Chapter 293: The Price of Freedom

The Yanhuang Civilization's "Royal Army" appeared like a perfect stage play, stirring a mountain‑shouting, sea‑roaring uproar across the entire Free Star Region Alliance.

The Raiders fleet, which had plagued them for months like a nightmare, proved utterly fragile before the Yanhuang Civilization's Heaven's Sword Fleet.

This intense visual impact and power disparity made every alliance member feel an almost worshipful awe toward the Yanhuang Civilization.

They no longer regarded the Yanhuang Civilization as an equal trading partner.

But as a protector who could lead them out of chaos—a savior.

Inside the Conference Hall of Trade Star.

Chairman Bafi and all his councilors, before General Zhou Shaoqing's mighty presence, behaved like elementary pupils waiting for a teacher's lecture.

"General Zhou, your fleet is…… incredibly strong."

Bafi's voice brimmed with sincere praise: "We… we cannot put our gratitude and admiration into words."

"This is merely a small part of our Yanhuang Civilization's resolve and strength to uphold peace."

Zhou Shaoqing's reply was natural, yet it carried a powerful confidence.

He glanced around, seeing the alliance councilors of varied forms, all eyes showing awe and anticipation.

"The crisis is now over, but we all know this is only temporary."

"As long as this galaxy remains under the hegemony of the two great empires,

then chaos and evil like the Raiders could resurface at any moment."

Zhou Shaoqing's words made the alliance leaders, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, feel their hearts leap to their throats again.

Yes, we drove off a band of pirates, but the two colossi that created this chaotic age still remain.

"Then… what should we do?" Bafi asked cautiously.

"It's simple." Zhou Shaoqing's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

"Join us."

"What?" Bafi froze.

"I said, join us." Zhou Shaoqing repeated, his voice now full of power and allure.

"Our Yanhuang Civilization is striving to build a brand‑new, truly free, equal, and mutual‑aid interstellar civil community."

"In this community there is no hegemony, no oppression, no slavery."

"All members, regardless of strength or size, will be equal partners and comrades."

"We will share our technology, exchange resources, and jointly resist any external aggression and injustice."

"Together we will build a truly our own peaceful and prosperous new world!"

These words of Zhou Shaoqing were drilled into him by Elder Lei before his arrival.

He himself never expected that, coming from this hawkish general's mouth, they would carry such powerful persuasive force.

In the conference hall, all alliance councilors listened with blood boiling, hearts racing and minds wandering.

A community without hegemony, without oppression, where all civilizations are equal?

Isn't this exactly the utopia they—those small and medium civilizations struggling to survive between the two great empires—have long dreamed of?

"But…"

Bafi, being a merchant by trade, still retained a shred of reason: "If we join you, we… we must give up what?"

He knew freedom is never free.

"Price?"

Zhou Shaoqing smiled, his smile full of sincerity and confidence.

"You need to give up only one thing."

"That is to abandon your meaningless, false 'neutrality' in this chaotic age."

"Stand with us. Declare your stance openly to the whole galaxy."

"Declare your opposition to all hegemony and your yearning for true peace!"

Zhou Shaoqing's words rang like metal striking stone.

Bafi fell into contemplation.

Once they made this decision, it would mean the Free Star Region Alliance would completely sever ties with the two great empires.

They would no longer be those neutral merchants who could profit from war by playing east against west.

But rather become the most important member of the Yanhuang Civilization's emerging faction.

This is a gamble staking the entire alliance's future.

If they win, they will follow the Yanhuang Civilization to usher in a brand‑new era.

If they lose, they will be crushed together with the Yanhuang Civilization by the wrath of the two great empires.

The risk is enormous.

But the rewards are equally tempting.

He glanced aside at the councilors beside him, their eyes already filled with longing and excitement.

He also thought of that Heaven's Sword Fleet, as mighty as a deity, powerful enough to inspire despair.

In the end, the scales in his heart slowly tipped.

"I… I in principle agree with your proposal."

Bafi's voice trembled slightly: "But, for such a momentous decision, I need to convene a plenary meeting of the alliance for a final vote."

"Of course."

Zhou Shaoqing nodded, knowing one must eat bite by bite.

"We will give you ample time to consider."

"At the same time, to show our sincerity and to ensure you won't face any harassment before you decide."

My Heavenly Sword fleet will temporarily be stationed on the outskirts of your alliance's capital star.

We will provide you with the safest protection.

Zhou Shaoqing's words were lofty and righteous.

But Buffy heard another layer of meaning in it.

This is protection, but it is also an intangible threat.

He was telling them that the Yanhuang Civilization's patience is limited.

A hint of bitterness flashed through Buffy's heart.

From the moment he sent out a distress signal to the Yanhuang Civilization,

The fate of the Free Star Domain Alliance was actually already sealed.

In the coming month.

The Yanhuang Civilization and the Free Star Domain Alliance launched an all‑dimensional 'friendly' exchange.

The Heavenly Sword fleet, those 100,000 black warships, were like a group of silent guardians, quietly stationed in the outer space of the 'Trade Ring'.

Any unidentified vessel attempting to approach would receive their sternest warning.

The entire Free Star Domain Alliance enjoyed an unprecedented sense of absolute security.

And the Yanhuang Civilization's 'Civilization Construction and Friendly Mutual Aid Work Team' also officially stationed itself on Trade Star.

They brought Yanhuang Civilization's cuisine, music, films, and various cultural products filled with Eastern charm.

A school was established on Trade Star, freely teaching the language and history of Yanhuang to all alliance citizens.

They even brought the sayings of that great leader, and the book that countless civilizations revere as a 'Bible', the Selected Works of Mao.

The Yanhuang Civilization conducted no compulsory propaganda.

They simply displayed these items like ordinary goods, allowing people to come into contact with and learn about them.

However, the charm of thought is boundless.

Those alliance citizens who were weary of war, longing for peace, yet felt confused about the future.

After coming into contact with this new, hope- and strength-filled ideology, they were quickly attracted and convinced by it.

"People, are the creators of history!"

"A spark can start a prairie fire!"

"Our cause is just, and a just cause is impregnable to any enemy!"