1381: wait

While the conditions Director Zhao Yunxing offered weren't the absolute best, his sincerity was undoubtedly the most genuine.

Just helping with a small private matter would grant him Third-Class Citizen status, make him a secret agent of the Patrol Division, and bestow the rank of Second Lieutenant; whether or not he took on Patrol Division missions was entirely up to his personal discretion…

His personal freedom was maximized.

Facing such terms, Wang Chen naturally had no reason to refuse.

Next, the two quickly settled all the arrangements.

After a while more of polite conversation, Wang Chen courteously escorted Director Zhao Yunxing out of the hotel, then returned to his room to check information about Yunhu Star.

Although the terms offered to him meant he could completely avoid work and effort, simply collecting the monthly salary issued by the Empire.

However, Wang Chen couldn't bring himself to be a “salary thief” with a clear conscience; he always tried his best to fulfill what he promised.

…

Upon logging into the Ling Network again, Wang Chen immediately noticed the difference.

His access as a Third-Class Citizen on the Ling Network was incomparably greater than when he was a Fifth-Class Citizen.

For one, the login interface no longer pushed various gossip and entertainment news, but rather current affairs.

For example, since Wang Chen's Ling Network login location was Dragon Head Star, the most prominent position on the virtual screen displayed news about the recent flow of active equipment from the Empire's fleet into the hands of star pirates.

Before Director Zhao Yunxing arrived, Wang Chen couldn't even find a shred of this information on the Ling Network; even actively searching yielded nothing.

However, Wang Chen merely glanced at these news items, then lost interest and began searching for information about Yunhu Star and source mines.

The entire Chaotic Star Sea Starfield is divided into three Star Domains from inside out: the Core Star Domain, the Middle Star Domain, and the Outer Star Domain.

Yunhu Star is located on the edge of the Middle Star Domain, classified as a semi-resource star, co-governed by several local forces and some star pirates, chaotic and backward, with Nightmare Ghost Disasters frequently erupting.

There are even several areas that have formed Forbidden Grounds covering a certain range, which, although jointly suppressed by the various forces on Yunhu Star, cannot be eradicated long-term.

The reason for this is Yunhu Star's rich mineral resources, especially its abundant production of source stones, a high-value resource that can only be mined manually.

Source stones are solidified, high-energy cosmic energy, possessing extremely high stability, and a standard unit of source stone contains astonishing energy, with extremely wide applications; the vast majority of warships and spacecraft are powered by source stones.

However, within the Empire, source stones have long been listed as controlled resources; to mine a source mine, one must obtain a permit issued by the Empire, and also possess sufficiently strong power.

As for how strong…

Just looking at the current Empire, where only the Imperial family and a few top aristocratic families and powerful clans hold source mine mining rights, one understands.

Currently, the demand for high-purity source stones in the black market is enormous each year; many who cannot participate in this trade within the Empire's borders have turned their attention outside the Empire, secretly mining and selling them.

The fact that Director Zhao Yunxing could get a foothold in the source stone mining on Yunhu Star demonstrates his power.

Of course, on the surface, the source mine on Yunhu Star has no relation to Director Zhao Yunxing; he is, from beginning to end, a loyal Imperial general.

But precisely because of this, when trouble arose at the source mine, Director Zhao Yunxing had no way to step forward or dispatch strong individuals connected to him to intervene.

He could earn a little less money, but exposing himself, even as a direct descendant of the Zhao family, would lead to serious consequences.

Moreover, there was an unspoken understanding among the various parties on Yunhu Star, a default agreement that disputes would be handled by their supported proxies.

“The information Director Zhao provided says that the source mine belonging to him on Yunhu Star is only a small one, with low reserves, and his conflict is with a neighboring force also mining on Yunhu Star, which, because someone broke through to Five Realm recently, has become more ambitious.”

While looking at the information, Wang Chen silently pondered.

In the absence of stronger forces intervening, if he were to arrive at Yunhu Star, he could easily stabilize the situation with his own power.

Furthermore, the recently searched information indicated that while the Nightmare Ghost Disaster on Yunhu Star had not reached epidemic proportions, their numbers were extremely considerable, and it was said that in several sealed Forbidden Grounds, there were Nightmare Ghosts of Six Realm or higher, and even sources of pollution.

These represented a large amount of experience, which would definitely allow his power to rapidly increase in a short period.

When his power increased, he would be able to handle any unexpected twists and turns.

“Next, I just need to wait for Director Zhao to arrange for someone to send me to Yunhu Star.”

Thinking this, Wang Chen closed the virtual screen.

Currently, the shipping routes from Dragon Head Star to the Chaotic Star Sea are controlled, but for Director Zhao Yunxing, arranging for one person to go there is effortless.

However, Wang Chen intended to go alone this time; Shen Yu's Three Realm power was too weak, and bringing her would not be a help but a burden.

It was better to leave her on Dragon Head Star, where she could be more useful, especially since the Ling Network would lose its function once they entered the Chaotic Star Sea Starfield.

…

One day later.

Two men walked into the lobby of the hotel where Wang Chen was staying.

One of them was the secretary who had accompanied Director Zhao Yunxing that day, the middle-aged man, while the other was a young man who looked to be twenty-five or twenty-six, with a tall stature, arms that reached his knees, and fierce Qi in his gaze.

“A guy at Four Realms Late Stage, and my uncle actually made me personally escort him to Yunhu Star. I really don't know what he's thinking.”

“This guy's power is similar to mine. What good can he do on Yunhu Star?”

While waiting for the elevator, the young man looked at the middle-aged man beside him, his tone somewhat displeased.

“Young Master He, Mr. Wang is the person in charge personally designated by the Director.”

The middle-aged man's eyes showed some helplessness, but he still offered a reminder.

“Hmph, I don't care what his background is, or what sweet talk he used to gain my uncle's trust. Anyway, if he's not capable and can't suppress those people on Yunhu Star, I won't help.”

The young man snorted defiantly, sneering.

Hearing his words, the middle-aged man couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

This Young Master He was the son of Director Zhao Yunxing's sister, named He Qifeng. After becoming an adult, he came to train under Director Zhao Yunxing, and for several years, he had been representing Director Zhao Yunxing in contacting Yunhu Star, implicitly acting as the person in charge of the Yunhu Star mine, benefiting greatly.

This time, Director Zhao Yunxing directly appointed someone else to be the person in charge of the Yunhu Star mine, and it was also a “youngster” who was just twenty years old. He Qifeng felt dissatisfied when he found out.

He dared not question his uncle's command, so he could only direct his resentment towards Wang Chen, whom he had not yet met.

“Secretary Li, I admit this guy's talent is indeed strong, Cultivating to Four Realms Late Stage at twenty years old, but being in charge doesn't just rely on talent and power, but also on insight and experience. Otherwise, those few Realm Four Peak Stage on Yunhu Star would have already taken the position.”

“I've already been training with my uncle for several years, so I'm certainly more suitable than this kid, right?”

He Qifeng said, full of resentment.