Chapter 1259: A Letter from the Kesi Empire

Xiuluo Holy Star, Yingzhou's study.

Yingzhou sat before the desk, holding a cup of freshly brewed hot tea in his hand, looking at an encrypted report before him.

That report came from Valdos Star, the latest news sent by Corax's delegation.

Luojia sat on the chair opposite him, holding an identical report in his hand.

He finished reading the last page, raised his head, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"Father, Corax over there... is quite interesting."

Yingzhou set down the teacup, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Interesting? Are you referring to that assassination incident?"

Luojia nodded.

"Yes. According to the report, an assassin disguised as an Ash People service worker suddenly opened fire, a Raven Guard blocked the shot for Corax and 'sacrificed' himself. The Ash People are now in a state of panic, Salmox is running around in a frenzy, the gifts sent were all returned, public statements have been issued, compensation has been acknowledged, and they have even agreed to the border observation stations."

Yingzhou smiled.

"Luojia, do you think this matter is real?"

Luojia was stunned for a moment.

"Father, do you mean... that he staged it himself?"

"Father, now that you mention it, it is indeed possible. That assassin's marksmanship was too 'precise', hitting the heart just right, yet allowing Sailusi to block it perfectly. The power of the micro energy gun was also 'just right', capable of piercing Power Armor, but not enough to kill an Astartes with two hearts. Moreover, the assassin disappeared too 'perfectly'; the Ash People searched for three days and found nothing."

Yingzhou picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"There is one more point. Corax's reaction was too calm."

Luojia raised an eyebrow.

"Calm?"

"Yes. If someone truly wanted to assassinate him, how could he be so calm? How could he continue negotiations the day after being assassinated? How could he be willing to 'understand' the Ash People's difficulties after putting forward such harsh conditions?"

He paused, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

"That child is acting. He is using this 'assassination' to build momentum for himself and to pressure the Ash People."

"Father, I think you are absolutely correct. That guy Corax is certainly capable of doing such a thing."

He paused, then added.

"However, Father, don't you think he is... taking a bit of a risk? What if the assassin missed and actually killed Sailusi?"

Yingzhou smiled.

"Luojia, do you think Corax would let Sailusi truly go to his death?"

Luojia thought for a moment and shook his head.

"No. He couldn't possibly truly sacrifice Sailusi."

Yingzhou nodded.

"Therefore, everything was within his calculations. The assassin's marksmanship, the trajectory of the Energy Beam, the angle at which Sailusi lunged—all of it was designed in advance. Sailusi would be injured, but not die."

Luojia nodded thoughtfully.

"Father, you are right. That guy Corax never does anything he isn't sure of."

Yingzhou leaned back in his chair and picked up the teacup.

"The more pressure there is on the Ash People, the more it benefits us."

Luojia nodded.

"Understood, Father."

The study was quiet for a few seconds.

Luojia suddenly remembered something and took another document from his bosom.

"Father, there is one more thing that requires your review."

Yingzhou took the document and scanned it quickly.

It was a diplomatic note from the Kesi Empire.

【To the Supreme Ruler of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance:

The Kesi Empire hereby lodges its most solemn protest and condemnation regarding your side's groundless detention of our Kesi. Kesi is the third heir to the Kesi Empire's throne, and during his legal commercial activities on Eris Star, he was illegally intercepted and detained by your Blood Angels Fleet. This act severely violates the sovereignty and civil rights of the Kesi Empire and is a grave destruction of the relationship between the two powers.

The Kesi Empire demands that your side immediately and unconditionally release Kesi Keluonuosi and issue a formal apology to the Kesi Empire. Otherwise, the Kesi Empire reserves the right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its own interests.

Emperor of the Kesi Empire, Keluonuosi Ershisi Shi】

After reading it, Yingzhou's mouth raised slightly.

"Condemnation? Protest? Reserving rights?"

He tossed the document onto the table.

"This Kesi Emperor is quite good at playing word games."

Luojia looked at him.

"Father, how do you intend to handle this?"

Yingzhou thought for a moment.

"Is that Kesi still in Sanguinius's hands?"

Luojia flipped out another record.

"Yes, he is with Sanguinius. According to Sanguinius's report, Kesi was extremely arrogant on Eris Star, provoking people in public, and was pinned down by Sanguinius using psychic powers. Later, he attempted to flee, was surrounded and intercepted by the Blood Angels Fleet, and after a battle, he lost four warships and was captured himself."

Yingzhou raised an eyebrow.

"He even took action?"

Luojia nodded.

"Yes. The warriors of the Kesi Empire do indeed have some skills; they have an elite force called 'Kraken Warriors' that can trade blows with the Blood Angels. However, they lost in the end."

Yingzhou smiled.

"Issuing a condemnation after losing? This kind of maneuver is interesting."

He looked at Luojia.

"Luojia, I leave this matter to you to handle."

Luojia was stunned for a moment.

"Father, you want me to handle it?"

Yingzhou nodded.

"Yes. You are responsible for liaising regarding the condemnation from the Luoke Imperium. How to reply, how to negotiate, how to stall—you decide for yourself."

"Understood, Father."

Yingzhou looked at him.

"What? Are you feeling pressured?"

Luojia shook his head.

"There is no pressure. It's just... the Luoke Imperium is said to be very strong. Dealing with them requires a bit of caution."

Yingzhou smiled.

"Caution is a good thing. But don't be too cautious."

He picked up his teacup and took a light sip.

"Luojia, you must remember one thing."

"Please speak, Father."

Yingzhou set down the teacup.

"The relationship between us and the Luoke Imperium is not equal. We have just destroyed the Fengqi Star Alliance and are currently integrating the territory. Over at the Ashes Star Alliance, Corax is putting pressure on them. The Canaan Star Alliance is watching from the sidelines, and the Daikong Star Alliance is in Silence."

He paused.

"At a time like this, the Luoke Imperium sending a condemnation is an attempt to test our bottom line. They want to know if we truly dare to go head-to-head with them.

I need you to use this matter to send a signal to the Luoke Imperium."

Luojia raised an eyebrow.

"What signal?"

Yingzhou turned around and looked at him.

"We do not look for trouble, but we do not fear it either. Kesi is in our hands because he provoked us first, then fled, and even used force. If the Luoke Imperium wants to talk, they can. If they want to threaten, then let them try."

Luojia's eyes brightened slightly.

"Father, I understand."

Yingzhou walked back to the desk and sat down.

"Go. How to write the reply, how to negotiate—you decide for yourself. Whatever resources you need, call upon them directly."

Luojia stood up and bowed slightly.

"Yes, Father. I will go and prepare now."