"My dear!"

Ni Leijia squeezed through the crowd, a look of excitement on his face, and opened his arms wide.

Laney saw her husband, a smile on her face, and leaped into Ni Leijia's arms. She gave him a loud kiss on the forehead, then showered him with passionate kisses. She clung to Ni Leijia's neck like a koala bear. The ardor of her embrace suggested they might start reproducing at any moment. Han Xiao’s eyes hurt from the display, and his mind flashed back to the image of stripping Kerlodd naked. Broad back, stout waist, and tiny bird… no wonder Godora had so many mixed-bloods…

The other surviving investigators jumped off the spaceship and embraced their friends, chatting and laughing.

Han Xiao walked down the ramp, and the space station director greeted him, surprise in his voice, "Black Star, what is this..."

Obviously, the director was unaware that Ni Leijia had privately hired mercenaries. Transferring internal affairs to mercenaries without permission was a violation of Godora's management regulations. Depending on the severity, it would be punished and recorded in their work record, affecting promotions and future prospects.

When Ni Leijia issued the task, he asked Han Xiao not to reveal it. However, concealment might cause him to miss some events, leading to a lower evaluation. So Han Xiao did not follow his instructions, but told Laney and others. These rescued Godora investigators naturally knew the regulation. After discussing it privately on the ship, they decided to voluntarily conceal their employer's identity. After all, Ni Leijia had risked everything to hire someone to save them. As colleagues, they were willing to cover for him.

Hearing the director's question, the surrounding investigators looked over. The surviving investigators hesitated, looking at Han Xiao with worry. Ni Leijia was even more nervous, swallowing hard.

They were worried that Han Xiao would tell the truth, because Black Star was not a Godora civil servant and might not know their management regulations.

Han Xiao simply smiled. "When docking, I heard about the science ship. I am a mercenary, and I will not miss any opportunity to make money. Director, my services are not free. Perhaps you should pay a reasonable price for my labor."

Hearing this, Ni Leijia immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and the other investigators were also relieved, giving Han Xiao a grateful look.

To protect the employer's identity, this mercenary was putting on an act. How dedicated.

The director was stunned and a little embarrassed. "According to regulations, we cannot pay you. This was a voluntary action on your part. We did not hire you."

Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to get me to work for nothing? Is this how Godora treats its friends?"

The deputy director's eyes flashed, a hint of joy flitting across them. He coughed and said, "Director, he did save the missing people after all. Although it does not comply with the regulations, I think we should repay kindness with kindness. We should thank him for saving the lives of these investigators. Godora never treats its friends unfairly."

The director frowned and shook his head firmly. "Regulations are regulations. I am very grateful for your actions, but I really can't pay you. This was your voluntary action. If I pay you afterwards, it will become a hiring behavior, which is a violation of the regulations."

The faces of the surrounding crowd changed, and they were a little dissatisfied, especially Laney and other surviving investigators, their eyes a little cold.

These mercenaries saved us, but you don't even want to pay them. Are our lives so cheap in your eyes?

Although unhappy, none of them said anything. The regulations were irrefutable.

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes, deliberately making his tone appear cold. "Okay, just consider it a good deed I did. I want to dock here for a day. I wonder if you will allow it?"

Seeing that he did not insist on the reward, the director breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "Okay, we welcome friends."

Hearing this, the surrounding crowd glared at the director with dissatisfaction, but their eyes were even warmer when they looked at Han Xiao.

The director turned and left, and the crowd slowly dispersed. When passing by Han Xiao, they saluted solemnly to express their gratitude to him.

In the distant passage, only the deputy director and the director were on the road. The deputy director stepped forward a few steps and walked shoulder to shoulder with the director, complaining, "You are too stubborn."

The director shook his head, his face serious. "This is not stubbornness, but principle. Since I have been appointed by the higher-ups to this space station, my duty is to supervise all the work processes here and ensure that everyone operates according to the rules."

"Alas, you are right." The deputy director pretended to sigh. "Few mercenaries will do things first and then talk about price. Their behavior is not accidental. They should have already accepted the secret employment of the space station staff..."

The director suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed. "You're right... The mercenaries deliberately concealed it. They wanted to earn an extra sum of money. Hmph, mercenaries are indeed a group of greedy fellows. Investigate for me. I want to know who hired the mercenaries."

The deputy director hurriedly dissuaded him. "We can just know about this kind of thing in our hearts. Don't be so serious anymore. No matter what, it's a good thing that all the missing investigators are back. Pretend you don't know about this, and as long as you don't pursue it, the violation will not exist. If you report this to the higher-ups, you can write the investigators' survival into your own achievements. This will be very beneficial to your future. They will think you are very capable."

The director paused, his brow furrowed, and he was filled with righteousness. "Achievements? I will not conceal the truth for this kind of thing! Investigate who hired the Black Star Mercenary Group. Violations are violations and will not be tolerated."

...

Back in the hall, Ni Leijia approached Han Xiao, and the two walked to the side. He grabbed Han Xiao's hand, his face full of gratitude.

"Thank you so much for your help. Laney and I don't know how to repay you."

Looking at Ni Leijia, Han Xiao always felt that this old brother was surrounded by a layer of green light. He withdrew his hand and shrugged. "Of course you know how to repay me. We agreed on the reward."

"Yes, yes, yes, I'm just too excited." Ni Leijia took out his communicator and quickly transferred the money.

[【Star Cruise Beast】 has been completed!]

[The task is being settled... Settlement completed]

[Task Rating: Excellent]

[You have received an extra reward of 【Excellent】 grade: 50% extra experience (425,000), random reward x1]

"Just an excellent rating..."

Han Xiao's heart moved. "The probability of getting a random reward with an excellent rating is 30%. Fortunately, I got it."

[Ni Leijia Favorability +35]

[Laney Favorability +20]

"This favorability..." The corner of Han Xiao's mouth twitched. "It always feels like a green spare tire."

Godora people are really not to be trifled with. No wonder they can produce so many mixed-bloods. They know how to shoot...

Suppressing his bad thoughts, Han Xiao activated the random reward in the panel.

[Randomly drawing...]

[Drawing completed]

[The reward type you received this time is: 【Attribute Points】]

"Great."

Han Xiao was expressionless, his tone without any fluctuation.

Now, he was very calm... at least he looked very calm.

"Don't panic, don't panic at all."

Calming himself down, Han Xiao took a deep breath and looked at the three options.

[Please choose one of the following three rewards]

[Agility: 3~6]

[Intelligence: 2~6]

[Luck: 1~8]

Glancing at it, Han Xiao did not hesitate and directly chose to add Intelligence. The numbers behind were the random bonus range.

[Your Intelligence attribute +5]

"It's okay, although it's not a good thing, permanently increasing attribute points is not a loss. This is the first time I've randomly received an attribute reward. Worth commemorating..."

Han Xiao comforted himself like this, repeating it more than ten times in his heart, feeling that his mood had become beautiful again. He didn't know if it was an illusion.

After receiving the money, Ni Leijia took out a white diamond ring from his pocket, played with it reluctantly for a while, and solemnly handed it to Han Xiao.

"I know I don't have much money, and this reward is too little for you, but you still chose to help me. I am very moved. This ring is called the Knorr Secret Diamond Ring. It is a magical treasure I collected. I want you to know that not all Godora people are as stingy as the director. Please accept my gift."

The diamond of the ring flickered with magical light. Han Xiao clenched the ring and looked at the item introduction that popped up on the panel.

[Knorr Secret Diamond Ring]

[Quality: Purple]

[Type: Magic Equipment, Ring]

[Equipment Bonus: Magic Resistance +9%, Magic Affinity +7%, Intelligence +11, Mystery +23, Charm +5]

[Equipment Requirements: Magic Class, Total Level 80 or above]

[Attached Ability: 【Arcane Ring】 – Passive Aura, permanently increases the magic activity within a fifteen-meter radius, increasing the power of all magic-type attack skills by +13%]

[Remarks: This ring is engraved with powerful enchantments, which contain surging magic energy. The creator of this ring is obviously an arcane master.]

"Magic equipment, the attribute bonus is not bad, and the attached aura is simply a weapon for the team leader to clear dungeons. Those guilds will definitely be willing to pay a high price, but unfortunately, this thing has limited use for me."

Only Volga and the Second Boss in the mercenary group are magicians, and their levels are high enough, so it can only be used by them. Anyway, the version has been updated, and all the players are gone, so there is no need to sell it.

Saying goodbye to Ni Leijia, Han Xiao returned to the hall and casually threw the ring to the Volga brothers. The three exclaimed and cheered, and ran to the side to study it, leaving only Melos holding the cards, speechless at the game he was about to win.

"The matter is resolved. Are we not leaving now?" Fording asked.

Han Xiao's eyes flashed. "There are still some other situations here, but I have done what I should do, and it will take a long time to form a profitable situation. It will be worth coming back then... Everyone, take a rest, and we will leave later. Nothing else will happen here for the time being. There is no need to continue staying here."

The others didn't understand what he meant.

"Anyway, you are the leader. It's enough if you know it." Melos asked, "Where are we going next?"

Han Xiao thought of the Star Cruise Beast materials piled up in the spaceship, and said, "Let's find someone to turn the pile of corpses in the warehouse into potions first."

Although finding the task settlement card was important, it wasn't urgent. Anyway, his luck couldn't be rushed.

The process of farming tasks could be slowed down for the time being. In his opinion, processing the Star Cruise Beast materials was the most urgent thing at the moment.