An electromagnetic pulse bomb flashed, and immediately, a series of almost invisible shockwaves spread out.
The Grey Guard beneath him instantly froze for a moment, then trembled, and its movements slowed down considerably. Its four metal mechanical arms, which had been spewing high-energy fire, also drooped.
While an electromagnetic pulse wouldn't directly destroy an advanced Grey war machine, it certainly put it into a stalled state at that moment. However, before that, Warrant Officer Yu Lian had already sprinted to the ceiling, using his spiritual energy to create a telekinetic force that allowed him to stick to the alloy wall like a large spider, and then he slid directly to the door.
By this time, the window opening from before had already closed, but Fa Fu'er Dragon Eye had already entered the room. Relying on the spiritual energy derivation transmitted by this spiritual energy treasure, Warrant Officer Yu Lian, although unable to observe with his naked eyes, had complete mastery of all the conditions inside the room.
This thing could even knock down a Grey Guard; if it hit a person, the effect was imaginable.
A series of "crackle, bang" sounds could be heard from inside, accompanied by various screams and intense gunfire, after which silence fell.
Warrant Officer Yu Lian had Fa Fu'er Dragon Eye take down all the rebel soldiers, then had it "lightly" touch the door switch.
Only then did he land, casually tearing a machine gun from the ruined half-body of the Grey Guard, and then walked into the newly opened door with an arrogant stride.
The first thing he did upon entering was not anything else; he shot every dying or already deceased body, waved his hand to have Dragon Eye float by his side in an alert state, and only then walked towards Major Balder.
The fatal wound on the other party should have been the shot Warrant Officer Yu Lian delivered to his head, which instantly shattered it. However, the headless body was still twitching, as if unable to rest in peace.
Warrant Officer Yu Lian took a step forward and picked up a poker-sized square object from the corpse's hand.
"It is indeed a Grey intelligent mechanical core, but unfortunately, it's a sub-unit. So, the main unit must be in Brigadier General Morey's hands." Warrant Officer Yu Lian walked to the information hub in front of him, where dozens of light screens were displayed, showing all the scenes on the ship.
He looked at the central chair. Before the incident, Wang Jingyang should have been sitting there, commanding the entire ship, right?
But now, he had vanished without a trace, not even a trace of spiritual residue remained.
You, a Six Rings "Saint," died so silently?
The future you broke through to Eight Rings! What about your peak battle with that green giant? What about the Boundless Revolving Cycle you completed for your sect? What about the Boundless Academy you personally founded?
No... calm down. A Six Rings Inquisitor, unless I see the body, I won't believe you'd go offline so silently.
Warrant Officer Yu Lian suppressed the surging grief in his heart, walked to the central control panel, inserted the signal device he had manually crafted, operated it, confirmed that his companions on Red Tiger had received it, and then connected to the bridge.
Brigadier General Morey must have already received the news. After seeing Warrant Officer Yu Lian, he was only stunned for a moment, then sighed in a noncommittal tone: "What an active young man! It's just a pity you're a bit too active!"
Warrant Officer Yu Lian immediately felt that this person was somewhat different from what he had imagined, but since it was through an image and he couldn't see clearly, he directly said: "Let's be frank, Brigadier General Morey, the information hub of Azure Princess! It's in my hands right now!"
Brigadier General Morey liked to be frank with important figures from Earth, but when others did it to him, he still seemed somewhat unaccustomed. He pondered for a moment before saying: "So?"
Morey disliked the other party speaking to him in such a triumphant tone. The bridge was in his hands, the hostages were in his hands, and there was also one of his own warships guarding outside. Even if the other party occupied the information hub, it was essentially just occupying a monitoring room. What was there to be proud of?
Moreover, his robots were rushing over for support. How long could one person hold out?
"You're getting carried away! If I were you, after killing Balder and them, I would have immediately withdrawn," Brigadier General Morey said in a tone of teaching a junior.
"I'm not like you; I'm straightforward," Warrant Officer Yu Lian said.
The other party's face darkened. Before he could speak, Warrant Officer Yu Lian added: "The internal information data of Azure Princess is actually relayed from here."
So what? You only have the information hub, not the ship's control center. At most, you can cut off communication between Azure Princess and Earth.
Morey was still a bit confused. Because of this, he decided not to speak, while observing the other party up and down, pondering his thoughts, and then sending a considerable number of robots over.
Warrant Officer Yu Lian glanced at the physically connected modified information terminal, confirming that the device he had manually crafted was functioning well, and said aloud: "So, our current conversation can also be broadcast All-Galaxy. You can't stop me, unless your robots break through the door..."
Warrant Officer Yu Lian turned to look at the cabin door behind him, which had already closed again, and shrugged. He knew that Azure Princess, built with heavy investment, was more elaborate than most warships. The doors of important compartments were made of impact-resistant stress-composite metal, so they wouldn't be easy to breach.
"Then you can stay in there slowly. Young man, take a nap, and wait to be rescued along with all the hostages on this ship." Brigadier General Morey sneered and reached out to close the communication.
"I just heard that you launched this terrorist activity for General Schwartz?"
Brigadier General Morey's mouth twitched faintly, and his movement stopped.
"What is your relationship with him? Is it truly just because he saved your life?" Warrant Officer Yu Lian asked again.
Brigadier General Morey tried to close the communication, but found he couldn't turn it off no matter what, and his face finally darkened.
"You are unmarried, have no children, no girlfriend, and not even any scandals. As for General Schwartz, there are quite a few rainbow-colored scandals!" Warrant Officer Yu Lian sneered, "I can only say, that former Chief of Staff really knows how to play! How can he cosplay Alexander looking like that? As for you... Brigadier General Morey, look at yourself, even if you want to be like Hephaestion, you should look in a mirror!"
This was bordering on a personal attack! Brigadier General Morey's main characteristic was his gloomy demeanor, but in reality, if one looked closely at his features, he must have been a handsome young man in white robes when he was younger.
"Surrender immediately! Otherwise, I will execute another batch of hostages!" he shouted.
"Is that so? You are alone and thus fearless, but..." Warrant Officer Yu Lian shrugged: "Your beloved General Schwartz has a wife, children, and elderly parents!"
Brigadier General Morey remained unmoved. He was certain that as long as the Commonwealth Government wasn't so idiotic that even the universe spirit thought they were beyond saving, they would have already sent people to protect (and guard) General Schwartz's family.
"Oh, execute four more hostages then. Last time it was gentlemen, this time you can choose ladies. Also, no age limit."
Morey's subordinate trembled slightly, a bit reluctant, but facing Morey's gaze, he still dared not express any dissent.
A commotion finally broke out among the hostages on the bridge. Even Duke Fisu and Belmont's representative, who had been watching the whole show, looked unwell. However, after a soldier fired two shots into the air, they could only calm down again.
Warrant Officer Yu Lian also remained unmoved, stating expressionlessly: "But... General Schwartz truly knows how to play! He pretends to be a tough guy on the surface, but he's a bisexual, do you know that? His most beloved person, besides you, besides his wife from a prominent family who provided him with a lot of political resources and connections, is also a beautiful girl living on Sicily Island, who runs a cozy little coffee shop called..."
"Stop!" Morey shouted loudly.
His "stop" was unclear whether it was directed at Warrant Officer Yu Lian or the subordinate who was about to order the execution of hostages, but the latter was indeed startled and quickly stopped in his tracks.
"How do you know?!" He stared intently at Warrant Officer Yu Lian, his expression appearing calm. However, even through the holographic projection, Warrant Officer Yu Lian could still feel the suppressed, frenzied bloodlust.
“Heh... what’s so strange about that? You know, it just goes to show that General Schwartz has many people around him who know! The recent living expenses of that young lady and her newborn child were all arranged by his secretary. As it happens, his most recent secretary has a bit of a connection with me, and he revealed quite a lot of information... After all, I am a spiritual energy user! If you want to blame someone, blame your General for appointing such a person as his secretary. Of course, Captain Weill is truly a beauty, so it’s no wonder General Schwartz couldn’t resist. You should have a lot to say about this, shouldn’t you?”
Warrant Officer Yu Lian chuckled coldly.
Of course, these words were not only for Brigadier General Morey but also for the important figures on Earth and all his companions.
“General Schwartz is truly pitiful... His wife, who comes from a wealthy family, has always looked down on him, believing he is just a phoenix man who climbed up by relying on his family’s influence, a vulgar commoner. But that wife has always lived in a pink girlish fantasy, deeply infatuated with a wandering singer! So, the question is, whose children are the three children General Schwartz and his wife nominally have? However, because of his in-laws’ influence, the General could only swallow his anger.”
On the bridge, the hostages who were observing the entire process were completely engrossed. Not just them, even the rebellious soldiers were hearing such news for the first time and couldn't help but turn their attention there.
The reporters even forgot their predicament, almost wishing they could rush forward and bite Warrant Officer Yu Lian a couple of times.
Feifei lowered her eyelids, still shrinking in the crowd, feeling a pang of heartache.
Her Yu'er should be a true gentleman, a peerless hero, someone who stands in the light.
But now, for her, for so many people on the ship, was he forcing himself to commit such despicable acts?
At this moment, Brigadier General Morey’s face finally showed an uncontrollable, ferocious murderous intent.
He believed he had launched this mutiny for the honor of his “benefactor,” but now, the “benefactor’s” honor was being completely trampled in the mud, almost beyond recognition.
This guy’s state isn’t right, Warrant Officer Yu Lian looked deeply at the other party, and in an instant, he had several conjectures. At the same time, he quickly prepared several plans in his mind.
“But the universe spirit favored him... General Schwartz finally met another woman worth loving a few years ago. She was beautiful, pure, like the azure waves of the Adriatic Sea... They fell in love, even though there was nearly a thirty-year age difference. She bore him a son. Hmm, that thriving child should be over a year old now, right? He’s a healthy, beautiful, lovely child, and General Schwartz’s only heir, isn’t he?” Warrant Officer Yu Lian’s eyes narrowed: “Whether they remain unknown or become known to all depends entirely on your choice, Brigadier General Morey!”
“I never thought, Warrant Officer Yu Lian, that a person like you would use innocent women and children...”
“There are over twenty thousand people on this ship, some of whom are defenseless women and children... Who do you think I’m making a deal with?” Warrant Officer Yu Lian raised his voice: “Who is it that’s truly pushing them to a dead end? Brigadier General Morey, you, who once served as a defender of the Commonwealth, did you ever imagine a day like this?”
Francis Morey remained expressionless, but within the heavy gloom, a hint of weariness appeared. His lips twitched, as if he was struggling, but ultimately, it morphed into a chilling tone that made people’s hearts palpitate:
“I thought... I was truly defending this nation. But this nation cannot even protect the most basic dignity of its heroes! What right do ignorant commoners, like pigs and dogs, have to speak of innocence?”
Warrant Officer Yu Lian’s gaze grew cold. In a world so lacking in true tempering and trials, such a mindset was not at all surprising. However, he still loathed it, loathed it to his very core.
“Honestly, right now... I’m incredibly angry. I’m doing something that disgusts me, and I still have to engage in unproductive verbal sparring with a disgusting person here. I guess, Brigadier General Morey, you feel the same way, don’t you? Why don’t we resolve this matter honorably, in the way we both prefer. You and I, as warriors! As transcendents! In the name of the sacred rights the universe spirit has bestowed upon us!” Warrant Officer Yu Lian stood up, meeting Brigadier General Morey’s gaze directly.
“I only awakened half a year ago, while you are a renowned transcendent of twenty years, battle-hardened! You are a Four-Ring! Known as the military’s top martial arts master! Then, in the name of the universe spirit, with this Azure Princess, with that innocent mother and child living peacefully by the Adriatic Sea, and with our own lives as the stakes, I, Warrant Officer Yu Lian, shall issue a sacred transcendent’s honor duel to you, Brigadier General Morey!”
At this moment, Warrant Officer Yu Lian’s unparalleled and independent figure was thus transmitted through the source-matter wave communication to countless households.
Horatio Wien, carrying his autocannon, moved through the passage at his fastest speed, following the map Warrant Officer Yu Lian had given him. He had prepared himself mentally for battling robots, but he encountered no enemies along the way. He knew it was because Warrant Officer Yu Lian had already drawn the enemy’s attention.
He still wore his headset, listening to Warrant Officer Yu Lian and Morey’s negotiation throughout.
You bastard... you said you were just buying time to distract them! But who told you to court death!
Although Horatio Wien was cursing, he also knew that merely relying on words could not hold off an opponent like Morey for long. Warrant Officer Yu Lian’s choice was a necessary one, a necessary sacrifice.
You, a scoundrel who lives for a thousand years, you definitely won’t die! Yes, you definitely won’t!
On the Red Tiger, Bai Ziya continuously operated on the projected optical keyboard, his hands moving so fast they seemed to blur. He was fully concentrated, his expression solemn, and the oppressive aura emanating from him made it almost impossible for others to look directly at him.
“Faster! My hands! The Captain has put everything on the line! I must be fast! I must be fast!”
Aisen and Tamir, who were busy next to the weapon energy core on the third deck of the ship, also reached the most critical moment.
Tamir looked at the final limiting lock and suddenly shivered: “I suddenly realized that the fate of the twenty thousand-plus people on the Azure Princess, the three hundred-plus comrades on the Red Tiger... and Captain Yu Lian’s fate, all rest on my final operation.”
He and Aisen had just performed over forty engineering operations; one wrong step, and it would either be completely locked or explode on the spot. Yet, these two engineering techies, barely in their twenties, hadn’t even trembled a hand.
But when it came to the final step, the Grey Engineer suddenly felt nervous, his body growing cold.
Aisen looked at his friend, took a deep breath, and placed his chubby hand over his friend’s slender, lean hand, saying earnestly: “The last lock, we’ll dismantle it together!”
The Grey youth stared blankly at the chubby Earthling youth, no longer feeling nervous.
They exchanged a smile; everything was unsaid.
The student council girls didn’t dare to breathe, just quietly doing their own tasks. They absolutely wouldn’t disturb the tech masters’ work at this moment.
Gongsun Qing silently sat on the outermost seat of the landing craft, closing her eyes. She was unarmed, yet her entire being seemed to have transformed into a sword. No one Present dared to even breathe, feeling as though they would be cut if they got too close.
Li Baolu silently checked all the instruments in the cockpit, awaiting the command to depart.
Anton Kou Shan held a pile of Tai Chi diagrams, crucifixes, Buddha statues, crescent pendants, and other items in his hand, muttering incantations to himself. If Warrant Officer Yu Lian had seen this scene, he would have felt a great sense of familiarity.
Kou Shan actually had combat experience, and it was likely the most extensive on the Red Tiger apart from the Captain, but now, he was still so nervous that he couldn’t sit still. Even praying to all the gods and Buddhas, plus the universe spirit, he still couldn’t calm down.
“Mr. Kou Shan.” Just then, a pleasant female voice suddenly came from his ear, like a clear spring flowing through his heart, instantly calming him down a great deal.
“M-Miss...”
“Mr. Kou Shan, do you know how to wear this?” Gongsun Qing asked.
She had stood up at some point, holding a spacesuit in her hands.
“Also, I want to go outside!”
The little Qiong Whale, having completely turned transparent, swayed its hundreds-of-meters-long body, swimming Past the side of the Red Tiger. It did not stop at all, continuing to approach the Azure Princess and the Feixue 48 destroyer little by little, making not a single sound.
However, that destroyer had not yet entered the range of its one-time sprint, and it knew it needed to be a bit more careful.
Thanks to Lord Demon of Degradation for the generous reward of thousands of gold! I, too, have a patron now... However, I truly have almost no saved drafts left, everyone be careful, you must be careful!