by <unknown>
"Therefore, Captain Tang was very likely to be telling the truth?" Cui Lingfeng remarked.
Li Yao nodded. He thought for a moment and added, "Not necessarily. The polygraph is a type of magical equipment after all, and any type of magical equipment has loopholes. It is a matter of whether or not the loopholes are identified and taken advantage of. As long as Captain Tang's Cultivation is high enough for him to manipulate his brain cell activity and the variation of his brainwaves freely, or if he masters certain marvelous tricks of speech that allow him to make 'half-true-half-false' or very misleading statements, it is very possible that the polygraph can be fooled."
"That's enough. The final conclusion will be drawn by me. All you need to do is show me all the parameters that have been gathered." Cui Lingfeng's face was so gloomy that it looked like a dam that was about to collapse. It only took him one second to consider before he turned to Cheng Xuansu, who was standing next to Li Yao. "Xuansu, how many troops can you gather and mobilize in secret in half an hour? The number doesn't matter, but they must not be caught by anyone!"
The head of the secret police pondered for a moment and said, "Two rapid response squads of the Internal Affairs Division, the guards of the Speaker, and two legions that are absolutely loyal to us in the Republic Guard Corp."
"Excellent!" Cui Lingfeng waved his hands and declared quickly. "Summon all the officers and experts above the Building Foundation Stage in those troops. Make sure that they arrive in half an hour. Also, inform Acting Captain Ding Zhengyang that we have made a groundbreaking development in our interrogation, and intelligence of paramount importance has been retrieved. Invite him to come to this place in person!"
"Yes, sir!"
The air in the surveillance room was so intense that it was almost exploding. Cheng Xuansu did not ask anything more but simply stood at attention before she turned on the tactical crystal processor and began operating fast.
However, after she had only triggered more than ten light beams, and before she was able to send the messages out, explosions each wave louder than the last were already echoing outside, followed by great earthquakes. A lot of crystal processors and magical equipment in the room fell to the ground and cracked into pieces.
Boom! Boom, boom, boom, boom!
They seemed to be placed in a vulnerable underground fortress that was being bombarded by the enemy crazily. Many people felt that they were throwing out their guts from their throat because of the quakes!
The illumination arrays in the room waxed and waned. All the crystal processors and magical equipment that were still connected to the wires of spiritual energy were all uttering ominous noises!
The light beams that Cheng Xuansu triggered with her crystal processor were twisted and perished silently one after another, only to be replaced by new, extremely chaotic pictures!
Cheng Xuansu's face suddenly turned paler than ever!
Cui Lingfeng strode forward, demanding, "What's going on?"
"A riot!" Cheng Xuansu turned on more than ten light beams in a row. On every light beam, there was nothing except dense heads that occupied that entire picture. The excited crowds and the armed forces of unknown backgrounds, many of whom were even wearing crystal suits, were instigating trouble on Firefly and sabotaging everything in their way!
"Tang Dingyuan's supporters seem to be launching riots everywhere on Firefly at the same time. They have occupied quite a few crucial cabins and blocked the traffic. They are also fooling a lot of innocent people into going with them. It will be difficult for us to deal with them if we do not want to injure innocent people!
"Not good. An elite force is coming here. They are trying to break into the prison and rescue Tang Dingyuan!"
Pa!
Along with Cheng Xuansu's exclamation, all the illumination arrays in the room suddenly died out at the same time, leaving them absolute darkness, which was driven away by the emergency lights a moment later. However, the red lights whose brightness felt like blood added to the unease of all the people who were illuminated by them!
"This is a prison break that has been planned for a long time. It even targets against the Speaker directly!"
Gnashing her teeth, Cheng Xuansu grabbed Cui Lingfeng and shouted, "Hurry up and escort the Speaker to the 'No. 1 Fortress'!"
The explosions, screams, and sound of metal being torn apart grew louder and louder. Tides of spiritual energy each higher than the last were also blasting the door of the room. The supposedly ultra-solid door was as thin as a metal plate. Dents that collapsed inward had been blown out one after another. It seemed that the door would be completely blown up any second!
"Group Red Phoenix, escort the Speaker to retreat together with me! Group Green Dragon and Group Black Turtle, hold this position as best as you can! Group White Tiger, take the fake Speaker to break out of the siege through the second exit to distract the enemy's attention!"
Bringing four bodyguards that looked like huge bears, Cheng Xuansu protected Cui Lingfeng in the middle. "Speaker, let's go. It is no longer safe here!"
Blinking his eyes and observing everything, Li Yao almost found it irresistible to scratch his messy hair without considering his image.
It should not be Long Yangjun and her companions.
In terms of time, they should not be so fast. In terms of style, they should not be acting so rashly, either.
Also, a riot that was taking place in every corner of the entire Firefly simultaneously? The chaos of such enormity was certainly not something that Long Yangjun and her companions could initiate in a hurry.
Then, the conclusion was very obvious…
Thinking quickly, Li Yao cried toward Cui Lingfeng pitifully, "Speaker, what—what do I do?"
Surrounded by four bodyguards, Cui Lingfeng glanced at Li Yao quickly and said, "Bring Professor Luo De, too!"
Cheng Xuansu frowned. "But—"
"No buts," Cui Lingfeng declared stubbornly. "Professor Luo De is a guest that I have invited, and I am responsible for his safety. Come on, professor!"
Together with Cui Lingfeng, Li Yao was protected by the four bears in black combat suits as he got on another fully-enclosed vacuum shuttle after passing through a zigzagging secret tunnel. Cheng Xuansu drove the shuttle in person.
"Summon all the troops that are loyal to us to the No. 1 Fortress. Then…"
Cui Lingfeng's lips trembled for a long time. His face that had been sealed in ice since he left the prison cell finally broke apart. He seemed to have grown older by fifty years in just one moment, and all the vitality in his body was leaking out quickly through the cracks on his face. He stuttered for a long time but still failed to conclude the sentence. It was not until a long hesitation that he finally closed his eyes in pain and said, "Then, draft a message. When we are left with absolutely no choice, ask… ask for the Star Glory Federation's help!"
After a brief silence, Cheng Xuansu softly said, "Understood, Speaker."
The decision seemed to have drained all the blood inside Cui Lingfeng's body. He was like a totally different person from when Li Yao first met him. Collapsing to his seat helplessly, he stared at a nonexistent fly in the air for a long time before he suddenly said, "Professor, you heard the whole conversation between me and Captain Tang just now. Tell me about it. Do you, and the people around you, believe that the 'Star Ocean Republic' has been dead since a long time ago, like Captain Tang?"
Li Yao was slightly dazed. After pondering for a moment, he shook his head and said, "I don't know. The only things that I care about are technological issues. Such questions have never been my concern."
"Then, I will have to ask you to consider the issue carefully now." Cui Lingfeng gazed at Li Yao in a trance. "Professor Luo De, the answer of an outsider who is not interested in politics such as you is perhaps very important for me and the entire Star Ocean Republic right now."
Li Yao truly felt that he was caught in a dilemma. How would the real Professor Luo De react when he was asked such a qu
estion?
After thinking for a long time, he replied, "I am a refiner who doesn't know the first thing about politics. In the eyes of the technical staff such as me, 'what I think' doesn't matter; what matters more is the facts. If 'what I think' is enough to make magical equipment successful, then all kinds of divine artifacts will fly in the sky everywhere!
"It's true that I don't care about the affairs of the outside world much, but I do know the fundamental, great events. Right now, the Star Glory Federation is faced with the threat of the Imperium of True Human Beings as much as we are. Everybody says that we only stand a slim chance of winning if we unite. Otherwise, the Star Ocean Republic will definitely soon be dead even if it is not dead for now!"
Cui Lingfeng sighed. As if he had finally found a target that he could speak to about all the feelings in his heart, he smiled bitterly. "I do not object to the unification with the Star Glory Federation, but the order and legitimacy issues are critical.
"Don't think that I'm greedy about the pitiful power in my hands. No. I only hope to preserve the great and proud name of the Star Ocean Republic. I am willing to do anything and abandon anything for the name!"
"Well…" Blinking hurriedly, Li Yao asked, "Do you mean that if the new country after the unification continues using the name of the Star Ocean Imperium, you will agree on the arrangement even if the parliament on Firefly is disbanded immediately and you are forced to retire?"
"Yes!" Cui Lingfeng's eyes were bloodshot. Thick veins were protruding out of the back of his fists that had been clenched tightly, too. He declared resolutely, "It doesn't matter whether or not I am the Speaker. What matters is the revival and renaissance of the Star Ocean Republic! From our ancestors to us, we have sailed for a thousand years. The blood and lives of so many people have been frozen in the dark universe. Isn't the rise of the Star Ocean Republic what they died for?"
Li Yao was lost for words for a moment.
If Speaker Cui Lingfeng was greedy about his power, Li Yao could have come up with a hundred methods to deal with him.
But as it turned out, the guy was a rather… enthusiastic Star Ocean Republic fundamentalist. Then, then…
Li Yao scratched his head and thought hard for a moment. Then, he realized something and reached into his pocket.
The few bears around them immediately got anxious.
However, what Li Yao picked out of his pocket was nothing but a green, rhombic crystal the size of a fingernail.
The crystal rotated in Li Yao's hands slowly, emitting a bright green air, like a mini dancer.
Smiling, Li Yao pushed the crystal to Cui Lingfeng.
Chapter 1615: This Name Is More Low-Key |
"This material is named 'Green Soft Crystal'," Li Yao said. "It is a very common crystal that can be burnt with spiritual energy. The ignition point of the material is 525 degrees. Because of the high stability it boasts, the material is often adopted in the defense rune arrays and the stabilization rune arrays.
"Because it is steady enough and highly compatible with many other materials, it is helpful during the craft of many kinds of magical equipment. Therefore, almost every refiner will carry one or two pieces of the material with them."
Cui Lingfeng was slightly dazed, looking at Li Yao in confusion.
"However, the 'Green Soft Crystal' in my hands is not from the stock of Firefly but purchased in the Dragon Snake Space Zone, where it does not go by the name. The local term for the material is 'Emerald Brightness Crystal'.
"Do you see what I'm getting at, Speaker? In the Star Ocean Republic, it is known as Green Soft Crystal, whereas it goes by the name of Emerald Brightness Crystal in the Star Glory Federation. But for me, I don't care about what it is called at all. What I care about is whether or not it is the material that I desire and whether or not it has the qualities and functions that I need!
"Whether it is named 'Green Soft Crystal' or 'Emerald Brightness Crystal', the qualities of the material won't change in the slightest. The trafficability will still be around 79%, the ignition point will still be 525 degrees, and the hardness, crispness, compatibility, functions… Everything will be the same!
"Therefore, when I am going to run an experiment that requires such a material, does it really matter what the material is called exactly?
"On the contrary, the Star Glory Federation in fact also has a material named 'Green Soft Crystal'. However, it is the very opposite of the 'Green Soft Crystal' that we know in terms of qualities and functions. Can I simply use the Star Glory Federation's 'Green Soft Crystal' in a highly dangerous experiment just because the names of the two materials are the same?"
Cui Lingfeng was slightly dazed and deep in thought.
"It's true that I have barely touched politics in my life, and I don't understand the topics that you were arguing about just now. They're too sophisticated for me.
"However, if I do have to make a choice, I think that what Captain Tang said is not entirely unreasonable.
"The Star Ocean Republic is certainly a great country. We boast a great history and tear-triggering heroes that are worth being proud of. Our struggle against the Imperium in the past thousand years is itself a twisting, soul-stirring legend and an out-and-out miracle!
"Therefore, if we 'inject' the proud history, the tear-triggering heroes, and the miracles from the past thousand years into the Star Glory Federation, the Star Glory Federation will fully succeed the spirit and ideology of the Star Ocean Republic. The people of the Star Glory Federation will regard our history as their history, our heroes as their heroes, and our miracles as their miracles. Isn't that much more important than simply changing the name of the country? As long as their qualities are the same, it doesn't matter at all whether the material is called 'Green Soft Crystal' or 'Emerald Brightness Crystal'!"
"If it doesn't matter at all…" Cui Lingfeng frowned. "Why can't we insist on our name and called it 'Green Soft Crystal?"
"Well, about that. It's because…" Blinking quickly, Li Yao said, "It's because there will be more practical benefits if the Star Glory Federation keeps its original name than if it is renamed into the Star Ocean Republic!"
"Is that so?" Cui Lingfeng had only considered 'Professor Luo De' to be someone whom he could talk about his feelings with. He did not expect that the professor would really offer valuable input. "What 'practical benefits'?"
"Speaker, look, all the media on Firefly is analyzing the great war to come," Li Yao said. "Even I often catch a thing or two about their comments, although I'm not always interested in national affairs.
"However, it has occurred to me that most of the discussions were limited to how we should deal with the expedition army of the Imperium, or to wit, the Black Wind Fleet. They are talking as if everything will be good after the Black Wind Fleet is defeated.
"But I don't think that is right. The Black Wind Fleet is just one of the expedition armies of the Imperium. After the Imperium of True Human Beings stole the hundreds of Sectors of the Star Ocean Republic, they have more than a hundred thousand starships and countless high-level Cultivators!
"Even if we do defeat the Black Wind Fleet eventually, as long as the Imperium of True Human Beings is determined to destroy us because they consider us a great enough threat, they can always send out a 'White Wind Fleet', 'Yellow Wind Fleet', 'Purple Wind Fleet', or a fleet of any color you want. After the expedition armies come at us in turn, we will only be crushed by the Imperium of True Human Beings however powerful our 'spirit' is, right?"
"Yes." Cui Lingfeng thought carefully. "Keep going."
"The only reason the Imperium of True Human Beings is not chasing us and sweeping the edge of the cosmos with full strength is because they are stopped by the Alliance of the Holy Covenant at the center of the cosmos.
"In the eyes of the Imperium, it is the most important thing to fight for the hegemony against the Covenant Alliance at the center of the cosmos, and it is just an insignificant issue to destroy the secondary forces at the edge
of the cosmos. That's why we are able to catch our breath and develop in secret.
"If we defeat the Black Wind Fleet under the name of the 'Star Glory Federation', when the news reaches the Empyreal Terminus Sector, it is possible that the Imperium will consider us a relatively tough country of barbarians. When they are planning to deal with us, they will weigh the possible gains and losses. It is unlikely that they will spare the elite forces who are confronting the Covenant Alliance to conquer us. Maybe, after they realize that the cost of conquest and occupation is too high, and the losses will possibly outweigh the gains, they will even consider negotiation or even acquirement, right?
"Throughout history, the central dynasty has ever been capable of demolishing all the barbaric kingdoms nearby. The Imperium of True Human Beings is no exception!
"However, if we crush the Black Wind Fleet under the name of the 'Star Ocean Republic', it will be a whole different issue!
"For the Imperium of True Human Beings, the Star Ocean Republic is its 'antecedent', and it was not a particularly honorable process when they stole the power of the 'antecedent'. We will forever be a thorn in the throat of the Imperium!
"It may be tolerable for the Imperium if an unknown, desolate country is discovered at the edge of the cosmos, but it will certainly be an intolerable threat if the 'antecedent' has been rekindled and even boasts the capabilities of defeating an elite fleet of the Imperium. That will shake the foundation of the Imperium of True Human Beings!
"At that time, the Imperium of True Human Beings will certainly not bother about the cost and send out… as I said just now, the expedition armies of all kinds of colors in order to annihilate the remnants of the former regime!