15: Chapter 15 The Carrots Are Here!

"Inferior race, there is nothing you possess that interests us. Get out quickly, or nothing awaits you but destruction."

The Undead Guard Captain's words did not require translation, as he already had his pistol pressed against the forehead of one of the Cheng Yus Clones.

A Gauss weapon, capable of decomposing matter into atoms and absorbing it; it was equivalent to a Desert Eagle with infinite ammunition.

"You want to have a shootout with me?!"

The Cheng Yus Clones lifted his jacket, his entire body strapped with high-energy crystals and high-explosives.

"Let's see if your disintegration gun is faster, or if the chemical reaction of the explosives is faster?!"

The Undead Guard Captain's eye sockets flickered. He did not fear the explosives; after a Necron's mechanical body was damaged, it could be reconstructed at the tomb core.

However, that high-energy crystal was extremely formidable. He had witnessed it once during his lifetime; after this thing exploded, it could directly erase memories. A single one was enough to wipe his memory completely clean, leaving him a simpleton even if resurrected.

"Sir, why act like this?"

The Undead Guard Captain's tone became very gentle, "Regarding trade, I still need to consult my King... However, as a representative, I am willing to establish long-term friendly relations with your side."

In the end, the Cheng Yus Clones signed a Treaty of Friendly Cooperation and Mutual Assistance with the Necron Dynasty Guard Captain.

The treaty stipulated that both parties would grant each other most-favored-nation trading status, meaning no tariffs, no bargaining or haggling, mutual credit, and permission for technology transfer.

Since the technology of the Necron Dynasty far exceeded that of the Cheng Yu Empire, as compensation, the Cheng Yu Empire had to be responsible for guarding the peace of the Necron Dynasty during the treaty's duration, ensuring they would not be disturbed by any other forces.

The treaty was valid for approximately three thousand Terra standard years, which meant this Necron Dynasty's original plan was to collectively resurrect in about three thousand years.

As a symbol of friendship, the Guard Captain Zachary was dispatched to the Cheng Yu Empire to serve as a hostage and liaison.

The Cheng Yu Empire, in turn, needed to build bunker fortifications around the Necron tomb and maintain a long-term garrison.

This was what was later recorded in imperial history as the "White Land Treaty," because the place where it was signed was a patch of white land that had been blown clean.

...

Cheng Yu was no fool; once his main body pondered it for a moment, he understood.

A Necron's body could be recast; he could not possibly fear explosives. What the other party feared was that kind of high-energy crystal. When he saw the crystal at the time, the green light in his eye sockets was flickering.

One of the Cheng Yus Clones immediately asked Ivankov what exactly that kind of crystal was.

Ivankov indicated that he didn't know either; he had picked it up on a derelict Chaos ship near the Eye of Terror. Because no one recognized its value and it couldn't be sold for a good price, it had always been used as a high-energy battery.

"The Eye of Terror... You kid have got some guts! Give me the coordinates."

Cheng Yu noted this matter down for now. The Eye of Terror... that pitch-black void would have to be explored sooner or later, but the distance was currently too great.

...

The population of the Cheng Yu Empire had reached a staggering three billion. Even with the STC capable of outputting infinite starch, drinking water had become a source of anxiety for Cheng Yu.

This death planet was not lacking in water, but the vast majority of the water bodies were seawater with extremely high salinity and alkalinity. Previously, the Cheng Yus Clones had been using the most traditional method of boiling seawater to obtain coarse salt and distilled water.

With the exponential explosion in population, this inefficient method was no longer sufficient to meet water demands... though a lot of slightly toxic coarse salt had accumulated.

"Summon Aria."

"Proclaim: Aria, report to the palace for questioning!"

"Proclaim: Arya Drukhari, report to the palace for questioning!"

"Proclaim..."

Because the question Cheng Yu was asking was very important, the sense of ritual had to be sufficient. He had to let Aria know that if she didn't answer this question well, she would lose her head.

A full nine of the Cheng Yus Clones guided Aria in turn, straight to the front of Main Body's throne.

It was not the rough version from before, but a newly crafted Throne of Thorns made of refined steel, which looked extremely cool and extremely brutal.

"Aria, I have often heard of the convenience of Warp travel. I wonder if you have anything you can teach me?"

"Emperor of humanity, neither you nor your subjects have psychic talent. Entering the Sea of Souls rashly will only result in a miserable death."

Aria also answered very formally. If she dared to act flippant again, the warriors before the palace would have to let her see if the Necron's sword was sharp.

"A calm ocean cannot raise excellent sailors, and the tyranny of Warp cannot frighten the warriors of the Empire. Aria, it is time for you to submit to the Imperial Court."

Yes, Cheng Yu was preparing to bestow grand titles upon his officials today.

He was conferring titles upon these captives, giving them some treatment and privileges to make every one of them work as actively and proactively as Ivankov.

Moreover, as the number of the Cheng Yus Clones grew, the difficulty of commanding them also increased; military command and internal administrative planning authority also needed to be delegated.

Otherwise, being this emperor was too exhausting, and he would go crazy sooner or later.

Aria swallowed hard; she had finally waited for this day.

With the Corpse Emperor and the Necron pirate gang, whoever has a gun is the king.

In this rotting galaxy, what is the point of living with your head on your belt? It is just to build power and find backing.

The Cheng Yu Empire was extremely powerful with immense cloning capabilities; it was destined to be a major power in the galaxy in the future... Most of the captives still thought the Cheng Yu Empire was something akin to a genetic cult.

"I wonder what plans Your Majesty has for me?" Aria asked tentatively.

"Someone, unfold the star map."

"Heave-ho, heave-ho." Hundreds of the Cheng Yus Clones carried over a massive, old-fashioned holographic star map display device; this thing had been scavenged from an Ork battleship.

"This here is our star system."

Cheng Yu pointed to a dim star, which he named "Cheng Tianxiao" Planet. Incidentally, Cheng Tianxiao was his father in his past life, a chronic drunkard, but he was quite good to his son.

"This one is 'Zhao Zhen' Planet. Because it is too close to 'Cheng Yu' Planet and there are Necrons on it, it is under my direct administration."

"This..." Cheng Yu pointed to a planet on the edge of the star system. This was an ice world, ravaged year-round by massive storms.

"I have decided to enfeoff this planet as your fief, and I will allocate one thousand battle groups to you as subordinates. You have the right to use the battle groups, but not ownership, and you cannot interfere with their cloning operations."

Cheng Yu knew how the captives were misunderstanding things, and he did not intend to explain this misunderstanding.

"You must cherish your subjects, cherish my limbs, and do not harm them unless it is a last resort."

"I... I obey, Your Majesty."

Several of the Cheng Yus Clones walked over, holding Aria's official robes, official seal, as well as the appointment letter and the agreement of rights and responsibilities.

"Hereby appointing the Harlequin Aeldari Arya Drukhari as Governor of 'Liu Fei Planet', to guard the land and bring peace to the nation, receive military orders, pay taxes, and hold the title in hereditary succession. Cheng Yu of the Empire."

Incidentally, Liu Fei was the real name of "dont eat cilantro," Cheng Yu's first love from his past life.