Ch. 1283Harvesting the Pirates Again

The Council of Elders struggled to negotiate compensation as Bart’s refusal to name terms fueled unrest among the Empire’s nobles. Meanwhile, Yang Bo finished modifying three warships and set out as Li John to let pirate groups raid a convoy before robbing them himself.

  • The Council of Elders complained that Bart’s influence and refusal to accept compensation left them unable to answer the nobles or the international community.
  • Yang Bo used robots to modify the three warships, focusing on their complex Energy Systems, and finished most of the work after a month.
  • Yang Bo suspected the Red Maple Leaf Kingdom and its northern neighbor were heading toward war as the kingdom recruited more nobles and knights.
  • Yang Bo transformed into Li John, contacted four Pirate Groups, and learned that some planned to join others in raiding a Federal Central State transport convoy.
  • Yang Bo departed under Silent Navigation, intending to rob the Pirate Groups after they seized wealth from the convoy, then returned to Devon Star as Bart.

Ch. 1284Starting a Company

Bart negotiated compensation and authority with the Empire, then returned to March Star and registered a research company focused on energy and biology. He asked Liu Zhijie to help find people to manage it, leaving Liu to contact Liu Jingxiang and the others.

  • The Emperor and Council of Elders offered Bart authority over Devon Star's security, a production license, compensation, and land, and Bart agreed to settle matters on Devon Star before signing anything.
  • The Empire publicized its negotiations with Bart, compensated nobles who had suffered losses, denied the Alliance's accusations, and seized the Golden Oak Grand Duke family's titles, assets, and territory.
  • Yang Bo returned to March Star and registered a research company, while March Star restricted the export of energy-bearing lifeforms and recruited well-funded studios to study Interstellar Creatures.
  • Yang Bo asked Liu Zhijie to help find managers for his company, explaining that he planned to research Interstellar Creatures.
  • Liu Zhijie said Liu Jingxiang and the others had lost money investing in security companies and agreed to ask them about helping Yang Bo.

Ch. 1285Alliance Ministry of Defense Bounty Mission

Yang Bo recruited Liu Jingxiang and Zhou Kexin to manage his new technology company while he considered what product to develop. After Zhou Kexin suggested testing software vulnerabilities for bounties, Yang Bo found an Alliance Ministry of Defense testing link offering up to 10 billion and chose it as his first target.

  • Liu Zhijie met with Liu Jingxiang and Zhou Kexin and explained Yang Bo wanted them to run his new company.
  • Yang Bo offered Liu Jingxiang and Zhou Kexin management roles, salaries, and 0.1 percent profit-sharing shares, and they accepted.
  • Yang Bo asked Su Wei and the other two to join the company, but they refused so they could focus on training their superpowers.
  • Yang Bo asked his dinner companions what technology he should develop, and Zhou Kexin suggested searching for software vulnerabilities with high bounties.
  • Yang Bo received a report featuring an Alliance Ministry of Defense testing link with a reward of up to 10 billion and decided to target it.

Ch. 1286Building a Hacker Persona

Yang Bo built a white hat hacker reputation by finding minor vulnerabilities in Alliance government systems, while refusing an official position. He then joined Li John's operation against pirate groups and confronted two groups after they robbed a transport convoy.

  • Yang Bo registered as a white hat hacker and reported vulnerabilities in the Ministry of Finance system, earning a reward and an invitation from the Alliance Security Department, which he refused.
  • Over the next half month, Yang Bo reported minor vulnerabilities in several other Alliance departments while continuing to manage his other identities.
  • Yang Bo brought three C-Class Battleships to join Li John's forces as the First Seven Pirate Gang teamed up with the Black Rose Pirate Gang and the Bald Head Pirate Gang to raid a transport convoy.
  • The three pirate groups seized strategic supplies and captured several hundred people before splitting up, with the First Seven Pirate Gang taking the captives and escaping separately.
  • Li John confronted the Black Rose Pirate Gang and the Bald Head Pirate Gang, destroyed their ships, and demanded that they leave his C-Class Battleships.
  • The two groups' First Deputy Regiment Commanders used active radar and discovered that Li John had three C-Class Battleships.

Ch. 1287Someone Wants to Fish Me Out?

Yang Bo captured two more C-Class Battleships from the Black Rose and Bald Head pirate gangs, then headed toward a suspected Pirate Alliance trap involving the Witch Pirate Crew and three other groups. After he anonymously alerted the Federal Central State, its leaders debated whether the intelligence was genuine or a ploy.

  • The Black Rose and Bald Head commanders complained to the Pirate Alliance after Li John trapped their ships, then ordered their crews to abandon two C-Class Battleships.
  • Yang Bo took remote control of the abandoned ships and added both to his fleet while the pirate crews recovered cargo and escaped.
  • Yang Bo suspected the Witch Pirate Crew and three allied groups were bait in a Pirate Alliance plan, so he sent anonymous intelligence about their gathering to the Central State.
  • The Federation President and Vice President asked the Federal Intelligence Bureau Director whether the report was authentic, and the Director suspected infighting within the Pirate Alliance.

Ch. 1288Compensation Secured

Yang Bo prepared for an impending Federation strike on the Pirate Alliance while securing political influence and compensation on Devon Star through Bart. He later returned to space aboard five C-Class Battleships, awaiting the clash between the Federation and the pirates.

  • The Federation Intelligence Department recommended testing intelligence about the Pirate Alliance with two Detachments backed by a Main Fleet, and the Federation leadership ordered a battle plan.
  • Yang Bo withheld the warning from the Witch Pirate Crew, sent five C-Class Battleships through Silent Navigation, and returned to Bart's manor to arrange government appointments and compensation on Devon Star.
  • Ning Xue's family chose Sword Saint Ning as Governor, and Yang Bo gave them a Hereditary Viscount title; Bart's proposals for Devon Star appointments passed unanimously in the Senate.
  • Yang Bo met Su Ruoxin, who said she wanted a child, then submitted vulnerabilities to government departments and discussed buying an exploration ship with Wang Muxue.
  • Yang Bo left March Star and boarded Li John's five C-Class Battleships as he prepared for the approaching conflict.

Ch. 1289The Golden Oak Grand Duke's Trail

Yang Bo learned that the Golden Oak Grand Duke had secretly established an identity in the Alliance, but he postponed pursuing him while watching the Pirate Alliance’s operation unfold. The Federation’s Seventh Fleet ambushed the Witch Pirate Crew’s joint fleet, leaving Yang Bo ready to exploit whatever happened next.

  • The Pirate Alliance used missions for the Witch Pirate Crew and six other pirate groups to test for intelligence leaks, unaware that Yang Bo had access to information from key officials.
  • Yang Bo controlled five C-Class Battleships from a distance and waited for a chance to collect abandoned ships, while keeping his focus on the pirate groups rather than the Federation fleet.
  • Mei Xiaoxiao noticed that one of her Alliance intelligence agents had changed, and Yang Bo recognized the man through her memories as the disguised Golden Oak Grand Duke.
  • The Seventh Fleet arrived near the pirate groups’ ambush site, fired from a distance, and destroyed two D-Class Battleships before the pirates fled.
  • The Pirate Alliance directed the Witch Pirate Crew and the other pirate groups to escape together, while Yang Bo prepared to seize an A-Class or B-Class Battleship if the Seventh Fleet divided its forces.

Ch. 1290I'm Not Greedy

The Federation's Seventh Fleet pursued the Witch Pirate Crew's joint fleet into a star system, where the Pirate Alliance had prepared a minefield and hidden ambush forces. Yang Bo positioned his five C-Class Battleships along a likely pirate escape route and waited for the battle to begin.

  • The Seventh Fleet chased the fleeing pirate fleet while the Pirate Alliance's council prepared a minefield and concealed eight Pirate Groups for an ambush.
  • Yang Bo learned the Pirate Alliance's plan and moved his five C-Class Battleships behind a planet near a route the pirates might use to escape.
  • The Witch Pirate Crew's joint fleet passed through a Space Jump point, losing one E-Class Battleship as the Seventh Fleet closed in behind it.
  • The Seventh Fleet entered the star system, detected the minefield and the first reserve force, and reported them to Federation command.
  • Federation command ordered two waiting Detachments into the star system while the hidden pirate forces and Detachments maintained radio silence.
  • Yang Bo waited near the escape route, hoping to capture two or three C-Class Battleships when the pirates fled.

Ch. 1291The Biggest Winner

The Federation’s Seventh Fleet and two detachments shattered the Pirate Alliance’s ambush, while Yang Bo used the chaos to seize four more C-Class Battleships from the fleeing First Reserve Team. Yang Bo left with control of nine captured C-Class Battleships as the surviving pirates escaped.

  • The Federation’s detachments ambushed the Witch Pirate Crew’s joint fleet and the Second Reserve Team, inflicting heavy losses as the pirates fled.
  • Yang Bo sent the Federation intelligence about the hidden Third Reserve Team, and the Seventh Fleet changed course, found the force, and destroyed it.
  • The Federation continued pursuing the Witch Pirate Crew’s joint fleet and the Second Reserve Team, while the First Reserve Team escaped through a Space Channel.
  • The First Reserve Team encountered Yang Bo’s five disguised C-Class Battleships, which attacked and demanded that the pirates surrender their C-Class ships.
  • The four Pirate Groups abandoned their C-Class Battleships, and Yang Bo remotely took control of them, bringing his captured total to nine.

Ch. 1292Thief Stealing the Federation's Fruits of Victory

Yang Bo, disguised as Li John, returned to Kalaya Province with six captured C-Class Battleships after the Federation defeated the pirates. The Federation celebrated its victory, but the Pirate Alliance threatened retaliation, and Li John’s haul turned the Federation’s triumph into a political embarrassment.

  • The Federation President announced a crushing victory over the Pirate Alliance, while the Pirate Alliance Council struggled to explain its losses and the Federation’s unexpected tactics.
  • The Pirate Alliance declared war on the Federation Central State, threatened companies tied to its conglomerates, and placed bounties on its leaders and Li John.
  • After a month away, Yang Bo returned to Kalaya Province aboard a B-Class Battleship with six captured C-Class Battleships, bringing his total fleet to nine.
  • Yang Bo told Kalaya Province’s ministers he had seized the ships from pirates and urged them to find warship specialists and accelerate construction of a Battleship Manufacturing Plant.
  • Yang Bo privately planned to move the warships and manufacturing plant away from Kalaya Province when the opportunity arose, while reassuring Lisa that he controlled the ships.
  • News of Li John’s six captured battleships spread, enraging the Federation President and Vice President, who accused him of stealing the fruits of the Federation’s victory.

Ch. 1293Calculations

Yang Bo, disguised as Li John, retaliated against the Federation President’s accusations and proposed building a warship dock in Kalaya Province. The chapter ended with him raising the legal obstacle to private ownership of a dock and seeking a way to make Li John its rightful owner.

  • The Federation President accused Li John of stealing the spoils of war and announced sanctions and a Supreme Court investigation.
  • Yang Bo, posing as Li John, denounced the President in a public address and ordered trade restrictions, asset auctions, tax audits, and a corruption investigation in Kalaya Province.
  • Alliance and Empire media accused Federation forces of attacking pirates in Escape Pods and publicized Li John’s earlier seizures of pirate warships, prompting calls for sanctions.
  • The Federation President and Vice President argued over who should take responsibility as political factions and provincial governments withheld support.
  • Yang Bo presented Kalaya Province’s senators with his design for a 3D Printing Dock and offered to fund it partly himself and borrow the rest against the provincial fleet’s warships.
  • When senators agreed to supply materials and financing, Yang Bo pointed out that current law did not allow private ownership of a warship dock.

Ch. 1294Dockyard Construction Preparations (6000)

Yang Bo secured licenses for a warship dockyard and ship manufacturing in Kalaya Province, then built the facilities and arranged supplies for his planned C-Class Battleship production. As his pirate fleet prepared to rob a Federation convoy carrying radioactive materials, he also began publishing research on Interstellar Creatures and established an academic website.

  • Yang Bo pressed Kalaya Province's senators to legalize privately funded warship dockyards, and the House of Representatives and Senate passed the law and granted Li John the required licenses.
  • Li John signed letters of intent with more than thirty Federation companies, while Yang Bo designed a modular dockyard and C-Class Battleship and converted their components into traceable supply contracts.
  • Yang Bo completed a smart manufacturing factory in Catherine's Private Laboratory on Devon Star, capable of producing warship-grade optical computers, sensors, and controllers.
  • Yang Bo and the Witch Pirate Crew and three other Pirate Groups prepared to attack a Federation detachment transporting highly radioactive materials for Energy Engines.
  • Yang Bo published papers on the appearance, energy absorption, and temperament of juvenile Interstellar Creatures, and founded the Interstellar Creatures academic website.

Ch. 1295Short of Money

Yang Bo rejected the King’s marriage demand, then planned to exploit the Pirate Alliance’s coming attacks on Central State mineral stars to make money and secure materials for his warship dockyard. He left off preparing to supply the pirates with selective intelligence and target a valuable shipment of Energy Engine materials himself.

  • Yang Bo refused the King’s proposed marriage, kicked the envoy away, and ordered his guards to beat the delegation and drive them from Prince Holden’s Domain.
  • Yang Bo strengthened the domain’s guards and recruited outsiders as Knight Attendants as he anticipated further trouble.
  • Yang Bo assessed the Pirate Alliance’s plan to attack Central State mineral stars and realized that disrupted material supplies could drive up warship-related prices.
  • Yang Bo decided to give the Pirate Alliance anonymous, selective intelligence about mineral stars while keeping Li John’s identity concealed.
  • Yang Bo planned to rob mining-company materials as the Silver Moon Pirate Gang, sell them to the Pirate Alliance, and seize them back as Li John.
  • Yang Bo targeted a Federation shipment of Energy Engine materials worth several quadrillion, hoping to obtain the supplies needed for his dockyard and warships.

Ch. 1296Action Plan

Yang Bo, disguised as Li John, organized four Pirate Groups to ambush a Federation fleet carrying Energy Engine materials. He secured their agreement to capture ships and spare ordinary soldiers, then sent the groups into position for a three-part interception plan.

  • The Federation's 042nd Detachment loaded highly radioactive Energy Engine materials onto a storage ship and activated its radar after moving away from the Mineral Star.
  • Yang Bo assembled with four Pirate Groups and took oversight of more than fifty battleships, telling their commanders he would claim the materials rather than the captured battleships.
  • When the Witch Pirate Crew's First Deputy Regiment Commander demanded revenge against Federation soldiers, Yang Bo insisted the group capture officers and soldiers instead or withdraw from the operation.
  • The Witch Pirate Crew agreed to follow Yang Bo's orders, and the commanders accepted his rule that any group breaking the plan would lose its share and be expelled.
  • Yang Bo explained three plans to lure or intercept the Federation Detachment along its route between Mineral Stars, then the Pirate Groups and Yang Bo's battleships separated and began Silent Navigation.

Ch. 1297Huge Harvest (5000)

Yang Bo's Pirate United Fleet ambushed the Federal Central State's 042nd Detachment after the Federation warships passed the Mineral Star. As the Federation fleet broke into chaos and its officers fled aboard E-Class Battleships, Yang Bo learned that the pirates could capture the remaining ships and soldiers.

  • The 042nd Detachment diverted to ZW3508 Mineral Star, where a pirate D-Class Battleship had been attacking the transfer center.
  • The Pirate United Fleet ambushed the detachment from beyond its active radar range, and its commander ordered acceleration, return fire, and a request for reinforcements.
  • Yang Bo ordered the four Pirate Groups to target the B-Class and C-Class Battleships, reduce their cannon power, and broadcast offers of safety to ordinary soldiers who surrendered.
  • The Federation officers escaped aboard E-Class Battleships, while the Pirate Groups kept their weapons trained on the larger ships and tried to recruit the remaining soldiers.
  • Yang Bo learned that the officers had fled with their trusted subordinates and excitedly told the Pirate Group commanders that their haul could be enormous.

Ch. 1298Return to Sky Cloud Star

Yang Bo distributed captured warships to pirate gangs, moved valuable engine materials, and visited Sky Cloud Star to confront Mei Xiaoxiao about the Golden Oak Grand Duke. He left her shaken by revealing that her intelligence network had missed both the Duke’s identity and a Federation intelligence officer.

  • Yang Bo awarded the Greyhound Pirate Gang priority for a B-Class Battleship, let the Witch Pirate Crew and First Seven Pirate Gang draw lots for the other, and allocated C-Class Battleships to the remaining gangs.
  • Yang Bo remotely cracked the captured ships’ permissions, arranged for the pirate gangs to share intelligence, and secretly transferred more than two hundred containers of engine materials to an unmanned C-Class Battleship.
  • Yang Bo, disguised as Bart, relaxed with Catherine on the Empire and told her she could keep pets on the island.
  • Yang Bo disguised himself as Third Master on Sky Cloud Star, contacted Lin Yue, and met with Mei Xiaoxiao at her Underground City shop.
  • Yang Bo told Mei Xiaoxiao that the Golden Oak Grand Duke had arrived and that the earlier figure had been a clone, then criticized her intelligence work.
  • Yang Bo revealed that the fat man at the Mecha Repair shop was a Federation intelligence officer, leaving Mei Xiaoxiao stunned.

Ch. 1299The Countess Is Not Alone

Yang Bo warned Mei Xiaoxiao to investigate suspicious operatives and watch the Golden Oak Grand Duke, then traveled to Pegasus Star to investigate the Duke’s business. He traced a suspicious customer to Luo Xi Hassen and concluded that the Hassen family stood behind the Red Earl Organization, but set the lead aside to avoid alerting them.

  • Yang Bo told Mei Xiaoxiao that several disguised operatives were near her Underground City route, two suspicious people were in her team, and she had six months to complete his tasks and monitor the Golden Oak Grand Duke.
  • After leaving Mei Xiaoxiao, Yang Bo returned to Lin Yue’s villa, spent the afternoon with her, and learned that Li Yong’s intermediary would be available in two days.
  • Yang Bo traveled to Pegasus Star and watched the Golden Oak Grand Duke’s Boutique Pavilion, where he planted a Mental Seed in the manager, Liu Qingyu.
  • Yang Bo examined the store’s long-term customers and identified a suspicious Alliance representative, Luo Xi Hassen, whose political family had ties to events surrounding the Pado Star Incident.
  • Yang Bo concluded that the Hassen family was likely the real power behind the Red Earl Organization and decided to preserve the information for future use rather than investigate further.

Ch. 1300Settle Last Time's Expenses

Yang Bo launched the Space Mecha Recall Skill at a forum on Devon Star, then returned to March Star and monitored the conflicts between the Federation and the Pirate Alliance. He planned to profit by playing both sides and contacted the Federal Intelligence Department to demand payment for his earlier intelligence before offering more.

  • Disguised as Bart, Yang Bo completed three months of orders at the Ultra-High Temperature Material Laboratory and attended the reopened Space Technology Application Forum on Devon Star.
  • Yang Bo announced two hundred Space Mecha Recall Skill slots and thirty free trial slots each quarter, while White explained the technology’s requirements and costs.
  • Allen outlined the legal reviews and procedures needed before the Space Mecha Recall Skill could be offered, and Yang Bo left the forum without socializing with the attendees.
  • Back on March Star, Yang Bo followed disputes over the Federation’s failed tactics and the Pirate Alliance’s internal turmoil, learning that the pirates planned to target a Mineral Star in the Federal Central State.
  • Yang Bo decided to wait for the Pirate Alliance to attack, then sell Central State intelligence that could weaken both sides, and messaged the Federal Intelligence Department from Li John's warship demanding payment for his previous intelligence first.

Ch. 1301Deal Successful

Yang Bo negotiated with the Federation for artificial Standard Energy Stones in exchange for intelligence, while planning to delay information about the Pirate Alliance’s coming operation for greater profit. Back on March Star, he avoided his company after Nolan joined it, then discovered Prince Holden faced a costly royal wedding imposed by his father.

  • The Federation’s leaders negotiated with Yang Bo, who demanded twenty trillion Credit Points’ worth of artificial Standard Energy Stones and promised specific intelligence after receiving them.
  • Yang Bo planned to withhold news of the Pirate Alliance’s operation until its attacks began, using the conflict between the Federation and the pirates for profit.
  • Yang Bo returned to March Star and stayed home instead of visiting his company after learning Nolan had joined its staff.
  • In the Second World, Yang Bo learned that Prince Holden’s father had arranged his marriage to a Harlan Kingdom princess and sent craftsmen and slaves to prepare an extravagant wedding.
  • Yang Bo recognized the wedding preparations as an attempt to bankrupt Prince Holden and considered how to stop them.

Ch. 1302Untitled

Yang Bo shifted the Kingdom’s costly gifts onto Binhai Town’s players and funded several development projects while preparing for a possible conflict. In Kalaya Province, he oversaw shipyard construction and planned government and Senate meetings to authorize warship exports and address fleet staffing.

  • Yang Bo sent the Kingdom’s envoy away and told Binhai Town’s player officials that they could distribute three hundred craftsmen and claim five hundred slaves according to their contribution points.
  • Yang Bo allocated fifty Gold Coins each to research long-range weapons, a Hydraulic Forging System, and a new Sailing System.
  • Yang Bo visited Li John’s battleship in Kalaya Province, where Imperial engineers prepared to build a shipyard from his blueprints and suspected Li John had the Empire’s backing.
  • Lisa told Li John that Federal Central State sanctions had worsened the battleship’s staffing shortage, and Yang Bo offered her a special budget to recruit personnel.
  • Yang Bo accepted the companies’ gifts and instructed Vivian to summon the Ministers and convene the Senate the next day to arrange warship export authorization and fleet staffing.
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