"Now, now, fellow Daoist Cui Wu, we haven't come here to argue but to make an agreement with this new Governor." stopped the person in scribe robes the barbaric individual. "Governor de Peck, I'm sorry about this... misunderstanding. I am called Daoist Wild Crane and I am the Sect Master of the Strange Art Sect. This fellow daoist is Cui Wu and the exalted leader of Massive Saber Cult. While the fellow daoist in black is Daoist Stable Sword, the Founder of the Stable Sword Sect. These three sects are prominent members of the Cultivation Union and are the founders of the Steadfast Alliance, a minor force inside the Union."
Swain was making mental notes about these three people and their place within the Cultivation Union. If these three were the leaders of their respective forces, Swain had nothing to worry about. And they probably formed a new faction. They were here to curry favour from Swain who would command numerous planets and would have the right to distribute a big amount of resources.
"Good to meet you, my name is Swain de Peck and was nominated as Governor of the Top Excursion Zone E1Z1 by the grace of the Emperor. Before this, I was the deputy investigator of the Hall of Noble Matters in the Institution of Order and Investigation. But after this round of courtesy, what can I do for you, Daoists?"
Swain took a sip of the wine. He hated the texture and taste of this kind of wine, but if these people wanted to drink this, he will not be rude and drink something more tasteful. He sent a silent message during the speech of this Daoist Wild Crane to the computer. It just messaged just back. All three were the leaders of relative minor powers, but the black-robed man, Daoist Stable Sword, had some notable background.
They looked at each other confused, clearly not understanding the words Swain said. Soon the black-robed person shrugged his shoulders and returned to drinking his wine. Daoist Wild Crane then smiled towards Swain and leant forward messaging that he wanted to say something confidential. Swain also smirked and humoured his gesture.
"Governor de Peck, I can't stress enough that what we are about to speak can't leave this room. Cultivation Union was getting a little nervous by the wave of newly nominated governors so we wouldn't have been able to keep our previous rights regarding your zone." whispered Daoist Wild Crane. "However, we thought that it would be just to secure our rights once again through you."
Swain was baffled by the words of this Wild Crane. During his travel, he read all the important information about his new work station, but there wasn't any mention of any rights of the Cultivation Union. He sent another message to the ship while he gesture to the Daoist to continue.
"When what you call the Top Excursion Zone, was created and the different Sects had to help your Empire create it. We had to send personnel and materials to claim that wild frontier. Some from the Cultivation Union thought that it would be a waste leaving that territory in the hands of your Empire, so we created minor sects to take control of them." elaborated Wild Crane. He looked at Swain and after he saw that Swain didn't say anything continue. "As of today, 49 new governors have been appointed at different zones in the past year, and the Cultivation Union at large voted to abandon our minor sects. However, nobody did that really. So we here want to make a deal with you so our investment into the Top Excursion Zone would be left untouched."
It was an understatement to say that Swain was angry. Swain was infuriated. Swain was wrathful. Swain was furious with these people who thought to steal the Emperor's land and resources and after the fact, they asked him to turn a blind eye towards these traitorous crimes. It was pretty easy to see that these people were only alive thanks to the backer of Daoist Stable Sword. And at the same time, the Emperor had some other intention with sending him here other than honouring the di Zurlov family.
"I am sorry, I maybe misunderstood what you said," said Swain. "But according to you, the Top Excursion Zone E1Z1 is your rightful property. Because if you said this, then we will have some problem."
"Yes, we said that, you pompous fool," answered Cui Wu without any proper etiquette. "That is the land of our Steadfast Alliance and sect that are the members of our alliance guarded it the last century while your Empire observed from afar. So turn around your pretty metallic boat and run back where you came from."
Daoist Wild Crane was baffled on the surface by the sudden outburst of Cui Wun, but inside his eyes agreement glowed. The daoist in the corner also nodded in agreement and turned towards Swain.
"I'm sorry, Governor de Peck, I can't control my fellow daoists." said apologetically Wild Crane. "However, we might find a middle ground, so...
"You misunderstand me, Cultivator Cui Wu." said Swain after lifting his hand. "I'm not here to steal your achievements. I am here because there isn't any way for me to return where I have come from. I have passed the point of no return. I crossed the Rubicon. The bridges have been burned. My dice have been cast and I have lost the draw. If I return to the Capitolium, first my closest allies will come for me to wash away my disgrace. Then after them, come my enemies. It is a very long list. And if you survive all of that, then the enemies of my enemies will try to kill me for the information I possess. If I survived that onslaught too, then the Emperor will send his agents to make me disappear.
Which would I choose? My palace made out of marble and gold or a small barbaric border village? I am here because there is no return. I lost and I have to live my life with the knowledge of that. But that is no reason for me to not carry my work towards the Emperor with my utmost loyalty and ability so I have to say no to anything you wanted to propose. I would be more than happy if you could leave my ship so I can continue my journey towards the Excursion Zone E1Z1. Bye."
Swain stood up after his erratic speech and turned to return to his safe room in the core of the ship. However as he turned around, all three people readied their weapons. Stable Sword drew a short but decorated sword and threw it towards Swain. The barbaric individual, Cui Wu, swung his piece of steel. Wild Crane smiled and summoned a dozen purple light, which flew towards Swain. Swain just shook his head and grabbed his chair.
"Directive: M31. Now!" shouted Swain.
The world spun around him and the three cultivators vanished with the wine and their attacks. Swain shook his head once more and sat down into his chair once again.
"Locations?"
"We moved through the spatial laws of this world and we are 30.98 lightyears away from the Central Travel Hub, Governor de Peck. I advise you to refill the ship's energy before doing a similar manoeuvre and we are already below optimal performance." answered the ship.
"Okay, okay. Let's set out towards the Top Excursion Zone, and use the secondary power source to refill the energy of the ship." said Swain. "Give me all the reports about the situation at the Top Excursion Zone and make a deal with the Intelligence Agency of the Interior and get all non-classified data about the Top Excursion Zone and the Cultivation Union."
"What can I give them in return? This is a monumental amount of information and the Left Hand is always strict towards those who don't work with him."
"Tell them that if I get everything I need, then the Left Hand and I are completely even. And if that's not enough, he can get the titanium mine at Zeta-Gamma-23-Omega in the Central Region."
"Understood! We will enter into FTL travel now. We will arrive at the Top Excursion Zone E1Z1 at two standard hours."