Xu Shisan was an extremely rational yet principled personality. She was well aware that even if it was Kuishan who had leaked her and Han Jiaxue's information to the Star Alliance, initiating a conflict with the forces of the Wilds of the Galaxy before the Star Alliance's arrival was unwise. However, she would never submit to Kuishan. She did not like Bai Zhongqi, but she was even less willing to become an appendage to any man.
The pink-haired Fleur looked disheartened and anxiously said, "Are we really out of options? With just six warships, we can't possibly take on a military-level fleet of the Star Alliance, can we?"
You Mi'er then said, "What I'm curious about is what exactly Kuishan's backup plan is—they must have some confidence in not being annihilated by the Star Alliance Fleet."
Yegu spoke up, "Capture him, put a knife to his throat, and he will naturally talk."
Xu Shisan suddenly asked, "Yegu, what exactly is in Linyin's box?"
"Some instruments and other equipment. I'm not sure what exactly they are used for. There's only one item that's strange—a crystal-like robot figurine."
A contemplative expression appeared on Xu Shisan's face. Her beauty could be said to have left all the vice commanders somewhat infatuated, even the girl Fleur, who had hearts in her eyes.
However, Xu Shisan would not respond to these subordinates who all harbored some adoration for her. She arranged the defensive and combat readiness tasks for the Mercenary Corps and took the crystal robot that Yegu had mentioned to the room where Linyin was confined.
As the door opened, Linyin, seeing the visitor was Xu Shisan, looked very guarded. When she saw the crystal robot in Xu Shisan's hand, her face turned even worse.
Upon entering, Xu Lanzhou first said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Linyin."
Linyin was somewhat stunned, as this demeanor did not seem to fit the Xu Shisan who had confined her before. She wanted to ask if Xu Lanzhou had returned to her position. But she was afraid that speaking up might draw Xu Shisan's attention, adverse for Han Jiaxue who had leaked this information to her, so she kept her mouth shut and said nothing.
Xu Lanzhou reached out and took Linyin's hand, appearing nothing like either the stern female general or the cold-hearted previous leader of the Mercenary Corps. At that moment, Xu Lanzhou showed more of a gentle daughter's quality.
"Linyin, you must forgive me. These years, I have really endured too much pressure. The arrival of the Star Alliance Fleet this time could potentially destroy everything about the Mercenary Corps. I initially established the Mercenary Corps with Miss Han for the purpose of accumulating power, gathering intelligence, awaiting the Chancellor's return. As the Chancellor is about to return, I can't let the foundation of the Mercenary Corps just disappear. I must properly hand it over to the Chancellor."
Xu Lanzhou's face wore a genuinely earnest expression, and notably solemn, she held Linyin's hand, continuously transmitting waves of warmth. Her refreshing fragrance also intoxicated Linyin, a fellow woman.
"Ah, then why did you earlier...?" asked Linyin.
Xu Lanzhou replied with some self-reproach, "I was unaware of which forces on Sumer Star sought to harm us, nor did I know if there were traitors within the Mercenary Corps. Otherwise, mine and Miss Han's presence could not have been discovered by that treacherous Xiao Yu. When you came here, I was very worried about putting you into danger. Thus, I had no choice but to confine you initially, to protect you—this way, those dangerous folks wouldn't be able to harm you."
Linyin found Xu Lanzhou's reasons very convincing and began to waver, feeling that she could no longer understand this woman.
"Regardless, preserving the Mercenary Corps and defeating the enemy comes first. I hope you can help me, Linyin. You are the most talented scientist from Iridium Star, having developed so many important weapons for both Iridium Star and the Star Alliance. You also have contacts with those opposing Xiao Yu, right? Could you borrow some troops? In such a closed and complex astronomical environment like the Wilds of the Galaxy, we still stand a chance against the Star Alliance Fleet."
Linyin helplessly shook her head and said, "No, the Rebel Army primarily consists of personnel with hardly any significant equipment, let alone warships. So even if they come, they won't be much use. However..."
She hesitated for a moment, her gaze inadvertently falling on the crystal robot Xu Lanzhou was holding in his hands.
"What's wrong, do you have a better idea?" Xu Lanzhou earnestly looked at her and asked.
With gritted teeth, Linyin eventually let her long-standing trust in Xu Lanzhou overcome her doubts. She said, "If there's anything that can help the Champion Mercenary Corps defeat the formidable Ninety-Fifth Legion, it would be what you're holding in your hands."
As she spoke, she informed Xu Lanzhou about the Divine Weapon and the Twelve Divine Weapons, while Xu Lanzhou, cradling the small crystal robot, saw his eyes growing increasingly bright.
"This is the ultimate weapon used by the Elder Race to maintain peace in the Galaxy…" Xu Lanzhou's heart grew fervent.
"Is there a way to activate it?"
Linyin shook her head and said, "The Twelve Divine Weapons are not ordinary weapons that anyone can use; only special people can operate the Divine Weapon. But what exactly makes someone special, and any specific standards, are hard to say. The Twelve Divine Weapons are a very mysterious matter."
Xu Lanzhou asked, "After all, you have done a lot of research on this Divine Weapon. Do you have any ideas that might help me operate it?"
Linyin sighed. "I can try."
Xu Lanzhou said excitedly, "That would be great. As long as we can operate the Divine Weapon and defeat the Ninety-Fifth Legion, we can protect the Mercenary Corps and also provide a strong force for the Chancellor's return."
Linyin always felt Xu Lanzhou wasn't quite genuine, but in such a crucial moment, she had no choice. If they couldn't activate the Divine Weapon to combat the enemy, she, Han Jiaxue, and Xu Lanzhou would all be doomed in the Wilds of the Galaxy, and afterward, they couldn't meet the returning Chancellor either.
Only by surviving now, defeating the Star Alliance Fleet, and securing their position could they consider anything else. Thus, although Linyin had some doubts about Xu Lanzhou, she could only choose to help him unlock the Divine Weapon for combat.
In her heart, she ultimately leaned towards Xu Lanzhou.
Following Xu Lanzhou out of this "cell," Linyin retrieved her equipment and began helping Xu Lanzhou configure and deploy the Divine Weapon.
And behind her, inside Xu Lanzhou's body.
"Number three, you can come down now."
"Xu Shisan, you really are unprincipled. You asked me to help convince Linyin, and I did just that, but you can't even let me use the body for a bit longer?"
"This isn't for fun, we are racing against time to resist the Star Alliance and make all sorts of preparations. Do you believe you can handle all this yourself?"
"Oh boy, you really scare me. Fine, fine, if you want to keep control, then keep it."