After Qu Jianlei crossed over, he adhered to one principle: rescuing people shouldn't be for free, there must be compensation.

On Blue Star, he didn't have this problem, but in the Imperial, there's no such concept as helping others for joy.

Their general belief is: other people's life or death has nothing to do with me.

Of course, there is never a shortage of benevolent people, especially when one's own conditions are quite favorable.

Qu Jianlei felt he was not in a position to be benevolent, being different would attract attention, which didn't align with his low-key style.

The middle-aged man was about to answer, but the woman spoke first, "Five million, take us to a place where we can return as you pass by."

Qu Jianlei thought this offer was reasonable, earning five million just by going along the way.

If he dropped them off at Lanyun Market, this group wouldn't need five million to get back, not even the previously asked ten million.

But that's not how the account is calculated, they also delayed time and needed to turn around in the middle.

In space, whoever isn't in a hurry? Meeting those annoying people before was purely an accident.

So he shook his head, "Five million is too much, one hundred thousand per person, seven hundred thousand in total, but it has to be Silver Notes or Gold."

In fact, silver coins would work too, but seeing this group riding such a small lifeboat, how could they possibly have so many silver coins?

No one was surprised by this cash requirement, the Ice Attribute woman responded without hesitation, "No problem."

However, a young man spoke up and asked, "Why does it cost one million to be sent to the star body, but only seven hundred thousand to go along the way?"

Qu Jianlei looked at him helplessly, "One is going out of the way, the other is on the way, what do you think?"

The young man was a newly C-level Awakened, seemingly inexperienced, "Then why don't you want Energy Blocks?"

Qu Jianlei retorted upon hearing, "I would like to, do you have any?"

The young man was about to speak again, the middle-aged man snorted coldly, "Enough, stop fooling around."

The young man was a bit unconvinced, "But clearly we have Energy Blocks, it wouldn't take long to get them."

Qu Jianlei blinked curiously and asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"No other meaning," the middle-aged man shook his head, "a few days ago, we got into a fight with a passing starship..."

The two Armed Merchant Ships engaged in a fierce exchange, and the other party fled wounded.

They wanted to leave, but unexpectedly the power system exploded violently, damaging it.

They could have stayed on the merchant ship and called for help, but the other party threatened before leaving, saying this wasn't over.

So they left some crew on the merchant ship, and the main figures escaped on the lifeboat.

The young man's point was that there are millions of Energy Blocks on the merchant ship, it wouldn't take long to go back and get them.

Of course, it would be even better if this Armed Merchant Ship could tow their wounded merchant ship away.

His thinking was not wrong, however, there is a serious impropriety in this suggestion.

Firstly, the other party needs to change the course, which involves a significant amount of energy.

Most importantly, his suggestion could likely drag this merchant ship into the dispute.

It could even be said that this suggestion had an obvious intention of "dragging others into trouble."

People came to rescue out of goodwill, and the rescued ones repay kindness with enmity — such behavior is incredibly unethical.

The middle-aged man was well aware that those daring to venture into interstellar voyages were rarely fools, caution is an essential quality for crew members.

If the other side doubted their intentions, once trouble starts, the lives of their group could be at risk.

That's why he stepped in to stop — in the end, still young, speaking without thinking.

Qu Jianlei rubbed his brow, the other side's explanation made sense and was sincere.

However, he became curious, "Traveling through interstellar space, how did things escalate to a fight?"

He had already decided, if the other party was evasive, or if both sides clearly had enmity, he absolutely wouldn't get involved.

But if these weren't the reasons, given the other side's frankness, he might consider extending a hand.

After all, it's ultimately about money, these tight times, who knows when they'll end.

However, after listening to their explanation, his facial expression became unusually strange.

Turns out the other side, like him, also encountered "annoying people," their experience was eerily similar to his own.

This group also had a bad temper, similarly warning with gunfire, and ended in a fierce battle out of rage.

Could it be the same guy? Qu Jianlei felt that among interstellar voyaging crew, such peculiar characters couldn't be that many.

To put it obliquely, the majority of crew spending long periods in space aren't good people, honest folks can't handle this kind of job.

Because interstellar voyaging is very tedious, when crew encounter easy targets, bullying them a bit is quite normal.

But their main purpose is merely finding a bit of fun, to pass the boring time.

Engaging in actions that easily lead to two starships clashing was not simply up to the crew's desires, the captain would have to agree too.

This is a starship, the salary of normal people for ten lifetimes could not buy it.

He mused for a moment before speaking, "I'll help you tow that starship to a place suitable for repairs, how much will you pay?"

The few people on the other side were clearly taken aback, and the A-level woman hesitated as she spoke, "Ten million?"

This offer was obviously a bit low, so she added, "The key is that there isn't much cash and Energy Blocks."

The main point is that there's something else important; the other party is clearly on the way, "How about dragging it until we get back to the Celestial Handle?"

Whether it's repaired or not doesn't matter; getting the people to a safe place first, other things can follow later.

Qu Jianlei nodded without hesitation, "Okay, but if a battle occurs, there will be an extra charge."

"Your Honor is straightforward," the middle-aged man gave a thumbs-up, "but might I boldly ask, can this merchant ship fight?"

It's understandable why he asked. Seeing an Attack Ship at the start, he thought this was a very powerful force.

Arriving at the merchant ship, it was truly unbearable to look at, really too shabby.

Even if there was another Attack Ship in the cargo hold, if the main battle Starship's power couldn't keep up, it was still useless.

Qu Jianlei glanced at him indifferently, "I don't mind being used as a tool by you; do you think I'm stupid?"

"Well, I spoke out of turn," the middle-aged man relaxed upon hearing the other's words.

Could the shabby state be just a disguise? The Water in this Asteroid Belt really isn't just generally deep.

However, finally he had to confirm, "Please, Your Honor, speak with the captain. Can you bring me to have a meeting?"

The captain's right in front of you! Qu Jianlei shook his head humorlessly; I'm the only captain and crew member on this merchant ship!

"Sorry, not possible... You people have to eat and live in the cargo hold, no entering the main cabin; is that a problem?"

An older woman was taken aback by his words, "Eating and living can be managed, but for bathing..."

Bathing was just an excuse; the real issue was the lack of a bathroom in the cargo hold.

"You'll have to make do," Qu Jianlei answered expressionlessly, "If you can't endure it, you can leave."

The crowd turned to the A-level woman upon hearing this—this person's feelings were the most important.

The woman nodded decisively, "That's fine, a bit of hardship is nothing."

As an A-level, going without food or sleep for days wasn't a problem.

Usually, she was very particular about quality of life, but at a time like this, what was there to fuss over?

Once they pointed out the combat area, Qu Jianlei's expression became slightly odd.

The Big Head Butterfly had already stirred in his mind, "Isn't this the battle we ran into during our trip?"

I told you, Qu Jianlei thought speechlessly, even in the chaotic Asteroid Belt, there aren't that many battles.

They rushed to over a million kilometers away to find that Starship with its power completely destroyed.

This Starship wasn't particularly large, but its armor was thick and had many weapon ports—it looked like one best left unprovoked.

Qu Jianlei was momentarily stunned; those daring enough to scheme against this Starship were certainly bold.

There were still crew members guarding it, and some weapons were even functional.

Luckily, the middle-aged man revealed his identity beforehand, so there was no significant reaction from the other side.

8384 extended a mechanical arm to latch the Starship beneath it, turning around and accelerating away.

Immediately afterward, the Starship below sent a request, hoping the crew could board the merchant ship.

With the power system destroyed, the Starship's crew could only endure in the enclosed space, among them were injured needing treatment.

Qu Jianlei maintained the same attitude; they could come in but must remain in the cargo hold.

Fortunately, the Starship had just over twenty people, and even if the cargo hold was small, it accommodated them with no problem.

After seeing them settled, Qu Jianlei nodded and stepped up into the main cabin.

Once the main cabin door closed, discussions broke out below.

Some were recounting their experiences, while others gathered intel.

More gathered around the two Attack Ships, "It's a pity; our Starship doesn't have these things. Otherwise, they wouldn't escape."

A burly C-level Warrior approached the A-level woman; he was one of the Starship's caretakers, with rich combat experience.

His loyalty was unquestionable, as he spoke quietly, "This Starship... feels a bit strange."

The woman shook her head, "No need to say more... they're our rescuers, after all."

The C-level Warrior knew she was worried the cargo hold might be bugged, "I'm just a bit worried about our injured..."

"I have medicine here," Qu Jianlei's voice came through the loudspeaker, "The cost can be settled later."

Frankly, his words carried a clear warning: Rest peacefully, don't jabber unnecessarily.

The C-level Warrior's mouth moved, ultimately sighing silently: I was hoping for a better recovery environment.

The A-level woman pondered a moment before speaking, "Do you have A-level Crystals? Half a million apiece, I'll buy."

She had few A-level Crystals, but more importantly, she wanted to probe if the other side had an A-level Awakened.

The ordinary-looking man earlier, she couldn't quite grasp his aura, possibly excluding the possibility of him being an A-level.

"Half a million each? Sure," Qu Jianlei responded straightforwardly, "Payment must be in Energy Blocks; how many do you want?"