Chapter 777

Help, you just can't read the atmosphere, can you? Those three people just now are really problematic." Yan Qing couldn't help but rub his forehead and said.

Hmph~ Even idiots can see it clearly, I just wanted to hear you say it again." Yunli laughed charmingly, then recalled: "That pink-furred fox just now wanted to speak but stopped; he must have already noticed something. He's just unfamiliar with the place, so before leaving he left a hint for us, but I didn't expect you to ignore him."

March 7: "That cloud rider just now completely failed to recognize Master Yan Qing... This is indeed suspicious."

What, is he famous in Luofu? The Zhu Ming Cloud Riders are countless; even if they've heard my name, they might not recognize my face.

That's what you're saying.

Yan Qing, lost in thought: "Cloud riders, people from the Astral Express Directorate, and artisans... the variety is complete, the reason for maintenance is plausible, but just now that person blurted out a strange phrase. Did you hear it?"

I have a strange feeling that if we quietly follow them now, we'll surely expose these guys. Follow me, and be careful not to let them notice.

The three of them quietly followed, and indeed discovered that they soon regrouped.

March 7 took out her phone, intending to record everything they were conspiring about.

The cloud rider infantryman still regretted not acting immediately: "... I should have slaughtered those three lowly beasts; the brats don't take up much space. There are boxes everywhere here—just toss them into any one, and no one will notice."

Don't give me extra trouble, Galil. Any little mishap will interfere with Lord Modu's plan." The Astral Express Directorate official scolded.

Where to next?

Let's go inspect the cargo ship; there's still a lot of preparation needed. Also, remember to take those few boxes. Weapons, supplies… we must make thorough preparations. Otherwise, our heads will only be accounted for here.

——

Spy pretend-play.

Lord Modu…… it seems this is the leader of this group of Step-Li people.

Lloyd set down the newspaper in his hand, resting his chin as he seriously analyzed in his mind: If these Step-Li people were all prisoners captured on the Luofu Astral Express and then escaped from the Secret Prison, Yan Qing and the other cloud riders should have received the news immediately to pursue them. But it's obvious he also doesn't know their identities… It's likely that this group wasn't fugitives from the start, but had long infiltrated the Astral Express as spies.

This Modu is the leader of this group of Step-Li spies.

Thinking of 'spy,' Lloyd's expression became noticeably more serious than before.

So why would the Step-Li send so many people to infiltrate the Astral Express?" Yuer, walking over with a coffee, asked curiously.

Probably to get close to some big shot… Considering it's the Luofu Astral Express, that big shot is very likely one of the Six Sovereigns, or Jing Yuan's personal attendant.

Lloyd recalled that the Abundant Folk had previously lost to the Luofu Astral Express, so he feared that Modu's ultimate goal was to infiltrate the Divine Strategy Manor and become a key figure there like Qing Que, then feed back the stolen strategic intelligence from the Astral Express to the Step-Li army, making it possible to one day completely overthrow Luofu.

But 'if words are not careful, one will lose people'—if it were merely gathering intelligence, there would be no need to send so many unrelated Step-Li people to Luofu; the one called Galil is obviously an inexperienced spy, and casually employing such a person will definitely cause trouble.

Could it be that they intend to steal something important from the Astral Express and then immediately flee using the Star Chariot?

Lloyd continued to think deeply, but he really couldn't imagine what treasure on the Astral Express would be worth so many Step-Li people risking death to enter dangerous territory; even if they stole it, could they escape?

——

Are these people… smugglers? What are they trying to do?" Yunli asked.

I don't know. But they seem prepared to take that pile of cargo boxes. I have an idea—we can hide inside those boxes and follow them.

Taking advantage of the few people temporarily leaving, Yan Qing and the others approached a box as if walking on thin ice and slipped inside.

It's so cramped…

I'm about to suffocate.

Hold on…

The three squeezed together in an extremely awkward posture; though uncomfortable, they also heard footsteps outside the box constantly going back and forth. If someone opened the cargo box now, they'd surely see their ridiculous hiding pose. Fortunately, nothing happened.

After holding their breath and staying silent for as long as an amber age, they heard the box land.

Let's just leave the cargo here for now? Next we need to check the ship's issues." The artisan said, "Lord Modu said that once the rendezvous is complete, the brothers will board the cargo ship and leave this place."

Don't worry, I've altered the rudder navigation log. You two, come with me.

That cloud rider soldier sniffed around, impatiently saying, "I always feel strange—why does the smell of those lowly beasts seem to be everywhere?"

The Astral Express Directorate official scolded, "Don't be suspicious and paranoid!"

After they three left, the three little ones also slipped out of the cargo box.

It looks like they plan to use the ships at Hui Xing Harbor to take them away from the Astral Express. All this talk of plans—where exactly do these people come from? What do they intend to do on the Astral Express?

March 7 put her hands on her hips: "Eighty percent it's not anything good. They've disappeared? Let's chase after them!"

——

JOJO's Bizarre Adventure: Unbreakable Diamond

The rendezvous… what will it be for? The Step-Li come to the Astral Express to steal things, then transfer the loot onto the Star Chariot, and leave when tomorrow's salute sounds?

Shosuke thought it over, and it seems only this reason is plausible; the point is, what are they planning to steal? They didn't steal earlier or later, but specifically waited until the three generals gathered on the Astral Express to strike.

Just like a mouse stealing cheese, it doesn't move in the pitch‑black night; it waits for the owner to turn on the light and then brazenly takes it… but the generals aren't the sort of adults who would just scream at a mouse; once spotted, crushing them would be a matter of moments.

Shosuke, do you think it might be to steal the mech?" Eiti beside him suddenly said, "Si Ke Te's bio‑type mech doesn't look much like a werewolf, does it? It matches those Step‑Li people perfectly—oh oh, could it be—" Eiti seemed to have thought of something, his eyes lighting up, "Do they also think that kind of mech is cool?! That mech developed by some academy—wasn't it said to use some biotechnology? Maybe it's related to the Step‑Li people!"

Eh?? It really seems to be the case……

Shosuke then recalled that the mech made by the Erudite Society resembles this group of Step‑Li people; perhaps there really is some connection. If the Step‑Li intend to come to the Astral Express to steal the mech, the reason does make sense, but the risk is too great, right?