Rebel Camp,
A chilling atmosphere permeated the rebel camp, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder from the recent battle. Soldiers busily cleared the site, piling up the bodies of the rebels, while others entered the camp's buildings to search, ensuring no one had slipped through the net.
Li Feng's figure appeared exceptionally stern in the camp. He walked calmly at the front, with a group of people following closely behind him, their gazes filled with adoration and admiration.
Seven Stars and Reinhard stood not far away, their eyes full of reverence and astonishment for Li Feng. Both were young and inexperienced, having not yet faced much warfare, but they had clearly witnessed the tactical miracle Li Feng had just displayed.
His unique style, blending the wild strength of Kharon and the precise tactics of Cadia, had led to the rebels being defeated one by one without even realizing it. Both resolved to stay close to Li Feng, learning as much as possible from his combat experience and strategic wisdom.
Abelard's gaze was even more profound. As a veteran who looked middle-aged but had actually lived for a century, he had witnessed countless battles and skirmishes, and there were very few people he truly admired.
But today's battle showed him a rare tactical coordination, like a perfect blend of a seasoned general and the art of command. Li Feng's steady command and surprisingly effective tactical arrangements made Abelard feel a never-before-seen beauty in tactics.
Meanwhile, the Aeldari Eliette's heart was in turmoil. She had once held prejudices against human warfare, believing it to be nothing more than a crude accumulation of brute force and attrition, far inferior to the artistic and elegant combat of the Aeldari.
However, today's battle changed her perspective. Li Feng's strategy was not just a contest of strength, but a struggle of wits, every move a result of careful calculation. She now had a completely new understanding of human military prowess and even began to re-evaluate the potential of this race.
Especially when she heard Reinhard mention Li Feng's identity, Eliette was even more shocked. If he truly came from an era that could contend with the peak Aeldari Empire, and had a connection with the Human Emperor, then this seemingly ordinary man likely hid astonishing stories and power behind him.
This realization made her even more determined to observe Li Feng's every move. This "monkey" had brought her too many surprises! Perhaps he was that "indispensable person" on her path, the one the prophet spoke of:
"You will meet a confidant, a beloved, someone you can trust with your... monkey!"
(Actually, according to external theories, the Human Federation and the peak Aeldari Empire should be on par, and humans even far surpassed the Aeldari in physics. The main reason Aeldari looked down on humans was their "my ancestors were rich" mentality.)
Soon, several Soldiers emerged from the buildings with a pile of documents and data-slates, rushing to Li Feng's side:
"Sir! We found this!"
Li Feng took the documents and data-slates from their hands and handed them to Abelard and Seven Stars to examine, as this Kharon was within the territory of the Von Valancius Family.
At this moment, Eliette also curiously leaned her head over to look. Her Aeldari head and red hair brushed against Li Feng's chest, and Li Feng felt her pointed ear occasionally brush his neck... Just as Eliette was reading the human script, a sudden strong force pulled her arm, yanking her away from Li Feng's side.
Feeling the pain in her arm, Eliette frowned in anger and turned to glare (Too rude! Ready to glare with her eyes!).
And that person was none other than Fides, her face full of murderous intent, veins popping out at the corners of her eyes: "You're too close, Xenos!"
Eliette had long sensed Sister Fides's special feelings for Li Feng, as Aeldari emotions are very rich and sensitive. Eliette naturally knew what Fides was thinking. She flung away Fides's hand gripping her arm,
"White-haired mon-keigh, don't assume everyone shares your special thoughts just because you do."
These words made Fides clench her fists instantly. She wanted to twist the Xenos's head off with her bare hands right then, and she truly could. But Eliette only took a few documents from Li Feng's hand and then walked aside.
Li Feng naturally noticed Fides's state and immediately walked to her side, patting her head, calming down the angry 'dog'.
"Li Feng! Look at that Xenos! Give the order! Let me tear off her smug face right now!"
Li Feng immediately tried to persuade her: "Good girl, Aeldari just talk like that, don't be angry, don't be angry..."
Just then, a sound of crumpling paper came, and Li Feng looked in the direction of the sound. Eliette's eyes were wide, staring at the documents in front of her... Her fingers were pinching the paper, making sounds as if they would tear the documents apart any second.
Eliette's usually cool face was contorted with pain and anger. When she spoke in her native tongue, Li Feng's automatic translator in his earpiece began to translate:
"By the torn heart of Khaine, Mourlan! You will pay for your betrayal! May Morai-Heg abandon your fate! May the blood of Eldanesh flow down your throat..."
Li Feng walked to Eliette's side and took the documents from her hand... They proved that the rebels' actions were instigated by the Aeldari in this region.
"Calm down, at least we..."
"Calm? You tell me to calm down? No! Monkey! This road is far from over!" Eliette almost shrieked, her voice filled with fury.
"When we meet Mourlan, I will make him confess his schemes. I want to know where the truth was erased and where the lies began!"
Eliette noticed Li Feng raising his eyebrows, clearly startled by her dramatic change. So she took a deep breath and composed herself:
"Please forgive me, I allowed the turmoil of my soul to overcome my reason. Such a cost would demand an unimaginable price from me, as you probably know, that being my soul. So I must be careful, even when betrayed."
Li Feng shrugged: "It's alright, having emotions proves your soul is still alive. If I'm not mistaken, that Mourlan, he's one of your prophets, right?"
Hearing Li Feng's voice, Eliette's mood returned to that calm sense of stability. She sighed and began to speak:
"It's time to tell you everything. We call ourselves the Asuryani..."
Li Feng immediately interrupted her:
"You call yourselves the Children of Asuryan, and Aeldari is another name for you. Your ancestors built the Aeldari Empire, which once spanned almost the entire The Galaxy / Milky Way, creating countless worlds, and Ganus, where we stand, should be one of them."
Eliette was astonished by Li Feng's knowledge, because aside from the Xenos Inquisition, almost no one in the Imperium was willing to research Xenos-related knowledge.
"You are right, we are the descendants of our ancestors, and we have every right to consider this our territory. However, our arrival was a tragedy... We came from a Ark World, our Ark crashed in this Star Sector, and the souls of our kin perished with our home in stardust. Thank the gods, we escaped the clutches of fate."
Abelard, hearing this, nodded: "Destroying an Aeldari Ark is indeed an impressive achievement. Whoever did it, I'd like to shake his hand..."
Li Feng immediately looked at the muttering Abelard beside him. Didn't he see the 'bean sprout' was feeling sad? Eliette ignored him and continued:
"After that disaster, this place offered us refuge. In the world left by our ancestors, under the canopy created by the wisdom of the Seers... we lived alongside your people, yet your kin have constantly harvested the fruits of our labor..."
Fides crossed her arms: "So, you came here with those Xenos?"
"I did not... My path is different. I came here later... through another route... The one who greeted me then was Mourlan. He is a Prophet. When he and a few of his kin escaped here, they found that your people had turned our gardens into farmland, and they were furious."
Li Feng looked at the documents in his hand: "So, this Mourlan, in revenge against humanity, funded the rebels and even acted as their advisor."
"I was unaware of this matter. I only knew my mission was to become the Female Governor's Guardian, to ensure the rebels wouldn't depose her... Since the Female Governor had never seen Aeldari, I claimed to be a demi-human and mingled among you. But I discovered that the rebels here, they had become tainted by another threat, a threat we Aeldari dare not even think about! That is..."
At this point, Eliette seemed a little scared. She quickly took two steps forward, took Li Feng's hand in front of Fides, and then said:
"The Thirsting Lady, the Chaos Goddess..." She took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and then tentatively whispered: "Slaanesh."
After saying this, she closed her eyes... She was gambling that the secret on Li Feng's body would protect her. Because when Aeldari speak or hear that name, their souls will be targeted by the Chaos God created by their own race, thereby being devoured and tormented.
She heard nothing but the sound of the wind rustling through the treetops and the calls of distant wild animals... She opened her eyes. Before her was still Li Feng's figure... and in the distance, Fides, restrained by Reinhard, Abelard, and Seven Stars, her power sword held high.
She had won her gamble! Li Feng's secret truly would help the Aeldari escape their curse! She excitedly hugged Li Feng, which made Li Feng a little flustered. He immediately looked around: "She initiated it! Bear witness for me! I didn't do anything!"
Realizing her impropriety, she took two steps back and coughed: "Ahem... My apologies, please forgive my rudeness."
"Xenos! I'm going to kill you! Skulls for the Skull Throne! Blood for the Emperor!"
Eliette ignored Fides and continued: "The signs I've seen indicate that the tendrils of corruption have passed through the World-Spirit of this world... I believe Governor Vestansa may have inadvertently become a slave of The Thirsting Lady."
At this, Abelard immediately retorted: "Impossible! Governor Vestansa has served the Dynasty and the Imperium for decades! I will not allow you to slander the Emperor and the excellent servant of the Rogue Trader!"
Suddenly, Kassia's voice came through everyone's comm-beads. Indeed, she had been on the ship, listening to what was happening through their communicators.
"Countless historical lessons prove that even the most steadfast followers can stray from the Emperor's light. The Female Governor may have used much knowledge to make this world prosperous... Perhaps some of that knowledge went awry, ultimately bringing disaster upon her."
Everyone now looked at Seven Stars. The Female Governor was currently her subordinate, and although she had only met her for the first time today, still... "Abelard, since there's a possibility, notify command to temporarily monitor and isolate Governor Vestansa until the truth is uncovered and a decision can be made!"
Looking at the young girl, Li Feng couldn't help but inwardly applaud. Such courage and such good methods, is this truly the talent of a leader?
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