About half an hour later.

Yang Ming suddenly felt a pang of unease.

He abruptly stood up from his seat, frowning as he looked towards the door.

He heard a strange heartbeat, felt an indescribable longing, as if he wanted to tear through the alloy wall and rush out.

Ancient God Cells!

Yes, it's them.

Only they could make Yang Ming feel such a strong impulse.

Daphne observed carefully, without showing any sign of emotion.

A knock sounded on the door, and Yang Ming strode quickly to it, pulling open the thick, explosion-proof door and glaring at the maid outside.

The maid was obviously startled, instinctively offering the silver-white box in her hands, which Yang Ming grabbed and held tightly against his chest.

He knew that his actions were somewhat exaggerated and immature, but the desire in his heart was irresistible.

'Got it, now get out of here.'

The thought surfaced in Yang Ming's mind.

But reason remained, his rationality not lost, and he consciously began to adjust his breathing, letting himself adapt to the presence of the cell cluster, the image of Po Suo constantly surfacing in his mind.

Can't be hasty, must not be hasty.

He needed to remain calm; this could be a trap, and if he fled now, all his previous efforts would be in vain.

No matter how much his abilities improved, what would it matter?

The light of the Dreadnought Main Gun flashed in Yang Ming's mind.

He continued to pant heavily.

After about three to five minutes, Yang Ming held the box in his hand, gently stroking the edges like he was caressing a lover's skin.

"So wonderful, this is the feeling."

Daphne smiled, "You're a bit out of sorts."

"So what if I am?"

Yang Ming smirked slightly and walked back into the shielded room, prompting the maid to quickly close the explosion-proof door.

Holding the box, Yang Ming turned to gaze at Daphne, whispering, "Your great-uncle asked you to observe me, right?"

A faintly unusual expression appeared on Daphne's face.

Yang Ming laughed, "He gave this to me so readily, just to see if I could use it, right?"

"Yes."

"I think I'm getting a sense of your ways," Yang Ming chuckled, opening the box and seeing the familiar hourglass shape inside.

Antimatter Bomb.

This seems to be a standard match with the Ancient God Cells.

Yang Ming exhaled, closing the box and slowly placing it beside Daphne's leg.

"I need a genetic separation device," Yang Ming said, "Please have Director Eno make a set, just like the one Professor Kigrov once made, installed on my Saka Star; after the war, I will head to Saka Star for surgery."

"Alright."

Daphne smiled, "You do know how to make demands."

"It's what I deserve," Yang Ming smiled, "Collaborating with the Sherman family isn't bad."

Daphne asked, "And our matter, when do you plan to proceed?"

"Are you in need?"

Daphne paused, then looked aside, "I'm fine with whenever."

"Then wait a bit longer," Yang Ming rubbed his eyes, "Catherine and I haven't broken up yet."

"Captain Catherine is a good woman," Daphne suddenly said, "Why not let me negotiate with her."

"Stay away from her," Yang Ming stared at Daphne, "Your interest in Catherine seems greater than your interest in me."

"Is that so?" Daphne chuckled, "We are supposed to become a couple, dear."

Yang Ming smirked, "I still end up selling myself. I'm off; the Military Department is holding intensive meetings, it's a good opportunity to make a mark with the generals."

Daphne stood up to see him out, clasping her hands as she bowed slightly to Yang Ming when he opened the door.

"Wish you success in your work."

Yang Ming:...

Luckily she didn't say 'Yang-san,' otherwise he'd really have been thrown off his game.

Honestly, do the men of the Empire always hold such high positions in family life? Don't they ever have to hand over their paychecks after marriage?

...

On the way back to the flagship, Yang Ming seized the opportunity while riding the shuttle transport to send several text messages to Lyu.

The Foreign Affairs Bureau is still pushing forward with previous plans;

The arrogant Sherman family is experimenting with the Emperor Guard System 2.0;

The Empire will levy high military fees from the vassal states.

Lyu also sent several pieces of information, all about the Foreign Affairs Bureau.

Although they had managed to delay the Foreign Affairs Bureau's plan to crush the Wind for a time, it seems the plan is still running, the environment for Wind relaxed slightly, only to tense up again.

This seems never-ending.

Moreover, Lyu has made some unfavorable predictions.

The Empire is currently at a disadvantage on the front lines, which gives Wind an opportunity, as well as creates new challenges for Wind.

The Wind Alliance has expanded twice, opening a direct route with the Nonar United Kingdom. Now, the Wind Alliance has nine states, with Wind as the absolute center internally, and the various states watching over and assisting each other externally. Next is the partition of the Nonar United Kingdom, and the military upgrade of the Wind Alliance's member states.

Time, all this needs time.

Lyu calculated that, even with support from mechanical civilization, achieving the set goals will still take two to three years.

Wind must endure the Empire's suppression for two to three years.

[Lyu, prepare for both scenarios, if anything goes wrong with Wind, let Dark Star operate independently in undeveloped areas.]

[Understood.]

Yang Ming sighed lightly.

In the dim cabin, his expression was slightly shifting.

[Boss, latest news, the Foreign Affairs Bureau will soon summon all emperors and kings of the vassal states to the Emperor Star Circle for a fundraising ceremony, to raise military funds for the Empire.]

Yang Ming instinctively frowned.

[Lyu, make sure Edwan doesn't go, don't forget the lesson from Edwan's father. Have him take a sick leave or something, and pay what needs to be paid, cooperate with everything else.]

[Understood.]

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