Chapter 23: The First Mutual Aid Proposal!

Although the Eastern nation has yet to release specific casualty figures, information circulating online leaves no doubt that the ocular monsters have indeed breached the borders, resulting in certain losses. In the cities closest to the frontier, authorities have already begun organizing city-wide evacuations.

This, inevitably, has triggered widespread panic. It is no longer just the border regions; even in areas further inland, large crowds are choosing to flee their cities in fear. This has created significant logistical burdens for transportation, and the subsequent challenge of resettlement promises to be an even greater trial. Most importantly, it is critical to prevent this fear from escalating and causing a total loss of public confidence.

This is precisely why Shen Yu appeared the moment the Interstellar Shen Yu returned. He had been monitoring the situation, waiting in a state of growing anxiety and restlessness. The Interstellar Shen Yu could fully empathize with Shen Yu’s feelings; this world was, after all, his own original home as well.

"Let’s go. We should pick up the pace," the Interstellar Shen Yu said.

In the next instant, both men vanished into the gray mist, reappearing at the aforementioned secret military base. They were greeted the moment they materialized. Upon seeing the Interstellar Shen Yu, the attendant displayed an extraordinary level of enthusiasm.

"Welcome, Mr. Hanyu. I am the officer specifically assigned to your liaison and reception; you may call me Chen Ran." Chen Ran appeared to be in his thirties, an age that balanced maturity and vitality.

Hanyu was the name the Interstellar Shen Yu had chosen for himself. It was a transliteration, though the actual pronunciation was far more complex; this name was simply a selection of two syllables from the original. While the interstellar civilization was also human, aside from their similar physical appearance, the histories and cultures of the two civilizations differed greatly.

"Our first collaborative effort can officially begin. Bring in those with the authority to make decisions," the Interstellar Shen Yu said with a slight nod, getting straight to the point. "It would be best to have representatives from the military present."

"Understood. I will contact the meeting room immediately," Chen Ran said, making no effort to hide his excitement. "Please, follow me."

Shen Yu turned his attention to Ji Mingshu, who was approaching them quickly. Ji Mingshu had already been inducted into the Meteor Crisis Management Department, though his primary duty remained serving as Shen Yu’s personal secretary.

Shen Yu still preferred to use his own secretary. After a moment of thought, he turned to the Interstellar Shen Yu and said, "Give me two more of those high-end personal terminals. I want to equip my secretary with one as well; that thing is truly convenient."

"Very well. I’ll have two premium models sent to you later," the Interstellar Shen Yu agreed with a nod. To him, this was a trivial matter.

The group soon arrived at a conference room whose high security clearance was evident at a glance. People were arriving in succession; some had even sprinted the entire way, gasping for breath with beads of sweat on their foreheads. When they saw the Interstellar Shen Yu, most wore similar expressions—a mixture of shock, joy, and curiosity. Even though they had read about his existence on paper, seeing him in the flesh was an entirely different experience.

Within minutes, everyone had gathered. There was no need for a formal moderator; Shen Yu and the Interstellar Shen Yu simply took their seats at the head of the table.

"I have already stated the purpose for calling you here, but before we begin in earnest, I must emphasize one point," the Interstellar Shen Yu said, speaking directly. "My civilization is one that places the highest value on efficiency, and I hold the same standard. I do not wish to waste time on meaningless matters. In the face of an apocalyptic fate, time is life."

He spoke with a steady, measured tone that projected a sense of composure and efficiency. This sentiment was shared by both Shen Yu and the Interstellar Shen Yu. After all, the resources they were bringing to the table involved immense stakes and were of critical importance. While complications and conflicts were inevitable at the practical level, there were certain things that would be inconvenient for Shen Yu to say, but which the Interstellar Shen Yu could state without reservation.

"Rest assured, Mr. Hanyu. We will concentrate our efforts and maximize our efficiency to the best of our ability!" said a slightly stout participant, his expression solemn. He was the one who had run to the meeting, and he merely wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Then let us proceed to the agenda," the Interstellar Shen Yu nodded. "After obtaining the live ocular monster from our previous trade, my side determined the biological value of the specimen in the shortest possible time and drafted our first mutual aid proposal. I have already discussed and negotiated the contents of this proposal with Member Shen Yu, and he is broadly in agreement."

With that, the Interstellar Shen Yu opened his palm, and a three-dimensional projection appeared above it, rapidly expanding. It detailed the terms of the alliance in the languages of both civilizations.

The proposal was divided into three main aspects.

First, military support. The interstellar civilization would provide specialized military weaponry, not based on a specific quantity, but on actual combat results. In other words, if the provided weaponry failed to achieve the desired effect, they would unconditionally provide further optimization and support. In exchange for this support, they would claim thirty percent of the spoils of war.

Second, the research findings regarding the traded monsters would be shared by both parties.

Third, the interstellar civilization would provide a list of technology, equipment, and weapons that the human civilization could trade for using their remaining spoils of war. The exchange rates would be negotiated by both civilizations and would fluctuate based on changing needs. For instance, if the interstellar civilization discovered a way to produce that special energy or achieved a breakthrough in ocular monster cultivation, their demand for raw spoils would decrease significantly, and the price would naturally rise.

Even so, the contents of the proposal caused many in the room to brighten with joy. This was exactly what they desperately needed! Specifically, the targeted military weaponry! These were weapons designed and produced by an interstellar civilization; they were leagues ahead of their own equipment, and the promise of continuous optimization and support would undoubtedly bring about a earth-shattering change in the situation.

The military representatives present were especially moved, clenching their fists tightly, struggling to contain their excitement. They knew the situation on the front lines all too well. The soldiers were in dire need of powerful support, and the people of the nation were in desperate need of hope.

However, some eyes lingered on the figure of thirty percent, as if they wanted to voice an objection.

Shen Yu spoke before anyone else could. "The figure of thirty percent is indeed open for discussion, but this is the result of a compromise reached after deliberation between Member Hanyu and myself, with both sides taking a step back."