conflicts among the different generations of experts. They all stood for a very long history and were a source of pride that outsiders might find difficult to understand.
Had the five worlds including the Black Wind Sector not suffered two crushing defeats in a row in only a hundred years, the symbols of their heritage would never have been shown to other people so easily.
Di Feiwen, however, had convinced the best experts of the five worlds to offer the things that were both utterly worthless and could mean everything to the locals of the worlds, which made Li Yao more and more confused about what he was up to.
"General Di Feiwen, let's drop our disguises now." Li Yao observed the hideous, weaselly face that was entirely different from the man's voice. "If you are willing to negotiate, a negotiation team made of the leadership of the federation will naturally come to get in touch with you. I am neither qualified nor interested in talking about the unimportant details with you.
"I only agreed to your uncanny demand, partly because I was in need of a batch of experts for practice—Speaking of which, your three subordinates just now were more or less acceptable enough. They allowed me to activate and fluently grasp all the techniques that I had trained myself with in the past half year. I must thank you for that.
"Anyhow, it was also because I was very curious about you, too. What kind of person are you exactly? What trap can you possibly set up at such a moment?
"I collected a lot of files about you and discovered that the No. 2 person of the Black Wind Fleet has the exact opposite style of Heiye Ming. If he was a rigorous commander, you are more like a merchant, one that devours people without spitting out their bones.
"However, the Black Wind Fleet is at a dead end without anywhere to turn to right now. Even if you are a vicious merchant, is it possible for you to come up with an ultimate counterattack?
"It was exactly because I was deeply fascinated by the point that I was willing to chat with you in such an opportunity, but if you have come here to bargain with me as to whether or not you would like to surrender or the specific terms of your surrender, our conversation will be unnecessary. You can go back if that's the case!
"The federation is willing to pay some price to avoid the unnecessary sacrifice of valuable lives, but it does not mean that we will compromise infinitely. The competition just now is already the best of our concessions. If you think that you can do it again, you will be terribly mistaken!"
When Li Yao declared 'terribly mistaken', he included part of the mental attacks in his voice.
Di Feiwen looked even more humble and panicked, but his voice was as stable and warm as before. He lowered his head and said, "I'm afraid you're wrong,
President Li. The Black Wind Fleet understands our failure and inevitable doom very clearly. We do not dare play any tricks on such an expert like you.
"You are one of the strongest dominators at the edge of the cosmos, the creator of the New Federation, the conqueror of the Ancient Sages Sector, the destroyer of the space gate, the slaughterer of both the Pangu Clan and the extraterrestrial devils. Regarding such a universal expert whose might spreads far and wide like you, we are only here to witness your demeanor and charisma in person and do not dare scheme."
Li Yao felt goosebumps all over his body. "You are shameless enough for such sycophancy, and you claim you don't have a scheme?"
"You're quite right about one thing. I'm indeed very different from General Heiye Ming."
Di Feiwen lowered his head so hard that it already sank into the gap on the floor. He explained patiently, "The Black Wind Fleet is not a simple army but a fleet of immigrants made of all the population and resources of the five worlds after they were swallowed by the Covenant Alliance. Other than the warriors who are responsible for conquests, there are still the families of the warriors and the civilians who are responsible for production and construction.
"In fact, you may consider us as 'nomadic people' struggling to survive in the dark universe. It is a political entity that is not very steady.
"Since it is a political entity, it naturally has two command systems, namely the military and the administration. General Heiye Ming was both our highest leader and the commander of the army. I, on the other hand, am responsible for civil affairs and tried to feed the hungry stomachs with whatever resources we have left.
"It is certainly not an easy task. The insufficiency of resources and the unpredictable future often make me feel stretched.
"Thankfully, I had already gained some fame and connections in the business world while I was still in the Black Wind Sector. While doing my best and relying on the help of the friends from other worlds, I finally lasted to this day and prevented the unstable fleet from falling apart.
"However, if I have any talents at all that other people do not boast, they are all in the fields of business and administration. At most, I only have ability to command some logistical troops.
"As for exactly how to bring the Black Wind Fleet out of the siege and reclaim our pride and past glory, I really don't know the first thing about that.
"Therefore, personally speaking, I am very inclined to a complete submission and even unconditional surrender. I believe everything that the Star Glory Federation has stated in the letter of persuasion, and I trust President Li's leniency. Since the main troop under my lead did not cause any actual damage to the Star Glory Federation or hurt a single individual of the federation, and since so many innocent civilians are living inside the logistical troops and the life starships in my main troop, you and the Star Glory Federation will certainly not make things more difficult for the pitiful fellows who are no more than peasants and workers."
Li Yao snorted and said, "You are the high and mighty No. 2 person of the Black Wind Fleet. Are you here to win my sympathy? The federation always keeps its word. Every word in the 'letter of persuasion' is a solemn promise. Regarding what will happen to you, you do not need to ask me. Just ask yourself if you have done anything atrocious and unpardonable before!"
Di Feiwen did not have the dignity and pride of the No. 2 person of the Black Wind Fleet at all. Faced with Li Yao's mockery, he simply replied, "In that case, I am reassured now, but we do have one last small question…"
"Wait." Li Yao frowned hard. "Now, your only question is whether to surrender or not. There are no other questions at all, big or small! If you surrender, you will talk to our special negotiation team. If you don't, let's just keep on fighting? You want to intimidate us by turning into space pirates? There are countless space pirates serving in the federal army right now. They are all your ancestors!"
Faced with Li Yao's scolding that bordered on cursing, Di Feiwen was even able to laugh out loud. His voice was as warm and gentle as before. There was no telling whether it was because he had planned everything or because he was plain shameless. "You do have a point, President Li. We are indeed willing to negotiate and even to surrender. The only small question is, who will negotiate and surrender on behalf of the Black Wind Fleet?"
Li Yao was slightly dazed. "What kind of reason is that? Heiye Ming is dead now, but isn't there still you?"
"As I said just now, although I am nominally the vice commander of the Black Wind Fleet and the No. 2 person of the whole 'nomadic people', I am in fact only responsible for the civil system and part of the logistic troops," Di Feiwen said with a fake smile. "I do not have much prestige in the real battle troops. According to the titles in the federation, I am probably more like a leader of the Ministry of Commerce or Ministry of Civil Affairs. How can I represent the entire Black Wind Fleet?
"Besides, you know the rules of the Immortal Cultivators very well. I am not good at fighting, and I've always been despised and discriminated against by the tough warriors and generals. If I surrender on behalf of them as the highest leader of the Black Wind group, they will certainly turn the world upside down.
"If some of the disobedient generals and warriors defect with their starships and turn into space pirates who loot and slaughter in the Star Glory Federation or even find a way to return to the homeland of the Imperium, informing everyone of the truth of what happened here, it will do nobody any good, right?"
Li Yao narrowed his eyes. "You do not have much prestige in the battle troops, and you are not good at fighting? Why am I told that your methods were quite cruel and efficient when you were suppressing the mutiny? Fine, if you say so, what about Heiye Lan? She is the daughter of Commander Heiye Ming, and with the support of the heroes from the Ancient Sages Sector, she has gathered a lot of defeated troops of the Black Wind Fleet. She is qualified to represent the Black Wind Fleet, isn't she?"
Di Feiwen was amused. "It is the tradition of the Immortal Cultivators to worship the strong. The size of your fists is all that matters. Familial background and bloodlines are not important. Heiye Lan is only at the beginning level of the Nascent Soul Stage and has proved to be a puppet of the Star Glory Federation. Our crushing defeat in the battle had a lot to do with her lousy performance in the Ancient Sages Sector, too. Let me ask you, how can the proud people of the Black Wind Sector and the Immortal Cultivators of the other four worlds who do not see eye to eye with the Black Wind people accept such a traitor and puppet as the new 'king of Black Wind' to govern the rest of the troops of the five worlds? That is a bad plan, President Li."
Li Yao nodded and had to admit that his idea was a bit crude. "So to speak, you are preparing to elect a new leader, a so-called 'king of Black Wind', and ask him to negotiate and surrender on behalf of you? Hehe. Is this a trick to buy you more time? How long will the federation need to wait?"
"No, no, no. I'm afraid that you are mistaken again." Di Feiwen smiled both sincerely and cunningly. "We are indeed going to elect a new 'Black Wind king', but it will not waste any time. In fact, if everything goes well, today, no, in one minute, our new leader will show up. He will surrender to the Star Glory Federation on behalf of us and guarantee that every Immortal Cultivator and every screw on our starships will give up resistance unconditionally!"
"Oh?" Li Yao was greatly surprised. "The new 'Black Wind king' will be born in one minute? In that case, why didn't you ask him to come here directly? Was it because of safety concerns?"
"No, he is already here." While speaking, Di Feiwen suddenly fell to one knee and looked up at Li Yao, "President Li, your mightiness is ubiquitously known at the edge of the cosmos. You have led countless poor people to march out of darkness for brightness. With that in mind, would you like to be the leader of our 'nomadic people' and the new 'Black Wind king' and help the vagrants who are struggling not to be swallowed by darkness to find a new way out?"
Chapter 1869: Level-Twelve Citizen of the Imperium! |<
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Di Feiwen's voice was as soft as a spring breeze when it entered Li Yao's ears, but it almost completely froze Li Yao's heart.
Li Yao had analyzed all the schemes that Di Feiwen could have possibly set up. He had even come to meet the No. 2 person of the Black Wind Fleet in the mind of enjoying a play. It had never occurred to him that the guy would propose such a shocking and ridiculous idea.
"What… is the meaning of this?" Li Yao demanded. "If this is some kind of scheme, it is really a terrible one!"
"Of course, it is not a scheme. Faced with your unparalleled strength, our surrender is a hundred percent genuine."
Di Feiwen lowered his head again and said, "Your original plan was to support Heiye Lan as a puppet and control the Black Wind Fleet indirectly through her based on her identity and bloodline. But you do not understand our disdain for bloodline and our respect for strength. Heiye Lan is just a dog of yours. If we submit to her, wouldn't we be the dogs of the federation's dog, no better than the slaves of the federation's slave?
"By the same logic, even if we do elect a nominal leader within us as the so-called 'Black Wing King', he will be incomparable to the previous Black Wind Kings, who used to dominate the universe at the center of the cosmos. He will only be a puppet who is destined to bow before the federation and be closely monitored. The federation will always stay wary of his every move without giving him any real freedom.
"What can such a puppet leader do? Which proud expert of the Black Wind Fleet is willing to be covered with greasepaint and be delivered to the parliament of the federation as a subject and a puppet?"
"Well, about that…"
"As you said just now," Di Feiwen said casually, "the Black Wind Fleet is in a terrible situation. Two continuous crushing defeats in only a hundred years have not only deprived the Immortal Cultivators of the five worlds of our homes but also broken our backbones, giving us no hope of reclaiming our homes, restoring our former glory, and even reappearing at the peak of the universe.
