Chapter 969: Acquaintances and Exchange of Fire (Thanks to Fei Ling Li Hua's alliance leader 100,000 reward!) (Revised)

Chapter 969: Acquaintances and Crossfire (Thanks to Feiling Lihua for the 100,000 reward as an Alliance Leader!) (Revised)

Disengaging the remote projection, Han Xiao's vision returned to the room. Before he could even make a move, his interface stirred, popping up an urgent mission from the Empire—precisely the conscription order to join the annihilation campaign against the Kunde Clan.

The mission required him to act from the perspective of the Black Star Army, obey the Empire's deployments, and execute various wartime tasks. In format, it was much like the covert war missions of the past, a scenario Han Xiao was no stranger to.

"According to the reward standards of the covert war missions, if I complete this with a high evaluation, there's a good chance I'll earn rewards like Legendary Fame and Political Assets, and perhaps generate a new instance... Oh right, my Contribution Points will also surge significantly."

Han Xiao stroked his chin, not entirely certain. After all, in the covert war, the Purple Crystal and the Kelimpter were evenly matched, whereas this time, the Kunde Clan was merely a slightly dangerous foe to the Empire. Eliminating them held no suspense, so the rewards might not surpass those of the covert war.

Yet, he didn't force the issue. His primary goal this time was to try and trigger various missions from Nilo.

Though he had no intention of fighting personally, Han Xiao wasn't about to slack off completely. He didn't mind providing virtual technology support when the Empire needed it, nor did he plan to hide his advantage of being intimately familiar with the map.

By "map," he didn't mean the stellar layout. The astronomical observation equipment of a universe-level civilization was formidable; long before the first phase of exploration, the Crimson Dynasty had already charted the star map of the Shining World. What remained to be explored were the myriad details, such as the actual conditions of each planet, which required on-site surveys to confirm.

What Han Xiao was familiar with, however, was the territorial scope of the Kunde Clan's civilization. This naturally wouldn't be marked on an incompletely explored star map. In other words, with his intelligence support, the Empire wouldn't need to grope its way forward slowly; it could strike straight at the heart of the matter and plunge into the hinterland of the Kunde Clan.

The premise, of course, was that the Empire believed his intelligence. In matters of war, even the exalted status of a Super could not interfere with the Empire's military directives. For unverified intelligence, both the Empire and other advanced civilizations would basically adopt a wait-and-see attitude.

Han Xiao, however, had few misgivings. He already bore the title of a charlatan, and at home, he had Aesop, that wretched old man renowned across all major factions. Coupled with the fact that the Empire would also deploy a vast number of precognitive espers, releasing this intelligence posed no problem.

Nevertheless, to prevent certain ill-intentioned individuals within the Empire from framing him for secretly colluding with the Kunde Clan, Han Xiao couldn't provide the Empire with overly detailed intelligence. Although his current status allowed him some leeway, being cautious in daily matters could always avert unnecessary trouble.

"A cluster-level war, huh. I guess this is my second time participating, though this time it's different from the covert war..."

Han Xiao exhaled a breath.

The covert war was a proxy war; though large in scale, it didn't involve the survival of a race. This time, however, they would face the full might of a cluster-level civilization pouring everything it had into defending its homeland, an opponent that would stop at nothing.

Even if the Kunde Clan was a native cluster-level civilization with a crippled tech tree, the intensity and scale of this war would still dwarf any conflict Han Xiao had previously participated in.

Han Xiao harbored no particular animosity toward the Kunde Clan, but neither did he feel any fondness. If he were in their shoes, he wouldn't be happy seeing easily accessible ownerless resources suddenly monopolized by an unfamiliar civilization. Once the Crimson Dynasty finished exploring the Light Dust Star Cluster, it would effectively seal the Kunde Clan within this cluster, capping their future at a mere cluster-level civilization.

But then again, he now stood on the Empire's side as a vested interest holder. The Empire's exploration of new star regions was inherently for acquiring new resources. With an overwhelming advantage in military might, it was impossible to halt. One could only say that the two sides were fundamentally locked in an irreconcilable conflict of interests.

Since neither side was in the wrong, the only one at fault must be the loser.

Han Xiao drafted a message, embedding the intelligence on the Kunde Clan, and sent it to Tarrokov. Without waiting for a reply, he then wrote a war mobilization order to notify the entire legion.

...

"Recalling us to join the war?"

Aboard the Black Star Army's exploration vessel, the squad members in the cabin simultaneously pulled out their communicators to take a look. Their expressions varied—some excited, some solemn, some eager for action, others gloomy.

Nilo was currently a member of this exploration squad. Upon seeing the legion's internal mobilization order, he immediately tensed up.

The war had come too suddenly, and he wasn't mentally prepared. All this time, he had only participated in various sparring sessions and had never been in a real war; it was impossible not to be nervous.

A chaotic jumble of thoughts flooded his mind, and Nilo couldn't help but let his imagination run wild.

When facing the enemy, will I be able to bring myself to strike?

What does it feel like to kill an enemy?

Will I be killed by the enemy?

Is Mia going to fight too? Will she be in danger?

Just as he was lost in these chaotic thoughts, his shoulder suddenly grew heavy. Nilo looked up to see the squad leader, a burly former freelance mercenary.

"Don't worry, kid, we'll look out for you," the squad leader said with a hearty laugh.

"Relax," the vice-captain, who was busy memorizing spell models nearby, also glanced over and said casually, "I've been in the covert war. The battlefield is really just that—it's either you kill me or I kill you. Especially in this kind of interstellar war, death is but a fleeting moment, painless, so there's nothing to be nervous about."

Hearing this, Nilo scratched his head and offered a shy, forced smile.

Assigned to this squad as a mechanic, he was getting along quite well. Both the squad leader and vice-captain looked after him, and the other members were kind to him too.

In such grassroots combat units, background was secondary; what mattered most was personal ability. Nilo himself was no weakling, and his mechanical prowess was exceptionally outstanding and trustworthy, which was why the others were willing to look after him. Nilo, in turn, liked this group of straightforward warriors.

Although he was nervous about the reality of joining the war, Nilo had no intention of contacting Han Xiao to ask for special treatment. If he did, his godfather might agree to keep him off the battlefield, but he would certainly look down on him. Nilo had been training for so long; he didn't want to disappoint his godfather.

Nilo stepped aside, took out his communicator, hesitated for a moment, and dialed Mia's number.

It rang a few times before the other side connected, but no one spoke; only the sound of their breathing could be heard.

After waiting in silence for a few seconds, Nilo couldn't help but speak first, scratching his cheek. "Uh... did you see the internal notice? I'm going to the battlefield."

"Oh."

"Uh... aren't you going to worry about me?"

"What's there to worry about? I've been conscripted too," Mia snorted.

Nilo's heart skipped a beat, and he hesitated, "So... are you nervous?"

"What's there to be nervous about?" Mia's tone was strange. "When we became espers, didn't we already know this day would come? I'm actually looking forward to it."

Nilo opened his mouth, speechless, and could only say in a low voice, "Then be careful. We're not in the same squad, so I can't protect you..."

"Who needs your protection?" Mia rolled her eyes. "You'd better take care of yourself and not die."

With that, the communication was cut off from the other side.

Nilo put down his communicator and helplessly rubbed his nose.

He still missed the soft and shy Mia from when they first met. Ever since awakening her martial path, her violent tendencies had grown increasingly severe; he wondered if it was her true self, suppressed for so many years, finally being released.

...

No wall in this world is entirely windproof, let alone when the Crimson Dynasty made no effort to conceal its actions.

Before long, news from the Shining World spread back to the explored universe, and all major star regions knew that the Crimson Dynasty was conducting a war mobilization.

Most interstellar citizens had no particular opinion. Dealing with natives was nothing new; they were more than happy for the Empire to clear out the resisting opponents as soon as possible and complete the exploration, so they could go have fun in the Shining World.

There was also a faction of anti-war advocates who pitied the native civilizations and called for peace instead of war, but few paid them any mind. Such rhetoric could not influence the actions of advanced civilizations.

Most factions were indifferent, but the major super-cluster-level civilizations were delighted.

They were more than eager for the Kunde Clan to cause the Empire massive trouble. With Primordial Essence, the Kunde Clan possessed the ability to inflict casualties on the Empire. The more Imperial troops that died, the better. If possible, it would be best if some of the Empire's Supers were lost. No matter who won or lost, they were guaranteed to profit.

...

The exploration of the Light Dust Star Cluster had been suspended. The Empire and its major allies were gathering their fleets, amassing them all near Beacon Star.

In addition to the exploration army itself, the Crimson Dynasty had also transferred elites from the Central Star Sea to the Shining World to join the war.

On one hand, it was to not underestimate the enemy; on the other, it was to train the troops. In the explored universe, one wouldn't often encounter wars of this magnitude. It served perfectly as a grand military exercise to hone the elites the legion wished to cultivate.

This time, because Han Xiao was not personally intervening, the Black Star Army's fleet was commanded by Melos, who had left his card-playing companions behind and rushed over from the Shattered Star Ring.

"This grand army is divided into multiple organized legions. I am the supreme commander of all legions, responsible for formulating strategy. Each legion has its own dedicated commander, leading various allied forces. The Imperial commander responsible for your Black Star Fleet has also been decided."

In the command office on Beacon Star, Tarrokov opened a dossier and presented it to Melos, who stood before him.

Taking a glance, Melos found the name familiar.

"Tenny Amentelos?"

"Yes, that's him."

"His military rank doesn't seem very high. Can he handle it..." Melos asked in confusion.

"Heh, don't worry about that. He is currently a key officer being cultivated by the Empire, possessing exceptionally outstanding command and leadership abilities." Tarrokov smiled slightly. "He arrived at Beacon Star not long ago. You should meet him."

As he spoke, Tarrokov tapped the table. The door was immediately pushed open, and an imposing officer walked in, followed closely by an adjutant who never left his side.

"We meet again, friends of the Black Star Army." The imposing officer nodded with quiet authority.

"Ah! So it is you." The instant the man came into view, Melos's memory was instantly jogged.

This man was none other than Tenny Armentos, an elite imperial soldier who had once undergone the Evolution Cube transformation, a future Grand Marshal of the Empire, and the very man who had shared a brief but significant clandestine dealing with Han Xiao some eight or nine years ago; beside him stood his trusted adjutant, Kebus.

Melos rose to his feet, and the two exchanged a handshake before taking their seats once more.

"It has been nearly a decade since I last saw Black Star. I am delighted to hear that his stature continues to rise," Tenny remarked.

Melos nodded, then asked with curiosity, "You've been promoted these past few years, haven't you? I recall that when you first arrived, you held only the rank of Colonel."

"I merely earned a few merits. Compared to Black Star's achievements, such trifles are nothing," Tenny shook his head. "This time, I volunteered to serve as the Imperial Commander for the Black Star Fleet, to help minimize your casualties as much as possible."

"Then we are truly grateful," Melos said, somewhat pleasantly surprised. As an allied faction, their greatest fear was being saddled with an unreliable Imperial Commander.

"There is no need to thank me; consider it a repayment of a debt," Tenny waved a hand dismissively. "Back then, Black Star gifted me a set of Super-A-class mechanical floating defense arrays, personally forged by his own hands. It helped me survive several perilous situations. If anything, I am the one who owes him my thanks."

"I see, so that is how it is."

Melos suddenly understood; there was no such thing as unprovoked kindness. It turned out their own boss had once done this man a favor.

He could not help but marvel at the sheer depth and reach of Han Xiao's shadowy connections.

"Once this battle is concluded, I shall take a detour to the Galor Star Cluster to pay a visit to Black Star, provided he has the time," Tenny nodded.

"Rest assured, the affairs of the army are largely handled by us cadres. He has nothing but free time on his hands all day long," Melos casually sold out Han Xiao.

The two chatted for a while until Tarrokov deliberately cleared his throat, prompting them to leave the commander's office together. As partners about to fight side by side, both wished to foster a deeper bond with one another.

The base was bustling with activity. Halfway to their destination, Tenny bumped into an acquaintance, another high-ranking Imperial officer transferred from elsewhere. They exchanged greetings and paused for a brief chat.

Melos had paid little heed at first, but suddenly noticed that the tall, slender adjutant beside the other Imperial officer was staring fixedly at him, his gaze laden with profound meaning.

"Staring at me... ahem, what are you looking at?" Melos could not help but ask.

The adjutant smiled and pointed at Melos's army uniform, replying with a question of his own, "You are from the Black Star Army?"

"I am Melos, Commander-in-Chief of the Black Star Army Fleet. May I ask your name?" Melos nodded.

"Heh, just call me Gaode."

"Have we met somewhere before? Why do you keep staring at me?" Melos asked, puzzled.

Gaode offered a faint smile. "No, I have simply always admired Black Star. This is my first time meeting a cadre of the Black Star Army, so I was merely a bit curious."

With that, he turned his head away, showing no intention of continuing the conversation.

Seeing this, Melos did not press the matter either. He gave the man a once-over, secretly astonished... This fellow named Gaode clearly lacked any imposing aura, yet for some inexplicable reason, standing beside him left Melos with a strange, inexplicable sense of pressure.

Just then, Tenny finished his chat with his acquaintance, and the man walked away with his adjutant, Gaode.

Melos watched them disappear around the corner and could not help but ask:

"Do you know that adjutant?"

Tenny shook his head, but Kebus, the adjutant who had been following him all along, chimed in.

"You mean Gaode? I know of him. What about him?"

"I just had a brief chat with him and got a bit curious."

Kebus nodded and explained, "This Gaode is not a graduate of the Imperial Military Academy. He has not been in the military for long, yet he is an extraordinary transcendent with immense potential. He was spotted by that officer just now and promoted straight to adjutant. His abilities in all aspects are exceptionally outstanding, and I hear he has also been placed on the military's key cultivation list."

"That resume sounds rather ordinary..."

Melos found it strange, unable to fathom where the oppressive feeling from earlier had come from, but he was certain it was no illusion.

However, there was no point dwelling on such trivial matters that had nothing to do with him. Melos resumed his conversation with Tenny, quickly casting Gaode to the back of his mind.

...

The Empire's efficiency was remarkably high. From the initial ambush to the full assembly of the grand army, it took but a few days. Under Tarrokov's orders, the troops officially set forth, marching in massive numbers into the depths of the Luminous Dust Star Cluster.

Originally, the Empire was unaware of the exact location of the Kunde territory, and their initial plan was to scout the way first. However, not long ago, Black Star submitted an intelligence report marking the approximate location of the Kunde within the Luminous Dust Star Cluster. Though it lacked precise coordinates, it saved the Empire a tremendous amount of effort in reconnaissance.

Although the accuracy of the intelligence remained to be verified, it allowed the Empire to conduct far more targeted reconnaissance. Countless scout units were dispatched toward the Kunde territory marked by Black Star, while the various organized legions began their advance from different directions.

With an entire star cluster serving as the battlefield, mobility was paramount, and the stargates were the very veins connecting the armies.

Due to the Primordial Psychic Trap incident, the Empire also operated under the assumption that their adversaries possessed stargate technology. Thus, every legion placed great emphasis on protecting their stargate corridors to prevent enemy ambushes.

Yet, as the grand army advanced for over half a month, not a single skirmish occurred. The enemy lurked in the shadows while they marched in the light, and the foes seemed to have vanished without a trace.

It was not until several days later that this stalemate was broken, and the Empire finally engaged in its first firefight with the Kunde forces.

And the site of this clash was, astonishingly, the disaster-stricken Beacon Star!