Chapter 324: Gratitude and Grudge

At that moment, the Grand Commander was lost.

For tens of thousands of years, his civilization’s experiences in the Vast Cosmos—the countless life-and-death crises and everything he had personally faced since taking office—had taught him one thing: you could rely on no one in this Cosmos. Every external power was a potential threat.

To ensure the continuation of their civilization, the only thing they could rely on was themselves.

But the current situation directly contradicted all his past experience.

He looked at the markets, already desolate from the mobilization and conscription orders, and at the exhausted, numb faces of his people. If he were to truly order an even higher level of mobilization now, the damage to their civilization would be unimaginable.

The most crucial point was… even if he ordered the highest level of mobilization, forget about victory—that was far too much to hope for—could they even guarantee a successful breakout and escape?

At this moment, it seemed he had no choice but to trust the other party’s words.

“I have decided… to open negotiations with the Blutuk Civilization.”

The Grand Commander’s words came out with some difficulty. “Of course, even if the negotiations are successful, we must not let our guard down.”

The attendees looked at one another, contemplating. After a long moment, they each consented to the Grand Commander’s decision.

Upon receiving their reply, Li Qingsong nodded.

‘That’s more like it. We have no bad blood between us, so why fight to the death?’

The negotiations were completed quickly.

There wasn’t much to discuss, really. The terms were simple: they were given ten years to prepare, and then they had to leave, promptly and on their own.

Evidently, the Abyssal Civilization remained on full alert during these ten years. Li Qingsong paid them no mind.

‘As long as they honestly follow the terms, it’ll be fine. It’s not like I was planning a sneak attack anyway.’

Aboard Viller Race Habitation Ship One, Washilolo and Haimo Lan met once again.

Washilolo held his deputy in high regard.

“Haimo Lan, tell me, why would the Supreme Leader negotiate with the Abyssal Civilization? He can’t really be planning to let them go, can he? I’ve been thinking it over and over, and I feel like this must be another one of the Supreme Leader’s schemes. He probably wants to launch a surprise attack while the Abyssal Civilization has its guard down, to take them out with minimal cost? But that doesn’t seem quite right either. Taking them out now shouldn’t cost us much of anything…”

Feeling the respect in Washilolo’s questions, Haimo Lan smiled.

He maintained a deferential expression. “Chief, I believe you are mistaken this time. The Supreme Leader is, in all likelihood, truly going to let the Abyssal Civilization leave.”

“Why?”

Washilolo looked utterly bewildered. “Isn’t that leaving a potential threat behind? Annihilating them completely—that’s the rule of survival in this Cosmos.”

Haimo Lan smiled faintly. “Because of… the Gravity Life. If we don’t demonstrate humanity’s mercy and kindness by releasing a defeated civilization, how will those Gravity Life beings come to believe in us, to trust us, and… ultimately leave that White Dwarf Star?”

Realization dawned on Washilolo, his face immediately filling with admiration. “So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is…”

Before the ten years were up, the Abyss Fleet hurriedly completed its resource stockpiling. Then, under the full escort of over a million Warships, it slowly began to accelerate.

If Li Qingsong wanted to launch a sneak attack, this was the perfect moment.

They had already left the planet, cutting them off from their rear supply lines. An attack now wouldn’t even need to be a decisive victory; simply maintaining a state of war would be enough to drain their resources, possibly even dooming them all to die in space.

But Li Qingsong just watched quietly, making no move.

Time slipped by. In the blink of an eye, four years had passed. By then, the Abyss Fleet had accelerated to a speed of about 63,000 kilometers per second, having traveled a distance of roughly four trillion kilometers.

At this distance and speed, they could be considered completely safe. Even if the other side wanted to give chase, it was highly unlikely they could catch up.

Inside the Eye of the Abyss Spaceship, the Grand Commander gazed at the dim star in the distance and finally let out a long sigh of relief.

The events of the past few decades felt like a dream.

They had encountered such a powerful Strong Core Civilization, and then, they had managed to retreat completely intact, without a single casualty.

No one could have ever imagined that this would be the final outcome.

The great weight in his heart finally lifted completely.

“We’re finally, completely safe…”

The Grand Commander’s voice was filled with emotion.

A subordinate, his face also full of relief, added, “Yes… Thank goodness. We were lucky to run into a foolish civilization this time. Otherwise, who knows how things would have ended. Their civilization may be foolish, but we won’t be. After we leave this place, we must devote all our efforts to development. Once our technology has advanced, we must come back, find this Blutuk Civilization, and take revenge for today!”

The Grand Commander’s expression froze. He turned and gave the subordinate a cold look. “You’re relieved of your duties.”

“Huh?”

The subordinate was dumbfounded.

“Revenge? What revenge? If we’re to repay anything, it should be their kindness! If we believe it’s natural for us to capture the Gravity Life because they are weaker than us, then it would be just as natural for the Blutuk Civilization to annihilate us because they are stronger! But not only did they refrain from annihilating us, they even gave us time to gather resources and allowed us to leave! Ask yourself, could our civilization have done the same? We could not! What is this, if not an act of grace! How can I have such a muddle-headed fool who can’t tell right from wrong under my command! Seize him immediately! Interrogate him thoroughly to see what other foolishness he’s been up to. If you find anything, punish him to the fullest extent of the law!”

A group of guards pounced on him like a pack of wolves and, ignoring his cries, forcibly dragged him away.

Having dealt with the matter, the Grand Commander returned to the Deep Space communications console.

Facing the distant, dim star, he transmitted a signal.

“To the esteemed people of the Blutuk Civilization and His Excellency, the Supreme Leader: Every member of our civilization will remember the grace you have shown us today, and we shall surely repay it in the future. The Cosmos is vast, and so our paths diverge. We wish your civilization fair winds and smooth sailing on your journey through the sea of stars. Sincerely, The Grand Commander of the Abyssal Civilization, on behalf of all its people.”

Upon receiving this message, Li Qingsong couldn’t help but smile wryly.

‘The words are kind, but why do they sound so awkward…?’

He sent a message back as well.

“We also wish your civilization a safe journey and rapid technological progress. May you one day ascend to become a Gravity Civilization.”

Having seen the Abyssal Civilization off, Li Qingsong sighed softly.

‘This matter is completely settled now. There’s no reason for me to keep Qing Lan around anymore.’

‘In that case, it’s time to go back. Go and reunite with your people.’