Chapter 393: Arrival

As Long Ming read this, he grew even more curious about the identity of the person controlling the Riot Suppressor. ‘Who is this person? How did they manage to get the Military Department to process my paperwork?’

BZZZ~

Just then, Long Ming’s wristband suddenly vibrated.

A notification immediately popped up.

“Dear Mr. Long Ming, your application to travel to Blacktan Fortress has been approved. The pass is valid for fifteen days. Please complete your round trip to Blacktan Fortress within the stipulated time frame.”

Seeing this, Long Ming immediately got out of bed. He stored everything from his safe deposit box in the warehouse, taking only the declared Gale suit.

The Mechanical Mother Pillar over at Blacktan Fortress was disabled, so his wristband could only be used for monetary transfers and transactions; all other functions were blocked. Furthermore, his safe deposit box would be subject to inspection upon entry.

Once he was done, Long Ming hastily checked out of the hotel.

…

「A little over an hour later.」

Long Ming was in the waiting hall of the spaceport at the Omro Planetary Fortress. He had spent 1,000 Star Coins on a ship ticket to Blacktan Fortress.

The entire waiting hall was packed with people, all of them heading either to Blacktan Fortress in the Guangxiao Star Sea or Spine Fortress in the Luoying Star Sea.

“Ladies and gentlemen. The T452 starship bound for Blacktan Fortress in the Guangxiao Star Sea is now boarding. Please proceed to board in an orderly fashion…”

Hearing this, Long Ming stood up and followed the crowd toward the security gate.

They quickly passed through the gate and down the corridor, successfully boarding the T452 starship. Since the journey was relatively short, the ship was fitted only with seats.

Long Ming walked to a window seat and sat down.

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Long Ming.”

Just then, a surprised voice spoke up.

Long Ming looked up to see Gretel walking over to him. He smiled and said,

“What a coincidence!”

“It seems we were fated to meet again. By the way, Mr. Long Ming, what are you going to Blacktan Fortress for? You don’t look like you’re on a business trip.”

Gretel then sat down.

“Visiting family.”

“Oh, I see.”

“And what about you, Gretel? What kind of business are you in?”

“Just a small business. I mostly resell things the legions don’t want anymore.”

“That’s nice.”

Long Ming made idle small talk with Gretel.

Soon, the starship departed from the Omro Planetary Fortress and set a course for Blacktan Fortress.

…

「Several hours later.」

Leaning against the shuttered window, Long Ming felt himself growing drowsy.

Just then, an announcement came over the broadcast system.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are now approaching Blacktan Fortress. Please prepare to disembark…”

Hearing the announcement, Long Ming reached out and opened the window shutter. He gazed out into the starry expanse, and the sight of the enormous Blacktan Fortress instantly filled his vision, leaving him stunned.

*Gasp!*

“Breathtaking, isn’t it?”

Gretel asked with a smile.

“Yeah.”

“This Blacktan Fortress is a strategic-grade weapon of the Star Alliance! The Third Expeditionary Army’s successful invasion of the Guangxiao Star Sea was all thanks to this fortress!”

“I see.”

Long Ming nodded.

…

The starship soon docked successfully with Blacktan Fortress.

After saying goodbye to Gretel and exchanging contact information, Long Ming disembarked and entered the security hall of Blacktan Fortress.

A long line had already formed.

Long Ming found the nearest line and got in.

It wasn’t long before it was Long Ming’s turn.

“ID card, application information, and open your safe deposit box!”

A man in a sergeant’s uniform said expressionlessly.

“Alright.”

Long Ming complied, handing over his credentials.

After finishing his inspection, the man said to Long Ming,

“Blacktan Fortress is under military jurisdiction. You are restricted to the H Civilian Sector. Any suspicious activity will have severe consequences!”

“Understood!”

“Move along!”

“Right.”

Long Ming hurried through the security check and continued inside.

「A moment later.」

Long Ming arrived in a transit hall. The path to the left led to other restricted military zones, while the path to the right led to the H Civilian Sector.

He glanced at his wristband and saw that all communications were disabled. He then headed to the left.

However, he was stopped by a guard as soon as he approached.

“This is a restricted area.”

“Hello, I’m looking for Luoxue of the Forty-Second Legion. Could you please inform her for me?”

Long Ming replied politely.

“Luoxue? Never heard of her. If you don’t have authorization, get lost!”

The guard shouted impatiently.

“Alright.”

Long Ming had no choice but to leave, feeling helpless.

‘This is going to be a problem. I can’t find her, and I can’t contact her.’

‘The problem is, this is the Third Legion’s territory. I can’t use my identity as Red Ghost to make inquiries.’

*Sigh!*

Long Ming sighed. His only option was to head to Sector H first, find a place to stay, and figure something out.

…

「H1 Sector Commercial Street.」

Jing Chuan led Shen Hu to the largest industrial machinery store in the area.

The store was a large, square building that stood on its own. Through the glass facade, models of Excavators and various other pieces of industrial machinery were visible on display.

They pushed the door open and went inside.

“Shopkeeper.”

“Welcome… oh, it’s you?”

At that moment, Marconi looked up. Seeing it was Jing Chuan and his companion, his face immediately fell.

Jing Chuan and his companion were also a bit surprised, realizing it was the shopkeeper who had delivered their Excavator. They didn’t pay his expression much mind, however, and spoke up.

“Oh, shopkeeper, it’s you!”

“What do you want?”

“We’d like to buy an SC-22 model transmission coupling…”

“Transmission coupling… 3,000 Star Coins.”

Marconi directly quoted a very high price.

‘These guys cost him a huge order, so he had no intention of being pleasant to them.’

“That expensive? Last time it was only 1,000 Star Coins, wasn’t it? Can’t you go any lower?”

Jing Chuan was stunned to hear Marconi’s words.

“No discount. Take it or leave it!”

Marconi replied with a terrible attitude.

“Hey, shopkeeper, is this any way to run a business?”

“Of course I’m running a business. The question is, can you afford it?”

“What do you mean we can’t afford it?”

“If you really had money, you wouldn’t be complaining about the price of a single part. You’d just buy a new Excavator! I’ll even give you a twenty percent discount—only 400,000 Star Coins. Can you afford that?”

“We’ll buy it somewhere else.”

“Go ahead. You’ll find it’s the same price everywhere.”

“Let’s go!”

Jing Chuan stormed out with Shen Hu in tow.

Marconi then raised his wristband, snapped a picture of them, and sent it to a group chat with other shopkeepers.

“Everyone, if you see these two from that low-tier civilization trying to buy SC-22 transmission couplings or any other parts, jack up the price!”

“No problem. Anyone who dares to cross Marconi isn’t going to have a good time.”

“Exactly. We won’t sell to them.”

…

Replies popped up one after another.

Meanwhile, Jing Chuan and Shen Hu emerged from the store, furious.

“Jing Chuan, what do we do now? The part is so expensive, we don’t have enough money with us.”

Shen Hu looked at Jing Chuan, his face etched with worry.

“I remember it wasn’t this expensive last time we bought one. Let’s go check the shop next door.”

Refusing to believe it, Jing Chuan led Shen Hu into the machinery store next door.

“What can I get for you two gentlemen?”

A smiling middle-aged man asked.

“Shopkeeper, do you have an SC-22 model transmission coupling…”

“We do!”

“How much?”

“4,000 Star Coins…”