The two of them left through the side door of the venue and entered the reception room in the corridor. Philip closed the door. The soundproofing here was very good, and the noise of the banquet outside was blocked out.
The two of them sat opposite each other. With a snap of his fingers, Han Xiao asked the simulated mechanical waiter in the room to pour two glasses of amber wine and a few ice cubes into them, placing them on the short table in front of the two of them.
"You can speak now." Han Xiao swirled the wine in his glass, and the fragrant wine flowed out.
He was now a big shot in the Shattered Star Ring, and with his current position, it was no longer the missions that came looking for him. Instead, the missions would come looking for him, and there would always be people asking for help.
This phenomenon was not limited to him; the players could do it as well. For example, if a player had been in a certain Star System for a long time and made a name for himself, he would occasionally meet NPCs who would come looking for him. This was the effect of regional reputation.
"It's like this. My request concerns the future of the Gulal Civilization …" Ceselin sat up straight.
I guessed it. If it wasn't something of this level, who would bother a Beyond Grade A? Han Xiao's expression did not change, and he raised his hand, indicating for Ceselin to continue.
"Before that, please allow me to briefly introduce the current situation of my civilization," Ceselin said solemnly. "The Gulal Civilization has always been in a state of military division. The three main parties have formed their own military regions and are opposing each other, dividing the territory. These three parties are the Ancient Emperor Party, the Pioneer Party, and the Descender Party. The current ruling party representing the Gulal Civilization is the Ancient Emperor Party, and they conduct diplomatic activities in the name of Gulal. My teammates and I are all members of the Ancient Emperor Party."
As one of the edges of the explored universe, the situation in the Shattered Star Ring was rather complicated due to the lack of control. Some civilizations were very peaceful, while others were constantly in a state of internal strife. An internal military division like the one in the Gulal Civilization could be considered a serious internal strife.
"Hmm, I understand. What do you want to ask for?" Han Xiao asked.
"I wish for the war assistance of the Black Star Corps to end the division of the Gulal Civilization and bring us peace."
"Oh, I understand. You want to apply for war employment and have my people assist the ruling party in suppressing the other two parties, right?" Han Xiao raised his brows.
However, Ceselin shook his head and gave an unexpected answer.
"No, I hope that the Black Star Corps can assist the Pioneer Party to overthrow the rule of the Ancient Emperor Party and suppress the Descendant Party."
Han Xiao's interest was piqued as he sized Ceselin up. "You're a member of the Ancient Emperor Party, but you're actually speaking for another party? Could it be that you've secretly joined the Pioneer Party and are a spy?"
Ceselin shook his head. "No, I was born on a colonial planet controlled by the Ancient Emperor Party. When I came of age, I served in the Ancient Emperor Party's army. Until now, I have not joined any other party."
"Then why are you doing this? Profit? Did the Pioneer Party promise you benefits? "
"That's not it. I have a high position in the Ancient Emperor Party, and I'm also a war hero. The Pioneer Party won't try to rope in a hardcore member like me. Furthermore, with my position, the Ancient Emperor Party can give me whatever the Pioneer Party can. I'm not doing this for benefits."
"Then what is it for?"
"Philosophy." Ceselin solemnly said, "I agree with the ideals of the Pioneer Party. The Ancient Emperor Party is already rotten, and only the Pioneer Party can bring hope to the future of civilization."
"I get it." Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. "You're a traitor. The Ancient Emperor Party gave you power and status, even allowing you to enjoy the Evolution Cube. Yet, you're secretly thinking of overthrowing their rule?"
"From their standpoint, I'm indeed a traitor. However, from the standpoint of the Pioneer Party, I'm someone who has abandoned the dark for the light. Thus, I only want to focus on actual actions and not the evaluation of others," Ceselin said in a low voice. "When I was young, I was a hot-blooded youth who always wanted to serve the civilization. However, my thinking back then was still immature. Like many others, I was also passionate about protecting the orthodox Ancient Emperor Party. Due to being born on a colonial planet, my standpoint was largely decided by nature. However, after serving the Ancient Emperor Party for so many years, I started to have doubts about their ideology and way of doing things, and my beliefs started to waver. "
Han Xiao looked at him and did not say anything. He had asked Philip to search for detailed information on the Gulal Civilization, and he would not listen to just one side of the story.
At this moment, Ceselin's voice fluctuated, and there was a hint of anger in it.
"Due to the conflict between the parties, the Ancient Emperor Party secretly committed many bloody acts against our own people in order to maintain their absolute rule. I was also involved in a portion of it, and now that I think about it, I regret it. I've seen the darkness of politics, the bloodiness of ruling, and the imprisonment of one's thoughts. I once fell into self-doubt, and my house was filled with medals given to me by the Ancient Emperor Party. In the past, I loved to look at them and reminisce about my past glory. However, when I look at these medals that I was once proud of, my nose can smell the nauseating stench of blood. "
Han Xiao stroked his chin. "So, you decided to betray the party that groomed you?"
"To be precise, after experiencing self-doubt, I felt that I had unlocked some sort of shackle." Ceselin took a sip of wine and sighed. "I have always been bound by my identity, and at that moment, I understood that the three parties were just positions within the civilization. The so-called opposition was meaningless, and the future of the entire civilization should be paid more attention to. Whoever can bring a brighter future to Gulal, I should help them. As such, I broke away from the entanglement of being a member of the Ancient Emperor Party and the position that bound me. I chose to follow my own thoughts and follow the judgment of my heart. As such, I chose the Pioneer Party, which is supported by the people. They can bring Gulal to greater heights."
"So, you think that you're very noble?" Han Xiao's brows twitched.
"I don't have such thoughts." Ceselin shook his head.
"… As for your choice, I'm just an outsider, and I don't wish to comment on it."
Han Xiao slowly said, "I only want to know. You said that you did not join any other party, so on what basis are you representing the Pioneer Party to discuss cooperation with me?"
"Right now, I'm not representing the Pioneer Party but making a request to you in my own capacity."
Han Xiao smiled. "Then, why do you think that you can convince me to interfere in a civil war that I don't even care about? You have not reached a consensus with the Pioneer Party, and let's not talk about whether they have the intention of letting me interfere. Realistically speaking, can you afford to pay for the war employment? Why should I kick aside the Ancient Emperor Party that I'm currently working with to help you? What can you offer me? "
"I know that it's rude to ask you in my own capacity, but I have no other choice," Ceselin said with a deep voice. Ceselin solemnly said, "The Ancient Emperor Party sent me over with a mission, which is for me to represent the Ancient Emperor Party to submit a request for employment. They are prepared to use force to eradicate the other two parties and reclaim their territories."
"So, that's the case." Han Xiao understood.
The Ancient Emperor Party wanted to resolve the division once and for all, but they did not wish to be controlled by an advanced civilization. Thus, they did not request the help of a Star Cluster Civilization but wanted to hire external help, which was galactic mercenaries. In the Shattered Star Ring, there were a few large mercenary organizations, and the most representative of them were the Mercenary League, Bloodshed Land, and the Black Star Corps.
Because the Black Star Corps was the head of the Mercenary League and was an ally of the Bloodshed Land, as long as they hired the Black Star Corps, the mercenaries in the Shattered Star Ring would not be hired by employers that opposed the Black Star Corps. After all, the Black Star Corps had a high status and was powerful. Although the mercenaries valued money, they did not want to send themselves to death. At the same time, mercenary groups that were cooperating with each other would not be hired by employers that opposed each other. This was an unspoken rule in the mercenary industry.
In the mercenary world of the Shattered Star Ring, the status and influence of the Black Star Corps was already at the peak.
As the ruling party, the Ancient Emperor Party had already established a connection with the Black Star Corps. As long as they received assistance, the Pioneer Party that Ceselin had set his eyes on would definitely be wiped out. Thus, he could only take a risk and directly make a request to Han Xiao without sufficient preparation.
Tsk, I'm really unlucky to have chosen a traitor like you as my emissary … Han Xiao's mouth twitched.
Could this be the meaning of 'I didn't have a choice in the past, but I want to be a good person now'?
Han Xiao shook his head. "Let's talk about something more practical. Regardless of which party is in power, it doesn't make much of a difference to me. The Ancient Emperor Party definitely offered a reasonable price to cooperate with the Black Star Corps, and you came looking for me without any guarantee … Forget it, I don't wish to say anything unpleasant. This conversation can end here."
As he spoke, Han Xiao put down his wine glass, stood up, and walked toward the door with dissatisfaction in his heart.
Ceselin's words were pleasant to hear, but he did not even mention any substantial rewards. Han Xiao did not care about the struggle between parties in an unfamiliar civilization. After the Black Star Corps transformed, they had retained their mercenary business, and mercenaries were not charity organizations.
Going against the rules of the profession was an act that lacked professional ethics. Without any benefits, he wanted to use his mouth to trick a Beyond Grade A Super?
Dream on! Why don't you die from your wishful thinking?
"Please wait." Ceselin hurriedly stood up. "Just as you said, it doesn't matter which party is in power. The Pioneer Party will also maintain a cooperative relationship with you. I hope that you can help the Pioneer Party. The Gulal Civilization will become stronger, and the rewards will be greater. The Ancient Emperor Party has already decayed, and the Pioneer Party is the only righteous one."
"What does the righteousness you speak of have to do with me?" Han Xiao did not even turn his head. Every word he said was a banner of righteousness. Since they were all here to make a living, there was no point in doing this.
His kindness only existed between those he was familiar with, and it was extremely limited to strangers. This was due to his personality, as well as the coldness created by the era. Furthermore, after experiencing so many things, he naturally would not be so easily convinced by outsiders.
"Please help the Gulal Civilization!"
Dong!
A strange sound came from behind, and Han Xiao turned around to see Ceselin crawling on the ground. A Calamity Grade was begging for help in the most humble manner possible. His tone was anxious, and he had no other words.
Glancing at him, Han Xiao did not move. He retracted his gaze and was about to push open the door to leave.
Right at this moment, a mission popped up on his interface.
You have triggered the S Rank Mission [Gulal Civilization: Pioneer's Flame]!
Mission Introduction: The Gulal Civilization is a galactic civilization that has been plagued by internal strife. The severe factional rivalry has caused this civilization to be shrouded in the flames of war. The civilization has not improved for many years and has even been regressing. In order to break this stalemate, Ceselin, as a member of the upper echelon of the Ancient Emperor Party, has decided to join the Pioneer Party and has made a request to you.
Mission Requirements: Overthrow the rule of the Ancient Emperor Party, eradicate the Descendant Party, and make the Pioneer Party the ruler of the Gulal Civilization.
Failure Condition: Destruction of the Pioneer Party
Reward: After completing the mission, the reward will depend on your performance.
"S-rank mission?" Han Xiao's footsteps paused. The coup of a Star System Civilization was basically the same as an all-out war. It was indeed an S grade difficulty. It was very difficult for players to influence the direction of a Star System Civilization's internal war.
Of course, he was different. The Black Star Corps was very powerful and had the right to interfere in a cosmic system level civilization war. This mission was not difficult for him.
After thinking for a while, Han Xiao did not stop. He quietly pushed open the door and walked out, leaving Ceselin in a daze.
S-rank missions were indeed attractive, but helping the Pioneer Party gave him a mission. There was no reason that helping the Ancient Emperor Party would not give him a mission. With Han Xiao's rich experience, he could tell that this was definitely a series of missions.
Han Xiao was prepared to communicate with the upper echelons of the Gulal Civilization and trigger the mission of the other party before deciding what to do.
He was never someone who had obsessive-compulsive disorder where he had to complete every mission that popped up on the interface.
S-rank missions were not a small matter. Although the Black Star Corps had the status of a Star Cluster Civilization, it did not mean that they could ignore a Star System Civilization.
Han Xiao was very clear that although the Black Star Corps had a high status, it was partly because of him. After all, there was a limit to the development of a faction. The military strength of the Black Star Corps was not a problem for them to fight a Star System Civilization, but they were still far from a Star Cluster Civilization.
Han Xiao did not really need the reward of this mission, and he did not care about the reward of a Star System Civilization. He was only concerned about this matter for the sake of the players.
Naturally, he did not intend to personally interfere in this war employment. It would be too much of a bully for a Beyond Grade A to interfere in the battle of a Star System Civilization. Furthermore, he only wanted to quietly stay in the headquarters to build machinery and wait for the experience penalty period to pass. Thus, this mission was naturally left to the players.
Furthermore, the players were indeed the best people to carry out such missions, and they could greatly reduce the casualties of the army.
The battle of Planet Lighthouse had come to an end, and there would probably not be any major events for a long time. The players could only do side missions. Although exploring the Flickering World had its benefits, it was a little boring for the players. Thus, he wanted to create a new event to fill this gap and take care of the players' experience in the army.
On the other hand, this was also to allow the players to obtain more rewards before the Pro League. The rewards of an S-rank war employment mission would definitely be better than a side mission.
Helping the players grow faster within the limits of the version would increase the attractiveness of the faction, and Han Xiao had always been doing this.
At this moment, Philip appeared in the quantum network.
"Master, hum … I've found the information on the Ancient Emperor Party that you requested."
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao entered the quantum network to check the information.
In this regard, Ceselin did not lie. He did not dare to lie. The Ancient Emperor Party was indeed not popular, and their rule was rotten. The nobles colluded with each other, and the citizens were filled with complaints. However, they were controlled by high pressure and did not dare speak out.
The Advent Party wasn't anything good either, being even more extreme to a certain extent. The Pioneer Party wasn't as good as Ceselin had described them to be, but with the contrast of the other two parties, they were indeed the most reliable of the three main parties. They could be considered generals chosen from generals.
After reading it, Han Xiao nodded.
Seeing was believing, and he only knew what was going on with the information.
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