Chapter 740, Rejuvenation Surgery
Qi Bodu was in his private office, copying a calligraphy model.
It was an art form from ancient Terra. After seeing it in the materials, he became quite interested in this ancient art and the ancient script it represented, and began to study it. This became one of his hobbies.
His advisor was briefing him on Margaret.
"...Grand Master Margaret is leaving the Psionic Order. Based on our analysis, Ms. Margaret no longer has the opportunity to take control of the Psionic Order. The initiative is now entirely in Gu Hang's hands. If he wants, he will be the Grand Master of the Psionic Order tomorrow."
Qi Bodu kept writing with his brush, muttering, "Useless thing. If Dou Zhao had been driven out a few years ago, he wouldn't be so powerless to resist now."
"Should we agree to her request? She wants a new position."
"Hmm... an S+ psychic, even if he's an idiot, he's still somewhat useful, so we can't waste him. Let him go to the legal department and become a psychic consultant, and we'll see how things go later."
"She probably won't be satisfied."
"Hmph, let her figure it out herself. Let's see if anyone in Holy Terra dares to even think about helping a dog I don't want."
"Understood."
The two remained silent, with only the faint sound of the ancient brush rubbing against the rice paper.
Even though the important business had been finished, Qi Bodu's advisor did not leave, as if he knew that the Prime Minister still had something to say.
And that is indeed the case.
Qi Bodu's pen stopped moving unconsciously as he listened to the report. His attempt to copy this ancient Terra calligraphy work naturally ended there as well.
"Those...are all true?"
"Yes, I think we need to reconsider Gu Hang's influence." His advisor fully understood what the Prime Minister was asking and provided the answer.
This was a judgment made by their entire department after synthesizing the intelligence that had been transmitted back.
Qi Bodu wanted to continue copying the calligraphy and paintings, but he couldn't concentrate. So he simply put the brush aside, walked out of the calligraphy and painting table, and paced back and forth in front of it.
He knew that Gu Hang was a top-tier psionicist. The battle reports from the front lines, as well as the words sent back by the Serilius Chapter Commander, whom he trusted greatly, as a firsthand witness, all clearly demonstrated this.
However, the information in the report is one thing, but experiencing it firsthand is another.
When the piercing alarm sounded, there was a brief moment of chaos within the palace.
It had been a very long time since he had experienced something like this, so much so that Qi Bodu was still somewhat dazed at the time.
The rising spiritual energy seemed to be deliberately displayed; no special spiritual means were needed to observe it. Even the most ordinary mortal could personally feel that heart-palpitating aura.
This 'heart palpitation' is not an adjective, but a real feeling that happens to me.
Qi Bodu himself felt that in the rumbling, illusory yet real thunder, he seemed to smell something, as if it were coming from his lungs; his heart began to beat abnormally fast, faster and more irregularly.
He felt very uncomfortable.
Later, he realized that it was a normal reaction to psychic pressure, and not that some force was attacking him. These physical effects were also temporary and wouldn't last long.
However, what's abnormal is that, given the distance, he shouldn't be able to sense this power. Moreover, the person who released this power was within the Empire's best psionic shielding area.
What does that mean?
He asked his psychic advisor a question.
His advisor told him that this meant that if Gu Hang had wanted someone inside the palace to die in that instant, that person would be dead now, and no one could save them. Regardless of whether the anti-psychic facilities inside the palace that rose up afterward would be effective, and regardless of whether the subsequent invasion could eliminate this powerful psychic, at least the person who was dead was gone forever.
Even with an S+ level psionic advisor by his side, providing focused and fully prepared close protection, it wouldn't work.
After hearing this news, Qi Bodu's expression remained unchanged.
My heart was already pounding with anxiety.
He is now finally experiencing firsthand the oppressive feeling brought about by the power of a top individual.
Could a top-tier expert of this caliber overthrow an empire?
no.
Can he kill the empire's supreme ruler?
Can.
The former is an individual confronting the empire, the most powerful single collective in the entire universe;
The latter is individual-to-individual.
In a sense, Qi Bodu could indeed represent the empire; his power was at the peak of his prime ministerial career, and he still had countless ideals and ambitions to realize…
He was the most honored person in the empire.
One for one?
I wouldn't trade with anyone.
I wouldn't trade it for 10 billion, 1 trillion, or 100 trillion people!
It was his idea to insist that Gu Hang come to Holy Terra.
But now he has a slight regret.
He had also prepared some methods to exert maximum pressure. His original purpose was to test Gu Hang and see if this border warlord was truly loyal to the central government of the empire.
If one is loyal, then no matter how the imperial central government treats him, he should accept it willingly, like a loyal dog wagging its tail and begging for mercy.
If he shows even the slightest dissatisfaction or resistance, then he is disloyal.
During his triumphant speech, Qi Bodu was initially unhappy and even harbored murderous intent towards Gu Hang. However, his 'sensible' behavior slightly salvaged his image, at least making Qi Bodu feel that further 'tests' were still possible.
However... we may need to reconsider this matter now.
Testing is definitely still necessary.
He could not trust an ambitious man who was disloyal to the empire to continue to grow in power on the border.
The lesson of Iron Armor is still fresh in our minds.
However, this is limited to prediction.
There's no need to resort to some of the extreme pressure tactics that are deliberately difficult.
Otherwise, what if we force a loyal minister to rebel?
He was considering the long-term plan of the empire, not because he was worried that if he was pushed to the brink and it came to the point of execution, he would be traded one for one.
Thinking of this, he said to his administrative advisor, "Approve Gu Hang's meeting request. Check my schedule later and see when I have time to meet with him."
...
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, it is an honor to meet you."
Looking at Qi Bodu sitting on the high platform, Gu Hang lowered his head respectfully, bowed, and greeted him humbly.
He performed his etiquette perfectly, showing Gu Hang's respect, but he kept the balance just right, without appearing overly obsequious or servile. His head was held up appropriately, and his eyes occasionally flashed with sharpness.
Every movement and every expression in this series has been meticulously designed.
Qi Bodu was a proud man who cared a lot about how others treated him; but if someone was too obsequious or fake, he would feel like they were taking him for a fool.
This is just right right now.
Qi Bodu was well aware that most of the people in front of him, not just Gu Hang, but also others, were pretending.
But acting convincingly is also a form of respect.
Nodding slightly, Qi Bodu had just woken Gu Hang up when a servant carrying a tray brought an item to his side.
Gu Hang's voice rang out at the opportune moment: "Your Excellency Prime Minister, this item is Starry Sky Gold Crystal."
Qi Bodu's expression changed slightly.
He knows about this.
This crystal was born at the core of a nebula, a raging furnace of energy and matter, containing unimaginable power. It resonates with the holder's spiritual energy; the holder only needs to probe a wisp of their spiritual energy into it to feel a vast and boundless source of power surging within.
This power can be channeled to enhance one's own psionic talents, instantly transforming weak psionic fluctuations into surging waves; it can also be injected into the spaceship's energy core, enabling the spaceship to unleash extremely fast travel capabilities in an instant; and it can even release a powerful energy shield in times of crisis to resist various dangers from the universe.
Its practical function is quite significant, but in reality, very few people actually use it this way.
It's too rare, too expensive, and too extravagant to use as a consumable—oh, and the key point is that it can't even protect ships that are valuable enough for it to protect.
The primary function of Starry Sky Crystal is as personal protection, and... as jewelry.
Its appearance resembles a dazzling heart surrounded by starlight, with an overall oval shape and about the size of an adult's fist. The crystal's surface flows with light in shades of deep blue, purple-gold, and emerald green. These lights, like flowing galaxies, slowly move, intertwine, and transform within the crystal, seemingly telling ancient tales of the universe. When gently rotated, the speed and trajectory of the light's flow change, as if forming mysterious star maps, showcasing different corners of the universe—the magnificent spectacle of a supernova explosion, or the distorted spacetime around a black hole.
This is an extremely amazing sight to behold.
It makes excellent material for crafting into a portable treasure.
Of course, as the Prime Minister of the Empire, Qi Bodu was not lacking in similar items, and there were even better ones.
However, its value is enough to warrant its placement in Qi Bodu's collection cabinet.
Prime Minister Qi Bodu was fairly satisfied with the gift.
His mood improved somewhat.
He had a peaceful conversation with Gu Hang for a while, talking about his experiences in Holy Terra and the story of the Alliance.
Then, their conversation gradually turned to the main topic during their casual chat.
They started by talking about the Psionic Order.
"Are you going to become the next Chief Mentor?"
When Qi Bodu asked this question, Gu Hang was prepared. He smiled and answered frankly, "I do have that plan, but I can't refuse such kindness."
"Oh, do a good job, maybe you can be elected as a high lord?"
"It's a bit difficult for the chief mentor to become a high lord."
"You're very capable; perhaps you can do it?"
When he said this, Qi Bodu's smile was ambiguous and not at all friendly.
Gu Hang seemed not to hear him, and instead said, "If it really works out, it will depend on the Prime Minister's guidance. The Psionic Cult will follow the Prime Minister's lead. After all, even if I become the chief, I can't stay in Holy Terra for long."
Gu Hang's words clearly indicate that he ultimately intends to leave Holy Terra and has no plans to stay for long.
Upon further reflection, is he implying that he intends to sell the Psychic Order to the Prime Minister?
No, it's not that simple.
Because Qi Bodu doesn't need it.
With Margaret's allegiance, it would have been easy for him to completely control the Psionic Order. He hadn't acted because he also considered the Psionic Order a liability, utterly meaningless to him. He needed neither their high-ranking positions nor their weak actual strength. Instead, keeping them as a dumping ground seemed like a better option.
Gu Hang's intention might be to build up the Psionic Cult properly, control it remotely, and at the same time make a powerful Psionic Cult obediently cooperate with him.
Touching his chin, Qi Bodu found it quite interesting.
Having relinquished the most disgruntled authority of being the 'highest governing body of Imperial psionicists,' the psionic order, which was able to grow stronger, seemed to be less useless after all.
Many things can be accomplished through them.
After all, although he is the prime minister with real power, the prime minister's power theoretically does not extend to the courts. He is striving for full power, but he is still on the way and has not yet achieved it; the courts are sometimes not so obedient.
Having an alternative isn't a bad thing.
Of course, this is on the premise that Gu Hang can successfully establish the Spiritual Energy Cultivation Association.
And all of this he's thinking about is just his own thought. Was that really what Gu Hang meant with those few simple words?
Gu Hang smiled and said, "The Psionic Cult will definitely be established. It has regular funding from the Empire and support from the Alliance. I also have some experience in the cultivation and training of psionicists. Please rest assured, Prime Minister."
"Hmm." Qi Bodu gently stroked his chin.
Gu Hang continued, "The Alliance has the capability to help the Prime Minister with many things. What the Psionic Cult can do, the Psionic Cult can do; what the Psionic Cult cannot do, the Alliance will do without hesitation for the Prime Minister."
This is a more naked promise.
Qi Bodu finally showed a slight smile.
He wouldn't believe it completely, but he wouldn't disbelieve it at all either.
This is at least a good start.
But when he wanted to discuss the alliance topic in more depth, talk about taxes, and how to ensure that what Gu Hang said could come true, another thing Gu Hang mentioned completely drew his attention away.
"By the way, Your Excellency Prime Minister, I saw a technique that was quite difficult in the Psionic Order."
"This technique is somewhat related to rejuvenation surgery."
"With the assistance of spiritual energy, a sixth rejuvenation surgery can be performed after the fifth one, and the effect will be even better than a normal rejuvenation surgery."
"It's just too difficult. In the last few thousand years, no psychic has been able to master it. I'm quite interested, though, and I'm currently learning. However, it requires a lot of experimentation, which will be quite expensive. Right now, I'm having trouble finding a sponsor."