437: Inspection concluded, new tasks

Li Yang stood silently before the observation starship's viewport, his gaze following the trajectory of the crimson beam until the last planet fragment cooled.

He tapped his finger lightly on the window frame, a hint of curiosity in his eyes—this power far exceeded the conventional weapons of an ordinary third-level civilization.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, his usually calm expression now showing a trace of interest, and he muttered to himself,

“Could this new weapon of the Flo Civilization be a stellar weapon?”

Li Yang looked at the energy beam tearing through the starry sky on the light screen, his tone tinged with inquiry.

On the screen, the image of the Jige Civilization's defense planet disintegrating in the red light had not yet faded. Such destructive power indeed far surpassed the military capabilities of an ordinary third-level civilization.

“It seems that even among third-level civilizations, the disparity in strength can be so vast.”

Siraf, standing nearby, quickly stepped forward, pulled up detailed information on the Flo Civilization, and explained in a deep voice,

“Division Commander Li, you may not know, but the Flo Civilization is already a leader among known third-level civilizations. They have always acted decisively and ruthlessly, never holding back once a target is locked. This swift and decisive style of ‘ending war with war’ is indeed very much to the Empire’s liking, and the Empire has been very optimistic about them in recent years.”

Li Yang followed Siraf’s words and looked at the Flo Civilization’s combat records in the data—from border conflicts to Galaxy annexations, each engagement ended with an overwhelming advantage, never giving the opponent a chance to breathe.

To completely eliminate the Jige Civilization, the Flo Civilization had prepared for several centuries.

He nodded silently, a flicker of approval in his eyes.

“This style of ‘cutting off the roots’ once an attack is launched indeed aligns with the Empire’s philosophy.”

“Let’s go. The outcome of this war is already determined; there’s nothing more to see.”

Li Yang withdrew his gaze and turned away from the viewport. At this point, the Jige Civilization’s main fleet had been reduced to cosmic dust under the bombardment of the stellar weapon, and the most important defense star belt had completely disintegrated. The remaining scattered resistance was merely a trapped beast’s struggle.

Just as Li Yang expected, half a day later, news arrived.

After learning that their last line of defense had fallen, the Jige Civilization’s high command finally gave up resistance and submitted an unconditional surrender to the Flo Civilization via the Imperial communication channel.

Under the witness of the Imperial inspection delegation, the Jige Civilization officially declared its demise, and all resources within its territory—including mineral planets, energy belts, and colonial planets—were transferred to the Flo Civilization’s domain.

This Galaxy-level war, which lasted less than a day, finally concluded with one side’s complete surrender.

Li Yang, who had already departed, was now traveling through a jump channel aboard his starship, the light screen having switched to data for the next Galaxy to be inspected.

For him, this brief “good show” was just a common scene in interstellar upheaval. His inspection had only just begun and was far from over... Half a month passed quietly amidst intensive inspections. Li Yang’s footsteps covered every outpost of the 19th Division, from each Regiment Headquarters to the patrol posts below, from training camps to dormitories. He individually checked equipment ledgers, observed tactical simulations, and even followed patrol teams to experience full-territory patrols within garrisoned galaxies.

Thanks to Li Yang’s efforts, the entire 19th Division was successfully inspected within half a month.

In the first week back at Division Headquarters, Li Yang categorized and organized the problems discovered during the inspection, dissecting each one during the operational meeting.

When there were loopholes in weapon maintenance procedures, he personally revised the “Equipment Maintenance Regulations,” adding three new inspection mechanisms. When Soldiers’ combat training intensity was insufficient due to garrison duties, he coordinated training ground resources and spearheaded the development of a “Graded Combat Simulation Plan.”

Days turned into months as one plan after another was implemented, and half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

During these six months, the lights in Li Yang’s office often stayed on until the late hours, and improved plans were disseminated from his office.

From being initially whispered about as “probably here to gain experience and build a resume,” to later, when Soldiers would spontaneously call out “Hello, Division Commander!” upon seeing him.

Those once scrutinizing gazes gradually turned into nods of approval.

The “Hello, Division Commander!” shouted with respect by the officers and men carried more weight than any commendation.

In the hearts of the 19th Division’s officers and men, the standard for judging an officer has always been simple: one who can make the team more combat-effective, make the brothers shed less blood, and make the 19th Division’s flag fly brighter is a good Division Commander worth acknowledging.

Li Yang earned this recognition with six months of diligent work.

In Li Yang’s office, the afternoon sun slanted through the viewport, casting a bright spot of light on the floor.

He had just signed the newly revised training evaluation report when the desktop light screen suddenly emitted an urgent alert—this was the exclusive signal for encrypted military communications.

Li Yang’s heart stirred, and he lightly tapped his finger on the light screen to unlock it.

For half a year, apart from a few occasional inquiries from Army Commander Cang, the military headquarters had been largely silent. This sudden message seemed particularly unusual.

The light screen lit up, and a line of cold instructions prominently appeared.

“Order the 19th Division to immediately dispatch troops to arrive at Gongjing No. 48 Galaxy within 96 hours to assist the 32nd Division in completing a ‘Purification Mission’—to clear the infected civilian populations in that area.”

“Infected civilizations?”

Li Yang frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on the word “infected” for a long time.

Gongjing No. 48 Galaxy also fell under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Homeland Security Force and was managed by the 32nd Division, which was also the closest division to their 19th Division.

But what exactly was this “infection”? Was it a virus? Or some unknown interstellar parasite?

Although the military headquarters’ order didn’t elaborate, he would naturally find out once he arrived there.

He suppressed the doubts in his heart and immediately called Pal.

“Pal, have Deputy Division Commander He come to my office.”

“Yes, Division Commander!”

Pal’s response was crisp and decisive.

“Infection...”

Li Yang repeated the two words softly, his gaze falling on the blurred nebula in the star map.

What kind of “infection” would require the 32nd Division to need the military headquarters to dispatch them for support?

A series of questions swirled in his mind, but his face had already returned to its usual composure—no matter what lay ahead, the 19th Division, after his half-year of training, was already ready to undertake any mission.

Not long after, He Dong quickly walked into Li Yang’s office, his military boots making steady sounds on the floor.

“Division Commander Li, you called for me?”

He stood at attention, his gaze falling on the light screen in front of Li Yang.

Li Yang raised a hand, signaling him to come closer.

“Deputy Division Commander He, take a look at the order just sent by the military headquarters.”

He Dong leaned closer to the screen, reading through the order regarding supporting Gongjing No. 48 Galaxy word by word. He frowned slightly for a moment, quickly understanding the purpose of the summons.