Chapter 26: Fight of Wits

*

The address on the invitation was certainly not on the main ship 'Arale'.

The clock hands showed midnight.

Su Xi put on the battle cape that Foxtail Sasaki had thoughtfully prepared for her, and took the shuttle driven by information soldier Asa to the outpost space station.

Different from the space folding principle of the UFO, the outpost space station is a relatively old rotating artificial gravity space technology. From the outside, it looks like a huge ring-shaped bracelet made of building blocks. The hollow part of the bracelet is where the four giant ships dock.

The shuttle stopped at the Black Mine Square of the Outpost Space Station.

Following the instructions on the electronic slip, they walked through the bustling market and headed for the main tent of the 'Interstellar Circus' in the center. There, the most valuable items of the Fortune Fair would be appraised and traded.

Walking along the market, Su Xi followed the instructions of Foxtail Sasaki and wrapped herself tightly in the cloak with pheromone isolation and visual mimicry. The amber eyes hidden under the cloak observed the sights along the way with interest, and saw people with various animal genes gathered together, young and old, thin and fat, which inexplicably gave Su Xi a sense of familiarity.

[The 1,200th 'Flowing Fortune Fair']

These colorful words were projected in the air in more than 50 common languages, including Interstellar, Siren, and Orcish, and they played in turns around the entire venue.

The entire trade fair is also divided into different main areas according to color identification.

In Su Xi's eyes, it looked more like a grand carnival.

Since the technology used was to use centrifugal force instead of gravity, Su Ximin was able to keenly notice the slight difference in gravity when passing through each area. Suppressing the slight feeling of discomfort, she followed the footsteps of Foxtail and Asa and continued to move forward.

When we arrived at the performance and entertainment area, the charming fox-eared beauty won a lot of gold coins with her swaying dance moves, the soft octopus alien performed freshly grilled squid, and the wet green mud alien performed fireball swallowing... It was a wonderful and dazzling experience.

When you look up, you will find that the fighting and gambling area is about 20 meters above the performance and entertainment area. The two areas are facing each other like a mirror image. The visual dislocation makes this oval space of the Black Mine Square feel like you have stepped into a festival kaleidoscope.

When Asa was enjoying himself and secretly wandering around the octopus kebab shop, a few stray bullets flew overhead and knocked down the kebab that Asa was about to put into his mouth. Asa raised his head and started swearing! Well, that was a language that Su Xi couldn't understand, but it seemed that Asa not only spoke fluently, but also didn't stutter when swearing?

Sasaki, the fox-tailed boy standing by, shook his head and muttered that the screen in the fighting area was broken and would cost more star coins to repair it...Su Xi smiled and handed the skewers in her hand to Asa, who gave her a grateful look while she was eating.

After passing through many stalls selling goods, Asa and Suxi came to the largest tent in the market. Although it is called a tent, it is actually made of a very light material, floating in the air, fixed to the ground by only a few thin ropes, a bit like an inflatable boat. The material of the tent is as thin as a feather, beautiful and translucent, and the whole shape is like a huge fat-headed mermaid swaying in the air.

The bright colors and light beauty add a touch of beauty to the rough and cold Black Mine Square.

After handing in the electronic invitation at the customs, they were respectfully led by a petite waiter with a kitten tail, boarded a mechanical elevator wrapped in colorful ribbons, and were slowly swallowed into the fish's belly.

Following Asa, Su Xi wrapped herself in a cloak and sat low-key behind Foxtail Sasaki and Pirri. As the cat-tail waiter gently lowered the veil and bowed and left, the boiling noise was completely shut behind them.

In stark contrast, apart from the sound of faint conversations, it can be said that this place is quite quiet.

The VIP trading room is not very large, with a round booth surrounding the high platform in the middle. Sitting in the booths are a number of traders, all wrapped in cloaks and of indistinguishable gender.

A leopard-eared boy was sitting on a tall, soft cushioned chair in the middle. He was talking to an interstellar pirate across from the chip counter, but he sensed Su Xi's presence precisely the moment she came in.

Leila Asai turned her head to take a look, snorted softly through her nose, and then turned her gaze back lightly.

The tall and fat man with a beard in the field is an alpha with pure human genes. He holds a wine glass and shouts loudly!

"Thanks buddy!"

"It's not easy to shake off that wave of bird wings!!!"

"We passed by several pirate bases and they all refused to accept us!" The tall and fat alpha with feathers on his head was laughing exaggeratedly while pouring wine into Leila Asay's glass and praising how brave and heroic Leila Asay was.

"You are still a righteous man!"

"Thanks to the Goddess of Death for her protection! May Arale have a successful start in the next interstellar year and may she be able to snatch up a treasure every time!"

"Come on," Leila Asai said lazily, scratching her ears, "Since we have agreed to open up the rights to the trade fair for three months, don't forget to pay the venue fee and protection fee when the time comes!"

"The bill for assisting in the expulsion has also been sent to your personal terminal, Captain George." Foxtail Sasaki raised his glass and said with a smile.

"Check it and pay it quickly!" This was Pilier Gray's gruff response.

"If you have star coins, I'll give you star coins," Leila Asay added, "If you don't have star coins, I'll give you energy minerals of equal value!"

"Well, about this," the tall, bearded man rubbed his hands and said weakly, "Can we exchange goods for goods?"

"Fuck you!" Leila Asay threw away her wine glass and jumped up! With a beautiful turn, she stepped onto the negotiating platform and grabbed the collar of the tall and fat circus leader who was more than twice her size. "When did I, Leila Asay, allow the bill to be settled?"

"Don't... don't get excited." The tall and fat man with a beard was pulled up in the air, and he was so nervous that he almost stuttered, "Can you take a look at the goods first, and then, we can discuss it?"

The thrown away wine glass floated lightly in the air and turned a few times. The semi-solid red wine floated in the air and then spilled on the floor in front of Su Xi.

Su Xi took a step back to avoid the spray of wine. A white hand steadily caught the overturned jewel-studded silver wine glass.

"Leila," she said softly, "first let's hear what his 'goods' are."

The soft female voice drew the bearded man's gaze over.

Leila Asai turned her head and stared at her, then slowly let go of the collar of the tall fat alpha. After landing, the bearded man breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes flickered, and he bowed to Su Xi, saying:

"Dear lady, I am George, the leader of the Interstellar Circus. Nice to meet you!"

Leila Asai narrowed her golden eyes. She sat down lazily again and said, "What collateral? Bring it here and have a look."

George, with a sideburn, watched the interaction between the two and was deeply surprised. He hid his expression and laughed loudly, "I knew that the leader of Arale is famous for his righteousness in the universe! The goods below will definitely not disappoint you!"

The bearded man clapped his hands, and four or five men came up carrying a long sack.

Throw it to the ground! The rope loosened, and a humanoid object was struggling and twisting desperately inside.

Hmm. A frail middle-aged Beta male fell out of the sack. He had a triangular beard, a very recognizable appearance. He was struggling desperately and winking at Leila Asay.

This is the regional tax collector sent by the Empire to the Siren system? Inner Mongolia Dazuowei?

At this moment, Leila Asai's irritation was clearly visible on her face!

He has not had a single moment of peace of mind since returning to his home. There are a lot of bills to pay and a lot of tax increase information. Tax increase? Tax on you!

Then, in this situation, I met an old friend again. Are you happy? Of course not!

Foxtail Sasaki quickly spoke up: "Captain George, you are looking for trouble, not paying the bill."

"Don't worry!" said George with a beard, "This guy has a tax-free stamp on him!"

"I don't collect taxes, so what use is there for it?"

"This guy can receive a ransom from the Empire!"

"And then they were trampled to pieces by the Imperial Army the next second?"

"No...it's not that serious..."

"It's not that serious?! Then what value does this guy have to be used as collateral?"

"He...he's in charge of finances...and privately, he doesn't have a good relationship with you, right?"

“……!”

"Captain George," a clear and beautiful voice interrupted the stalemate, "You should know that personal relationships are irrelevant in the face of interests! The key issue at the moment is," she paused, "what secrets does this respected regional tax collector have?"

"What could have made Deathwing willing to break the Siren Galaxy's tradition of not taking action against third-party trading organizations and hunt you down one after another?" Su Xi, wrapped in a cloak, paced slowly in the middle of the trading table.

Stand still, turn around, and slightly raise your head to face the tall and fat alpha's increasingly serious expression.

"And you would rather take such a big risk, not daring to kill him, but also unwilling to let him go?"

Every sentence was pressed.

"You," Su Xi smiled, "can be more frank."

"If you still want to be protected by Arale..."

After hearing this, before the other party could react, Leila Asai snorted and looked at her straight with her golden eyes.

Hmm? Su Xi turned her head in confusion and saw Foxtail Sasaki winking suggestively at the side.

Oh! She understood instantly, and smiled at Leila Assayi who was still glaring. She turned her head to George, a man with a beard who was two heads taller than her, and coughed lightly, her expression frightened!

He added again seriously: "Yes, that's right! It's paid protection."

…

…

*

First Fortress. A holographic photo appears at a small internal meeting.

It was a male Beta in military uniform, with a triangular beard, a very recognizable feature.

He was an ordinary regional tax collector sent by the Empire to the Siren Galaxy, his name was 'Inner Monda Zuowei'.

"His last name is Joe?" Fitzgerald said. "I remember he was one of the 13th batch of recruits. You personally coached him for a while."

"Yes, that's him." Chris Zuowei stood in front of the light screen in the conference room, showing the recent intelligence data. "Although his close combat ability is not strong, his ability to work at the grassroots level of intelligence is quite good. He has been awarded seven second-class merits and two first-class merits in the Anbu."

Fitzgerald nodded, motioning for Chris to continue.

"He was the one who reported the information about Instructor Holderman. However, he lost contact on the special channel of the Dark Department for 48 star hours recently. His latest intelligence work was to investigate the connection between 'Death Wing' and Yindu."

"With his disappearance, there was no further communication with Mr. Holderman."

"This is the last video he sent back," Kriszo handed the optical tablet over to him, "Take a look."

The video is short and the resolution is terrible, less than five seconds long.

However, Fitzgerald's expression became serious, and the five-star ornament on his shoulder strap shone with a cold glow.

"Chris, you must personally take your men to the Siren Galaxy and find Inner Mondazovi."

"Yes!" Chris answered calmly.

…

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