CHAPTER 318: CHAPTER 317 EXPENSIVE INTELLIGENCE (1)

"Boles took his Mutant swarm underground. After searching the globe three times without finding them, we had to give up and withdraw the fleet. We constructed sixteen surveillance bases on the planet’s surface, installed four orbital cannons in orbit, and stationed a platoon. The moment their traces are detected, we can immediately fire and eliminate them."

Chen Gu hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is there any news about the Super lifeform within the Confederation?"

Bai Yunpeng took a bite of his food and said, "I was going to discuss this with you anyway. You know how immensely beneficial capturing a Super lifeform can be, so ever since the fleet was recalled, many influential people have been eager to act."

He put down his chopsticks and said to Chen Gu, "From now on, I am not speaking to you as a military marshal, but simply asking as a friend."

Chen Gu promptly nodded. "Please, go ahead."

"Someone has asked me to inquire if they could purchase firsthand information about that Super lifeform from you."

Chen Gu was taken aback. "Me?"

"Yes, you witnessed the Super lifeform with your own eyes, and you even captured one of its offspring," Bai Yunpeng said. "It’s not just you. I suspect it won’t be long before people approach Gong Shuxu, and even Ma Shuwen."

Chen Gu suddenly understood. "Any detail is crucial when it comes to hunting a Super lifeform."

"Right," Bai Yunpeng nodded. "That’s the point. The profits from hunting a Super lifeform are unimaginable, but this is a Super lifeform we’re talking about. One misstep, and you could lose your life. So, what are your thoughts? You don’t need to have any reservations; I’m just the messenger."

After thinking it over, Chen Gu looked at Bai Yunpeng and asked, "I’d like to hear your advice. I haven’t even graduated from high school; I really don’t have much experience with this kind of thing."

Bai Yunpeng stroked his chin, feeling somewhat dissatisfied without any alcohol.

"If you really want my advice, I’d tell you to cooperate with them. With me around, I can at least ensure they offer you a fair price.

A Super lifeform is immensely valuable. However, right now you don’t have the capability to join this feast. Don’t feel resentful; they’ve built their power and influence over generations of life-or-death struggles."

Chen Gu wasn’t naive in this regard; after all, he had lived through two lifetimes.

He nodded. "Alright, please relay to them that as long as the price is fair, I’ll tell them whatever they want to know."

Bai Yunpeng nodded. "I knew you wouldn’t be impulsive. We’re both tacticians; we understand how to weigh the pros and cons."

Bai Xianya, on the other hand, had a hint of regret in her eyes. A Super lifeform, no less!

...

The other party was quite sincere. Knowing Chen Gu was due to return to Empire River Star the day after tomorrow, they immediately asked Bai Yunpeng to arrange a dinner meeting for the following evening.

During the day, Qing Ruyan took the opportunity to show Chen Gu around Capital Star, leading him past the entrance of a university.

"This is the National Second College of Agriculture and Forestry. If nothing unexpected happens, you’ll be studying here in the second half of the year."

Chen Gu knew Qing Ruyan wouldn’t have asked him out for nothing. He looked at the university with neither fondness nor displeasure.

It was a third-rate university with no particularly strong disciplines. But since it was located on Capital Star, its admission scores were still high.

He looked at Qing Ruyan. They probably all think I can’t even get into a university like this, he mused.

In the evening, Chen Gu went to the appointment alone. He was aware he was likely being followed covertly, but he paid it no mind.

This time, the restaurant on Capital Star could be considered top-notch. The other party was a young man who looked to be in his thirties, accompanied by four individuals who seemed to be experts.

To avoid any appearance of partiality, Bai Yunpeng introduced both parties and then excused himself.

The young man leading the other party was named Qiao Shuangmu. The surname "Qiao" was somewhat familiar to Chen Gu; he knew that family wielded considerable influence within the Confederation.

Qiao Shuangmu possessed a natural charisma. Once Bai Yunpeng had left, he gestured towards Chen Gu and said with a smile, "Let’s eat first. There’s nothing more important than eating. That’s how I am—I have to be well-fed before discussing anything."

Chen Gu wholeheartedly agreed. Though his "binge-eating disorder" hadn’t flared up recently, his appetite was still astounding.

As they ate, Qiao Shuangmu’s eyes lit up. "It seems you and I will have a lot to talk about, Chen," he said with a laugh. "Hahaha!"

Chen Gu gave a "bashful" smile; he’d noticed Qiao Shuangmu’s appetite was hardly any smaller than his own.

The four experts had long finished eating and had to wait almost two hours for the two gourmands to demolish their meal. It was nearly 10 p.m. when the two finally wiped their mouths and declared themselves finished.

This shared love for food helped foster an initial sense of trust between them.

Qiao Shuangmu got straight to the point. "Chen Gu, your performance in the recent operation was outstanding. That’s why we believe you’re the most reliable source of information."

"Let’s start with our offer: one hundred million Starshields in cash, a villa on Capital Star, and one more thing—a promise. If you ever need our help in your career, we can assist you once."

"Whatever your thoughts are, we can discuss them."

The offer is fair, Chen Gu thought, but not overly generous.

Successfully hunting a Super lifeform yields an astonishing value in exotic materials alone.

Chen Gu pondered for a moment and then said, "I have one more requirement: I’m about to advance to the Third Energy Level. I hope you can provide all the resources I’ll need for it."

Qiao Shuangmu frowned slightly. "Let me calculate that." He then gave a wry smile. "As you know, hunting a Super lifeform is ultimately a business. I have to ensure my ’investors’ don’t end up at a loss."

Chen Gu nodded with a smile.

After some mental calculation, Qiao Shuangmu nodded. "That’s doable."

Chen Gu continued, "And my final request: do a favor for Tau Industrial." That idiot Zhao Ji has helped me several times. As his friend, I want to repay him if I get the chance.

Qiao Shuangmu’s expression changed slightly. "Now, that request... is genuinely a bit tricky," he said, looking reluctant.

Chen Gu earnestly pleaded, "Please, trust me. I’m not asking for the impossible. The intelligence I provide will absolutely be worth your investment. I know something no one else does."

Qiao Shuangmu nodded slowly and made a phone call in front of Chen Gu. "Uncle Delos, I need to ask about something. Is Tau Industrial currently in negotiations for any military procurement contracts?"

A steady voice answered over the phone, "Among the six recent tender projects, Tau Industrial has participated in two. One is for the auxiliary cannon systems on main battleships, with a total value of one hundred twenty billion Starshields. The second is for the procurement of First-Class War Chariots, valued at four hundred billion Starshields."