After hesitating for a moment, Paiji decided it was better to believe it than not, and truthfully said, "A Silver Spirit People claimed to be an envoy of DarkStar. I found a jet-black bead on him, I didn't know what it was, but I thought it was a treasure and carried it with me. However, during the chaos at the docks a few days ago, the bead was lost, and it may have been picked up by someone..."
Since the bead wasn't on him, telling the truth wouldn't cause any loss. The other party was likely DarkStar. Putting aside the fact that he was Dark Star's idol, just considering DarkStar's style of doing things, if he refused to reveal information, the consequences would be predictable. According to the risk assessment, compromise was the safest option.
Han Xiao narrowed his eyes.
Beads? What are those? I've never heard of this in my past life.
Could this be a hidden plot point?
Han Xiao's heart skipped a beat. It seemed possible. The fact that DarkStar sent Ashes to represent them meant that it was a large-scale secret mission that no one had triggered in his previous life.
"You've been very cooperative; I'll pay you a certain reward as intelligence fees."
"No need for payment, I only wish to join DarkStar."
But Paiji rubbed his hands together and said...
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao suddenly understood. No wonder Paiji hadn't haggled before revealing the information; he was a potential supporter of DarkStar. When Han Xiao first saw that Paiji's information indicated he was a half- Goddora, he had already suspected that Pike's choice to impersonate DarkStar was not only to cause trouble but also to try his luck, and he had actually won the bid.
The reasoning isn't difficult. Paiji is a half -Goddora and a wanted criminal who doesn't conform to the established order, so his political leanings are more likely to support DarkStar.
Han Xiao dared to use the name DarkStar because he considered that Ashes would conceal his true identity to maintain secrecy. Even if Ashes came to inquire first, he would do so under a different identity, allowing Han Xiao to use this opportunity to his advantage. If Han Xiao used the identity of a mercenary, Paiji would definitely hate them, and he might not get the information, and he might even expose himself.
Han Xiao coughed, feigning seriousness.
"I see your conviction; you are a conscious member of the Goddora. Our great cause needs passionate individuals like you..."
Before Paiji could be happy, Han Xiao changed the subject.
"However, we have a strict screening process for new recruits to prevent spies from infiltrating. Coincidentally, there's something I need your help with. There's another force on this floating island that's secretly vying with us for this bead. Has anyone asked me the same question before me?"
"Uh, no."
"That's good. We're ahead of time. This is your chance to make a contribution to the organization. They'll likely come to you later, just like I did, asking the same questions. Just tell them the bead has already been thrown into outer space."
Han Xiao suppressed a laugh and said, "After you complete this task, DarkStar will accept you at the appropriate time and take you to the secret base for formal training."
"I see."
Paiji was convinced, his face solemn.
He hadn't expected the Silver Spirit People to be so cunning, and he couldn't help but wonder what secrets that bead held that would attract such a powerful force to secretly vie for it!
At the same time, Paiji was also filled with regret. If he had realized the extraordinary nature of the pearl at the time, he might have gained greater benefits and would not have done the deed of buying the box and returning the pearl... However, it was too late for regrets now.
After ending the call, Han Xiao turned and left the dock, only changing back into his original clothes when he was alone.
"It turns out that what DarkStar wanted was a black bead, but its whereabouts are unknown."
Although there were some gains, the information was still scarce; if we followed the normal methods, the trail would have ended here...
However, Han Xiao did not follow the usual path.
"Now that we know what the target is, let's try the Child of Destiny card. Hopefully, it'll be worth it." Han and Tu Shu decided to use the precognition card, at least to know what the target was. Although Paiji's information was scarce, it just happened to meet the requirements.
[You used [Character Summon Card - Child of Destiny], 3/5 uses]
A familiar, hazy mist appeared, like a scene from a dream. Han Xiao's gaze pierced through the mist, and a dark bead appeared before him, held in a palm. Following the arm upwards, a handsome face came into Han Xiao's view.
Two full seconds later, the image shattered, returning to the original environment, as if I had experienced a hallucination.
"Li Ge?!"
Han Xiao's eyes widened.
He really hadn't expected that the bead would be picked up by a player, and by this mischievous kid no less. No wonder he hadn't given it to him.
Twenty minutes after Han Xiao left, Ashes arrived late at the dock and found Paiji.
Remembering Han Xiao's instructions, Paiji's expression changed slightly. Just as he thought, DarkStar's competitors had arrived so quickly.
Who are you? What do you want?
"I am a mercenary, and my employer is the Silver Spirit People. The prisoners have been rescued, and you are no longer our enemy. Now I have some questions for you. Did you kill two Silver Spirit People? We want to know the specific details, and I can pay a certain amount for information."
Ashes chose to impersonate a mercenary, because only mercenaries would know about the two dead Silver Spirit People, and their motives would be plausible when questioned. Otherwise, it would easily arouse suspicion and lead to him being reported as the murderer who attacked the slave market. In his mind, he had not yet been exposed, and no one knew their DarkStar identities.
However, his choice led to a series of coincidences, and Han Xiao and Ashes inexplicably swapped identities!
Paiji believed it to be true. He thought Han Xiao was "DarkStar", while the Ashes who truly belonged to DarkStar were regarded as DarkStar's enemies!
Even more coincidentally, because everyone only had partial information, Paiji and Ashes were kept in the dark, while only Han Xiao could barely see the truth. His clever move caused the two of them to successfully veer off course on the path to the truth!
"You're a mercenary?!"
Hatred flashed in Paiji's eyes. It was the mercenaries who had caused him to lose so much money, and now he wanted more information?! If DarkStar hadn't told me, I wouldn't have bothered with you at all!
Ashes said at the opportune moment, "If you're willing to answer, I can pay you 50,000 for the information to compensate for your losses. That's a considerable sum of money."
DarkStar's confidence stemmed from its deep pockets; Ashes directly transferred a deposit of ten thousand, confident that he could get Paiji to speak up.
Even though Paiji wasn't a miser, he was taken aback by this extravagant spending—it didn't seem like the kind of thing a mercenary who lived on the edge would do.
His eyes darted around, and he pretended to be swayed by the money, recounting the capture of the Silver Spirit People while concealing the Whispering Bead as a test.
As expected, Ashes realized he was missing the information he wanted by the end, so he pointed out his objective. "Did you find a black bead on those two?"
"What beads? I've never seen them before. I threw them out of the spaceship; I was too lazy to waste time searching them. The things you're talking about are probably drifting in space too."
Paiji sneered inwardly and told a lie as Han Xiao had instructed.
A shadow of gloom flashed across Ashes's eyes.
This is the worst possible outcome!
If the body of the transporter is accidentally captured by a star, the Whispering Bead will also be reduced to ashes; if it is attracted by Black Hole, it will be impossible to find.
"By the way, has anyone asked you the same question?"
Ashes suddenly asked.
"No."
Paiji immediately denied it.
Ashes frowned, transferred the remaining reward to Paiji, and left with a heavy heart.
Now that the trail has gone cold, their task force is useless, and they have no choice but to report to headquarters.
Inside the spaceship, Paiji looked at the blacked-out communication screen with a smile, full of anticipation.
Joining DarkStar had always been his goal, but because DarkStar was too mysterious, he never had the chance to get in touch with it, which he always regretted.
And now, the opportunity I've been dreaming of has fallen from the sky!
Paiji was secretly excited:
'I've done a great service for DarkStar! After waiting so long, the opportunity has finally arrived. I can finally, finally join DarkStar...'
Near the ruins of the slave market, players do not need to return to the guard; they can temporarily settle the Volga Three Brothers and Aroshia.
The crowd swarmed around Aroshia like bees and butterflies. Aroshia was stunningly beautiful, a feast for the eyes, and a great beauty with amnesia. Represented by Meat Bun, most of the male players' hormones were running high, and they were all eager to chat with Aroshia.
Aroshia remained calmly indifferent, showing little interest in her surroundings, and responded only half-heartedly.
Nearby, the top players from various clubs maintained their composure, keeping a safe distance and exchanging witty banter.
Just then, all the players in the Black Star Mercenary Group simultaneously triggered a new quest.
[Searching for the beads]
[Tu Shu Description: Black Star recently lost a black bead. Anyone who finds and returns it to him will receive a reward.]
[Task Requirements: Submit the black bead [Appearance Included]]
[Rewards: 180,000 experience points, Black Star Mercenary Group favorability +200, Sunil Non-Commissioned Officer-Grade Armor x1]
[Note: This is a competitive task; only one person can receive the reward.]