“The figure of five billion is a bit large... If it were through official channels, it would be easier to handle.
But it needs to be hidden, not known to others.” Li Yaqi showed a troubled expression, but then said, “However, there is one person who might be able to do it.”
“Who?” Zhao Chen asked.
“You’ve met her before,” Li Yaqi said.
Zhao Chen’s mind conjured the image of the woman wearing a mask, with black patterns on her face and crimson eyes.
“Bloody Mary Mercenary Group?” Zhao Chen uttered the name of the organization the woman belonged to.
Li Yaqi nodded, “Bloody Mary has channels to find hidden raw material supplies, and she is also very good at transporting these raw materials.
She is very familiar with the interstellar border space between various Galaxies, almost like her own backyard.
The tasks she takes on always deliver orders to the required customers in the shortest possible time.
But... there’s one thing... she charges very high!”
“How high?” Zhao Chen asked.
“Assuming you want to transport five billion star coins worth of raw materials, she would need to take a 30% cut, which is one point five billion star coins.
But the advantage is that she takes her cut upon delivery and is very trustworthy.
So, in the interstellar black market, many people are willing to do business with her.
However, due to her way of doing things, she has also offended many people,” Li Yaqi said.
A 30% cut, that profit is simply too high.
But currently, Zhao Chen urgently needs a batch of raw materials to build the Star Gate and expand his fleet; he needs them for all aspects.
“Help me contact her; I want to discuss this deal with her!” Zhao Chen said seriously.
Li Yaqi was very surprised; Zhao Chen had previously asked her for an advance of twenty million star coins, but now he was talking about a five billion star coins deal without batting an eye.
“I will help you contact her; you should get a reply within three days,” Li Yaqi said.
“Good.” Zhao Chen looked at Li Yaqi and asked, “How much do you know about that crimson-eyed masked woman? And how did you two meet?”
To be honest, Li Yaqi’s style and that woman’s were completely from two different worlds.
Li Yaqi recalled, “That was when I had just started helping my father with his business.
At that time, I was in charge of a long-haul trade transport.
I was leading my Interstellar Transport Ship fleet to transport a batch of goods to the Warhammer Interstellar Confederation.
During the voyage, we passed through a medium-risk zone and happened to encounter Crimson Eye, who was then fleeing from her enemies.
Oh, you don’t know her name yet, do you? Actually, no one knows her real name; those familiar with her just call her Crimson Eye.
Over time, it became her codename.
At that time, Crimson Eye was fleeing in a dilapidated shuttle.
I don’t know why, but I impulsively took her in.
I helped her escape her pursuers, and then even brought her all the way to the Warhammer Interstellar Confederation, nursing her injuries along the way and arranging for her ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) to stay in my room.
Gradually, we became familiar with each other.
When she left, she told me that I could contact her if I ever needed anything.
To be honest, I’ve asked her for many favors; the debt of gratitude was paid off long ago, but she is still willing to help me with some things, and of course, I always pay her commission.
As for my understanding of her... it’s not much, actually; she has many secrets, and she won’t reveal them even to me.
To this day, I have never seen her face beneath the mask...”
Listening to Li Yaqi’s story, Zhao Chen gradually formed an impression of this woman named Crimson Eye.
She was a woman who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, valuing emotions but not good at expressing them.
“In short, if you cooperate with her, as long as you don’t do what she hates most, there generally won’t be any problems,” Li Yaqi said.
“What is the most hated thing?” Zhao Chen asked.
“Slave trading, especially child slave trading,” Li Yaqi said seriously, “We Northern Goose have never engaged in the business of slave trading.
Perhaps that’s why Crimson Eye doesn’t dislike me.
As for why, I guess it has something to do with things that happened in her childhood.
There are rumors that her younger brother was kidnapped and sold, and when he was finally found by their parents, it was discovered that due to a malfunction in the oxygen supply system of the cargo hold in an Interstellar Transport Ship, an entire cargo hold of child slaves had died, and her brother was among them.”
Zhao Chen was stunned. Slave trading?
He wondered if buying slaves as crew members would violate her principles.
“Okay, I understand. You help me contact her first, and I’ll discuss the rest with her myself,” Zhao Chen said.
“Okay,” Li Yaqi agreed.
Afterward, the communication ended.
Waiting for Li Yaqi’s reply would also take a few days.
Zhao Chen was not idle either; he led the six migrating T2 Iron Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ships towards the Dragon Owl Territory.
At the Xiao Long Garrison, Blizzard Zero was left to guard and protect four T2 Iron Hammers to complete the construction plan for four types of Interstellar Warship.
Because the T2 Iron Hammer’s cruising speed cannot match the T3 Blizzard, this journey would take half a month.
On the third day of returning to the Owl Dragon Star System, Zhao Chen welcomed a ‘guest’ on the Bridge.
Staring at a ‘little girl’ with dark circles under her eyes and messy, fluffy hair.
Zhao Chen looked at Annie in front of him; he didn’t recognize this fellow at first glance.
“The two Star Gates you wanted, detailed construction plan.” Annie walked onto the Bridge swaying with each step, as if she might fall at any moment.
She walked up to Zhao Chen and sent him an electronic document.
Then, ignoring the surprised looks of the surrounding crew members, Annie walked to the Commander’s chair, grabbed it with both hands, pushed off with her calves, and barely managed to climb onto it.
She looked completely drained, sprawling on the Commander’s chair.
“You... how long have you not rested?” Zhao Chen looked at Annie’s weak state, saying with some concern.
“Ever since you gave me that T3 Star Gate technical data, I’ve been working overtime to formulate the construction plan according to your design... I finally managed to get it done.” Annie, with half-closed eyes, raised her hand and tremblingly pointed at the electronic report in front of Zhao Chen.
It was as if it was Annie’s dying wish.
Zhao Chen scanned the electronic document.
He had indeed assigned this task to Annie before; he could have done it himself, but after all, he couldn’t always do such things personally and needed to cultivate talent.
Zhao Chen had the idea of training Annie, so he naturally assigned this task to her.
Annie, to his surprise, really completed the task.
After Zhao Chen finished reading it, he didn’t find any problems.
He couldn’t help but marvel at the little dwarf Annie’s talent, which was truly excellent.
“The plan you created is very good; it can greatly reduce the construction time of the Star Gate and increase the working efficiency of the T2 Iron Hammer,” Zhao Chen said admiringly.
Annie half-opened her eyes, “Commander... then... then can... can... Annie... get some... bonus...?”
“A bonus can be arranged...” Zhao Chen suddenly noticed something, and he pointed at Lilith behind Annie, “Lilith, why are you bringing a chocolate cake?”
“What, chocolate cake!” Annie suddenly perked up, directly stepping on the Commander’s chair with both feet, her eyes shining as she looked behind her.
But she only saw Lilith, empty-handed and smiling.
At this moment, Annie felt a gaze behind her, and Annie inwardly thought, ‘Not good.’
