79: hypocritical

“Surrender, we surrender, please don't open fire!”

The pirates' terrified voices came through the communicator, filled with despair and pleas.

“Captain Li Yang, should we accept their surrender?”

Pal asked with a serious expression.

If Li Yang said “no,” Pal would not hesitate to order fire, destroying all of the enemy's starships at the fastest speed, showing no mercy.

“Spare their lives for now. Send the Guard Escort Ship to tie up their Pirate Leader and bring him to me.”

Li Yang thought for a moment and made a decision, preparing to give them a chance to live.

“Yes!”

Pal responded.

With the pirates having surrendered, the Trilateral Civilization's transport fleet naturally escaped danger.

Li Yang's fleet temporarily remained in this area, quietly awaiting the handling of subsequent matters, and the entire scene temporarily fell into a tense yet subtle calm.

Before long, the Soldiers of the Guard Escort Ship swiftly and skillfully brought the Pirate Leader, bound hand and foot, before Li Yang.

At the same time, the leading military officer of the Trilateral Civilization fleet followed closely, boarding the star destroyer.

The Pirate Leader's face was filled with despondency, as if he had lost all spirit, his eyes full of deep despair and unconcealed fear.

Li Yang sat steadily in the command chair, his gaze like a torch, coldly and sharply scrutinizing him. After a long silence, he slowly opened his mouth and asked.

“Speak, why are you robbing in this area? Don't you know this is near the Xili Empire border? How dare you be so bold...”

Upon hearing this, the Pirate Leader lowered his head even further, his voice trembling as he replied.

“Sir, we were truly desperate! Our original stronghold was wiped out by other, more powerful pirate groups, and our comrades instantly lost their footing. In desperation, we could only wander around. We had successfully pulled off this route several times before, so when we saw this transport fleet, we took a chance and got greedy again.”

After listening to the Pirate Leader, Li Yang snorted, his gaze becoming even more severe, like two cold rays shooting directly at the Pirate Leader.

“Being desperate gives you the right to commit evil? Your wanton actions have brought unbearable disaster to how many innocent people? Have you ever felt even a trace of guilt, thought about the lives and property you cruelly plundered?”

Li Yang's words were forceful, his tone filled with anger and reprimand.

At this moment, the military officer from the Trilateral Civilization transport ship, seeing Li Yang's righteous and stern expression, quickly walked over and bowed deeply to Li Yang, his eyes full of gratitude, and said excitedly.

“Thank you, Xili Empire, for your righteous assistance. If you had not appeared in time to help, these goods, which are crucial to us, would surely have been lost.”

Li Yang nodded slightly in response, waved his hand, and said.

“No need to be polite. Maintaining peace and stability in the surrounding area is our undeniable responsibility as the Xili Empire. Speaking of which... what exactly are the goods you are transporting this time?”

The military officer did not dare to be negligent in the slightest and quickly replied.

“They are some precious resources unique to our civilization. This transport is to conduct trade exchanges with some companies within the Xili Empire, hoping to promote mutual development.”

“I see. Since you have successfully escaped danger, then depart quickly, to avoid any further complications or unforeseen events.”

With this person still here, Li Yang couldn't fully focus on handling the subsequent matters, so he quickly tried to send him away.

After sincerely thanking him again, the military officer turned and hurried back to his transport ship.

Seeing this third person leave, Li Yang then slowly and unhurriedly approached the Pirate Leader.

“Tell me, do you want to die or live?”

Li Yang said expressionlessly.

Upon hearing this, the Pirate Leader's face was filled with disbelief. After hearing Li Yang's righteous words just now, he had been fully convinced that he had no chance of survival this time. He never expected there could still be a glimmer of hope.

“Sir, of course I want to live. Please, sir, be merciful and spare my life.”

The Pirate Leader panicked, kneeling on the ground and frantically kowtowing, hoping that Li Yang would show great compassion and let him live.

“Stop kowtowing, don't dirty my floor. Let me ask first...”

Li Yang said impatiently.

After speaking, Li Yang initiated a call to the Guard Division at the Empire's border through his smart brain.

“This is the Xili Empire Border Guard Division. What can I do for you?”

A serious voice came from the other end of the communicator.

“Hello, I am a Galactic Special Inspector of the Xili Empire. I have apprehended a group of Interstellar Pirates outside the Empire's territory and would like to inquire if they need to be brought back into the Empire?”

Li Yang asked calmly.

“Hello, Inspector comrade. Combating Interstellar Pirates is a common responsibility and action for all civilizations. However, because you apprehended them outside the Empire's territory, you are fully responsible for dealing with these pirates. We are not responsible for pirate forces outside the territory.”

Hearing this, Li Yang knew in his heart that there was no hope for military merit this time. After a couple more irrelevant remarks, he ended the call.

“Alas, it seems the Guard Division won't take you. I won't be getting any military merit from this. You don't seem to be of much use either, so I suppose I'll just kill you...”

Li Yang deliberately sighed and said coldly.

The Pirate Leader, upon hearing Li Yang's words, immediately panicked and shouted at the top of his lungs.

“No, sir, I have value, I am willing to pay for my life!”

“Finally, you're catching on. You should have said that earlier...”

Li Yang couldn't help but think to himself.

From the very beginning of the rescue operation, Li Yang's intention was to obtain military merit. Now that the military merit was gone, he naturally had to extract some benefits from the pirates to compensate.

As for his righteous expression just now... it was naturally put on for the military officer of the Trilateral Civilization. After all, in front of outsiders, one's image still needed to be carefully maintained.