Resurrection Empire-Chapter 1033 - 401: Crisis of the Old Popsicles

Regarding Ying Hao's plan, Ren Zhong just listened for the moment. He didn't intend to break ties with Ying Hao yet.

"Chairman, I will prepare for battle with all my might, but I also want to know what Hugh plans to do. Can you tell me?"

Ying Hao directly replied, "Of course. The Augustus family is indeed far-sighted; they've been laying out plans many years ago. Their special anti-aging potion contains a very strong addictive component. They've been continuously infiltrating the high-level personnel of the other nine major enterprises through these means. The anti-aging potion I use is basically something I collect and refine from the black market by myself."

"I can guard against it because I am cautious enough. But others don't have my vigilance; many have become loyal users of theirs, being long-term controlled through these drugs. I spanned two hundred years through my own cryogenic sleep and founded the Promotion Association from scratch. I used to think I was the most visionary person on this planet."

"It seems now that there are also exceptional individuals in the Augustus family, even more ambitious than I am. They chose another way to run their forces, passing them down from one generation to the next. Before Hugh, all the leaders of the Augustus family barely used cryogenic sleep, maintaining high-intensity work throughout. By Hugh's generation, just before the mass migration started, they finally completed all the technology accumulation and revealed their true intentions."

Ren Zhong: "What exactly are they aiming to achieve? What technological accumulations are these?"

Ying Hao took a deep breath and slowly said, "What the Augustus family eyes is the world after the great migration. Hugh is trying to find a way to replace the nine elders. By then, he will become the sole ruler of Source Star civilization. When they return to the Empire, the Augustus family's start will be that of aristocracy, having drained an entire star system's resources, sure to gain noble status. If 'the Net' still exists, Hugh's actions wouldn't be as frantic. After all, 'the Net' is a sword hanging over everyone's head. I cannot let him succeed, so I must strike first."

Ren Zhong nodded, "Indeed. So, Chairman, do you know the specific method he uses to replace the elders? Is there solid evidence supporting this intention?"

Ying Hao shook his head, "I have used several undercover agents embedded within the Mengdu Group, yet I've still failed to find out. But I believe this issue is not important; it's enough to speculate his intentions. As for solid evidence, I do not have it. This is the largest possibility I have deduced after analyzing all the intelligence."

"I see." Ren Zhong nodded.

After sending Ying Hao away, Ren Zhong repeatedly pondered in his office.

Now, having learned about Hugh Augustus's "dream," it seemed he had taken a significant step towards the truth.

But he knew very well that the direction of this truth was likely skewed.

Hugh had long lost control, becoming a decoy and puppet for Li Yang.

So, what exactly does Li Yang want to do?

According to the Augustus family's original plan, the pseudo 'Net' should be their trump card upon returning to the Empire, capable of bringing them astonishing wealth and status.

But what about Number 38, who was once a slave, now Li Yang?

What will he use this thing for?

Can Li Yang successfully control the nine elders? Once successful, will he immediately show his claws or continue to hibernate?

With such doubts, Ren Zhong quietly went to Mengdu City and met Li Yang face to face.

Seeming like a major event was about to happen, Li Yang's mood had also become exceptionally good.

Facing Ren Zhong's inquiries, he unexpectedly laid his cards on the table without reservation.

Li Yang said, "Ren Zhong, I don't want to go to the Empire; I believe the Empire is not a utopia."

Ren Zhong: "Ah?"

"The so-called utopia refers to a paradise existing only in our fantasies; as long as one goes there, all troubles can be discarded, and life can be enjoyed. Do you get my point?"

Ren Zhong nodded, "Understood. You're saying there is a problem with the Empire?"

Li Yang nodded, "Of course! I was once the lowest of synthetics, a specimen in a biological laboratory, lower than wasteland people. I can clearly recognize that everyone on Source Star is distinctly divided into many levels. Since Source Star is a branch of the Empire, the system must also have legacy. The Empire's hierarchy should be larger, with more tiers, with barriers between them even more solid. For outsiders like us, going to the Empire would be roughly like an illegitimate child of a wealthy noble family returning home. What awaits us will surely be eternal suffering and torment."

Ren Zhong fell into contemplation, then asked, "So what do you plan to do? What should I do?"

Li Yang continued, "I am different from everyone else. I can create a new form of civilization. I will first befriend the nine frozen elders and have them help me. Then, I, you, and many more friends will, with the aid of the new 'Net' we create, take a ship in a direction far away from the Empire to create a world of our own."

Ren Zhong was stunned, "But we are already at the edge of the star system; where else can we go?"

Li Yang: "To another star system."

Ren Zhong: "It's too far; even with cryogenics, our ship is not capable of supporting such a long distance."

Li Yang shook his head, "I have calculated that if we take only a thousand people and the 'new Net,' our energy will be just enough."

"But it's too risky."

Li Yang: "But I am already tired of a world where not everyone is my friend. I can only have a thousand friends, understand? I do not know the technological level of the Empire. Upon arriving there, I might die on the journey seeking friends. But the path I choose is different; once I write my memory into the new Net, I will be able to achieve eternal life. Most importantly, isn't this in my best interest? Ren Zhong?"

Ren Zhong: "Mm, you're right. So, when do we start taking action?"

Ren Zhong finally understood Li Yang's ambition. From beginning to end, this person only cared about his own feelings; he wanted to become a type of immortal being, to live alone as a civilization.

Li Yang: "I've already started the action."

Ren Zhong: "Ah?"

"A year ago, I accompanied Hugh to meet Ying Hao once. I gave Ying Hao some psychological suggestions; he will start a war within two months. By then, the frozen elders will certainly awaken from a place unknown to me and deploy the Frozen Combat Power to mediate. That's when our opportunity appears."

Ren Zhong: "Frozen Combat Power? What's that?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"A large group of professionals surpassing Level Nine, as well as a large group of Ninth Rank Ruined Beasts. These are the real Star Sky Combat Power. If fought head-on, no one can defeat them, but I don't need to engage them in battle; I can become friends with them."

Ren Zhong acted shocked, "Understood, then what should I do?"

Li Yang: "You should first join Ying Hao's camp, take over his army, and then commence a war with the Mengdu Group's army. It should be as fierce as possible, causing more deaths."

"Okay!"