Chapter 375: Sorry

Guangxiao Star Sea.

Asteroid Belt XXV-145.

Luoxue piloted a Harvester toward a large, drifting asteroid. The fifteen-meter-tall, Mecha-shaped machine was constructed from heavy brown metal and equipped with four multi-functional manipulator arms and an external, temporary storage container on its back.

She maneuvered the Harvester, extending a conical drill and beginning to bore into the asteroid.

Once it reached a certain depth, it began to fracture the asteroid from within, then vacuumed the fragments into its temporary storage container.

Soon, the Harvester's storage container was filled to capacity.

Luoxue then maneuvered the Harvester toward a small, nearby transport ship. The vessel was over three hundred meters long, with an old, bird-like design.

The small transport ship opened its cargo bay.

Exhausted, Luoxue piloted the Harvester into the ship.

SPUTTER~

Due to prolonged operation, the flames from the Harvester's thrusters became uneven, causing it to suddenly tilt to the right.

Luoxue gasped, hastily yanking the control stick.

CRUNCH~

The Harvester scraped against the transport ship's bulkhead, sending sparks flying.

Fortunately, she managed to stabilize it, coming to a stop without any serious incident. She then dumped the mined ore into the designated area.

Just then, Zhihan and the others, all wearing exoskeletal armor, rushed over and asked with concern.

"Luoxue, are you all right?"

"I'm fine. The Harvester is just acting up a bit."

Luoxue's voice was a little hoarse.

"Sister Luoxue, you've been working for three days straight. Please, take a break."

Zhihan and the others pleaded with her.

"I can't. Right now, only Jing Chuan and I know how to pilot these old-model Harvesters. No one else knows how."

"But you can't work yourself to the point of collapse!"

"Don't worry, I can handle it. By the way, Zhihan, how much are we still short on the one-million-Star-Coin quota assigned to us by Mountain City Mountain?"

"We only have 450,000 Star Coins in available funds. We're still short 550,000!"

"I see. We're on a very tight schedule, so we have to hurry and scrape together the full one million Star Coins. Everyone, let's keep working hard."

After saying this, Luoxue turned the Harvester around and flew back out.

...

「A long time later.」

Luoxue and Jing Chuan finally filled the small transport ship's cargo bay.

Fu Fuqing immediately piloted the small ship back toward Blacktan Fortress.

Before long, the ship returned safely to Blacktan Fortress and entered its designated docking area.

HISS~

The ship's hatch opened.

Luoxue led Jing Chuan and the others off the ship.

"Sister Luoxue, you're finally back!"

Mira and the others ran up to them, calling out excitedly.

"Hm? What is it?"

Luoxue asked, looking at Mira and the others in confusion.

"Sister Luoxue, hurry and come with us!"

Mira and the others quickly pulled Luoxue along, rushing excitedly toward their warehouse.

Luoxue and her group were utterly confused.

Soon, they arrived at their warehouse area.

There, parked outside their warehouse, were one hundred brand-new Harvesters.

"So many Harvesters?"

...

Zhihan and the others were dumbfounded.

"There are a hundred of them! We're going to be rich!"

Mira and the others were ecstatic.

Luoxue's brow furrowed. She turned her head to Mira and asked.

"Who sent these?"

"I don't know. The delivery man is right over there."

Mira pointed to a portly, middle-aged man not far away. He had small eyes and a huge smile on his face.

"We're not accepting these Harvesters. Send them back!"

Luoxue said with absolute resolve.

"Huh? Okay..."

Hearing Luoxue's words, Mira and the others' hearts sank.

Just then, a commotion broke out among the crowd in the distance.

Luoxue and her group all looked up to see what was happening.

A handsome, blond-haired man with an extraordinary air was walking over. He wore a white noble's suit and gem earrings. He was accompanied by a man in a black robe with a gloomy face and a red-haired woman with a heroic look.

"Isn't that Young Master Benoka of the Ankara Clan, Fourth Seat of the Twelve Universes' nobility?"

"What's he doing here?"

"No idea."

...

The many officers who saw Benoka began to whisper in shock.

At that moment, Benoka led his two subordinates over to Luoxue, a warm smile on his face as he greeted her.

"Luoxue."

"Benoka, what are you doing here?"

"I was here on business and decided to drop by to see you. Could we speak in private for a moment?"

"All right."

Luoxue gave a slight nod.

Benoka and Luoxue walked side by side toward a deserted corner nearby.

Seeing this, the surrounding officers all wore expressions of envy.

"I'm so jealous!"

"She gets to be alone with Young Master Benoka."

...

Just then, Benoka noticed how pale and haggard Luoxue looked and voiced his concern.

"Luoxue, you don't look well. Are you feeling ill?"

Luoxue lifted her head to look at Benoka and replied calmly.

"I'm fine. I just need some rest. Did you have those Harvesters sent over?"

"Yes. I heard you were in desperate need of Harvesters, so I had them sent over. Is this enough? If not, I can have more delivered."

"There's no need. I won't be accepting them."

Luoxue replied coolly.

"Luoxue, please accept them. I don't have any other motive; I'm just giving them to you as a friend."

"Thank you for your kindness, but no, thank you."

"Fine, you don't have to take the Harvesters. However, I also heard you haven't put together the quota for Mountain City Mountain yet. I went ahead and transferred one million Star Coins in your name. You can't refuse this money. No matter what, we're friends, and there's nothing wrong with friends helping each other, right?"

Seeing how resolute Luoxue's attitude was, Benoka sighed and said this.

Luoxue was silent for a few seconds before she spoke.

"Fine. I won't refuse the money. I'll consider it a loan from you. Give me an account number, and I'll transfer it back to you once I've saved up enough."

"There's no need for that, is there?"

"If you're not willing, then I won't take the money."

"Sigh... All right."

Benoka sighed and sent Luoxue an account number.

"I'll pay you back as soon as I can."

Luoxue said politely to Benoka.

Gazing at the distant Luoxue, Benoka said with a touch of emotion.

"Sigh... I know you once had someone you loved, someone you shared life and death with, but he's gone now. It's been so many years. Haven't you been able to let go?"

Hearing Benoka's words, Luoxue's cool eyes flickered as she replied.

"I'm sorry."

"Sigh... I'll be going, then. If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask me."

Benoka shook his head with a hint of melancholy. Then, with a wave of his hand, he left with Consort and Kuisha.

At that, Kuisha looked at the dejected Benoka and snorted coldly.

"That Luoxue is so ungrateful, isn't she? There are countless beautiful women who have their eyes on you, Young Master, yet she dares to refuse you."