Li Ming didn’t take the little episode to heart. The next day, he went to the training room to develop the gene seed as though nothing had happened.
On the Blue Star network, the discussions about him gradually faded away, and along with them, the issues of the Heluo Star System seemed as if the anger and red-faced arguments had occurred years ago.
The charm of the Star Network was no more than this.
Yet beneath this seemingly subsiding storm, undercurrents still surged.
Three days later, at the Sela embassy, Sain stopped in front of the large door at the end of the corridor, which was carved with a lush tree. He straightened his clothes before knocking.
"Come in..." the voice was somewhat hoarse, mixed with weariness.
Opening the door a crack, Sain squeezed in, "Ambassador, did you want to see me?"
It was midday, but the room was dim, its liquid crystal glass keeping all sunlight out, and a virtual flame burned in the fireplace, accompanied by the faint sound of crackling.
The ambassador sat at the square table with the emblem of the Sela Civilization—a flag embroidered with a green tree—placed to his right.
Sain sat down tentatively, a bad feeling suddenly surging in his heart, prompting him to ask, "Ambassador, what’s the matter?"
"About three hours ago, Star Crown Knight Tara and his knight group lost contact." The ambassador sighed deeply, massaging his brow.
"What!?" Sain stood up abruptly, pacing back and forth, "How could this happen, is it certain what occurred?"
The ambassador shook his head, "Every method has been tried. Tara has vanished completely, and it’s highly likely that he’s fallen into Wu Yanqing’s hands."
"Fallen into Wu Yanqing’s hands? Impossible!" Sain shook his head decisively, "Star Crown Knights are B-level life forms, and with his knight group to assist him, how could Wu Yanqing capture him."
"Nothing is impossible." The ambassador said despondently, "He is Wu Yanqing, after all."
"Two hours ago, the Blue Star government urged the Heluo Star System to announce the referendum result, which is clearly a threat to us."
Sain’s face tensed, he had never expected such a turn of events, and he listened as the ambassador continued, "The think tank analysis suggests that Wu Yanqing’s trip to the Guystar Star System was a trap, intended to attract a B-level life form and capture it."
"We’ve fallen into the trap as well."
"So?" Sain furrowed his brow, "What is the upper echelon thinking now?"
"The Star Crown Knight is a B-level life form and a royal family member; he must not die. The leadership is inclined to propose a negotiation with Blue Star," the ambassador said.
"Absolutely not!" Sain’s voice suddenly rose, "By proposing negotiations, wouldn’t we be conceding to Blue Star, causing all that we’ve done before to go up in smoke?"
"Then what?" The ambassador frowned, his expression becoming icy.
"I don’t believe Wu Yanqing would really kill the Star Crown Knight!" Sain said firmly, "To kill the Star Crown Knight is to provoke a war."
"Sain!" The ambassador suddenly interrupted him, also standing up, his eyes filled with anger, "Do you even remember who you are?"
"Is our goal to provoke a war?" The ambassador demanded, "All confrontations are but a means, a way to gain benefits."
"You put Wu Yanqing in a difficult position; if he really kills the Star Crown Knight, do you want your compatriots to be plunged into war?"
Sain tried to explain, "Ambassador, Prince Bai Jiang..."
"Don’t talk to me about Prince Bai Jiang!" The ambassador cut him off fiercely, "If he really wants to deal with Wu Yanqing, why doesn’t he take action himself?"
"Idiot! We fear the Yitelan Civilization, and he cannot command the Yitelan Civilization, nor can you command the Sela Civilization!" The ambassador rebuked without mercy.
Sain remained silent, deeply understanding the complex relationships among the Yitelan Civilization, the Silver Star Cluster, and the many other civilizations: interdependent, wary of each other, yet mutually balancing.
With the strength of the Yitelan Civilization, they could exterminate a civilization, but even they would not easily take such an action.
Exterminating a civilization was not as simple as killing its leaders or shattering the Capital Star, which would only incite endless hatred.
The Torch that kept rekindling served as a constant reminder to the Yitelan Civilization: destroying a star might be satisfying momentarily, but the disaster it leaves can last a thousand years.
Unless absolutely necessary, interstellar powers rarely engaged in extinction-level conflicts.
Under this premise, even while exploiting other civilizations, the Yitelan Civilization would keep it within a tolerable range.
They interfered little in the internal affairs of other civilizations; Prince Baijiang couldn’t directly command the leaders of these civilizations.
"I understand." Sain’s expression turned serious, realizing that the matter was settled, "Then why did you ask to see me?"
If his opinion wasn’t important, why bring him here.
"Your people can stop now; there’s no need to target anyone anymore." The ambassador stared intently at him.
Sain took a deep breath and exhaled a single word: "Understood."
Another two days passed.
"...According to the referendum results of the Heluo Star System, the vote in favor was only 40%, failing to meet the independence requirement. Meanwhile, according to the virus investigation committee, some of the evidence involving Professor Wu Yanqing’s human experiments was fabricated..."
Li Ming scrolled through the news, feeling somewhat contemplative; the matter seemed to be over, with Old Wu gaining the upper hand, though he was unsure of the details.
Curious, he immediately sought out Luo Chuan for information.
In the office, Luo Chuan was waiting for him, clearly in a good mood, invited him to sit, and poured a glass of water.