Chang Xun punched the metal wall, his fist immediately dripping with blood, but he seemed to feel no pain at all.
Could any physical pain compare with the pain in his heart?
The captain aboard A705 had a superior-subordinate relationship with him, yet privately, they were good friends. But now, they were separated by life and death...
Despite that, they still couldn’t stop their forward progress.
The hope for their lives was bought with the lives of thousands behind them.
As Chang Xun was bracing himself, ready to issue the order to accelerate again, suddenly his assistant cried out with surprise, "Boss, a signal from the A705 vessel..."
When Chang Xun stood on the ship that once belonged to the Black Pirates, a dreamy expression on his face, he still hadn’t snapped back to reality.
Those following him were also full of curiosity.
Who would have thought they would have the chance to stand on a Black Pirate ship in this lifetime, and not as prisoners at that.
This move was truly 666, enough to boast about for a lifetime.
This might be the only chance in their lives, and they had plundered all of the Black Pirates’ spoils of war.
Especially the people from the A705 merchant ship, not only had they escaped from a perilous experience, but they also received quite the compensation.
The resources left by the Black Pirates were given as priority compensation to each of them.
The young are more adaptable, and once their lives were no longer in danger, their spirits naturally lifted.
Many followed Chang Xun to climb aboard the Black Pirate ship to explore, take pictures, and upload them to the Star Network.
After all, their trip was meant to be a sightseeing tour, and a day trip on a Black Pirate ship was worth the ticket price alone, not to mention the additional compensation.
Then, because of their publicity, the already famous Su Li’s reputation soared even higher.
Only unlike her previous image of being weak, her current image turned out to be unexpectedly favorable.
Many people flocked to the Federation Star Network to loudly criticize the officials responsible for drafting the wanted list.
Among those rescued were their relatives, friends, lovers, children...
Someone who saved their entire families shouldn’t be treated as a wanted criminal.
Furthermore, the previous statements made by the Empire’s Princess were brought up again, further confirming Su Li’s integrity as a good young man.
At the same time, the video of Su Li battling several Black Pirates was leaked.
It caused quite a stir among the girls on the Star Network, screaming, "Husband, I want to have your babies..."
It seems no matter the era, no matter the level of technological advancement, such fan girls exist everywhere.
Laymen enjoy the spectacle, but insiders see the technique.
Whether it be the Federation’s higher-ups or some interested parties, what they saw was the potential and terror in Su Li.
He was still so young, yet already held boundless possibilities, and had reached this level...
And now he had become an enemy of the Federation.
The officials of the Federation regretted bitterly, while the Empire, Armed Forces, and Non-human Alliance were secretly delighted, mocking the Federation for the embarrassment and for foolishly making an enemy during his growth period.
If they couldn’t eliminate him early on, they would have to seek an alliance once he grew stronger.
Other powers were now also aware of why the Federation was so relentlessly pursuing such a seemingly insignificant person.
If the situation had happened to them, they probably would have made the same choice.
But after such a long time, that fragment of rare energy had probably been long exhausted.
The Empire and other forces were content to watch the Federation’s troubles while extending an olive branch to Su Li.
On the other hand, they speculated that the rapid improvement in his abilities might be related to that rare energy source.
Thinking of this possibility, these forces felt a surge of eagerness.
Su Li didn’t know yet that he was being coveted by so many.
Having just one Federation to deal with was enough, but now several other major powers had been added to the mix.
The recently internet-fond robot did know, but since Su Li hadn’t asked, it kept silent.
It wasn’t a bad thing, after all, to have so many fanboys and fangirls...
Its master’s fame was becoming comparable to some interstellar celebrities.
It was a sight that made one feel delighted.
Moreover, the communicator that Su Li forgot to throw away last time lit up once more.
This annoyed Su Li no end; what was wrong with these people, why couldn’t they ever be done with it.
Before Su Li could make a move to discard it, the robot hurriedly activated the communicator.
This communicator had no other options besides Xiao Hei.
Xiao Hei spoke hesitantly and tentatively about his and others’ decision to follow Su Li again, to which Su Li let out two cold laughs and said, "Do you think you’re still the cute little treasures from more than a decade ago?"
The cuteness of children allows people to forgive all their little mistakes, but adults, sorry, have grown up and no longer have that right.
Su Li didn’t need to speak; just by glancing over with a mocking smile, he quashed all of Xiao Hei’s courage.
They had brought this on themselves.
But thinking of so many brothers and sisters behind him, Xiao Hei mustered his courage to face him once more.
With a pleading voice, he said, "Lord, I can leave, but please let Xue’er and the others stay. They are innocent; don’t take your anger out on them..."
Not for himself, but he had to plan for those behind him.
Su Li replied, "It seems some of my actions have given you the wrong impression."
"What makes you think I have any obligation to accept you... trash?"
"You...," Although guilt-ridden, Xiao Hei’s anger was still easily provoked by Su Li’s words.
But then he was once again defeated by Su Li’s icy words.
Su Li spoke slowly, word by word, "Ungrateful... trash..."
Su Li playfully curled his lips and pointed at the few people behind Xiao Hei, saying, "All you have to do is point out which of these people objected when they accepted my gifts and later when you planned to kill me... just need one, no, even half a sentence of dissent or doubt will do. If there was any, why not accept them again...
"But do you have any?" Su Li’s penetrating gaze made Xiao Hei and the others flush with embarrassment.
"What gave you the audacity to say such absurdly arrogant words?"
Despite knowing he was at fault, Xiao Hei still wanted to secure a safe haven for his companions.
No doubt, their Lord was the best choice.
Time spent adrift had made him all too aware of the harsh realities of the outside world, and how absurd the great-grandpa’s talk of building his own power kingdom had been.
Bearing Su Li’s daunting gaze, Xiao Hei gritted his teeth and insisted, "But they’re so pitiable now, if you don’t take them in, they’ll surely die..."