Chapter 17
After discussing the more flexible aspects of the broadcast, Xia Anran stood up and began to introduce the small courtyard to her audience.
“Let me show you all our new streaming location,” she said, cheerfully taking the phone from the cameraman like a little sparrow. She switched to the rear camera and started to wander around the yard.
Given their current lack of understanding of the interstellar era, the leaders had tasked Xia Anran with simply being casual during her streams and going at her own pace.
The courtyard was paved with bluestone slabs, still damp from being watered just moments before. The flowerbeds along the wall had been specially tended to and were blooming with lush, vibrant colors.
“These are morning glories. They can grow all over walls and windows, creating a beautiful display!” Xia Anran brought the camera close enough to see the dewy stamens of the flowers.
….
United Star System, 115th Squadron
The 115th Squadron, with over 300 members on record, was divided into more than a dozen small teams. Ever since their first experience with the fruit, they had made it a habit to gather and actively watch Xia Anran’s livestreams.
The deputy commander, Leng Ying, was a tall, cool-faced beauty. With her hair in a high ponytail, she sat on the sofa, chin propped on her hand, watching the screen.
Xia Anran’s appearance was soft and sweet; she looked like a well-behaved, gentle girl. It made Leng Ying think of her own fair-skinned, tender little sister, who had loved to act spoiled since she was young. Come to think of it, her sister should be about the same age as Xia Anran now. She wondered what she looked like these days.
“These flowers seem to have an effect on psychic power too!”
Leng Ying’s thoughts were interrupted by the exclamation of a comrade beside her. The first to discover that the flowers also had an effect was the member of the 115th Squadron most sensitive to Earth’s fruit. During the previous experiments, he had been the first to sense the change in his psychic power.
At his words, everyone immediately began to focus and sense it for themselves. Soon, they all felt a slight vibration in their psychic power. Although the effect was much smaller compared to the fruit, it definitely had an impact!
Flowers had appeared in the last stream, but the camera hadn’t lingered on them for long, so the 115th Squadron hadn’t felt any fluctuation in their psychic power. This time, the close-up and extended shot finally allowed them to discover that flowers, too, had an effect.
The Interstellar Empire, having already discovered this phenomenon during the last broadcast, had long since begun recording the names of various flowers and comparing their effects.
“Director, according to the psychic power monitoring results, flowers have a stronger healing effect on psychic power than ordinary green plants, but still not as effective as fruit,” the records officer reported the monitoring results in a deadpan voice. “At the same time, the effect of morning glories is weaker than that of China roses and flowering crabapples.”
Hukeni reviewed the experiment report, asking without looking up, “Does the processed recording of the livestream have the same effect?”
Ever since they discovered that the various plants and fruits in Xia Anran’s stream could enhance and heal psychic power just by being watched, without being consumed, both the Interstellar Empire and the United Star System had independently come up with the same idea.
If the image alone had this effect, couldn’t they just re-watch the recording?
Unfortunately, the plants in the re-recorded broadcast lost this effect.
Hukeni had pondered this for days and believed it might be an issue of “life force.” The plants in the recording were just simple electronic components, devoid of life. Thus, a major project at the Imperial Academy recently was to use special techniques to try and restore the “life force” of the video.
The records officer shook his head. “Director Hukeni, I regret to report that the experiment has not yet made any progress.”
It was to be expected. Hukeni nodded and dismissed the officer, continuing to watch the stream himself.
“By the way, have you contacted His Majesty?” Director Hukeni suddenly remembered something and quickly called back the officer who was just about to leave.
“One moment, sir.” The officer checked the to-do list displayed on his smart bracelet. “His Majesty the Emperor notified us this morning that he has an important meeting that may last until the evening. If there are any important matters, please contact the members of the State Council.” He then pulled up the notice that had just been issued by the Royal Guard.
Hukeni opened his own photon-computer and saw that a new message had indeed been posted. All he could do now was hope the meeting would end quickly. The amount of information in Xia Anran’s stream today was immense; he had to discuss it with Phileas.
….
At that moment, as news of the Interstellar Empire’s advance on the Beastman race reached the Beastman home planet, the Beastman Emperor, Jeqi, was so angry he nearly ground his back teeth to dust. He immediately placed a direct call to Phileas.
“You black-hearted bastard, what is the meaning of this?!”
The moment Phileas answered, Jeqi’s long red hair was already standing on end with rage. The fluorescent white horns on his forehead looked like they were about to pierce through the StarNet and poke him in the face. Before Phileas could even speak, Jeqi began to rant.
“We had a deal! I send my troops first, then you cut off the United Star System’s energy supply! After we win, the United Star System is split three-seven, with you getting the three! What are you doing now? Playing both sides and backstabbing me, is that it?!”
“You unlucky bastard! You just wait, I’m turning my army around right now to tear down your palace!”
Phileas rubbed his ear and said calmly, “Calm down, Jeqi. Didn’t I tell you before that a livestream connecting to Earth from ten thousand years ago has appeared in the United Star System?”
“What the hell does that have to do with me?!”
Jeqi furiously ran a hand through his hair. His cooperation with the Interstellar Empire was top secret. Within the Beastman race, besides himself, only his two closest adjutants knew. He hadn’t even told this operation’s commander, Xuan Mo. Nine out of ten Beastmen had short fuses that ignited at the slightest provocation. The Interstellar Empire had zero goodwill among them; they were basically rats in the sewer that everyone wanted to beat. If everyone found out he was cooperating with the Interstellar Empire, the old men in the council would have a fit. He had risked universal condemnation to make a deal with this black-hearted snake, only to have him kick the Beastman race at the last second!
“I told you last time that this livestream wasn’t simple. If they have something that can enhance psychic power, who’s to say they don’t have something that can enhance Horn Power? Attacking the United Star System now would be a loss. My suggestion is that we observe for a while longer,” Phileas coaxed. This big brute was simple-minded, all brawn and no brain, and quick to anger. Handling him was a piece of cake.
Jeqi’s anger indeed subsided a little. He asked doubtfully, “Are you telling the truth? You’re not just saying this because you want to cooperate with the United Star System to deal with me because of Earth’s specialty products, are you?”
He’s actually gotten a little smarter than before.
Phileas’s face remained as elegant and pleasant as a spring breeze. “Of course not. We are already researching how to produce the fruit and are actively trying to establish contact with the host. Once the situation stabilizes, we can discuss attacking the United Star System again.”
“The people of the United Star System have no psychic power and there’s a huge technological gap between us. They shouldn’t be sharing this star system with us in the first place. Not to mention, the United Star System people are an alien species. The Interstellar Empire and the Beastman race are the true masters of this system.”
The red glow in Jeqi’s hair dimmed a little. He was clearly somewhat appeased.
Phileas pressed on, his tone sincere, his attitude earnest. “When I heard you had still sent out your troops, I figured it was too late to stop you. I thought it would be better for me to first feign friendship with the United Star System, mediate between our three parties, get them to accept a truce, and make them concede to allow the Beastman race to access their network and watch the stream together.”
Phileas’s meaning was simple: Let’s not get wiped out together, brother. Since the United Star System now held the ultimate weapon of the livestream, they should first sneakily get what they needed and then eliminate the United Star System.
Jeqi’s red hair grew even darker. He rubbed his nose, his eyes starting to shift.
The moment Phileas saw his guilty expression, he knew he had him. He immediately switched to a dejected mode. “Alright, that’s it then. I’ve said my piece. Do as you please.” He then made eight fake moves in one second, pretending to hang up the call.
“Wait, brother!” This time it was Jeqi’s turn to panic. He quickly said, “This is all a misunderstanding. I get it now. I was too hasty and misunderstood you. Don’t be angry. We can still continue to cooperate.”
Jeqi scratched his head. “Then let’s do as you say. We’ll check out that livestream first.”
“I knew you would call, so I even changed into my most formal attire. Sigh. Don’t worry, I’ll connect to the United Star System’s communication line later and get this done.”
Phileas was a natural liar, leaving Jeqi completely bamboozled. Hearing this, he felt even more guilty. It made him look like he didn’t trust his brother. He was a terrible person!
“I also understand that you are under immense pressure. Choosing to cooperate with the Interstellar Empire makes you arguably the most visionary leader in the history of the Beastman race. To be able to set aside prejudice and put the Beastman race first… I personally have great admiration for that.”
After playing the victim, Phileas then flattered Jeqi, successfully placating him.
That’s right! I am wholeheartedly dedicated to my country, making compromises for the greater good! If his cooperation with the Interstellar Empire was exposed, it was entirely possible he would be overthrown. But for the development of the Beastman race, he had to strategically cooperate with the Interstellar Empire to take out the United Star System first.
Yes, I am indeed the most visionary emperor in the history of the Beastman race!
After hanging up, just as Jeqi was about to issue the command for Xuan Mo to continue holding their position, he turned around and saw the Beastman princess—his beautiful sister, whose temper was even more explosive than his—standing there with her hands on her hips, watching him.
“…Sis, when did you get here?”
“Around the time you were calling him ‘brother’,” Ruoya said with a cold smile. “I didn’t know Mother gave us another brother.”
Jeqi: “…”
My foolish little brother.
Ruoya delivered a blow that sent Jeqi scrambling around the room. The horns on her forehead began to glow faintly. After chasing her stupid brother for a while without catching him, she stopped, hands on her hips, and issued an ultimatum to the dodging Jeqi. “Stop running. Come here. I promise I won’t hit you.”
“You can’t yell at me either!”
Ruoya: “…Then you might as well keep running. When I catch you, you’ll get a beating and a scolding.”
Jeqi peeked out from behind a pillar. He couldn’t help it; his sister had a bloodline suppression over him. He had been afraid of her since they were children.
Ruoya was also tired of chasing. She plopped down unceremoniously on Jeqi’s throne and beckoned with her finger. “Explain everything to me. Clearly.”