Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
A large and technologically advanced opponent.
The overall strength of its civilization was far stronger than their own.
How should they deal with such a powerful challenge?
Mu Yunhua was silent for a long time. Her expression was grave, and she felt very pessimistic. No matter how she looked at it, it was impossible to defeat the Selains. This was a boss-level opponent.
“Gold…I…what should I do?”
Mu Yunhua, who had been full of confidence just moments ago, was out of ideas right now. It was as if she had developed a dependency, and she subconsciously asked the alien, Gold, who had provided her with so much help.
“The Selains are in a period of rapid expansion. The Walf planet must be on the boundaries of their dominion’s range. If they do not adjust their conquest strategy in time, Walf will become a stumbling block for them, and they will send their warships in multiple waves to attack the planet.
“Can I stop them with just the ‘Poor Man’s Dignity’ that you gave me the last time?”
Chen Jin said faintly, “What do you think?”
“Probably not,” Mu Yunhua said, shaking her head, “unless we manage to build a model of warship that has a better performance. In addition to that, we also need to have the advantage of numbers. And that would be just barely enough to withstand wave after wave of attacks. At the very least, for us to have a fighting chance, a technological generation gap cannot exist between us!”
“That is not enough.”
Chen Jin shook his head. “A war without any technological generation gaps is a war of attrition. You can kill a thousand of the enemy’s soldiers, but you will lose eight hundred of your own. This will be a fierce competition where you are putting all your resources at stake. However, you only have one galaxy in your hands, the Selains have more than 500. You can’t afford to fight this type of conflict.”
Mu Yunhua lowered her head and whispered, “What should I do? Is there no choice for me but to surpass them in terms of science and technology?”
“Do you think it’s possible to surpass them in just a few decades?”
“This… What do you think I should do?”
Mu Yunhua was at her wit’s end. There was no way out. She could hardly win against the Selains that were blocking her path.
“Flee. If you are no match for them in any way, then avoid them, especially when they are at their strongest. Flee to a faraway place, and develop your civilization with peace of mind.”
“Flee?”
Mu Yunhua was stunned. “This is the solution that you come up with?” She had never thought about escape.
“Since you know exactly how strong your enemy is and can see the difference in power between the two sides, is it not normal to consider escaping? Why, don’t tell me that you will not consider fleeing—and, on top of that, that you are even preparing to resist one wave of attack after another!”
“No, I don’t mean that. I just didn’t think that you would mention escape.”
“Of course. If I were not willing to help you, escape should be your best and most sensible choice. I believe that you are very clear on this point.”
“Hmm, that is true.”
Mu Yunhua had to nod. Without the help from this alien, escape was really the best choice.
It was just that…
She did not want to escape!
The citizens of the immigration bases did not want to flee, either.
Nobody wanted to relive for a second time the long, dark and lonely interplanetary journey as they drifted in space, unless it was their last resort.
It would also be difficult to escape. The fleet would be sailing at a slow speed, and it might even be unable to keep ahead of the rapid rate at which the Selains expanded their colonies.
They could spend hundreds of years fleeing to a safe place, and it still might not be long before their new home lay at the boundaries of the Selains’ imperial range again. They would be facing these challenges repeatedly.
Therefore, if they did not think of ways to strengthen themselves, to upgrade their civilization’s level of science and technology, they might not even be able to escape.
So, after fighting, flight was the worst choice.
Of course, surrender was an option, too. However, this had been impossible for them since the end of that ambush battle.
“I can see that you don’t want to escape. It has never crossed your mind,” Chen Jin said calmly.
“Hmm, yes.”
“That means that you choose to stay at this original site and resist with all your might. You will be facing off with a powerful civilization, and you believe that you will win?”
“Hmm, I didn’t say that exactly, but it’s not so different from what I wanted to express.”
“What wishful thinking! You’re so confident. Why don’t you explain just what is bolstering this confidence? What are you depending on that has made you so sure? Who gave you such confidence?”
“You—”
Two red spots appeared on Mu Yunhua’s cheeks. This abominable fellow was starting to make fun of her again.
“It would be better for you if you could actually explain your source of confidence. If your answer is right, your dreams may just come true,” Chen Jin said in an exaggerated and smug tone. He asked, “So, your source of confidence is…?”
“You!”
“Who?”
“It’s you, you damn alien!”
“It seems that you finally understand my role and position. If I didn’t remind you of that fact as and when it’s appropriate, you would take me for granted.”
Mu Yunhua could only grit her pearly white teeth as fire raged in her eyes.
She heard that nasty voice talking again. “Seems like you have a more proper attitude now and correctly understand my role. Then, I have no choice but to do this favor for you. You can rest assured, the Selains don’t represent a threat to me. It’s not a challenge to defeat them. I can even help you launch a counterattack into their home planet to complete your mission of revenge, giving the experience of failure and terror back to them.”
“This…is my promise to you,” the voice said seriously.
Upon hearing such words, obviously, a lot of worries were laid to rest in her mind. The worries and dread of before were all swept away, leaving only confidence.
And she also realized that this alien, who often spoke lightly and teasingly and liked to make fun of her, had become someone that she depended on, a source of support that she could not lose. The alien had actually replaced the strength that originally came from her character.
But somehow, she did not hate this feeling. After all, she alone could not bear such a heavy burden as this. She did not have the strength to be stubborn.
“But…” She heard him speak again. “I will help you this time, but it’s not completely unconditional. You know my style. In any case, I need certain remuneration. I’m not some kind of selfless Samaritan.”
“Remuneration?” Mu Yunhua calmed down and asked, “What kind of compensation do you want?”
“Of course it is a bigger reward. The simple boons that I’ve received in the past can’t satisfy me now. I need to get more, hmmm…” This was followed by the sound of smacking lips.
“What do you want?” Mu Yunhua’s face was entirely red. She was filled with panic. What more did that lecherous alien want?
“What do you think? I’ve seen all that is to see of your body. It is almost impossible to feel any urges with just that. Isn’t it obvious what I want next?” The voice gradually became vulgar.
“No!”
Mu Yunhua hugged her own body and retreated two steps. She said in a panic, “I can’t give you my body! Besides, I’ve never even seen you, and our physical distance is too great. Your idea is unrealistic.”
“Unrealistic? Hehe, as long as you nod your head, I can come to your side in a short time to collect my ‘reward’ and carry out in-depth exchanges. I am very much looking forward to it.”
“Obscene! Shameless! I won’t agree to this!”
Mu Yunhua felt that her spirit was about to be tarnished. Goosebumps covered her entire body. She was pure and uncorrupted; she had never experienced such a thing. She had merely thought of the act as sickening and dirty. They would be no different from animals. It was not only unimaginable, but also completely unacceptable.
The lecherous alien was simply a beast.
“So, this means that…you don’t want me to help you? Think about it more. Hua, I have said this: I am not a charitable person. Are you really thinking that you want to become the greatest hero of mankind without paying any price?” the voice said patiently, attempting to lead her to a certain answer.
“I…I…” Mu Yunhua couldn’t speak. She could only retreat with an expression of protest on her face.
“The universe is very dark and cruel. Only the strong can survive. I believe that you understand this principle better than me. Compared to the safety and happiness of all mankind, this little bit of cost would not be considered a sacrifice in any civilization or culture…Do you really think that my request is overboard?”
The voice became objective and rational, without a hint of joke.
“I… I understand, I promise. I promise to give you everything you want!”
Mu Yunhua felt like she was on the verge of crying. Although it was difficult to accept this, it was just like the alien said: it was highly naive of her to want to receive help for free.
She would sacrifice her own purity and dignity so that she could fight to provide hope to the entire human race’s future. No matter how one looked at it, it was still an extremely worthwhile exchange…. Even though what really went on behind the scenes would be very dirty and ugly, all she could do was bear it.
“Hmm… Good, very good. That’s the attitude that I want,” Chen Jin nodded. “So, let’s start talking about the real conditions.”
“Ah…” Mu Yunhua was totally stunned. “Real conditions. Didn’t we already talk about it?”
“Who wants your body? That was just to test your sincerity. Did you think that the charm of your body was so overwhelming that I would come to you in person?”
“What?! You, you, you…” Mu Yunhua was ashamed and enraged. “You bastard! Lecherous alien! Explode and die immediately!”
She broke out in curses when she found out that she had been played for a fool. She had completely lost the noble, rational, and elegant style that she usually possessed. She was so mad that she wanted to stab someone with a knife.
After she vented for a while, Chen Jin finally said, “My conditions are very simple. That is, you have to promise me one thing—one thing that you must do as I instruct.”
“What is it?” asked Mu Yunhua.
“I will tell you when the time is right. You just need to do as I say when that moment arrives.”