47: Chapter 47 Every family has its own troubles

When Seraphie was escorted by her apprentice to the Upper Hive, Sophia happened to be shopping nearby.

The two groups met at the entrance of the Hive City elevator; after all, Sophia was a Duchess of noble status.

No matter how arrogant the secret agents were, they didn't dare to bare their fangs at a noble in person; even Overachiever Cheng Yu saluted her.

"Hmm, not bad, go about your business."

Sophia didn't recognize Seraphie, because the latter was wearing a hood.

"Yes!"

Sophia went out for a stroll every day, and never brought attendants, just to create the impression of being idle.

For example, today, she specifically bought a lot of the newly released "Tyranids / Tyranid Vinegar-Fried Tripe."

This stuff was quite good, much tastier than jerky, and both Sophia and her lover, Iron Fist Cheng Yu, liked to eat it.

However, she didn't come out today just to buy braised dishes; she had a more important task.

"Yucai" Hive City, at the Mid-Hive spaceport dock.

This was the supply distribution point for the entire Hive City, with ships constantly taking off and landing in an endless stream, while immigrants and local clones bought and sold goods; the crowd was like a tapestry, incredibly lively.

When it comes to a mix of good and bad people, the Underhive is just for fun; the Mid-Hive spaceport dock is where one truly disappears like a fish into the sea, impossible to track.

Thirteen Offices secret agent Cheng Yu, who had been following Sophia, blinked for just a moment, and Sophia had already vanished into the crowd.

"Step right up, don't miss out! Aeldari precision cold weapons produced in the Ducalia Territory, a must-have for gang fights! Hey, beautiful, take a look! Even if you don't fight, buy one to use as a kitchen knife!"

"Haircuts, shaves, manicures, wart removal!"

"Extra, extra! Countess Dukaria is getting married! That old maid is finally getting hitched!"

"Caravan hiring sailors, annual salary of 80,000, those who can accept long-term space life come here!"

"Thief! Catch the thief!"

The noise, shouting, and bargaining all merged into a symphony of the dock, giving one a headache.

Sophia walked familiarly to a tea stall.

The stall owner, Cheng Yu, had a deep scar on his face that ran almost from his left forehead to his right cheek, looking terrifying.

"What would you like to drink, beautiful?" The scarred Cheng Yu lay on a rattan chair, fanning himself with a cattail fan; he looked the most leisurely in the entire vendor area.

"Coffee, freshly ground beans. I don't drink synthetic."

"Fancy."

The scarred Cheng Yu used his fan to lift the curtain behind him. "Entrance fee is fifty credits."

"Why did it go up?"

"Security in the Hive City has been strict lately; please understand."

Sophia didn't dwell on it, paid the entrance fee, and entered the simple tea house built with scaffolding and tarps.

This was the exchange center for information brokers; from the exam questions for the next scientific expedition to the Empire's upcoming military direction, as long as the money was right, there was no information that couldn't be bought.

Of course, information brokers didn't actually like the one-off deal of money for goods.

They preferred... exchanging information with each other.

Just as Sophia sat down, before the hand-ground coffee was served, an information broker Cheng Yu followed the scent over.

After all, her attire was luxurious; one look and you could tell she was a big shot.

"Need to know something?"

The information broker Cheng Yu found Sophia's act of not wearing a mask both laughable and awe-inspiring, not knowing if the other party lacked the awareness or was fearless.

"Two things: one is the current status of the Rogue Trader Kaelus, and the second is the specific itinerary for the visit of the Dark Mechanicum Archmagos."

The information merchant Cheng Yu was silent for a moment. "These... these two pieces of information... are, are expensive. What, what are you... using to exchange?"

"200,000 credits, is that enough?" Sophia hadn't actually bought information many times and wasn't familiar with the market.

"You are joking, joking with me, that's not, not even enough for a fraction of a fraction!"

The information broker Cheng Yu had injured his head during a war in the past, so he stuttered a bit when he spoke.

"But... you can, you can use other information to, to trade, ugh..."

Don't know what was going on, but the information broker Cheng Yu had felt like vomiting since just now, but he thought it was impolite and kept holding it in, but now he finally couldn't hold it anymore.

"Then I need to go back and discuss it with my family."

"Please go ahead, I, I am usually here, ugh..."

...

Just as Sophia opened the door, Iron Fist Cheng Yu hugged her.

He had now completely adapted to his lover's Null characteristics; just as Sophia had said when they first met, you get used to it after vomiting enough.

"Dear, did you buy the information?"

"No, the other party's asking price was too high."

The two hadn't exchanged a few serious words before they started gnawing on each other.

Although they didn't get along well at first, living life is like this... you live on, and it becomes life; you can't really glare at each other for a lifetime.

After a bout of passion, the two lay in bed continuing their previous topic.

"You're crushing my hair, move over. The information broker said it's also possible to not spend money and trade with other information instead."

"Sigh... hard to manage. What information could be equivalent to the Dark Mechanicum matter?" Iron Fist Cheng Yu had a headache.

Iron Fist Cheng Yu only asked his lover to buy information regarding the upcoming visit of the Dark Mechanicum Archmagos to the Cheng Yu Empire.

As for the other piece of information regarding the Rogue Trader Kaelus, Iron Fist Cheng Yu had no idea who Kaelus was.

Yes, that's right, Sophia had now become a double agent.

She couldn't even handle being a single agent, yet she dared to challenge such high-difficulty operations; truly, ignorance is bliss.

"Forget it, I won't buy it. Tomorrow, when I go to court, I'll see if I can hear any rumors."

"Oh, by the way, dear, do you know that the elf count is getting married?"

"Heard about it. Don't know which sucker it is."

"Hehehe..."

"Hehehe..."

The two laughed like fools in bed.

...

Imperial Palace, Hall of Diligent Governance.

The guard Cheng Yus were laying carpets, calibrating chandeliers, and wiping mirrors, striving to make every detail perfect.

The reason was simple: because the day after tomorrow, just the day after tomorrow, the Dark Mechanicum Archmagos Ferrum Kanus would visit the Cheng Yu Empire.

The successive victories of the Cheng Yu Empire on the battlefield finally attracted the attention of some big shots.

The Empire was severely lacking in high-tech talent, whether in weaponry or industry, and many things were currently just being made do with.

The Hive City often collapsed, combat satellites were half-built and abandoned, and even the most basic laser rifles occasionally fired backward, becoming suicide rifles.

Main Body attached great importance to this meeting; he even considered converting to the Omnissiah or the Void Dragon, but was barely dissuaded by Ivankov... there was no need to lower his stance so much, as the Dark Mechanicum only did so-so in the entire galaxy.