Chapter 259: External Bounty

In the Star-Forging Palace - Political Hall, there were over a hundred Seats in the Palace, all belonging to the prominent figures of high status in Return Star.

Archons like the one from Ordos couldn't even reach the threshold here.

And now it was a full house. They were scattered all over Return Star, but no matter how busy they were, they all used Virtual projections to descend here.

Because they were currently discussing a highly critical matter.

"...There's nothing to talk about. If the Xinhuo Virus isn't resolved, what's there to negotiate?" a fiery-tempered big shot shouted angrily. His Virtual projection slammed fiercely on the chair, but didn't produce any sound.

"If we don't negotiate, we can't just go to war, right!?" Another big shot shook his head.

"The Star Glory Empire is completely delaying on purpose. Even if they don't admit to releasing the poison, is it that hard to casually produce a solution for the Xinhuo Virus through some channel?"

"Maybe they don't have a solution either..."

"Do you even believe that's possible?"

The solemn and dignified political hall now seemed to have turned into a Wet Market, with noisy voices continuously ringing out.

Vimala's face was indifferent, calmly watching everything unfold before her. Such arguments had been going on for several days.

Behind her, Klein's head was bowed low. Listening to the crowd's arguments, it was unknown what she was pondering.

As Li Yu expected, the negotiations with the Star Glory Empire had entered a stalemate.

It was one thing for the Star Glory Empire not to admit to poisoning; Return Star's demand was just for the Star Glory Empire to provide a solution.

Whether they pretended to have developed the vaccine themselves or sold it to Return Star through Black Market channels, it was all just a pretext.

But the bizarre part was that the Star Glory Empire had absolutely no reaction to Return Star's hints.

Outwardly posing for negotiations, but secretly giving no response, leaving Gui Xing High Command somewhat unable to figure out the other party's attitude.

"I actually have an idea," a handsome and dignified young man spoke up from the other side, causing the noisy voices in the hall to abruptly cease.

"His Highness Titus, what is your brilliant opinion?" Many people revealed expressions of reverence.

Titus—Digor's first son. Although he looked young on the outside, his official age had already reached 465 years.

His long lifespan gave him extremely high prestige among Gui Xing High Command. Many high-level officials had been personally promoted by him.

"Keep playing along." Titus's idea was extremely radical. He looked around and said, "The Star Glory Empire has fallen into a quagmire in the No Man's Land. The rejection from various civilizations far exceeds the Star Glory Empire's expectations."

"Although the Troll Legion is powerful, The Council isn't without countermeasures."

"Since the Star Glory Empire doesn't want to negotiate peace, then we'll keep playing along."

Titus's words plunged the hall into silence. The high-level big shots Look at Each Other in Dismay. Did "keep playing along" mean going to war?

The No Man's Land had only tied down one Colonial Legion of the Trolls; it could hardly be considered a quagmire.

"Big brother's idea is a bit too radical," Alexei chuckled softly from the corner. His presence wasn't strong; he was Digor's youngest son.

Digor had a total of 13 sons and three daughters. Excluding the four sons who fell in the war, there were nine sons left.

They were all currently here, and only Titus and Alexei had spoken.

One was the oldest with high prestige, and the other was the youngest whose words nobody cared about.

As for those caught in between, many were considered dispensable Princes.

Alexei chuckled twice, "If we keep playing along, I'm afraid a fight will break out. I don't think many of us here truly want to go to war with the Star Glory Empire."

Regarding Alexei's refutation, Titus didn't have much reaction, saying calmly, "I'm just offering an idea."

"I also have an idea." Beside Vimala, Klein suddenly spoke, attracting everyone's attention.

Compared to Alexei, Klein was clearly even more transparent here. However, due to Vimala's presence, no one dared to openly ignore her.

Some high-level officials cast their eyes towards Vimala, but couldn't see any psychological reaction from this "Iron-Blooded Queen." Her expression remained indifferent.

"How about taking a step back," Klein's words somewhat exceeded everyone's expectations.

Take a step back? The minds of the high-level officials flickered. In Interstellar-level confrontations, weakness and strength were not constantly derogatory or complimentary terms.

"What idea does Your Royal Highness Klein have?" A high-level official belonging to Vimala's faction asked timely.

"An astronomical Bounty." Klein raised her head, her crystal-clear eyes reflecting the entire political hall.

"We can offer an astronomical Bounty externally for the Xinhuo Virus."

Logically speaking, the Star Glory Empire was the poisoner. Now that they had entered the negotiation stage, it should be up to them to resolve it.

But now, requiring Return Star to pay a price to obtain a solution could indeed be considered taking a step back.

"This..."

The high-level officials looked hesitant. If Vimala wasn't still here, they would have long been unable to resist cursing.

If Titus's idea was too radical, then Klein's idea was too cowardly.

The dignified Return Star, getting slapped in the face, and then having to smile and pay up—that was too humiliating.

"This idea... has merit." Prince Connor spoke up; he had a different perspective on this. "Ordinary Citizens don't know the dirty tricks between us and the Star Glory Empire. They can only see the external Bounty."

"Moreover, the Star Glory Empire is too overbearing. If even we retreat this time, what will the other civilizations think?"

The world has suffered under Star Glory for a long time!

When even Return Star made concessions for the Star Glory Empire, the other civilizations would probably feel insecure, afraid they would be next.

"It can tentatively be considered an attempt..." A high-level official spoke, then added, "We can completely issue the Bounty to the entire Universe. Many Laboratories are probably waiting for this opportunity."

"Maybe some Laboratory has already researched a method."

Another high-level official said, "Such things are not uncommon. During the several Interstellar plague pandemics, the efficiency of those top-tier Laboratories was no lower than ours."

External Bounties were not rare. Many civilizations had done this before, targeting those top-tier Laboratories.

There is specialization in every profession. The Black Blood Institute's genetic Technology was top-tier, and the Salvation Ark's life Technology was equally astonishing.

This was a consensus in the Interstellar space. Seeking their help was not shameful.

Klein continued, "We can completely use grand but hollow rewards instead of substantial ones. For example, high-level medals, or Laboratories that can only be used locally..."

"The key is just our attitude, to use this method to see what the Star Glory Empire really wants to do."

"If a top-tier Laboratory really produces results, paying these costs might even poach a few talents back. It's not a loss."

"Grand but hollow rewards..." Many high-level officials pondered this phrase, their eyes gradually brightening.

This logic was indeed sound. For instance, Return Star's high-level medals were almost worthless to people from outside civilizations.

And high-level Laboratories that could only be used locally—although the cost was high, if they really gained a few top-tier researchers because of it, it certainly wouldn't be a loss.

The Star Glory Empire's Ambiguous attitude was truly baffling. Whether it was to negotiate or fight, there was no clear statement.

Klein's "taking a step back" could indeed serve as a tentative measure.

For the Star Glory Empire, those grand and hollow things held no attraction.

But at the Star Glory Empire's level, pure material wealth could hardly tempt them anymore.

On the contrary, Return Star's attitude was more important to them.

And under these circumstances, Return Star's attitude towards the Star Glory Empire could be summed up in one sentence—you win.

Vimala finally spoke, her face stern, "Proceed with multiple lines concurrently. We will discuss the specific details of the Bounty later. Additionally, prepare to execute the 'Void Plan'. If the Star Glory Empire wants to keep playing along, then we'll play with them."

The expressions of the high-level officials condensed slightly. In the time Digor was absent, Vimala was the final decision-maker for everything.

Klein lowered her head again, inconspicuous, deeply hiding her merit and name.

Right at this moment... a red alarm suddenly sounded throughout the political hall. All the seats turned red, and everyone's expressions changed drastically in unison.

Special meetings in the political hall were not to be disturbed, unless an emergency event with major impact occurred.

Vimala frowned tightly. A Holographic Screen popped up in the center of the circular hall, and Horus's old face impressively appeared.

Seeing this once Illustrious reputation Black Knight, the expressions of the people present varied, not knowing what they were pondering.

Horus's expression was somewhat suppressed. Without any nonsense, he cut straight to the chase, "Queen, the Meteor Fleet was ambushed. The Star Glory Empire Exploration Vessel was lying in ambush in the Ordos System. There are suspected traces of Titan Ruins."

"What!?" Vimala suddenly stood up, her expression changing drastically, enough to prove the shock in her heart.

Klein looked up in astonishment, her mouth slightly agape, extremely shocked by this news as well.

As for the other high-level officials, they were even more shocked. The Meteor Fleet was ambushed? Titan Ruins?

Li Yu acting as bait to lure out Strength King and Laser Man was not something everyone knew. Some high-level officials hadn't even sorted out The Whole Story yet.

"The Ordos System actually hid Titan Ruins?"

"That Li Yu is too unlucky, actually choosing such a place. I wonder if he can survive."

"Unlucky? Not necessarily..."

"..."

The crowd discussed animatedly, holding their own opinions.

"What is the specific situation?" General Aethel spoke up; he hadn't expressed his opinion earlier.

"We only know that the enemy has five A-Tier Lifeforms, and also..." Horus hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Dark Star."

"Five A-Tier Lifeforms? Such a big move..."

"The Meteor Fleet is probably..." Someone shook their head. "Commander Elton is a good person."

"Dark Star is also at that place? Is it for the Titan Ruins, or for Li Yu?"

"Then Li Yu will probably be tortured miserably. He only just identified Dark Star not long ago."

"Perhaps..." Someone shook their head, meaning unclear.

"..."

Prince Connor looked around at the noisy crowd, his expression somewhat displeased, asking, "What is the situation now?"

"Connection has been lost. I have already dispatched the nearest Patrol Fleet to rush over, but it will take at least three days at the fastest." Horus said in a deep voice. The high-level officials all tacitly skipped the question of why he could mobilize the Patrol Fleet.

Vimala frowned tightly. The sudden news disrupted all her plans. From the corner of her eye, she glanced at Klein, who had lowered her head again.

A doubt that many people had also surfaced in her mind: Was Li Yu really just too unlucky, or did he deliberately choose the Ordos System?

Or could it be... She had an even more astonishing guess: Li Yu was actually a Spy sent by the Star Glory Empire.

But this guess didn't exist for long before she erased it herself, because it was too unreasonable.

If the other party was a mole, there was absolutely no need to expose Ordos. Wouldn't it be better for the Star Glory Empire to quietly take away the Titan Ruins?

"Meeting adjourned..." Vimala waved her hand. Large swaths of Virtual projections began to dissipate. She didn't even wait for these people to retreat on their own, but forcibly dispersed them, leaving only a few core big shots.

...

In the Ordos System, aboard the Star Glory Empire Exploration Vessel, Li Yu stared at the complex password model on the screen. A researcher was nervously reporting nearby:

"...We just need to shine these decoded passwords onto those metal plates, and we can open the secondary space."

Without delay, he got straight to work. Time was urgent now. Since Return Star knew about the unexpected situation in Ordos, they would definitely send a fleet over. He just didn't know when the other party would arrive.

There were a total of six Bronze Metal Plates on Ordos Prime, hidden in different locations, which had already been investigated clearly by the Exploration Vessel.

Li Yu now only needed to Snatch the spoils.

"What exactly do you want to do? You're already wanted by the Star Glory Empire, and if you betray Return Star again, where else can you run to!?"

Elton didn't know Li Yu's plan, nor his own fate. Amidst bewilderment and panic, he kept blabbering.

"So much nonsense... Who said I'm going to run?" Li Yu said impatiently.

Elton paused slightly, seeming to understand something, and let out a long sigh of relief, "You want to cross the sea under camouflage and deceive the High Echelon?"

"No one will testify for you. Do you think the High Echelon will believe just your one-sided story?"

"So what?" Li Yu stopped what he was doing and looked at Elton in the Cage with interest.

"I can testify for you, but I have a condition." Elton's expression gradually calmed down. He believed he had found Li Yu's weakness.

If he didn't want to flee from Return Star, he had to wrap up today's incident perfectly, and it was absolutely impossible for Li Yu to do it alone.

He had to rely on him, this Meteor Fleet Captain! That's why Li Yu let him live instead of killing him.

The corners of Li Yu's mouth curled up, looking Elton up and down. When Elton gradually started to feel a chill, he finally spoke: "I thought you were a tough guy, didn't expect you to cower so quickly. What a pity..."

"...Who says no one will testify for me? There are still over ten thousand remaining fleet soldiers, right? It should be fine if they testify for me."

Elton had a bad premonition, but still stubbornly held on, "They won't testify for you. After an incident of this level, all survivors will undergo multiple interrogations."

"No matter what methods you use, it's impossible for the High Echelon not to find clues. Once an accident occurs, it's your doomsday!"

"Stop trying to fish for information..." Li Yu wasn't prepared to say more to Elton. He directly increased the dosage of the Special Potion, causing him to gradually lose consciousness and fall into a deep sleep.

Subsequently, the Empire Exploration Vessel initiated Optical Invisibility and slowly moved towards the locations of the Bronze Metal Plates.

(End of this chapter)