Him and their stars.

Chapter 2230 We're all mistresses, you can't favor one over the other.
“Actually, I think I’m quite pure myself.” Yu Lian looked at the flowerbeds in the domed garden in front of him and said with a lot of pride, “I’m a boring but pure pragmatist. I’m not that firm in any particular ideas or ideologies, but I just value results. I can’t help it, my culture and all the education I’ve received have told me that I must pay attention to performance.”

“As a capitalist who should be hanging on the antenna tower of Sky Tower to dry in the wind, he also likes to discuss performance,” Yani laughed. “So, my dear, tell me, the operation to seize the Emperor’s Scepter was almost a success. But, in terms of performance, will this scepter belong to you?”

Hmph, those mere capitalists are stirring up trouble among the working people again.

Although Yu Lian really wanted to say that, he had to admit that it was indeed a problem.

"I am indeed very curious about their next move. Chester Rozes will probably want to send this Emperor's Scepter to the New Divine Land as your anchor. However, Mr. Babaru and Ash Stern may have different ideas. What exactly does a strategic weapon powerful enough to deter the Empire and the Alliance mean for the Primal Star, which is struggling to survive in the Femo Nebula?"

“It means a path to disaster,” Yu Lian said. “This is a rebellion that is not even a political entity yet. In the eyes of most countries, it is a terrorist organization. When they have strategic weapons, the Empire and the Alliance will definitely put aside all disputes and use even stronger force to suppress them than when they suppressed the Serpent.”

Yani looked at Yu Lian with a half-smile: "You're right. But do your followers really have such a rational vision? The seeds of disagreement were sown before the operation even began. They simply put aside their differences and acted first. If you go and see for yourself now, you might be able to persuade them to make a rational choice."

Yu Lian remained silent for a moment, his gaze seemingly piercing through the galaxy, witnessing the colossus that had already sailed away. A hint of relief appeared in his eyes, as if he had already seen everything that had happened inside the colossus's cabin.

“As I said, going there now would just be seizing the honors that my comrades deserve. At my level, I don’t need this operation to embellish my achievements anymore,” Yu Lian said solemnly. “Besides, they will certainly make a rational decision.”

Princess Rainbow Rose raised an eyebrow, her expression slightly mocking.

"Besides, I certainly trust Babaru to get things done."

“If we’re talking about loyalty, he might be the least loyal of your followers.” His sapphire blue eyes held a probing gaze.

"That's why I'm relieved. He's not loyal, but he's pure enough. He's certainly far from being a strategist, but because he's selfless, he'll definitely be able to reflect on himself." Yu Lian pondered for a moment, then added, "Besides, Brother Krell survived after all. In this operation, his position was actually the most detached, which allowed him to act as an objective lubricant. His existence is important to everyone... Ah, thinking about it this way, isn't making this a truly dynamic situation, like assuring the spirit of the universe?"

Yani blinked, then chuckled, "Yu Lian, if you're not a true saint, you're the most cunning hypocrite in history."

Yu Lian nodded: "Yes, I might be the type whose acting skills are so good that I can even fool myself. So you know, when Fei Fei went to become a director, I really wanted to transition into becoming a powerful actor."

"So, it doesn't really matter who gets the Emperor's Staff, right?"

"It's not important anymore, but it's important that it doesn't belong to the Empire. Furthermore, the terrifying strategic deterrence that could destroy the universe cannot be controlled solely by the Empire and the Alliance, and that's even more important."

Yani seemed to understand something, her eyes filled with scrutiny: "With the current technological capabilities of New Shenzhou, is it possible to build a colossus?"

"At least it can be tested in the laboratory. I also have the most detailed blueprints, we have excellent physical experimental conditions, and we have never lacked the ability to calculate and simulate. There are certainly many technical difficulties, but they are not insurmountable."

"Excellent physical conditions? That massive iron mass with a strong magnetic field in the Tian Shu star system?"

"The spirit of the universe does love me after all," Yu Lian said proudly.

"Computational and simulation capabilities? Does this refer to the biological computing network of the space slug, or the terminal of that Enlightener warship?"

“The enlightened ones will love me even more,” Yu Lian said with even greater pride.

"But laboratory simulation is one thing, building it is another. The keel of the first Dreadnought of New Shenzhou hasn't even been laid yet."

“Weapons are ultimately just tools. They are laying the backbone of the fearless, which is more important than the fearlessness itself, even more important than the colossi,” Yu Lian said.

Through the porthole, the colossus, along with its haulage fleet, finally disappeared completely into the magnificent vortex of the gravity well. But the Imperial patrol fleet lingered. A thrilling raid and evacuation seemed to have come to an end.

They succeeded.

Ya Ni walked to Yu Lian's side and stood beside him, gazing at the starry sky that had returned to tranquility.

"I hope they won't let you down."

"Don't give me that, you know they won't let me down."

She shook her head slightly and calmly replied, "You know me. There aren't that many perfect plans, only advance arrangements. I can see countless possibilities for the future, and I also have almost countless resources to waste, so I can fill the board with spare pieces."

"Yes. That's why I firmly believe that you have anticipated every development and made thorough preparations. That's why I can freely envision the future! Yani, I don't know what I would do without you."

"You, you, you must have said these kinds of things to the orange cat, right? And to Feifei too, right? And I bet you were much more sincere than I was. Do you think I'm only sixteen and can be fooled so easily?" Yamida glared at Yu Lian, her words full of resentment, but a faint blush inexplicably appeared on her fair cheeks.
"Seriously... is that how you're going to talk to me? Tsk, why not just be a decent person and instead turn yourself into a ghost?"

"Apologize to His Majesty the Emperor! This is called a spiritual spirit, it's so high-class, you know? Crossing the starry sky in this state is time-saving, labor-saving, low-carbon and environmentally friendly."

Despite saying that, he still dispelled his spirit form.

The illusory outline of the spirit, like the reflection of a stone thrown into water, seemed to tremble for a moment before settling back down. The sedimentation space seemed to emit a barely audible hum, as the pure informational state transformed into a solid, material presence.

However, at the moment of the transformation between spirituality and physicality, his body did indeed experience an uncontrollable pause.

In a battle between high-level psychics, this could be fatal. He needed to think this through more carefully in the future. Yu Lian told himself.

But at that moment, he saw Yani move. Her movements were swift and decisive, as if she were preparing for battle.

A fleeting hint of triumph, as if a scheme had succeeded, flashed quickly in those sapphire blue eyes that seemed to see through everything.
She didn't miss the momentary pause in the other person's eyes, cupped Yu Lian's cheeks in her hands, and pressed her warm lips to his.

This was certainly not a friendly greeting, nor a tender, fleeting touch. It was a deep kiss, brimming with fiery passion and undeniable invasiveness.

She seemed to be using this to confirm Bi Yulian's existence.

Yu Lian said he really didn't expect to be attacked so rudely, but when they were right next to each other, he felt it would be impolite to push the other away.

In his brief moment of confusion, he heard Little Gray's cold laughter: "Oh, so you've never been one color before!"

Yu Lian decided to stop listening. The initial shock was like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, rippling out a few times before settling into his eyes. He decided to choose deep focus, to choose resonance of the soul.

Time seemed to stretch out, yet it also felt like only a moment had passed.

When Yani finally stepped back slightly and loosened her embrace, both of them were breathing heavily. The cold starlight from the porthole shone in, casting interplay of light and shadow on their faces, which were so close together.

Princess Rainbow Rose raised her hand and gently touched her lower lip with her fingertips, the movement slow and deliberate. She looked up at Yu Lian, her sapphire blue eyes shimmering with a strange light: "What kind of expression is that? It's as if I raped you."

"Yes, you did indeed launch a sneak attack without any martial virtue."

"But didn't we agree that you owe me one?" she smiled and said, "This is my way of thanking you."

"...Uh, don't you owe me one too?" I thought we'd even things out.

"What, didn't you enjoy it just now?" Yani asked, tilting her head.

Looking into her jewel-like eyes that sparkled with an otherworldly brilliance, and gazing at her cherry-red lips, Yu Lian found it hard to deny it.

“Then that’s my way of repaying you.” She pressed her lips to her lips. “Besides, your skills have improved very quickly, Yu Lian. Teacher Yani also enjoyed it very much, so of course you’ve repaid me as well. That’s how we’re even.”

Is this even a valid calculation method? Yu Lian was utterly astonished, remarking that he truly deserved to be called a super-capitalist who should be hung on a streetlight.

Besides, this is inside an imperial fortress. Were we just about to broadcast this live in front of hundreds of thousands of imperial guards?

Yu Lian glanced around. He and Yani were now inside the fortress's garden, nestled together next to a decorative palm tree, with no one within ten meters.

However, in addition, quite a few imperial soldiers hurriedly ran past on the garden path, still looking bewildered and chaotic.

They still didn't see themselves.

"Don't worry, they can't see us. Even if we tear down the dome here and cause a storm, they'll think it was a meteorite."

To reiterate, their current state is a cognitive dislocation, far more sophisticated than superficial invisibility, and even more conceptual than the Stone Hat state.

"But this might be even more exciting." Yani reached out and cupped Yu Lian's cheeks again, her breath sweet as orchids. "So? Want to finish what we're doing next?"

Yu Lian, with a solemn and serious expression that seemed to say "I am as serious as ever," nodded slightly: "Indeed, it would be a great underestimation of healthy adults if we didn't finish what we were doing next."

“Then…” Yani’s eyes lit up.

“I’m telling you, the dignified behind-the-scenes emperor of the alliance, you should have some self-respect!” Yu Lian reached out to stop the other party from approaching: “Why do I feel like you’ve been painstakingly setting up this scheme for so long just to ambush me now?”

"The Alliance is a republic, there is no emperor. I could tolerate you calling me princess before, but emperor and all that is too anti-civilizational. Besides, how do you know it isn't? Maybe ensuring the success of the colossus raid was just a side effect?"

"Huh?" Yu Lian had a bad feeling.

She looked up at me: "...As I said before, I look forward to seeing a more enthusiastic side of you. However, we've known each other for so many years, and your ability to play dumb in this matter is truly god-like. Expecting a positive response from you is probably harder than me proving a certain inference about the unified field. So, let me ask you to be more direct."

"Can I not listen?" Yu Lian's premonition grew even worse.

"I want a child." She said this calmly, without room for argument, but with an attitude that was perfectly natural.

Even Yu Lian's soul fire trembled, and he almost failed to maintain his conceptual concealment state.

"This love-struck Ya Ni is not the Ya Ni I know. Wake up! Please try your best to recover!"

"Huh? I just want a child, what does that have to do with love?" Princess Rainbow Rose stared intently at Yu Lian, giving him a look of disbelief as she examined an idiot. "Tsk, darling, although I admit I like you a lot and want your genes, are you sure you're mistaken about some kind of passionate, tearful, life-and-death romance with me? Even in that timeline, our relationship was only a political marriage, not a romantic one, right?"

Yu Lian solemnly retorted, "That so-called time does not exist."

As far as the Tempering Heart Bureau is concerned, its legitimacy is not even comparable to that time with Brin.

Yani pretended not to hear and continued, "As for them, they are neither against marriage nor have any objection to their own bloodline. What's wrong with wanting children?"

She blinked, her attitude quite firm. "Or rather, I'm quite proud of my maternal genes and I absolutely must find a paternal gene of equal quality. Whether emotionally or rationally, it has to be you. Otherwise, what would you want me to have someone else's child?"

"Of course not... wait, that's not the point!"

“The key point is that your genes continue to be passed down, but you don’t have to take responsibility for it. Isn’t that the most natural thing for male mammals?” Yani said. “Besides, isn’t there already one in Brunhilde’s case? We’re all mistresses, so why should we treat one differently?”

She actually admitted it!
"Wait, what did Brunhilde get?" Yu Lian felt there was a lot of information to be had.

“Your child, tsk tsk tsk, look at that shocked and astonished expression, so bewildered that he almost believes it himself. But darling, there’s no point in pretending to be confused now.” Yani placed her hand on Yu Lian’s waist and gave it a hard twist. As a rational person who could calculate everything perfectly, she had mastered all the skills of a unreasonable little woman without any instruction.

"Although it is still in the very early stages of embryo culture, the vital signs have already stabilized."

“So, this is not scientific.” Yu Lian spread his hands: “Although I stayed in the Sacred Tree Palace for more than half a month and slept in Brin’s boudoir every day, we are innocent.”

"She reopened that life sarcophagus, at least restoring some of its permissions. She combined it with the flesh and blood you left behind in the subspace, completing the reconstruction of the genetic sequence."

"My remaining flesh and blood..." Yu Lian wanted to laugh at the other party for defiling common sense in biology, but in this era, clinging to common sense might be even more laughable.

“We fought the Emperor. In that battle, you still bore the most responsibility. You faced the Emperor, faced the Void Crown, and weren’t you also facing the specter of the Primarch’s Project? Your cell samples, psionic imprints, and even deeper life information could certainly have been recorded.”