CHAPTER 63: 61, THE ORIGIN OF THE BLACK SHARK SOCIETY

Early the next day, after his mom and dad had left for work, Lu Lin remembered he had a luncheon meeting at Green Willow Residence with that ninth-level expert. With a slap to his forehead, he opened his Personal Terminal and started looking up some information.

Indeed, he found Zhao Lei’s information on the federation’s official website.

However, it indicated that his work unit was the Alien Academy of Iron and Blood Combat Academy.

The information is correct. Lu Lin felt somewhat relieved.

However, he still didn’t know what the other party wanted to discuss with him.

Anyway, he would find out by noon, so he put it out of his mind and decided to cultivate.

Although the environment on Saturn was far harsher than on Blue Star, it wasn’t without its advantages.

Compared to Blue Star, Saturn was closer to the alien planets, and the Star Power on the planet was somewhat denser.

After his Earth-Type Star Vessel reached 100% refinement, Lu Lin had wanted to guide an Earth-based Star Skill into himself. However, his attempts on the starship had all failed.

Conversely, after returning to Saturn, his Eye Series Star Vein’s efficiency in absorbing Star Power had greatly increased, and its current refinement progress had already reached 4.7%.

Lu Lin cultivated for a while, but the increase in his refinement progress was pitifully small.

It seemed the test results from Blue Star were accurate; his Talent truly wasn’t top-tier.

If he wanted to improve quickly, he still needed to help others by Guiding Star Skills to receive feedback.

With that thought, Lu Lin called Jiang Yueming.

Jiang Yueming wasn’t very familiar with the Astrology Guidance Teachers Association on Saturn and didn’t have any acquaintances to recommend.

"However, Lu Lin, you can go directly to the branch in your city and inquire," Jiang Yueming suggested.

"The development of the Astrology Guidance Teachers Association on Saturn is rather behind schedule. Your presence there could be a help to them."

Lu Lin nodded and then hung up.

I’ll visit the Association after lunch, he thought.

Noon arrived quickly. Lu Lin took the electromagnetic levitation public bus to Green Willow Residence.

Zhao Lei, entirely without the airs one might expect from such a powerful expert, was already in the private room waiting for Lu Lin.

"Little brother, please, take a seat," Zhao Lei said warmly.

"Let’s just have a simple chat today."

He then called out, "Xiao Yan, pour some water and have the service robot bring in the food."

Lu Lin sat down, still feeling somewhat reserved.

It was one thing not knowing yesterday, but today, truly facing a Level 9 Star-core Martial Artist, he couldn’t help but feel intimidated, unlike yesterday when he was more relaxed.

"Little brother Lu Lin, I looked into your background after I got back yesterday," Zhao Lei began.

"You had dealings with the Black Shark Society when you were on Blue Star?"

"Yes," Lu Lin affirmed, his mind flashing back to the battle at Lakeside Mansion more than ten days ago.

The members of the Black Shark Society were recklessly defiant of death, focused solely on perpetrating atrocities from start to finish, without ever stating any demands.

If Zuo Zhenyu hadn’t told him later, Lu Lin wouldn’t have known their motives.

"Hmm, that’s good," Zhao Lei said.

"Let me briefly introduce you to our Star Core Martial Artist Crime Investigation Office."

Zhao Lei poured Lu Lin a glass of water and continued slowly.

"The Star Core Martial Artist Crime Investigation Office, or Star Investigation Office for short, was established a thousand years ago. Its primary purpose was to deal with criminals who had enhanced their physiques using Star Cores. Later, it was restructured into a specialized agency focused on investigating Star Core Warriors."

"In the following years, the Star Investigation Office’s responsibilities continually changed. However, under the strict requirements and governance of the federation, most Star Core Warriors were sent to work and fight on alien planets. Their presence became rare in ordinary human society."

"Until... the rise of the Black Shark Society."

"The God of Black Shark is a deity worshipped on the Exotic Battlefield. It previously enticed many United Federal Humans to serve it, controlling their thoughts and gathering intelligence on the federation."

"But these were all just minor annoyances; the federation was not without the means to retaliate against these Alien Races on the Exotic Battlefield."

"However, just a few decades ago, a Star-Core Martial Artist who had just reached the Fourth Level entered the Exotic Battlefield and was soon controlled by The God of Black Shark."

"Although this Star-Core Fighter wasn’t exceptionally powerful, in his public life, he was the founder of a large interstellar chain company."

"The God of Black Shark exploited this man’s identity to aggressively recruit followers within the Human Federation."

"Its core objective was to bring all humans under the dominion of The God of Black Shark, thereby strengthening its power."

"Over the years, because of this Level 4 Star-Core Fighter, many talented young humans were bewitched by The God of Black Shark. They transformed into individuals with extremely radical thoughts and behaviors."

"Consequently, the Black Shark Society grew in power."

"Three months ago, a Martial Artist from the Star Investigation Office secretly apprehended a high-ranking member of the Black Shark Society, hoping to extract more information about the organization from him."

"However, the captive seemed to have some arcane connection with The God of Black Shark. Just over ten days later, the Black Shark Society learned of his capture and launched various rescue operations."

"Fortunately, the Star Investigation Office managed to thwart each attempt."

"The June 1 incident of mass abduction in Blue Star’s hundreds of cities was a frenzied act they committed out of desperation after repeated failures."

Lu Lin listened quietly, nodding from time to time.

It seems that even within the harmonious facade of the Human Federation and its joint efforts to develop the Exotic Battlefield, there are still many individuals and organizations bent on causing trouble.

He recalled a saying he had heard before: There’s no such thing as peaceful times, only people carrying the burden for you.

Although Zhao Lei hadn’t detailed the Black Shark Society’s rescue attempts, undoubtedly many soldiers from the Star Investigation Office and the federation had been tragically sacrificed.

They didn’t die on external battlefields but in humanity’s internal strife, which is truly regrettable.

"Lu Lin," Zhao Lei said, his tone serious, "organizations like the Black Shark Society should be rooted out by every member of our Human Federation. Now, I would like to invite you to join our Star Investigation Office. I wonder... would you be willing?"

"This..."

Lu Lin had vaguely guessed Zhao Lei’s intention, but he hadn’t expected him to state it so bluntly.

There was no transition, no build-up at all, leaving Lu Lin momentarily unsure how to respond.

"You don’t need to rush your decision," Zhao Lei continued. "I’ve told you about the work and objectives within the Star Investigation Office; you can consider it carefully."

"If you’re willing, you can sign a contract with me directly. If you’re not..."

Zhao Lei spoke calmly, his eyes fixed on Lu Lin.

"If you’re unwilling, that’s fine too. You’ll just need to sign a confidentiality agreement to ensure you don’t disclose what I’ve told you today."

"Well..." Lu Lin managed a forced smile.

He didn’t believe it would be that simple.

The Black Shark Society’s affairs weren’t exactly top secret within the federation, but from what he had heard from Zhao Lei, it was clear that signing a confidentiality agreement wouldn’t be enough to get him off the hook.

Lu Lin felt a pang of regret. If I had known Zhao Lei was setting such a trap, I wouldn’t have come for this meal.

Great.

He hadn’t even had a bite to eat, and now he was about to sell himself to the Star Investigation Office.

"Adviser Zhao... could I ask about the benefits and compensation at the Star Investigation Office?"

"Huh?"

Zhao Lei hadn’t expected Lu Lin to ponder for so long only to ask such a question.

Seeing Lu Lin’s earnest expression, Zhao Lei was at a loss for whether to laugh or cry.

He had recruited many new members, but Lu Lin was the first to inquire about benefits.

"Based on your qualifications, joining the Star Investigation Office comes with a fixed monthly salary of 5,000 Yuan. All expenses during mission deployment are fully reimbursed. Additionally, there’s a daily mission allowance of 1,000 Yuan. You’ll receive gifts on holidays, and there’s social security and a housing provident fund. Furthermore, there’s a monthly equipment maintenance allowance of 10,000 Yuan."

"Oh, right, we are under the direct jurisdiction of the Federal Military Department. We all have military officer’s cards, so travel by high-speed trains, airplanes, and Starships is free."

"If your Cultivation improves after joining the Star Investigation Office, there are rewards: for reaching the first level, a reward of 100,000 Yuan; for the second level, 300,000 Yuan; for the third level, 500,000 Yuan; and for Level 4, one million Yuan..."