Grass

After dispatching the Star Hunters, Tang Chuan looked out the window. The sky had already brightened.

He had only slept for a little over an hour, but he wasn't tired.

Given his current physical condition, as long as he didn't exert himself at high intensity, he could go for tens of days without sleep.

Now, sleeping for two hours every other day was just a habit.

So, he had no intention of continuing to sleep.

He had Quintessa hack into the systems of this area and began to continue investigating the matter.

According to the diary, at least dozens of miles around had been under the influence of some power, meaning the people nearby might all be untrustworthy.

However, the information on the network indicated that the number of missing persons in this area was only a few hundred.

Either the upper echelons had collectively fallen and suppressed the incident, or the Exile Star had acquired the technology to repel that power, restoring most people to normal and causing them to lose their memories of that period.

As it stood, the former seemed much more likely.

After all, the Exile Star didn't possess such cutting-edge technology, nor would they have left no trace.

But after observing all morning, Tang Chuan grew increasingly perplexed.

Everyone in this area was living their lives normally. Petty thieves and underground forces were all engaged in activities consistent with their usual behavior.

In Tang Chuan's current understanding, all these people had fallen under influence.

Then, after infecting so many people, the power behind it didn't take any further action, merely allowing them to continue their daily lives.

What was the logic behind that?

Or, had his surveillance been discovered, causing those entities to refrain from acting rashly?

That didn't seem right either; Quintessa's detection methods should be undetectable to them.

Just as Tang Chuan was about to expand his surveillance range, at noon, an unfamiliar number called.

Tang Chuan clicked to answer, and Moxiu's appearance was projected onto his watch.

Tang Chuan stated directly, "What's up?"

Moxiu chuckled, "We just drank together last night, don't be so distant."

Tang Chuan ignored him and said, "I'm not familiar with you. If you have something to say, say it."

Moxiu glanced at him resentfully and said, "It's like this, weren't you curious about the inside story of the riots a while back? I kept it in mind, and coincidentally, I found a channel that got some leads. Do you need them? The price is a bit inflated."

Tang Chuan stared at him. "So soon? The authorities have completely sealed off information. Where did you get this news?"

If Moxiu claimed he got confidential information from official sources or top-secret documents from underground channels, Tang Chuan would have concluded that this guy had also been compromised.

How capable could he possibly be?

Quintessa had even accessed the highest secret vaults and found nothing. If he was now claiming to have obtained confidential information, it was clear he was working for the other side, trying to mislead him.

However, Moxiu's words still surprised Tang Chuan.

He said, "How could that be? The authorities destroyed the documents, and even underground channels find it hard to get them. Even if they did, they wouldn't dare release them. Uh, I went through the Rebel Army. Perhaps only they know some of the truth."

Tang Chuan was surprised. "The Rebel Army? You even have informants within the Rebel Army? That's quite capable."

Moxiu waved his hand. "What informants? We're all just trying to make a living. If you're interested, head to the vicinity of the front-line observation deck. I'll meet you there."

Tang Chuan: "Okay."

Moxiu: "Pay the deposit first, one million gold."

Tang Chuan: "One hundred thousand, that's the most I can do."

Moxiu: "Ninety-nine percent! I swear on my mother's name, I really can't go any lower. This trip is very dangerous."

Tang Chuan: "One hundred fifty thousand. That's all the funds I have available. I can't overdraw any more. If not, forget it."

Moxiu: "Eighty percent! Seriously, I absolutely can't go any lower! If you look for anyone else, you definitely won't find a channel. I'll give you a few days to raise the funds. You can contact me within three days!"

Tang Chuan: "Five hundred thousand, firm price. I'll take out a loan, that's the maximum limit."

Moxiu: "You old schemer, seven hundred thousand. This is really the final offer!"

Tang Chuan: "Deal."

Moxiu: "Damn it!"

After hanging up the call, Tang Chuan tidied himself up and directly summoned a shuttle. He departed from the balcony and headed towards the most famous attraction on this planet.

About twenty minutes later, the shuttle landed. It arrived at a grand and futuristic... mechanical fortress, guarded by fully armed soldiers.

Faintly, from the opposite side of the fortress, the roar of artillery could be heard. It was unclear if it was officially released to attract tourists, or if the gunfire was genuinely intense and couldn't be masked.

After sharing his location with Moxiu, the guy quickly found him.

"Over here."

Moxiu waved, peeking his head out from an alley.

Tang Chuan walked over, nodded towards the mechanical fortress, and said, "You saw it. One slip-up and we'd be shot dead. Are you confident?"

Moxiu dragged him into an alley and said, shaking his head, "No. If I were confident, others could have taken this job. Why else would the price be so high?"

Tang Chuan tutted, "Aren't you afraid of dying?"

"Of course I am!"

Moxiu said irritably, "Who isn't afraid of dying? But a million gold is worth taking a risk for!"

Tang Chuan corrected him, "It's seven hundred thousand."

"Alright, alright!"

Moxiu said with a speechless expression, "Seven hundred thousand it is. Let's be clear, this is a deposit. After I finish, give me another five hundred thousand."

Tang Chuan: "I really don't have any more."

Moxiu rolled his eyes, "Three hundred thousand. Any less and I'm out!"

Tang Chuan: "Deal."

"Damn it!"

Moxiu was utterly exhausted. "Follow me. Oh, right, I really need to confirm your identity. Are you a space agent or an investigator from a higher civilization's official organization?"

Tang Chuan looked a bit confused. "I'm just a tourist. Uh, a tourist who likes exploring the unusual."

Moxiu gritted his teeth. "Nonsense! Tourists don't have this much money! Tourists aren't this fearless! It's not that I want your identity; I don't care what your identity or purpose is. It's the Rebel Army that needs to know. Their situation is dire, and they might need external assistance, for which they'll pay a price."

Tang Chuan still shook his head. "Just a tourist, a tourist with some spare cash. If you want money, bring something to exchange for it. Otherwise, there's nothing."

"Fine, you can tell them yourself. I'm done with you."

Moxiu, no longer bringing up the matter, led Tang Chuan to a bar.

At the bar, Moxiu ordered a drink and spoke a coded phrase.

The bartender's expression stiffened slightly, then he said, "The drinks are fine. If there's a problem, talk to the boss."

Moxiu chuckled, "Stop making excuses. Take me to the boss then."

The bartender sighed, "Follow me. Don't cause trouble here."

Saying that, he led them towards the back.

The bartender remained silent until they reached a corner in the back. He pushed open a cabinet, revealing a narrow hidden door inside, and gestured for them to enter. "Exchange your chips with the person in the blue uniform."

Tang Chuan was still surprised, but upon entering, he found it made sense.

This was a hidden underground casino, filled with big shots from the underworld gambling, and it also hosted underground boxing matches.

Tang Chuan looked at Moxiu. "What, are you planning to take me to a match?"

Moxiu said calmly, "Don't rush. Just follow me."

Following Moxiu closely, they arrived in front of the resting room for the underground boxing match participants and found a cleaner mopping the floor.

Moxiu patted his shoulder. "Close-up viewing."

The cleaner looked up, somewhat bewildered. "I'm not responsible for this. Seats near the boxing matches require reservations with the manager."

Moxiu said earnestly, "Close-up viewing, the kind for multi-person matches."

The cleaner was silent for a moment, then looked at Tang Chuan. "Who is he? I haven't seen him before."

Moxiu explained, "An extraterrestrial visitor. Possibly someone official from a higher civilization. The other side needs him."

The cleaner pushed his cleaning machine aside. "Follow me."

Saying that, he led them to a fighter's resting room, entered a series of passwords on a locker, and scanned his genes and full-body projection.

Chii~

The fighter's locker slid to the side, revealing an underground passage. The passage was surrounded by very thick metal plates.

The cleaner urged, "Hurry up. It'll automatically close in seven seconds."

Moxiu didn't hesitate and immediately called Tang Chuan to go down the passage.

The upper compartment slowly closed.

Walking through the silvery-white passage, Moxiu explained, "These anti-detection baffles block instrument detection. Otherwise, if a passage appeared beneath the battlefield, everyone would know something was up."

Tang Chuan was a bit confused. "They're already at war, and they still have time to dig tunnels? For what? Sneak attacks from behind?"

Moxiu waved his hand without looking back. "Transporting supplies! If they don't find a way, the Rebel Army won't have to fight; they'll starve to death!"

Tang Chuan pondered for a moment. "It looks professional, but I don't think the officials would be unaware. If the Rebel Army doesn't have many resources, where do the supplies come from?"

Moxiu shrugged. "Maybe they know. But that's none of my business. This is just the last job. After today, when the new order comes to seal everything up, it still won't be my business. I'm never coming back."

As he spoke, he took out a sophisticated mask from his pocket, covering his face.

Tang Chuan asked, "What about mine?"

Moxiu: "I didn't prepare one for you. Masks are very expensive. Who told you to be so stingy?"

Tang Chuan: "Damn it."