His Match Is an Interstellar Monster

Chapter 08: Enemies Meet

In Room 208, Dekan and a few of his trusted subordinates were waiting anxiously for the arrival of the enigmatic seller.

Duan Feng was helped by his subordinates to sit up, his breathing weak as he leaned against the chair, a blanket covering his legs but unable to conceal the foul odor from his beast transformation.

The auction house has seen sellers being hijacked or murdered, so for security, private meetings were usually prohibited. If a seller agreed to a meeting, the group size was capped at five, and no weapons were allowed. The sellers were protected by heavily armed guards from the auction house.

This time, the manager made an exception due to Duan Feng’s excellent underworld reputation.

"Mr. Alpha, please come in." The manager led Xiao Sa, who finally arrived.

He pointed to Duan Feng on the sofa and introduced them respectfully, "This is Mr. Duan Feng. Mr. Alpha here is the seller who consigned the B-grade inhibitor tonight."

Xiao Sa squinted, exchanging a glance with Duan Feng on the sofa.

Duan Feng? That sounds like the name of a pirate group...

So, the generous buyer who spent ninety thousand on me is from this pirate group. Tsk, what a small world.

While Xiao Sa sized them up, Duan Feng observed him. Unfortunately, the man was wrapped like a black mummy, with only his sharp, piercing eyes visible.

His gaze conveyed a nonchalance born of absolute confidence in his strength.

Duan Feng, breathing heavily, doffed his hat in greeting. "Mr. Alpha, it’s an honor to meet you tonight. I apologize for not standing. Please forgive my rudeness."

"Did you create these two B-grade inhibitors?"

Xiao Sa removed his hood and mask without hesitation, sitting opposite him. "Yes, I did. What business do you have with me? Please be direct."

After his hospital recovery, besides making inhibitors, he had been frantically studying the language and social norms of this country using his light brain, though the learning period had been too short to fully master them.

As Xiao Sa revealed his face, the captain behind Duan Feng widened his eyes, stuttering as he pointed at him, "You—weren’t you the man we picked up from the crashed spaceship that day?!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, everyone in the room stared at Xiao Sa in shock.

The captain was nearly in tears. The man they had locked in an iron cage was actually a spiritual healer capable of making B-grade inhibitors?!

If only they had known earlier, their entire pirate group would have been counting on this man to save their leader, or even the entire group. He would never have dared to lock him in a cage and confiscate his necklace.

We're done for now. We've really crossed the line.

Broken Peak was also taken aback, and his eyes filled with deep sarcasm and bitter amusement. "I never thought there would be such a farcical twist of fate. This is probably what they call karma."

With little time left, death wasn't the issue, but what about his brothers who had followed him for decades? They had lived in battlefields surrounded by gunfire, and they suffered severe psychological trauma. Ever since they had defected from the imperial army, they had lost access to high-grade inhibitors.

Xiao Sa stared coldly at him. "Let's settle accounts first. Where's my gemstone necklace?"

He placed his hands on the armrests, the heavy fabric of his cloak draping down the sides of the black leather sofa, making him look more like a mafia godfather than Broken Peak.

When he mentioned the gemstone necklace, the optical brain on Xiao Sa's wrist displayed Haino's characters, which flickered slightly.

Deputy Deken, with a regretful expression, stepped forward and bowed slightly to him. "Mr. Alpha, I'm very sorry. It was my fault for being blinded by greed and ordering them to take your necklace. How much is your necklace worth? No matter the cost, we'll compensate you double, or even triple! As long as you're willing to save our leader, please name your price!"

Xiao Sa shook his head. "It's priceless."

The Star Power gem was a symbol of his clan's identity. After crossing the wormhole and encountering the interstellar storm, the fate of his clansmen was unknown. If they perished, he would become a lone wanderer in the universe. What good would the necklace do then?

Thinking of his clansmen, Xiao Sa fell silent again.

However, Broken Peak misinterpreted Xiao Sa's silence as resentment. A mentalist capable of producing B-grade inhibitors, if intent on revenge, would only make things worse for the pirate gang.

He sighed deeply and forced himself to sit up, pondering for a moment before making a firm decision. He then stood up from the couch.

The blanket on his legs slipped off, revealing a pair of monstrous legs covered in thorns and scales.

Xiao Sa stared in surprise at these bizarre legs. Before Xiao Sa could react, Broken Peak waved off his subordinates who were trying to support him. He took two wobbly steps towards Xiao Sa and drew a very delicate dagger from a hidden clasp on his belt, pointing it at his own heart!

"Leader!" Deken and the others shouted in horror, rushing to stop him, while the surrounding bodyguards were also startled.

"Mr. Alpha, to be honest, we've sold all the gold and silver we've collected to Central Star in exchange for warships and weapons. Your gemstone necklace is probably among them."

"I, Broken Peak, cannot compensate you, so I'll follow the rules of the underworld and repay with my life! As long as you're willing to make more inhibitors for us and save my old comrades, you can take my life. I won't have a second word."

Xiao Sa was both shocked and speechless. What was wrong with these people in this star system? Why did they always resort to violence and suicide over trivial matters?

As an upright and decent Alpha, he often felt out of place among these people.

"What use do I have for your life?" It’s better to pay compensation!

Xiao Sa shook his head. "You can buy my inhibitors, but I require you to do a few tasks for me in return. The first task is to help me locate my gem necklace."

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and glanced over a few big, brawny men, as if he were an employer evaluating potential workers.

Being unfamiliar with both the people and the place, without money or influence, finding the necklace and his people on his own would be impossible.

When you're away from home, it’s important to rely on friends. If you don’t have friends, then hired help will suffice.

"Of course, that's not a problem."

They agreed so easily?!

Duan Feng was stunned, staring intently into his eyes, while the others exchanged glances. Was this guy really so agreeable?

※※※

Central Star, Dawn Empire Palace.

Having triumphantly returned after hunting down the traitor, Admiral Landis Wencer of the Third Legion, accompanied by his aide Caro and a group of officer subordinates, were led by palace officials to meet the emperor, as ordered.

"Admiral Landis Wencer ——"

The massive stone door, nearly five meters tall and adorned with angel reliefs, swung open. Landis' black military boots stepped steadily across the golden-patterned marble floor tiles of the corridor. The guards on either side stood at attention, saluting without breaking eye contact.

In the center of the circular, luxurious hall, steps covered in a dark red handmade wool carpet led up to an icy dark gold throne. The sole ruler of the Dawn Empire, the emperor, sat smiling on the throne. Flanking him were two richly dressed young men, the second and third princes.

The emperor resembled a kindly old man with a white beard like a fluffy cotton ball, holding a scepter as tall as a man, adorned with a large, dazzling amethyst.

"Admiral Landis," the emperor chuckled, "I've been waiting for you for a long time. You did well this time, and you're not getting away from the victory banquet later."

Landis bowed his head slightly in deference, his voice as indifferent as ever. "I was merely doing my duty; I do not deserve Your Majesty’s praise."

The third prince chuckled lightly. "General Wencer remains as humble and courteous as ever."

The emperor asked him about how he had chased down the space pirates along the way, and after exchanging pleasantries, led him to the banquet hall.

Suddenly, he winked at Landis and said with a smile, "My dear general, your mental state seems to have stabilized somewhat on this journey. Did you have a romantic encounter along the way?"

Landis's face stiffened, and he pressed his lips tightly together. After a moment, he replied rigidly, "Absolutely nothing of the sort, Your Majesty. Please don't joke about it."

"Haha, just a joke. You're just like your father. Can't take a joke." The emperor seemed unperturbed and laughed heartily.

"By the way, you’re no spring chicken anymore. How are the matchmaking arrangements by Haino coming along?"

Just as Landis was about to speak, the emperor gently waved his hand and said in a tone that allowed no refusal, "You must be well aware of your condition. Several military officials have come to me about you. As the commander of the Third Legion, you bear a great responsibility.

"This time, regardless of whom Haino has arranged for the matchmaking, you should not refuse. Consider this an order."

Landis’s gaze sharpened, and a certain figure flashed through his mind.

After a pause, he replied softly, "Of course, Your Majesty."