"We shouldn't let him do whatever he wants; he sees us all as sheep to be slaughtered!"
"Yeah, I agree. Why not have Leader Pei Desi take the lead?"
"...Sigh." Pei Desi heaved a deep sigh.
The two chatted for a few more words, and then the star sector leader excused himself and left to talk with others.
It was only then that Gu Hang came back to his senses and said, "It seems that the news we put out about selling ships to raise money and cave in is credible enough, at least Pei Desi believes it."
Wang Qi took a sip of her drink and gently patted her son next to her, "We were indeed going to sell the ships, to raise money. There's no benefit in clashing with Galaraldo, only disadvantages."
Gu Hang, however, didn't elaborate any further.
He hadn't told his mother his plan.
In fact, he hadn't told anyone.
This matter had to be kept completely secret. It wasn't that he didn't trust others, it's just that there were too many ways to obtain certain information in this universe.
He had only told Wang Qi that he didn't plan to submit as Galaraldo wished. At most, he would release some false information about submission to alleviate some of the pressure, hoping to delay things until Galaraldo had had his fill elsewhere in the Tianma Star Sector and left. After all, the man didn't have time to linger in one star sector for too long.
But clearly, Wang Qi had a different idea.
She sighed and said, "Galaraldo will indeed leave soon, but, just because he leaves, doesn't mean he's gone. He wants to continue to maintain his deterrent power, so he will not let go of any person who defies him. As long as his power remains, even if he leaves, he has countless ways to target us. Even Leader Pei Desi has to submit, what can we do? Three billion... if we have to give, we give."
As she spoke the last sentence, she seemed to grit her teeth, clearly in pain.
Gu Hang absentmindedly nodded his head, then suddenly his eyes focused, locking onto the man emerging from backstage, grinning broadly.
Not just Gu Hang, everyone's attention was drawn by his entrance.
This was the charm of power.
He stood at the very center of the stage, picked up the microphone, cleared his throat twice, his smile gradually receding, turning to solemn and serious.
When the entire room fell silent, he said, "We are facing a catastrophe."
"This disaster is not just happening on Korolya, not just on Rage Owl Star, but everywhere in the Empire."
"Glorious and great humanity, struggling to survive in the vast universe for countless years."
"Our species, with the blood of countless heroes and with absolute fearlessness and great sacrifice, has built our Empire under the guidance of the Divine Emperor, securing a place for us in this dark and fearful universe."
"But danger has never been far away. Abyss Demons, Chaos Traitors, aliens, Smart Mechanism automatons... have always threatened our existence."
"The great Sun Lord has launched the largest expedition since the Emperor established the Empire. The stars and the sea submit under the Sun Lord's brilliance."
"This is a magnificent era, the territory of our Empire expands day by day, countless worlds sunk in darkness are brought back into the embrace of the Empire, bathing in the Divine Emperor's light."
"I deeply feel the sacrifice of every Imperial citizen for this cause. It's arduous, but glorious."
"Leader Pei Desi and Governor Akuna have set an outstanding example!" Explore more adventures at My Virtual Library Empire
"I believe under their leadership, Korolya will surely overcome those Chaos Traitors, letting the brilliant sunshine once again fill every corner of this world!"
Listening to this, Gu Hang knew that Leader Pei Desi and the Korolya Governor Ramilo Akuna had indeed submitted. Galaraldo had chosen the praising speech from the two drafts he had prepared.
But for Gu Hang, none of this mattered anymore.
He looked up at the sun once more.
A rather inconspicuous shadow suddenly appeared.
A hint of a smile formed on his lips.
Finally, it had come.