142: Chapter 142 Return

Nowadays, Xia Xingchen could trade dozens of blows with the Forbidden Guard without being slain, and in the last few encounters, he had even managed to injure the Forbidden Guard in return. Unfortunately, Xia Xingchen still had no way to truly kill this Forbidden Guard.

After Xia Xingchen died and was reborn once again, this time the Forbidden Guard did not immediately launch an attack, but instead spoke to Xia Xingchen:

"There are some matters outside that require your attention. Also, the Master has given instructions; I hope that the next time you come in, you can bring those two maids by your side as well."

Although Xia Xingchen did not understand what this meant, he agreed nonetheless.

When Xia Xingchen emerged from that space, he saw his sleep pod sounding its alarm continuously.

Xia Xingchen immediately pushed open the door and saw Ma Pingliang waiting outside.

Ma Pingliang said respectfully to Xia Xingchen:

"I am very sorry to disturb your slumber, but there is a major matter that I must report to you. Lord Katrus has arrived and hopes to meet with you."

Xia Xingchen was stunned upon hearing this; he had not seen Katrus for several years and had almost thought that Katrus might have died.

Xia Xingchen immediately changed into his imperial noble formal attire and then went to the reception hall to meet Katrus.

Upon seeing Katrus for the first time, Xia Xingchen said:

"You have lost weight, Katrus."

Katrus was taken aback by these words, his steps faltering as he walked forward. This was the first time someone had shown concern for him, telling him he had lost weight. He quickly regained his composure and said with a smile:

"Oh, my lord, there are many matters to attend to, and it is inevitable to be overworked, so naturally I have lost some weight."

Xia Xingchen was just about to invite Katrus to sit down, but Katrus did not move; he said to Xia Xingchen with a look of shame:

"Respected Archon, I fear that I will no longer be qualified to trade with you in the future."

Xia Xingchen was stunned upon hearing this. He thought to himself, 'I didn't say anything; did I do something wrong just now that caused Katrus to misunderstand?'

"Katrus, just tell me what is on your mind." Xia Xingchen added immediately, "We have traded so many times; can we not even be considered friends?"

Katrus nodded upon hearing this, and a long-lost warmth surged into his chest. He immediately began to recount what had happened this time.

This time, in order to trade with Xia Xingchen, Katrus could be said to have prepared very thoroughly, including not only supplies and slaves but even warships.

For this, he had not hesitated to stake his family's reputation and had even mortgaged his own starport, hoping to quickly recoup funds through this major deal.

However, what he had not expected was that when he entered the Ju Lava system on the edge of the Daxia Star System, the governor of the Ju Lava system had directly seized all of Katrus's cargo.

When Xia Xingchen heard this, his mind was full of questions. Did that mean a star system governor had seized the goods of a Rogue Trader?

This sounded like pure fantasy.

Katrus saw Xia Xingchen fall silent and did not say anything more.

He understood the principle of 'people leave, tea gets cold' all too well, especially since he no longer had the ability to provide benefits to Xia Xingchen.

He was just preparing to take his leave, return to his small spaceship, do some minor business, and find some prosperous planet under imperial rule to retire.

Just as Katrus was preparing to withdraw, Xia Xingchen's next sentence froze him in place.

"Wait a moment, I can mobilize troops to help you take everything back."

Katrus was completely stunned.

He had never imagined that Xia Xingchen would say such things.

"Are... are you serious?"

Xia Xingchen found it strange; how could these words be false?

Katrus pondered for a moment but shook his head and refused.

Now it was Xia Xingchen's turn to be confused.

What is going on, buddy? I'm offering to send troops to help you take everything back for free, and you tell me you don't want to?

Katrus saw Xia Xingchen's confusion and immediately explained the reason.

After all, they were both people in noble circles, and if Katrus wanted to trade with Xia Xingchen in the future, he would inevitably have to go through the Ju Lava system route.

Therefore, he hoped to be able to get his things back through negotiation.

"Is the opposing force very powerful?" Xia Xingchen guessed instantly that Katrus must be wary of the other party's family influence. Anything that could make a Rogue Trader back away three times was likely not simple.

"It is a Navigator family." Katrus named the family that had seized his cargo.

Xia Xingchen was also a bit puzzled; why would a Navigator family rob a Rogue Trader they had never met?

Katrus immediately explained the reason:

"There are two Navigator families in this system, each controlling a planet, and they are hostile towards each other. I was just unlucky; I had just finished resupplying on one of the families' planets and was preparing to depart when I was intercepted by the other hostile Navigator family."

After hearing this, Xia Xingchen could only say that Katrus was truly unlucky.

The two discussed it for a while and finally decided to solve it through peaceful diplomacy first.

Xia Xingchen immediately ordered the dream star to set sail. Without any unnecessary delays, they arrived at the Ju Lava system three days later.

Katrus quickly pointed out the location to Xia Xingchen: the third planet from the inside out, orbiting that red star.

Xia Xingchen did not waste words. When the dream star approached the Ju Lava 3 planet, the entire planet's Planetary Defense Force immediately reacted.

Xia Xingchen looked at those purely ceremonial Planetary Defense systems and calmly let Katrus explain their intentions to the other party.

Katrus took the communicator, and his voice quickly sounded on the channel:

"Respected Lava family, I am Katrus of the Ramon family, and I would like to have a talk with you."

The communication channel on the other side was silent for a while, then returned two words: Agreed.

This time, Xia Xingchen also brought Edward along.

Edward, acting as Xia Xingchen's diplomat, took a shuttle with Katrus and landed on the Ju Lava 3 planet.

Xia Xingchen sat on the dream star, waiting for the final result of the negotiation. If they could reach an agreement, that would naturally be best; it would be easy and save everyone trouble.

Two hours later, the communication channel sounded again.

After connecting, the voices of Katrus and Edward came through. The negotiation had gone exceptionally smoothly, and all misunderstandings had been cleared up.

"Then when are you returning?" Since the misunderstandings were cleared up, Xia Xingchen did not want to stay any longer; once things were packed up, it would be time to return to the Daxia Star System.

But Katrus and the others quickly sent another message.

"Archon, they have conditions." Edward stated the Lava family's request.

"What the hell?" Xia Xingchen was somewhat surprised.

Edward ignored the Archon's complaint and continued to convey the Lava family's request:

"They hope you can help them eliminate the traitors, which is the rebels entrenched on the Ju Lava 4 planet."

Xia Xingchen was puzzled; what kind of situation was this?