Chapter 123: Blue Star’s Drinking Culture

Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Blue Star’s Drinking Culture

Hoder had immediately reported to Huo An about the note Liang He received, which explicitly stated that Soros was a bounty hunter.

At the time, he thought Huo An was still at the Tianyao Star Protection Zone. He hadn’t expected his uncle to have already checked into the hotel and investigated Soros based on his intel.

"Soros is a bounty hunter hired by Valken. His goal is to capture Liang He. When the time comes, he’ll definitely get in touch with the Rebel Army," Huo An said. "If you can get close to him and coax out some information, it will be much more beneficial for our subsequent operations."

Soros always thought he had hidden his identity well, and he intentionally tried to approach Liang He. It was better for Hoder to play along and pry information out of him, which would be less likely to arouse suspicion. Huo An had thoroughly mastered the art of beating someone at their own game.

"Sure, no problem."

Hoder was quite adept at fishing for information. Besides, after interacting with Soros a few times, he discovered that this guy wasn’t as smart as him. He could easily wrap Soros around his finger.

"By the way, it seemed like someone was peeping at and tailing Liang He last night. But by the time I opened the door, they had already disappeared."

Just mentioning this gave Hoder a headache. He felt like the moment Liang He stepped outside, she was targeted by various factions. This situation had forced him to leap from being a lazy slacker who just freeloaded food and drinks to an overworked and stressed-out bodyguard.

"COUGH, that was me."

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Huo An raised his hand, placed a fist against his mouth, and let out two light coughs.

"I originally wanted to find you, but I happened to run into Liang He coming back. I had to drop the idea and hide, but I didn’t expect her to notice me anyway."

Speaking of this, Huo An had to praise Liang He’s safety awareness. Her vigilance was quite good; at least he didn’t have to worry too much about her. Moreover, the Platinum Giant Lion basically stuck by her side at all times, effectively acting as a bodyguard.

Despite how Cyril usually rolled around throwing tantrums or acting cute and spoiled, anyone who could become an SSS-level Beastman wouldn’t have low combat power. Even in his Evolutionary Stage, he was not to be underestimated.

"So that’s how it is. Then I’m relieved."

Otherwise, just the Rebel Army, Elias, and Soros—these three factions—were enough to give him a headache. If they added a traceless, invisible stalker to the mix, he would be far too passive.

"Uncle Huo An, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving first. If I stay too long, I’m afraid someone will notice."

"Alright, stay safe and be careful in everything you do."

When Hoder arrived, no one noticed, and when he left, it was completely silent. After safely leaving Huo An’s floor, he began to ponder how to fish for information from Soros. This guy had always wanted to pry news about Liang He from him. He might as well use this to reverse the trap; after all, Soros wasn’t very bright.

Unaware that he was about to be counter-played, Soros was currently attending a lecture with Liang He, with a giant third wheel lying next to them.

"Ahem, why did Cyril come to class with you today?"

After the incident with the Elephant Group, Liang He and Cyril had shot to fame. As a large ferocious beast, Cyril was granted a special exception to enter the lecture hall. However, fearing he would get bored, Liang He usually had Hoder look after him temporarily.

"Hoder has some things to do, so it’s not convenient for him to take Cyril."

Over the past few days, aside from attending classes, Liang He also had to visit the Little Elephant and soothe the Elephant Group to prevent a repeat of that day’s situation. The Platinum Giant Lion only had more opportunities to cling to her at night. Yet, she still had to avoid him in the evenings to video-call the Canglan Hunting Eagles. Overall, they only had bedtime left to spend together. Therefore, when the Platinum Giant Lion discovered that Liang He could stay with him all day today, he was incredibly overjoyed. Even if it meant listening to a boring person give a boring lecture, he was more than happy to do it.

"I see."

Soros’s eyes flickered, somewhat curious about what Hoder was up to that would delay him from taking care of the Platinum Giant Lion.

"If Hoder needs help with anything, just let me know. Don’t hesitate."

Having made up his mind to build a good relationship with Liang He and the others, Soros never expected that his casual remark would result in him being treated as free labor by Hoder.

After finally enduring until the end of class, Soros was just about to invite Liang He to dinner when he was intercepted by Evelyn and her daughter, who had been waiting at the door.

"Liang He, I’ve reserved a Blue Star seafood feast for tonight. Let’s go eat together!"

Ever since Liang He highly recommended various Blue Star delicacies, Evelyn and Beibei had completely abandoned nutrient solutions, enjoying a variety of different meals every day. The seafood was flown in fresh daily and in limited supply, so reservations had to be made in advance. Evelyn didn’t want to use her privileges too much in front of her daughter, so she honestly waited in line for two days before getting a spot.

"Sure!"

Hearing that there was a seafood feast, Liang He’s eyes instantly lit up. Taking the Platinum Giant Lion, she immediately hurried toward the restaurant.

When Liang He was in the Tianyao Star Protection Zone, since the Seventh Service Area was primarily grassland and far away from the ocean, it was quite difficult to eat seafood. She also felt embarrassed to trouble Huo An to use his position as the station chief for special treatment, so she could only give up on the idea.

"Eh? Liang He..."

Before Soros had time to say that he wanted to go too, he saw Liang He leaving. Just as he was about to call out, Hoder arrived and covered his mouth.

"Brother, Liang He and the Third Princess are chatting about girl topics. Why are you trying to join in the fun? Come with me."

Hoder ruthlessly dragged Soros away to an outdoor restaurant, absolutely refusing to give him a chance to approach Liang He. Unable to escape Hoder’s clutches, Soros ultimately had no choice but to obediently eat with him. He comforted himself internally, thinking it wouldn’t be too bad if he could pry some information out of Hoder instead.

"Come, brother. These are Blue Star’s specialty skewers. You’ve never had them before, right? Paired with this liquor, the taste is absolutely incredible. Try it quickly!"

To complete his information-gathering mission, Hoder had specifically searched for ways to close the distance between people. He found that Blue Star people usually discussed matters at the dining table over drinks; after all, there was truth in wine.

Drinking liquor for the first time, Soros was genuinely intrigued. He sniffed it curiously and carefully took a sip. The sensation rushed straight to his head.

"HISS~ HAA!"

This liquor was truly terrible yet delicious at the same time. The more he drank, the more it went to his head!

However, Soros hadn’t forgotten his own mission. He seized every opportunity to try and fish for information, but Hoder smoothly dodged or changed the subject without leaving a trace. For the questions he couldn’t avoid, Hoder just gave perfunctory answers. Anyway, when Soros sobered up tomorrow and asked about it, he would just say Soros remembered it wrong.

"No more, I can’t drink anymore."

Halfway through, Soros wanted to back out, but Hoder forced him to keep drinking with line after line of drinking culture rhetoric.

"Oh come on, how could you not drink anymore? Do you not consider me your brother?

"Come, come, come, let your brother toast you a glass!

"Brother, if you don’t drink, you’re not giving me face. You’re looking down on me!"

Just like that, under the siege of Hoder’s perfunctory answers, paired with a mouthful of skewers and a gulp of liquor, Soros quickly surrendered his weapons and gave in.

"Ugh, H... HICCUP! Hod... er HICCUP! I c-can’t, I can’t drink... any... HICCUP... more!"

With his face flushed red and his tongue tied from drinking, Soros continuously hiccuped while waving his hand to refuse Hoder, who was urging him to drink again. Since it was his first time drinking, he had been force-fed quite a lot and truly couldn’t hold on any longer.

"HICCUP! Soros, are we... HICCUP, good brothers?!"

Taking advantage of the fact that Soros was dizzy but hadn’t collapsed yet, Hoder prepared to fish for information.

"Good brothers? HICCUP... Yes! Yes, yes! We... HICCUP! Are good HICCUP... brothers!"

Soros, who was originally so drunk that he was slumped over the table, immediately shot up the moment he heard the words ’good brothers.’ Patting his chest, he declared that they were indeed good brothers.

It was now or never. Because they had been drinking for so long, all the other guests at the outdoor restaurant had already left. They were the only table remaining. Before the waiters got off work, they had told them to put it on their tab and just leave when they finished eating. Therefore, Hoder didn’t have to worry about anyone eavesdropping.

"Alright! Since we’re good brothers, can you tell me how you plan to abduct Liang He?"