The Villain Is Too Popular

Fushan's anger and fear were, in fact, not without reason. As one of only two Dark Star Envoys present who had directly encountered Tendo, Fushan was very aware of how terrifying Tendo's strength truly was. At the same time, he also knew how incredibly difficult it would be to hold Tendo back for a mere minute.

Unless he could immediately break through and reach the realm of a Level 2 Star Envoy, he simply didn't have the confidence to last even three rounds against Tendo.

Thinking this, Fushan immediately shook his head wildly, his voice trembling. "No, no, that monster Tendo is definitely not someone this old man can easily approach."

"Bohard, it's not that this old man doesn't want to help you, but that guy isn't even human!"

"Forget holding him back for a minute; we might not even be able to manage thirty seconds."

Facing Fushan's assertion, the Automaton Star Envoy, Iron Coffin Claude, nodded in agreement. Even if Bohard had just claimed they had thoroughly analyzed Tendo's true situation, Claude knew very well that the so-called analysis was merely a deduction of Tendo's possible strength, based on Tendo's limited actions in videos and their partial personal experiences at the time. It simply couldn't fully represent Tendo's true strength.

Therefore, the calm Claude immediately asked a crucial question.

"Bohard, if, as you say, the four of us team up to hold Tendo back, then who are you going to send to capture that girl, Isabelle?"

"You should know that besides Tendo secretly protecting her, there are also three other genius Star Envoys of unknown origin by her side."

"Although the combined strength of those three might not be as terrifying as Tendo alone, they are still not beings that ordinary people can contend with."

"Not to mention, a blatant vulnerability like this 'group stay' arrangement, Dorian absolutely wouldn't have left it unguarded."

"At that time, who are you going to send to deal with the Level 2 Star Envoy, Coral Knight Wolf, who could appear at any moment?"

Faced with this question, Bohard tapped the table with his finger, then calmly provided the answer.

"Don't worry, Claude, Wolf won't appear."

"Also, you don't need to worry about the candidate for capturing Isabelle; I've already arranged everything in advance."

"So, as long as you can hold Tendo back for one minute, there will be no possibility of failure for this plan."

Hearing this answer, Claude was first startled, then showed a look of realization, seemingly understanding something.

"You're going to have those guys make a move?"

"But would those guys be willing? You know their rules are very strict. If it's discovered that they secretly took on a job and actively interfered with local faction affairs, the higher-ups won't easily let them off."

Bohard didn't immediately answer Claude's question. Instead, he stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window behind him. The night in Deep Blue Metropolis was a blaze of lights and neon, its glow shining through the window glass onto Bohard's face, half-hidden in shadow.

A moment later, Bohard softly replied, "Claude, rules in this world are never absolute."

"As long as the profit from breaking the rules is great enough, even the strictest rules will always have someone choose to take the risk and violate them."

"The waters of Deep Blue are very deep, and the waves are very rough, but the rougher the weather, the more fishermen choose to go out to sea."

"Because only in such great winds and waves can they have the chance to catch the most expensive fish."

Hearing these words, not only Claude but also the others had already guessed who Claude was referring to when he mentioned 'those guys' who would replace them in capturing Isabelle.

Without a doubt, it had to be one or more Star Envoys from the Star Envoy Association's Deep Blue Metropolis branch. Because only Association Star Envoys are bound by various rules and regulations, unable to act on their own. And only they had the ability to deal with multiple genius Level 1 Star Envoys.

The reason they hadn't considered this possibility before was that Association Star Envoys weren't as unrestrained as Dark Star Envoys. They genuinely had superiors managing them. The President, hailed as the strongest Star Envoy of the current era, absolutely detested his subordinates getting involved in such dirty power struggles, especially when they were fully aware of the situation.

Therefore, finding Association Star Envoys might not be a wise decision. Because if Dorian were to expose this matter, no matter how much influence the powerful figure behind Bohard had, those Association Star Envoys who rashly intervened would definitely face severe punishment. In this era, the President, with his absolute overwhelming power, was synonymous with authority. If he hadn't believed that ordinary people should be managed by ordinary people, and Star Envoys by Star Envoys, then the President of the New Federation might have already been replaced.

However, even knowing the immense risks involved, having some powerful external assistance was not a bad thing. Thinking this, Fushan couldn't help but say, "Having some Association Star Envoys, along with a few Dark Star Envoys, team up to deal with a few kids who aren't even fully grown—if this gets out, the few of us are probably going to become the laughingstock of the entire Star Envoy world."

"But more than that, what I find even harder to accept is that I actually feel such an arrangement has no problem at all."

"Because if we don't team up, then relying solely on us, we really can't contend with those little monsters."

"Sigh, I really don't know where this guy Tendo came from. Such terrifying talent and strength, I'd never even heard of him before."

"Bohard, after this mission, you must increase the reward you promised me."

"After all, the pressure and danger I'm facing now are far, far greater than what you initially described."

Bohard nodded: "Don't worry, Fushan, as long as the matter is done, I will definitely not let you suffer a loss."

"Alright, your word is enough. But I have to go now. After all, even though our mission this time is just to hold back that monster Tendo."

"But to achieve that, we all must put our lives on the line, prepared to not return."

With that, Fushan pushed open the office door and left with a solemn expression. At the same time, Claude, sitting in his wheelchair with a pale face, coughed a few times before announcing that he needed to go back and further study the videos of Tendo, and strive to refine his newly made automaton robot. Because, as Fushan said.

Even if this mission required the combined efforts of all four of them. Even if this mission only required them to hold Tendo back for one minute. Such an absurd task in others' eyes still carried immensely huge risks in reality. Not only was Fushan lacking confidence, Claude also didn't have much confidence; he could only try his best.

As Claude and Fushan left one after another, Lina, the only remaining Dark Star Envoy in the room, casually plucked the human bone harp in her hands, making it emit a hauntingly beautiful tremor.

"They're gone, Bohard. I hope we can meet again in a few days."

"And by then, I hope you'll let me play you a good lullaby."

"Mm, go, Lina."

Looking at Lina's back, Bohard's face showed a complex expression. He clearly heard the resoluteness in her words. It was clear that Lina believed she... probably wouldn't return this time.

And after Lina also left, the only remaining Dark Star Envoy in the room, Visel, finally spoke.

"Bohard, is it really worth paying such a huge price for a mere few shares?"

"You know, if you don't do this, you'll still be a famous millionaire in Deep Blue Metropolis, with more wealth than you could ever spend."

Bohard turned his head, looking directly into Visel's eyes, and replied, "Visel, I cannot stand by and watch Dorian drag the group into the abyss."

"Because this group is not just his; it also belongs to others."

"He wants to use that influential figure as a stepping stone, and then make Tianhai Group completely leave Deep Blue and face the wider world."

"But in my opinion, he's just leading everyone to their deaths."

"Because the outside world is far colder than the waters surrounding Deep Blue."

"So, no matter the cost, I must do my utmost to stop him."

"After all, this small boat, Tianhai, is destined not to withstand the great winds and waves outside."

Visel paused, then put away the scalpel that had been flipping between his fingers and stood up.

"I see, a showdown where everything is staked? Interesting."

"Bohard, since you have such insane courage, I can't fall too far behind you."

"Tendo Simei, let me see on this operating table, with multiple lives wagered, who will ultimately achieve great success, hahaha!"

With that, the eccentric Visel left the office amidst a fit of laughter.

And when this last Dark Star Envoy departed, Bohard returned alone to his desk and activated the holographic projection device within it.

Soon, a full-body projection of a mysterious masked man appeared before Bohard.

"Are all the chess pieces arranged?"

"Yes, my lord."

Bohard lowered his head, speaking in a low voice, "Including... the necessary sacrifices."

Hearing this, the projection chuckled lightly: "Very good, Bohard. I've told you before, Dark Star Envoys are just a bunch of rats in the gutter. You can use this group of rats to check if the city's sewers are clear, but you must not have too much contact with them."

"Because rats are destined to stay underground, while you are destined to return to the surface."

"So, listen carefully, Bohard, regardless of whether this matter ultimately succeeds or fails, not a single one of those four rats can be left alive."

After saying this, the powerful figure on the other side of the holographic projection decisively cut the communication.

And when the holographic projection disappeared, Bohard, after a moment of silence, grabbed the ashtray in front of him and forcefully smashed it against the wine cabinet next to the office.

Crack!

Looking at the shattered glass on the floor, and the red wine continuously flowing from the wine cabinet like blood, Bohard said in a low voice, "In your eyes, what difference is there between me and those four rats?"