A Key

Seeing the newcomer, Gu Ding was not surprised. He only found it strange that the man reeked of alcohol despite clearly not having started drinking yet. "Uncle, you're here!"

"Gu Ding, he's the one who sent the message to the Federal Government!" the Sea Emperor suddenly transmitted.

Hearing that, Gu Ding raised his brows and looked at the man. He was the stubbled middle-aged man who had treated the Gu Ding Team to dinner yesterday.

"Uncle, are you with the Federal Government?" Gu Ding transmitted directly.

The stubbled middle-aged man was visibly stunned, but he quickly nodded. "You found out... My name is Smith, and I belong to the External Liaison Division of the Federal Government Intelligence Directorate. Our department is specifically responsible for gathering intelligence throughout the Great Universe Sea and contacting other factions."

"So, you were the one who leaked news of our arrival here to the Federal Government?" Gu Ding continued.

"That's right. But we already knew your Pirate Crew had entered the Great Universe Sea; we just never had conclusive proof. All I did was secretly take a photograph to prove that you had indeed entered the Great Universe Sea." Smith did not deny it.

"You've already seen Scarlet's Combat Strength. Why did you still risk approaching us? You should know that someone with your identity can hardly be considered a friend to us." Gu Ding did not understand why the man had taken the initiative to approach him after completing his mission.

"I know that Interstellar Pirates and the Federal Government have long stood opposed to each other. That mindset is difficult to change. But since you've entered the Great Universe Sea, there is something else you must understand. In the Great Universe Sea, race is the most important thing. No matter what faction we