Chapter 460 The Third Choice

"Yes," Zhou Jue said, offering only one word.

The chairman stopped rubbing his temples and looked at Zhou Jue. All eyes in the conference room refocused on her.

“Our intelligence network is currently above theirs,” Zhou Jue stated calmly, presenting a fact.

“That ‘safety signal’ we just sent was in their simulated format, code: Alpha-Gamma-7.”

"According to the Silverwing Federation's records, this reconnaissance team did not lose contact. They simply completed a routine survey and then entered a maintenance port in a nearby star system due to a 'routine thruster malfunction'."

Her words stunned everyone present.

The hawkish general's eyes widened: "You mean... they have no idea what's happening here?"

"I don't know." Zhou Jue nodded. "At least until the next group arrives, we are safe and invisible."

A glint flashed in the chief economic advisor's glasses; he immediately understood its value: "Time...we've bought precious time!"

“That’s right, time.” Zhou Jue’s gaze swept across the entire room: “We don’t need to fight immediately, nor do we need to make a humiliating peace.”

"I propose that G-581 be developed into our forward outpost and strategic buffer zone."

"On the one hand, we should rationally exploit the resources above to give back to Earth and accelerate our development."

“On the other hand,” she paused, then offered a completely new idea, “we could be there, disguised as space pirates or some other force.”

"In the future, we will be there to engage with any outsiders who are interested in G-581, whether it is a deal or a conflict."

"G-581 is our shield, our mask."

"Blue Star must remain hidden behind the scenes, a trump card that no one knows about."

This plan, like a bolt of lightning, cleaved through the fog in everyone's minds.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" The old marshal of China slapped his thigh and stood up excitedly: "We can attack or defend! We've set the battlefield on the enemy's doorstep! This is the best strategy!"

“The feasibility is very high.” The chief economic advisor quickly calculated: “This can protect our home planet to the greatest extent, while also giving us the opportunity to make contact with interstellar space, acquire resources and intelligence. The risks… are manageable!”

The two factions, who were arguing heatedly just moments before, have now found a common ground that is acceptable to them.

The atmosphere in the meeting room shifted from somber to hopeful and excited.

Just then, someone raised a crucial question.

"General Zhou, this plan is perfect, but there is a core problem."

He looked at Zhou Jue: "Language."

"Your ability is unique; you can communicate with the alien captain without any problems. But what about the rest of us? What about the soldiers and scientists we sent to G-581?"

"Does every time we make contact with aliens, we have to bring you all the way from Earth?"

Yes, communication is the first step. If you can't even communicate, what's the point of pretending or making a deal?

“We can’t master a completely new alien language in a short time, so how can we communicate with them?” the man added, his tone full of helplessness.

Zhou Jue didn't speak. She simply stretched out her hand, and a flash of light appeared in her palm. A warm, smooth jade slip emitting a faint blue glow appeared in her hand.

"What is this?" the chairman asked curiously.

“Language and writing,” Zhou Jue replied.

"On the return voyage, I have already recorded all the information about the Silverwing Federation's official language, including pronunciation, grammar, and cultural background, which I extracted from the ship's database."

She looked at the representatives of the Chinese cultivation community present.

"The usage is the same as that of the jade slip used to pass on cultivation techniques."

"Divine sense probed in, and a sudden enlightenment was received."

"Enough for a cultivator to quickly master this language."

"..."

The entire conference room was deathly silent.

The hawkish general's mouth gaped open in an "O" shape.

The chief economic advisor's hand, which was adjusting his glasses, froze in mid-air.

Comrade Zhou Jue is so thoughtful; he actually prepared everything in advance.

"All the problems have been solved." The chairman breathed a long sigh of relief, and a long-lost smile finally appeared on his face: "General Zhou, you have once again brought us hope."

"Chairman," Zhou Jue's voice rang out again.

Everyone looked at her, assuming she had some additional plan.

"I entrust the follow-up matters concerning Blue Star and G-581 to you all." Zhou Jue bowed slightly.

"As for interstellar space, now that we know its location, I want to go there alone to gather intelligence."

"What?!" The hawkish general was the first to jump up: "You're going alone? No way, it's too dangerous!"

"Nonsense!" The old marshal exclaimed anxiously, "What kind of place is that? A den of dragons and tigers! You're going there alone, isn't that just suicide?"

"General Zhou, please calm down!" The chief economic advisor hurriedly advised, "We just came up with a sound plan, why are you taking such a risk?"

Opposition voices rose and fell, and the atmosphere in the conference room was even more heated than when the debate about war and peace had just taken place.

In their eyes, Zhou Jue was the anchor of human civilization on the entire planet Earth, and her safety was paramount.

“Even if we’re going to investigate,” the hawkish general walked up to Zhou Jue and advised, “we must assemble the most elite team! 'Sharp Sword,' 'Heavenly Sword,' and those divine descendants—bring them all! We’ll guarantee your safety!”

“A fleet is too big a target.” Zhou Jue shook his head.

"How about one small squad?"

“A small squad in interstellar space is like a torch in the night—too conspicuous.” Zhou Jue looked at him and explained earnestly, “Think about it, what kind of reaction would be triggered if a well-equipped, armed squad with an unclear purpose suddenly appeared?”

"But you're all alone..."

"A fleet is an invasion."

"A small team is used for infiltration."

Zhou Jue's voice silenced everyone.

"And I'm all alone..."

"Just an ordinary 'StarCraft user'."

"I'm not going to fight a war; I'm going to listen, to see, and to learn."

"A person is the least likely to be discovered, and a person can go to places that neither the fleet nor the squad can go."

"You know my methods; they're enough for self-preservation."

The conference room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; no one could refute her.

In a heavily guarded interstellar society, a fully armed team is indeed more likely to arouse hostility and vigilance than a lone traveler.

After a long silence, the Chairman's heavy voice rang out.

"Your safety..."

"I promise," Zhou Jue said, looking at the chairman.

A long silence.

The Chairman slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with determination and an indescribable sorrow.

He knew that this was both the best and the most risky option at the moment.

Once again, they have placed the future of their entire civilization on the shoulders of this young girl.

He stood up and gave Zhou Jue a solemn military salute.

"I...agree."

He spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice hoarse.

"Blue Star Joint Command authorizes General Zhou Jue to execute the 'Voyage' plan."

Zhou Jue stood at attention and returned the salute.

"Take care on your journey." The Chairman's voice trembled slightly.

All the generals and leaders in the conference room stood up and silently paid their deepest respects to the solitary figure in the center of the room.