Finale (1) Several months had passed since the incident.
The frantic escape of the Muli swarm warships and the emergency response from neighboring planets had sparked a brief flurry of discussion across the Empire. However, the public’s attention spans were short; within days, their interests shifted toward new curiosities—specifically, the expansion of the Jiang Family Mall and the culinary craze following in its wake.
While "real food" couldn't entirely replace Guides, it had no trouble replacing foul-smelling nutrient solutions. This, of course, triggered a backlash from nutrient solution manufacturers. Lawsuits for "monopoly" and "unfair competition" drifted onto Jiang Siwei’s desk like snowflakes.
"Taking away someone’s profit is like killing their parents," a saying that held true in any era.
But Jiang Siwei was undeterred. She aggressively assembled a legal team to counter-sue, gathering evidence of her products' superior spiritual benefits. To bolster her case, she traveled back to Black Tower.
At this time, Sang Ye was busy working with the hospital staff to treat the Sentinels wounded during the Muli fallout. She didn't wait for Bertha to finish her long-term botanical research; she simply released various herbs from her dimension for the public good—the Empire was paying for them, after all.
…
In the courtyard of the West Building, Du Yuan sipped green tea while Jiang Siwei drank pearl milk tea. The twins lay in a cradle beside them.
As soon as Sang Ye arrived, Jiang Siwei leaned in. "Is the rumor true? Was the Eldest Prince really blood-related to Song Yu?"
A flash of disgust crossed Sang Ye’s face at the mention of the name. Before his death, Song Yu had sent a "manifesto" to the Empire’s largest media outlets, disclosing royal secrets: Lin Changli’s paternal lineage, accusations that the Empress had driven his father to death, and claims that the Prince once intended to harm his newborn sister.
The Empress’s response had been swift and calculated. Chamberlain Sayan held a press conference acknowledging the paternal link but refuting all other charges. To crush the rumors of a power struggle, Lin Changli made a public appearance to formally renounce his claim to the throne, promising to serve the Empire only when needed.
A week later, Lin Changli had departed with the Alpha Fortress on a new expedition. Sang Ye only had time for a brief farewell on the bridge.
"Madame Eugenia Letona was certainly a clever one," Jiang Siwei mused, referring to the former Executive Officer. "She stayed as far away from her brothers' schemes as possible."
"She’s a smart woman," Sang Ye agreed, pouring herself a liter of iced milk tea with pudding. "She knew her brothers were trouble and didn't want to be dragged down when they eventually fell."
Eugenia had woken up recently. After learning of Song Yu's death, she surrendered the passcode to the encrypted data crystal. To protect her ward, Jima, Eugenia had resigned all titles and taken full responsibility for the security lapse on Muli.
…
The demographics of Black Tower were shifting. More and more Sentinels were being discharged as they recovered, while new patients—high-ranking officers nearing their limit—arrived for food therapy.
The Snow Mountain region, now fully mined and free of radiation, had been transformed into a grand sanatorium. The volcanic heat from the dormant peaks was now channeled through the empty mine veins, melting the permafrost and allowing for the growth of resilient cedars.
This project provided jobs for the Snow Mountain Tribe, allowing them to become self-sufficient. As infrastructure like the high-speed network was laid down, the tribe began sending their youth to the base for education and work.
Minur, however, chose to leave. Her tribe no longer needed a spiritual leader to survive the cold; they were flourishing. When Wu Jinyue visited the base with her daughter Wu Xiangxi, she met with Minur one last time. This time, Minur chose to follow her mother and leave Black Tower to see the wider galaxy.
…
The day Asu Ment left to reclaim her command of the G13 Legion, the spaceport was packed with warships. Sang Ye gave her a spatial button filled with everything from plum wine to vodka—Asu’s favorites.
Asu Ment hugged her daughters and patted Jiang Sili’s shoulder. "Wait for me. I’ll come back to take you to our new home soon. It won't be long." She was still the same ambitious woman; she was determined to earn the Marshal title she had missed years ago.
Jiang Sili smiled gently. "May your martial fortune be prosperous."
Asu then turned to Sang Ye and shook her hand. "Black Tower is in your hands now. Do what you want. Follow your heart."
…
As the year marked the 100th anniversary of the White Wolf Group case, the economic files were officially sealed, meaning the group’s past crimes could no longer be legally pursued.
Sang Ye sent a message to Jiang Zhaoyuan, inviting the free members of the White Wolf Group to settle on Black Tower. They arrived at the Loda Plains, a place where no one cared about their half-Zerg heritage.
The Loda Plains were now a massive breadbasket of wheat, rice, and corn. Cattle, sheep, and horses grazed freely, balanced by predators like wolves and leopards brought from Sang Ye's dimension.
Sang Ye and Jiang Siwei partnered to turn the Loda Plains and the Amori Sea into tourist destinations. Jiang Zhaoyuan, with his management experience and worldly wisdom, was the perfect person to lead the project. They no longer had to steal or wander; they had found a place where a nomadic soul could finally rest.
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