Damn

After dispatching the Star Hunters, Tang Chuan glanced out the window. Dawn had already broken.

He had only slept for a little over an hour, but he was no longer tired.

Given his current physical condition, as long as he did not expend himself intensely, he would be fine even without sleep for dozens of days.

Sleeping for two hours every day or two was merely a habit now.

So he had no intention of going back to sleep.

He had Quintessa infiltrate the systems in this area and continue investigating the matter.

According to the diary's description, at least dozens of miles around this place had fallen under some kind of force. That meant the people nearby might all be untrustworthy.

Yet the information online showed that only a few hundred people had gone missing from this region.

Either the upper ranks had collectively fallen and forcibly suppressed the matter.

Or Exile Star had obtained the technology to drive away that force, restoring most people to normal while erasing their memories of that period.

At present, the former seemed far more likely.

After all, Exile Star did not possess such cutting-edge technology, nor would it have left no traces behind at all.

But after looking into it all morning, Tang Chuan only grew more puzzled.

Everyone in this area was living normally. The petty thieves and the underground factions were all carrying out activities consistent with their usual behavior.

In Tang Chuan's understanding, all these people had already fallen.

Yet after infecting so many people, the force behind it made no further moves and merely had them continue their daily lives.

What was the point of that?

Or had they discovered his surveillance, making those things afraid to act rashly?

That did not make sense either. Quintessa's scans should have been impossible for them to detect.

Just as Tang Chuan was preparing to expand the surveillance range, an unfamiliar number called around noon.

Tang Chuan accepted the call, and Moxiu's image was projected from his watch.

Tang Chuan said bluntly, "What is it?"

Moxiu chuckled. "We were drinking together just last night. Don't be so distant."

Tang Chuan ignored him. "We're not close. Get to the point."

Moxiu gave him a resentful look. "It's like this. Weren't you curious about the inside story behind the unrest from a while back? I kept it in mind, and I happened to have a channel that got me a few leads. Do you want them? The price is a bit steep."

Tang Chuan stared at him. "That fast? The authorities completely sealed it off. Where did you get the information?"

If Moxiu claimed he had obtained classified intelligence from the authorities or top-secret material through underground channels, Tang Chuan would immediately conclude that this guy had been infected too.

What kind of ability did he have?

Quintessa had even searched the highest-level classified archives and found nothing. If he claimed to have acquired confidential intelligence now, it would be obvious that he was one of them, sent to mislead him.

However, Moxiu's answer still surprised Tang Chuan.

He said, "How could I? The authorities destroyed all the records. Underground channels would have a hard time getting them too, and even if they did, they wouldn't dare release them. Well, I went through the Rebel Army. Maybe only they know some of the truth."

Tang Chuan said in surprise, "The Rebel Army? You even have informants in the Rebel Army? You're that capable?"

Moxiu waved a hand. "What informants? We're all just trying to make a living. If you're interested, head near the frontline viewing platform. I'll meet you there."

Tang Chuan said, "Fine."

Moxiu said, "Pay the deposit first. One million gold."

Tang Chuan said, "One hundred thousand. That's the most."

Moxiu said, "Ninety-nine percent of the price. I swear on my mother's name, I really can't go any lower. This trip is dangerous."

Tang Chuan said, "One hundred and fifty thousand. That's all the liquid funds I have. I can't overdraw any more than that. Forget it if you won't sell."

Moxiu said, "Twenty percent off! Really, it absolutely can't go any lower! You won't find another channel anywhere else. I'll give you a few days to raise the money. You can contact me anytime within three days!"

Tang Chuan said, "Five hundred thousand, final offer. I'll take out a loan. That's the highest limit."

Moxiu said, "You scheming bastard. Seven hundred thousand. This time, there's no room for negotiation!"

Tang Chuan said, "Deal."

Moxiu said, "Damn it!"

After hanging up, Tang Chuan gathered his things and summoned a Shuttle directly from the balcony, heading toward the planet's most famous attraction.

About twenty minutes later, the Shuttle landed before a grand, futuristic... mechanical fortress guarded by heavily armed soldiers?

Faint artillery fire could be heard from the other side of the fortress. Tang Chuan had no idea whether the authorities had deliberately broadcast it to attract tourists, or whether the fighting was truly so intense that it could not be concealed.

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

"Over here."

Moxiu waved from an alleyway, sticking his head out.

Tang Chuan walked over, nodded toward the mechanical fortress, and said, "You see that? One wrong move and we'll get riddled with bullets. Are you confident?"

Moxiu dragged him into the alley and said with a swaying head, "No. If I were confident, other people could take this job too. Why would it sell for such a high price?"

Tang Chuan clicked his tongue. "You're not afraid of dying?"

"Of course I am!"

Moxiu snapped irritably, "Who isn't afraid of death? But one million gold is worth risking it once!"

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

"Enough, enough!"

Moxiu looked utterly speechless. "Seven hundred thousand it is. But let's be clear, this is only the deposit. After it's done, you'll give me another five hundred thousand."

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

Moxiu rolled his eyes. "Three hundred thousand. Any less and I'm not doing it!"

Tang Chuan said, "Deal."

"Damn it!"

Moxiu was exhausted beyond words. "Come with me. Oh, and I really need to confirm your identity. Are you an interstellar agent or an investigator from a Higher Civilization authority?"

Tang Chuan was somewhat confused. "I'm just a tourist. Well, a tourist who likes unusual things."

Moxiu gritted his teeth. "Bullshit! What tourist has that much money? What tourist isn't afraid of dying? It's not that I want your identity. Why would I care who you are or what your purpose is? The Rebel Army wants it. Their situation is difficult, and they might need outside assistance. They're willing to pay a price."

Tang Chuan still shook his head. "Just a tourist. A tourist with a little spare money. If they want money, bring something to trade. Nothing else."

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

Moxiu stopped bringing it up and led Tang Chuan into a bar.

At the counter, Moxiu ordered a drink and gave an obscure code phrase.

The bartender's expression tightened slightly before he said, "There's nothing wrong with the drinks. If there is a problem, go find the boss."

Moxiu chuckled. "Stop making excuses. Then take me to the boss."

The bartender said helplessly, "Come with me. Don't make a scene here."

With that, he led them toward the back.

The bartender said nothing along the way. Only when they reached a corner backstage did he push open a cabinet, revealing a narrow hidden door inside. He gestured for them to enter and said, "Exchange your chips with the people in blue uniforms."

Tang Chuan had still been puzzled, but after entering, he realized there was nothing strange about it.

It was a hidden underground casino, where big shots from the underground factions gambled. It even held illegal boxing matches and the like.

Tang Chuan looked at Moxiu. "What, are you planning to bring me here to gamble?"

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

Step by step, Tang Chuan followed Moxiu to the lounge outside the underground boxing arena, where they found a janitor mopping the floor.

Moxiu patted him on the shoulder. "Close-range viewing."

The janitor looked up, somewhat bewildered. "I'm not in charge of that. To reserve seats near the ring, you need to speak with the manager."

Moxiu said seriously, "Close-range viewing. The kind with multiple participants."

The janitor fell silent for a while, then looked at Tang Chuan. "Who is he? I haven't seen him before."

Moxiu explained, "A visitor from another planet. He may be from a Higher Civilization authority. That's what the other side needs."

The janitor pushed the cleaning machine aside. "Come with me."

He led them to a certain fighter's lounge, entered a long string of codes into a storage locker, then scanned his genes and full-body projection.

Hiss—

The fighter's storage locker slid aside as a whole, revealing an underground passage lined with extremely thick metal plates.

The janitor urged them, "Hurry. It will close automatically in seven seconds."

Moxiu did not waste any time and immediately motioned for Tang Chuan to head down the passage.

The upper partition slowly closed.

As they walked through the silvery-white corridor, Moxiu explained, "These anti-detection barriers block instrument scans. Otherwise, if a passage appeared beneath the battlefield, even a ghost would know something was wrong."

Tang Chuan asked doubtfully, "They're already at war, and they still have the mood to dig tunnels? What are they for, surprise attacks from behind?"

Without turning around, Moxiu waved his hand. "Transporting supplies! If they didn't find a way, the Resistance Army would have starved to death before they ever got to fight!"

Tang Chuan thought for a moment. "It looks professional, but I don't think the authorities could have failed to think of it. If the Resistance Army has few resources, where are the supplies coming from?"

Moxiu said indifferently, "Maybe they know. That has nothing to do with me. This is my last job. If the New Order comes to shut the place down after today, that won't be my problem either. I'm never coming back."

As he spoke, he took out a sophisticated mask from his clothes and covered his face.

Tang Chuan asked, "Where's mine?"

Moxiu said, "Didn't prepare one for you. Masks are expensive. Who told you to be such a cheapskate?"

Tang Chuan said, "Damn."