58: Chapter 58: The Veteran Actor 58: Chapter 58: The Veteran Actor “Not bad,” Li Ming sat upright with a solemn expression, “Minister, at this moment they should be at the Star Creation Company’s Silver Grey Star branch.”
Li Ming was not sure about their exact location, but knowing the habits of the Bounty Hunters, their first move after completing the task would naturally be to claim their bounty.
Qin Xiao’s eyes suddenly narrowed, his fists clenched subconsciously and then quickly released: “Are you certain?”
Li Ming nodded, “Pretty sure.
When I killed that sniper, I vaguely heard the words ‘Star Creation Company’ from their channel.
After going back and recalling repeatedly, I came to find you.”
Qin Xiao nodded slowly, but his expression didn’t show much surprise.
He had always highly suspected the Star Creation Company.
The Star Creation Company should be contacting him soon.
With the item stolen, they would surely have demands.
Li Ming’s arrival confirmed this for him ahead of time, allowing him to be prepared psychologically and also sparked a certain idea in him.
Getting up, he walked to the window.
The efficiency of the city guards’ logistics was high; the floor-to-ceiling window had already been replaced, with only the corners showing some scorch marks.
The night sky of Silver Grey City was brilliantly lit.
“How do you feel about our Silver Grey City?” Qin Xiao’s voice came through, very calm.
“Ha ha…” Qin Xiao turned and laughed heartily, pointing at Li Ming, his face suddenly turning grim, “Wrong, utterly rotten to the core!”
“How much bullying did you endure growing up, and did anyone ever stand up for you?
If it weren’t for your father’s acquaintance with Yang Peng, I fear your student days would have been even more miserable!”
“Do you know how many people die each year from the grey sand disease?”
“How much chaos do the three major gangs of the outer city cause?”
Has this guy gone nuts?
The more Qin Xiao spoke, the more agitated he became, pacing back and forth: “Is this what you call prosperous?
Silver Grey Star is already terminally ill!
“What kind of role do you think I am?” Qin Xiao suddenly stood still, looking at Li Ming.
Li Ming thought for a moment, “A man of great virtue and reputation…”
“You don’t think so,” Qin Xiao shook his head, “You think I’m a hypocrite, completely ineffectual, watching the decay of Silver Grey City without acting.”
Li Ming was confused.
What was he trying to say?
I’ve been searching for a solution,” Qin Xiao sighed, “Are the three major gangs that occupy the outer city strong?
They’re not strong; I can deal with them.”
“Yet, that’s merely a temporary solution, not a cure.
If I take them out, new ones will emerge.”
“They’re not the root cause,” Qin Xiao’s graying hair was combed neatly, but now he looked like an old lion.
He slammed his fists onto the table, “It’s the Star Creation Company!”
“In the interstellar alliance, no fool would sign such an unrestricted mining contract, but somehow, we did,” Qin Xiao sneered:
“I don’t care about the corruption at the top, but this time, the inspection team from the interstellar alliance is here, and they have the power to reject this contract.”
“But they need solid evidence, a lot of solid evidence…
The Star Creation Company is clever, deeply versed in interstellar law.
On the surface, there’s definitely nothing to find.”
“However, I’ve found a way to break through.” Qin Xiao’s eyes were cold, then he turned somber, “Only, now the items have been stolen.”
Li Ming was already beginning to grasp the implications; was this guy trying to brainwash me?
To mold himself into…
“That was…” Li Ming began tentatively, and true to form, Qin Xiao continued with a startling revelation:
“That is the evidence I’ve been collecting for years, evidence of the Star Creation Company supporting gangs on Silver Grey Star, bribing management, suppressing public opinion, involving several members of the management committee.”
It really was evidence…
Li Ming’s expression shifted, then suddenly he stood up, overturning the chair below him, and said with a grave voice, “Minister, what do you need me to do?”
He believed that was the reaction Qin Xiao needed.
Qin Xiao was very satisfied at that moment.
Which teenager, upon hearing about a mission to save their homeland from devastation, wouldn’t be filled with high spirits?
He had specially investigated Li Ming.
His background was very clean; tormented in his youth, he underwent a drastic change in temperament due to his father’s death, surely suppressing some emotion within.
Resentment, anger, helplessness…
Because of his father’s connection, coupled with his prior deliberate publicity, the Bounty Hunters, Star Creation Company, and he naturally became enemies.
Now, with his guidance, all the sources of pain were shifted onto Star Creation Company.
A blade was already beginning to take shape.
“To drive out Star Creation Company, we must retrieve that thing,” Qin Xiao said solemnly.
“In about five days, the interstellar alliance inspection team, along with Blue Star’s accompanying personnel, will arrive.
They will definitely visit the Star Creation Company division, and that will be our opportunity.”
So they want me to steal it back…
Li Ming realized and immediately responded.
“Minister, there’s no problem on my end.”
Qin Xiao was pleased with his attitude, but also said, “Rest assured, you won’t be acting alone in the operation.
With internal and external cooperation, many people will assist you.
You only need to carry out the final step.”
Tsk… I’m not the only pawn, huh.
“Willing to go through fire and water!” Li Ming said earnestly, his gaze resolute.
Yet he hesitated and asked, “Minister, since they have it, wouldn’t they just destroy it straight away?”
“They won’t,” Qin Xiao shook his head.
“They want to threaten those involved.
I used quantum encryption; they won’t be able to crack it anytime soon.”
“I understand,” Li Ming nodded solemnly.
Qin Xiao nodded in satisfaction and said, “Your information came very timely.
He reviewed Li Ming’s records, “Hmm, you killed five F-level Life Forms last time, Feng Xiao eliminated three on that occasion, and with the rookie badge converted to twenty times, plus these twenty…”
After Feng Yue’s death, the incident involving Feng Xiao turned from one F-level event into three.
“This fast…” Qin Xiao was somewhat surprised but quickly collected himself.
He asked Li Ming to wait here for a moment and soon returned carrying a metal case, which he tossed onto the table.
“Purple Lightning Bear Gene Seed, your F-level gene seed should also be of the Thunder Element.
This one is well-suited for you.”
Li Ming looked astonished, “Minister, this…
The information I provided was only a conjecture, not confirmed.”
“No!” Qin Xiao pressed on Li Ming’s shoulder, earnestly saying, “I believe in you, and Star Creation Company will soon contact me.
This is what you deserve; I won’t let down my own people.”
Li Ming’s expression was tense, his fists clenched silently as if he was deeply inspired.
His achievements, when converted, were only a few F-level Bounty Hunters short; Qin Xiao also realized this and thus rode the tide, giving a favor.
He could gain Li Ming’s favor, killing two birds with one stone.
Li Ming’s emotional reaction was within his expectations.
After all, he was the City Guard Minister, and Li Ming’s greatest backer was only a small team leader.
Before such a prominent figure’s enthusiasm, it was only right to be anxious and apprehensive.
Qin Xiao then added, “However, I won’t publicize this matter for now to avoid alerting the enemy prematurely.”
This suited Li Ming just fine, as he also preferred not to draw attention.
He surmised that those who had killed Li Changhai would soon return.
“The special training room is too crowded.
Go to the 265th floor, I’ll grant you access.
There are no other people there, and the training equipment is even better, with an unlimited supply of nutrition fluid.” Qin Xiao spoke earnestly.
The 265th floor housed the training rooms for section chiefs and ministers, rumored to be filled with expensive equipment.
Qin Xiao was very considerate.
If someone like his predecessor, who was never regarded highly, or a hot-blooded youth like Li Ning, were in this position, they would have probably been down on their knees in gratitude already.