Abyss Solo

A beautiful morning begins with enjoying the close personal service of the Princess.

Yang Ming opened his eyes to see Daphne's exquisite and flawless beautiful face.

She gazed at Yang Ming as if appreciating a treasured artwork, unapologetically showing her attachment and the soul-encompassing satisfaction of the moment.

After a brief moment of intimacy, Daphne urged Yang Ming to get up and prepare for today's speech.

This was the task Yang Ming had previously promised Director Eno—to deliver a speech to all the Empire's armed forces. The speech had been sent to Yang Ming, full of praise for the Empire's glorious history spanning tens of thousands of years, praising the Empire's efficient handling of unrest, and defining this unrest as a 'malicious attempt by foreign forces to overthrow the great Empire'.

How could Yang Ming possibly read the script?

In fact, while Daphne was performing facial and skincare routines on him, he already smelled something unusual.

In the palace's corner bathroom, Yang Ming lay on a microgravity chair, admiring the mural above.

The mural depicted the meeting of the founding Emperor Levi Sherman and one of his dozens of concubines.

Sitting above Yang Ming, Daphne gently applied some gel-like substance evenly on his face, gently pressed it, and then brought some seemingly non-technological heating devices, making Yang Ming feel warm.

"Your skin condition seems unchanged."

Daphne murmured softly, and then discussed with the maid beside her the reason for this phenomenon.

The maids stated that they were not experts on the Ancient Gods and really couldn't understand these things.

Yang Ming chuckled: "Just going through the motions is fine, I don't want to wear military uniforms with delicate skin, that would be an insult to the Empire's soldiers."

"That's prejudice," Daphne said softly, continuing to gently rub Yang Ming's cheeks. "My father just sent a message, it seems they want your speech to be broadcast live across all official channels. Now all portal websites and social platforms have announced news about your upcoming speech to Imperial Military Department members."

Yang Ming responded lightly: "Is your father that confident? He's really not afraid I'll shout long live freedom?"

"That's not a proper joke," Daphne frowned, "Hanton, what the Empire needs now is to restore stability, which is the best option for the people."

Yang Ming hummed, enjoying her service with closed eyes.

A guard hurriedly approached, standing ten meters away and performing a noble etiquette, quickly saying:

"Honorable Ghost Duke, the speech is scheduled for three Galaxy Time later, you need to head to the Imperial warship Prince Glory, which will take about one Galaxy Time from here."

Before Yang Ming could speak, Daphne frowned and looked over: "Why was the location changed? Wasn't it supposed to be at the square in front of the Imperial Palace?"

"Well," the guard whispered, "I apologize, Your Highness, I'm just responsible for delivering the message."

"Dismissed."

Daphne's stern gaze made the guard leave hastily without daring to raise his head.

Yang Ming laughed: "Don't be angry, the last-minute location change was already in my expectations."

"I'm afraid they'll take desperate measures," Daphne said, "Uncle Grandfather Eno messaged me this morning that they decided at yesterday's roundtable meeting to accommodate and treat you kindly, hoping you could become a stabilizing force for the Empire's long-term peace and stability. But Uncle Grandfather also mentioned that some family elders are very dissatisfied with this decision, and there's a possibility they might take military risks."

Yang Ming's eyes lit up.

The roundtable is starting to have disagreements?

That's good news.

Empire's internal conflict needn't be between nobles and commoners.

Yang Ming laughed: "After all, I have insulted them and caused them to lose face; those old men who are usually high and mighty won't easily let me go, which is to be expected. Military adventure... I think it's unlikely, they can't possibly lack that much strategic vision, attacking me now would incite rebellion among the people?"

"They are capable of anything.

"They don't care about the people at all.

Daphne gently bit her lip, thought for a moment, then looked down at Yang Ming.

Their eyes met in opposition at one hundred eighty degrees.

"Hanton, you make some preparations first, I'll go ask Father and Uncle Grandfather, if this matter is settled, I'll board the ship early to personally check the details everywhere."

"Daphne!"

Daphne rose to leave.

Yang Ming called out behind her, but Daphne showed no sign of stopping, quickly heading towards her dressing room.

Boss Yang hesitated to speak, then shook his head, continuing to relax back into the chair.

A maid approached, continuing facial massage for Yang Ming.

Bzz, bzz!

Yang Ming's wristwatch gently vibrated.

He gestured, and the surrounding maids understood, bowing and retreating.

Yang Ming glanced at the wristwatch; it displayed two messages. Interestingly, the two messages came from the goddesses of two network worlds, two identical Mechanical Thought Bodies, the difference being, one is from home, the other is a potential enemy.

[Lyu: Boss, there are bombs on that ship, four of them in different locations, different models of High Explosive Concentrated Energy Bombs, one from the Antenna Organization, one from the trusted organization of the four elders of the Military Department, one from a senior agent of the New Federation CIA, and the last one is in the ship's engine room, not sure who placed it.]

Yang Ming blinked.

Four, four bombs?

Well... good heavens... am I that unpopular in the Empire?

Boss Yang wasn't in a hurry to reply to his little assistant, he opened the second text message.