Starting Cultivation in Wasteland-Chapter 657 - 527: Sick

Qu Jianlei wanted to find Fourth Master, but unfortunately, he didn't have the contact details for the other party.

Then he thought of Earth Scholar, but he didn't know how far the negotiations with Bida had gone.

It was just around lunchtime, so he contacted Xiang Xue, and as expected, she was with Aunt Liu.

Aunt Liu didn't mention what happened at the Customs Enforcement Division. In her view, those are other's grudges, and there's no need to interfere.

Actually, she wanted to find Qu Jianlei to discuss the organization's mediation with Bida.

Both sides have almost finished discussing. Now it depends on Panda's attitude, as archaeology enthusiasts cannot ignore his opinion.

Qu Jianlei expressed indifference. In fact, after Aaron revealed the mastermind, he considered himself square with the opposite party.

Moreover, Magillen's family was also wiped out by archaeology enthusiasts, so he had no regrets.

As for how Earth Scholar negotiated with Bida, he was not interested—what can be negotiated is the other party's skill.

He just stated, as long as you don't diminish our momentum, everything else is not an issue.

Then he asked, have you found the organization that used Sharp Edge last time, or any related clues?

Aunt Liu knew very well that Panda had more contact with them, but it wasn't strange that Panda didn't have related information.

They are informal grassroots forces. If willing, they can maintain appropriate contact; it's normal not to associate with each other.

Matters of the underworld end in the underworld; once dealt with, it's best to forget one another in the underworld.

However, the archaeology enthusiasts really discovered the other party's contact point and even planned to attempt contact after reconciling with Bida.

"...The Sharp Edge Technique is of interest to many in the organization; any suggestions from Master Panda?"

"You can go ahead and make contact yourselves," Qu Jianlei indicated that he wasn't interested in paying attention.

But he didn't forget to kindly remind, "It's best to pay attention to the approach and methods."

He covets the Sharp Edge Technique too, but with so many matters at hand, he couldn't care less.

Anyway, when Earth Scholar gets the technique, he won't be late to discuss it with him.

After obtaining the contact point for the living dead organization, he went to check it out in the afternoon.

It was a barbershop, hidden in an inconspicuous small alley.

When Qu Jianlei walked in, an old man was sitting there, intently cleaning the barber tools.

Seeing him enter, the old man didn't stand up, nor did he lift his head, asking, "Haircut? Please wait a moment."

"I don't know the code for your living dead," Qu Jianlei replied bluntly, "I'm looking for Professor."

"Hmm?" The old man lifted his head, looking at him blankly, "What did you say?"

"You know what I'm talking about," Qu Jianlei stated bluntly, "Professor specifically came to the Engineering College to find me."

"Lifetime Academy... what place is that?" The old man shook his head, looking confused.

"I'll wait for you outside," Qu Jianlei said, turning to leave, "I'll give you ten minutes, don't deceive yourself."

Watching his silhouette disappear at the door, the old man frowned, a flash of essence in his eyes.

After pondering for a moment, he picked up a palm-sized device and input a string of characters into it.

Qu Jianlei waited outside for less than five minutes before the old man called him inside, "Honored guest, please come in."

Through the barber shop's facade, inside was a cramped little room, no more than seven or eight square meters.

For Star No. 4, where land is scarce, such small rooms can hardly be called rooms, more like residences in shells.

But here, the old man had specifically made a partition for daily rest, abnormally dark and gloomy.

For someone who lacks confidence, such dwellings can easily create a sense of unease.

Qu Jianlei didn't mind. He slightly sensed, found no elemental anomalies, and grew disinterested.

Half an hour later, a seam split open opposite the darkness, letting in a not-so-bright stream of light.

Subsequently, a bulky man wearing a motorcycle helmet walked up, exceptionally robust.

Seeing Qu Jianlei, he was slightly stunned, "Are you... Panda?"

The man's physique differed from Fourth Master's, but his aura could not be concealed.

Upon hearing, Qu Jianlei rose and cupped his hand, using his own voice, "Greetings, Fourth Master."

"Ah, they say to call me Professor," Fourth Master raised a hand, removed the helmet.

His revealed face wasn't genuine, but the voice remained unchanged, "How did you find here?"

Qu Jianlei smiled slightly, "This place couldn't be concealed from someone with a keen mind, I have some matters to consult with you."

He asked directly, but Fourth Master's attitude was also clear.

He nodded, "All right, stay here or change to a different place? The shop owner is just a peripheral member."

"Then arrange as you see fit," Qu Jianlei nodded slightly.

The two didn't go anywhere secret. After leaving from the back door, they stood beneath a tree.

"Go ahead," Fourth Master straightforwardly stated, "Open space is safest, perfect for me to consult something with you."

Qu Jianlei asked quietly, "Are you still in contact with those Star Thieves now?"

"No more," the Fourth Master shook his head decisively, and after glancing around, he explained in a low voice.

"Now in the Hope Star Realm, Star Pirates are everyone's target, I've escaped that circle, how could I go back?"

Qu Jianlei blinked and continued to ask, "Well, do you know any of the Star Pirates' undercover agents?"

The Fourth Master hesitated for a moment and shook his head, "I'm not responsible for that... Information about undercover agents is usually highly classified."

Qu Jianlei heard this and pouted in frustration, "Aren't you as good as the archives in the gardening department?"

"It was you who did this?" The Fourth Master looked at him meaningfully for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully.

"I see, you have a Storage Talisman... I know a few of the agents listed there, but not necessarily who you're asking about."

Qu Jianlei asked again, "Do you have any impression of Basam from Star One?"

The Fourth Master nodded upon hearing this, "This one I know, seems to be a C-level, dares to make money from anything, haven't heard about him since."

"He's now a member of the Customs Enforcement Division named Elvin, do you remember?"

"A little impression," the Fourth Master nodded, answering nonchalantly, "The Customs Enforcement Division and Star Pirates... are deeply entangled."

Qu Jianlei looked at him thoughtfully, "So you know other agents as well?"

The Fourth Master hesitated and nodded, "Yes, I can't tell you. Please understand."

"You figured it out yourself, I can't deny it, but it's really inappropriate to reveal what you don't know."

"Why?" Qu Jianlei relentlessly pursued the question, actually this was his nature.

"You say you want to clear things up, but now you're helping to conceal, is this the Star Pirate's code?"

The Fourth Master didn't understand "Pirate's code," but could guess the meaning.

He smiled bitterly and shook his head, "The information you have, more or less people know, the information I hold... is easily exposed."

Qu Jianlei heard this, suddenly realized and nodded, "Since that's the case, I won't ask anymore."

Then he asked, "Do you have any evidence of Elvin later colluding with the Star Pirates?"

The Fourth Master shook his head decisively, "I fled in haste, how could I bring those things? Anyway, killing him isn't unjust."

"Killing him isn't simple?" Qu Jianlei shook his head, expressing dissatisfaction, "I'm trying to put the Customs Enforcement Division at a disadvantage."

"Customs Enforcement Division... at a disadvantage?" The Fourth Master had a strange expression, "Colluding with Star Pirates?"

He knew Black Heaven was targeting the Customs Enforcement Division, not surprised by why he had this idea.

Seeing Black Heaven nod, he stated frankly, "There's no need for trouble, the collusion between the Customs Enforcement Division and Star Pirates, there are too many examples!"

Seeing the other's shocked face, he spoke confidently, "Most have a tacit understanding, but some collude intentionally."

Qu Jianlei nodded thoughtfully, "Not surprising, imaginable... relying on resources to survive."

"This metaphor is very fitting," the Fourth Master nodded, then his expression darkened slightly.

"But if you expose this ulcer, it will lead to massive trouble, I'm not underestimating you..."

He slowly shook his head, then sighed, "The Imperial won't allow such scandals to appear, you and your organization wouldn't withstand it!"

Qu Jianlei heard and silently pondered, speaking after a while, "Comparatively, Elvin's matter isn't a big deal?"

"Hmm," the Fourth Master nodded crisply, "He's just a small pawn."

"The ones truly selling out Imperial interests are the current officials in the Customs Enforcement Division."

At this point, he revealed a faint cold smile at the corner of his mouth, "Do you think the Imperial officials are all fools? It's just that no one dares to expose!"

Qu Jianlei was stunned for a moment, then nodded, "I understand, this empire... is ill."

"You're smart!" The Fourth Master gave a thumbs up, "What do you mean by ill? Countless parasites are sucking the empire's blood!"

The cold smile on his mouth became more obvious, "Most people think the empire is thriving, who would believe it is declining?"

"I, a dignified military general, forced to become a Star Pirate, can you understand my despair?"

"But that's the trend, including the scandal on Zarif Star... What can you and I do? Only helpless!"

After a pause, he asked with interest, "Do you still want to change it... do you think you can?"

"What does it have to do with me?" Qu Jianlei answered without hesitation, "I'll just do my job well!"

Prosperous times help the world, troubled times keep oneself safe, he hasn't settled himself yet, why worry about so much else?

He's not a person of great love, especially this empire, provides him no sense of belonging.

As he finished his words, his expression slightly changes because the little lake told him through thoughts.

"That Koplin and Conwell actually left the battle zone!"

The Fourth Master saw his unusual expression, only thought he was disheartened by his words.

"So about Elvin's matter, there's no need to ask too much. I seriously want to ask if you've heard of archaeological enthusiasts?"

Qu Jianlei's mouth twitched, slowly nodding, "This organization, I have heard of. Do you have any problems?"

The Fourth Master stared at him, slowly speaking, "Recently, they're investigating our organization, can you help to inquire about the reason?"

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