174: Collective defection

Wan Xingying looked at Wang Nianchang and scoffed, "Can you guarantee that after we defect to the Radiant Empire, the Radiant Empire will preserve our territory?"

Wang Nianchang operated his terminal, pulled up a top-secret letter, and handed it to Wan Xingying.

"This is a private message sent to me by the Radiant Empire. As long as we coordinate internally and externally and help them take the Eastern Frontline."

"At that time, not only can we keep our current territory, but we will also gain an additional neighboring star system."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of those present varied.

Although they did not respond immediately, a breach had been torn in their psychological defenses.

Wan Xingying was the strongest, at Stellar Level Eighth Rank.

Therefore, everyone was waiting for her decision.

Wan Xingying turned her gaze to He Ming: "Wang Chao, what is your view?"

He Ming: "I'm viewing it standing up."

Wan Xingying: "..."

"Be serious."

He Ming: "I agree to rebel, but if it's just the few of us, it'll be useless."

Wan Xingying lowered her head in thought, seemingly having made up her mind.

"I can contact five people."

He Ming nodded without changing his expression.

He naturally knew that Wan Xingying had already contacted five people in advance.

If the Eastern Frontline was secure, everyone would still be loyal subjects of the Star Empire.

But given the current situation, the Star Empire's morale was nearly shattered, and defending was almost impossible.

Continuing the fight would just be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, wasting their entire foundation for nothing.

Defecting was the best choice.

Wang Nianchang felt a weight lift from his heart. He was truly afraid that Wan Xingying would grow ruthless and suppress him on the spot.

"That's great. I've already contacted seven people on my side. When the time comes, we will coordinate internally and externally and first take down the nearby outposts."

After laying their cards on the table, the group no longer had any reservations and began discussing the operation plan.

The next day.

Outposts 307, 309, and 313 moved into action without receiving any prior orders.

Before long, the Radiant Empire's massive army pressed in. With coordinated internal and external action, six neighboring outposts were successfully captured.

Once the breach was opened, the Eastern Frontline completely collapsed.

Under the pressure of the Radiant Empire, over eighty percent of the Governors chose to protect themselves and stopped resisting.

The fleet traveled south unimpeded.

At every star system they reached, they left behind a portion of their forces to establish defenses, guarding against a counterattack by the Star Empire.

Wan Xingying and He Ming's fleets successfully returned to the Wan Star System.

The High General of the Radiant Empire stationed in this star system happened to be the legion commander of the Seventh Knight Legion—Leighton.

Governors Mansion.

Leighton sat in the main seat, scrutinizing Wan Xingying and He Ming, who stood opposite him, with a strange look.

"I heard that the two of you were responsible for garrisoning Yaoguang City."

Wan Xingying stepped forward.

"Yes."

Leighton rested his chin on his hand, smiling as he asked, "May I ask, were you aware of our fleet's movements?"

He Ming: "Luck."

Leighton was stunned by the reply.

Luck?

He Ming: "Yes. If the legion commander doesn't believe it, you can inspect our warships. The data backups are still there. We truly discovered it unintentionally through Beyond Visual Range Telescopic Equipment."

Leighton waved his hand, and his Deputy immediately stepped forward two paces.

"Go, investigate it."

"Yes, legion commander."

Before long, Leighton looked at the investigation report on his terminal and fell into deep thought.

The data was correct; it really was just good luck.

But this luck was bordering on abnormal.

Leighton continued asking, "Then what about your titan ship?"

He Ming: "There's no titan ship. It's just a replicated titan ship Main Cannon. If the legion commander is interested, I can send you the Design Blueprints."

Leighton waved his hand: "That won't be necessary."

"There's still a tough battle ahead. Those bumpkins from Star Empire won't just let us swallow this territory."

"You will temporarily be incorporated into the Seventh Knight Legion, Designation Wan Xing."

Wan Xingying: "Understood."

"Alright, I have a meeting to attend, so I won't chat with you anymore."

Leighton stood up, and when he reached the doorway, he turned around again.

"Oh, right. We in the Radiant Empire hate betrayal the most."

"Therefore, as long as you genuinely submit, we absolutely won't use you as cannon fodder like those bumpkins from Star Empire."

Wan Xingying: "Understood."

After Leighton left, Wan Xingying plopped down onto the desk, wiped the sweat from her brow, and sighed, "He was warning us."

He Ming: "I suppose so."

Wan Xingying: "Are you not planning to return to the Luol Star System?"

He Ming took two steps closer, the corner of his mouth curving slightly: "They haven't reached there yet. If I leave, what will happen to you."

Wan Xingying was startled, then burst into laughter.

"Are you worried about me?"

He Ming looked directly at Wan Xingying and said calmly, "Don't misunderstand. You still owe me two million tons of carbon crystal. If the Wan Star System is lost, wouldn't I suffer a huge loss?"

Hearing this, Wan Xingying laughed even happier.

"That's true. But don't worry, I, Wan Xingying, have never gone back on my word."

He Ming: "The way you smile is quite beautiful."

Wan Xingying subconsciously covered the scar over her right eye, and her heart rate suddenly accelerated.

"You certainly know how to flatter. How could this scar of mine be beautiful?"

He Ming: "I speak only the truth. Your appearance reminds me of an old friend. Her name was Katerina. She had the same scar as you, and hers was symmetrical on both eyes."

Wan Xingying raised an eyebrow slightly. As a Stellar Level Eighth Rank expert, she could naturally sense that when He Ming spoke those words, his heart rate, pulse, and blood flow speed did not change significantly. This indicated that what he had just said was sincere and he was not lying.

Wan Xingying stroked her scar, her expression dimmed.

"It's been a long time since anyone complimented me like that."

He Ming: "The last person who complimented you like that probably wasn't your father, was it?"

Wan Xingying suddenly lifted her head. The emotion she had been cultivating was completely destroyed by He Ming's remark.

"Are you taking advantage of me?"

He Ming raised his hands and chuckled, "I wouldn't dare."

...Star Empire, Frontline Command Post.

"Sir, the Radiant Empire is still aggressively attacking the Western Frontline."

Jilijiske's face was deathly pale. He knew that his political career had officially come to an end at this moment.

He had fought battles his whole life and had never suffered a single defeat.

This time, he had lost so miserably.

He couldn't understand where the mistake had occurred.

Seeing Jilijiske remain unresponsive, the Deputy hurriedly shouted, "Sir!"

Jilijiske snapped back to reality, slapped himself hard across the face, and thought, "It's not over yet. I still have a chance. Fight back! Take back all the lost territory!"