Chapter Sixty-Four: The Gift-Bearers Arrive

“Thank you both for gracing us with your presence. It is an honor for the Corpse Catcher to welcome you. Please, let us continue our conversation upstairs,” Ye Hai said with a smile to Titch and Nangong.

He then clapped his hands and turned to the forbidden figures, saying, “My apologies, everyone. Two unexpected distinguished guests have arrived today, so we must reschedule our banquet. Besides, Mr. Lacan needs to tend to his injuries.”

The forbidden guests’ expressions darkened slightly. Ye Hai’s intentions were clear—he was issuing an explicit order to leave. Yet, mindful of the Corpse Catcher’s methods and the two formidable guests below, they dared not protest. They departed, taking their subordinates with them.

Ye Hai’s gaze lingered on Zella, who sat motionless, drenched in sweat. He glanced at Javier and gave a mischievous smile.

Titch was the first to ascend to the second floor. Dressed in traditional pirate garb, the scars crisscrossing his face were half-concealed by messy braids. His neatly trimmed goatee reminded Ye Hai of Tiggs Sparrow.

Nangong appeared from the corner, looking barely twenty, though the Chief of Staff of the Talan Army was already past sixty. In the Leviathan Star System, sixty was still considered youthful. His blood-red military uniform was immaculate, and his glossy hair slicked back in a flawless pompadour. The mirror-like sheen suggested nearly half a bottle of hair gel had been used. His distinctly Eastern features marked him as pure-blooded from Sea Wolf Star.

Led by Joe into the banquet hall, both men’s eyes locked onto Zella, who sat upright and tense. The aura they exuded nearly suffocated Zella. Yet neither spoke, merely taking their seats.

Ye Hai then began to introduce the Corpse Catchers. “This gentleman is Mr. Lung, the third Corpse Catcher of the organization, code-named the Night Goddess.”

Hearing Ye Hai’s introduction, the two couldn’t help but look at Mr. Lung, who greeted them with a kind yet grotesque smile, leaving them somewhat bewildered. That code name… was utterly absurd.

“This is Mr. Joe, whom you’ve already met. He is the fifth Corpse Catcher, Joe Hall, code-named the Hunter.”

“And Miss Liana, with whom you must be familiar—sixth Corpse Catcher, code name Veronica.”

“As for this one…” Everyone followed Ye Hai’s gaze to Javier, who sat in the corner smoking, looking resigned.

Nangong paused in confusion, then glanced at Titch. Titch’s expression grew grim.

Ye Hai cared little for Titch’s mood and continued, “Seventh Corpse Catcher, Javier, code-named G.”

At this, Titch’s brow twitched, clearly furious that Javier had joined the Corpse Catcher organization without permission. The current situation on Giant Tree Star was dire; cooperating with the Corpse Catchers to gain access to viral technology and mine Zombie Star was urgent. But for such a prominent figure—Giant Tree Star’s First Defense Army’s Second Legion Commander—to abandon his prestigious post and join a minor organization on Zombie Star was a slap in the face for Giant Tree Star.

Ye Hai, aware of Titch’s thoughts, offered no defense for Javier. He simply smiled at Javier, delivering another blow: “Commander Javier feels that the Corpse Catcher’s philosophy and beliefs align closely with his values, so he voluntarily joined to help transform Zombie Star’s environment and seek greater welfare for its people.”

Hearing this shameless statement and seeing how Joe was thoroughly amused, Javier rolled his eyes hard, cursing the two shameless men in his heart and gaining a deeper understanding of Ye Hai’s petty nature.

He knew well this was Ye Hai’s way of reproaching him for stopping Zella here, forcing her to make a difficult choice. Though Titch and Nangong had yet to challenge Ye Hai on Zella’s behalf, Javier had already been played.

If Ye Hai explained, Titch would surely give face, since Giant Tree Star needed the Corpse Catchers. Helpless, Javier explained, “Marshal Titch, don’t doubt my loyalty to the Emperor… but I can’t return to Giant Tree Star now. During the mission I was severely injured, and Mr. Ye Hai injected me with a G-virus. Without the Corpse Catchers’ help to suppress it, if it breaks out, Giant Tree Star could become the next Zombie Star.”

Titch was startled by this, looking up at Ye Hai in confusion. Ye Hai and Joe both shook their heads vigorously, signaling that nothing of the sort existed.

Javier’s face darkened. Enough, you two!

When Titch read the resignation on Javier’s face and the teasing in Ye Hai’s smile, he realized Javier spoke the truth. After a brief silence, he spoke:

“News of the death of Javier, Second Legion Commander of Giant Tree Star’s First Defense Army, has reached us…”

“Now, he is posthumously honored as an Imperial Hero. His family will receive imperial support for three generations. The Second Legion Commander’s post…”

At this, Titch glanced at Javier, who immediately understood.

“Adjutant Alessi. The Commander’s post will be temporarily filled by Adjutant Alessi, pending submission to the Emperor for a formal appointment upon our return.”

Titch paused again, looking from Javier to Ye Hai, his gaze conflicted. After a moment, he sighed and continued:

“After Commander Javier’s death… the antimatter mech shield and cannon components have been lost.”

Ye Hai and Joe exchanged satisfied smiles.

Nangong, inwardly cursing, thought, “Are these Giant Tree Star pirates out of their minds? They didn’t just lose a commander—they handed over the mech components too? Such a huge price, all to secure cooperation with the Corpse Catchers?”

He gave Titch a complicated look, sensing a fierce determination and doubting the unusual behavior of Giant Tree Star.

Yet, the Talan General was clearly very interested in the Corpse Catchers’ virus and bioweapon technology. Having risked so much and lost eight hundred men on the ground, he had no intention of returning empty-handed.

He’d just assured the Talan General days ago that he would obtain technology from the Corpse Catchers. If he failed, his reputation would be ruined.

As Nangong watched Ye Hai’s smiling face, he understood perfectly—this scoundrel was extorting them.

If not for Titch as a competitor, Nangong would have negotiated at leisure, whittling away bit by bit until the other side offered technology in exchange for what he wanted.

But now, before negotiations had even begun, Ye Hai was using Javier as leverage. Titch also wished to maintain good relations with Javier, now a member of the Corpse Catchers, hoping Javier would remain a bridge between Giant Tree Star and the organization. So he generously rewarded Javier, knowing well that with the antimatter mech components in their hands, unless Javier’s virus issue was resolved, there was no chance of their return. To ask for them would only put him at a disadvantage.

Thus, Titch, ever shrewd, immediately changed tactics, going with the flow and making a grand gesture—giving them away.

But in today’s circumstances, this gesture took on a different meaning: it became a symbol of Giant Tree Star’s enormous sacrifice to secure cooperation with the Corpse Catchers.

This made Nangong deeply uncomfortable and exasperated.

He scrutinized Ye Hai’s smiling face for a long while… and suddenly saw something of himself reflected in the other man.