CH 45

"Everyone, activate your morph-capable defenses. Dodo and Dondon, keep Fearless prepared for a leap at any time. Old Du, head to the combat control room and prepare for battle. I'll deal with the Darklings," said Zhang Xingxing.

"What about Titan and Amethyst? They're the Darklings' arch-enemies," Zhang Bao'er asked.

"It has been over a hundred thousand years. We can only gamble on the Darklings forgetting this race. Do you even remember how Bluelings looked 150,000 years ago?" Zhang Xingxing asked.

That seemed reasonable.

"I'll go with you," I offered.

"I'm going as well," Zhang Bao'er said after me.

Zhang Xingxing nodded at us in agreement. We then walked toward the door together.

"Open the door immediately for inspection," commanded a voice from the miniature fighter that had arrived before our door.

Zhang Xingxing then signaled at Dodo to start the docking process. After a series of mechanical sounds, footsteps rang out from outside the door.

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"They're coming in soon. Stay calm, everyone. Improvise your actions according to the situation," I said softly.

For some reason, I felt extremely nervous. Even after undergoing so many dangers, I still couldn't control my adrenaline when facing the unknown. 

The door opened, and five individuals, each clad in armor and carrying a massive weapon, walked in. They were tall and sturdy, and their physiques resembled Old Du's. Different from Old Du, they also had a pair of massive fangs exposed outside their mouths.

The leader was clad in simple-looking black armor. He was obviously of a higher military rank than the others behind him who were only clad in ash-black armors. His airtight helmet only allowed his vicious eyes and sharp fangs to be seen.

'What a barbarous-looking race,' I remarked inwardly.

"Lando, perform a scan on this ship. Check if they house the escaped criminal," commanded the leader, completely disregarding us.

"Who are you? Why are you boarding our ship fully armed? We were only passing by," questioned Zhang Xingxing. Thanks to the translation system, her words were translated into the Dark language.

The leader glared at us with his vicious eyes and said, "This is the territory of the Divine Empire. All outsiders deemed to pose a threat to the empire are to be deported from the Orion Constellation without exceptions. Those who resist are punishable by death."

"Divine Empire? We have never heard of that," said Zhang Bao'er.

"You're a group of freaks with humans, a robot, some fish people, and even a dwarf. Where did you come from?" questioned the leader.

'Fish people? Looks like the Darklings really did not notice the Brightlings. Zhang Xingxing was right,' I thought in joy.

"Dwarf? Where the hell is the dwarf?" said Zhang Bao'er.

When the leader pointed at Dondon, Zhang Bao'er shut his mouth.

"We came from Blue. We intend to do some ore business here," I said.

"Blueling? Hmph," the leader snorted with derision, not even bothering to say anything else.

After a while, the Darkling called Lando shook his head at the leader, indicating that no criminal elements were found. However, he did point at the cockpit and made a unique gesture.

The leader raised his hand, and all the Darklings aimed their weapons at us. Additionally, two darklings rushed toward the combat control room Old Du was in. The situation was becoming tense. Soon, Old Du was escorted out by two armed darklings.

"Hand over your weapons immediately and leave. Otherwise, die," demanded the leader.

"Excuse me, which of your empire's laws have we broken that we need to be disarmed?" I asked.

"All Gliesen barbarians are to be deported. None are to take even a step into the empire," said the leader.

"Why is that? We Gliesens have never offended the Orion Constellation," asked Old Du.

"You Gliesens have been intending to compete against us. A fleet has even been stationed at the Canis Major Constellation. Does your Interstellar League think the Divine Empire is a pushover? The emperor has decreed that all Gliesens from the Interstellar League and other races who are helping the Gliesens are to be barred from entering our territory," said the leader loudly.

'Canis Major? Isn't that where the Sirius System is located? It's right beside the Orion Constellation. The league has always claimed that they're not stepping foot into Orion. Is there an even bigger conspiracy somewhere?' I wondered inwardly.

"The Interstellar League has never entered the Orion Constellation. You are spreading fake information!" retorted Old Du loudly.

The leader glanced at Old Du coldly and said, "Barbarian, your rank is too low, so the empire won't be bothered about you. You may leave after handing over your weapons."

"What if we refuse?" said Old Du unyieldingly.

"Then die," said the leader. He raised his gun, revealing the spinning red energy within the muzzle. A battle was imminent.

Suddenly, the Darkling called Lando approached the leader and whispered into his ear. I tightened my grip on my gun and braced myself for battle. After the leader heard Lando's words, he raised his head and scanned all of us. He then said something that almost caused me to faint.

"Who is Li Canyue?" asked the leader.

'My god. I only had a single expedition, which was going to Jupiter II. Was that enough to spread my fame all the way to Orion?' I wondered inwardly, even feeling somewhat smug.

"I am Li Canyue. How do you know my name?" I asked.

The leader sneered and said, "Your wanted poster has been spread all over the Milky Way Galaxy. All of you are wanted criminals of the Interstellar League. It was said that you, Li Canyue, are the leader."

We all sank into silence. We had not expected the league to be so heartless. Before even giving us a proper trial, they had issued arrest warrants for all of us. Such were the consequences of disobeying orders. The news might be shocking, but the tension in the ship actually eased up. Upon learning of our status as wanted criminals of the Interstellar League, the leader lowered his gun.

"What are you here for?" he asked.

"We're being hunted by the league. We wish to seek shelter here," Zhang Xingxing's nimble mind came up with a reasonable reply.

"That is an acceptable reason. Blue is also a Gliesen-conquered colony. The Bluelings will be granted entry. As for this Gliesen, I need to check with the captain," said the leader. He then gestured at Lando before leaving, probably to ask for instructions from their superior.

"Why do you have so many diamonds with you?" asked Lando.

"When traveling, don't you need currency just in case? You will eventually need to buy something, right?" said Zhang Bao'er.

"These diamonds are too big. Can we take some back for inspections? To check if there are prohibited items hidden within them, you know?" asked Lando.

I nearly burst out in laughter. That was basically blackmail, but he actually made it so righteous-sounding. Inspection? What inspection? I gave Zhang Bao'er a meaningful look. He understood immediately and brought Old Du to the cargo bay at the third level. Before long, the two returned with a massive diamond.

The leader just happened to return at the same time the diamond arrived. He said, "Since you are wanted criminals, the enemy of our enemy is our friend. The empire has agreed to grant you entry."

We all heaved a breath of relief. The tension in the ship eased up even more.

"By the way, who is the escaped criminal you mentioned earlier?" I asked, taking the chance of the eased tension to learn more.

"It's an escaped theologian from the Imperial Academy of Sciences. His name is Fode, and he had gotten hold of the empire's secrets. Those who discover him are to report to the imperial guards immediately. Those found aiding or hiding him will be subjected to the harshest punishment," said Lando.

Two of the Darkling soldiers laid down their guns and bowed down to lift the massive diamond. It was quite a peculiar posture to behold.

"The Interstellar League has been hunting for you guys for a very long time. Your pictures have been spread all over the Milky Way Galaxy," said Lando.

"How long has it been?" I asked.

"About 30 Betelgeuse days," said Lando.

"Thirty Betelgeuse days? Your fixed star has such a fast rotation speed?" I asked.

"There are 48 hours in a Betelgeuse day," said Lando.

"That isn't right. We just left the fleet a few days ago," said Zhang Xingxing.

"Yeah. According to you, shouldn't it be over two months since our departure?" Zhang Bao'er exclaimed in alarm.

"Did the white dwarf's gravitational force slow down the flow of time for us?" Old Du speculated.

"Are you going to Planet Lidu?" Lando asked.

"Yes, we intend to go there. That's the planet ahead of us, right? We don't know its name," I replied.

"This is Planet Lidu. It is inhabited by the various thugs, exiles, and opportunists of the races from outside Orion. It is a dangerous planet. Originally, these people wanted to head to our capital planet, Eternal, but the emperor chased all of them out," said Lando.

'Planet Eternal. Perhaps that's the homeland of the Brightlings,' I thought inwardly.

"The emperor had people construct this planet, a planet built with iron and flesh. These scoundrels thus all settled here. In a way, they indirectly gained a place to call home," said Lando.

"Artificial planet? Is something like that possible? This is truly a level of technology beyond that of the league," said Old Du.

"Are there a lot of races here? Are there any Bluelings?" asked Zhang Xingxing.

"Yes, there are many exiles here. Therefore, I believe you must also be heading there. With your wanted level, you will all probably be celebrities there. But I don't have concrete details about the people on the planet. This planet was constructed over 200 years ago. There are too many races living there. It is impossible to keep a proper record of them," said Lando.

Zhang Xingxing looked at everyone before saying, "Let's go and take shelter at Lidu for now. We'll plan our next step there."

Everyone agreed.

At this time, the leader of the Darklings walked back to us again. He handed a pass to Zhang Xingxing and said, "With this, you will be able to gain entry into Lidu. You won't be able to enter otherwise. Remember, do not mention your diamonds to anyone."

'Looks like there really is a reason for Nommo to prepare so many diamonds for us,' I thought.

After finishing his words, the leader led his people and left with the massive diamond. I saw the fighter withdraw rapidly. The black flagship slowly turned transparent. Before long, the entire fleet had vanished from view. It seemed like the invisibility I had been coveting badly since my Jupiter II expedition was already a mature technology here at Orion.