Chapter 288: Perfect Frame‑up

The dim starry sky became the burial ground of the Iron Curtain Civilization.

Facing the Zeta Civilization's radically transformed Phase Disintegration Cannon, and the Ghost Fleet's near‑regular‑weapon spatial resonance strike,

the Iron Curtain Civilization's massive fleet was swiftly melted away and collapsed.

Resistance, in the face of an absolute technological gap, appeared pale and powerless.

The Grand Marshal and the countless soldiers under his command, in their final moments of life, were filled with endless regret and incomprehension.

They did not understand why the powerful Biteen Empire would go to such lengths for this insignificant civilization,

and be willing to spark a full‑scale proxy war with the Kelo Empire.

Their deaths were destined to become a huge mystery in the history of the Milky Way Galaxy.

And the entire course of this battle was recorded frame by frame without omission by the Ghost Fleet's recording device.

After confirming that the Iron Curtain fleet, along with their flagship the Iron Throne, had been completely erased from this star sector, leaving no survivors,

AI Bilong began to execute the final step, also the most crucial step, of the plan set by Qin Hao for it.

It contacted the leader of the Zeta Civilization once again.

"Friends of Zeta,"

AI Bilong's voice was filled with post‑victory joy, along with a perfectly timed weariness.

"The invaders have been repelled. Your homeworld is safe,"

"Thank you! Thank the Great Biteen Empire!"

The leader and all the Zeta people behind him deeply bowed and saluted the holographic image of AI Bilong.

In their hearts, this envoy from the Biteen Empire had become the true deity that saved their civilization.

"You are welcome. Maintaining peace and justice in the Milky Way Galaxy is an inescapable responsibility of our Biteen Empire,"

AI Bilong said modestly.

Then he turned the conversation, his tone taking on a hint of gravity. "However, friends, the war may have only just begun."

"Behind the Iron Curtain Civilization lies the brutal and powerful Kelo Empire. They will never be satisfied; they will soon dispatch an even larger fleet to take revenge."

"And because our Biteen Empire is far away and has complex relations with the Kelo Empire, we cannot station a massive fleet here for an extended period to protect you."

AI Bilong's words caused the Zeta people, who had just been immersed in victorious joy, to feel a sudden heaviness in their hearts.

Indeed, we drove away the Iron Curtain Civilization, but behind them lies an even more terrifying Kelo Empire.

Will they have such good luck next time?

Seeing the renewed worry on their faces, AI Bilong's mouth curved into a faint smile.

"However, rest assured," he continued, "we will not abandon our friends."

"In order for you to possess the power to defend yourselves, I will, on behalf of the Biteen Empire, transfer a portion of our empire's military‑industrial production technology and the complete set of warship design schematics to you."

He waved his hand.

A complete technical data package, encompassing everything from basic materials science to spatial engine manufacturing and weapon system integration, was transmitted to the central database of the Zeta Civilization.

"At the same time, we will also leave here a 'Friendly Mutual Assistance Fleet' composed of a thousand warships,

and a group of experienced technical consultants.

They will be responsible for guiding you to establish your own Third-level Civilization military‑industrial system."

"From today onward, your destiny will be in your own hands."

"Arm yourselves with the technology we taught you, and defend your home and freedom with your own hands."

"We believe that a single spark can start a prairie fire. A civilization that possesses free will and great power cannot be defeated by any hegemony."

AI Bilong's words were passionate and magnanimous, exuding great righteousness.

He shaped the Biteen Empire into one that only gives, never seeking return,

dedicated to helping weak civilizations achieve independent self‑strengthening, a great liberator image.

The leader of the Zeta Civilization and his people were profoundly moved.

They looked at the massive technical data that could instantly elevate their civilization's level.

They gazed at the golden 'Friendly Mutual Assistance Fleet' that was about to stay, protect, and guide them.

Their hearts were filled with endless gratitude and reverence.

"Please convey to His Majesty the Great Biteen Emperor!"

The leader solemnly swore to AI Bilong, "We, the Zeta Civilization, will forever remember the empire's kindness!

From now on, we will be the Biteen Empire's most steadfast and loyal allies in the western star region!"

"Very well."

AI Bilong nodded with satisfaction.

"Then, friends, my mission is complete. I must return to the Empire to report to His Majesty."

"I look forward to our next meeting."

Having said that, AI Bilong's holographic image slowly faded away.

The remaining nine thousand ghost warships, under the respectful gaze of the Zeta Civilization's fleet, slowly ignited their engines, leapt into subspace, and vanished without a trace.

Of course, they did not truly return to the Biteen Empire.

Instead, after jumping to a safe uninhabited zone, they silently executed a self‑destruct protocol.

And the 'Friendly Mutual Assistance Fleet' left behind, composed of a thousand warships, along with those so‑called 'technical consultants',

were copies generated by Qin Hao's system, another batch of 'actors' possessing independent AIs.

Their mission is to continue the performance of this grand play.

Thus, Qin Hao's entire 'Drive Tiger Swallow Wolf' plan has temporarily drawn its curtain.

He not only succeeded in diverting the Kelo Empire's attention from the eastern border to the distant west.

Moreover, without any effort, he planted one in the Ke Luo Empire's backyard—a time bomb he himself had nurtured.

……

Ke Luo Empire, Imperial Capital Star.

When the news of the Iron Curtain Civilization fleet's total annihilation was transmitted back to the Black Palace.

The Ke Emperor's reaction, however, was beyond everyone's expectation.

He did not fly into a rage, nor did he roar.

He simply sat quietly on his throne, repeatedly watching the segment recorded by the recorder of the 'Friendly Assistance Fleet',

"Friendship-provided" to the Zeta Civilization, and then through various channels deliberately leaked out the battle footage.

In the footage, that golden "Biteng Fleet" employed a tactic he knew all too well—proud and precise.

Easily slaughtering his most loyal lackeys under his command.

At the end of the footage, the man he hated to the bone, "Bilong", delivered a passionate speech full of justice and liberation.

Watching all this, the Ke Emperor's face showed for the first time a cold and cruel smile.

"Good... good, a Biteng Empire!"

"Good, a Biajie!"

He slowly rose from his throne, his massive body emanating an unprecedented terrifying killing intent.

"Do you think that by doing this you can muddy the waters, and behind my back cultivate a force opposing me?"

"You underestimate me too much!"

"Since you want to play, I'll play with you to the end!"

He immediately summoned all the high-ranking officials.

"Convey my orders!"

His voice, like a cold wind from the Nine Nether Hell, echoed in every corner of the palace.

"First, immediately announce to the entire Milky Way Galaxy the news that the Iron Curtain Civilization was shamefully ambushed by the Biteng Empire's fleet and utterly destroyed!"

"Expose the Biteng Empire's hypocritical facade of waving the 'liberation' banner while actually practicing hegemony, for all to see!"

"Second, order the Empire's Fifth, Eighth, and Ninth Annihilation Legions to immediately proceed to the western border!"

"At any cost, completely erase from the universe the Zeta Civilization cultivated by the Biteng Empire, together with their so-called Friendly Assistance Fleet!"

"Third!"

The Ke Emperor's eyes flashed with madness: "Since the Biteng Empire has disregarded our mutual understanding and struck first in the west, we need no longer observe any rules!"

"Immediately contact all our 'secret agents' planted inside the Biteng Empire's camp!"

"Let them begin their operation!"

"I don't care what methods they use—assassination or incitement—I want the Biteng Empire's hinterland to also fall into chaos!"

"He wants my west to have no peace; then I will make his entire east blaze with war!"

"Let's see which of us two can laugh last!"

A war flame ignited by Qin Hao himself was, at this moment, detonated by the Ke Emperor's wrath.

The entire Milky Way Galaxy will, because of the full-scale confrontation between these two level-four civilizations, plunge into an unprecedented chaos and turmoil.