Chapter 1261: Chapter 481: Deeply Grateful

"He is an assassin, walking in the shadows, accompanied by death."

"His life never relied on bullying the weak. He simply picked up the gun and pulled the trigger at the injustice he saw."

"He was wanted, arrested, and imprisoned. The length of his life was forcibly measured in terms of money."

"But in the end, he chose to die for two billion people."

"This was not a burden forced upon him, but a responsibility he took on voluntarily."

"He is Wang Qiao, the foremost assassin of Source Star."

Nearly two months later, when joining the Fleet Headquarters and holding the martyr award ceremony, Ren Zhong personally wrote Wang Qiao’s epitaph when he met Wang Qiao’s widow and descendants.

There are no graves in space, but a plaque representing honor can be left behind.

In the past, there was no such ceremony in Source Star Society; sacrifice was never respected, but Ren Zhong changed the rules.

The ceremony is not just a formal presentation. Survivors can empathize with and understand the mindset of the sacrificer during the ceremony, understanding why they died and with what emotions they died.

Then, the ignorant and naive survivors and successors will gradually learn how to follow in the footsteps of those who came before and continue to move forward.

The accumulation of so-called civilization lies precisely in this repeated inheritance.

What the Fleet Headquarters members do not know is that nearly twenty billion people in the Source Star System, a light year away, are moved to tears, gritting their teeth, and feeling ashamed for having slept five extra minutes this morning because of these publicly disclosed 2,230,000 names.

The people left on Source Star do not feel the resentment of being abandoned.

On the contrary, they are the ones in the know.

They know what Ren Zhong is pursuing, they understand how lonely Ren Zhong is on the fleet now, and they know that those Pioneers are the ones who truly left their homes for the unknown and dangerous Empire. The Pioneers work desperately, one after another, to carve out a breathable space in advance for those left behind.

After the award ceremony ended, the people on Source Star quietly returned to their respective posts, studying, working, and creating.

The Fleet Headquarters took away a large amount of metal resources, so we developed metal recycling technology; they took away a large number of high-energy batteries, but we still have the Source Sun; they took away a large stock of Ruins Beast Crystals and products, so we counterattack the wild to corral more Ruined Beasts.

As long as the sun still hangs high, our path will always be bright.

...

"Sir, according to your orders, the spoils collection work is coming to an end. The engineers have collected numerous samples of the Reproductive Subunits of Subsumers. The staff of the Life Sciences Academy, Medical Science Academy, and Biological Science Academy have been defrosted and entered the working reproductive state. They are overjoyed by these achievements. We must admit that the Subsumers have advanced far in the field of biotechnology, having elevated genetic technology to unimaginable heights. Even deciphering a tiny fragment holds significant importance for us."

"Additionally, the Mineral Exploration Department and Energy Department have also made significant discoveries. Although the explosion of Star C1915 was quite thorough, leaving less than 1% of the heavy hydrogen element behind, it’s enough to triple our energy reserves. According to the recommendation of the ’Net,’ five hundred Annulus Ships have been converted into energy production ships. In terms of metallic minerals, we’ve also gone through a new round of storage, enough to make up for the losses from the Mother Empress Ship battle, and there’s even surplus."

Zhuo Yihang reported the work to Ren Zhong item by item while holding a tablet.

Ren Zhong nodded, "Well done."

In fact, Sun Ai could easily report these matters directly, with greater efficiency and more comprehensive and accurate data.

But Ren Zhong considered it and decided to have Zhuo Yihang communicate in person.

Next, he and Ju Qingmeng, Zheng Tian, Ma Xiaoling, Huo Donghua, and other core personnel would still enter cryogenic sleep, but the vast majority of people in the fleet, including the scientific research departments, would remain active for a long time, absorbing achievements, advancing technology, and propagating while navigating.

Therefore, in terms of administrative functions, someone must remain active for a long time, liaising with Sun Ai frequently to maintain order, supervise work, and prevent psychological and social issues. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Ren Zhong needed to personally mentor the temporary successor to cultivate him. The chosen successor is Zhuo Yihang.

He had already earned Ren Zhong’s trust.

This former marginal person, whom Ren Zhong pulled from the Census Official College back to Starfire Town, earned his place through his dedication and ability.