On August 22, 833 of the Galactic Commonwealth Calendar, the Blue Star Commonwealth's homebound fleet finally left the Hanwang Star Gorge and entered the last stretch of the open-sea route. If nothing went wrong, the fleet should reach the Southern Heavenly Gate and rendezvous with the Outer Ring Fleet before September.
Looking at it that way, the Empire's attempt to intercept and destroy the homebound fleet in the Hanwang Star Gorge had not even affected their progress home.
"Of course not! Your fleet crushed those despicable Imperial bastards' sneak attack in just six hours!" General Feilagu laughed heartily. "Not even during the War of Independence—or since the Galactic Civilization Council was founded—has the Empire suffered such a crushing defeat. Brother Yu Lian, you've made history!"
"No, no, you're the commander, sir. I'm just an ordinary passenger aboard the fleet, heading home. You're the one who made history!" Yu Lian said, his voice full of humility.
"Let's stick to the facts! If the credit is yours, it's yours. Am I supposed to steal a young man's achievements at my age?"
"But when Chairman Maxwell spoke with us last week, wasn't it you he mainly praised? I'd guess that by the time we get back to Earth, you'll be receiving a marshal's baton."
"Oh, that was just luck. I suppose I've spent my life treating people well, and finally earned a little good fortune. It was fate that I met you at the end of my career. Brother Yu Lian, you're an angel sent by the spirit of the universe to put me in the history books."
"No, no, it's mainly because of your excellent leadership, Commander. We stayed alert and drilled the troops all along the way. Everyone was in top shape, so the Imperial bastards couldn't catch us off guard.