Chapter 864

"Hugo, do you think this kind of thing is possible?" Lai Kaen looked calmly at the riverbank, "If even the head of the Market Development Department of Stellar Peace Company can be disposed of so casually, wouldn't the upper echelons have everyone fearing for themselves?"

"Ha, this company that squeezes blood and sweat from countless suffering beings across star systems, you actually expect them to talk about humanity?" Hugo smiled coldly, "In the name of the Amber King…… as long as the price is right, there's nothing these company people can't sell. Of course, those few envoys might be unsellable, but aside from those envoys, it's just a matter of whether the price is high enough."

"The company you speak of feels like some kind of flesh-and-blood factory." Lai Kaen sighed lightly, "But if the company were truly purely profit-driven, I wouldn't believe it could have reached its current scale."

"Oh? You can't tell, Lai Kaen, how? Are you thinking of switching jobs to become a watchdog for Stellar Peace Company? Speaking up for the company like this? As a former partner, I kindly remind you: given Stellar Peace Company's competitive pressure, the watchdog position might not even be yours to take."

A flicker of anger crossed Lai Kaen's face; his gaze sank, and he unconsciously scanned his surroundings—people came and went on Jiangying Square, it was the evening rush hour. If he and this guy turned hostile and argued on the street, it would not only damage the image of Victoria Home Services, but also affect the mayor's reputation.

I'm just rationally discussing this with you; if you insist on personal attacks, we might as well change venues.

Oh? Changing venues makes a little dog dare to show its fangs?" Hugo smiled amusedly, "Looks like the mayor has trained you well. Never mind, my gallery has business; I don't have time to dally with you here."

——

"I heard he's a Sea Patrol Wanderer? What organization is that?" Lu Ka asked.

"Sea Patrol Wanderers are a group of 【Patrol Hunt】 believers who each fight on their own; all kinds of people are in it. There are some relatively easy to talk to, and there's also Boteo, a wanted criminal with a bloody debt."

"Patrol Hunt believers? Isn't that the same as the Astral Express people? No matter how dangerous he is, he wouldn't do bad things on the turf of fellow believers, right?"

Xing Cong came over and whispered in his ear: "The company and Belo Berg both believe in 【Preservation】……"

Lu Ka immediately understood: "I get what you mean……"

"In any case, be careful, Lu Ka athlete. The company's wanted criminals are no joke."

"Hah, what's there to fear! When I followed my master maintaining security in the lower districts, I ran into plenty of vicious criminals—I even personally captured the 【Black Widow of Panrock Town】!"

Arriving at the match board, looking at Boteo's arrogant face, Lu Ka muttered to himself:

(Boteo… a serious wanted criminal of the company… saying this in front of Miss Ka Mei Li makes me a bit embarrassed, but… I feel the company's serious wanted criminals aren't necessarily bad people.)

(After all, the Astral Express Alliance hasn't wanted him, and even allows him to participate in the Martial Arts Ceremony.)

(Of course, even if he's a bad person, I'm not afraid. My iron fist was made to beat up bad guys!)

——

Pirate King

"This kid got that right—those who are wanted aren't necessarily bad people. On the contrary, those who issue the bounties… heh, I'd rather not say." Robin, who had been sitting by the ship's rail reading a book, also lightly closed the document upon hearing this, a faint smile curling her lips.

History is usually written by the victors, and the present is often written by those in power. How many disasters and miseries in this world are caused by the World Government? The so‑called bounty is merely a means for them to capture and suppress opposing forces. Yet seeing the bounty amounts on the crew's wanted posters rise steadily, Robin instead felt relieved.

This means what they're doing is utterly correct…… when the enemy feels troubled by it, it shows you're on the right path.

Stellar Peace Company may have maintained intergalactic order, but such a huge company is made up of countless people—who knows how many individuals like Oswaldo there are? If Stellar Peace Company were entirely led by people like him, the company would probably be nothing more than a larger "World Government".

"The fact that Astral Express hasn't wanted Boteo shows this bounty is merely a personal grudge between Stellar Peace Company and Boteo." Nami lowered her head in thought, "No, to be precise it should be a personal grudge between Oswaldo and Boteo—given his position, he might not even have heard of Boteo."

"This is also why Shajin is willing to cooperate with him." Zoro said, as he placed a whetstone on the deck and, while speaking, polished his sword blade, the metal gradually taking on a dim luster, "... the enemy's enemy is a friend—that's well said."

——

Xing and Lu Ka arrived together at the venue; upon seeing Boteo, the other party warmly came over to greet.

"Xing, you little treasure! I never expected to see you here! Are you also here to compete?"

Xing waved his hand: "I'm not competing; I'm afraid I might accidentally kill you."

Hearing this, Boteo burst out laughing: "Hahaha! Meow, you cutie! I think you're scared I'll shoot you and love you to death!"

"So you two are that close?"

Boteo looked at the iron‑armed guy beside him: "Not that close, just a life‑and‑death bond. But I won't go easy on you."

"I won't go easy on you either." Lu Ka said confidently.

Boteo spread his hands: "Kid, I'm seriously advising you to withdraw. You're not my match."

"The match hasn't even started—how do you already know I can't beat you? My iron fist isn't necessarily slower than your bullets."

Boteo shook his head: "Because we, damn it, are not on the same path! You came for victory, I came for hatred. You came for honor, but honor is worthless to me. Besides, stop bragging about that precious iron fist of yours—I feel sick seeing the junk this company sponsors! Later I'll modify it for you."

"I want the news across the galaxy to headline— the company's wanted criminal has become the brightest star on the Martial Arts Ceremony stage, he loves love, making those company dogs who come to Astral Express to do business look embarrassed and disheveled—"

——

Dungeon Meals

"Mr. Boteo truly has a natural talent for loving people."

Leos held a bowl of steaming slime soup, blowing the fragrant steam before him. Having heard that Boteo had come to Astral Express's Martial Arts Ceremony, Leos originally thought he was here to clean up the company's lackeys, but he didn't expect to first encounter Lu Ka.

Lu Ka and Boteo…… regardless of who he secretly supports, he's unwilling to see either of them eliminated, and he'd also like to watch Boteo spar with those local Astral Express experts like Yan Qing.