Supervisor Ford was genuinely puzzled, "You're still hiding things from us?"

Qu Jianlei silently looked at him, the meaning in his eyes was obvious: What do you think?

Ford rubbed his forehead and replied helplessly, "Alright, but you have to give us a name, don't you?"

Stone Pillar couldn't hold back, "Supervisor Ford, this person, what do they do, they sure have a big mouth."

Ford's headache worsened at these words, but he still had to reply—with the understanding that the other party would soon know, "Same as you."

"A bodyguard?" Stone Pillar was even more astonished, "Letting someone with unknown origins be a bodyguard?"

I didn't know I'd run into such a person either! Ford was also quite speechless.

If I knew a mid-range charging C-level would be so difficult to handle, I definitely wouldn't have provoked the other party.

But it's too late to say anything now, he could only sigh and answer, "The young master's decision."

Stone Pillar blinked, "This time, the young master... is a bit willful."

Ford rolled his eyes at him, "The young master's actions are not something you can comment on."

Stone Pillar let out a soft huff, "How is his remuneration calculated?"

Ford shook his head, "Stone Pillar, your question is out of line... Who receives what pay is our own decision."

Stone Pillar narrowed his eyes and spoke sinisterly, "Supervisor, from what you said, his pay isn't low?"

"That's enough," Ford replied with a dark face, "We hired you to be a bodyguard, not to make a financial budget!"

"Hmph," Stone Pillar huffed coldly again, daring not to speak further, but gave Qu Jianlei a hard glare.

Qu Jianlei originally didn't want to bother with him, but thinking that he needed help with temporary residence permits, he couldn't always back down, right?

So he asked expressionlessly, "Sounds like you're a bit dissatisfied?"

"More than a bit," Stone Pillar squinted at him, "I'm very dissatisfied."

The aura around Qu Jianlei fluctuated slightly, instantly rising to B-level, but quickly subsided.

He asked calmly, "Supervisor Ford, is it permissible to kill people here?"

Ford perceived the change in his aura, and was immediately stunned, "You are... B-level?"

Stone Pillar also put away his arrogance, looking surprised; this guy actually hid his cultivation level?

He wasn't really afraid of the opponent, even if the gold attribute attack was the strongest at the same level, but who was stronger could only be known when they fought.

However, just having shown skill in the Concealing Breath Technique was enough to judge that the other party was absolutely not good.

"I might even be A-level," Qu Jianlei replied expressionlessly, "I just want to ask, are there consequences for killing here?"

"Why kill?" Ford gestured, looking at Stone Pillar, "We're here to discuss contracts, why don't you step aside for a bit?"

"Alright then," Stone Pillar got up and left.

The response had already told him: Since the cultivation level was hidden, the other party could be B-level, but could indeed be A-level.

He didn't need to argue any more; a gold attribute B-level's worth was also not his concern.

Qu Jianlei's paperwork was completed quite smoothly, he made up a name at random, the nickname was Bursting Arrow.

The daily wage was ten thousand before taxes; whether or not to pay taxes was his own business.

Celestial Hook Star Realm had strict tax checks, but the life-threatening money earned as a short-term bodyguard was only taken in cash, making taxes almost impossible to pay.

The term was mutually chosen, with a minimum of three days, and if extended, Qu Jianlei should ensure persistence up to fifteen days.

But these matters could all be negotiated; if Qu Jianlei indeed had urgent matters, he should also give three days' notice in advance.

Actually, this agreement could only be considered a gentleman's agreement; the other party couldn't even figure out his real identity. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

However, since both parties agreed to such terms, nothing else mattered, as it was all about execution.

Additionally, during the bodyguard assignment, food, lodging, weapons, ammunition, and medical expenses would all be covered by the employer.

Qu Jianlei not only didn't need to use his own firearm, even the Overclocked Vibration Blade was provided by the other party.

After the contract was signed, Lina drove Qu Jianlei away.

This female Modified Warrior was not very talkative but still relayed instructions.

It turned out Qu Jianlei needed to protect a tainted witness.

The Luo Clan, which was very influential on Celestial Sharp Star, hired him.

Of course, with great influence comes competition; they were facing a major lawsuit recently.

Fortunately, they had a key witness, and now Qu Jianlei's task was to protect the witness well.

Lina spoke little and was very careful with secrecy, only outlining the situation and glossing over the details.

She didn't even mention who was right or wrong in the lawsuit—anyway, just remember to protect the witness.

However, she did disclose some details.

For instance, the courtyard they just worked in seemed like a place to protect the witness, but the witness was actually elsewhere.

There was just an A-level person pretending in the courtyard to attract the other party to come rescue or silence.

The real witness was on the outskirts of the city, also protected by Stone Pillar, and they were heading in this direction.

Qu Jianlei pondered for a moment, then snorted coldly, "Do you think this counts as a bodyguard's job?"

"It should count," Lina replied solemnly, "Whether protecting a dignitary or a witness, it's still protection work."

"Hmph," Qu Jianlei sneered disdainfully, "If this witness were really worth protecting, would they hire someone like me, whose background is unclear?"

So you do realize your own background is unclear? Lina snorted indifferently.

Still, she explained, "The other party is also familiar, the current guardians of the Luo Family might have been infiltrated by them..."

"In comparison, hiring outsiders might have unknown backgrounds, but the probability of them being bought off is lower, so it's still worthwhile."

After thinking for a moment, Qu Jianlei asked again, "So there's someone in the Luo Family colluding with outsiders, right?"

Lina's face changed, and even the steering wheel trembled a bit, "How do you know that?"

Hasn't everyone seen a palace drama? Qu Jianlei snorted indifferently, "A big tree is bound to have withered branches, that's normal."

Imperial society's family values are indeed strong, but is the family invincible?

Lina shook her head helplessly, "I can't give you an answer to that question because it's not convenient for me to say."

No need for you to say, Qu Jianlei smiled unconcernedly, then suddenly spoke, "Whether the witness lives or dies isn't important."

Lina glanced at him through the rearview mirror, "Why do you say that?"

"If his life or death wasn't important, would the young master bother hiring a master like you at a daily rate of ten thousand?"

The term "master," who knows if there's a hint of mockery in it, but this daily rate is definitely considered high.

However, Qu Jianlei was unfazed, and straightforwardly said, "Don't talk to me about this!"

"Instead of using family members, they hire a bunch of outsiders as bodyguards."

"Let me just ask, is protecting the witness more important, or is killing the infiltrators more important... which takes priority?"

Lina hesitated for a moment, then slowly answered, "Of course, it's killing the infiltrators."

"It still is," Qu Jianlei snorted lightly, "So we're just considered thugs."

He always felt that this bodyguard mission was very strange, but now he understands that the ultimate goal is to damage the other side.

In a battle between two factions, while killing key figures is effective, destroying the living force is even more crucial.

Of course, the opponent might also hire some experts from outside, but doesn't that cost money too?

So, to say that war is an extension of politics and economics is not wrong at all.

To grind down the other side's foundation bit by bit, break through, and exhaust them... isn't that naturally how you win?

"It's still a bodyguard, protecting the witness is the top priority," Lina glanced at him again through the rearview mirror, "You're so smart."

"Got it," Qu Jianlei nodded, the witness is just bait.

Killing the enemy is important, but protecting the bait is also important, if you can't protect the bait, who would come to die?

The place to protect the hostage is more than forty kilometers from the city, the car took more than an hour to get there.

It was an abandoned industrial area, which is not uncommon on a mature habitable star—just industry transfer after all.

The industrial area was about one hundred thousand square meters, with ruins everywhere, leaving only a few thousand square meters of office area relatively intact.

However, if someone were to observe carefully, they would discover that the abandoned factory was filled with surveillance and alarm systems.

Qu Jianlei could sense that there were many hidden heavy firepower weapons in the ruins, and once the fight began, they could just tear off the disguise.

This was a trap filled with the smell of death.

Qu Jianlei kind of understood why Ford would casually hire people outside.

Ford genuinely hoped this information would get out, such a perfect pit and no one steps in, it would be so frustrating.

As for the small courtyard in the afternoon being a smokescreen, this is the actual place hiding the witness... a scheme within a scheme.

Just like when Ford came to discuss business, who would have thought, even the broker's inquiry earlier was part of the routine?

Why did the Luo Family choose this place as the real battlefield? The reason is simple—only in the suburbs can you easily use heavy firepower.

The small courtyard in the afternoon was also heavily guarded, even with an A-level there, but in the end, it was in the city, not convenient for heavy firepower usage.

So even though there's an A-level there, it's just a facade, the real ace is in the suburbs!

Before entering the industrial area, Lina took out a transceiver and called in, saying she was there to drop someone off.

The off-road vehicle smoothly arrived at the office area, and Lina led Qu Jianlei inside the building.

Two B-level Warriors were already waiting, one a Stone Pillar, the other with a Wood Attribute.

"Rein," Lina greeted the one with the Wood Attribute, "This is Bursting Arrow, strong in power, arrange accordingly."

Rein nodded, seemingly not very articulate.

After Lina left, Rein took him to get a set of combat gear, weapons and ammunition, along with a backpack full of Nutrient Injection and Water.

Then he asked, "Specialized in what with firearms?"

"Sniper," Qu Jianlei answered without hesitation.

Actually, he's also good at precision firepower suppression, but that would cost mobility and attract hostility.

Rein gave him a cold look, "Cunning!"