ABRIWMTHM Chapter 90

The originally scheduled diplomatic meeting regarding the boundary line issues, which was supposed to last at least an hour, swiftly came to an end just over ten minutes after it started.

The strong decision to shorten the boundary line left all the alliance diplomats in a daze, their minds completely unable to process it.

After the video recording ended, the photographer gave Shi Xing an “OK” gesture. Shi Xing leaned in to exchange a few words with Chi Yao. Moments later, Chi Yao also stood up, and the Empire unilaterally announced the end of the meeting, with all officials exiting.

The chief diplomat of the alliance was reluctant to accept this, saying, “Wait, are the Empire just leaving like this?”

Chi Yao and Shi Xing paused in their steps. Chi Yao replied, “What insights does the Alliance have?”

Without waiting for the chief diplomat to respond, he pointed out the fundamental problem: “The key issue is that you are not to report this to the Alliance. Even if we were to sit down, could you… make the decisions?”

His relaxed tone subtly revealed a contempt befitting a higher power.

The chief diplomat’s face reddened.

Chi Yao was right; this was no small matter. After the meeting, they had to urgently report to the Alliance cabinet, including the prime minister and his deputies.

And on this matter, they indeed could not make any decisions.

The room fell silent.

Chi Yao smiled, though the smile did not reach his eyes. “Since you cannot, then let neither side waste the other’s time. You should quickly report to your meeting, and the Empire must also begin to inform the entire star system about this major decision.”

Wh-what? They also need to inform the whole star system?!

Feeling the Empire’s resolve, the chief diplomat was shocked and speechless.

Seeing that he no longer spoke, Chi Yao took Shi Xing’s hand and left without looking back.

Once the last official affiliated with the Empire exited, the once quiet conference hall turned into a boiling pot, erupting with noise.

“Is the Empire serious? No way, no way?”

“What does this mean? How can they… dare to…”

“That’s too overbearing; what are we supposed to do? How do we report this to the Alliance?”

Listening to the uproar around him, the chief diplomat finally felt Jane Miller’s helplessness and shouted, “Enough!”

“Shut up if you have no suggestions. Return to your residences, contact the Alliance, and report.”

Shortly after Chi Yao and Shi Xing left the conference hall, the Empire’s official website, the palace’s official internal network, and all communication devices linked to the internal network released a joint notice titled “The Empire’s Major Decision Regarding the Boundary Line.” The content was extremely brief, clearly stating the Empire’s decision to reduce the boundary line in just two lines.

Both the official website and the palace’s announcements included a video. Personal notifications lacked a video but contained two links for the public to click and view.

In the Northern Territory, therapist Yun Wu had been monitoring the star network with a projection screen all morning. When she saw the announcement, the anxiety that had hung over her for half a month suddenly settled.

Upon finishing the announcement, Yun Wu felt a complex mix of emotions, but joy and excitement quickly overwhelmed all other feelings, prompting her to happily forward the video to her family group.

With a tone that mixed nostalgia and reassurance, she commented:

【Yun Wu: In the future, our legion will have a much easier time.】

Meanwhile, the therapist Hua Li stationed in the Imperial Capital was also among the first batch of Imperial citizens to see the announcement.

Unlike Yun Wu, Hua Li only forwarded the notification to her partner, a female general from the Fifth Legion.

Moments later, her partner called, and Hua Li answered.

As they talked, she nodded, her smile gentle. “Yes, that’s great! You won’t have to be frequently pulled away as the main force of the Fifth Legion to help out on the boundary line anymore.”

Thinking of something, Hua Li’s smile widened. “I’ve been wanting to tell you—our seniors have pushed a few times, and I think it’s time to go register for samples and choose a suitable artificial womb so we can have a child.”

The Empire’s extensive boundary lines meant that to keep the soldiers guarding them from getting bored, the Empire had launched several dozen satellites, thoughtfully deployed to ensure the Imperial star network covered all stationed points along the boundary.

Thus, at the farthest end of the boundary line, therapist Wen Xi, alongside his partner Lu Li, simultaneously encountered the notification and video.

Exchanging glances, both smiled in unison.

After expressing their feelings, Wen Xi turned serious. “But the Empire will soon have a New Year, I wonder if the palace will hold any events… It’s best we return to the Imperial Capital after the New Year.”

Lu Li replied, “Lu Lu has already been sent to the desolate star to clean up the star beasts; there’s no signal there, and he won’t return for at least a month. We can reassess our plans when he comes back; by then, the focus should have shifted. This video will be overshadowed by subsequent decisions.”

Wen Xi nodded, muttering, “Let’s wait a while. After a year or two, people will forget it.”

Lu Li didn’t believe Lu Lu could forget easily, but since his partner was only expressing self-encouragement, he didn’t oppose it.

Among the therapists who were the first to be informed of this decision, they had long awaited this news. When the Imperial star network began releasing it, it initially attracted little attention. However, as the first prominent accounts began drawing attention, discussions gradually expanded. By the evening of that day, when the social media platform opened, everyone was fervently discussing the Empire’s decision.

The Empire’s population largely welcomed this decision.

While some rejoiced, in stark contrast were the alliance planets, where representatives reacted with shock, disbelief, and outrage.

That evening, disregarding the time difference, the alliance notified leaders from all planets to convene an emergency meeting.

Among the six major planets, four leaders had fallen into a state of speechlessness.

They were simply too frustrated to speak.

The prime minister of Tianyuan Star and the royal family of Galia Star attended the meeting regarding alliance diplomacy with the Empire for the first time.

The two planets were at the forefront in leading the meeting.

The prime minister spoke at length about how they could not allow the Empire to continue imposing such demands, weighing the pros and cons, yet the others remained largely unmoved.

The cabinet also participated in the meeting. Sensing an inappropriate atmosphere, a cabinet scholar spoke instead of the prime minister, asking, “Do you have nothing to say, or is it that all planets are to unconditionally comply and cooperate? Following which, the cabinet and prime minister’s office will devise plans to restrain the Empire?”

Before the medium-sized resource planets could respond, the leader of the largest resource planet, Fernan Star, immediately rejected the idea, stating, “How could this be?”

The leader of Fernan Star insisted, “If the cabinet and prime minister’s office’s solution is to tear up the contract, then Fernan Star will not participate.”

The cabinet scholar frowned. “As a core planet of the alliance, how can Fernan Star act so recklessly?”

The leader of Fernan Star scoffed, “Recklessly?”

“Did you not hear what the Empire said? Once the contract is ripped up, subsequent medical qualifications will never be opened to the betraying planets. If no one is stationed at the boundary line, we can still find a way, even if it means training an army with money. I only ask you, if one day a key leader of our planet and their family suffers from mental sea disease, how will you deal with that?”

“It is well known that only Blue Star humans possess the ability to heal the mental sea. There are many things we can give up, but medical qualifications are not one of them. Fernan Star will not gamble the health and safety of the entire planet’s leaders.”

For one of the six major planets to stand up and openly oppose was something the prime minister and the cabinet had not anticipated.

As soon as Fernan Star opened the discussion, other resource planets that had signed contracts also expressed they would not tear up the contracts.

Fernan Star put it mildly, but others were less diplomatic. “Everyone has seen the Empire’s recent hardline attitude; insisting we give up medical qualifications we have secured is indeed asking too much.”

The cabinet scholar interjected, “If we successfully apply pressure, they will naturally…”

But was immediately interrupted, “Let the alliance first succeed once. Since the beginning of diplomatic negotiations, I’ve wanted to know, when has there ever been a successful application of pressure?”

“There are no specific cases; are you handing me a blank check?!”

After such remarks, the resource planets echoed in agreement, and the faces of the cabinet scholars turned dark.

The resource planets were unafraid. “If the alliance possesses the ability, do not use us as pawns. I have no desire to know how you will manage it. My stance is firm: tearing up the contract is impossible, especially since the contract was signed under our planet’s name; it is even more impossible.”

The cabinet scholar responded, “You…”

The leader of the resource planet added, “Oh, by the way, with Tianyuan Star’s military might, I fear there’s still an account left unsettled. Let me tell you directly, based on our financial department’s estimates, the stones and ore already received by the Empire are sufficient for them to sustain two years of military operations even after shrinking the boundary line.”

The cabinet scholar was momentarily speechless.

What? After only a month of opening up medical resources, the receipt of stones and ores has reached such a huge quantity?

Realizing that tearing up the contract wouldn’t affect the Empire in the short term, the cabinet scholars hurriedly looked toward Fernan Star, as the largest resource planet must have calculated this as well.

The leader of Fernan Star confirmed, “That’s correct.”

“Be more specific: two years and three months.”

“If a conflict occurs between the alliance and the Empire, unfortunate enough to reach the brink of war, that would support the Empire for a year’s military expenses. And…”

“And what?” The cabinet scholars asked in confusion.

The leader of Fernan Star sighed longingly, trying to remain calm. “With that time, the Empire could conquer several peripheral resource planets.”

In other words, by conquering one, they would replenish stones and ores, making a year just a conceptual timeframe; the current amount of stones already lays a solid foundation for the Empire’s victory.

After hearing this, the cabinet and the prime minister’s office finally fell silent.

The meeting ended on a sour note.

However, the alliance couldn’t just accept defeat.

Among the six major planets, four didn’t continue participating in core discussions, but Tianyuan Star and Galia Star, both possessing strong military capabilities, were not willing to give up so easily.

Days later, diplomatic negotiations resumed.

Just as the alliance prepared a series of sanction notifications to intimidate the Empire, the alliance diplomats unexpectedly faced another surprise—

The Empire reviewed it and directly issued a declaration of war.

At that moment, the diplomats were all stunned.

They directly skipped over severing diplomatic ties—what kind of operation was this?!

The Empire truly intended to make things difficult for them, right?!!

In fact, that was indeed the case. They were sent back to their residences by the military.

After sending them back, the military did not leave but surrounded the residences of the alliance diplomats completely. That night, the chief diplomat was so infuriated that an old ailment recurred, requiring hospitalization and IV treatment.

Later, the Empire announced a series of alarming troop withdrawal notifications on its official website—dismissing troops stationed along the boundary line and ordering them back to the Empire to await commands.

What was the purpose of sending so many troops back to the Empire?

Were they really going to war?!

But the Twin Star Galaxy has never experienced widespread internal warfare; the Empire was accustomed to battles against star beasts each year, but the alliance wasn’t; the people raised in the alliance had become accustomed to peace—how could they, how could they possibly go to war?!!

As the military presence surrounding the diplomatic mansion grew, and the sky filled with increasingly dense warships, the atmosphere of conflict thickened on Imperial soil.

With the alliance feeling helpless, the four resource planets that had remained silent finally realized the situation could not continue to develop as it was.

The leader of Fernan Star engaged in friendly communications with the Imperial Palace.

Later, in a collective vote, the alliance prime minister faced an unprecedented joint dismissal by the planets of the alliance.

Subsequently, the alliance dispatched a new team of diplomats to visit the Empire.

The atmosphere was tense, ready to ignite at any moment.

In the final meeting discussion, a diplomat couldn’t help but ask, “If the Empire retracts the boundary line, who will guard the remaining boundary line?”

Chi Yao provided a cold response. “The original stationed points were set up based on calculations of the densest star beast invasions during massive beast tides. Now that time has passed, some points no longer require as many stationed troops; the alliance can completely withdraw their military from them and redistribute those forces to other guarding points.”

“Of course, this is just a suggestion. The alliance’s actions are beyond the Empire’s control and authority.”

“Your planets and your star domains—are you expecting the Empire to take responsibility for the extra boundary lines?”

The diplomat fell silent.

But no one dared to utter further words that might provoke Chi Yao.

After all, there were at least ten SS-ranked military officers and five SSS-ranked military officers surrounding the meeting; they valued their own lives.

After that day’s meeting concluded, Chi Yao and Shi Xing returned to the palace together, feeling the increasingly cold air of the Imperial Capital. Shi Xing breathed out a white mist as he said, “There’s still a month until the New Year.”

“I really hope this matter wraps up soon, so we can properly celebrate.”

After a moment of thought, he added, “And let’s not go to war.”

Chi Yao wrapped his arm around Shi Xing, using his mental power to dispel the gusts of wind. “We won’t go to war. The alliance has grown used to peace; they don’t have the guts.”

Shi Xing felt a bit cold and leaned closer to Chi Yao. “Let’s hope so.”

Chi Yao didn’t want to dwell on such dispiriting topics and instead asked Shi Xing, “How do you want to spend the New Year? Do you have any plans?”

Shi Xing laughed, asking, “Do you have a vacation?”

Chi Yao replied, “Once this matter is over, I plan to take a break for a while.”

Shi Xing knew about this, as Er Ya had issued a firm order.

Due to the heavy workload, Chi Yao’s period of chaos within his mental sea had been particularly strange this time; it always seemed to recur just when the good times were approaching. While the issue was not severe, it had been troubling his doctor.

After several consultations, Er Ya concluded that Chi Yao was too fatigued and needed rest.

However, the current situation in the Empire…

Chi Yao really couldn’t afford to rest.

With a declaration of war issued, the entire Empire was in a highly tense state.

Shi Xing didn’t want to continue discussing gloomy matters and instead changed the topic. “Is it usually snowy in the Imperial Capital?”

Chi Yao, knowing Shi Xing loved snow, smiled intentionally. “Do you hope it snows a lot or…?”

The confrontation between the Empire and the alliance lasted nearly ten days, and neither side had it easy.

Daily, countless covert struggles were happening, unfolding, and then addressed.

But as Chi Yao said, the alliance had become accustomed to peace.

Before the New Year, under the Empire’s high-pressure diplomatic stance, the alliance ultimately retreated.

This retreat signified the alliance’s complete failure in this round of diplomatic negotiations.

But they had no choice but to pull back.

For medical resources or for peace, the alliance lacked the Empire’s determination for a final showdown. After a few points within crumbled, the entire alliance became disorganized like a pile of loose sand.

On the day the revised boundary agreement was signed, after Chi Yao put his name down and stamped it, Shi Xing, as his partner, signed his name for the first time on an important document.

After signing, neither side wished to communicate further. Surrounded by the Empire’s officials, the diplomats were as if pursued by someone, lingering only a moment longer before immediately departing for the alliance.

Shi Xing and Chi Yao sent them off in the name of the Imperial family, watching the ships leave under the “protection” of the Empire’s warships. Shi Xing felt he would not see the alliance diplomats again for a long time.

That day, Shi Xing fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, with no dreams throughout the night.

The next morning, he woke and opened the window to see a world blanketed in white, exclaiming, “Your Highness, it’s snowing in the Imperial Capital?!”

Chi Yao yawned, walked to Shi Xing’s side to look outside, confirming, “Yes, it’s snowing.”

Shi Xing was delighted, leaning out the window, while Chi Yao worried he might fall and held his waist, urging him to be careful.

In the stillness of their contact, Shi Xing noticed something and his eyes widened. “Your Highness, is your chaotic period finally over? I don’t feel any fluctuations!”

Shi Xing had become quite skilled at entering Chi Yao’s mental sea through the contract.

Chi Yao sensed for a moment and then realized that his chaotic period seemed to have genuinely passed.

Gaining confirmation, Shi Xing smiled with his eyes crescent-shaped. “That’s great~”

“I can continue treating your mental sea now, Your Highness.”

Looking at Shi Xing’s brilliant smile, Chi Yao pressed lightly on Shi Xing’s eye area, his throat bobbing momentarily, nodding, “Mm.”

With his long arms wrapped around Shi Xing, he tilted his head to kiss the edge of his brow.

Chi Yao intentionally moved close to Shi Xing’s ear, mimicking his tone, “That’s great~”

“I can teach you a bit of new knowledge now.”

Chi Yao’s enunciation was unclear, and Shi Xing didn’t quite catch it the first time. “Huh? What knowledge? Is it about out-of-door combat?”

Thinking about needing the mental sea to be fine before teaching that, Shi Xing’s first reaction was to think of training.

Their gazes entwined for a moment, and Chi Yao leaned down, his breath brushing against Shi Xing’s ear as he whispered, “In bed.”

Shi Xing was taken aback for a moment before realizing.

It wasn’t knowledge; it was a position.