It was undeniable that Khan had become less overbearing after the break-up. He was still unreasonable. He was still a leader, but a profound sense of defeat had taken root inside his mind.
Chuwei's events perfectly showcased that change. Khan would have been fine leaving the mission to the planet's lifeforms if they turned out to be worthier than him. He was okay not being the main character of that story as long as his replacement defeated the Nak's enemy and kept his loved ones safe by rescuing the universe from that threat.
The mission was what mattered, while Khan saw himself as expendable. His life was an acceptable price to pay to achieve that impossible success. In a way, his loved ones had left him to allow him to make that decision without second thoughts.
