Starting from the Planetary Governor

After deciding to fish Galaraldo out, Gu Hang had been preparing for today.

Taking advantage of the inauguration ceremony of Ivan Fatches, he arrived at Korolya III.

Then, during a conversation with the president of the Tianma Star Sector Psychic Association, Wang Yuyang, he subtly guided the conversation, which led his counterpart to invite him to use one of the Association's divination devices.

The thing was nothing magical, just an apparatus that enhanced psionic perception. They had brought this divination instrument over from Flying Wing Star to search for traces of Galaraldo and used it many times. Zhang Guang'en, the chief archmage of Dragonhawk Star Domain and also an A-rank psychic, had personally operated it without perceiving anything.

Originally, no one held out much hope anymore, but since Galaraldo had not been declared dead, the search efforts had to continue, albeit perfunctorily, even knowing there was no hope.

But on this day, the situation was different.

While using the device, Gu Hang indeed 'perceived' through the expanded psionic senses that there were abnormal subspace fluctuations within Fino City.

Wang Yuyang immediately tried it as well.

He was only a C-rank psychic, but even he could feel this new disturbance.

Yet he still did not realize how serious the situation was.

Korolya III was a world under the invasion of Plague Demons, a conflict that had been raging for two years. Fino City, the hardest-hit occupied area, experiencing a subspace rift with demons pouring out—wasn't that normal?

But Gu Hang indicated that this fluctuation was highly abnormal.

So what should be done?

Wang Yuyang hadn't really felt anything special but didn't dare to say so.

You are an A-rank psychic, what you say goes.

He could only agree, to avoid appearing incompetent.

Following that, Gu Hang took action.

It was not that everyone was willing to make a big fuss over a piece of not-so-reliable information.

But Gu Hang did not need anyone else's help; he had the power to do this on his own.

The Rage Bear Legion always maintained an army of one hundred thousand in Fino City. Moreover, for this visit to Rage Owl Star, he had brought some elites from the Tenth Brigade.

With the Rage Bear Star Realm Army leading the way and the elite soldiers from the Tenth Brigade infiltrating solo, Gu Hang personally joined the operation.

And so, Galaraldo was retrieved.

After being rescued and before the news went out, Galaraldo had a deep conversation with Gu Hang, which lasted for quite some time.

For Gu Hang, the main goal was to confirm Galaraldo's attitude during the conversation to see if the 'max favorability' mental manipulation seed that had been planted earlier was effective.

Throughout the conversation, the situation was very optimistic; the effect was quite good.

Galaraldo was very enthusiastic in his attitude towards him.

And it was not just enthusiasm, nor was it just the attitude towards a savior.

Given Galaraldo's personality, being distant and ungrateful, under normal circumstances, how could he feel such deep emotion for his savior?

Gratitude would still be given, but it would be just that, what more could there be?

But now, Galaraldo's emotions were clearly more than that.

In his words, there was closeness and trust; he saw Gu Hang as one of his own...

This was different.

In their conversation, Gu Hang's face always wore a smile. He was quite satisfied with the progress he had made in the art of thought manipulation. Although conditions didn't allow for a major surgery or comprehensive thought manipulation, a seemingly insignificant "minimally invasive implantation" surgery, coupled with some actions in the real world that aligned with Galaraldo's consciousness concepts, yielded pretty good results.

Indeed, Gu Hang couldn't make Galaraldo see him as his master—not that it was impossible, but it was too conspicuous and likely to be discovered during the Tribunal's scrutiny.

But Gu Hang could make Galaraldo regard him as his most important friend.

Moreover, the backdoor left in his spirit will allowed Gu Hang to directly take over Galaraldo's thinking when necessary.

Of course, that was the last resort, to be used only when he had to abandon this pawn because the traces would be too significant.

Gu Hang didn't intend to use this move too eagerly.

He still hoped that the 'good friend' who had left the Tianma Star Sector could bring him some benefits in the political arena of the Empire.

If it were successful, having "a man in the central government" would be of great help to Gu Hang as he sought to strengthen his own power locally.

"I hope you, my boy, don't let down my 'hard work'. Just don't get yourself killed in some mysterious political upheaval as soon as you enter the political arena..."

...

"My departure this time will be very dangerous," Galaraldo said to Gu Hang with a somber expression.

For him, this conversation felt more like he was entrusting his last words to a good friend before leaving.

He hesitated for a moment but still decided to inform Gu Hang of a piece of news:

"Don't harbor any extra hopes—I can tell you now, for certain, that His Highness, the Sun Lord... is already dead... No, don't be surprised, don't find it unbelievable, this is a fact. Otherwise, there is no other possibility that would cause the Divine Power bestowed upon me to fade away."

"The Solaria Domain must already be in chaos by now, and the Central Government of Holy Terra must also be replete with undercurrents at this very moment."

"I am in danger now, so I need to leave the Tianma Star Sector immediately. Every minute counts."

"To Solaria? No, I'm not going there. I'm not like my other 'brothers'. Unlike them, who command their own troops, fleets, and territories, my advantage lies within the Empire, in connecting distant expeditions with various localities and the Central Government."

"Over the years, I've made many enemies, and this is a source of danger; but don't think that I only engage in dirty dealings. If I only made enemies and didn't make friends, how could I have always secured enough resources for the Sun expedition?"

"Even on Holy Terra, I have a certain influence."

"I need a ship to leave secretly... No no no, I don't need protection. If I am to die, then even naval protection would be meaningless. But as long as I live, even if I'm alone, I will be able to rise again."

"I have traveled through countless territories of the Empire, set foot on thousands of planets, yet it's the first time I've met a friend with whom I share such a mutual understanding. Believe me, nobody wants to talk to you more than I do."

"I must say goodbye to you now, my friend. I must honestly say that we may not meet again for a short while, but I know your contact details, and I will reach out to you the moment the timing is right."

"If I'm not dead, if I can continue to fight for a place, I promise, I will provide all the help I can. And what you need to do is grow, grow, and grow more. A powerful Rage Owl Star, or even a powerful you, will be the greatest assistance to me!"

"I trust you completely, just as you did your utmost to save me."

Galaraldo spoke with such sincerity.

Gu Hang was 'deeply moved'.

"Of course, I'm going to give you a gift now. I know you have ambitions; I knew it from the first day I met you. You want Heijian Star, or even the entire Tianma Star Sector, right? Don't be too quick to deny or admit it, it doesn't matter. Right now, I don't have the power to give you a planet, let alone a star sector. But I can still help you in some ways."

"While the news of the Sun Lord's death has not yet spread, while the distant Sun expedition has not been officially ordered to end, while I, this war apostle, still have a little time window to do some things."

"That so-called 'alliance' of yours is a pretty good idea. Just wait, and soon, the name 'alliance' will become a legally registered organization in the official records of the Empire, allowing multiple worlds and star systems to freely join or leave. I think this will be of great help to you in uniting the rule of Heijian Star, and it will also assist you with certain things you want to do in the future."

"Good luck, my friend." Discover stories at My Virtual Library Empire