Staring at Troy's fearful and respectful expression, Han Xiao chuckled and asked, "You mean, you've been framed to end up in this predicament, and you're innocent?"
Troy swallowed hard, forcing a smile, and said, "I was framed by my political enemies; they pinned many of the charges on me."
Han Xiao gave a long "oh," neither confirming nor denying, and said, "So you want to pledge allegiance to me now, seek refuge under my command, and let me protect you?"
Troy said cautiously, "I dare not ask for your protection. I only ask that you allow me to leave the Central Galaxy through the Stargate with the Black Star Army's fleet. I am now wanted by a star system-level civilization. Without anyone's help, I cannot use the Stargate."
Han Xiao shook his head and chuckled, "All the civilizations in the Constellation Corridor are controlled by the Empire. Don't you know I'm an ally of the Empire? You're a wanted criminal from a vassal civilization of the Empire. You dared to come to me; I'm already being lenient by not arresting you on the spot. You expect me to risk taking you to the Shattered Star Ring? You just casually mentioned it and expect me to help you for free... Do you think I look like a philanthropist?"
"No, no, you misunderstand." Troy waved his hands repeatedly. "Although I came here seeking refuge, my allegiance to the Black Star Army is also genuine. Your rise to power in the Shattered Star Ring has spread throughout the universe, and I have admired you for a long time. If you don't mind, I am willing to serve you and be loyal to you from now on."
"Oh?" Han Xiao rested his elbows on the table, crossed his hands over his nose, stared intently at Troy, and slowly said, "You say you're innocent, do you think I believe you? Your ambitions have failed, you're wanted by civilization, and you want me to be your backer, to use my name to pay the price for your failure? Is there such a good deal?"
In reality, this guy was far from innocent. During his years ruling Sodrian, he secretly plotted numerous conspiracies, plotting to seize even greater power. After his schemes were exposed, he was suppressed by the Civilization. Although his political enemies exaggerated some of the details, he was not clean either; he was a bad guy on both sides.
Troy's account of the events was not problematic; he simply rephrased the reasons, deliberately concealing some of his own factors and not telling the whole truth. He wanted to shift the blame, reduce the severity of his punishment, and portray himself as someone forced into a corner, hoping to lower Han Xiao's guard in this way.
However, this approach was useless against Han Xiao. Sodrian was the earliest beginner planet in the Constellation Corridor, and with information unearthed by other players, Han Xiao knew too well the ins and outs of it all. Troy couldn't be kept in the dark at all.
Furthermore, Han Xiao checked the forums and browsed the chronicle posts recorded by players in the Constellation Corridor. One post described a hidden quest: during Troy's escape and retreat, they arranged for high-energy explosives to be planted in the government building of Sodrian's capital city. These explosives were enough to level more than a dozen city blocks, showing ruthlessness and disregard for the casualties among staff and civilians. However, this triggered a player's hidden quest, and the trap was destroyed. Troy's plan failed, but it also proved that Troy was no good; he was vindictive and ruthless.
Under Han Xiao's gaze, Troy's face stiffened, and he felt a surge of anxiety. If he hadn't been desperate, he wouldn't have resorted to such desperate measures. Gritting his teeth, he swallowed his pride and suddenly prostrated himself at Han Xiao's feet—in the common interstellar culture, this gesture represents a significant act of submission.
"Who are you? Who would dare to deceive you! I didn't explain myself clearly, causing you to misunderstand. I apologize and hope you will save my life. I am willing to serve you forever."
Han Xiao secretly curled his lip, fully aware of Troy's intentions. They had committed a crime and were desperate, so they came to seek refuge when the legion was recruiting. They tried to deceive everyone with their silver tongues, and when their scheme failed, they wanted to find a powerful backer to help them bear the consequences. But there was no such easy way out.
If Troy didn't have a special role, he would have had Troy captured and exchanged for the bounty long ago. It's like money being handed to him; why not take it?
Han Xiao stood up, glancing down at the back of Troy's head. "I don't need your service, nor your gratitude. I'm too lazy to capture you. I'll pretend I never saw you. Now disappear from my sight immediately, and don't let me see you again, or else..."
With a whoosh, the door slid open, Hila walked in, staring coldly at Troy, clearly telling him to get lost.
Troy's face was pressed against the ground, obscuring his expression. After two seconds, he got up, patted the hem of his clothes as if trying to brush away non-existent dust, his head hanging low, his gaze fixed on the ground at a 45-degree angle. He didn't dare to look Han Xiao in the eye. Under Hila's sharp gaze, he remained silent, clenching his fists tightly, and walked out of the room step by step, being escorted away from the branch satellite.
After he left, Han Xiao's expression relaxed, and a strange smile appeared on his face.
"I wonder if this seemingly insignificant move will come in handy..."
Han Daji deliberately let Troy escape; he had ulterior motives. Troy, as a main NPC on one of the beginner planets, also had a storyline to tell. According to the events of his previous life, Troy had a near-death escape and finally narrowly escaped his Pursuit.
Because he was wanted by the authorities, he fled into the border crevices of the Central Galaxy, where he survived. Later, he was absorbed into the Fallen Ark and became a member of the Sorokin's forces, though not even a high-ranking officer. However, because he was once a main NPC on the beginner planet, he was noticed by the players, who recorded this information.
Important NPCs in the early stages become ordinary characters later on, which players treat as Easter eggs, and that's how Han Xiao remembers Troy's fate.
Therefore, before Han Xiao let Troy go, he secretly planted a ward in him.
The Sorokin was immune to the Observation Mark, and Troy came knocking on his door. This gave Han Xiao a sudden idea: if Troy joined the Fallen Ark as usual, he could then monitor the Sorokin's actions.
Although he didn't know if or when this eye-shifting technique would work, Han Xiao was just trying it out since it was a casual move. After all, there wasn't a good way to deal with the Sorokin right now; if it worked, he'd be lucky, and if it didn't, he wouldn't lose anything.
Forty days passed in the blink of an eye.
Han Xiao remained stationed on Planet Gilman, awaiting recruitment by the branch. During this time, he was not idle; he expanded the mechanical legion daily and, using his newly acquired Ultimate Knowledge, slowly transformed mechanical lifeforms. Led by Dark Emperor, the first generation of mechanical lifeforms under his command reached three thousand...
It's not that he didn't want to get more, but there are several main reasons. First, the cooldown of [King's Army] is a bit long, measured in days, and it's a prerequisite skill for using [Life Creation].
Secondly, although [Life Creation] can be cast on multiple targets, the maximum number of targets that can be targeted is limited. Even at max level, it can only be used on a dozen or so targets at a time. Moreover, he discovered that mechanical lifeforms that receive group casts have lower initial levels than those that receive single-target casts. Since single-target and group casts consume the same amount of energy, the energy consumed by each target is less when the energy is distributed among more targets.
Thirdly... he used it too frequently, and his kidneys couldn't handle it...
This solidified Han Xiao's idea of developing a mechanical civilization. Using only [Life Creation] to create mechanical life was not very efficient. His health and mana regeneration was fast, but his stamina needed rest to recover. A fully formed mechanical civilization could automatically produce troops, which was not only efficient but also saved him time and effort, without requiring him to work day and night on it or use [books/graphs].
The recruitment for the Planet Gilman branch over these forty days has finally come to an end.
There are numerous Beyond Grade A forces in the Central Galaxy, and the Black Star Army's appeal here is not as high as that of the Shattered Star Ring. The Planet Gilman branch has only recruited a little over ten million new members recently, and the growth rate is gradually slowing down, approaching saturation. Compared to the Beyond Grade A forces in the Central Galaxy, this scale is relatively small, and the branch is just getting started.
More than four million new players joined, accounting for about 85% of the total number of players in the Constellation Corridor. Through legion benefits and word-of-mouth on the forum, most players in the Constellation Corridor came from surrounding star systems to join.
Of these four million players, the majority chose to become members of the Legion's mercenary division. Legion members are divided into two types: core members who obey the Legion's orders and semi-established members who serve the Legion but are free in their own right. Mercenaries are a typical example of the latter.
The mercenary system is inherently loose, and the mercenary department retained by the legion does not violate the rules of interstellar mercenaries. Most players in the Constellation Corridor are only there for the benefits and treatment, and being a mercenary is more liberating for them. They work for the legion in exchange for resources, the relationships are simple, and they are not completely bound to any faction.
Han Xiao was not surprised by this; the other starfield players and legions hadn't been together for very long, and their relationships needed to be cultivated gradually.
He gave the players of the Constellation Corridor ample time to make their choices. Of the more than four million players, 700,000 accepted the Shattered World main storyline and applied to follow the Legion to the Shattered Star Ring.
Of the 700,000 players, the majority were ordinary players, partly due to mobilization by clubs and guilds. The remaining millions of players decided to stay in their birth region for the time being to continue exploring and observe the situation of these cross-regional players.
The first batch alone yielded 700,000 "leeks" (a metaphor for exploited investors), a number Han Xiao was quite satisfied with.
Today is the day of departure. A massive Black Star Army transport fleet is ready to go, and 700,000 players have already boarded the ships.
At this very moment, players from all star systems are following the developments here through the forum's live stream posts.
This first cross-star system case has piqued the interest of every player, who may see it as a reference for their own future cross-star system operations. As a result, it has become the most watched operation in the history of the Black Star Army, and the level of excitement it has generated among players has broken previous records!
On the transport ships, numerous players whispered excitedly to each other.
"I wonder what it feels like to cross star systems, and how it differs from a regular stargate."
"I'm a little reluctant to leave. I wonder when I'll be able to come back."
"Will the players from the Shattered Star Ring bully us?"
"Do you think some fun things might happen if we jumped out of the spaceship while crossing interstellar regions...?"
"Guard! That's the guy!"
In the bridge command room of the main ship, Hila stood with her arms crossed against the wall, Aurora sat in the pilot's seat, constantly operating the controls, and Fording stood beside her with his head down, watching.
Hadavy sat on the sofa, holding a blue crystal cube-shaped liquor bottle. He swirled the mercury-colored liquid inside, gulping it down until his face flushed red. On the table was Veyne Cards's, the rule being that whoever lost had to drink. A pile of empty bottles lay at his feet, and his opponent sat old Iso, who had been dragged over and looked utterly helpless, as if he suspected Hardaway just wanted to drink.
Ames stood with her hands behind her back in front of the observation window, surveying the surrounding fleet. She had been enjoying a comfortable vacation here for over a month, accompanied by close friends such as Han Xiao, Hila, and Iso.
Han Xiao stood in front of the star map, the target location already set long ago. After everyone boarded the ship, he immediately gave orders to the fleet.
"Set off."
Rumble--
The thrusters spewed out plumes of exhaust, and the warships took off one after another.
"We've finally set off!" The players on the ship cheered, and countless people on the forum also widened their eyes in surprise.
The fleet slowly departed from the Planet Gilman branch, began to accelerate, and carried 700,000 uprooted chives toward the Shattered Star Ring.