Sky-cracking Rider

Snakes have their own paths, and so do rats.

Those entrenched in the Imperial Capital's shopping district specializing in illicit transactions indeed had their methods.

They smuggled Xia Ji and his companions out of the Imperial Capital while successfully forging their exit records.

Transported through secret channels for a fee of fifty million Star Yuan, with an additional fifty million Star Yuan for forged records, totaling one hundred million Star Yuan. Though frighteningly expensive, it was executed cleanly without leaving any troubles behind.

Without legitimate entry and exit records, their covert departure would have been a one-time deal. If they wished to reenter, they would again face the inescapable fee of fifty million Star Yuan or be detained by the Imperial Security Department for questioning—with only fate determining if they would emerge unscathed. Either way, that money was inevitable.

The butler from the manor at 14 Ice Flower Road followed Xia Ji and his companions to this private manor, implicating both the households of Baron Flan and Baron Lanfeng from two noble communities, effectively making them sacrificial pawns.

This was an inevitable consequence as they had discovered an octoped mechanical spider in the secret passageway, meaning they could not possibly escape, nor would Blue Star overlook a "Water Bear" nor could the Slan Dynasty of Cangqiong Star ignore such dangerous members circulating within the Imperial Capital.

The two noblemen were not only subject to investigation and potentially wanted by the Imperial Security Department but were also inevitably facing the revocation of their titles. If arrested, the lucky ones might survive, falling from nobility to slavery, whereas the unfortunate could face execution, carried out immediately.

The Slan Dynasty has always been relentless towards rebels, especially those from the upper-class nobility.

While on the way to the shopping district's underworld, the loyal Butler Huoke from 14 Ice Flower Road promptly alerted his master, Baron Flan, and his family to make an emergency escape. After all, they were originally in it together, and their escape now depended on divine will.

As for Baron Lanfeng, he was a completely clueless victim, unaware that his estate was being used, or perhaps from the moment the secret passageway was completed, he was forced to become the sacrificial pawn, the shield, the scapegoat, the unfortunate child, or some other dreadful exploitation.

Upon being personally received by the manor lord, Xia Ji, boarding a light transport vehicle into the private manor, revealed his next steps, already planned during the journey.

"Let's rest here for a while, then move to another continent. Zhai Liuzhou seems like a good choice."

Having escaped the Imperial Capital by night, worn and weary, a temporary rest was necessary.

However, this location was still too close to the Imperial Capital and not a place to stay for long.

To be precise, they were already noticed by the Slan Dynasty; staying any longer on the Morning Star Continent, the heartland of the Dynasty, would likely mean they couldn't evade pursuit or even assassination by the Imperial Security Department.

Even now, Xia Ji still believed that he was being targeted by the Imperial Security Department, while the guy from Aircrew Base 911 had likely earned a bounty and was probably hiding somewhere, enjoying himself!

Although that is indeed correct!

But who would ever refuse extra money?

"You're right, we need to leave as soon as possible!"

Moker, an Earth Order fire mage among Xia Ji's group, fully agreed with the plan and immediately asked the receiving manor lord, "May I ask if Mr. Burei has any relevant channels?"

Having fled from the Imperial Capital Delan City in a panic, they had already utilized the channels of the shopping district's underworld dealers. To leave the Morning Star Continent, those dealers' capabilities might prove insufficient.

A burst of hearty laughter responded to Xia Ji and Moker and the others.

"Hehe, you asking me is indeed asking the right person!"

The owner of this private manor, Mr. Burei, had once been a powerful smuggler, not only controlling smuggling routes and connections within the Morning Star Continent but even having secret channels between several other continents.

After the Silan Empire unified the Morning Star Continent and subsequently waged a war of unification, leading to global unification under the Cangqiong Star, nearly all smuggling operations immediately plunged into a slump. Under the universal rule, there were no more tariffs, and Dimensional Gates were monopolized by the dynasty; there was hardly any avenue for smuggling.

The manor lord simply washed his hands of the old trade, and with the capital he had accumulated over the years, he bought a large piece of land near the Imperial Capital in the planting area and started a private manor, sustaining his former subordinates with various agricultural products.

Although he was no longer involved in smuggling, the old connections and channels could still be utilized—it was not difficult to secretly transport a group of people to other continents.

In fact, every year, people would find this manor and smuggle to other continents through Mr. Burei's channels, which was a considerable extra income.

An overjoyed Xia Ji hastily said, "Please help with this, Mr. Burei; as for the cost, don't worry at all."

He had come to Cangqiong Star to lay low and no longer had a way to return to Blue Star.

At this point, before the situation worsened beyond salvage, even a meager straw should not be overlooked.

"Let's make this clear first; I have the channels, but whether my old buddies are still alive or can take on this task, I need to check first. I dare not guarantee it right now."

Manor lord Mr. Burei somehow provided a reassurance.

The dynasty was very strict in this regard, with many ferocious magical beasts active in the vast oceans and satellites constantly surveilling from the sky, making transoceanic smuggling quite challenging.

The old connections were gradually aging, and some links were already lacking successors. It was estimated that in another seven or eight years, the once-thriving network would naturally die out, as there was no escaping the natural processes of life and death.

"Then, please do this favor!"

The Manor Lord did not refuse, which meant there was a high likelihood that Xia Ji felt momentarily relieved.

"I'm very grateful; the family of Baron Flan, my master, might also need to use Mr. Burei's channel."

Butler Huoke of the estate at No. 14 Ice Flower Road did not forget his own master. If this route was viable, Baron Flan's family would also come here to use the smuggling channel to transfer to another continent.

Although from then on they would need to hide their identities and could not restore their noble glory, it was still better than the entire family falling into slavery. Once the next generation grew up, there might even be a chance for a resurgence.

"I've heard enough bad news lately; it's finally some good news."

As Xia Ji's companion, eighth-rank fire mage Moker felt relieved; he did not want to face the combat personnel of the Imperial Security Department.

The dynasty was like the blazing sun at its zenith, brimming with talent. As just an Earth Order mage on Cangqiong Star, he was nothing special. Once targeted by the dynasty, he feared he could be snuffed out within minutes.

Someone whispered to themselves, "That thing... will it follow us up here?"

No one knew whether it was a person, a team, or even the Imperial Security Department behind the crushed micro-mechanical entity.

They hoped the unscrupulous dealers of the black market street were competent enough to clean up after them efficiently.

Escaping the Imperial Capital had cost them dearly, not just in sending their group out but also in handling the aftermath for two noble community courtyards—it was inevitable to create some distractions, such as decoys.

"Follow us? Even if they do, I'll know immediately. There are no strangers within ten miles, only my people. I'm not afraid of anyone! Oh, there's a call coming. Let me take it first."

Manor Lord Burei made a muscle-flexing motion to display his strength.

His words had just ended when his phone rang.

The level of network and information technology on Cangqiong Star was not much lower than on Blue Star, including the prevalence of mobile phones and personal computers, nor was it behind in technology. Both civilizations basically maintained a level of technology sharing.

"Oh! ... What? ... Okay ... I'll ask again ..."

After hanging up, Manor Lord Burei's expression indicated that something was up, immediately making Xia Ji and his group anxious.

"A problem?"

Xia Ji felt depressed, having spent a full hundred million Star Yuan just to escape from the Imperial Capital.

Yet now, those crooks who took the money hadn't managed the situation cleanly.

Manor Lord Burei shook his phone and said, "An unidentified vehicle is approaching. I'm not sure of its purpose, but I don't have any appointments scheduled, and it's very likely targeting you."

His private manor, although it also saw outsiders and vehicles coming and going, the vast majority had prior notifications like business partners or guests introduced by others like Xia Ji's party—but very seldom unknown identities.

"It's not Baron Flan; they won't arrive until tomorrow."

Butler Huoke shook his head immediately.

"Let's hope it's not an enemy!"

First Rank fire mage Moker didn't want any further interaction with people from the Imperial Capital. Less trouble was better than more.

"No worries, you all settle down comfortably; I'll handle this!"

Manor Lord Burei confidently thumped his chest, then dialed a number on his phone and gave a few instructions.

The light transport vehicle carrying everyone stopped in the central residential area of the private manor, and Xia Ji and the others were shown to their rooms.

After about fifteen minutes, a massive vehicle barreled in and was intercepted by several heavy trucks and bulldozers on the edge of the residential area.

"This is a private manor, and visitors without an appointment are not welcome!"

Manor Lord Burei, holding a megaphone, was perched atop one of the heavy trucks, shouting loudly.

Several other trucks had automatic firearms mounted inside them, aimed at the imposing vehicle with five pairs of heavy-duty tires—after all, it was private land, and they had every reason to refuse outsiders.

"So... is it too late to make an appointment now?"

The huge vehicle also had a loudspeaker, amplifying the person's voice inside.

"You can! But we are fully booked for now; the earliest would be a month later, so please leave!"

A man always ready for flexibility in his words, Manor Lord Burei was not one to speak too definitively.

What if it was a tourist who liked to ramble and enjoy rural fun?

Inside the Mobile Base Vehicle, Princess Lin Ziyu snatched the microphone and pressed the talk button.

"Sorry, but what if I say no!"

The response was the sudden roar of gunfire, a downpour of bullets enveloping the entire Mobile Base Vehicle. Then, a burst of fire exploded a few meters away.

Originally, the major smuggler who risked lives to smuggle and made huge profits, from Boss Burei to his underlings, was not a group of good Samaritans. At the slightest disagreement, they viewed life and death indifferently and would fight if provoked.

"Chen Fei, what did I say wrong?"

Lin Ziyu was puzzled by such an intense "welcome."

"Some things can't just be talked about; they need to be done, 'Adam,' take the first vehicle on the left, fire a 152, send it off!"

Chen Fei sat calmly in the driver's seat.

The Railgun mounted on top of the Mobile Base Vehicle rose automatically, aimed at the obstructing vehicle ahead, and loaded a 152 Demolition Bomb automatically.

There were retractable road barriers at the entrance to the manor; the Mobile Base Vehicle rolled over them as if entering an uninhabited area, leaving a row of approximately 20 centimeter diameter ground holes, without even scratching the paint layer, breezing through it effortlessly.

Clang! ~

An enormous shockwave swept through, and the Mobile Base Vehicle was caught in a violent storm, shaking intensely.

Repulsion Shields and Wind Magic Shields blocked most of the impacts, but the residual force still left Princess Lin Ziyu dizzy and nauseous. She clenched a fixed object beside her and complained, "Too close!"