Chapter 16: Leader of the Shadow Black Market Alliance

“You are not facing a mere beast, but a vast, merciless civilization that defies all reason.”

“It has no emotions, no mercy. When you lock eyes with it, you feel utterly insignificant!”

Tang Feng’s voice echoed through the silent square.

Merely hearing his words cast a heavy gloom over everyone’s hearts.

After so many years battling the insectoid race, very few had actually come into direct contact with them.

Even frontline soldiers who fought the insects rarely faced them personally.

They engaged in space battles aboard starships, confronting insect warships from afar.

Those who truly saw the insects up close had almost all perished.

Tang Feng had witnessed it with his own eyes; he understood the shock and terror. Only then did he grasp how extraordinary Xu Rui’s actions truly were.

He took a deep breath, his tone grave:

“Believe me, if that day Xu Rui hadn’t blocked your view, if you had seen the insect’s transformation, you wouldn’t have survived to this moment—you would have gone mad.”

“I believe it’s precisely because Xu Rui understood this that she has been protecting Boss Chu, even a passing child.”

“Boss Chu, you probably never saw it in your memory, did you?”

Xu Chu shook his head.

Tang Feng sighed. “Congratulations.”

He had encountered the insects long ago; the fear nearly shattered him.

But in that dim place, a gentle voice soothed him, preventing his collapse.

From then on, he stepped out of the shadow completely and even led missions infiltrating insect warships to carry out secret plans.

The more bugs he killed, the more confident he became, and the less fear he felt.

He cast a cold glance at the man slumped on the ground. “Xu Rui saved you—not only your life but your very soul.”

The man murmured faintly, as if in a daze, “She saved me, saved me... she saved me...”

Two guards stepped forward and led the seemingly deranged man away.

Jiang Chen frowned. “Commander Tang, it seems you have a new view of Xu Rui?”

“Though her killing is somewhat justified, and her mental fortitude formidable, don’t forget—she’s by no means a good person.”

Tang Feng shook his head. “I only admire her composure when facing the insects. I never said she was a good person.”

He looked toward the screen, sighing: “She was born a warrior against the insects. It’s a pity she’s not on our side.”

“Judging by current developments, Xu Rui was likely adopted by those two insects. That’s how she could carry out those insane acts later.”

……

After Xu Rui threatened the child on the screen, he fled in terror.

That haggard silhouette was identical to the man now being escorted away by the guards.

For all these years, the man had never escaped the nightmare of that terrifying night when he was ten.

“I can go with you, but my brother must stay behind. If you don’t agree, I will take you all down with me,” Xu Rui said, her pupils dark and deep like a bottomless pool. The threat was stated as if fact.

Sana’s voice brimmed with excitement. “Of course, dear, we only need you. You’re very special—we’re eager to study you…”

Realizing her slip, she quickly changed the subject.

“Your brother is sleeping inside now. We haven’t harmed him at all.”

Xu Rui lowered her gaze, gripping her gun as she entered the house and carried the sleeping Xu Chu out.

Stepping outside the tavern, the biting cold wind scattered the scent of blood.

The giant was waiting right there. She handed Xu Chu over. “I’m entrusting him to you. Take good care of him.”

The giant’s dull yellow eyes locked onto the tavern as if spotting prey.

“Augustus!”

Xu Rui said calmly, “Augustus, take my brother and leave immediately! Don’t ask questions—just leave!”

Her tone was so severe that the giant lowered his head, cradling Xu Chu and nodding.

“Alright.”

Sana and Selwan stepped out of the tavern, surprised by Augustus’s massive form.

Sana said excitedly, “I’m very interested in this big guy. His genes must be fascinating.”

Selwan asked, “Are you taking him with you?”

Suddenly, Xu Rui pointed the gun at her own head, her voice sharp: “Isn’t it enough that I’m coming with you? Augustus is just an ordinary human with genetic mutations.”

Sana shrugged. “Fine, you’re enough for me. I like those who can see through us.”

She smiled and waved at Xu Rui. “Dear, lead the way, and we’ll leave this planet tonight.”

The giant muttered quietly as he watched them walk away.

“Where is she going with these two big bugs?”

……

“Of course! He knows!”

“This big guy can see the insects too! Oh my, I’m getting goosebumps!”

“Why? Could he be from the Celestial Spirit race?”

“No, he’s from the Niels people.”

“Augustus… That name sounds familiar…”

Suddenly, someone shouted out.

“The Shadow Black Market Alliance! I remember now. I once went to the black market in the F system to buy some energy crystals restricted on the open market. The contract was signed by someone named Augustus!”

“My goodness! He’s the leader behind the Shadow Black Market Alliance? That big, seemingly simple and brave guy?”

Instantly, the room was in an uproar.

No one expected that the leader behind the galaxy’s largest illegal trading network was this towering figure.

Meanwhile, the awardees on stage were already using their connections to investigate.

The Shadow Black Market Alliance operated in utmost secrecy.

Their influence was vast, encompassing assassination, sabotage missions, illicit trading of contraband, and underground excavation and sale of ancient relics on the black market.

They maintained secret bases in flourishing cities across various planets, conducting transactions through complex encrypted communications and secret codes.

They even maintained formidable armed forces to protect their trades and strongholds.

Such an organization operated hidden in the shadows, never clashing with the Imperial Alliance.

At times, the Empire even needed to purchase weapons and energy from them.

The Empire always turned a blind eye.

Who would have thought…

Jiang Chen clenched his teeth in fury. “So that’s it! No wonder we’ve been powerless against Xu Rui all these years. She’s backed by such a massive organization!”

“Commander, now that the external threat is resolved, it’s time for us to clean house internally,” he said.

“That damned Shadow Black Market Alliance—shouldn’t we crack down on them? No telling how many heinous criminals they harbor!”

Liu Han smiled coldly. “They even tried to recruit me once. I always wondered why they sought me out when I was at my lowest.”

“Now it seems Xu Rui had her eye on me back then. Luckily, I didn’t join them, or I wouldn’t be alive today.”