Chapter Fifty-One: Comrade Scoundrel

Chapter Fifty-One: Comrade Scum

Zambia III.

In truth, this planet’s jurisdiction belonged to no single power in the universe. Instead, it was fragmented among hundreds of scattered factions, each vying for control. This was due not only to its unique geographical location, but also to its peculiar environment. Of these groups, the greatest was undoubtedly the Banjeskana Empire, whose territory lay nearest the Desolate Starfield.

The empire was made up of a humanoid race with violet-red skin, born for war, who had roamed the universe for countless ages.

The area controlled by the Earth Federation was extremely limited, scarcely the size of three provinces, and most of it belonged to assets of the Galactic Universal Corporation. As the only supply base outside the Desolate Starfield, this place had stood for untold centuries.

Liu Shaoyu and his companions settled in the branch of the One-Eyed Giant Bounty Group here. It was there Liu Shaoyu encountered a familiar—if not exactly friendly—face.

It was the man who had been beside Wang Yuyan the day she left. Seeing him startled Liu Shaoyu. Was Wang Yuyan here as well? He glanced around but found no sign of her. Slightly disappointed, he refrained from greeting the man.

“Did you spot an acquaintance?” Long Ruyuan asked, noticing Liu Shaoyu’s gaze.

“Nothing important. Just someone I recognize,” Liu Shaoyu replied, shaking his head.

“Why not say hello?” Monkey chimed in, oblivious to the situation.

He was only joking; they weren't close. Liu Shaoyu, Long Ruyuan, and Monkey pretended not to know the man, settled in at the bounty group’s branch, and prepared to venture out for food. As for Miss Carter—

She had vanished soon after they arrived on the planet. No one was happier about this turn of events than Monkey, who felt his days of gloom were finally over and decided to celebrate—his treat.

The prices for supplies in these fringe star systems were astronomical. Yet the locals had money, at least those who survived the Desolate Starfield. Even a small piece of ice ore from the starfield meant a fortune.

The mortality rate was higher than the odds of winning five million in the lottery, yet the lure of immense profit drove people to risk everything. Who came here to seek adventure? Pirates, desperados, mercenaries—and bounty groups like theirs.

“Why does this place look... so much like the countryside?” Monkey remarked as they walked the streets, unable to contain his curiosity.

Liu Shaoyu, too, was puzzled. In an age of advanced technology, even the underground city he once lived in was clean and orderly, with impeccable urban planning. But here, everything was rundown and dilapidated.

If they hadn’t known they were on the outskirts of the Desolate Starfield, they might have thought they’d travelled back to a rural town in the twenty-first century.

“This makes no sense!” Monkey grumbled again.

Long Ruyuan, meanwhile, remained calm. “Technology may be advanced, but that doesn’t mean the whole universe shares the same standard of living,” he said, shaking his head.

“Exactly,” Liu Shaoyu agreed, recalling how his childhood home in the underground city differed vastly from the capital.

Monkey had grown up in the capital, so he had little experience of the outside world. He’d spent most of his life aboard spaceships, as had Liu Shaoyu.

They’d visited many places during missions, but never somewhere so... quaintly old-fashioned.

“This environment is actually shaped by the nearby Banjeskana Empire. Due to proximity, Satellite Three was first used by the empire as a forward outpost. Most of the locals here are descendants of laborers who manned those stations,” Long Ruyuan explained.

Enlightened by this, Liu Shaoyu and Monkey nodded in understanding.

Wealth disparity existed everywhere, even in a world of technological marvels. Walking the streets, it was easy to distinguish between the native locals and the adventurers.

The trio moved on, looking for a place to eat. Luckily, they were in a human-populated district, so they began searching for familiar food. Monkey recalled a mission when he was hosted by aliens—their cuisine had been utterly bizarre. In the end, he’d retreated to the ship to eat his own rations.

One hotel stood out on the street, mainly because its sign was written in Chinese characters. The other restaurants, with names indecipherable save for translation devices, failed to entice them. This prominent Chinese sign made their decision for them.

They entered. The sign read, “Dragon Gate Inn.”

Liu Shaoyu, as was his habit, chose a window seat and headed straight upstairs upon entering.

“Hey, look!” Monkey exclaimed as he reached the second floor. Following his gaze, Liu Shaoyu saw the familiar man he’d spotted earlier. Beside him, unmistakably, was Wang Yuyan!

So they were together, Liu Shaoyu thought. Probably on a mission. Yet trouble seemed to have found them.

By the window, Wang Yuyan sat with her head down while her companion argued heatedly with seven oddly dressed individuals.

“Hey! Didn’t you hear? Move someplace else!” snarled a burly, sleazy-looking man among them.

“Should we go over?” Long Ruyuan asked Liu Shaoyu.

“Let’s wait. They should handle it. We’ll sit first,” Liu Shaoyu gestured, and they took seats near the stairs.

The commotion at the window kept the group from noticing the newcomers.

“Are you deaf? Get lost, didn’t you hear?” spat a wiry man behind the burly one, pointing at Wang Yuyan’s companion as he ranted. One hand hovered at his waist, revealing a silver laser pistol.

Wang Yuyan’s companion did not retort but quietly asked her, “Yuyan, should we move elsewhere?”

Wang Yuyan finally lifted her head and nodded. Just as she rose, the wiry man spoke again.

“Kid, get lost on your own! The girl stays to have dinner with our boss.”

Long Ruyuan and Monkey, both acquainted with Wang Yuyan, were about to intervene, but Liu Shaoyu signaled them to wait. For he saw Wang Yuyan’s companion slam the table and stand.

“Do you know who I am? Watch your words.”

“Haha! Who do you think you are? Whoever you want to be!” The wiry man drew his pistol, pointing it at the standing man.

These men were clearly the sort who frequented the Desolate Starfield—perhaps fugitives, which explained their brazen behavior. Wang Yuyan’s companion hesitated, fearing for his life.

Yet, he wasn’t intimidated by the gun; he turned to Wang Yuyan and winked, then left.

His glance seemed to say, “Bear with it for now; I’ll fetch help.”

As he departed, he tapped the wiry man’s shoulder—a gesture hidden from Wang Yuyan by the burly leader, but plainly visible to Liu Shaoyu and his companions.

Liu Shaoyu frowned. That gesture clearly signaled familiarity between Wang Yuyan’s companion and the group. In a typical scene, the man would rage and fight, but here, he seemed to scheme for something bigger. Liu Shaoyu sensed trouble.

This man was a scoundrel.

Scoundrel Brother turned and hurried downstairs, glancing suspiciously at Liu Shaoyu’s group as he passed, perhaps recognizing them, but continued on his way.

“Ruyuan, follow him. Monkey, let’s go,” Liu Shaoyu said once the scoundrel left.

Long Ruyuan nodded and followed him down the stairs. Liu Shaoyu and Monkey rose and approached the group.

“Excuse me, brother, coming through,” Monkey said, tapping one of the men surrounding Wang Yuyan.

The group turned, scowling. “Excuse me? Where do you think you’re going? This is the corner, you can’t pass. Get lost or we’ll mess you up!” snarled a particularly unpleasant-looking man.

Monkey thought, damn, these guys have foul mouths. Without hesitation, he struck, knocking out the man’s teeth.

The others were stunned by Monkey’s speed. Before they could react, one of their own was clutching a bleeding mouth and cursing. “Damn! Hit him, hit him!”

Finally, they realized trouble had arrived and prepared to fight.

Wang Yuyan, seeing Liu Shaoyu, was first delighted, then puzzled. Liu Shaoyu shrugged and pointed at the group, signaling they should resolve this first. Wang Yuyan nodded in response.

In moments, three of the seven were down. The wiry man with the pistol drew it again.

Liu Shaoyu swiftly pulled out his particle knife and hurled it forward.

A scream—his hand was lost forever.

Only then did they realize Monkey wasn’t alone. The burly leader, now furious, grew more menacing.

“Kid, do you know what you’re doing?” he asked, voice cold.

Four men down in an instant—even if they were mere thugs, he couldn’t let it slide.

“Do you know what you’re doing?” Liu Shaoyu retorted, sensing the threat was hollow.

The leader realized Liu Shaoyu was provoking him.

“Heh, young man. Don’t let your temper get you killed. Some matters are beyond your reach,” he sneered, grabbing Wang Yuyan and shielding himself with her.

The scene grew tense.

To Readers:

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