Qu Jianlei had more than one intention other than framing someone else.

He wasn't sure how the second-in-command was ranked, but hiding in the treasury under those circumstances meant he had to be a core member of the Star Thieves. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

It's amusing to think that such a stubborn character would betray the Star Thieves. It might cause chaos for a long time.

The A-level Gold Attribute's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, "Will my subordinates... also be purged?"

This faction of Star Thieves has only four A-level members in total, and it's normal for him to have a group of subordinates being one of them.

"Isn't it good to have internal conflicts among yourselves?" Qu Jianlei sighed lightly and spoke earnestly.

"Killing your own can also bring wealth. Why bother to painstakingly kill outsiders?"

The A-level Star Thief shuddered involuntarily upon hearing this.

He considered himself a ruthless person, but the other could utter these words without changing expression, making his back feel a bit cold.

However, he couldn't admit defeat, so he sneered, "It doesn't matter anymore. I'm going to die, so I can't care about them."

Qu Jianlei looked at him lightly, waited for a while before speaking, "Besides your subordinates, there's your family."

"My family? Heh," the A-level Star Thief smiled indifferently, "I have no family, just a lone man."

"I know, Tie Ling," Qu Jianlei nodded, "your family is not among the Star Thieves, but do you really have no family?"

Tie Ling's expression changed again upon hearing this, "What do you mean?"

"What else could I mean?" Qu Jianlei looked at him indifferently, "With some genetic comparison, I can naturally find your family."

Imperial people indeed live rather self-indulgently, but to say they don't care about family isn't correct either.

In fact, the Imperial family concept is quite strong, just that no one is used to coping with various threats and kidnappings.

To them, situations like Blue Star's where one binds their own hands and feet for family can't even be called altruistic, it's just plain foolish.

But sacrificing oneself for the family, many can accept as long as it's worth it—life here truly isn't valued highly.

Qu Jianlei thought, this one was already a core figure among the Star Thieves, not bringing over his family seemed abnormal.

A case where all family members are dead is rare—given his status, if his family perished he could still rebuild one.

So he gambled that the other cared about his family.

Sure enough, his face changed instantly, "Becoming a Star Thief was my own degeneration, not because of secret research into divine texts."

Secret research into divine texts warrants clan extermination, logically because it affects Imperial planning and might benefit descendants.

However, if a Star Thief wanted to benefit descendants, at most they could only leave some money—how does that compare to knowledge?

Tie Ling was utterly furious at this point. The opponent's moves were utterly mysterious; even his own organization probably had no idea what they had encountered.

Not knowing the opponent, of course, makes seeking revenge difficult, if even Star Thieves find it hard, what about my family?

You killing me isn't strange, but my family couldn't possibly find you for revenge, yet you still want to kill them?

Shouldn't people have some principles?

Qu Jianlei merely scoffed contemptuously, "You became a Star Thief, and you plan to talk rules with me?"

The A-level Star Thief's face changed again. Since becoming a Star Thief, he'd already considered himself a dead man.

He's not afraid of encountering ruthless people; he's met many in his life, escaping death countless times.

But this one was going too far, unhesitatingly killing the innocent!

He stayed silent for a moment, then sighed lightly, "So what do you want?"

"What could you possibly have that I might want?" Qu Jianlei seemed indifferent as he looked at him, "Just share any random information."

The opponent's main task was to take the blame; he wasn't very concerned about intelligence or the like.

But one can't deny that an A-level Star Thief must have some information unknown to others.

Tie Ling noticed the other's indifferent attitude and asked directly, "If I tell you everything I know, can you give me a painless end?"

He didn't plead for his family because getting promises at this point might not be reliable.

There was an implicit logic in his words—if you don't even care to torture me, there's a high chance you'll spare my family.

Qu Jianlei certainly wouldn't agree easily, just lifted his chin, "You talk first."

However, Tie Ling actually breathed a bit more easily; a person reluctant to promise likely wouldn't easily break one... right?

Then he went ahead and revealed everything about this Star Thief base.

This faction of Star Thieves had grown out of local Celestial Hook forces.

In such relatively prosperous Star Realms, not just forces, even hierarchies were relatively stable.

Outside Star Thieves trying to forcefully establish themselves here faced more than ordinary difficulty.

Due to the Asteroid Belt's abundant profits, the Star Thieves here used to be quite active.

Their main business back then was collecting protection fees, occasionally robbing some minor forces.

Even some mining forces would moonlight as Star Thieves to rob, which needs no further explanation.

But as benefits grew larger, more powerful forces entered, and acts of robbery became rarer.

Later, there were two strong Military purges, and most Star Thieves disappeared.

Afterwards, Star Thieves from other Star Realms joined here, strengthening the faction further once more.

Up until now, this group of Star Thieves mainly focuses on collecting protection fees.

That's right, they collect protection fees from those major forces.

However, after the initial shock, Qu Jianlei quickly accepted this notion.

This kind of thing is not uncommon on Blue Star, where those vibrant social organizations also dare to collect protection fees from big forces.

The major forces aren't weak, but they think it's unnecessary; they also need someone to handle some shady affairs for them.

For social organizations, once they collect protection fees, they must fulfill their obligations; otherwise, the big forces will teach them a lesson in minutes.

Qu Jianlei finally understood why this group of Star Thieves were living so well.

It turns out that being a Star Thief is just a side job; their real identity is a vibrant social organization. The thought itself is a bit darkly humorous.

But these people are scum, so they should be killed. Qu Jianlei pondered for a moment and asked a question.

"You have a Supreme... Does he have an official identity?"

Tie Ling's expression changed, looking at him in horror, "The name of the Supreme should not be spoken lightly, aren't you afraid?"

What should I be afraid of? Qu Jianlei looked at him calmly, "I didn't ask you to say his name."

Tie Ling looked at him with a strange expression, thinking, what if I just called him by name now?

However, at this moment on the Starship, would calling him by name be useful? If it provoked the other party to act against him, then all would be lost.

His expression changed for a long time before he finally sighed, "That adult possibly borrowed an identity."

Qu Jianlei nodded, touching his chin, "So his faction... should also be mining in the Asteroid Belt?"

Tie Ling thought for a moment and nodded slightly, "I guess so, but I can't be sure."

Qu Jianlei asked again, "Who has he instructed you to strike against?"

If possible, he still hoped to uncover the Supreme's identity, as they were already at odds.

Even if there wouldn't be a conflict for a while, he didn't want to be left in the dark.

If someday he was short on cash, this would also be a good way to make money.

But Tie Ling shook his head, "He rarely asks about specific matters, but he has spoken up for others; it was still through someone's request."

Someone's request... Qu Jianlei pondered and asked, "You are very familiar with the forces in the Asteroid Belt?"

Tie Ling quickly replied, "Quite familiar, I'm mainly in charge of finances, so I'm especially familiar with these."

Qu Jianlei looked at him in silence: Is this guy trying to show his value to beg for his life?

However, just then, a soft, sticky voice sounded, "Boss, this information is also in the files."

Tie Ling's face turned deathly pale at hearing this and he began to shout desperately, "Spare me, master!"

At first, he thought he was surely dead, so he didn't consider the possibility of begging for his life.

But as the two talked further, the desire to survive gradually sprouted in him.

Once this idea was born, it couldn't be suppressed anymore, after all, survival has always been tough.

So now, he could no longer suppress his fear.

Qu Jianlei helplessly shook his head, honestly, he was pondering whether to keep this guy around as a temporary tool.

But there's no need to consider that now, it's not that I want to kill you, but Xiao Hu wants you dead.

He spoke without any expression, "Your luck is really extraordinarily bad... Did you realize it's artificial intelligence?"

"No," Tie Ling said with a face full of paleness, he shook his head decisively, "I didn't hear anything."

"Is there any point in saying this?" Qu Jianlei lazily responded, "Did you consider the feelings of others when you robbed and killed them?"

He hadn't seen this Star Thief gang kill anyone, but he witnessed them shooting without a word firsthand.

"You might as well tell me, what is that Supreme's name... Who knows, maybe you can lure someone to save you?"

Tie Ling stared at him in astonishment, unable to distinguish the truth of his words for a while.

After a long time, he asked unbelievingly, "Do you have a Supreme behind you?"

Qu Jianlei's brows furrowed slightly as he asked, displeased, "Do you really not care about your family's lives?"

Tie Ling's expression changed for a long time before he sighed lightly, "Alright, that adult's name is Morse."

Qu Jianlei raised a hand and pointed at the other party's forehead, creating a bloody hole, "I'll make it quick for you."

Killing this way is indeed quick, but in the few seconds before death, Tie Ling still reacted, "You are, you are a Supreme..."

Qu Jianlei shook his head and searched the other's body, unexpectedly finding seven Storage Talismans.

No wonder there were no Storage Talismans found in the treasury, turns out you had them all on you!

"Wow, this time I really hit the jackpot."

The harvest this time was truly substantial; he originally thought, who among the rich would become a Star Thief?

To his surprise, being a Star Thief was only a side job for them, which was really something.

Xiao Hu also urgently spoke, "Quickly tally the harvest and see if it's enough to buy a large machine."

Qu Jianlei helplessly pursed his lips, you really never stop.

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