But as these farmers lifted their heads to the night sky, they could see it—
Colossal voidships crossing the heavens.
A distant orbital station, vast as a city, its navigation lights blinking like artificial stars.
And sometimes—
A flaming streak tore through the sky.
A transport craft descending from orbit, punching through the atmosphere like a falling meteor before slowing into a controlled descent toward the hive.
How could they not feel it?
That sense of separation.
Of being… left behind.
They tilled the soil like beasts of burden, yet above them existed a world of steel, fire, and stars.
Curiosity was inevitable.
And when curiosity met oppression—
Rebellion followed.
They raised their banners not just to survive…
But to understand.
Yet even now, they had not breached the hive.
Had not touched the truth.
Had not seen the Imperium for what it truly was.
But Li Qinwu had.
And now—
He stood before them.
Calm.
Unshaken.
Even with guns pointed at his head, he had smiled.
The rebel leader felt it clearly:
This man… had seen a wider world.
And now—
He was offering a fragment of it.
The ropes binding Li Qinwu were cut.
He stood, stretched lazily, and said:
"Prepare three tons of grain."
"Next time, I'll bring the rifle."
He glanced around.
"You've got numbers. You'll handle transport."
The rebel leader hesitated for a moment, then spoke:
"I want to talk. Alone."
Li Qinwu raised a brow.
"…Sure."
---
Inside the wooden cabin, the air was heavy.
The leader shut the door himself.
Then, in a lower voice:
"If we win…"
He paused.
"If we take the planet…"
"…what happens next?"
Li Qinwu didn't answer immediately.
He studied the man.
Then spoke calmly:
"The Imperium doesn't care how you rule."
A beat.
"It only cares that you obey."
"And that you pay."
The leader frowned.
"…Pay?"
"Tithes," Li Qinwu said.
"Resources. Production quotas. Grain. Materials."
"As long as you meet those requirements and declare loyalty—"
"The Imperium won't interfere."
Silence.
Relief… slowly crept into the man's expression.
Li Qinwu saw it.
And laughed.
Softly.
"You think that's a good thing?"
The leader froze.
Li Qinwu's eyes sharpened.
"You think everything you're suffering right now… is just because of the planetary governor?"
No answer.
So Li Qinwu continued.
"Over a decade ago, nearby systems were attacked."
"Orks. Xenos. War."
"The Imperium doesn't fight wars for free."
He leaned slightly forward.
"Your planet pays for it."
The leader's breathing slowed.
Heavy.
"…So the taxes…"
"Come from above," Li Qinwu said.
"Not below."
Silence filled the room.
Then Li Qinwu delivered the final blow:
"You've been in rebellion for over ten years."
"You've cut off production."
"You've stopped the tithe."
He smiled faintly.
"What do you think happens… when the Imperium comes to collect?"
The leader's face turned pale.
Because now—
He understood.
If they won…
They wouldn't be free.
They would inherit the debt.
And to survive—
They would become exactly what they hated.
Exploiters.
Collectors.
Tools of the Imperium.
Li Qinwu leaned back slightly.
"History doesn't change."
"It repeats."
"The man who slays the dragon…"
"…eventually becomes it."
---
The conversation ended soon after.
Not because there was nothing left to say—
But because there was too much.
As Li Qinwu stepped outside, the rebel leader personally escorted him out.
But before leaving—
A low groan caught his attention.
From a nearby cabin.
Li Qinwu glanced inside.
Wounded men.
Badly wounded.
Rough bandages.
No proper disinfectants.
No medicae tools.
No supplies.
Just… survival.
The rebel leader sighed.
"We have nothing."
"Just herbs. Basic treatment."
He hesitated.
"…If you can bring medicine next time…"
"Our cooperation will be stronger."
At that moment—
A system notification appeared before Li Qinwu.
Ding! Mission triggered.
Provide 3 units of anti-inflammatory and analgesic medicine.
Reward: Increased trust and cooperation.
Li Qinwu didn't hesitate.
"Prepare the grain."
"I'll handle the medicine."
---
After establishing contact with the rebels, Li Qinwu prepared to leave.
They transported him part of the way using a bio-modified beast—something resembling a horse, but heavier, its muscles unnaturally dense.
A product of crude genetic tampering.
From there, he returned alone.
By the time he reached the outskirts of the PDF defensive line, Lieutenant Rudolph was already waiting.
Inside the tent, Li Qinwu spoke directly:
"It's done."
"I've secured a deal."
"One rifle—for three tons of grain."
Rudolph's eyes widened slightly.
"…They agreed?"
"They don't have a choice."
Li Qinwu shrugged.
"I'm heading back to the underhive."
"Get me a ride."
Rudolph nodded.
The supplies Li Qinwu had stored earlier—tools, materials, and equipment from the Twin Serpent Clinic—were still untouched.
He packed everything efficiently.
No waste.
No hesitation.
Soon, they were moving.
The open-top military vehicle rumbled forward—
But as they approached the hive entrance, Li Qinwu stopped him.
"Not inside."
Rudolph frowned.
"…Then where?"
"Outside route," Li Qinwu said. "Ventilation shaft."
"It's cleaner."
"And safer."
The underhive wasn't just dangerous—
It was watched.
Too many eyes.
Too many hands ready to steal.
Rudolph didn't fully understand—
But he didn't question it.
They changed direction.
---
At the drop-off point, Rudolph handed him a device.
A compact, rugged communicator.
"Long-range vox unit," he said.
"Works even underground."
"Encrypted channel's already set."
Li Qinwu took it.
"Good."
Then added:
"Keep tracking Lieutenant Winchester."
"When there's an opening—call me."
Rudolph nodded.
No more words were needed.
The vehicle pulled away.
Dust settling behind it.
---
Li Qinwu turned.
Facing the massive ventilation structure of the hive.
But instead of entering—
He moved toward the forest.
Toward something else.
The underground maintenance station.
The door creaked open.
And immediately—
The smell hit him.
Blood.
Thick.
Fresh.
Inside—
The Silent One sat cross-legged.
A crude ritual circle drawn in white powder.
Symbols.
Wrong symbols.
Warp-tainted in structure.
Before him—
A dissected creature.
Its organs carefully arranged.
Studied.
Observed.
As if searching for meaning beyond flesh.
The walls—
Covered in erratic markings.
Distorted patterns.
Not Imperial.
Not sane.
Li Qinwu's gaze lingered.
Sharp.
Measuring.
But he said nothing.
Only one thought passed through his mind—
Cold.
Precise.
This place is becoming dangerous.