Chapter 939: Conspiracy in the Shadows (Revised)

Chapter 939: Conspiracy in the Shadows (Revised)

Traveling alongside a high-tier protagonist always seems to invite unforeseen incidents. I merely wished to quietly cultivate my Qi for a while, yet why must it be so difficult...

Han Xiao let out a helpless sigh and waved his hand.

"Since someone is stirring up trouble within the Empire's borders, you might as well step in and stop them. I am leaving this matter entirely in your hands. If you run into any trouble, you may mobilize my adjutants... Oh, and I have another task for you. You and Aurora will conceal your identities and infiltrate that so-called Punisher Alliance to help me track down the whereabouts of a certain item."

The Blood Hammer Church and the Punisher Alliance operated on a level far beneath his own. Under normal circumstances, Han Xiao would have been willing to intervene personally, but right now, he wished to focus entirely on upgrading his Qi cultivation technique and had no interest in meddling in such low-tier affairs. He might as well let Fardin handle it and find out whether the sealed artifact was currently in the possession of the Punisher Alliance.

When the time came, he could simply obliterate the boss with a single shot, effortlessly claiming the proficiency and saving himself both time and effort.

Entrusting a retrieval mission to a lucky devil like Fardin made Han Xiao feel completely at ease—more at ease, in fact, than if he were handling it himself.

"Very well, then." Fardin tilted his head. "What about the issue of concealing our identities..."

"I will have Philip forge two disguised dossiers for you. There will be no loopholes; they will be more than enough to earn their trust," Han Xiao mused. "Since you must conceal your identities, try not to act too out of the ordinary. Just cooperate with that Raymond and refrain from being overly proactive."

"That... very well." Fardin hesitated for a moment. "Actually, I wanted to ask for your help in using virtual technology to track down the whereabouts of the Blood Hammer Church."

Han Xiao shook his head. "Without any leads, if I were to investigate, I would have to hack into the central intelligence of the Enia Nexus, sift through all entry and exit records, and even seize control of the quantum network base stations of the Enia Nexus to monitor all information in this sector in real time. That would be a massive undertaking. After all, this planet is the territory of another Beyond Grade A ally. They have their own police force, and I have no need to interfere. Didn't I just say not to act too out of the ordinary? It wouldn't do to arouse Raymond's suspicions."

Monitoring an entire planet and filtering out a target from the communication messages of countless citizens required immense computing power. Although he was capable of doing it, the process would be exceedingly tedious.

The Blood Hammer Church was far too low-tier, and Han Xiao had no desire to waste his energy on them. The police force of the Enia Nexus also tracked down suspicious personnel through similar means, so he might as well let them handle it. As an outsider, he had no need to exhaust himself over such a trivial matter.

"I understand." Fardin figured it made sense. Asking a Beyond Grade A to handle such a minor task felt like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. As an adjutant, what sort of logic was it to have his superior run his errands?

The combat level of Raymond and his group was merely Grade B. As a Calamity Grade, he was more than capable of handling this situation. If worst came to worst, he could still mobilize that bunch of idle fellows under Hadaway's command.

If they didn't have something to keep them busy, these adjutants would truly become nothing but slackers.

Turning off the communicator, Fardin explained the situation to Aurora, whose eyes immediately lit up with excitement.

"Let us handle it ourselves? That's brilliant! We finally have something to do!"

Fardin smiled and contacted Raymond. Following Han Xiao's instructions, he expressed his acceptance of the invitation and his willingness to join the Punisher Alliance.

Hearing this, Raymond was overjoyed.

"Excellent! On behalf of the Punisher Alliance, I welcome you both. I will notify the others right away and arrange for your induction!"

Seeing Raymond rushing to end the communication, Fardin had to stop him and sighed, "There must be some procedures for joining, right? Did you forget?"

"Right, right, right." Raymond slapped his forehead and immediately began tapping away. "I'm just too excited. Joining requires filling out an application form. I'll send it to you right now."

Fardin shook his head, received the application form file sent by Raymond, opened it, and took a quick glance. The information required was nothing out of the ordinary: name, abilities, grade, past resume, and the like.

He filled in the fake identity created by Philip, altering the grade on the forged dossier to Grade B to appear more ordinary. If others knew he was a Calamity Grade, the disparity in status would be vast, making it difficult to infiltrate the organization. Although the proportion of Calamity Grades in the Central Stellar Sea was higher, they were still a rare sight as high-tier combat power.

After filling it out, he sent it to Raymond, who, without a word, hurriedly forwarded it to the members of the Punisher Alliance.

……

At this very moment, beyond the span of two star sectors, a small spaceship was undergoing a high-speed leap, hurtling toward the Enia Nexus. Emblazoned upon the ship's outer armor was a faction insignia, representing the Punisher Alliance.

A group of individuals lingered in the cabin, some sitting, some standing. Some were wiping their blades, others maintaining their firearms; some rested with their eyes closed in silent meditation, while others chuckled foolishly at entertainment programs. They were all superheroes of the Punisher Alliance.

They had no absolute leader; everyone was an equal partner who fought side by side, each performing their own duties and maintaining their own social circles in times of peace. There were a few nominal leaders, all senior members boasting high prestige within the organization. This organizational structure was a common configuration for superhero teams.

As they minded their own business, a virtual screen suddenly materialized in the center of the room, displaying a message from Raymond.

"Raymond sent a message!"

Everyone's movements paused as they turned their gaze to the screen. The temporary captain leading this team stepped forward and read it aloud.

In the message, Raymond recounted his recent ordeal and heavily emphasized Aurora's abilities, expressing his earnest hope to induct the two of them into the team.

"It is actually a rare, highly potent healing ability." The captain's face lit up with joy as he immediately realized its value.

For a superhero alliance like theirs, recruiting new members was exceedingly difficult; it was a case of losing one for every one that fell. Had they possessed a partner like this in the past, they could have received timely medical treatment, and many of their fallen comrades would not have perished.

"Is there any issue with their dossiers?"

"Well... I have checked. They are entirely legitimate," a mechanical-type superhero replied.

"Then we can rest assured. I approve of these two joining us."

"Hold on a moment."

At this, a gaunt-faced man spoke in a measured tone, "Be wary that this is not a conspiracy by the Blood Hammer Church. Perhaps they deliberately sent someone to infiltrate our ranks. Do not forget, they also possess evil ritual-type healing abilities. Ask Raymond if he witnessed the healing with his own eyes."

"Seli, you are overthinking it. Although Raymond is somewhat impulsive, he remains quite reliable when it comes to executing his duties," the captain said with a frown.

"I trust Raymond, but I do not trust such a fortuitous coincidence," the gaunt man replied in a cold tone.

His name was Seli, also a senior member of the Punisher Alliance. He was highly vigilant, believing that time reveals a person's true nature, and no newcomer could ever gain his trust at the very outset.

Knowing he could not persuade him, the captain shook his head and shifted the topic. "Let us not dwell on this for now. We should hasten our journey; unraveling the Blood Hammer Church's conspiracy is of greater importance."

"Well said."

Everyone's expressions turned solemn.

However, these individuals remained unaware that they had only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg. The situation lurking behind the scenes was far from as simple as they imagined.

A conspiracy was brewing in the shadows, unknown to any soul.

……

Somewhere within the Enia Nexus lay the temporary base of the Blood Hammer Church.

Several Blood Hammer priests who had attacked Raymond made their way back to the base, immediately drawing the attention of the other members within.

In the room, a towering man rose to his feet. His vestments were far more ornate, and he wielded a massive warhammer. This man was the Archbishop of the Blood Hammer Church, and his eyes currently burned with ill will.

"There is a scent of blood. Did you encounter an enemy?"

"It was someone from the Punisher Alliance. He tracked us. We deployed a barrier spell, intending to eliminate him, but unfortunately, he shattered the barrier and escaped."

"It is this wretched group again! They have sabotaged so many of our operations; we simply cannot shake them off!"

The Blood Hammer Archbishop was utterly furious. He harbored a deep hatred for this group of relentless, lingering rivals.

Raymond had assumed the Blood Hammer Church was here for a sacrifice, but that was not the case at all.

Had it been a routine blood sacrifice, it would have been one thing, but this was a crucial contracted operation that concerned the future missionary prospects of the Blood Hammer Church, thus only intensifying the Archbishop's wrath.

"We cannot remain at this base any longer; we must relocate immediately." The Blood Hammer Archbishop's face was ashen. "There can be no mistakes in this operation. Pack everything up at once."

Hearing this, everyone in the base sprang into action, gathering their belongings from the room.

The Blood Hammer Archbishop strode over to a conference table and looked down at the paper map spread out before him.

The map depicted the terrain of a vital sector within the Enia Nexus, marked with detailed operational plans, and various arrows pointing directly toward the core of this very area.

And this place was precisely where the Enia Nexus kept the Evolver Totem!

……

More than a dozen blocks away from the Blood Hammer Church's hideout lay another clandestine base belonging to a different faction.

In the room, several individuals gathered around a table, upon which lay an architectural blueprint of the Evolver Totem's storage facility.

This group was a notorious syndicate of grand thieves in the black market, specializing in pilfering highly valuable items for their employers. This time, they too had been contracted to operate within the Enia Nexus.

"What we are tasked to steal this time is the Evolver Totem of the Enia Nexus. The artifact is ensconced within layers of protection and heavily guarded. The mission is exceedingly arduous. Now that the day of action agreed upon with our employer is fast approaching, do any of you have a viable plan?"

"During our previous reconnaissance runs, I gathered sufficient intelligence. The facility is equipped with round-the-clock anti-theft and surveillance systems, all highly advanced. I have devised a preliminary plan, though it still requires refinement."

"Relying solely on ourselves, we have no chance of stealing the item. Only if we have the backup the employer mentioned will we stand a chance."

The group lowered their voices, discussing the plan of action.

...

Enia Nexus, Spaceport Pier One, Departure and Arrival Hall.

The hall was bustling with crowds, as all passengers entering and leaving the port had to pass through here. In a casual beverage shop near the entrance, an unremarkable-looking woman was reading a physical book, a half-empty bottle of pale blue sparkling drink resting on the table before her.

She had been sitting there for quite some time, seemingly waiting for someone.

Just then, a commotion arose from the direction of the exit, and a group of bodyguards escorted a young man into the hall.

Two of the bodyguards were different from the rest; they made no effort to conceal their aura, radiating the energy fluctuations of a Calamity Grade. They flanked the young man on either side, making it abundantly clear that he was a figure of considerable importance.

Seeing this, the pedestrians in their path promptly parted to clear a way.

Watching the entourage leave the hall, the unremarkable woman paid for her drink, then stood up, tucked the book under her arm, and strode out of the spaceport, heading in the opposite direction of the group.

After walking for over a dozen blocks, where the crowds grew less dense, she stepped into the shadow of a building, and the next moment, a burly man emerged, the book in his hand nowhere to be seen.

This man possessed the supernatural ability of disguise. He had altered his appearance multiple times along the way, eventually taking a vehicle to another district, entering his inn, and returning to his room.

There were three others in the room, each of a different species. Anyone familiar with the wanted posters across the various star regions would recognize them as once-notorious Calamity Grade fugitives who had later joined the Fallen Ark. After Han Xiao captured the Alien God, they all severed ties with the Fallen Ark and vanished without a trace.

Closing the door, the disguised man nodded to the others and spoke in a deep voice:

"The intel was correct. The target has arrived, accompanied by two Calamity Grade bodyguards—the very two mentioned in the briefing."

"Excellent. Proceed according to the plan," one of them said, a dense killing intent flashing in his eyes.

...

Crimson Dynasty Homeworld, Tylenhamir Palace, the Head of State's Administrative Building, High-Level Conference Room.

At this very moment, a meeting concerning the current predicament of the Crimson Dynasty was drawing to a close.

Ever since the Shining Federation and the Virtual Spirit Religion officially implemented their suppression campaign, the Crimson Dynasty had faced targeted blockades in numerous fields, bearing immense pressure. With the Dynasty pouring massive resources into the Shining World, other areas inevitably suffered from neglect, allowing the other two powers to exploit the vulnerabilities.

Due to this unfavorable situation, report meetings like today's had been convened frequently of late.

"...The Shining Federation and the Virtual Spirit Religion are targeting us in these sectors, applying multifaceted pressure. Their objective is obvious: to force us to publicly sell the Evolver Totems. What are your thoughts?"

Ulan Riel, seated at the head of the table, spoke in a grave tone, her gaze sweeping across the assembly.

Among the high-ranking officials below, some nodded while others remained expressionless, but they all shared one thing in common: silence.

Not all of these individuals belonged to the Head of State's faction; some were key members of other factions, and it was precisely the opinions of these people that Ulan Riel valued most.

Ulan Riel turned her gaze to an elderly high official seated near the front on the left, asking in a deep voice, "Ludewig, what are your thoughts?"

Ludewig was a high-ranking official in charge of the economic sector, holding an exceedingly high position. As the head of the neutral faction, his status was supreme. Hearing Ulan Riel's question, he replied slowly, "Your Excellency, whether we open up the Evolver Totems or not, there are pros and cons for us either way."

"Share your perspective."

"Very well." Ludewig nodded. "Keeping the purchasing rights private has the advantage of increasing our political vassals and gaining more allies, while optimizing our species' potential in the long run. This would allow us to nurture more talents in the future and gradually surpass other civilizations. The drawback, however, is facing the targeting of the other two powers and many other civilizations.

On the other hand, opening the purchasing rights would relieve the pressure and consolidate the ruling status of the three great civilizations. We could also secure new political benefits through quotas. The downside, though, is sacrificing long-term potential, being unable to exclusively enjoy the effects of the Evolver Totems, and losing the opportunity to surpass others in species talents."

At this point, Ludewig suddenly shifted the topic, raising a finger as he spoke indifferently:

"However, there is an unavoidable issue with opening the purchasing rights: the device used to manufacture the totems is not under our control, which is an unstable factor. We are currently enduring immense pressure, yet the majority of the benefits brought by the totems are being yielded to Black Star, which is hardly a good thing. If we are to open the purchasing rights, we must consider this aspect. If we cannot reap the full benefits of the totems, then enduring so much pressure would be a losing deal."

"I have noted your opinion," Ulan Riel said, raising her hand slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

Seeing this, Ludewig knew that Ulan Riel did not wish for him to continue. Having no further objections, he closed his mouth and fell silent.

Observing this, Ulan Riel felt a trace of helplessness in her heart. Ludewig was the head of a faction, but he did not defy her orders; he merely held differing political views on certain matters, and the issue of the Evolution Cube's ownership was one of those points.

Ludewig was indeed a staunch advocate of the Handover Faction. As the high official overseeing the economic sector, he tended to approach issues from the perspective of economic and political interests, rather than leaning towards military concerns.

He was dissatisfied that the Empire was bearing the suppression from the other two powers yet failing to reap all the benefits of the Evolution Cube. He had always advocated for reclaiming Black Star's Evolution Cube, whether through resource exchange or coercion; in any case, the Empire must take control of this cosmic treasure.

Ulan Riel valued Black Star, and on this matter, her views clashed with his. It was only because she, as the Head of State, was keeping him in check that this staunch supporter of the Handover Faction had not stirred up trouble.

"Let's adjourn for today," Ulan Riel said, shaking her head.

The remote projections in the conference room vanished one after another.

Ludewig nodded in a salute before cutting off the remote communication. His gaze returned to his own office; he sighed, rubbed his eyes, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes appeared quite deep.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

Just then, the internal line on his desk rang. Ludewig answered immediately, and the secretary's voice came through the channel.

"Your Excellency, your grandson is calling. Shall I patch him through?"

"That boy. How many times have I told him not to call the internal line of my office!" Ludewig frowned. "Put him through."

The secretary acknowledged and waited a moment before a young man's voice echoed through the channel.

"Grandpa? I've already arrived at the Enia Nexus. Just giving you a heads-up so you don't send people looking for me everywhere like last time, making my company think I've gone missing."

"Hmph." Ludewig snorted through his nose, his face showing a hint of embarrassment.

"By the way, you mentioned last time you wanted to try Enia's specialty snacks. I'll bring some back for you on my return from this business trip."

"That's more like it." The tense expression on Ludewig's face finally relaxed. "Take care of your own safety. The world isn't peaceful right now; there have been many attacks within the Empire's borders. Hmph, all of them aimed at snatching Evolver Totems. Are the two bodyguards I assigned to you nearby?"

"Oh, these two lords watch me like I'm a prisoner, even following me to the restroom. Grandpa, please, have mercy and take them back. With them around, people think I'm the boss. My own manager doesn't even dare to reprimand me. If this goes on, I'm afraid they'll fire me one day."

"Absolutely not. You're my only grandson, and safety comes first. I can only rest easy knowing they are by your side."

Ludewig's tone was stern. After a pause, realizing his tone was too harsh, he softened it and sighed, "Sigh, just take care of yourself anyway. And since you're not an Imperial official, stop calling the internal line. Not long ago, someone from the Internal Affairs Department subtly complained to me about this."

"Alright, alright, I'm hanging up then."

Hanging up the communication, Ludewig let out a breath, a gentle, affectionate smile appearing on his face.