Of course, even though that's what he said, Han Xiao wouldn't be too reckless.
Although the mission required him to take revenge on the entire Modo Civilization, most of the people were innocent. If it weren't for the mission, he wouldn't want to do such a thing.
The main culprits are still the leadership of the Modo Civilization. Han Xiao decided to target the key cadres who are definitely problematic first. As for the celebrities in other industries of the Modo Civilization, let's observe the mission's progress first. There's no need to be so drastic at the beginning.
Assassinating a prominent figure from a supercluster-level civilization is fine if it's an upstart with untapped potential, but killing a high-ranking official will definitely cause a backlash; they're not pushovers.
Furthermore, the large-scale assassination of officials and cadres of an advanced civilization has a terrible impact. Not only will the Modo Civilization be enraged, but other star cluster-level civilizations will also unite in their hatred... In such a situation, everyone is in danger and will all stand on the same side.
Therefore, the benefits of having a powerful backer become apparent. Although the Empire would not personally carry out large-scale assassinations, it did not mind its allies doing such dirty work. In particular, the Modo Civilization was the culprit behind the Kunde Race incident. Although the Empire's losses were small, they were not nonexistent. How could it not cause a bloodbath to justify the soldiers killed by the Kunde Race?
Moreover, being under the banner of the Three Universal Civilizations, suppressing these supercluster-level civilizations has always been an implicit political correctness. If it weren't for the empire's backing, even if he were a leader in his own right now, he would inevitably get into trouble.
Assassination has always been a low-class and underhanded tactic, yet it has always been effective. History, from ancient times to the present, has proven one thing: no one is invincible. No matter who is missing, the wheels of history will continue to roll forward; the only difference is how fast or how slow they roll.
If the Empire were to suppress the Modo Civilization in various fields, it would be painful for a supercluster-level civilization, but it would be difficult to cause it serious damage, unless the Empire disregarded its own economic and political losses and was willing to spend heavily.
Assassination... is cheap, ruthless, and has enough deterrent effect, so it can be just as effective.
Han Xiao decided to do this dirty work for two reasons. First, it was for the crucial mission reward; one must be strong to succeed, and improving one's strength was the only way. Second, the empire wanted to punish the mastermind.
So the problem isn't the lack of impact, but rather the failure to make an example of someone. It's not enough to let more people know about the assassination; it's also necessary to make powerful factions suspect that the Empire was behind it.
In this way, other supercluster-level civilizations will know that they will not be Implicated, and even if they are dissatisfied, they will not take any action.
The Modo Civilization started the trouble, and its opponent is a powerful force that has the upper hand. Who can it blame? As a result, other civilizations will not side with the Modo Civilization. Although they may feel a sense of shared vulnerability, the warning effect that the Empire wanted has thus been achieved.
As for assassinating officials, which is against the rules of civilized society... I am the ruler, so come and sue me if you dare.
When it comes to reasoning, one must be a rogue. Unless you can be so forceful that everyone will obediently listen, the idea of winning people over with virtue is basically wishful thinking in civilized societies.
Han Xiao took out the intelligence provided by the Mechanic Emperor again. The classified personnel files, which had been used to identify targets for revenge, could now be used to select Assassination Target.
The people in charge of the Kunde Race project are most likely high-ranking officials from various secret departments. Their information is in the files. Han Xiao decided to target these people first. Since they are all bad people, he might as well treat it as charity. Eliminating these officials will cause a temporary disruption in the work of the secret departments of the Modo Civilization, and there will definitely be losses.
"I'm a big shot now, it's not suitable for me to do these things personally. Rotel is the most suitable candidate." Han Xiao nodded secretly.
This is not only a task, but also a test.
He had always placed high hopes on Rotel. This guy possessed the destiny of a mid-level protagonist, unlike the other protagonist-type characters under his command. He was taciturn, reliable, and gave people a sense of trustworthiness at first glance, making him worthy of cultivation.
Not long after, in Desolate Universe Belt somewhere in the Ancient Star Desert, Rotel, who had traveled a long way, completed the docking with Han Xiao's mechanical forces.
"Lord Black Star."
Stepping into the cabin, Rotel approached Han Xiao's Dominion clone and greeted him softly.
Han Xiao looked him up and down. After several years apart, Rotel was dressed in a simple black hooded robe, with a black scarf covering his mouth and nose, revealing only a pair of indifferent eyes.
After years of training, Rotel's aura became even more ethereal and concealed. He made no sound with any movement, and when he deliberately concealed his aura, his presence was greatly reduced.
He is a martial artist specializing in agile assassination, and also has a secondary profession in the "assassin" lineage, possessing various stealth expertise and a natural talent for it.
The Assassins Mutual Aid Society had already been on the agenda for some time, Rotel had already recruited a group of new members, personally training them and secretly developing the organization.
"It's been a long time. Here's a list and some information."
Han Xiao knew Rotel's personality well, so he didn't exchange pleasantries with him and handed him a paper document.
After taking the documents, Rotel looked them over carefully, and the next moment, a burst of flames suddenly erupted from his hand.
Call!
The high temperature ignited the materials, which quickly turned into fly ash.
He's obviously a professional killer; he wouldn't be a professional if he didn't burn things... Han Xiao thought to himself.
"There are quite a few of them; it will take time to wipe them all out." Rotel lightly flicked the ashes off his hands.
"No rush, I will provide intelligence support."
Han Xiao waved his hand, then took a long, rectangular box from the mechanical soldier next to him and handed it to Rotel.
"This is a gift for you, take a look."
Rotel opened the box, and a dazzling golden light spilled out. He squinted and saw that the contents of the box were indeed the Godstabber.
While waiting for Rotel to arrive, Han Xiao had a new force transport the Godstabber from the Shattered World.
Rotel glanced at the broken spear, then slowly reached out and grasped the shaft.
The next moment, his pupils visibly contracted.
Suddenly, a golden halo rippled out from the point where the palm touched the broken spear.
Buzz!
Golden energy threads spread upwards along Rotel's arm, quickly reaching his heart. Golden light faintly shone from Rotel's exposed pupils.
"Huh, what's going on here..." Han Xiao was somewhat surprised to see this.
When I and Nero grasped the Godstabber, this strange phenomenon didn't occur. Could it be that this weapon has a special enhancement for martial artists?
But it wasn't mentioned in the item description, and other martial artists have touched the Godstabber before, so why is it only Rotel who is experiencing this abnormal reaction?
He waited patiently for a while before the strange phenomenon on Rotel gradually subsided, the golden light in his eyes disappeared, and his eyes returned to their deep, somber black.
"How is it?" Han Xiao asked.
Rotel didn't answer, but demonstrated with his actions. He released his palm, and the Godstabber floated beside him, nimbly circling inside the cabin, without using any remote control via his aura.
Suddenly, a golden light flashed, and the Godstabber vanished. Rotel pulled up his sleeve, revealing a tattoo on his wrist that resembled the Godstabber. The tattoo then flashed and transformed back into a spear—one of the Godstabber's portable enchantments, which could be stored as a personal enchantment. However, in Han Xiao's and the others' hands, it was in a gray, frozen state.
Seeing this, Han Xiao's heart stirred, and he roughly understood.
"You've established a soul connection with it?"
"Hmm, I don't know why, but this weapon resonated with me."
Rotel nodded, extended his hand, and the Godstabber obediently returned it to his palm.
Han Xiao instantly felt envious.
Nero is one thing, but you're not even human?!
I only touched it, and it resonated with a piece of the golden set. Why can't I have such good fortune?
Back then, it took me a lot of effort to get Space-Time Amber and Evolution Cube to fall in love with me...
Just then, Han Xiao suddenly paused, as if he had just thought of something.
"The Godstabber... that name..."
He suddenly realized that the name of this weapon seemed to coincide with Rotel's past life experience!
In his previous life, Rotel went to Assassinate Sorokin, and though the wind howled and the Yi River was cold, he never returned... And those who Assassinate Sorokin are, of course, Godstabber!
Thinking of this, Han Xiao's expression changed.
Holy crap, so Nero dug this thing up for you!
Am I being made the old man giving me a gift?!
The Lucky Halo even has a collaboration feature?!
Do you have any shame?!
Han Xiao felt utterly exhausted and weakly asked, "Do you like it?"
"Thanks."
Rotel didn't seem particularly moved, but judging from how much he loved the Godstabber, he clearly appreciated the gift.
"If you like it, then the task is yours," Han Xiao said.
Rotel put away the Godstabber and nodded solemnly.
Two months later.
The Modo Civilization, a certain colony.
In a casually styled bar, small groups of customers sat around. Some came in groups and chatted quietly, while others sat alone at the bar, drinking and occasionally exchanging a few words with the bartender wiping the glasses.
Even in the interstellar age, individuals still have the need for social interaction, and places like bars that provide juicy experiences will never go out of style.
The guests were all doing their own thing, but suddenly, the conversations quickly subsided as everyone stopped chatting and turned to look at the virtual screen floating above the bar.
At this moment, a news report is playing on the virtual screen, and the room has fallen silent, with only the sound of the news remaining.
"Yesterday, a horrifying assassination of a superhuman occurred on Planet Pidri. The victim was Madi, an important classified official, who was ambushed while on official business. At the time, Madi was surrounded by ample bodyguards, but a strange spear suddenly appeared and pinned him to the ground. Then the spear disappeared, and the murderer vanished without a trace."
"It is understood that this is the fifth high-ranking official to be assassinated recently, which has aroused strong concern and indignation from the leadership. Not long ago, the three kings personally signed an arrest warrant, demanding that the murderer be brought to justice."
"This killer always uses a spear in his crimes. We know very little about him. Although several foreign organizations have claimed responsibility, we still don't know which faction he belongs to or what his motives are. The fact that he can track the movements of high-ranking officials and log onto planets through clandestine channels, avoiding immigration records, suggests that he is supported by a special force. The specific reasons are still under investigation..."
After listening silently to the news and obituary, everyone looked at each other, their expressions grim.
Some people couldn't help but worry, "What's going on lately? Assassinations are happening so frequently, and the targets are even high-ranking officials! It's simply... simply unbelievable!"
"Yes, it's been so many years since we've seen something like this that breaks the rules. They even dare to assassinate a cadre! It's outrageous!"
The guests present were indignant, but beneath their anger, each of them harbored fear and unease.
Unrest at the top always leads to widespread panic. The assassination of officials is extremely damaging. It's not just about the deaths of a few cadres; it's a major security incident that causes widespread panic throughout society!
Normally, when faced with such a situation, the first thing the Modo Civilization would think of is blocking the news. However, while they can control their own civilization's media, they cannot control the media of other factions.
The first to report this were countless foreign media outlets, and the evidence was irrefutable, leaving no room for concealment. Instantly, the entire star system knew about it, causing an uproar among countless people. Modo Civilization fool could tell that this was the work of the forces behind the assassins.
The bartender shook his head helplessly, looked away, and was about to continue wiping the glasses when he suddenly noticed a few coins on the bar counter in front of him. Few people use cash these days, but it's not like it's no longer issued.
"This is..."
The bartender glanced around with a puzzled look and noticed empty glasses on the corner booth table.
He couldn't help but scratch his head, looking uncertain.
Was there a customer at that spot just now...? I can't remember.
Meanwhile, on the Shattered World's Lighthouse Star, Han Xiao was summoned by Tarrokov, who said he had something to discuss.
In the office, Tarrokov showed a document to Han Xiao, who was sitting opposite him.
"According to Iso's prophecy, we captured the group of stowaways who launched the spaceship in an undeveloped area a few days ago. After interrogation, we confirmed that your intelligence was correct, and the mastermind behind it all is indeed the Modo Civilization. We owe you a lot for your help this time."
Han Xiao smiled and nodded upon hearing this.
He had already reported to the Empire, but the Empire was cautious and only tacitly approved his assassination attempt. They did not completely confirm that the Modo Civilization was the mastermind until they captured the stowaways and personally searched their memories for interrogation.
Tarrokov said in a deep voice, "Also, we've extracted the specific project leader's identity from their minds. It's Madi, a high-ranking intelligence officer from the Modo Civilization. You'll need to help take him out."
"Uh... I'm afraid that won't work."
"Why?" Tarrokov in surprise.
"Because a dead person can't die a second time." Han Xiao shook his head and smiled, then made a few gestures, displaying news from the Ancient Star Desert on the screen. "This guy has already been taken down. You're too late."
"You were quick." Old Tar was speechless.
"You came to see me today, surely there was more to say than just this?"
"You can't hide anything from me." Tarrokov chuckled. "My main purpose this time is to convey the Führer's and the higher-ups' intentions to you."
Good news or bad news?
"Hmm, I don't know either." Tarrokov said slowly, "The mastermind has been confirmed, and the Empire is about to take action. The Führer approved of the recent assassination attempts, which have caused some damage to the social stability of the Modo Civilization. Don't worry about that; if the Modo Civilization has any objections, we will stand up to them and it won't affect you. However, the Empire will not provide you with any practical assistance, and you shouldn't go too far. Keep the assassinations moderate. If you push the Modo Civilization too far, things will get complicated."
"I know that, I'll know how to handle it."
Han Xiao waved his hand and muttered to himself.
If I hadn't been so aware of the situation, I might have even included the three kings on the assassination list.
"Yes, also, the Empire is preparing to impose certain economic sanctions on the Modo Civilization, but don't get your hopes up too high. We won't invest too much in this area. After all, as you know, the Glory and the Arcane are still suppressing us, and we also have to bear the expenses of exploring the Shattered World. We don't have much energy to focus on the Modo Civilization... So it's mainly to show our stance and warn other supercluster-level civilizations."
Han Xiao frowned slightly. "In that case, the warning effect won't be enough. It will also give outsiders the impression that the empire is currently overwhelmed, which might embolden them to escalate their actions further."
The empire wanted to issue a warning but didn't want to expend too many resources, which didn't align with Han Xiao's interests.
The mission objective is to inflict as much damage as possible on the Modo Civilization. My own assassination attempt might be effective, but this Grade S mission is too brief and doesn't show any specific progress. It's impossible to see how long it will take to complete the objective, which makes things difficult.
If the empire doesn't contribute, we'll have even more to do.
"I understand, I understand..." Tarrokov said helplessly, "It's just that the Empire is indeed under too much pressure."
If the target were an ordinary star cluster-level civilization, the Empire might have dealt with it easily, but a supercluster-level civilization is not so easy to handle.
"If the pressure is too great, just release the right to sell the Evolutionary Totem," Han Xiao shrugged.
The Federation of Light and the Arcane Church are pressing closer and closer, all for the Evolutionary Totem. The Empire's reluctance to concede only increases the pressure on them.
Master Han didn't care. In fact, the Empire was even hindering his interests. If the restrictions were lifted, he would receive a huge wave of new orders, plus long-term charging service fees, making him incredibly wealthy with a continuous flow of funds.
Whoever controls the Evolution Cube has seized this enormous business opportunity that could sustain them for countless years. Some high-ranking officials within the empire still want to exchange the cube for Han Xiao so that the empire can reap huge profits.
So during the second phase of exploration, the Infinite Financial Group was still busy, competing with the Germinal Financial Group under the Legion.
"Heh, this is not something I can get involved in."
Tarrokov was unwilling to discuss this topic, and changed the subject, "However, you don't need to worry about the Modo Civilization. The Empire is just too busy to deal with it, but that doesn't mean they won't impose sanctions. I can tell you something: the Empire will thoroughly settle this matter during the fourth phase of the exploration."
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao's heart stirred.
The fourth phase, which coincides with the opening of the Shattered World to the outside world, presents an excellent opportunity for the Empire to settle accounts.
Those supercluster-level civilizations are causing trouble, aren't they all just trying to gain more benefits in the Shattered World? Once it's open to the outside world, and the Modo Civilization's forces flood into the Empire's territory, won't the Empire be able to target and manipulate them however it wants?
If we're ruthless enough, we might be able to leave the opponent with nothing in the Shattered World, making their efforts futile.
With the Empire keeping a close eye on it, the future of the Modo Civilization looks bleak.
With this in mind, Han Xiao had no objections. His thoughts shifted slightly, and he thought to himself:
"After all, the Ancient Star Desert is their territory, so it's not appropriate for me to retaliate. I'll wait until they come to Shattered World; that's my home turf, and it will be easier to retaliate then."
In that case, it's hard to say what the first requirement of the Kunde Race's quest will be, but the crucial second requirement will most likely be completed in version 4.0.
Han Xiao had originally planned to quietly accumulate wealth during the version update period, so he could accept this timeframe, which even coincided with his original calculations.
Various thoughts flashed through Han Xiao's mind, and he smiled slightly at Old Tar.
"Alright, I'll give them a proper 'welcome' when they arrive at Shattered World."