Chapter 1226: Foolish Choices

Luojia raised his hand, and a Holographic Star Map unfolded beside him.

Those planets that declared independence were marked in red, appearing exceptionally glaring in the starry sky.

"Kasadelan, Aurelia, Viridis, Corinsis, Vas Corellia, Estella, Tartarus..."

Luojia read those names out one by one.

"Seven planets. Seven foolish choices."

He looked at Kun.

"Kun, what do you think I should do?"

Kun's throat tightened.

"I... I don't know, Lord Luojia."

"You don't know?"

Luojia smiled.

"Then let me tell you."

He raised his hand and drew seven red lines across the star map.

"Kasadelan, the closest is Guilliman's Thirteenth Legion. Guilliman will handle that place personally."

"Aurelia, Horus's Sixteenth Legion is nearby."

"Viridis, Sanguinius's Ninth Legion can cover it."

"Corinsis, leave it to Ferrus."

"Vas Corellia, Vulkan will go. The Fire Dragon will purify everything."

"Estella, Lion's First Legion is over there."

"Tartarus... let Horus handle this one while he's at it. This is nothing for the Sixteenth Legion."

Kun's hands were trembling.

"Lord Luojia, on those planets... there are still civilians, there are children, there are innocent people..."

Luojia looked at him, the gentleness in his eyes not changing in the slightest.

"Kun, do you know what the civilians on those planets are doing right now?"

Kun shook his head.

"They are cheering."

Luojia said.

"They are celebrating independence, they are cheering for the resistance, they are supporting those 'brave Commanders'."

Do you think those who declared independence are an isolated minority?

No, Kun.

They have a foundation of public opinion.

Every adult on those planets participated in this independence, with their cheers, with their support, with their silence."

He took a step forward.

"When your compatriots chose to fight, they had already chosen to bear the consequences. Civilians? Innocent?"

Luojia shook his head.

"In the war against the Alien, there are no innocent civilians. There are only living enemies, and dead enemies."

Kun's face turned pale.

"But... but you said before that the rivers flowing into the sea would become part of the sea..."

"That was said to those who chose to surrender."

Luojia interrupted him.

"For those who chose to continue resisting, the sea has another way of treating them."

He raised his hand, making a gesture of blessing.

"Kun, tell the council, you don't need to do anything. You have already surrendered, those planets no longer belong to you. Now, they are our problem."

The corners of Luojia's mouth still held that gentle smile.

"And we will solve them. Thoroughly."

The holographic projection dissipated.

Kun stood frozen in place, unable to move for a long time.

At the same time, Luojia activated the Primarch Council channel.

In the holographic projection, five figures gradually coalesced.

Guilliman stood on the Bridge of the Thirteenth Legion, behind him were busy officers and flickering tactical screens.

"Brother Luojia. I have received it. Kasadelan."

Horus's projection lit up on the other side.

"Brother Luojia, you always leave the most interesting ones for me. Aurelia, and Tartarus. Two planets. My children will be happy."

Sanguinius's projection lit up in the third spot.

"Viridis. I will go personally. Those Aliens need to understand that resistance will only bring faster destruction."

Ferrus's projection appeared in the fourth spot.

"Corinsis. The Iron Hands will let them know what true power is."

Vulkan's projection emerged.

"Vas Corellia. I will go. But Luojia... if there are Human slaves there, I want to take them away."

Lion's projection did not appear, but his deep voice came through the channel.

"Estella. I will handle it. No need to worry."

Luojia looked at his brothers.

"Thank you for your cooperation. Father is on his way back to the Xiuluo Holy Star, and Jaghatai is escorting him. These rebellions are left to you."

Horus smiled.

"Luojia, when did you become so polite? Dealing with Aliens never requires thanks."

Guilliman nodded.

"But one point must be clear: the method of handling civilians."

Everyone looked at him.

Guilliman's expression was serious.

"Luojia is right; those Alien civilians on the planets support the rebellion, they are the soil of the rebellion. But we need to distinguish: those holding weapons are enemies. Those hiding at home cheering are enemies. Those attempting to flee are also enemies."

He paused.

"But those Human slaves being held captive are not enemies. They are our kin, they are the people we need to save."

Sanguinius nodded.

"Guilliman is right. Aliens are Aliens, Humans are Humans. We cannot conflate the two."

Vulkan's eyes lit up.

"This is exactly what I wanted to say. Intelligence shows there are at least thirty thousand Human slaves on Vas Corellia. I will find them and rescue them."

Ferrus was expressionless.

"Corinsis also has slaves. The Iron Hands will handle it. Slaves can be sent to the rear for resettlement, Aliens... do not need resettlement."

Lion's voice sounded again.

"There is no intelligence on Human slaves on Estella. If there are any, I will save them. If not, that is even better."

Horus shrugged.

"Aurelia and Tartarus... might have some. My children will keep an eye out."

Luojia listened to his brothers' words, complex emotions surging in his heart.

"Then it is decided. Seven standard days from now, we will report our battle results here."

"Seven days?"

Horus smiled.

"Luojia, you underestimate us too much. Three days is enough."

Guilliman shook his head.

"Horus, do not underestimate the enemy. Since those Aliens dared to declare independence, they must be prepared."

"Rest assured, I will not underestimate the enemy."

The channel connections of several Primarchs disconnected one after another.

Guilliman looked at Luojia one last time.

"Luojia, about Father... is he well?"

Luojia was silent for a second.

"He is on his way back to the Xiuluo Holy Star. Jaghatai is accompanying him."

Guilliman nodded, not pressing further.

"Take care of him."

He said, and then the projection dissipated.

Only Luojia and Horus remained in the channel.

Horus looked at Luojia, a flash of complex emotion in his eyes.

"Luojia, you have changed."

Luojia smiled.

"Is that so?"

"Before, you would only pray. Now you have started commanding your brothers. Father has trained you well."

"Everything is owed to Father's guidance."

Luojia did not answer.

Horus's projection dissipated.

The sanctuary fell back into Silence.

Luojia knelt back before the icon, closed his eyes, and prayed softly.

"Father, may Your light guide us. May Your mercy protect us. May Your wrath descend upon those who dare to defy You."