Chapter 150 A Daring Plan

The Black Law Society's branch on Qijin Star controlled the hiring and financial flow of half of the Ancient Star Desert's interstellar black market. Controlling this place was equivalent to monitoring half of the black market's movements.

In the control room, the Third Law Chief ordered the operators to unlock the firewall, allowing Han Xiao to insert data probes and inject a large number of monitoring programs. He also asked them to bring up the recent anonymous black market hires to view the background files.

The Black Law Society's internal database recorded the real identities of some anonymous employers, most of which were obtained through investigations... As an intermediary guarantor, the hiring reward would pass through the Black Law Society's hands before being transferred to the mercenaries. Therefore, tracing the identity of anonymous employers based on the source and flow of funds was not difficult.

Han Xiao rapidly copied the massive archives accumulated by the Black Law Society over the years in the quantum network, and glanced at the trembling Third Law Chief beside him with a half-smile, teasing,

"You guys aren't as reliable as you claim. You've been secretly investigating the identities of anonymous employers. These accumulated archives are all the employers' weaknesses and bargaining chips. Don't tell me you're just investigating for fun."

The Third Law Chief wiped his sweat and said, "We're just checking the reliability of the transactions and assessing the employers' credit, but we only keep the files for record-keeping and have never leaked any secrets. As for bargaining chips... cough cough, we're doing business in the black market after all, so we have to leave some backup plans."

"I understand, I understand. It's the black market, after all. No one's clean." Han Xiao chuckled twice.

The Third Law Chief could only force a smile, lowering his eyes and bowing, adopting an extremely humble posture.

There was no choice. With the empire's fleet on standby on the planet, he could only yield completely.

At this moment, Han Xiao stroked his chin and said,

"Speaking of which, I remembered something. I brought the empire's fleet here in a big way, and you even came out to greet us. This planet is full of people and prying eyes. Sooner or later, the news will spread. Then, rumors will definitely appear in the black market, claiming that you've been coerced by the three major civilizations, causing mercenaries and employers to choose to lie low. In that case, the three major civilizations' plan to lure out unstable elements will be greatly compromised."

"Y-yes, I suppose so." The Third Law Chief didn't know how to respond.

"But I think you should be glad." Han Xiao smiled and said, "Maybe you'll even send people to spread the word in the black market, claiming that the Black Law Society is being controlled, in order to remind other black market members and warn them not to use the black market platform for hiring during this period, in order to minimize the damage to your organization's reputation."

The Third Law Chief tasted bitterness in his mouth. He did have such an idea. Although he was forced to compromise, he still wanted to cut his losses.

"Don't worry, I won't stop you from doing that."

Hearing this, the Third Law Chief was puzzled and couldn't help but ask,

"Isn't the reason you're controlling us to secretly monitor the black market's movements and fish out the disruptive elements? If the black market knows we're unreliable and doesn't use our guarantee platform, then what's the point of controlling us?"

"Oh yo, it seems like you're adapting to the change in your role. You've quickly entered the role of a partner and started thinking for us." Han Xiao laughed and clapped his hands.

The Third Law Chief's face froze, and he didn't dare to vent his anger.

Han Xiao raised an eyebrow, turned his head, called over an imperial officer, and smiled, "In a while, have the imperial fleet split up and go to every gray transit station in the Ancient Star Desert where black market organizations are located. Remember to make a big show of it so everyone can see you."

Hearing this, the Third Law Chief's heart stirred, and he roughly understood Black Star's plan.

"You're deliberately making a commotion, letting the black market know that the Black Law Society has compromised, and then pretending to negotiate with every black market organization, creating the illusion that the three major civilizations have controlled the entire black market in the Ancient Star Desert, planting seeds of suspicion in the minds of most people?"

In this way, even if the other black market organizations didn't fall into Black Star's hands, with the Black Law Society as a cautionary tale, those employers who pursued secrecy and security would naturally not dare to take risks at this time, fearing exposure.

Black Star could have forced all the black market organizations in the Ancient Star Desert to compromise, but now he had chosen another path. In the Third Law Chief's opinion, Black Star was leaving himself a way out. This method was less forceful and wouldn't offend the black market organizations to death like today, making them a wedding dress for the three major civilizations.

Perhaps some black market organizations would even think that Black Star was showing mercy.

"I understand." The Third Law Chief hesitated, "This method is indeed more gentle, but it has its pros and cons..."

Han Xiao didn't answer, knowing what the other party meant.

Forcibly controlling all the black market organizations was most conducive to entrapment, allowing them to catch a large number of guys who were trying to cause trouble, while the current method, although less effort, would startle the snake, making many people wary and continue to lie low.

However, in his opinion, unstable elements could never be completely eliminated. Like weeds, one batch was cut down and another batch would grow out.

As the saying goes, heavy rewards will surely bring forth brave men. If they didn't extinguish the black market mercenaries' thoughts, someone would always take risks for huge profits, turning the Ancient Star Desert's border into a chaotic mess, forcing the three major civilizations to expend a lot of effort to hunt them down. This was the drawback of entrapment.

Moreover, if they caught too many people through entrapment, they wouldn't be able to hide it. It was better to publicly let the Ancient Star Desert know that the three major civilizations controlled the black market channels, setting up a net to dispel the unstable elements' wishful thinking and make them afraid of being held accountable afterward. In this way, the plan's effect would change from entrapment to risk prevention, reducing the number of adventurers from the source.

Entrapment was indeed effective, but it also spawned more unstable elements. As rulers, the three major civilizations were more suited to a more righteous approach. Entrapment was a shady trick that could be used occasionally, but not for long-term maintenance.

Putting away various thoughts, Han Xiao turned his head and glanced at the Third Law Chief's submissive appearance, clicking his tongue,

"You're not bad. I thought I'd have to go on a killing spree before you'd compromise. I didn't expect you to be so cooperative, not giving me the chance."

"...As long as you're satisfied." The Third Law Chief said helplessly.

"But still, I prefer your unruly look. Recover it for me." Han Xiao couldn't help but tease.

When was I ever unruly...

The Third Law Chief secretly slandered Han Xiao's bad taste, but on the surface, he obediently straightened his back.

At this moment, Phillip finished filtering the files and locked onto a large number of employers who requested smuggling viruses.

"Report this list and have the three major civilizations' troops cooperate in action to destroy these forces."

Han Xiao glanced at it.

The information was very detailed, involving all walks of life. He didn't intend to be soft on these people. In addition to killing the chicken to scare the monkeys, he also wanted to brush up the mission rating for [Intelligent Plague].

He carefully searched for a while and found a force that had repeatedly hired Undying, and Gloomy Prince was also hired by them. It was a black market arms dealer called the Ke'er Consortium.

"I'll personally deal with this organization. Remember to publicly post the execution footage online."

...

Somewhere in the Ancient Star Desert, Ke'er Consortium Fortress.

On the wharf, crates were being loaded onto ships, and Ke'er the Fifth was inspecting the area with his men.

"How long until we can set sail?"

"About two more hours."

"Speed it up as much as possible."

Ke'er the Fifth's tone was a bit impatient.

Seven or eight days ago, the empire's fleet entered the Black Law Society, and the news only spread yesterday. All the anonymous employers who posted virus smuggling missions were shocked and fearful.

Ke'er the Fifth was also uneasy, so he decisively decided to abandon the fortress and accelerate the transfer of assets.

At this time, he was organizing people to empty the fortress.

Just as he was anxiously waiting, a detection personnel suddenly sent an emergency message.

"Warning, the outer fleet has detected a small Crimson Empire fleet approaching. We sent a communication request, but the other party did not respond."

"The three major civilizations are here?!"

Ke'er the Fifth's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly walked to the viewing window with a group of executives, looking at the distant starry sky. They saw a few lonely imperial spaceships slowly approaching.

"It doesn't seem like many people are here?"

"It doesn't look like they're here to fight."

Seeing this, Ke'er the Fifth breathed a sigh of relief.

With so few spaceships, he felt that they were more likely here to negotiate and ask questions.

Thinking of this, Ke'er the Fifth tidied up his clothes to make himself look more formal, and ordered in a deep voice,

"The escort fleet must not act rashly. Send a communication invitation in my name. I'll talk to them and see what their intentions are."

But as soon as he finished speaking, the imperial spaceships suddenly stopped in the distance, motionless.

"Huh, why did they stop?"

Ke'er the Fifth was stunned, his face full of doubt.

However, in the next moment, countless machines suddenly emerged from the void in the distance, rapidly combining into a huge humanoid mechanical construct, wearing a robe and holding a long blade, its size towering into the sky, even larger than the entire fortress.

"That's..."

Before Ke'er the Fifth and others could recover from the shock, they saw the massive mechanical body suddenly throw the long blade. Like a hot knife through butter, it cut through all the Ke'er escort fleets blocking the way without any resistance, heading straight for the fortress.

In this instant, all the members on the wharf, including Ke'er the Fifth, stopped their work and stared blankly at the rapidly approaching mountain-like blade.

Everyone's minds went blank.

...

Swish!

The thrown Star Destroyer Blade easily passed through the Ke'er Fortress. The blue psionic storm wrapped around the blade instantly turned the scattered fortress wreckage into dust, and a brilliant firework burst in mid-air.

The blade's momentum was unabated, unstoppable, and it pierced straight into the barren planet below, penetrating the stratum and drilling out from the other side of the planet, leaving a through-hole in the planet.

The large amount of psionic energy left by the Star Destroyer Blade along the way produced irreversible high-energy chain reactions with the planet's interior. Magma surged, and red-hot lava cracks appeared on the surface.

In the next moment, dazzling white light suddenly lit up. The entire barren planet expanded from the inside and instantly exploded into pieces.

The explosive shockwave spread out, and the Mechanical Divine wrapped the Emperor's Robe, layer upon layer of honeycomb-shaped high-density psionic shields completely isolating the impact.

At the same time, he raised his hand, and the Star Destroyer Blade automatically circled in an arc, swept past the energy storm of the planet's explosion, and returned to his hand.

"This thing's power is pretty good."

Han Xiao somewhat understood why the Tyrkers were so enthusiastic about making mechanical god-specific equipment.

For no other reason than it's really cool.

Fondling the Star Destroyer Blade, Han the Great Technician deactivated the Mechanical Divine and returned to the ship.

"Check to see if there are any survivors."

Did he even need to check...

The bright light from the planet's explosion made the faces of the imperial soldiers on the scene pale. The ship cabin was silent, and you could almost hear everyone nervously swallowing at the same time.

"Phillip, did you record the video?"

"Recorded, buzz."

"Then upload it to the internet to deter those with ulterior motives and let them see the consequences of causing trouble."

Han Xiao waved his hand casually.

He didn't intend to talk to this force at all. The evidence was conclusive, there was nothing to talk about. He just directly slashed them with a blade to show his resolute attitude.

After dealing with this small matter, Han Xiao waved to Harrison and the others who were shaking like sieves next to him, signaling them to come over.

Harrison had just witnessed Han Xiao casually shattering a planet while talking and laughing. The impact of this scene directly shattered his psychological preparation. Even though he knew that Black Star was a top Beyond Grade A, he was still frightened.

This was the power of a peak Beyond Grade A, so terrifying, is this still a human...

Harrison's teeth chattered, and he cautiously approached Han Xiao, stammering, "B-Black... Black Star, do you have any instructions?"

"Why are you so nervous? I'm not going to eat you."

Han Xiao smiled and patted Harrison on the shoulder.

"The layout for cracking down on illegal hiring is almost complete. Finding the virus core also needs to be put on the agenda. I want to ask you, where do you think the virus core would be hidden?"

"This... how would I know?"

"Don't be nervous, just say whatever you think. Where do you think it would be hidden?"

Harrison calmed himself and said cautiously, "You said before that the virus core is just a pre-set program used to monitor the overall virus infection situation. Then, it must have data exchange with the virus information packets, and in order to disguise itself, it shouldn't be the interactive terminal, otherwise it would have been found long ago. So I think, by statistically analyzing the node routes that the data sent by each virus information packet passes through, comparing them, and searching for the intersection points, we might be able to find it..."

Han Xiao interrupted him and said, "The three major civilizations thought of this long ago and have been doing it all along. Each virus information packet sends a large amount of misleading fake data on a regular basis. The routes are very complex, and there are too many data intersection points. We can only filter them one by one. But the virus core is not only very hidden, but it also seems to change its position at any time, so the three major civilizations have not been able to find its trace."

"Then... then I have no ideas either. I can't help you."

"No, I don't need your ideas." Han Xiao curled his lips and smiled, "Next time the three major civilizations statistically analyze a new batch of intersection points, I need you to help me choose some nodes. Maybe you'll have good luck and find it right away."

"Don't joke around..." Harrison said in horror.

"I'm not joking. Think about it, the antique you casually dug up is such a dangerous source of disaster. In a sense, that's god-level luck."

Harrison scratched his head and realized that it seemed to make sense.

Indeed, my luck seems to have been pretty good since I was a child. No matter what projects I help my family's consortium invest in, I always seem to make money in the end. If it weren't for the fact that making money is too easy, I wouldn't have run out to pursue excitement in archaeology...

Han Xiao didn't know what he was thinking. Seeing him spacing out, he casually encouraged him a few words, then withdrew his gaze and began to ponder.

He believed in the effect of the Advanced Lucky Halo. Even if he couldn't find it once, letting Harrison look for it a few more times would give him a higher chance than others.

Moreover, Han Xiao also planned to seek off-site assistance, applying to the three major civilizations for contact with the outside world to ask Iso, the old man from Longtan, to cast a divination.

No matter how well the virus core was hidden, everyone was equal in the face of luck and prophecy.

—If science doesn't work, try metaphysics!

...

On March 9, 731 of the Star Sea Calendar, Black Star visited the Black Law Society organization, which manages the black market network, as an envoy of the Crimson Empire.

The two sides held friendly talks on the issue of supporting the three major civilizations' control of the disaster, fully exchanged opinions, and finally reached a consensus.

The Third Law Chief, the person in charge of the Black Law Society's Ancient Star Desert region, said that regardless of whether the camp is black or white, every powerful private organization should have a sense of historical responsibility. Preventing the Intelligent Plague disaster is the duty of every interstellar citizen, and the Black Law Society is willing to fully support the actions of the three major civilizations.

On March 17, Black Star claimed that the Ke'er Consortium was secretly hiding viruses and destroyed it with one blow, shocking the stars with his power.

As a signal, the three major civilizations cooperated in action and destroyed a large number of private organizations suspected of privately hiding viruses within a month.

In April of the same year, the Crimson Empire fleet visited all the black market organizations in the Ancient Star Desert, and it was suspected that it had control over all the black market channels in the Ancient Star Desert.

Black Star adhered to the principle of no negotiation and no compromise, and led the fleet to attack frequently. Everyone in the Ancient Star Desert was in danger, and the number of smugglers was greatly reduced.

On June 25, the research and development team led by Marnison created the first version of a dedicated anti-virus and scanning tool, which was put into large-scale use.

In July of the same year, the Intelligent Plague disaster was initially brought under control, and the three major civilizations began to investigate the source of the virus on a large scale.