The atmosphere was slightly awkward.
Jiang Ye and Koker faced each other, sipping tea.
Cen Yemeng sat beside her husband, her expression that of a loyal bodyguard.
"Earlier in the car, you mentioned that Gunt was someone from your family?" Jiang Ye finally broke the silence.
"He originated from our family, but our family no longer acknowledges him. Several years ago, we revised our family tree and struck Gunt's name off," Koker replied seriously. "He is considered a traitor who escaped family law."
Jiang Ye was surprised, and the atmosphere immediately felt more relaxed.
He had initially thought they were enemies, but this explanation made it seem otherwise. Could they even be friends?
"What is your relationship with Gunt?" Jiang Ye probed.
"I met him once when I was very young."
Jiang Ye was overjoyed. This was good; no relationship, definitely an outsider.
"Speaking of him now, I don't really feel anything. I just know that such a person existed in our family, but there's no connection anymore," Koker said. "Our family is very large, possibly numbering over a hundred thousand people. Situations like his are not uncommon."
"A hundred thousand people?" Jiang Ye was shocked. "Your family has a very long history, doesn't it?"
"Not particularly long, only about a hundred and sixty years," Koker replied. "Our family is quite prolific. My grandfather had sixteen wives and concubines, and each of them gave birth to more than four children. Many people like my grandfather, generation after generation, so in a little over a hundred years, we reached over a hundred thousand people."
Jiang Ye turned to look at Cen Yemeng. "Isn't your family quite large too?"
"Not comparable," Cen Yemeng said with a smile, shaking her head. "Our family is only about a thousand people, not even ten thousand. Perhaps in seventy or eighty years, we might reach tens of thousands."
"Your esteemed wife is from the Cen clan, isn't she?" Koker suddenly asked.
"How did you know?" Cen Yemeng was taken aback.
"Our family has purchased many weapons from your father. We are, in a way, a major client. My grandfather once dined with your father," Koker explained. "I've heard some things about Mr. Jiang and guessed you might be from the Cen family. Fate, fate."
"Heh, what a coincidence. The universe is quite small indeed," Jiang Ye chuckled.
"The supreme planets are quite concentrated. On this journey, there are also people from the Liu family of Xuema Star and the Li family of Liwang Star. I know them all," Koker said. "In terms of sheer numbers and long history, the Liu family of Xuema Star has been around for over five hundred years and is said to have twenty billion people. That is a truly super noble family."
"I've heard of them, I've heard of them. The Liu family of Xuema Star is indeed formidable. When they buy weapons from our family, their orders are in the tens of trillions. We can barely keep up, it's enough to overwhelm us," Cen Yemeng nodded repeatedly. "I even met Liu Xiu when I was a child."
"Liu Xiu? The one... who inherited the name of Emperor Guangwu due to his early achievements, the current Governor of Yuncheng Star, Liu Xiu?" Koker was surprised.
"Yes, that's him. He was only twenty-five years old then, very young, and came to our house to expedite an order."
"My, my, impressive," Koker said with deep respect. "Do you remember his demeanor and speech back then?"
"It's still vivid. His walking posture was incredibly elegant, tall with long legs. His hands were in his pockets as he strolled leisurely down our corridor. My fourth uncle said he had the 'crane gait' described in ancient books. He was very fair-skinned back then, exceptionally handsome, and he liked to smile. He smiled when talking to people, and he smiled when walking alone, exuding confidence and cheerfulness," Cen Yemeng nodded. "He also encountered Bōyě Jiànwú at my home."
"The name sounds familiar, but I can't recall," Koker listened intently.
"Bōyě Jiànwú was the Foreign Minister of Sakura Star at the time. Sakura Star was still an independent planet then, not part of the Galactic Empire. It had its own military and was very prosperous. Bōyě Jiànwú had served as the Foreign Ambassador on Yuncheng Star for five years, and Liu Xiu knew him well back then, and they had a good relationship."
"At that time, Yuncheng Star and Sakura Star had some friction. I don't know the specifics, but their relationship deteriorated significantly," Cen Yemeng said. "After Bōyě Jiànwú and Liu Xiu met in the corridor, Liu Xiu stopped and said with a smile, in a light tone, 'We are preparing to attack Sakura Star.'"
Koker's eyes widened.
"Bōyě Jiànwú was stunned, his face turning ashen within seconds," Cen Yemeng recalled. "Liu Xiu still had a smile on his face, but there was a hint of killing intent in his expression. Liu Xiu then said, 'Jiànwú, you are an old acquaintance of mine. I don't know how far the war will go, but you can quickly transfer your family to Yuncheng Star. I will ensure your safety.'"
"Bōyě Jiànwú then asked if he, as the Foreign Minister of Sakura Star, should report this matter, and if there was any room for negotiation regarding the timing of the attack."
"Liu Xiu smiled and said, 'Report it if you wish. We don't care. The elder has already decided. It will be soon, very soon. Perhaps tomorrow morning.'"
"Bōyě Jiànwú was sweating profusely at that moment. I could see it clearly, a cold sweat all over his forehead, the look of someone utterly terrified," Cen Yemeng said.
"And then?" Koker held his breath.
"I don't know the specific details of what happened afterward, only that Sakura Star was brought under the control of the Liu family after a battle. The war ended very quickly. Liu Xiu was the overall commander, and it was then that he began to truly shine, unleashing a terrifying power."
"There were several independent planets nearby at the time. They had formed a military alliance for mutual support and were in a hostile state with Liu Xiu's Yuncheng Star. Yuncheng Star had not been at war for nearly thirty years, and the nearby independent planets believed Yuncheng Star lacked the courage and strength for war. To their surprise, Liu Xiu attacked without warning, with extreme violence. Those independent planets were greatly alarmed and, within six months, all of them voted to join the Galactic Empire, a form of surrender," Cen Yemeng said.
"Oh, truly witnessing history, truly witnessing history!" Koker exclaimed repeatedly. "I saw Liu Xiu once from afar during a stellar network conference. His bearing and appearance were indeed befitting someone from the Liu family."
Jiang Ye was internally shocked by what he heard.
He felt an entirely unknown realm slowly unfolding before him: the world of great families and influential clans.
He had known his wife's family was extraordinary, but he hadn't expected it to be to this extent.
Why did he suddenly feel like a nobody?
"I'm rather uninformed. What are the internal dynamics of a large family like yours, with tens of thousands of people?" Jiang Ye inquired.
"Large families are divided into smaller clans," Koker explained. "Different clans have different statuses. I belong to a branch of the main lineage, and there are many other branch families. People within a smaller clan are more familiar with each other, like family. Those further away are more distant, primarily in cooperative relationships."
"Because you are from the main lineage, you were able to become a planetary leader?" Jiang Ye asked.
"No, I became a planetary leader first, and then was incorporated into the main lineage. The main lineage is actually a supreme interest group. The most accomplished individuals among the hundred thousand people are transferred to the main lineage, and then seniority is determined. Koker said. "It's actually quite brutal; great families have no familial affection, they are sustained by interests."
"If Gunt unified Wheeler Star, could he also become a member of the main lineage?" Jiang Ye asked.
"No, he violated family law and was permanently removed," Koker smiled.
"What did he do? That's such a severe punishment!" Cen Yemeng exclaimed in surprise.