# Chapter 1591: Sometimes You Just Have to Gamble
Nightingale was stunned. The reason for pushing Freya onto the throne was because Jiangnan wanted to withdraw?
At this moment, Nightingale couldn't help but panic.
(งὅ)ง "The defection plan hasn't succeeded yet! If you leave, we'll lose our backbone! I... I can't hold it together on my own, right?"
Jiangnan smiled brilliantly. "You can handle it. After following Brother Jian for so long, your strategic skills are solid. The way you've commanded this internal and external coordination this time is pretty good!"
"I've set up the board for you. If I stay here any longer, I won't be able to push the plan forward much more anyway!"
"All you need to do is be patient, silently swallow up Tongcheng, and stab Holy Star in the back the moment the counterattack truly begins!"
Nightingale swallowed. "You're really... really leaving? So urgently?"
With Jiangnan around, no matter what crisis or danger arose, Nightingale felt at ease!
Because nothing could stump Jiangnan!
That was how she saw it. But with Jiangnan suddenly leaving, of course Nightingale would panic!
Jiangnan nodded. "There are still three days until dawn. Over at Moon Eye, the Star-Devouring Giant Worm has almost dug down to the main body of the Origin Spark!"
"If we don't act on the arrangements for Moon Eye now, it'll really be too late. I'm going back this time to take care of Moon Eye!"
"Success or failure hinges on this one move!"
Nightingale smiled bitterly. First he brought everyone to Tongcheng to orchestrate the defection, painstakingly laying the groundwork, and now he has to go back to face the Star-Devouring Giant Worm!
Jiangnan had been running nonstop for the counterattack, never resting!
"Honestly... how long has it been since you last slept?"
Jiangnan paused, then grinned. "Why sleep while alive? Plenty of time to rest when you're dead! Don't worry about me, I can handle it!"
"Once we win, I can sleep however I want!"
Nightingale took a deep breath. "Alright! What do I need to do?"
Jiangnan's expression turned serious. "Continue executing the defection plan, but the situation is about to change!"
"I'll have the Alliance change its strategy. Tongcheng will become the main target for all guerrilla teams!"
"What you need to do is use this opportunity to speed up the defection plan—eliminate external threats and purge internal dissent. Aim to swallow Tongcheng before dawn, and sharpen your blade!"
"Then just watch for the right moment and strike when the time comes!"
Nightingale was taken aback. "Attack Tongcheng? Aren't we supposed to be making a move on Moon Eye?"
Jiangnan chuckled. "Exactly! That's why we need to hit Tongcheng even harder—to make Rui Sen believe that humanity has given up on saving Moon Eye and accepted the reality of defeat!"
"So they'll think we're fighting for more Origin Sparks and resources, a desperate last struggle before death!"
"But this is just a feint. The goal is to keep Rui Sen tied up in Tongcheng. Only if Rui Sen isn't at Moon Eye can we make our move there!"
Nightingale shuddered violently, truly feeling the terror of Jiangnan!
Even now, everything was still within Jiangnan's control!
He had thought of everything!
"Just how far ahead have you planned?"
Jiangnan said calmly, "All the possibilities I could think of, I've considered. I'm taking the optimal solution."
"To win, to minimize casualties—no amount of preparation is too much. This isn't a game; you can't hit restart. There's only one chance."
Looking into Jiangnan's eyes, Nightingale's heart surged. She suddenly felt grateful that this era had him in it.
Next, Jiangnan gave Nightingale a sufficient supply of transformation props and Small Fire Jars, enough to last until dawn!
The authority over the defection plan was also handed over to Nightingale!
Jiangnan was making his final preparations before departure.
Just then, a star breeze carrying lip prints blew in and interrupted them.
(⚝Ŏ)ﾂ "Um... someone's looking for you. It's Xiao Hetao. He says he wants to see the boss."
Jiangnan paused, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Right, I haven't dealt with Xiao Hetao's situation yet. Bring him to the side room."
Nightingale was puzzled. Wasn't Xiao Hetao already one of them? What else needed to be dealt with?
Soon, Xiao Hetao walked in and firmly closed the door behind him.
His eyes fell on Jiangnan, a bitter smile spreading across his face.
Last time he saw the boss, he was in the form of the Queen. Now he was in a different appearance again.
From the moment Xiao Hetao entered, he didn't speak, his fists clenched tightly. The atmosphere in the side room was somewhat tense.
Jiangnan crossed his legs, looking completely at ease.
"You can ask any questions you have. I'll answer them all."
Xiao Hetao finally gathered his courage and spoke. "Boss... you... you're human, aren't you?"
The moment those words came out, Nightingale instantly tensed, leaning forward slightly. But Jiangnan gently waved his hand, signaling her not to be too nervous.
Jiangnan smiled. "Oh? You figured it out?"
Xiao Hetao smiled bitterly. With the way he'd been blatantly favoring one side, how could he not guess? And he didn't believe any member of the Pupil Race could have such abilities. The only answer was human.
Xiao Hetao's eyes darkened. "Boss! I want to know—everything you've done, is it just to let humanity win this war and protect that moon?"
"And to achieve that goal, you've been using me, haven't you?"
Nightingale's heart was in her throat. Obviously, Xiao Hetao had guessed their true identities and purpose.
If this wasn't handled well—if Xiao Hetao broke free of their control or went to inform on them—the defection plan would collapse!
Jiangnan laughed. "Right! Correct! It would be a lie to say I'm not using you. I am indeed using you."
Nightingale: !!!
You can't say that! This... what if Xiao Hetao turns?
Xiao Hetao's gaze dimmed. "I know! Everything I have, the boss gave me. I don't have the right to bargain with you."
"But I want to ask—if I follow you to the end, and you achieve your goal, what will become of the Pupil Race?"
"Will they continue to be enslaved by humans, used as mining tools? Or will they be discarded like tools once they've served their purpose, and the Pupil Race eliminated?"
"I just want to know—when you said you'd help me achieve my goal, were you lying to use me, or did you really mean it?"
Jiangnan smiled brightly. "The fact that you're asking me these things shows you genuinely care about the Pupil Race and truly want to bring about change."
"If my goal is achieved, I won't continue to enslave the Pupil Race, nor will I kick them aside after they've served their purpose. Of course, you can complete the race's transformation."
"But if I told you I'd give you a piece of land on Lan Xing to build a country and develop freely, even if I said it, you wouldn't believe me."
"And I wouldn't do that either. The Pupil Race will most likely become vassals of humanity."
Xiao Hetao was taken aback. "Vassals?"
Jiangnan spread his hands. "Humans won't interfere in the internal affairs of the Pupil Race. It won't be slavery, but rather a vassal relationship independent of humanity."
"You can earn rewards, resources, and all the things of modern society through labor. Form mining teams, mercenary groups, security companies—whatever you want to do!"
"As time goes on, you'll gradually develop your own unique culture and civilization. Even in our world, people earn income through work!"
"There's no absolute freedom in this world, nor anything for nothing. I'd love to get money without working too, but the reality is, I still have to go around swindling and cheating, don't I?"
Nightingale: ???
Are you sure you're not committing a crime?
What Jiangnan described was the most realistic solution. He didn't feed Xiao Hetao pipe dreams.
What race integration? Giving them land to establish a country? That's nonsense!
Discrimination, exclusion, fear of backlash—all are problems.
If two races coexist, there must be a primary and secondary relationship.
Becoming vassals of humanity was the only choice for the Pupil Race.
Xiao Hetao stared blankly at Jiangnan. "Can it... really be done?"
Jiangnan smiled. "Of course! But this is only under the condition that the Pupil Race doesn't threaten humanity's survival. Only then can a mutually beneficial situation emerge."
"If the Pupil Race's ambitions swell, and they try to turn against humanity or invade Lan Xing, then the only thing waiting for you is annihilation!"
"I'm not painting you a rosy picture or feeding you sugar. I'm just telling you the truth."
Xiao Hetao gritted his teeth. "How... how can I be sure that what you promised will actually be fulfilled? That you won't go back on your word?"
Jiangnan's expression hardened. "Choose to continue being enslaved by Holy Star. In a few days, when the moon breaks apart, the Pupil Race will lose all value to Rui Sen."
"Only three paths await you: be wiped out, be used as cannon fodder against the remaining human forces until your race is extinct, or continue to be enslaved, mining ore, drifting through the starry sky."
"No matter which path, all that awaits you is death. And the change you hope for, the dream world you long for, will never come."
"Besides, it seems you only have a few days left before the Pupil Race's fate is sealed."
Xiao Hetao took two steps back, leaning weakly against the wall, his eyes full of despair.
He knew the boss was telling the truth. In the eyes of Holy Star, the Pupil Race was worse than dogs, less valuable than a piece of Origin Spark or an Incense Bead.
They could be discarded at will. Once the moon broke apart and the Pupil Race completed its task, their fate would come to an end.
Jiangnan stood up, walked over to Xiao Hetao, his gaze deep.
"Xiao Hetao! You need to understand: if you want something you've never had, you have to be willing to do something you've never done!"
"Sacrifice... do you really understand it?"
"Sometimes you just have to gamble. You gamble that I, Jiangnan, will keep my promise. You gamble that I'll give the Pupil Race a future!"
"Because other than choosing to believe in me, you have no other choice!"
With that, Jiangnan's big hand heavily landed on Xiao Hetao's shoulder.
Firm and powerful!
"What's your answer?"
Xiao Hetao's gaze gradually became resolute. His single eye met Jiangnan's eyes directly.
"I believe you! Xiao Hetao will always be loyal to the boss!"
"From this moment on, the Pupil Race and humanity are a community of shared fate! We advance together, fight the enemy together!"
"I swear! The Pupil Race will never turn against humanity. As vassals, we will complement each other. I will personally shape the future of the Pupil Race and create the world of my dreams!"
Jiangnan's fist heavily struck Xiao Hetao's chest!
"No matter how pretty the words, they're useless. Remember this in your heart!"
Xiao Hetao grinned. "Got it, boss! Just watch my actions!"