Chapter 024: Stillness

Thrawn had become a Grand Admiral, holding high rank and great power, but he was not a reckless man.

He was well aware of the gap between himself and Wang Bo.

The other party had already conquered the entire planet of Coruscant; every single person present was trapped like a turtle in a jar. With a single command, he could kill them all.

Of course, Thrawn believed it impossible for the other party to be so insane.

Because the vast majority here were the Empire's elite. If he wiped them all out in one fell swoop, the Empire's collapse would be imminent.

The Rebel Alliance would probably thank his ancestors for eighteen generations.

Thus, as long as he still wanted to sit on the Imperial throne, he would not kill them all.

But killing a few to intimidate them should be no problem.

So now, whoever dared to oppose would be made an example of.

And worse, Thrawn realized he might well become that example, because this young Emperor, who had conquered Coruscant and driven out Palpatine, had fixed his gaze upon him.

Thrawn couldn't help but fall into a struggle.

Should he surrender here and now, or resist to the death?

The former could bring wealth and honor, the latter could make his name immortal—no, he couldn't even achieve that, for the other party was the Emperor, with far too many ways to blacken his name.

Perhaps in a thousand years, no, even in a dozen years, or a few years, he would become a fool who overestimated himself by daring to oppose His Majesty the Emperor.

After some thought, Thrawn lowered his head. "Thrawn pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor."

Wang Bo couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Very good, Grand Admiral Thrawn. You are indeed a wise man."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty." Thrawn kept his head down, eyes fixed on the ground.

Wang Bo looked around. "And you?"

A group of soldiers, seeing Thrawn lower his head, stared at him with disbelief, as if they felt his actions were a complete betrayal of His Majesty Palpatine.

They scorned Thrawn's behavior, preferring death to lowering their heads.

If not for the oppressive weight everywhere pressing them down, preventing them from lifting their heads or speaking, they might have already started cursing loudly.

But another group of soldiers, seeing Thrawn surrender, followed suit, expressing their willingness to submit.

Wang Bo didn't care whether these people were truly surrendering or faking it; he simply waved his hand and removed the pressure weighing on them.

"Stand up," he said softly.

Thrawn nodded, stood up with the soldiers, moved to one side, and silently watched the others.

Those unwilling to surrender to Wang Bo were still pressed down by immense pressure, unable to lift their heads, and as time passed, the pressure grew greater and heavier.

Wang Bo looked coldly at this group. "I can give you one more chance. Kneel on both knees, touch your head to the ground, swear allegiance to me, and I will spare you."

Among the remaining, some hesitated, then felt their bodies about to be crushed by the immense pressure, and quickly did as Wang Bo instructed.

They knelt on both knees, touched their heads to the ground, and said loudly, "I am willing to pledge allegiance to Your Majesty."

Then Wang Bo waved his hand and released them all.

As for those who would rather die than surrender, Wang Bo snapped his fingers. Grand Vizier Tarkin understood and called a few guards to arrest them and send them to prison to keep Palpatine company.

When the time came, they would stand trial before the people alongside Palpatine.

Wang Bo had nothing to say about those who would rather die than surrender. Palpatine's ability to transform the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire was beyond doubt.

Such a man naturally had his own charisma and charm; having a group of loyal followers was perfectly normal.

Wang Bo was not at all surprised.

But since they were willing to be with Palpatine, all Wang Bo could do was grant their wish.

At least they would have company on the road to the afterlife, so they wouldn't be too lonely.

After sending away Palpatine's loyalists, Wang Bo ordered a grand banquet to be held to entertain the Empire's important ministers present.

As for whether they were truly willing to surrender, Wang Bo didn't care.

Because the moment they bowed their heads to him, Wang Bo had already planted a seed in their minds.

Once the seed took root and sprouted, they would naturally work for Wang Bo.

…

The banquet began at eight o'clock in the evening, held in the great hall of the Imperial Palace.

The entire venue was decorated with opulence and extravagance. The magnificent crystal chandeliers used natural crystals, each one astonishingly expensive.

The banquet tables were made of rare wood, originally used for precious jewelry, now crafted into furniture, making it all the more luxurious.

The carpet was made from the fur of some rare beast. To avoid damaging the fur, the Empire banned the use of firearms and only allowed cold weapons to hunt these beasts.

Each hunt for such ferocious beasts cost the lives of several Imperial soldiers.

Not to mention the exquisite food, sourced from all over the galaxy. Transporting these foods to the Imperial Palace cost an astonishing sum.

It could be said that this banquet fully displayed the Empire's extravagant style, but Wang Bo didn't mind, after all, the Empire ruled the galaxy.

Not to mention one extravagant banquet; even a hundred such banquets could be afforded.

Such an act would not be seen as wanton extravagance but rather as a display of the Empire's prosperity.

When the banquet began, Wang Bo arrived ten minutes late.

This was in keeping with the habit of important people always arriving last.

As Wang Bo entered, the crowd split into two lines, bowing to welcome him.

Seeing this, Wang Bo couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. From now on, the Galactic Empire had truly fallen into his hands. Even if Palpatine escaped, he could never make a comeback.

Moreover, he couldn't escape.

Then Wang Bo raised his glass, announcing the start of the banquet. This long-prepared feast finally reached its climax.

Wang Bo sat on his throne, watching the officers and ministers dancing gracefully on the dance floor, and smiled contentedly.

But just then, the cheat that had been absent for a long time suddenly appeared again.

It brought Wang Bo only one sentence.

[It's about to begin. Be careful.]

Wang Bo was startled. What was about to begin? What did he need to be careful of? The cheat had suddenly said something so cryptic; Wang Bo had no idea what it meant.

But soon, Wang Bo understood.

Because the time before him suddenly stopped.

As if someone had lightly pressed the pause button, everything came to a standstill.