Master Xun Xin was certainly a man who lived by the code of swift revenge, but Yang Ying knew he wouldn't seek mere gratification by picking a fight with the Kustar delegation. Men who lived by that code were not fools; how could an elder of the Nian Neng Temple fail to read the room? Even if he intended to kill the Kustar personnel, this was not the time.

Now, the aftershocks of the recent upheaval were gradually subsiding. As the new superstructure was being established, Yang Ying seized the opportunity to push some of his own people into key positions. He had previously cultivated numerous clones proficient in politics, economics, arts, and various specialized industries—now was the time to utilize them.

Although Yang Ying held no position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, news of everything transpiring there reached him swiftly through Trant Corporation’s network within the Ministry.

The leader of this Kustar delegation was named Lunge, and he was indeed a peak Third Level figure. Furthermore, he had once studied under Karagunis alongside Hardek, making him no minor figure even among the Kustar people.

Upon hearing Lunge’s background, Yang Ying couldn't help but speculate: was he perhaps sent by Karagunis? And the only thing that would interest Karagunis was likely the death of the Fourth Level Hardek.

However, Lunge did not bring up this matter directly at the Ministry; instead, he lavished praise on the Kustar people's admiration for Earthlings’ speed of development, expressing a desire to establish friendly diplomatic relations and promising a series of technological supports to help Earth build the foundation for a high-level civilization.

To Earth’s diplomatic officials, this felt like a pie falling from the sky! While the Singer people had been friendly to Earth, they had never made such generous promises; even when first acknowledging Earth as a member race of high-level civilizations, the Singer people had never mentioned technological support.

Yang Ying understood that the Singer people had acknowledged Earth’s high-civilization status only for the sake of the "True Human Alliance," not because they truly believed Earth possessed the qualifications of a high-level civilization; thus, technological support hadn't been prioritized.

But within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, voices began to rise, arguing that since Earth possessed Trant Corporation, which had mastered technologies marking a high civilization—such as spatial jumping and the Level Seven Uranium Cannon—Earth demonstrably qualified. The Singer people acknowledged Earth’s status but remained silent on providing support; in this regard, their sincerity paled in comparison to the Kustar people.

The condemnation previously voiced by Jiayouna was also reintroduced, arguing that the Singer people were attempting to interfere with Earth's decision-making. Which civilization Earth chose to ally with was Earth’s business; how could the Singer people dictate terms? To some, Earth was now a high-level civilization, and with the Singer people so deeply entrenched in the Solar System over the last three centuries, continued acquiescence would surely turn Earth into a Singer vassal.

Siding entirely with the Singer people meant enmity with the Kustar people and the risk of becoming a Singer dependency. It would be better to introduce the Kustar people to balance the Singer people, allowing the comparatively weaker Earth to survive in the ensuing gap.

“The emergence of these voices was precisely what the Kustar people anticipated. They merely need to open their mouths to cause disgust, yet it is the Earthlings who comply and carry out these distasteful actions. Trying to play both sides is never easy. Most pies that fall from the sky contain iron weights; they just smash you bloody.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Ying gasped. Although the upheaval overthrew the old superstructure, it was, as he had previously feared, merely treating the symptoms, not the root cause. Those promoted from the lower strata, once elevated, gradually began to adopt the methods and thought patterns of the former elite. While they lacked the deep foundation of the old guard and couldn't cause massive waves, the trend was undeniable. In a few decades, Earth might need another purge to eliminate this new crop of parasites.

Being a thankless wolf might yield short-term benefits, but the long-term cost was losing crucial standing. Yang Ying believed that if Earth agreed to friendly relations with the Kustar people, they would not withhold that technological support.

But even with that support, could the Earthlings surpass the Kustar people? The answer was clearly no. At that point, the Kustar people could find any pretext to turn hostile, and if Earth then sought help from the Singer people, it would be sheer folly if the Singer people agreed to intervene again.

The Kustar people’s strategy struck directly at the foundation of Earth’s standing: its credibility!

Losing credibility meant losing genuine collaborators. As a civilization newly entering the sphere of high-level entities, if Earth’s first impression upon others was one of discarding friends for profit, Earthlings might find themselves forever allied only with other unreliable races. Rebuilding that credibility would require ten or a hundred times the effort.

“Fortunately, within the government, Kinsler still has things under control. He is stalling the Kustar people, likely figuring out how to issue a tactful refusal.”

In the following days, Yang Ying kept a close watch on developments. Those few officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—whether they were opportunistic or shortsighted—were found various excuses to be removed. The Kustar demand for friendly relations received no positive response.

At this juncture, both the Singer people and the Kustar people seemed to be waiting for Earth’s final decision.

Three days later, Yang Ying invited Jin Sile to the manor.

He was a man burdened with immense responsibilities, and by the time he arrived at Manor City, it was already evening by Greenwich Mean Time. Manor City’s artificial sun had set, revealing a canopy of eternal, brilliant starlight.

“It was under this very sky, in your Manor City, that we decided to launch this upheaval. I didn’t expect things to cycle back so soon,” Jin Sile remarked, gesturing toward the cosmos with a smile.

The temporary President of the Government had acquired many streaks of white hair. Since the revolution began, his rest had been minimal, with endless tasks piling up daily. No matter how well maintained, one could not withstand such fatigue. However, the sharp gleam in his eyes showed no sign of decline; his spirit and resolve remained formidable.

“Earth’s advancement to high-level civilization is connected to me, which has brought you considerable trouble, President Sile. I apologize for burdening you,” Yang Ying said. “But for Earth, this is also an opportunity. If we cross this hurdle, we can move onto the fast track of development.”

“How could I not know that? To see Earth advance to high-level civilization during my tenure—as president, I am perhaps luckier than any president in Earth’s history. A little fatigue is nothing. Many people in the world would crave this kind of exhaustion, and I wouldn’t give it up!” Jin Sile replied cheerfully.

After exchanging some pleasantries, they moved to the main topic.

“The Kustar people are using friendship as a blade this time—truly smiling while hiding their knives, intending to sever our alliance. If Earth’s footing wavers now, losing Singer support, we will immediately fall into the Kustar people’s grasp, left to their mercy,” Jin Sile, who had been consumed by this issue, said with a note of anxiety. “Refusal is certain, but how to refuse is the question. Although the Kustar people are fighting on many fronts and we are insignificant in their eyes, dealing with Earth requires little focused attention from them; a mere squadron could take down the Solar System.”

“I cannot assist you in how to refuse the Kustar people. But I suggest you seek out Jiayouna. Since Earth has decided to reject the Kustar overtures, I imagine she won't stand by if Earth faces Kustar retaliation,” Yang Ying proposed.

“I have already spoken with her. However, even with Singer support, this matter must be handled delicately. Otherwise, if the Kustar people send a punitive fleet to the Solar System, even if the Singer people defeat them, humanity will still be affected. Our Solar System simply cannot host a war between two major races.”

Yang Ying saw Jin Sile’s exhaustion and, though wanting to help, realized he couldn't do much. His Trant Corporation could certainly provide technology, but he couldn't offer better diplomatic counsel than Jin Sile himself.

Yang Ying thought to himself, Good thing I have no interest in controlling Earth's governmental bodies; otherwise, I’d be the one dealing with this headache right now.

Overseeing the daily life, foreign relations, and distribution of benefits for all humankind carries an immense responsibility. The myriad of complex affairs and resulting endless troubles would be enough to halt Yang Ying’s own spiritual progress.

After chatting a while longer, Jin Sile mentioned another matter: “Commander Yang Ying, the Kustar people have inquired about the details of the Ancient Legion’s demise. They demand the complete accounting and have offered a high price for it, especially the cause of Hardek’s death. They are extremely eager to know.”

Yang Ying inwardly noted this was entirely expected; the Kustar people were indeed intensely interested in Hardek’s death. “How did the Ministry reply?”

“Stalling,” Jin Sile shrugged. “But they will eventually find out. You should use these few days to prepare yourselves; the Kustar people might target you.”

“I understand. Thank you for letting me know.”

In fact, the Kustar people received the news even sooner than Jin Sile imagined.

The morning after Jin Sile returned to Earth, the Kustar people mobilized in three directions: one group lodged themselves at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, another went to Pluto to investigate, and the third headed toward Manor City. The palpable tension suggested they too sensed that Earth’s refusal was imminent and they needed to act quickly.

A gray Kustar vessel docked at Manor City’s port, carrying Lunge, the head of the Kustar delegation, and his entourage.

Lunge stood two meters tall, his skin the color of ash, his physique like rough-hewn stone, sharply defined. His eyes resembled twin flames, radiating unnerving brilliance.

A subordinate behind him questioned, “Lord Lunge, this Trant mercenary group claims to have killed a Fourth Level master. Surely the Earthlings are lying?”

Another subordinate countered, “Lying in the presence of Lord Lunge is utterly unthinkable.”

“We’ll know the truth after one meeting—whether they killed Hardek or not,” Lunge stated flatly. As the ship settled, he turned toward the ramp, his two subordinates following closely.

Diamond Sun: This chapter truly stalled me. I rewrote and deleted it back and forth, deleting about two thousand words just to complete this chapter, and by then it was too late. Chapter Three will have to wait until tomorrow. I apologize everyone, and I desperately seek your guaranteed monthly votes.”