Hertman is Hoyel's Guard Captain, the second-in-command on Star No. 4, and it was he who helped Qu Jianlei obtain his government status.

Their initial interactions weren't very friendly, but they became quite effective in working together later on.

The Guard Captain isn't exactly a great person, nor is he a major villain; he's just an ordinary man with some flaws.

Qu Jianlei acquired the Baofeng skill from him, and the Vortex was achieved thanks to him as well.

Their friendship wasn't deep, and Hertman often had his own little schemes, which were understandable but not pleasant.

Such a person's death shouldn't interest Qu Jianlei in revenge, even if he died unjustly.

Once you enter the government arena, you can prey on others, and they can prey on you—it's all about accepting the consequences of the gamble.

However, the Guard Captain was implicated by Hoyel and thus murdered, which Qu Jianlei couldn't ignore.

The murderer is currently also hunting Panda, and they haven't given up even now.

"What kind of grudge is this," Qu Jianlei muttered helplessly, "Was it done by Hokkstan?"

The newly arrived Supreme from the Divine Text Research Association is currently on Star No. 4.

"Died on Star One," Xiaohu replied, "Hoyel is the administrative head of Star No. 4, interrogated in another location."

Was it Cohen? Qu Jianlei's eyebrows furrowed; wasn't that guy said to be engrossed in research?

The next moment, Xiaohu exclaimed again, "His wife Gradi is also dead, the room where she was held caught fire!"

The woman with a brother who played tricks? Qu Jianlei's mouth twitched.

His impression of Gradi was better than that of Hertman; even though she was a bit snobbish, she was genuinely sincere.

Then he sighed softly, "What about their children?"

"No news," Xiaohu replied, "I'll keep looking, but I estimate there's little chance they survived."

"Ha, they really intend to kill them all," Qu Jianlei lit a cigarette.

The Divine Text Research Association's actions weren't surprising.

After all, in the case concerning Hoyel's grandmother's uncle, two escapees caused significant damage to the association.

But I am innocent! Qu Jianlei felt he had nowhere to reason.

He sighed, "Since we're here, let's take down Cohen first; if there's still no response, they'll become even more brazen!"

After some searching, Xiaohu reported, "Cohen currently lives next to the Attribute Research Institute."

The Attribute Research Institute is part of the military system, located not far from the military headquarters, only three or four kilometers away.

This short distance makes support very convenient, which is why he doesn't live with other Supremes.

The slaughter of Tomorrow Company people hasn't been caught yet, but nearly two months have passed without a malicious incident.

The Supreme on Star One seems to believe the perpetrator has eluded capture, so the recent searches haven't been intense.

Cohen often goes out alone, usually choosing to travel during the day, though occasionally at night.

"Also, check Arindel's whereabouts, ugh, it was said to wait until advancement to Supreme for safer revenge."

"Then let's wait until the advancement to Supreme," Xiaohu, being somewhat cautious, occasionally takes risks.

"The resentment is hard to settle," Qu Jianlei sighed, "Not eliminating their arrogance means even in the Outer Star Realm it's not entirely safe."

"That's true," Xiaohu agreed, "Let's cause some chaos here, making the advancement to Supreme safer."

Arindel's whereabouts aren't hard to trace; he's moved the main liaison point of the Cyan Blade Commerce Association near Jiuchuan Academy.

Presumably affected by Qu Jianlei's previous assassination attempt, he suddenly realized the academy was an overlooked protective force.

By relocating the liaison point here, outsiders must consider the academy's reaction before attacking.

Even though the liaison location isn't on campus, it still holds considerable deterrence.

In the vicinity of a higher academy, order must be maintained, or it will affect the students' studies.

"Quite resourceful," Qu Jianlei sneered at the efforts.

If he hadn't visited the Celestial Hook Star Realm, he might've been cautious and worried about the academy's sentiments.

But Yuanyuan's words completely enlightened him: "So what if you offend the academy? If you don't fight, others won't appreciate it."

Ultimately, a higher academy is a place for learning; it certainly has vast networks but is not a violent organization.

What surprised Qu Jianlei especially was that both Cohen and Arindel would occasionally turn on their wristwatches.

"They're really acting as if I don't exist."

While considering this, Xiaohu sent the latest news, "Cohen has set the schedule to visit Baiyun Manor at the Fire Seed Mountain Foot tonight."

Fire Seed Mountain is the most famous mountain on the Star of Hope, claimed as the top mountain in the Hope Star Realm, but not because of its height.

In the past, various Pioneer Teams came to develop this star realm, failing numerous times before settling on the Star of Hope.

Fire Seed Mountain is where Pioneer Team Members swore oaths to embark, not tall nor large, but rich in cultural significance.

Later, the mountain was prohibited from random development, and those living there were exceptional individuals of wealth and status.

Baiyun Manor belongs to the William Clan, though generally unoccupied, mostly used for hosting guests, and maintained well.

Kenter is the current head of the William Clan, an A-level with Water Attribute, and today has invited Cohen Supreme for a visit.

The William Clan is one of the oldest families on the Star of Hope, having produced more than one Supreme in the past.

Currently, the family isn't particularly declining, but it lacks a Supreme, and has only two A-level members.

However, the William Clan is populous, spread across various industries, and its influence cannot be underestimated.

They supposedly cannot afford a Supreme, but... where there's a will, there's a way.

At that evening's banquet, besides Cohen Supreme and Kenter A-level, there were four other A-level members from different factions.

As everyone ate and chatted, they started discussing divine texts briefly before quickly moving on to Star Realm development.

The Hope Star Realm is indeed an emerging realm, but Star One has been under development for nearly a millennium and has little room for maneuver.

However, Star No. 3 and Star No. 4... can definitely be discussed; everyone can strategize on what business can be conducted there.

These newly developed planets have already seen military presence, but the Divine Text Research Association's influence is minimal.

The key point of the business discussions was about collaborating not with the research association, but with Cohen Supreme.

The collaboration method is simple: everyone cedes some benefits and entrusts Cohen's designated personnel to manage them.

With the cloak of the Divine Text Research Association, business becomes much easier.

Cohen Supreme retorted modestly, "I'm into academics; I don't really understand or care about business."

Kenter smiled and expressed, "We greatly admire Lord Cohen's academic achievements and would not dare to bother you."

He then sighed, "But the newly developed Star Realm is too chaotic, causing significant losses to the Imperial government."

"Indeed it's like this," a Gold Attribute Supreme sighed, "and there's too much slaughter, which affects public confidence."

The jeweler spoke, having coveted the Rouge Jade resources on Star No. 4 for a long time, feeling his share was too small.

Cohen Supreme nodded at these words, "Exploring new realms, safety is a critical issue; it can't be more chaotic than pioneering."

"Zarif Star's pioneering even encountered Star Thieves," the jeweler chuckled, "openly defying the Imperial authority."

"They are stealing the Imperial's wealth," Kenter proclaimed righteously, "the Hope Star Realm is unworthy of the Imperial subsidies!"

Cohen calmly stated, "This kind of issue primarily relies on the military, our research association shouldn't interfere excessively."

The jeweler earnestly remarked, "With your attention, it can facilitate better communication with the military, great power comes with great responsibility, my lord."

At that moment, someone knocked gently on the door, and a B-level guard stepped forward to open it.

Seeing it was a Manor guard, he frowned slightly, speaking softly, "What's the matter?"

The visitor replied quietly, "Someone outside claims to be a familiar of Cohen Supreme, so..."

The name of a Supreme must not be lightly invoked, Cohen immediately felt it, his brow slightly furrowed, "Let them in!"

The B-level guard moved aside, the visitor raised a hand, and a half-meter-long object appeared.

"Hmm?" Cohen Supreme instinctively sensed something amiss.

However, it was too late, as a blinding white light flashed, striking him directly.

"It's... Electromagnetic Technique!" Kenter's face changed instantly, shouting, "Seize this person!"

The visitor's body flickered, already inside the room, and then another electric light flashed, quick as lightning.

Then a sharp shout sounded, "Debts have debtors, grievances have heads... Whoever wants to die, come at me!"

"It's the Panda group!" the jeweler quickly reacted, hiding in the corner, "Everyone, attack!"

Kenter dared not confront directly, being a fragile Water Attribute. He raised his hand and performed the Finger Technique, "Fog~"

However, an A-level Fire Attribute member was bold enough, "Blazing!"

Blazing is an upgraded version of Fireball Technique, not only with high temperature and power but also with a slight blinding effect.

Though for a High Tier Awakened, it certainly wouldn't cause blindness, at most it would only dazzle a bit.

Therefore, in usual circumstances, an A-level Fire Attribute rarely uses Blazing, as it's better to evolve the Fireball Technique in different ways.

Yet, this person choosing this technique at this moment cannot be said to be wrong.

The dining room was enclosed, though over two hundred square meters, yet somewhat restrictive.

Inside a sealed room, the dazzling effect would be enhanced, buying some reaction time for the Supreme.

However, Kenter was furious, swearing, "Damn it..."

His Fog Technique hadn't fully come into effect before the Blazing Technique was cast, which would dispel the Fog effect!

Such blunders rarely occur in A-level cooperation, but isn't it due to the urgency of the situation?

No one could have anticipated that someone would dare brazenly storm in for an attack.

Consider, there's one Supreme, five A-levels, and seven or eight B-level guards here!

Even the Panda group usually creeps into position before launching a surprise attack.

It's widely recognized that facing head-on, that Electromagnetic A-level couldn't possibly defeat the Supreme!

Who would have thought this person would be so reckless to this extent?

(End of update, requesting monthly votes, subscriptions, and recommendation votes.)