Chapter 50

The embers of victory formed an eerie aurora over the Spectral Machine Waste Planet, illuminating the twisted metal wreckage below. There were no cheers of triumph, only the whine of cooling pipes after energy overload, like the dying gasps of a giant beast.

In the main control room, Miao Weizhen stood before the holographic star map with his back to the crowd, his shoulders tense like a fully drawn bow. Only when Wen Ling approached did she notice the uncontrollable trembling of his hand hanging by his side, his nails digging deep into his palm. Forcibly activating the ancient chip was far from as easy as it looked.

"The Federation fleet retreated, but Lei Huan died." Wen Ling placed the heavy metal tome on the console. "They'll hold us responsible for this."

Miao Weizhen didn't turn around, his voice hoarse from exhaustion. "They needed a new excuse, and we gave it. Fair enough." His fingertips traced the star map, where the dots representing the Federation were regrouping, but not pointing toward the abandoned planet. "Qu Beichen is more patient than I thought... and more dangerous."

His gaze fell on the tome, and the ancient lines shimmered at his touch. "'Guardian's Heart'... is indeed here."

"What does it mean to start it?" Wen Ling asked.

Miao Weizhen finally turned around, his eyes filled with cold calculation. "This means permanently pouring all the energy of the abandoned planet into this defense system. We'll have an impenetrable fortress, but also a... dead star that can never be moved again. All fleets, all mobility, all possibilities for future expansion will end here. This is the price of 'everything'."

Beichen Star, Presidential Palace.

Qu Beichen was watering the agave in the office, listening to the battle report with a hint of amusement on his lips.

"The price of disabling a Star Dome-class ship is completely exposing this most hidden trump card. Miao Weizhen, you've finally stepped into the spotlight," he put down the kettle, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table. "I always thought you were just a clever speculator, hiding in the shadows of Wen Xunyi and Star Flame to stir up trouble. I didn't expect you to actually hold something that could bite people."

He turned to the solemnly standing generals, his tone suddenly cold. "Order: All troops enter Level 2 combat readiness, but do not take any direct military action against the abandoned planet. At the same time, activate Project Mirror Flower."

"Mr. President, isn't this too cautious? The 'Star Flame' faction..."

"It's precisely because 'Xingyan' lost Lei Huan that we can't let them lead us by the nose," Qu Beichen interrupted, a glint in his eyes. "Miao Weizhen has torn off his disguise. He's now an open target. What we need to do is let the Sailiang people solve this 'trouble' themselves."

Sailiang Imperial City, deep palace.

Wen Xunyi leaned back on the couch, lost in thought as he watched the black blood cough out of his palm. A trusted eunuch silently presented half a potion: "Your Majesty, the Federation's 'sincerity'. They demand either Minister Miao's head or His Highness Wen Ling's."

Wen Xunyi closed his eyes, a violent cough tearing at his lungs. His original plan had been to use Miao Weizhen to eliminate Wen Ling, then sacrifice Miao Weizhen to appease the Federation's wrath and secure his own throne. Now, those two people who were supposed to be pawns had become thorns that even the Federation couldn't remove.

"Tell Qu Beichen...I need to see the complete antidote."

He panted, each word carrying the smell of rust: "As for those two, let them go and fight the Federation to the death."

Deep in the waste planet, in the core control room.

The "Guardian's Heart" slowly rotates in a huge energy well, and beneath its glittering surface lies a power enough to tear apart the stars.

"Ancient civilizations created it, but chose to seal it away, not just for energy consumption reasons." Wen Ling extended his hand, light entwining around his fingertips. "The classics record that it requires dual cores to drive it: one representing absolute power and rationality, the other representing untainted guardianship. Without either, it will either collapse or spiral out of control."

Miao Weizhen gazed at the magnificent creation, his voice devoid of emotion. "Your 'third way'? In the face of absolute power, faith is often the first victim."

"That's why we need constraints." Wen Ling turned and faced him. "Your strength, my faith. Without either, we wouldn't be here, nor would we be able to reach the future. We need to create not a repeat of the ancient path, but an order that belongs to us—one that can protect everything we want to protect, but also one that doesn't lose itself in the power."

Miao Weizhen looked at him silently, looking at those eyes that were clear yet extremely firm under the reflection of energy.

He once thought that this was the most useless luxury in troubled times, but now he seemed to see a glimmer of light that could illuminate the dark maze he had built for himself, which was filled with only calculations and sacrifices.

"It's a dangerous idea, Wen Ling." He finally spoke in a low voice, "It will make you hesitate at the critical moment."

"But it will make you stop when necessary." Wen Ling took a step forward and stared at him, "Miao Weizhen, look at me. What we need is not just to survive, but to know why we live."

Observation deck, night.

The two moons of the abandoned planet rose from the horizon, illuminating the twisted metal ruins like the skeletons of giant beasts.

"Wen Xunyi can't hold on for long." Miao Weizhen suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

Wen Ling looked towards the direction of the imperial city and said softly, "I know."

"If he betrays again—"

"I will end this with my own hands." Wen Ling turned to look at him, the moonlight in her eyes cold and clear, "It's not because he betrayed me, but because he betrayed Sailiang."

The two looked at each other in silence, the air filled with lingering smoke and something sharper.

"And you are the only coordinate that I cannot lose in order to achieve this goal."

Miao Weizhen suddenly reached out, not to hug, but with an almost rough force, he grabbed Wen Ling's collar and pulled him close. Their noses almost touched, and their breathing was audible.

"Such words," Miao Weizhen said in a low, dangerous voice, "will make me make irrational decisions."

Wen Ling didn't struggle. Instead, she met his cold yet fiery gaze, and raised the corners of her lips in a very shallow arc: "Then don't judge."

The next second, Miao Weizhen kissed her fiercely. This wasn't a gentle consolation, but a confirmation like conquering a city, carrying the smell of gunpowder, emotions that had been suppressed for too long, and a possessive desire that bordered on despair.

After a brief surprise, Wen Ling responded without hesitation, with just as much force and just as much determination, as if she wanted to completely fuse their beliefs, pain, and future together through this kiss.

Not until the oxygen ran out did the two of them separate, panting, their foreheads touching, their eyes still locked on each other, as if whoever looked away first would be admitting defeat.

"Your 'third way,'" Miao Weizhen panted, rubbing his thumb across Wen Ling's slightly swollen lower lip, leaving a burning sensation. "I'll go with you. But if it leads to a cliff, I'll pull you along to jump."

Wen Ling grabbed his rebellious hand and held it tightly: "Then let's do it together."

Deep in the core of the earth, the "Guardian's Heart" seemed to sense this dangerous and firm covenant, emitting a low resonance that transcended time and space.

Volume 2: "The Phantom Machine Wasted Star", finished.