Given Lei Ting’s excessively stable personality and his "immovable" presence, he rarely felt genuine, heartfelt anger, regardless of whether a situation aligned with his moral compass or how he intended to react. Anger caused the mind to lose its capacity for judgment; the extreme emotional instability of the Aberrants served as a perfect example.
Lei Ting did not allow himself to lose control. Thus, anger originating from the depths of his heart that lasted more than three seconds was a rare thing indeed.
The last time it had appeared was five years ago.
It had persisted for only a few short days, yet it directly or indirectly caused the deaths of over four thousand people and led to the trials of many more. It was also the reason Lei Ting possessed a reputation that, even now, could hardly be called good.
On the Star Net, the people of Orion cursed him far more than any other race.
As for why people were so keen to use sarcasm and cynicism to label him a "meddling murderer" under topics related to the "Sun Star," the reasons likely varied from person to person. Lei Ting had no intention of investigating.
As always, he did not expect others to hold any understanding of him. Just as he did not expect others to understand his current anger.
From the very beginning, he had been preparing for the inevitable, comprehensive crisis to come.
During this process, he had considered what to do if none of it actually happened. But as things stood, a complex and extremely dangerous war was indeed closing in on the Milky Way, step by step.
Or rather, as early as nineteen years ago—or perhaps even earlier—this war had already begun. It simply hadn't manifested as the straightforward "war" of smoke and fire that ordinary people recognized.
The bizarre fall and information erasure of the late Galactic Empire.
The dangers posed by the "Ascension" and "Boiling" viruses and their origins.
The network information errors that occurred during the Sandro Incident.
The chaos surrounding the "Byer Comister" sub-strains.
Evenheiler’s current physical condition and the mere few years he had left.
The massive threat the "Devourer" could pose, and the reasons why he—or she—had become what they were now.
And most importantly—
That ghostly thing fixated on exerting a negative influence on Earth’s culture. If the truth behind what was hidden there could not be uncovered, humanity would forever live under a shadow of terror.
Furthermore, Lei Ting suspected that the reason all of humanity had once been prepared to go down fighting was that if this threat truly came knocking, death would be considered a relatively merciful outcome.
The current galactic civilization, especially the Human Union, was born into invisible flames of war. Lei Ting certainly wasn't the only one who realized this... No, it should be said that anyone with a brain could see that the Human Union was plagued by internal strife and external threats. Its situation was dire. If this great collective collapsed, the vast majority of its members would be unable to ensure the safety of their lives or property amidst the chaotic threats of the starry void.
And yet, these people... driven by greed, continued to erode the Union's interests while selling out the people's welfare, feeling pride rather than shame for their actions.
—Fools!
"...I believe you know what the Council must do, Vice Speaker Yondell."
Lei Ting allowed a spindle-shaped "Virgo Core Gem" to drop onto its base. With a *click*, it snapped into place, fitting perfectly without a single gap.
"I hope the Council can perform its duties, audit every planet, and ensure those who have erred receive the punishment they deserve," he said. "The first target... let's start by looking at the Capital System's dossiers from the past five years. I know my presence will inevitably reduce overt acts of malice, but in the shadows... habits, especially selfish ones, are very difficult things to change, aren't they?"
"...Yes," Yondell said softly. "Even knowing the fact that they serve as the skeleton, you still intend to..."
"No. You surely understand that they are not the 'skeleton.' They never were," Lei Ting said.
Under Yondell’s silent gaze, Lei Ting clasped his hands, letting the two newly finished decorative frames float. Their edge structures and backings shifted occasionally.
The purple gems reflected a brilliant radiance; the bright gold was like two lakes of honey.
"Researchers, medical personnel, engineers, farmers... and so on. The true 'skeleton' consists of those who create value and benefits for the people, those who safeguard lives and property, those who use reason to drive technological progress and emotion to drive cultural development—those who use technology and culture to broaden the path of people's lives. It is not those who hold high office while doing nothing, nor those who treat human life like grass."
Lei Ting’s tone was calm. The purple glow from the honeyed lakes reflected off his visor but failed to leave much of a mark.
"Power is something to be held by the capable. With hundreds of billions of people in the Union, if a position becomes vacant, someone will naturally fill it. Regardless of whether the successors can remain clean, I want the current Union to change. Furthermore, all investigation content will be monitored by 'Tianhe.' I will be reviewing the logs myself.
"I know there is no such thing as absolute fairness or justice in this world, but... I hope you and the Council understand my meaning. I also hope certain 'key figures' understand my meaning, as well as what should be done and what should not. If they don't, I will personally return in a few days to have a face-to-face chat with everyone."
Yondell: "..."
Yondell: "."
—That won't be necessary!!
A face-to-face chat with the "Sun Star" in this state? And possibly having to express dissent regarding this matter?
Life was hard enough; there was no need to seek death so actively.
Even so, Yondell let out a long sigh. "Excellency 'Sun Star,' the speed at which a collective changes cannot be that fast. Moreover, even if you are a 'Double-S' rank, can you truly ensure you make no mistakes in this matter? Can you monitor the entire process under any circumstances?
"And even if you manage to clear the situation temporarily, have you considered your reputation? Do not think public opinion is trivial. At a critical moment, a good reputation can save a life."
"We no longer have time to consider such things, Vice Speaker Yondell," Lei Ting said coldly. "The days of abundant time will soon be over. A war is unfolding in the galaxy. I do not believe I can make everything better quickly, but at the very least... the Union and the people under its rule must possess the most basic crisis-response capabilities, rather than repeatedly losing the initiative to the delays of a bloated bureaucracy."
"..." At these words, Yondell’s gaze became somewhat uncertain and startled. "...As far as I know, the situation has not yet become that dire."
If Evenheiler were here, he might have said something like, "Before a tsunami arrives, people always think the change in the sky is just a breeze." But with Lei Ting—
"It is not for you or me to decide," Lei Ting said calmly. "The Union needs to optimize itself and seek strength from within. This is the only way out for our civilization... at least as I see it."
In Lei Ting’s blurred memories, the events that were to follow gave him an extremely dangerous feeling. It was precisely this feeling that had driven him to hone himself until now, and why he had to persist.
Though he was now countless times stronger than when he started, and perhaps not incapable of protecting others within those waves—he already possessed the "aircraft carrier" he had envisioned in years past—he understood clearly that giving others the ability and awareness to protect themselves was far more reliable than merely receiving or providing protection.
Yondell was right; Lei Ting could not guarantee he could look after his side perfectly in every possible situation. Therefore, he had to ensure the Human Union had no internal worries in this war!
And now...
Lei Ting mobilized his mental strength to search the memories deep in his mind, but he found only scattered fragments. The mechanism in his brain that had been blocking dangerous information since his transmigration had still not been deactivated...
...No.
Upon careful searching, Lei Ting discovered with astonishment that the egg-shaped mist of his memory actually revealed a tiny, clear crack when he observed it closely.
Though it did not yet allow him to see the true nature of that information, such a change was itself a sign that a new stage was approaching!
"Do as I say." In front of Yondell, the "Sun Star" on the light screen suddenly spoke in a cold, heavy tone. "This is not a request."
"...I understand." One of the two Vice Speakers of the Union bowed his head slightly.
Before he could disconnect the communication, Lei Ting suddenly added, "Wait, there is one more thing."
"...?" Yondell looked up.
In the next moment, he was shocked to see a flicker of golden light appear on the super-alloy surface of his desk. Then, a peach-kernel-shaped ornament, composed of two spindle-shaped flat-bottomed pieces, emerged from the golden light and floated before his eyes.
At this moment, Yondell was completely unable to restrain his emotional reaction. He stood up with a horrified stumble, staring fixedly at the ornament before him.
The radiance of the purple gems sparkled amidst the gold and sunlight, reflecting into Yondell’s eyes and causing a faint blue-purple flicker of psychic power to involuntarily surface within them.
Of course, he quickly restrained himself and forced a slightly relieved smile.
"The position of the First Legion... is at least twenty light-years away from the Capital System, isn't it?" he asked. "The last person whose ability release range could be measured in light-years was the Emperor of the Galactic Empire... You are aware of this, aren't you?"
"Perhaps." Lei Ting tilted his head. "Please deliver this to the head of the Kang family. Tell him it is a gift I am sending in advance for Lucas."
"Even if the price for accepting it is heavy, I think he will take it," Yondell said.
He reached out, plucked the ornament from the air, and held it in his palm. With a respectful farewell, he disconnected the communication.
In the "office," Lei Ting also let out a breath. He reached for a paper document and looked toward the simulated window displaying outer space.
Flashes erupted at the edge of the darkness—echoes of an ongoing war.
***
