Forty Millenniums of Cultivation

“Is there anything wrong?”

Song Lixing’s face sank as he said, “The news of the assault of the Holy Alliance on the capital city was personally received by our spies in the capital city. Right now, the entire capital city is like a pot of boiling porridge. It is impossible to fake it.

“As for the news that the Star Glory Federation refused to send troops, we intercepted the long-distance communication directly from the edge of the sea of stars. It is the most fresh intelligence. What are you suspicious about?”

Song Lixing was absolutely confident in his family’s intelligence system.

‘The four families had been in control of the government for five hundred years. They were truly ‘deeply rooted’. Even though they had evacuated from the capital city in a hurry, they had left a lot of spies and ‘landmines’ in the capital city and the few important industrial worlds nearby.

The revolutionaries had only just occupied the capital city, and they were already faced with a dilemma both internally and externally. They did not dare to purge the remaining personnel of the old system. The entire bureaucracy of the capital city was filled with people from the Electoral College.

Even the warlords in the periphery of the imperium who supported the revolutionists did not mean to join them. Many of them were betting on both sides.

It was safe to say that the entire imperial capital had been infiltrated by the coalition army of the electors. There were no secrets at all.

Now that Li Yao’s identity as the ‘Black Wind King’ had been exposed, the long-distance communication between the ‘reform government of the imperium’ and the Star Glory Federation could not be kept secret forever. The message from the federation had just been sent to the center of the sea of stars

when it was intercepted by the electors.

Song Bugui did not dare to doubt the authenticity of the intelligence. He simply said, “I’m not doubting him. I’m just worried that Bai Xingjian, the ‘Pirate Potentate’, who has been known for his shamelessness and capriciousness, might not do the same thing again.

“Hehe. Times have changed. Don’t you understand that it is not Bai Xinghe’s stance that matters but the attitude of the Star Glory Federation?

Song Lixing waved his hand and said resolutely, “No matter what the Star Glory Federation is, it is still a small country at the edge of the sea of stars. Vice Admiral Song, if you were the leader of a small country at the edge of the sea of stars, would you be willing to let the best soldiers under your

command jump into the fire pit at the center of the sea of stars and die for nothing?”

“Well…”

Song Bugui frowned. He sighed and shook his head. “It’s impossible. It’s absolutely impossible. The super power struggle in the center of the sea of stars is not something that a country bumpkin can participate in.”

This is it!

Song Lixing clenched his hands into fists and smashed them down. He said, “As long as the leader of the Star Glory Federation has any rationality or self-interest, there’s no way that he will be involved in such a chaotic mess and help the revolutionary traitors get what they want! According to the review

of my father and me, even if they are really going to join the war, it will not be now, but when the revolutionary traitors, the rightful government, and the people of the Sanctuary Alliance are all seriously wounded, won’t they be able to reap the greatest benefits?

“Therefore, there is no way that the Star Glory Federation will send troops right now. It is a perfect proof for the intelligence that we have received.

“Since the Star Glory Federation is not sending troops, why hasn’t Bai Xingjian run away yet? Is he really going to crash into the Yellow Dragon Sector? Such third-rate space pirates are merely thieves. How can they fight a tough battle?

Song Bugui still hesitated. “But…”

“There are no buts, Vice Marshal Song. It’s one thing for you to fear ‘God of War’ Lei Chenghu, but can a mere space pirate boss scare the crap out of you?”

Song Lixing’s saliva flew everywhere. Seeing that Song Bugui was still indifferent, he couldn’t help but burst into fury. Pointing at Song Bugui’s nose, he shouted, “Do you have any idea how critical the situation is right now? We can’t afford to delay the revolutionaries, nor can we!

“Every day, in our territory, countless sects, Exo Societies, and middle- and low-level nobles are ready to join the revolutionary rebels!

“Every day, our economy, which has been corrupted by the flames of war, deteriorates rapidly. The loss of the Jade Cauldron Sector, the biggest source of resources, is enough to make our family’s finances collapse. Without money, who knows who the candidate is?

“Every day, my father and I have to endure countless vicious attacks in the imperial court. The pigs and dogs of the other three families are about to poke their eyeballs into our eye sockets and question why we haven’t sent out our troops to completely annihilate the revolutionaries!

“Victory. No matter what, we have to achieve a brilliant victory no matter what. Only then can the rotten situation be maintained for now. Do you understand?

“Let me tell you something. The capital city has been assaulted. Bai Xingjian’s subordinates mutinied and defected. The Star Glory Federation has refused to come out. The three pieces of great news have spread both inside and outside the imperial court. Right now, everyone knows that Lei Chenghu has

lost an arm. His morale is low, and he is in chaos. Everybody is rubbing their fists in eagerness to wipe out Lei Chenghu’s subordinates and win the honor of ‘Defeating the God of War’! You may be unwilling to attack, but there are plenty of people who are willing, If the members of the other three families

decide to fight on their own and steal the first credit in our territory, the Song family will be in a passive position!”

Song Bugui’s face was flushed red from the scolding. He was barely able to retort.

After all, he was an Immortal Cultivator almost two hundred years old and the commander-in-chief of the most elite army of the rightful government of the imperium. There was a limit to his obedience. For a moment, he could not help but grit his teeth and clench his fists.

Song Lixing also realized that he had gone too far with his cursing. He coughed lightly and said in a relaxed tone, “I also know that you are the most prudent when it comes to mobilizing troops. You deserve to be called ‘heavy’. This is also the reason why my father and I, against all the objections,

promoted you to be the commander-in-chief of the Heaven’s Return Fleet! Everyone knows the sharpness of Lei Chenghu’s battle tactics. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have the title of ‘God of War’. It’s not wrong for you to be in a stalemate with him. However, we really don’t have time to waste.

“What do you think we should do? Are we going to watch Lei Chenhu ravage the Jade Tripod Sector and the people of the Holy Alliance ravage the capital city and wait for victory to fall from the sky?

“Of course not.”

Thousands of thoughts were running through Song Bugui’s head. For some reason, he thought of his wife and children who had been stranded in the Yellow Dragon World. He sighed and decided to do what he could for the Song family. He said, “No matter what, I am definitely no match for ‘God of War’

Lei Chenghu. Even if Bai Xingjian’s subordinates defected and returned to the Heavenly Fleet and Lei Chenhu’s, the best outcome would be that both sides would suffer heavy losses. Neither side would benefit.

“We are all the elites that the imperium spent a lot of time and resources on. We are the last defenders of the human civilization. Is it really a good idea to fight to the bitter end and let the people of the Star Glory Federation wreak havoc in the capital city?

“Do you think—do you think that we can talk to Lei Chenghu?”

“What did you say?”

Song Lixing narrowed his eyes and smiled. “Negotiate? Negotiate?”

“Let’s say ‘negotiate’.

Song Bugui bit the bullet and said, “Right now, we are both in an awkward position as compared to the revolutionary rebels. However, the opposition is more dangerous. If we can really negotiate, our position will definitely be more favorable.

“It must be noted that ‘God of War’ Lei Chenghu did not join the revolution against the rebels from the very beginning. He is different from the fake Empress Dowager Li Linghai and seems to be on the top of the entire nation. Therefore, I believe that Lei Chenghu is definitely going to win!”

“Are you out of your mind?”

Song Lixing stared at Song Bugui. “Or is it as the rumors say? Not only is he fearful of the enemy like a tiger, but he has also been bought over by Lei Chenhu and joined the revolutionary rebels?”

“This—this is slander and nonsense. It is utterly absurd. My loyalty to my family, to the imperial court, and to His Majesty is as clear as day!”

Song Bugui’s face was almost burning. He said in grief and indignation, “I only feel that, now that the members of the Star Glory Federation have come to the heart of the imperium, Lei Chenghu and the revolutionary traitors should hate the members of the Star Glory Federation no matter how hateful

they are, shouldn’t they? Don’t let the members of the Star Glory Federation take advantage of the conflict between us!”

“Hehe. I know that you have always been loyal to your family and the imperial court. But I didn’t know that you were so stupid in politics!

Song Lixing pursed his lips and said coldly, one word after another, “Let me tell you, it doesn’t matter even if the capital city falls into the hands of the people of the Star Glory Federation, because the Immortal Cultivators and citizens of hundreds of Sectors will fight against the people of the Star Glory

Federation until the end. There is no way that they will surrender.

“It means that, even if we lose the capital city, we can always take it back someday.

“Think about it. The imperial capital was lost in the hands of the revolutionaries, only to be revived by the rightful government. Who would stand on the side of the revolutionaries under such circumstances?

“On the other hand, if our soft-heartedness gives the revolutionary traitors time to catch their breath and allow them to continue expanding, they will swallow more planets and worlds without us knowing, Thousands of ignorant people will be tempted by their twisted theories and the handsome ‘Golden

Lion’. Then, all our nobles will die miserably!

“Therefore, the problem of the members of the Star Glory Federation is just a minor problem that can be resolved later. Reforming the rebels is our biggest problem. We are mortal enemies. There is no room for negotiation.

“As for the imperial capital… If it falls, so be it. Since they chose to follow the revolutionary rebels, this is the outcome that the people of the imperial capital deserve. They brought this upon themselves, so they can’t live!

“Deputy General Song, have I made myself clear enough? Do you still have any questions as to whether or not you are qualified to be the commander-in-chief of the fleet?”

Song Lixing glared at Song Bugui.

Song Bugui was dumbfounded. He was like a burning piece of dry wood, but invisible undercurrents were flowing deep inside his eyes. It was not until a long time later that his gloomy eyes were focused again.

“Chairman, I understand now. There is no need for twenty-four hours. In twelve hours, the fleet will be fully prepared for a large-scale space jump!”

Song Bugui tensed like a bow and said to his supervisor, “However, I have a suggestion..