The Black Codex's branch on Planet Qijin controls the hiring and financial transactions of half of the Interstellar Black Market in the Ancient Star Desert. Controlling this area means that the movements of half the black market are under surveillance.
In the main control room, the Third Code Chief ordered the operators to unlock the firewall, allowing Han Xiao to insert data probes and inject a large number of surveillance programs. He also retrieved recent anonymous hires from the black market to check the backend files.
The Black Codex's internal database records the true identities of some anonymous employers, most of which were obtained through investigation... As an intermediary guarantor, the payment for hiring would pass through the Black Codex before being handed over to the mercenaries, so tracing the identity of anonymous employers based on the source and flow of funds is not difficult.
Han Xiao rapidly copied the massive archives accumulated over many years by the Black Codex within the quantum network, and casually glanced at the trembling Third Codex Chief beside him with a half-smile, saying mockingly:
"You guys aren't as reliable as you claim. You've been secretly investigating the anonymous employer's identity, and all these files you've accumulated are the employer's leverage and bargaining chips. Don't tell me you're just investigating for fun."
The Third Code Chief wiped his sweat. "It's just to verify the reliability of the transaction and assess the employer's credit. We're only doing this for record-keeping; we've never leaked anything. As for the bargaining chips... cough cough, we're doing business on the black market after all; we always need to have some backup plans."
"I get it, I get it. It's the black market, everyone's corrupt." Han Xiao chuckled twice.
The Third Code Chief could only force a dry laugh, bowing and scraping, adopting an extremely humble posture.
There was no other way; when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. The Imperial fleet was waiting on the planet, so he had no choice but to back down completely.
At this moment, Han Xiao stroked his chin and said:
"Speaking of which, I just remembered something. I brought the Imperial fleet here in a grand manner, and you even came out to greet me. This planet is full of people and eyes, and sooner or later the news will spread. Then rumors will definitely appear on the black market, saying that you were coerced by the Three Universal Civilizations, causing the mercenaries and employers to choose to lie low. In this way, the plans of the Three Universal Civilizations to lure in unstable elements will be greatly reduced."
"Yes, is that so?" The Third Code Chief didn't know how to answer.
"But I think you should be glad," Han Xiao laughed. "You might even send someone to deliberately spread the word on the black market that the Black Codex is controlled by others, thus reminding other black market members not to use the black market platform for hiring during this period, and trying to minimize the damage to your organization's reputation."
The Third Code Chief felt a bitter taste in his mouth; he did indeed have such thoughts. Although he was forced to compromise, he still wanted to cut his losses.
Don't worry, I won't stop you from doing it.
Upon hearing this, the Third Code Chief was puzzled and couldn't help but ask:
"You're controlling us just to secretly monitor the black market and lure out any troublemakers, right? If the black market realizes we're unreliable and stops using our guarantee platform, what's the point of you controlling us?"
"Oh my, it seems you've adapted well to the change of roles, quickly settling into the role of a collaborator and starting to think about us." Han Xiao laughed and clapped his hands.
The Third Code Chief's face stiffened; he dared not utter a sound of anger.
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow, turned to call over an Imperial officer, and said with a smile, "Later, have the Imperial fleet split up and head to each of the gray transit stations in the Ancient Star Desert that are controlled by black market organizations. Remember to make a big show of it, so that everyone can see you."
Upon hearing this, the Third Code Chief's heart stirred, and he roughly understood Black Star's plan.
"You deliberately stirred up trouble, letting the black market know that the Black Codex had compromised, then pretended to negotiate with each black market organization, creating the illusion that the Three Universal Civilizations controlled the entire black Ancient Star Desert, planting seeds of suspicion in the minds of most people?"
In this way, even if other black market organizations do not fall into Black Star's hands, given the precedent of the Black Codex, employers who value secrecy and security will naturally not dare to take risks at this time, for fear of being exposed.
Black Star was able to force all the black market organizations in the Ancient Star Desert to compromise, but now it has chosen a different path. In the eyes of the Third Codex Chief, Black Star's move is to leave himself a way out. This method is not so tough and will not offend the black market organizations to the death like today, thus not benefiting the Three Universal Civilizations.
Some black market organizations might even think that Black Star showed leniency.
"I understand," the Third Code Chief hesitated, "This method is indeed gentler, but it has its advantages and disadvantages..."
Han Xiao did not answer, but understood what the other person meant.
Tough control over all black market organizations is most conducive to sting operations, which can arrest a large number of people who want to cause trouble. While the current method is more convenient, it alerts many people and makes them continue to lie low.
In his view, however, unstable factors can never be completely eliminated; they are like leeks—one batch is cut off, and another batch grows back, making it impossible to eradicate them completely.
The saying goes, "A great reward will surely bring forth brave men." If the ambitions of black market mercenaries are not quelled, there will always be those who take risks for huge profits, turning the Ancient Star Desert border into chaos. The Three Universal Civilizations will have to expend a great deal of energy to Pursuit. This is the drawback of entrapment.
Moreover, fishing law enforcement has arrested many people, and it cannot be concealed. It is better to openly let the ancient star desert know that the three major civilizations control the black market channels, and lay out a dragnet to dispel the chance mentality of those unstable factors and make them afraid of liquidation afterwards. In this way, the effect of the plan changes from fishing law enforcement to risk prevention, reducing the number of risk-takers at the root.
While entrapment tactics can be effective, they also create more instability. As rulers, the Three Universal Civilizations are better suited to more righteous and authoritative methods. Entrapment, as a dirty trick, is fine to use occasionally, but it's not suitable for long-term implementation.
Putting aside all his thoughts, Han Xiao turned and glanced at the Third Codex Chief's subservient appearance, clicking his tongue in disapproval.
"You're not bad. I thought I'd have to go on a killing spree before you'd give in, but you're so cooperative, not giving me a chance."
"... As long as you're satisfied." The Third Code Chief said helplessly.
"But I still prefer your rebellious side. Try to get back into character," Han Xiao couldn't help but tease.
When did I become arrogant...?
The Third Code Chief secretly cursed Han Xiao's perverse taste, but outwardly still obediently straightened his back.
By this time, Phillip had finished sifting through the files and identified a large number of employers who wanted to smuggle the virus.
"Submit this list and coordinate an operation with the forces of the Three Universal Civilizations to destroy these forces."
Han Xiao glanced at it.
The information was very detailed, covering all walks of life. He didn't intend to be lenient with these people; while making an example of them, he would also take the opportunity to improve his [Intelligence Plague] mission rating.
He searched carefully for a while and found a force that had repeatedly hired the Immortals, including the Melancholy Prince. This was a black market arms dealer called the Keppel Financial Group.
"I'll personally handle this organization. Remember to publicly release the execution footage online."
Somewhere in the Ancient Star Desert, at the fortress of the Keppel Financial Group.
At the dock, cargo containers were being loaded onto ships, and Keppel V and his entourage toured the area.
"How long until we can set sail?"
"It will probably take another two hours."
"Speed up as quickly as possible."
Keppel V sounded somewhat impatient.
Seven or eight days ago, the Imperial fleet moved into the Black Codex. The news only spread yesterday, and all the anonymous employers who issued the virus smuggling missions were terrified and felt insecure.
Keppel V was also uneasy, so he made a quick decision to abandon the fortress and accelerate the transfer of assets.
At this moment, he was organizing people to empty the fortress.
Just as he was anxiously waiting, an explorer suddenly sent an urgent message.
"Alert! The outer fleet has detected a small Crimson Dynasty fleet approaching. We have sent a communication request, but there has been no response."
"People from the Three Universal Civilizations have arrived?!"
Keppel V's heart skipped a beat. He and a group of officials hurried to the observation window and looked out at the distant starry sky. They saw several lonely imperial ships slowly approaching.
"It seems like not many people came?"
"They don't seem to be here to fight."
Seeing this, Keppel V breathed a slight sigh of relief.
With only so few spaceships arriving, he felt they were more like there for negotiations and questioning.
Thinking of this, Keppel V straightened his clothes to make himself look more formal, and gave the order in a deep voice:
"The escort fleet should not act rashly. Send a communication invitation in my name, and I will speak with them to see what their intentions are."
But as soon as he finished speaking, the Imperial spaceship suddenly stopped in the distance and remained motionless.
"Huh, why did they stop?"
Keppel V was taken aback, looking puzzled.
However, in the next moment, countless machines suddenly appeared out of thin air in the distance, rapidly assembling into a huge humanoid mechanical construct, clad in a long robe, wielding a long sword, its size reaching the sky and earth, larger than the entire fortress.
"That is..."
Before Keppel V and his entourage could recover from their shock, the massive mechanical entity suddenly hurled its long sword, slicing through the Kemper escort fleet without hindrance, like a hot knife through butter, and hurtling straight toward the fortress.
In that instant, everyone on the dock, including Keppel V, stopped what they were doing and stared blankly at the massive, mountain-like Blades toward them.
Everyone's mind went blank.
Brush!
The thrown Star Slaying Blade easily pierced through the Keper Fortress, and the blue Psionic Energy storm wrapped around its Blades instantly pulverized the scattered fortress ruins into powder, exploding into a dazzling burst of flames in mid-air.
The blade, its momentum undiminished and unstoppable, plunged straight into the desolate planet below, piercing through the earth's layers and emerging from the other side, leaving a gaping hole running through the entire planet.
The vast amount of Psionic Energy left behind by the Star Slaying Blade caused an irreversible high-energy chain reaction with the planet's interior, causing magma to surge and cracking the surface with fiery red lava fissures.
The next moment, a blinding white light suddenly shone, and the entire desolate planet expanded from the inside, instantly exploding into pieces.
The explosive shockwave spread out with a roar, Mechanical Deity raised the Great Emperor's Robe, creating layers of honeycomb-shaped high-density Psionic Energy shields that completely isolated the impact.
At the same time, he raised his hand and Star Slaying Blade automatically circled in an arc, bypassing the energy storm of the exploding planet, and returned to his hand.
"This thing is pretty powerful."
Han Xiao began to understand why the Terlex Race was so keen on creating specialized equipment for Mechanical Deity.
There's no other reason; he's genuinely handsome.
After admiring the Star Slaying Blade for a while, Master Han finally dispelled the Mechanical Deity and returned to the ship.
"Check to see if there are any survivors."
Does this even need checking...?
The intense light from the planet's explosion turned the faces of the Imperial soldiers present deathly pale. The cabin was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and you could almost hear everyone swallowing nervously in unison.
"Phillip, did you get the video recorded?"
"That's it, hum."
"Then let's post it online to deter those with ulterior motives and show them the consequences of their actions."
Han Xiao waved his hand casually.
He had no intention of talking to this force; the evidence was irrefutable, there was nothing to discuss, so he simply cut them off, demonstrating his resolute attitude.
After dealing with this minor matter, Han Xiao waved to Harrison and the others who were trembling all over, signaling them to come closer.
Harrison had just witnessed Han Xiao casually shatter a planet with a flick of his wrist. The impact of this scene shattered his mental preparations. Even though he knew that Black Star was one of the strongest beings in the universe, he was still shocked.
This is the power of Peak Beyond Grade A, it's terrifying, is this even human...?
Harrison's teeth chattered as he cautiously approached Han Xiao, stammering, "Black... Black... Lord Black Star, what are your orders?"
Why are you so nervous? I'm not going to eat you.
Han Xiao chuckled and patted Harrison on the shoulder.
"The plan to combat illegal employment is almost complete, and finding the virus's core should also be put on the agenda. I'd like to ask you, where do you think the virus's core might be hiding?"
"How... how would I know?"
"Don't be nervous, just say anything. Where do you think it's hidden?"
Harrison composed himself and cautiously said, "You previously said that the virus core is just a pre-programmed system used to monitor the overall virus infection situation. Therefore, it must exchange data with the virus packets. However, to disguise itself, it shouldn't be the terminal for this interaction; otherwise, it would have been found long ago. So I think that by statistically analyzing the data routes taken by each virus packet and comparing them to find the intersections, we might be able to find..."
Han Xiao interrupted him, saying, "The Three Universal Civilizations anticipated this long ago and have been doing this all along. Each virus packet sends out a large amount of misleading data at regular intervals, making the transmission routes extremely complex with too many data intersections, requiring us to filter them one by one. However, the virus's core is not only highly secretive but also seems to change location at any time, which is why the Three Universal Civilizations have been unable to find its trace."
"Well, I have no idea then, I can't be of any help."
"No, I don't need your ideas." Han Xiao smiled and said, "Next time the Three Universal Civilizations calculate the new convergence points, I'll need your help to select some nodes. Maybe you'll get lucky and find them right away."
"You must be joking..." Harrison, alarmed.
"I'm not kidding. Think about it, an antique you casually dug up turned out to be the source of such a dangerous disaster. In a sense, that's incredibly lucky."
Harrison scratched his head and realized that it seemed to make some sense.
Indeed, I seem to have been lucky since childhood. No matter what projects I invest in for my family's conglomerate, I always seem to make money in the end. If making money weren't so easy, I wouldn't be out here doing archaeology in search of excitement...
Han Xiao had no idea what he was thinking. Seeing him lost in thought, he casually offered a few words of encouragement before turning his gaze away and starting to make his own calculations.
He believed in the effect of the High-Level Lucky Halo; even if he couldn't find it the first time, Harrison would have a higher chance of finding it after several attempts.
Moreover, Han Xiao also planned to seek help from outside the arena, requesting permission from the Three Universal Civilizations to contact the outside world and consult the old man Iso of Dragon Calm for a divination.
No matter how well the virus's core is hidden, everyone is equal before luck and prophecy.
When science fails, metaphysics will do!
On March 9th, 731 of the Galaxy Calendar, Black Star, acting as an envoy of the Crimson Dynasty, visited the Black Codex organization, which controls the black market network.
The two sides held cordial and friendly talks on supporting the Three Universal Civilizations in controlling the disaster, exchanged views fully, and finally reached a consensus in a pleasant manner.
The Third Codex Chief, head of the Ancient Star Desert region of the Black Codex, stated that regardless of whether one's allegiance is black or white, every powerful civilian organization should bear a sense of historical responsibility. Preventing the Intelligence Plague disaster is the duty of every interstellar citizen, and the Black Codex is willing to fully support the actions of the Three Universal Civilizations.
On March 17, Black Star claimed that the Keppel Financial Group was secretly harboring a virus, and destroyed it in one fell swoop, its power shocking Stars.
Signaled by this, the Three Universal Civilizations coordinated their efforts and dismantled numerous private organizations suspected of harboring the virus within a month.
In April of the same year, the Crimson Dynasty fleet visited all the black market organizations in the Ancient Star Desert, seemingly gaining control of all the black market channels in the Ancient Star Desert.
Adhering to the principle of no negotiation and no compromise, Black Star led his fleet in frequent attacks, causing widespread fear in the Ancient Star Desert and a significant decrease in illegal immigrants.
On June 25, the research and development team led by Manison produced the first version of the dedicated antivirus and scanning tool, which was put into large-scale use.
In July of the same year, the Intelligence Plague was brought under initial control, and the Three Universal Civilizations began a large-scale investigation into the source of the virus.