14: Chapter 14 also has a task.

The immensely powerful orbital cannon completely blasted open the entrance to the Necron tomb.

The Necron Warriors guarding the tomb entrance were all turned into light.

Of course, also turned into light at the same time were millions of Cheng Yus Clones.

"How could you kill your own people? You beast!"

Drake was beyond furious; his noble background made him unable to stomach such things.

"Those who wish to achieve great things must be willing to kill even their own kin."

Cheng Yu ordered the bombardment to continue. The orbital weapon was immensely powerful, yet the overall terrain surrounding the tomb remained unchanged.

It was evident that this Necron Dynasty had some sort of energy shield.

"Blast it! Blast it to pieces! I want to see how much foundation this Necron Dynasty really has and if it can withstand dozens or even hundreds of orbital cannon strikes."

"Your Majesty, I actually have a plan to subdue the enemy without fighting."

The Rogue Trader Ivankov looked extremely sycophantic. Among all the captives, he was the fastest to adapt and the most diligent in his work.

"Shameless." Aria despised such spineless humans, though her own spine wasn't much better.

"Aria, shut up!"

Cheng Yu naturally wanted to look after a captive who was so actively trying to align with him. "Brother Ivankov, what brilliant insight do you have?"

"Your Majesty, although this Necron Dynasty is powerful, resists stubbornly, and has killed our imperial troops, it has never launched an active attack and is always on the defensive."

"In this humble servant's opinion, perhaps they have encountered serious internal problems, which is why they can only adopt a passive attitude toward this war."

A Cheng Yus Clone was buffing the Emperor's nails. "Interesting. Continue."

"This servant... has had contact with some Necron Dynasty before and understands a little about how to communicate with them. I dare to... ask for an errand from Your Majesty."

After all, Ivankov was a Rogue Trader by background. With his ability to adapt to environments, he would be able to make a living anywhere.

"You think the other side is capable of negotiation?"

Drake couldn't help but speak up. He had fought those skeleton frames before and had never heard of them being capable of communication.

"Of course, I can. Aside from the Tyranids, I, Ivankov, can negotiate with any race in the galaxy."

Ivankov finished speaking with an arrogant expression, then immediately changed back to a sycophantic face when facing Cheng Yu. "Your Majesty... what do you think?"

"Can you get them to hand over all their technology?"

"Your Majesty, that might be a bit..."

"Then can you get them to get the hell out and leave their stuff behind?"

"That is also a bit..."

"Then what the hell are you negotiating?" Cheng Yu chuckled.

"Your Majesty, the Necrons are very arrogant, but their brains..." Ivankov pointed to his temple.

"The Necrons aren't very flexible... perhaps it's because they lack physical bodies. I can get them to sign a trade treaty and buy back all their technology. The cost would be far less than war."

"Fine, go talk to them. How many people do you need me to send with you?"

"I won't waste a single one of Your Majesty's soldiers. I will go alone!"

Ivankov straightened his back; his short stature actually looked quite handsome at this moment.

...

After Ivankov left, Aria secretly asked Drake, "This human looks so wretched, why is he so bold?"

Although Drake also didn't think much of Ivankov, he couldn't let the human race lose face in front of the long-eared Eldar.

"Hmph, Eldar girl, what do you know? The Rogue Trader is the enterprising heart of our empire. Anyone who can attain that position is no ordinary person."

"That's right, every Rogue Trader is truly a dragon among men."

To prove this to Aria, Cheng Yu specifically had a clone fetch Ivankov's Warrant of Trade—the identification, trade license, and plunder license issued by the empire to Rogue Traders.

"Come, let me broaden your horizons."

Ivankov's Warrant of Trade was not large; when fully unfolded, it was only the size of an A3 sheet of paper.

"Awarded by Imperial Warmaster Horus Lupercal... Put it away, there's no need to look at it."

Cheng Yu waved his hand, signaling the clone to put it away.

"Don't! I haven't finished reading it yet..."

Aria was just a young girl of about 160 years old. She hadn't even mastered the history of the Eldar, let alone human history.

...

Ivankov was transported to the front line of Zhao Zhen Planet, which was now just a barren wasteland of ruins.

Under the observation of the clones, he entered the tomb entrance, unhurriedly carrying a white flag. Even Cheng Yu couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for such courage.

According to what Ivankov had said before he left, if he hadn't come out after one standard hour, it meant the negotiation had failed.

By then, Your Majesty could open fire with all cannons.

"Are the Warmaster's subordinates all this brave?" Cheng Yu asked Drake.

"Perhaps he's just looking for a chance to run away." Drake was unwilling to admit that Ivankov's bravery exceeded his own.

"If Ivankov can escape from inside the Necron tomb, then that counts as his skill. I can only sigh that there are truly as many heroes in the world as carp crossing a river."

Cheng Yu chuckled, not caring.

Just as they were bickering.

Hundreds of millions of clones were converting the primitive honeycomb-style residential areas into true Hive Cities.

How long does it take to build a Hive City?

Normally, counting from the time the construction site is established on a habitable planet, it takes five thousand to eight thousand Terra standard years to build a Hive City.

But that is for Hive Cities on Imperial industrial worlds, which are used as permanent fortifications.

The Hive Cities of the Cheng Yu Empire didn't need such high quality.

As long as they were barely habitable, that would do.

If it collapses, just rebuild it; treat it as a sacrificial foundation.

By this calculation, within a year, Cheng Yu Planet would be covered in Hive Cities.

In the Warhammer world, the more brutal a civilization is, the more powerful it becomes.

...

Half an hour later, Ivankov came out, bringing an Undead Guard Captain with him.

Necrons are essentially a type of... mechanical skeleton with only the memories of their former lives.

They have emotions, but have lost the ability to express them.

Cheng Yu had a clone communicate with the Undead Guard Captain, with Ivankov acting as the translator.

The Necron scribe's teeth flashed: "Despicable race, why do you disturb our peace?"

Ivankov translated: "Your Majesty, they've been hurt, so they are requesting a truce. The terms can be negotiated."

The Cheng Yus Clones nodded. "Our empire is not a warlike civilization. A truce is no problem, but we want to purchase the Necron technology. The price and such can be negotiated."

Ivankov translated: "The great Master of Humanity is willing to establish diplomatic relations with your esteemed side, to trade with each other, and to be friends for all eternity. At the same time, we can ensure your long-term peace. You have been in stasis for too long and may not know that the galaxy today is not peaceful; all sorts of blind, ignorant things are running rampant everywhere."

The Cheng Yus Clones asked suspiciously, "Is the Necron language this long-winded?"

Ivankov laughed, "They are the oldest civilization in the galaxy, bar none. Their language is just full of red tape and complex etiquette."