“Let me introduce Vilna, a new officer of Floating Dragon. She’s planning to build the second Field Team, so she came to seek my help. You guys, forget about expenses and help her recruit people. Also, choose ten financial groups from the ones that are working with us and convince them to invest in the new Floating Dragon Field Team using my name. You have to take this job seriously. Help her to build a Field Team based on her plan and support her as much as possible.”
Han Xiao spoke quickly. He planned to use the Black Star Army’s current resources and influence to build a new team for Floating Dragon without considering the returns.
“Understood.” Reynold nodded solemnly. He shook Vilna’s hand and said, “Tell me what you need later. I will do my best to assist you.”
“0–Okay.” Vilna had yet to recover from the shock.
Han Xiao’s degree of help was way beyond her imagination. All she had to do was talk and not worry about anything else; the Black Star Army would settle all of it.
How generous!
Vilna was petrified. She started to blush. This completely abolished the negative image that Jenny had set for Han Xiao in her mind and built a new, tall image.
Friendly, steady, reliable, rich, strong, and handsome… It’s great to have such an amazing senior!
Why is Jenny always lying!
Vilna was secretly upset.
No wonder Black Star could build such an enormous organization in ten short years. Although Vilna did not want to admit it, after such short contact with Han Xiao, he already felt much more reliable than Ames.
“Go do your stuff then…” Han Xiao waved his hands.
Reynold nodded. He turned to look at the others and said, “Okay, you guys go out and wait for me. I have something I want to discuss with His Excellency Black Star alone.”
Han Xiao was a little surprised. He looked at Reynold and saw that he clearly had something on his mind. Han Xiao thought about it and nodded at the others, signaling them to go out first.
The others took Vilna away, leaving only Han Xiao and Reynold in the room.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” Han Xiao narrowed his eyes and looked at Reynold.
“Actually… I didn’t want to bring this up initially because no one was able to help, but now you’re able to. I have something that I need your help with,” Reynold said with a sincere tone and a solemn face.
Han Xiao’s eyes sparkled. He smelled a mission.
In the past few years, he had kept trying to trigger a mission from Reynold, which he sadly never did. He thought that Reynold did not have any missions on him. However, now that Reynold had brought it up himself, he was certainly surprised.
He did not expect to receive such good news as soon as his holiday started.
Chapter 697 - Another Familiar Face
Reynold had very low requirements. Other than finding Han Xiao to learn blueprints, he was pretty transparent the rest of the time. Ever since joining the army, he had always kept a low profile. His business capabilities were as rigorous and reliable as his personality, never causing any trouble at all. He managed the logistics of the army extremely well. This was the first time that he had asked Han Xiao for help.
Seeing that Reynold had a lot on his mind, Han Xiao figured out what was going on. This matter was probably very difficult to deal with, which was why Reynold had waited until now to ask for his help. Since the start, Reynold had only come to learn, not for help. However, now that he had achieved so much fame in the entire Star Field, Reynold saw hope and felt that he had the ability to help, so he now was asking him.
Han Xiao felt that he had guessed most of it correctly and secretly focused more.
“Tell me about it first.”
He did not immediately agree to help and decided to listen to the mission content first.
Reynold contemplated for a while on what to say.
“As you know, I come from the Hyde Star System. I’m sure you know about the situation in the Star System.”
Han Xiao nodded.
The Hyde Star System was a Star System without a ruling civilization, connected with six Star System civilizations including Godora. All these civilizations stationed many troops in Hyde and divided this ownerless Star System. They expanded and confronted each other for many years, causing Hyde to become a chaotic land.
“I was born on a small place called Ceciris, located in an area occupied by the Hutt Civilization. Ceciris is ruled by a low-level galactic civilization that has six planets in total under its ruling. It’s classified as somewhere between a planet civilization and Star System civilization. This civilization has many governments that compete with each other. As Hyde is always at war, the political situation of Ceciris is volatile.
“My father operated a machine research company, which later went bankrupt. When I was six, they died in a riot caused by a political parade…”
Han Xiao was slightly moved. This was the first time that Reynold had talked about his own story. Usually, he never even mentioned anything about it.
“I have a sister who’s nine years older than me. Her name is Rossellin. After my parents died, I lived together with her for three years. When I was nine, she sent me on a long-distance galactic flight off Ceciris and abandoned me.
“When I left home, I was still a child that knew nothing. No one took care of me. I drifted in the galaxy and got through my tough childhood. I then finally had the strength to protect myself. After that, I once went back trying to find Rossellin. Then I discovered what she did.”
Reynold shook his head and said, “After I left, her Esper ability awakened. The official saying is that she can manipulate people’s minds, subtly rewriting people’s perspective on the world. At the start, people did not know about her ability. She used this ability to gather countless believers and built a new religion. New ideology and culture were born in her hands.
“With her ability, in just a few years, she completed the missionary process that would take normal religions decades. More and more people became her followers. She became the pope of the new religion in the Ceciris civilization, loved and worshiped by countless people. Even many high-level officials across the various governments were her believers. She controlled half of the Ceciris civilization with religious methods. Her position was above countless people.
“However, those governments felt that she would threaten their reign, so they kept searching for clues. In the end, her ability was discovered. She became the most dangerous careerist to those governments. She was captured, and the religion that she had created was destroyed.
“Although her Esper ability can modify people’s subconscious mindset over a large area, she can’t brainwash anyone, can’t make anyone a fanatical, and can’t control the minds of the others. Therefore, although the society was shocked, no one spoke up for her. Nobody would like having their mind twisted. Her reputation went right down the drain, and she became a sinner spurned by countless people.
“Those governments tried Rossellin. She was convicted of high treason and given life in prison. However, they showed their true intentions very soon. In their eyes, Rossellin’s ability was an outstanding tool to assist their ruling. Hence, whoever was going to imprison Rossellin became a problem. Every government wanted to have her, to use her ability to consolidate their rule and damage their opponents. They did not want anyone else to have this tool.”
Reynold closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed. “On paper, she was locked in prison, but actually, she disappeared from the eye of the public after the public trial. These governments sent spies and special agents to get to her secretly. Even some rebel forces with ulterior motives joined the battle. She became a tool that kept changing owners.”
Han Xiao could not help but ask, “So, you want me to save her from the Ceciris civilization? You’re already a Calamity Grade-won’t you be able to do that yourself?”
“No, she’s not on Ceciris anymore.” Reynold shook his head.
“The Hutt Civilization took an interest in her ability and took her away. She’s now a prisoner of a Star System civilization.”
Han Xiao understood. No wonder Reynold asked for his help. It turned out that Rossellin had become an important prisoner of a Star System civilization, so getting her would be rather difficult.
To a Star System civilization, they had no obligation to give face to a Calamity Grade. Given how important Rossellin was, the Hutt Civilization would not give her away so easily. Even if Reynold was to attack the prison, he would not be able to fight against the entire Star System civilization alone. He could not save his sister by himself.
I see, so he’s asking for my help because of my influence… Han Xiao thought.
“I know that this is very sudden, but there’s nothing I can do to the situation Rossellin is in. I hope you can save her.” Reynold bowed deeply.
“Hmm…” Han Xiao caressed his chin. “Your sister really seems to be a careerist. I feel that she did this to herself.”
Psychics could change others’ minds to a certain extent, but the range and efficiency was clearly far inferior compared to Rossellin’s Esper ability. It was perfect for spreading religion, exactly what the Arcane Church loved the most.
“Maybe she really is an ambitious careerist; I’m not defending her actions. Although she abandoned me and I don’t have much emotions for her anymore, she’s still my family. She has already paid the price for what she did; I don’t want to see her keep suffering.”
Han Xiao was quite surprised. He had always thought that Reynold’s heart was mechanical; this was a very rare occasion where Reynold showed any emotion.
After pondering for a while, Han Xiao slowly said, “I can help, but it won’t be easy. Even I might not be able to make the Hutt Civilization give her to me just by asking. Rossellin broke the law after all. This isn’t a really reasonable request, so they can totally not give me face at all…”
Reynold nodded then said with a solemn expression, “I understand. You don’t owe me anything. I will continue to work for you and pay my debts for this.”
That’s what I’m talking about, brother… Han Xiao’s eyes sparkled. He smiled and said, “I’ll try my best.”
This time, a notification popped up on the interface.
You have triggered the mission (Reformer)!
Mission Introduction: You accepted Reynold’s request and decided to save Rossellin from the Hutt Civilization.
Mission Requirements: Save Rossellin.
Reward: 18,000,000 Experience, +30 Reynold Favorability, +80 Rossellin Favorability, (Blank Character Summon Card-Reynold) x 1
Han Xiao glanced at it and was surprised.
The mission itself did not seem too difficult, but the prerequisite to trigger it was. It seemed its requirement was to have quite a close relationship with Reynold while having very high influence, only then would Reynold ask for his help.
The Experience reward was ordinary. The Favorability was common as well. What was most surprising was Reynold’s Character Summon Card.
The Blank Character Summon Card of a certain character meant that he could choose any one of Reynold’s abilities.
Among all the abilities Reynold had, the most valuable was undoubtedly the Mechanic class Molding Talent (Perfect Mechanical Sense).
Although Character Summon Cards had limited uses, it was better than nothing.
Most of the time, only random draw reward in combat missions had a possibility of giving someone else’s Molding Talent. Other than Character Summon Cards, the players had absolutely no way of acquiring any Molding Talents. He had the NPC status, so his drawing range included the Molding Talents, but that was not the case for players.
Han Xiao was not disappointed. In order to get the true (Perfect Mechanical Sense) talent, he had to think of other ways.
A Character Summon Card is fine. I happen to have a use for it too.
The Class Advancement mission required him to build a piece of orange level 180 legacy equipment. It would probably not be possible to build orange equipment with his current Machinery Affinity, so he would have to look for ways to improve his building abilities. However, with the [Perfect Mechanical Sense) effects, he would be able to do it right away, saving him tons of trouble.
Pausing the flow of thoughts, Han Xiao returned to the topic.
“I’ll leave in two days and visit the Hutt Civilization. Tell me everything you know. By the way, what does your sister look like?”
“I haven’t seen her in many years, but when she was still the pope, I saved quite a few pictures of her. Here, look.” Reynold took out his communicator and projected a few pictures.
This was a woman in a gorgeous red and white robe. Her hair was tied into a knot at the back of her head, decorated with a beautiful ornament. Her eyes were bright, and her teeth were pure white. Her face was gentle and beautiful, a little bit similar to Reynold’s. Her skin was snow white, and she gave off a very noble vibe. In the picture, she seemed to be making a religious speech. There were many faithful believers below her listening with their heads lowered.
Han Xiao glanced at it, frowned, and glanced at it again. Then, he stared at the face of the woman in the picture and could not take his eyes off her.
Noticing that Han Xiao was staring, Reynold was a little confused. “What is it?”
Han Xiao regained focus and moved his eyes away. He covered his mouth with his fist and coughed twice. “Nothing, your sister is quite pretty.”
Reynold gave Han Xiao a strange look.
Actually, when Han Xiao saw Rossellin’s face, he was dumbfounded.
Vilna, whom he had met earlier, was someone he knew from his previous life, but he did not expect to see another familiar face on the same day!
Plus, this woman was on a completely different level from Vilna!
Chapter 698 - Rejected
Chapter 698 Rejected
The Hutt Civilization was located in the Skywalker Star System, and the Black Star Army had one subdivision set up there. The Hutt Civilization had formed a diplomat team dedicated for the Black Star Army three years ago. The head of this team was an elite from their Foreign Affairs Department, Wolman.
The Black Star Army had set up an office for the Hutt Civilization’s diplomatic team in the satellite subdivision near the resource planet. Wolman and his team were usually there to monitor the harvesting of the resource planet as well as communicate with the Black Star Army’s subdivision.
This day was quiet as usual. Wolman arrived at the office early, gracefully greeted his team members, and sat at his desk. He appreciated the countless stars outside his window before taking out a book from his bag and opening it on the table. This was a book written in the Hutt language. He decided to finish chapter eight to chapter eleven that day, which would take him the entire morning.
Very quickly, he decided on his reading plan. If he was in a good mood later, he would consider reading one more chapter.
In the interstellar era, most of the entertainment and art books were electronic to save on unnecessary production and transportation costs. Physical books had become collectors’ items that only a very small number of people who sought elegance and refinement in life would purchase.
As an elite of the Hutt Foreign Affairs Department, a member of upper society, Wolman strictly required himself to live delicately. He took out a crafted can with green powder, scooped out precisely two spoons, and poured them into a crystal cup. As he poured cold water into the cup, the green powder inside dissolved and turned into a luminous turquoise dense liquid like stars were swimming within. It was beautiful.
This was a type of refreshing drink, a special drink loved by the Huttians. Of course, Wolman’s powder was not factory-made cheap stuff but the premium hand-ground type.
Wolman held the crystal cup in his hand and returned to his seat, sipped it, and picked up the book from the table. He adjusted his seat to lean on the window at forty-five degrees. As if he had c
ompleted some kind of ceremony, he finally started reading the book with satisfaction.
He did not hate being deployed to this quiet position, but he was not satisfied with his job either.
Wolman hoped he could be active on the diplomatic political stage between civilizations and display his abilities elegantly; that was how an elite like him should live. To him, dealing with the Black Star Army was a waste of his talent. After all, in his eyes, although the Black Star Army was a very strong armed force, it was just made up of rude, uneducated mercenaries.
This time, a team member hastily walked into the room and said loudly, “Sir, the Black Star Army just sent us a notice. Their leader Black Star will be arriving in the Skywalker Star System in seven days to visit our Hutt Civilization. The details are in this file.”
Black Star visiting personally, what could his goal be? Wolman was shocked. Ever since he took on this position, the things that he had been dealing with were all trivial and unimportant. This was the first time that something rather important had happened.
Wolman took the file and read through it carefully. Then he said with surprise, “He wants to see Rossellin? Who’s Rossellin?”
Han Xiao had written his goal to notify the Hutt Civilization in advance. If it was just meeting her, given his position, the Hutt Civilization should not reject him.
Wolman immediately contacted the superiors. After a long call that lasted more than ten minutes, he exhaled deeply. The people above were not planning to settle this personally. They made him responsible for the welcoming and hosting of Black Star.
Seven days later, Han Xiao arrived in the Skywalker Star System in his spaceship, landing at the military port of one of their governance planets. The Hutt Civilization had received the notice long ago and basically cleared out the entire port. Wolman and others were waiting
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