Chapter 1 The Meeting

After a long intergalactic voyage, the Empire's inspection team finally arrived at Black Star Palace, where they were received by Han Xiao in the reception room.

"Greetings, Your Excellency Black Star. We are the envoys sent to inspect the Kunde Clan."

A group of Empire officials entered the room in unison. The head of the inspection team spoke respectfully and extended his hand.

Han Xiao shook his hand and invited them to sit down. After a brief self-introduction, the team leader took out a document and got straight to the point.

"Currently, the Kunde Clan has 113 inhabited planets with a population of over ten trillion. The Empire's colonial review department has given us 25 planets that can be unsealed. This is the maximum, not a fixed number. If the assessment fails, we may choose not to unseal them."

"At most, you can unseal more than a quarter of the population. I understand," Han Xiao nodded.

Each planet of the Kunde Clan was independently sealed off, preventing communication. The progress of cultural reform varied from planet to planet, so the inspection team's job was to select the planets that were most receptive to the reform.

Although the Empire had other goals, the inspection team was likely just going through the motions. However, there still needed to be some hard standards. If the reform results were not optimistic, the planets would not be unsealed. The Empire did not want to release too many unstable elements.

After a few exchanges, Han Xiao called in the legion's inspection team and left the room for them to discuss the details.

At his level, expressing his attitude was enough. He did not need to be responsible for the specific work.

Han Xiao returned to his office and soon received a message from Phillip, stating that the Empire inspection team and the legion inspection team had reached a consensus and had already left Black Star Palace by ship to begin their work with great efficiency.

"Check the current state of each Kunde Clan planet," Han Xiao instructed Phillip to bring up the relevant information.

He did not have the time to constantly monitor the progress of the Kunde Clan's reform. Now that the inspection team had arrived, he planned to carefully review the current situation of each Kunde Clan planet, and see the effects of his advance notice so he could have a better idea of the situation.

On the virtual screen floating in front of him, information on the Kunde Clan planets flashed by rapidly, accompanied by Phillip's voice.

"Master, um, according to statistics, after the news of the arrival of the inspection team was released, the overall atmosphere of the Kunde Clan planets has changed. Anti-Empire sentiment has decreased by an average of 46%, and the average percentage of haters has dropped from 32% to 7%. However, the social order on some planets has deteriorated, with frequent murders and some haters dying in internal conflicts..."

"Internal conflicts... It seems that the notice of the arrival of the inspection team gave them hope. After more than twenty years of isolation, they deeply understand that unsealing is the only way out for their clan. Some people cherish this opportunity and have begun to eliminate the stubborn elements. That's right, isn't it?"

"Yes, um~"

"Quite rational, a bunch of ruthless people... But this kind of behavior may backfire."

Han Xiao scratched his chin.

Sacrificing a minority to clear out the internal hardliners and show obedience seemed great at first glance because it was for the greater good of the race.

However, the Empire viewed the problem from a different angle - too much desire for unsealing implied a strong purpose, and internal conflicts meant that new hatred was being established. According to normal review standards, this was a sign that the cultural reform was not deeply rooted in the people's hearts, and the planets needed to remain sealed until the target group's nature was smoothed out.

But since the Empire had begun the inspection years in advance, they naturally understood that this situation would occur. Han Xiao estimated that the standards would be set very low, and this behavior might have a positive effect.

...

In the following months, the Empire inspection team visited one Kunde Clan planet after another, and the assessment records grew richer day by day.

Kunde Clan's 77th residential planet, West Gaia City Prison, interrogation room.

A two-way mirror wall divided the room into two spaces: the interrogation room where the prisoner was and the monitoring room.

At this moment, the Empire inspection team stood in the monitoring room. The team leader held a file and glanced from time to time at a Kunde Clan member in shackles in the interrogation room, slowly reading the contents of the file.

"Barton, age twenty-two, a Mechanic esper, graduated from the West Gaia City First Esper Academy. He is talented and has excellent grades. He was promoted to Class C during last year's assessment. The reason for his imprisonment... inciting others to commit murder. A total of 126 people indirectly died due to his orders, and he personally killed seven people, including his relatives.

The deceased were all haters recorded in the census. He claimed that his actions were to eliminate stubborn elements... When the law enforcement officers came to the door, he stopped his accomplices from resisting, chose to surrender, and took responsibility for all the crimes."

"How ruthless," the Black Star Army inspection team leader beside him tsked.

After the Empire inspection team leader finished reading the report, he cleared his throat and opened the communication system to speak to Barton:

"Barton, you incited murder and committed heinous acts. Was your purpose to cope with the Empire's inspection?"

Barton closed his eyes and remained silent.

Seeing this, the Empire inspection team leader continued, "Let's just assume that's what you were thinking. You can't possibly not know that when you commit a crime, the law enforcement officers monitoring everything will come to your door. In order to eliminate the so-called stubborn elements, you don't hesitate to go to prison and take the blame for some of your accomplices, sacrificing your life for this. Is it worth it?"

Barton shook his head calmly and said in a low voice,

"Here and outside are both prisons. What's the difference? On this planet, no one's life has value. If it can be exchanged for a little hope, of course it's worth it."

"You think you're great?" The inspection team leader said expressionlessly. "I am an Empire inspector. To be honest, I don't like your radical behavior. Your purpose is too obvious. Do you think that making such a move will impress the Empire? Young man, are you underestimating us too much?"

The color of Barton's body changed slightly, but it quickly returned to its calm color. He said in a low voice, "In my life, perhaps there will only be this one inspection opportunity. I am just doing what I think is right at the right time. No matter what the outcome of the inspection is, I have reduced the source of hatred, and the number of haters born in the future will also decrease as a result. Even if it doesn't work now, the chances of passing the inspection in the future will increase. At least my efforts are meaningful."

The Empire inspection team leader was unmoved. He had seen too many examples of defeated races accepting cultural reform and was used to it. His mood would not fluctuate in the slightest.

He thought for a while, changed the subject, and asked, "If the planet is unsealed, what do you think should be done to quickly revive the clan?"

"Join the Black Star Army."

Barton's answer this time was straightforward.

The Empire inspection team leader narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

"Even if it is unsealed, the Kunde Clan still lives in the Black Star Army's territory. In the short term, the Kunde Clan still needs the protection of the Black Star Army. Our civilization is still too weak.

If someone can become a Black Star Army officer, the Kunde Clan will receive corresponding help, allowing espers to serve Black Star and using individuals to give back to the group. This is the best way out at the moment."

Barton said in a deep voice.

Hearing this, the Empire inspection team leader couldn't help but glance at the Black Star Army inspection team and snorted.

"It seems your publicity work is very well done."

"Thank you for the compliment. It's all thanks to the Legion Commander's leadership and strong personal charm," the Army inspection team leader said with a chuckle.

The Empire inspection team leader withdrew his gaze, lowered his head, thought for a while, then wrote a note on the review form and checked a few boxes.

...

It was not until the inspection team had visited all the Kunde Clan planets that Han Xiao received the final assessment results.

"A total of seventeen planets meet the unsealing standards. The review standards are lower than I expected."

Han Xiao curled his lips and looked through the list of unsealed planets, which included the 77th residential planet.

After thinking about it, he called out Phillip and instructed,

"Well, there's no problem. Just execute the list. Let the stationed troops on these seventeen planets guide the residents to familiarize themselves with interstellar society and issue recruitment notices. Although the Kunde Clan has been unsealed, they have nowhere to go. A large portion of them will choose to join my command...

Also, broadcast the process of unsealing these seventeen planets to the other planets to encourage them to accept the reform and regain their freedom as soon as possible."

Han Xiao issued the order, then looked through the details of the investigation process and found the conversation record between the Empire inspection team leader and Barton.

"Oh, this kid is a bit interesting."

Han Xiao raised an eyebrow, pulled up Barton's information to take a look, and then said,

"Phillip, notify the prison department on the 77th planet to release this kid and let him join the legion."

With Han Xiao's current status and level, he could no longer be easily moved by a few words. On the one hand, he felt that Barton was ambitious and not a slacker. On the other hand, he felt that Barton had potential for cultivation. After all, the Kunde Clan did not have an esper system before. Barton was one of the first to come into contact with it and became a Class C esper at a young age, so he should have good potential.

However, Han Xiao did not plan to meet him. He was just habitually picking out a good chive from the vegetable field. It was not enough to cultivate him specifically. If Barton failed to make a name for himself in the Black Star Army, Han Xiao would not remember him specifically.

A few days later, the assessment results were approved by the Empire, and the Black Star Army immediately took action to lift the blockade on these seventeen planets, freeing hundreds of billions of Kunde Clan members.

On the day of the unsealing, countless people's joyful cheers resounded through the sky. After more than twenty years of suffering, they finally saw the light of day again. Whether they were old or young, everyone was in tears at this moment.

Everyone still harbored prejudices against the Empire, but most people held deep gratitude towards the Black Star Army, not only for the Black Star Army's advance notice but also for Black Star's revenge for the Kunde Clan by severely injuring Modo and the decades of protection.

Within the Kunde Clan, the Legion's prestige was unmatched, and the relationship had definitely reached reverence.

At the same time, on the 77th residential planet, West Gaia City Prison.

Barton walked out of the prison gate. The blinding sunlight almost made him unable to open his eyes. The streets were filled with celebrating crowds, and noisy cheers came from different directions, some near and some far, frequently resounding.

The lifeless city in his memory seemed to have suddenly come to life. Barton was stunned in place for a moment, feeling as if he were in another world.

"You've been released. Let's go."

The warden spoke from behind. He had received Black Star's instructions, so he did not dare to neglect and personally escorted Barton out of prison.

"Isn't my case very serious? Why are you letting me go?" Barton turned around, shocked and puzzled.

*Do you think I want to?*

The warden slandered in his heart, but he showed a stiff smile on his face. "Don't thank me. The Legion Commander personally ordered your release. He must have taken a fancy to your abilities. Work hard and don't let the Legion Commander's good intentions go to waste."

Barton's body trembled, and an incredible emotion flashed across his face.

The news was promoting Black Star's strength every day. It would be a lie to say that he didn't admire a strong person of this level, but Barton had always suppressed his worship in his heart.

He had originally planned to sacrifice himself, but he didn't expect to be released, and it was personally ordered by the legendary Black Star. Didn't that mean Black Star knew about him?

In an instant, Barton felt a surge of heat sweeping through his body, making him dizzy, as if he were drunk. His carapace quickly turned an excited red color, like it was cooked.

"Since Black Star... no, since the Legion Commander thinks highly of me, I will definitely live up to his expectations!"

At this moment, Barton made up his mind.

He must grow up and become a legion officer to prove that Black Star was not wrong to choose him today!

He hoped that one day he would be able to stand in front of Black Star and express his gratitude in person.

...

"Your Excellency Black Star, our assessment work has been completed. We'll take our leave now."

In the Legion Commander's office in Black Star Palace, the Empire inspection team respectfully bid farewell to Han Xiao, expressing their intention to leave.

Han Xiao smiled and nodded. "Thank you for your hard work. Say hello to your superiors for me."

Everyone responded and then filed out of the room, leaving only Han Xiao alone.

Han Xiao opened the panel and glanced at the task list. The first requirement of the [Kunde Leader's Wish], "Provide protection during the Kunde Clan's cultural reform," had finally turned golden and was in the completed state.

"Only the first batch of planets have been unsealed, and there are more clansmen in the cultural reform stage, but the first batch of Kunde Clan members entering interstellar society will naturally take care of their compatriots who are still sealed off. It's not just me protecting them."

Han Xiao curled his lips. This could be considered fulfilling his original promise. He had done his best.

"I've protected you for so long, it's time for me to collect some interest."

Han Xiao let out a breath and chose to settle the task in the panel.

A series of prompts immediately poured out like a waterfall!

[S-level Task [Kunde Leader's Last Wish] Completed!]

[You have fulfilled Task Requirement 1!]

[You have gained 6 billion experience, 10,000 Kunde Clan Favorability, Random Reward x2, Political Asset (Kunde Clan) x4]

[Kunde Clan has entered the [Awakening Era], Esper Awakening Rate +10%]

[You have fulfilled Task Requirement 2!]

[You have gained 12 billion experience, 15,000 Kunde Clan Favorability, Designated Blank Character Summon Card x1]

[You have gained a new Talent [Oathsworn]!]

[You have gained a new Talent [Leader's Proof]!]

[You have gained a new Skill [Kunde's Fury]!]