Chapter 37: Visiting the Empire, Part 2

A figure who attracts the attention of countless powerful forces seeking to exploit him—what should be his most appropriate reaction now? Regret for his impulsiveness? Or hide in the darkest corner out of fear? Hei Ba didn’t know what others were thinking. But suddenly, a bright word popped into his mind. “Opportunity!” It was an opportunity! Regardless of why so many forces were paying attention to him, as long as they needed him, it was an extremely precious chance. Hei Ba wasn’t part of the Moor tribe; he wouldn’t invest even a fraction of his effort for them. Yet, he was still tempted by their emphasis on him. Being targeted by powerful forces wasn’t something new to him, and he had long learned to survive among them. So all he could think about now was what benefits he could gain from such a situation. Miss Wei Li urgently reminded him and promised to protect him, seeming like a very reasonable boss. But who knew if she wasn’t doing it for her own gain? Hei Ba didn’t believe in free lunches. These forces searching for him must have their own reasons. So now, he had to find those reasons. Only by recognizing his own value could he reap the greatest benefits in the journey ahead. Hei Ba fell silent. Under the strange gazes of his blood-red eyes and the monkey, he began to recall his experiences since contacting the Moor Empire. Returning to the 76-Star Station was a trivial matter. As for the fall of the 351-Star Station, although he was the one who orchestrated it, Hei Ba believed the Moor tribe surely wouldn’t know. They surely wouldn’t attach such importance to just one star station. That reason clearly wasn’t sufficient. So what else could their goal be? Something that made so many ships willing to risk destruction just to find him must be serious enough to disturb the Moor tribe deeply. Wait!! There was something that troubled the Moor tribe—something he seemed to have heard of before, and it was right in his hands… It was the Stone of Light and Darkness!! That mysterious stone still on Death Star, under the study of the Black Prison Sect. He remembered he had been away for a long time. Surely they must have reached some conclusions by now? At this thought, Hei Ba longed to fly back to Death Star immediately to uncover the secrets of that stone! Back then, the Rock People almost brought about their own extinction over it. And now, he had caused chaos in the Moor Empire because of it. Countless powerful forces wanted to seize it for their own gain.

Black Hair knew. Despite the Moors’ current formidable presence, they were still in a state of doubt. If it were truly confirmed that the stone was in their hands, their tactics would surely be a hundred times more ruthless—perhaps even resorting to a cosmic war! The Rockmen were the clearest proof of this!

Was the Stone of Light and Darkness really that important? Then should he abandon everything now and rush to Death Star at once?

After pondering for a moment, Black Hair shook his head.

No.

Before returning to the 76 Triple Star Station, he might still have enough time to buy some time. Waiting for the results of the investigation on the Stone of Light and Darkness wouldn’t be a big problem. But now, he had become the target of everyone’s attention. He couldn’t and wouldn’t escape the Moors’ gaze, or else it would only bring greater disaster.

Once the Moors turned doubt into certainty, no matter how powerful he was, he wouldn’t be able to withstand their overwhelming fleet of warships.

So he had only one choice: to go directly into the Moors’ empire and make contact with Miss Veri. At the same time, he could also reach out to other forces trying to control him—those powerful families who could wield great influence within the Moors’ empire. Now, it seemed it was finally his turn to face them.

Black Hair looked up at the sky, a faint, secretive smile appearing on his face.

How… exciting…

A massive gust of wind suddenly traced a perfect arc through the universe, like a deep-sea shark disappearing swiftly into a suddenly appearing white halo.

There was still a fifteen-day journey through reverse space to reach the Second Corridor.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the universe, in front of a huge space reception station, hundreds of Moors’ warships were divided into several factions, waiting quietly. Their massive hulls were covered in gray-black camouflage, making them resemble ancient beasts under the bright starlight. Their huge cannons glowed with a cold light, standing upright like trees.

Among these massive warships, one was particularly special. Its pure white hull and willow-like shape made it resemble a noble swan, standing out sharply. Among all those beast-like Moors’ warships, it resembled a graceful and beautiful young lady, standing tall and elegant.

All the Moors knew who the owner of this Swan Warship was—it was Miss Veri, the youngest daughter of Grand Duke Taro.

Surely, by this noble lady’s side was also the famous General Storm?

“Thunderstorm, do you think that guy Baker is still alive?” At that moment, on the bridge of the White Swan warship, a thin girl sat gloomily. She fiddled with a large black diamond ring on her finger, her face showing a hint of worry. Next to her stood a burly man, arms crossed, his massive frame resembling a wall that exuded a strong sense of pressure.

In response to the girl’s question, the man bent down slightly, a hint of kindness in his eyes. “Don’t worry, miss. Lord Baker is an experienced commander. A minor incident in a corridor isn’t enough to take the life of such an outstanding commander. Moreover, based on his past performance, he might even bring us a surprise.”

“A surprise? What kind of surprise? As long as he receives the message I sent him, I’ll be satisfied. Ah, great Mother Tiya, do you know how much effort I’ve put into getting that message? I can’t let the other archdukes know, and I still need to give that brat some guidance. The communication channels are also paralyzed due to the destruction of the First Corridor. You know how costly it is to send a communication ship.” Miss Veli frowned and complained.

But General Thunderstorm remained calm, not even changing the angle of his bend. “Yes, miss. Your affection for Lord Baker is truly enviable. If Lord Baker knew what you’ve done for him, he would surely be very grateful. But as your subordinate, I must remind you that too many ships from other archdukes have gathered here. Accepting Lord Baker here is clearly unwise. And that rumor about the Stone of Light and Darkness is enough to drive the other archdukes to act irrationally.”

“I’m not afraid!” Miss Veli raised her chin, a hint of anger appearing on her face. “Those damned old men—what else can they do besides finding little girls to enjoy themselves every day? The empire’s current territories were all conquered by their ancestors. What does it have to do with them? The great Emperor Moore is the greatest being in this universe. If they dare act recklessly in front of me, I won’t hesitate to confront them in front of the Emperor.”

“For the Stone of Light and Darkness? Miss, please forgive my boldness. It’s just a rumor. And if the Emperor finds out, it might be beyond your control, wouldn’t it?” General Thunderstorm blinked and suddenly spoke in a low voice.

Hearing his words, Miss Veli indeed paled. Her raised right hand dropped back down. Even on her gaunt face, a hint of regret appeared.
“I know, I know. It’s just a rumor, one spread by the Dark Duke. But do you think I have any other choice? Thunderstorm. The importance of the Stone of Light and Darkness surely doesn’t need me to explain to you, right? For this stone, our Moorish people have fought for countless years. So even if it’s just a rumor, I must take it seriously. Moreover…”
Miss Veli raised her head, a cold glint suddenly flashing in her eyes.
“Beck is still an extremely excellent soldier. He’s worth the effort I put in. As for the Emperor…” Miss Veli sneered. “General Thunderstorm, do you really think the great Emperor wouldn’t even know about such widespread rumors? You truly underestimate his abilities. Although this place is at least 365 jumps away from the imperial capital, I guarantee that if you say a single word bad about the Emperor today, by tomorrow morning, every word you said, how many times you used the toilet, how many tissues you used, and even how many times you had sex will be reported in detail before the Emperor!”
“I believe that, Miss.” Even a brave warrior like General Thunderstorm shrank back at the mention of the Moorish Emperor, a hint of fear showing in his eyes.
After all, for him, and for any being within the Moorish Empire, the Emperor’s reputation was truly immense and terrifying.
It was said that he was an immortal man. Ever since the first day the Moorish Empire existed, he had served as its emperor. Like the Mother Goddess Tia, he was wise and brave, skilled in battle and cruel, yet never retreating. It was because of a strong emperor like him that the Moorish Empire became the supreme ruler of the universe. Even rebels trembled at the mention of the Emperor’s name. In the Moorish Empire, the emperor’s status was almost equal to that of a god!!
General Thunderstorm’s race had been conquered by the Emperor himself. That’s why he still remembered that dark, starless night, that towering figure standing between heaven and earth. He remembered the faint smile and neat teeth the emperor showed him.
And behind him at that time were tens of thousands of corpses.
General Thunderstorm shuddered. He suddenly thought: if the Emperor already knew of Lord Beck’s existence, what would await Beck?