Qu Jianlei’s nonchalant attitude didn’t really surprise Li Ang; any powerful faction is like this, aren’t they?

He casually replied, "Titan Group."

"Titan?" A hint of surprise appeared on Qu Jianlei’s face, but he quickly calmed down, "I see, thanks."

Watching him leave leisurely, Li Ang shook his head and put the matter out of his mind.

He certainly noticed the last bit of surprise on the other side, but that was too normal.

In the Asteroid Belt, the major powers on the surface are just a few, and their grievances are incredibly complex.

At this moment, Qu Jianlei also had similar sentiments, circling around and ending up back at the first robbery target.

To be honest, his impression of Titan wasn’t too bad, robbing them to the point of helping defend against foreign aggression.

Later, when reinforcements arrived, after assessing him thoroughly, they not only honestly paid up the remaining amount but also paid a penalty.

Such a reliable group, and yet such an oddball could appear, indeed, the world is vast and full of wonders.

As for the Norton Clan searching for him everywhere? Let them come if they want; he’s not easily scared.

As long as the Sail Consortium doesn’t become blinded by greed and trade him for interests, he has nothing to fear.

Of course, surveillance should still be in place, let Little Lake slowly infiltrate Wanmi Mining’s network.

In a blink of an eye, another three months passed, and Qu Jianlei routinely took a month off.

During this time, the Norton Clan indeed contacted Wanmi Mining.

But just as Li Ang promised, he maintained the dignity of the powerful faction.

He expressed that whatever grudges they had, Wanmi didn’t want to get involved, but they shouldn’t cause trouble near Gedel.

So Qu Jianlei wanted to see whether the other side was hiding around, planning to ambush him.

He piloted the 8384, made a big circle around Gedel, spending a whole day.

This is within the observable range of Gedel, with the three mines silently watching this shabby merchant ship.

They all knew that this faction had offended Norton—among powerful factions, there really are no secrets.

Watching the 8384 circling around, someone couldn’t help but mutter, "Is he planning to escape back anytime?"

Then someone else voiced opposition, "He could kill Siegwa; maybe he has nothing to fear, waiting for us to tip off."

"Would you tip them off?"

"Why the hell would I? Their fighting doesn’t concern us, better to seize the opportunity to gain more resources."

Qu Jianlei didn’t care what others thought; after wandering around, he left at a leisurely pace.

Probably only Li Ang guessed his true intention—was he searching for the Norton Clan?

Thinking of such a formidable force, honestly fulfilling a security agreement, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration.

"Truly a powerful faction, with such strict rules, there’s no reason for failure."

Qu Jianlei circled around a few times and returned to the abandoned Star Body.

He spent ten days repairing the Attack Ship and then headed to Lanyun Market with the repaired ship.

To be honest, he felt a bit regretful at that moment; had he known they would leak his whereabouts, he should have kept the merchant ship.

But he calmly explained to Little Lake: back then, we didn’t know if what they said was true; safety first is never wrong.

Big Head Butterfly twisted its body, "Mm-hmm, boss is wise!"

For some reason, Qu Jianlei felt this comment had a hint of sarcasm—was its independent personality awakening?

After reaching Lanyun, per the usual, the entry fee was waived, and he made some online purchases, then put the Attack Ship up for sale.

Unlike before, he stated it would only be on sale for three days and he’d leave after that.

Now he didn’t need to pay entry fees when docking at the market, so there was really no need to stay for the full ten days.

The final result... of course, it didn’t sell, even a Supreme can’t force others to buy, right?

But at the end of the third day, just as Qu Jianlei was about to pack up the Attack Ship and leave, people from Lanyun Market came.

The online transactions in the past two days already saw market people delivering goods, but they didn’t say anything, purely acting as middlemen.

This time, market people said they wanted to buy the Attack Ship, but not for thirty million, only twenty-five million at most.

Qu Jianlei resolutely refused, "This is a trophy seized from the Norton Clan, can sell it cheaper to others, not to you!"

Lanyun never engaged with him regarding Norton, not a word about the news, not clear what that meant.

So he clearly told them, I know Pudding Mining and Norton don’t get along, others can buy it cheaper, but not your side.

Hearing this, the market people could only smile wryly, secretly cursing their new manager’s over-caution.

As for the market’s relationship with Qu Jianlei, actually wasn’t bad, last time they even took an escort mission, the price negotiations were also polite.

But unexpectedly, this time the market changed to a manager whose head wasn’t quite right, or rather, too calculating.

He thought the other party would surely inquire about Norton, after all, Lanyun was more than just a market; it was a hub for information transmission.

So there was no need to inform them proactively, wouldn’t it be good to have them inquire first?

The market wants to nab the attack ship, due to similar calculations. Forget other families, how could they miss a Norton Family attack ship?

But the other party is about to leave, and hasn’t actively sought out the market for inquiries, which is making the market managers anxious.

Still, the new manager believes, we should haggle and buy the attack ship, it’s giving them face.

—After all, we’re helping you clear inventory, that’s right, isn’t it?

Some people are born with quirky thinking, always feeling the world revolves around their will.

When Qu Jianlei said this, the assistant manager who came to communicate felt things were amiss and said they’d go back to discuss.

Qu Jianlei couldn’t have imagined he would run into such a weirdo.

He found it a bit odd and asked Little Lake to eavesdrop for news, which indeed made him chuckle.

They actually want to scheme against me, do you know your status and mine?

So when the assistant manager came for the second time, expressing willingness to buy for thirty million, Qu Jianlei refused again.

"The price has increased now, thirty-five million, that’s because last time you bargained with me."

The assistant manager was instantly stunned, "Sir, we’re doing business here, we need to have integrity."

In the asteroid belt, talking about integrity in business? Qu Jianlei was almost tickled to laughter.

Considering the other’s comedic talent, he added, "Spreading it around is just Pudding fearing Norton, not daring to buy."

The assistant manager understood the crux of the problem, what the other party said was definitely resentment towards their side.

The undertone being—your two families don’t get along, our two families can barely manage, you want to stand by and watch, I’ll make it happen for you!

This feud, big or small, for the market towards Supreme, isn’t it natural for them to increase the price?

In fact, Lanyun Market is the most aware of Qu Jianlei’s record, from kitchen maid to Siegwa and then to Norton.

And...they’ve bonded well with the Haiyin Clan!

The assistant manager couldn’t even consider the manager’s intention anymore, decisively made the call.

"Then it’s thirty-five million, we’ll buy it...how to pay? We can provide up to twenty million in energy blocks."

Qu Jianlei’s energy blocks...how to put it? There’s really a bit too much stored.

Though this stuff is hard to trade for, he intended to stockpile more, but now...the reserves are over a billion!

It’s better to receive silver notes in the future, Qu Jianlei nodded slightly, "Alright, hurry up, I’m pressed for time."

The assistant manager arranged people to rush the transportation, the manager heard the price had risen to thirty-five million but didn’t even have the courage to hinder.

He could certainly rebuke the assistant, but if he really got killed by the Supreme opposite, then that’d be it.

He didn’t even dare lift his head.

The assistant manager, however, sent a personal favor, "I’ll arrange people right away to gather information on the Norton Family."

"Actually, I’m not here for this," Qu Jianlei snorted coldly, "I just want to draw out people from the Norton Family."

Does he need information on the Norton Clan? He does need a bit, but it’s not important.

Otherwise, couldn’t he just ask Li Ang? Even if he doesn’t want to owe favors, can’t he trade?

He stayed at Lanyun for three days, just hoping someone would spread the news, then lure Norton’s warship.

Now it’s unknown if they’ve come or not, anyway, go out and have a look.

The assistant manager was even more startled upon hearing that, during the unloading of energy blocks, begged talk after talk and sent over a storage device,

Qu Jianlei really had no confidence in the integrity of these major forces—they really are ruthless.

Even though he knows very well, a big tree has dry branches, but for such people to exist and occupy high positions, it inherently points to systemic problems.

So he specially checked the storage device and found no hazards, then ascended into the air.

The worn-out 8384 ship had just left when the new manager started berating the assistant manager.

Spending more money has touched on economic issues, let alone freely gifting intelligence—are we Pudding in such a lowly position?

The assistant manager didn’t argue, he raised his hand and pointed at the sky, "Look at what’s going on up there before you come scold me, okay?"

Qu Jianlei piloted around Lanyun for a whole day before leisurely leaving, just like when he left Gedel.

The new manager isn’t truly dumb, just too thoughtful, when he realized, his face turned ashen and he stopped talking.

After leaving Lanyun, Qu Jianlei made an arc and headed toward Blue Elf.

He wanted to see if his inspection-free pass actually had any effect.

He spent four days flying out of the asteroid belt, and after another half a day, two patrol ships approached from afar.

"My goodness," seeing the familiar paint job, Qu Jianlei’s eyes turned a bit red, don’t you dare push yourselves into dying!

Who would have thought, the other side actually signaled with lights, asking him to slow down for inspection.

Qu Jianlei directly projected the inspection-free pass image in front of the merchant ship—you guys blind or what?

The next moment, a voice rang out on the public channel, "8384 ship, this is an emergency, my ship orders yours to stop for inspection!"

Qu Jianlei replied irritably, "Do you know what’s called inspection-free? If you don’t want to die then scram!"