Han Xiao was naturally unaware that the people from DarkStar were tracking down traitors in Noriosse and had purchased intelligence from an intelligence organization.
By a twist of fate, he just missed Ashes, and neither of them noticed the other.
At this point, the trader led them to a private room, where they all took their seats.
"What kind of intelligence are you looking to purchase? Our organization has a powerful intelligence network; we have everything, from current events to inside stories," the trader boasted.
"I want to find someone to give me paper and a pen, so I can draw what they look like."
With his high intelligence and increasingly clear memory, Han Xiao quickly drew a human portrait on the paper. Based on the average human lifespan, this person was about fifty years old, with a full beard, a sharp facial structure, and many wrinkles. He looked like an ordinary, weathered middle-aged man.
"This person should have been to Noriosse. I'd like to know when and where he appeared," Han Xiao said.
The trader nodded, took out an internal device, searched for a while, and said, "We have matching intelligence. This is an ordinary person. Our informants have recorded all travelers who come to Noriosse. We're currently running a special offer for finding people; this intelligence only costs 100 Enas."
Sylvia clicked her tongue in amazement. Intelligence was indeed an expensive commodity. Just finding someone marked as an ordinary person cost 100 Enas, enough to travel to several star systems with an interstellar tour group. She had also spent a lot of money when she bought information about Han Xiao's whereabouts before.
If she had been cowardly back then and had instead hidden away to live instead of Revenge, she would never have known the truth about her father and would have lived in a false hatred forever. How tragic her life would have been! She would never have become her teacher's apprentice and would never have been able to access the realm of superpowers. Looking back, she couldn't help but feel secretly grateful that Han Xiao hadn't killed her; otherwise, she wouldn't be where she is today.
For a moment, Sylvia was filled with emotion.
Intelligence transactions are conducted on a cash-on-delivery basis. Han Xiao paid, and the trader handed over the intelligence, which everyone gathered around to look at.
"This person arrived in Noriosse thirty-eight days ago on an interstellar flight from the [Ancient Star Desert] star system. They did not engage in any unusual activities in Noriosse, seemingly just traveling. Their last known appearance was sixteen days ago, south of City Number Eight..."
The detailed address is written above; this is where the target was last seen.
"Sixteen days ago? Was he still in Noriosse then?" Han Xiao asked.
The trader nodded. "We have insiders at the port, and every registered ID is on file. He hasn't left Noriosse; he should still be there and hasn't moved."
"That's not necessarily true..." Han Xiao remained noncommittal.
Intelligence organizations are not omnipotent. As long as they disguise themselves and use a pre-prepared fake identity ID, they can easily fool their informants. I can do it with ease.
Moreover, the teacher of the Dragon Emperor is a prophet!
Having experienced the effects of the Child of Destiny character card so many times, he understood the power of prophecy. Prophecy was not omniscient or omnipotent, and the future glimpsed was not too far from the present. If the other party did not use prophecy, they would be no different from an ordinary person. Perhaps the other party did not know that his group was looking for them... But this was a dream, and the target should have known long ago!
Prophets are troublesome individuals; if they don't want to be found, it's too easy for them to hide using their abilities.
--Just like how Germinal struggled to find itself back then.
Han Xiao wasn't sure what the other party was thinking. If the other party wanted to see Ames, they wouldn't hide at all. Although he had the Child of Destiny character card, he had no intention of using it here—because the outcome wouldn't have much impact on him.
The important thing is to carry out the "search" action; the result is not important. As long as he gives Ames some clues, he can consider his mission accomplished.
Han Xiao didn't care whether Ames could see her teacher or not.
Having obtained the clues he wanted, he led everyone away from the intelligence organization, headed straight for the station, and boarded the high-speed maglev train bound for City Number Eight.
The train has many carriages, and the carriage where we are is a group seating area, with the seats arranged around a table.
The scenery outside the window flashed by. Melos was playing cards with his three brothers again, Fording watched from the sidelines as normal people played cards, Aroshia ate snacks, and Sylvia teased Phillip, who kept spinning around.
Since this trip was only to find someone in Noriosse, everyone was in a relaxed mood, chatting and laughing. After all, Black Star was the best at finding things, so with him around, there was nothing to worry about.
Han Xiao crossed his arms, put his legs up, and closed his eyes to rest.
Just then, a strange man's voice suddenly rang out from the side.
May I sit here?
Opening his eyes, he saw a golden-skinned man standing beside him, carrying a backpack and smiling. He was clearly a Goddora, but his skin was very light, suggesting he wasn't a pure-blooded Goddora.
A sudden chill ran through Han Xiao, and he became instantly wary. He now harbored an innate distrust of any mixed-race Goddora.
Who are you?
"Haha, I seem to have been too abrupt. Please allow me to introduce myself." The Goddora bowed gracefully, his tone polite. "My name is Owenn. As you can see, I am a Goddora. But rest assured, I am not an arrogant pureblood, just an ordinary Goddora - Cosmic Human hybrid. I apologize for disturbing you all, but I hope we can keep each other company on this short journey."
Everyone looked at him strangely.
It's really strange that a stranger suddenly appears and wants to be friends with them!
Did someone possess such charm that they attracted this guy?
Everyone's eyes darted back and forth as they looked at Fording and then at Han Xiao.
Han Xiao pointed to the side, "There are empty seats over there. If you just want to find a place to rest, please don't disturb us."
"No, no, no, please don't misunderstand me..." Owenn suddenly sat down, squeezing Melos next to him, seemingly determined to stay there. With a warm smile, he said sincerely, "I am also a traveler who has come to Noriosse for a while. My companions stayed at the port, and I came to the surface alone. It's too lonely being alone, and I love making friends. There's a proverb in my hometown—'When you're out and about, you should be open and generous in making friends with strangers. That's the way of a man.'"
"Hey, hey, hey, don't push me! We haven't agreed to let you sit down yet!" Melos, annoyed.
"Hey, you guys are playing Veyne Cards?" Owenn's eyes lit up when he saw the cards on the table. He pulled a stack of cards from his backpack, slammed them on the table, and said boldly, "I'm a master of Veyne Cards's Cards! Nobody's ever been able to beat me with my Radiant Domain deck. How about a game?"
"Why are you so overly familiar?! Who wants to play cards with you?!" Melos was speechless.
Owenn laughed heartily, looking confident. "Indeed, just playing cards isn't fun. Let's make it a little more interesting, 50 Enas a round. Do you dare to play a round with me?"
"Oh ho, are you challenging me?" Melos was furious, feeling that his dignity as the "Black Star God of Gambling" had been challenged... even though the Black Star Mercenary Group didn't have many members.
At the same time, Melos quietly turned to look at Han Xiao.
Han Xiao gestured, indicating that he had given permission.
He had just examined Owenn, and this Goddora was very weak, his energy fluctuations barely reaching the Grade C. He could crush him in a second; he posed little threat.
He wanted to see what kind of person this Goddora was, and what he was up to, so he tacitly allowed him to stay and observe him up close.