“What? A missing Level Eight Energy Stone?” Liu Hui was shocked. If such a high-grade energy stone fell into the wrong hands, it would have extremely negative repercussions, which was hardly good news for the development of Starry Sky Group.

“Boss, I apologize. We only counted the situation in Deng Qingjun’s laser weapon lab just now. We didn't realize he had also stolen a Level Eight Energy Stone from the adjacent electromagnetic cannon lab,” Chen Changsheng said shamefully.

Wu Yuanjia spoke up, “Boss, when I apprehended Deng Qingjun, he only had one high-grade energy stone on him. Since he was away for such a short time and was constantly fleeing without making contact with anyone, I suspect the other high-grade energy stone must be hidden somewhere along the route he took.”

Liu Hui instructed, “Desheng, you need to interrogate that researcher named Deng Qingjun immediately. You must extract the whereabouts of the other high-grade energy stone from him. Manager Wu, Director Chen, you will accompany Desheng. As soon as you have any news, depart immediately to retrieve the item.”

Desheng nodded once, immediately turned, and exited the office door to interrogate Deng Qingjun with Wu Yuanjia and Chen Changsheng. With Desheng’s methods, Deng Qingjun would surely disclose the location of that high-grade energy stone. What worried Liu Hui now was whether they could get back in time, before outsiders discovered the stone.

Liu Hui sat in his chair, nursing a headache. The events of this evening were indeed quite bizarre. Several groups had forcefully attacked the Starry Sky Group headquarters. Although all those groups were repelled, the incident behind it couldn't be that simple. It was highly likely that more than one force was probing him, and undoubtedly several other powers were lurking and watching the Starry Sky Group in the shadows.

What worried Liu Hui even more were the several masters of the God Realm who suddenly appeared. Their strength was exceptionally terrifying; dealing with them was no longer a matter solvable by sheer numbers. Although those God Realm masters had retreated and wouldn't dare approach Hong Kong to cause trouble for the Starry Sky Group again anytime soon, it was clear that powerful entities supported their actions from behind, indicating that the Starry Sky Group had attracted the attention of these formidable forces.

Starry Sky Group, having developed to such a massive scale, had disrupted the balance of power in various sectors, inevitably drawing the notice of major factions. They all wanted to pounce, take a bite out of the Starry Sky Group, or perhaps even swallow it whole. However, after failing tonight, perhaps they would lie dormant for a while? Yet, if he had enough time, once his own strength developed, he would fear their attacks no longer. Right now, time was the most critical factor for the Starry Sky Group.

As Liu Hui was pondering, his phone rang. Liu Hui’s phone had been specially modified to allow calls even within the research institute, which completely shielded telecommunications signals. He checked the caller ID and saw it was Luo Yufeng from the Luo family.

“Young Master Luo, what brings you to call me?” Liu Hui said with a smile.

“Young Master Hui, your situation is very urgent right now,” Luo Yufeng cut straight to the chase without pleasantries.

“Young Master Luo, did you get any wind of something?” Liu Hui asked. It seemed tonight’s events involved considerable depth, as even the Luo family had heard rumors.

“Young Master Hui, here is the situation: Our Luo family has a member serving in the Hong Kong Garrison. It’s the one who captured the American Seawolf-class nuclear submarine with guided missiles last time. He unexpectedly heard some news tonight: there is a descendant of the Lu family from Shuzhou within the Garrison, and that descendant ordered a regimental commander under him to privately mobilize a company of soldiers to head toward your Starry Sky Group headquarters. Accompanying them were three armed helicopters and five Type 99 tanks. We heard their target was the Starry Sky Group, but we don't know their specific action plan. After our Luo family received this news, we immediately ordered our member to take two missile corvettes and three frigates out of the harbor. Their fleet is currently steaming towards your Starry Sky Group. If you encounter those soldiers coming to cause trouble, don’t panic. Our Luo family's fleet will arrive shortly. You just need to stall for time until our fleet gets there, and then dealing with that unit will be our concern,” Luo Yufeng concisely narrated the predicament Liu Hui faced tonight.

Liu Hui felt a surge of emotion. The world was full of people who offered congratulations during success but few friends who offered help in times of need. Although that military unit had already retreated after being struck by Black Knight, the Luo family was willing to risk conflict with friendly forces by dispatching a fleet to assist him. This favor was substantial; perhaps aligning with the Luo family was the right move after all.

So Liu Hui smiled, “Young Master Luo, I sincerely thank the Luo family for their kindness, but that group of soldiers has already voluntarily retreated.”

Luo Yufeng was surprised, asking, “Why would they retreat voluntarily? The commander leading them is a staunch loyalist of the Lu family; how could he withdraw without completing his mission? You didn't suffer any losses, did you?”

Liu Hui laughed, “Thank you for your concern, Young Master Luo. We suffered no losses. We never even crossed paths with them, nor do we know why they withdrew. It is rumored that Black Knight appeared before them. Perhaps those soldiers saw Black Knight, were inspired by his sense of justice, and chose to retreat on their own?”

Luo Yufeng paused: “So Black Knight also appeared…”

Liu Hui said, “Indeed. Thanks to Black Knight, otherwise the Starry Sky Group might have faced disaster tonight.”

Luo Yufeng stated, “Young Master Hui, I will instruct our Luo family fleet to anchor just off the coast of your Starry Sky Group to prevent anyone else from targeting you. However, their fleet will not interfere with any of your operations. If you need anything, contact the commander; they will provide assistance. I’ll give you their contact details so you can communicate directly. I need to report what happened here to the Old Master immediately to see what he thinks.”

Liu Hui smiled, “Then I thank you, Young Master Luo.”

Luo Yufeng chuckled, “Young Master Hui, you are too polite. We are intimate allies now. If those people knew the situation yet still dared to target you, they are blatantly challenging the authority of our Luo family. I believe the Old Master will certainly not stand by idly.”

Hanging up with Luo Yufeng, Liu Hui felt reflective. He hadn't expected it was that Lu family from Shuzhou that sent people after him. That Lu family hadn't shown themselves in years; Liu Hui had assumed that the matter of killing Young Master Lu was handled with extreme secrecy, but somehow the Lu family discovered it and now had come knocking—even deploying the military, escalating the situation dramatically.

However, Liu Hui then relaxed his thoughts. The killing of Young Master Lu by him and Zhou Tengyun, while done covertly, had still been discovered by Guo Jia. Even if Guo Jia didn't know Liu Hui was involved in killing Young Master Lu, Zhou Tengyun was certainly the murderer. Now that Guo Jia was dead and the Guo family held a deep grudge against him, although the Guo family couldn't challenge him on major policy levels, they could spread rumors that people from Starry Sky Group killed Young Master Lu, inciting the Lu family to seek revenge against Starry Sky Group. Or the Guo family might even provide military support behind the Lu family, pushing them to fight him to the death. With this analysis, the Lu family’s actions against him tonight became understandable.

Liu Hui vaguely grasped the truth of what happened tonight, realizing that the Starry Sky Group was currently in an extremely perilous position; one wrong move could lead to disaster.

Chen Changsheng entered from outside. He said to Liu Hui, “Boss, we have found the location of the Level Eight Energy Stone from Deng Qingjun’s confession. When he fled, he was cautious, thinking ahead for his future, and hid one Level Eight Energy Stone under a large tree along the roadside, keeping it as a trump card, ready to be sold when the price was right. Manager Wu and Desheng have already taken Deng Qingjun out to retrieve it.”

Liu Hui finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as that Level Eight Energy Stone was recovered today, the possibility of leakage would be completely sealed. Tonight’s events served as a warning: Starry Sky Group must strengthen its secrecy protocols in the future, and such a situation must never recur. Liu Hui somewhat eagerly wondered if the mind-reading artifact mentioned by Xiaoyaozi had been forged yet. If he possessed an artifact capable of reading minds, he could completely eliminate the possibility of leaks.

Ten minutes later, Desheng walked in, his expression grim. Liu Hui was startled and asked, “Desheng, what’s wrong? Was the item recovered?”

Desheng replied, “Boss, we were too late. The Level Eight Energy Stone that Deng Qingjun buried under the big tree has already been taken by someone else.”

Liu Hui was furious: “What is going on?”

Desheng explained, “Boss, we interrogated Deng Qingjun, and he led us to the spot where the Level Eight Energy Stone was buried, but someone managed to get there ahead of us. The pit under that large tree hasn't been refilled, and the upturned soil looks very fresh. The person who took the Level Eight Energy Stone likely hasn’t been gone for very long. So I returned to report this situation to you, while Manager Wu has already taken his men out in pursuit, hoping to catch the person who took the energy stone.”

Liu Hui was momentarily stunned, then sank back into his chair weakly. He waved his hand and said, “Alright, I understand. You can go too. Go with Manager Wu and the others, and see if you can find that person and chase back the energy stone.”

Desheng nodded, then left the room to regroup with Wu Yuanjia and start the pursuit.

At this very moment, the fierce sounds of battle erupting around the Starry Sky Group finally alerted the Hong Kong police. Since the fighting occurred at the Starry Sky Group—currently Hong Kong’s most crucial enterprise—the police did not dare to delay upon receiving the news. A large contingent of police officers mobilized, with countless police cars flashing their lights speeding toward the Starry Sky Group. Police helicopters even appeared in the sky, circling around the area.

Ah Huo from the Security Company entered and reported to Liu Hui, “Boss, a large number of police have arrived at our company, but I didn't let them in. They are currently waiting outside the main gate of the Starry Sky Group. I hear high-ranking Hong Kong officials are also on their way. How should we handle them?”

Liu Hui offered a wry smile, “In the old Hong Kong movies, I always thought the police arriving after the fact was a screenwriter’s fabrication, but it turns out reality is exactly like that. Well then, let me see how they explain tonight’s events.”

So Liu Hui and Ah Huo left the Science Research Institute and walked toward the main gate of the Starry Sky Group. The employees residing within the Starry Sky Group, having been warned by security personnel, all remained in their homes and did not venture out.

From a distance, Liu Hui could see the flashing police lights surrounding the main gate of the Starry Sky Group. Countless police officers were setting up defensive perimeters outside, while the security guards of the Security Company kept the main gate firmly shut, preventing the police from entering.

Liu Hui reached the main gate. A police officer outside spotted Liu Hui’s appearance, turned, said a few words at the window of a car, and then that car opened its gate. Three people emerged from inside. The leader was the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, followed by Director Sun of the Police Department and Director Zhang of the Treasury.

Liu Hui instructed the security personnel to open the gate and personally stepped forward to greet them, saying, “Gentlemen, you’ve arrived bright and early.”

The Chief Executive offered a strained smile, “Mr. Liu, please stop your sarcasm. How about this: let’s go to your office for a detailed discussion.”

Liu Hui glanced at the police officers. Director Sun immediately assured him, “Mr. Liu, please rest assured. Only the three of us will enter; the police will remain outside to secure your company.”

Only then did Liu Hui say, “Please, come inside.”

The group proceeded to Liu Hui’s office. Liu Hui sat on the central sofa and stated gravely, “Gentlemen, the Starry Sky Group requires an explanation. Why, when our company abides by the law and pays taxes diligently, would the Hong Kong Garrison conduct a military exercise less than a thousand meters from our headquarters, even threatening our company’s senior management to surrender?”

The Chief Executive’s expression was also grim. He stated, “Mr. Liu, we only just learned about the Hong Kong Garrison conducting exercises near your company. We have already contacted the Garrison Command regarding this; they claim they have no plans for any military exercises recently, much less conducting one near your company. They said they would investigate the matter immediately and certainly provide us with an account.”

As Hong Kong’s highest authority, responsible for the governance of the entire region, the Chief Executive was furious that the Hong Kong Garrison had conducted so-called military exercises near his company without notifying him, severely disrupting normal operations. This action not only seriously endangered the Starry Sky Group but also infringed upon his authority as the leader of Hong Kong. Therefore, on this matter, he stood firmly with the Starry Sky Group from the outset, determined to get an explanation from the Garrison Command.

Liu Hui finally let out a breath of relief. Knowing that the Chief Executive was entirely uninvolved in tonight’s events and that the Garrison Command had confirmed there were no exercise plans, it meant the troops near his company were mobilized illegally. The nature of the incident instantly shifted: the Starry Sky Group became the victim, and the crisis was less immediate.

“The Starry Sky Group has faced a very severe security threat this time, which makes us deeply concerned about the security environment in Hong Kong. If this matter cannot be resolved effectively, the Starry Sky Group might relocate from Hong Kong. The investment environments in the United States or Europe are no worse than Hong Kong’s, and their security is certainly better. There would never be a situation where a national army attacks an enterprise. I believe if they knew we were moving our factories there, they would surely welcome us,” Liu Hui said, feeling reassured now that the soldiers’ military exercise was fake, and began to intimidate the Chief Executive.

Although the Starry Sky Group was now immense, its actual production facilities were not vast because its products had extremely high added value, making relocation quite convenient. Moving a few factories and then the headquarters would effectively mean the entire Starry Sky Group had relocated.

Liu Hui used this possibility of moving to threaten the Hong Kong government, implying that if they couldn't handle tonight’s events satisfactorily, he would consider developing his business elsewhere outside Hong Kong. With Starry Sky Group’s annual output exceeding one trillion US dollars, it supported the survival and development of countless upstream enterprises and provided employment for many local Hong Kong residents, contributing over one hundred billion US dollars in taxes annually. If the Starry Sky Group truly left Hong Kong, it would deal a fatal blow to Hong Kong's economy and image; even other Hong Kong enterprises might follow the Starry Sky Group out, a scenario the Chief Executive absolutely did not wish to see.

The Chief Executive looked somewhat awkward, coughed, and said, “Mr. Liu, please don't be angry. Our Hong Kong government will certainly give the Starry Sky Group an accounting for this matter. In fact, before we came to your company, I telephoned the Central Leadership and reported the situation here. The Central Leadership is now holding an emergency meeting to discuss this matter, and I believe there will be a result soon. I guarantee that a situation like tonight will never occur in Hong Kong again. Hong Kong is safe—it was, it is, and it will be—so the Starry Sky Group can develop here with peace of mind.”

Liu Hui retorted coldly, “Our Starry Sky Group is currently tucked away in such a small area, barely one square kilometer, and we can’t acquire the surrounding land. Our production scale cannot be expanded—how can we develop with peace of mind?”

Liu Hui had swallowed a belly full of anger tonight, which he now vented entirely toward the Chief Executive, seizing the opportunity to bring up the long-pending land issue as well.

The Chief Executive smiled apologetically, “We have been continually soliciting land for the development of the Starry Sky Group; I believe there will be a result soon.”

Liu Hui displayed dissatisfaction on his face. The Chief Executive then said helplessly, “How about this: we guarantee delivery of the land required for the Starry Sky Group’s development within one month. What do you think?”

Only then did Liu Hui smile, “If things truly proceed this way, it shows a degree of sincerity. Coupled with how the matter is handled by the higher-ups—if I am satisfied with the resolution—my Starry Sky Group will remain a Hong Kong enterprise.”

The Chief Executive finally sighed in relief. He turned to Director Sun and instructed, “Director Sun, after you leave, you must strengthen security patrols around the Starry Sky Group to ensure its safe development.”

Liu Hui interjected, “Our Starry Sky Group has many commercial secrets, so we hope police patrols will not encroach upon them, as the leakage of commercial secrets would cause significant trouble.”

Director Sun nodded and said, “Mr. Liu, I will ensure that. I will immediately arrange for my subordinates to negotiate with your personnel to formulate a practical plan ensuring your company’s safe development.”

Director Sun and Director Zhang of the Treasury felt a multitude of emotions. Two years ago, this Liu Hui had been deferential to them, afraid to offend them. Two years later, the tables had turned; they were the ones who needed to be respectful to Liu Hui. However, considering the massive achievements the Starry Sky Group had made in these two years, granting some special requests seemed appropriate. After all, this was Hong Kong, where the power of the taxpayer was quite substantial.

Thus, Liu Hui took advantage of this rare opportunity to extract further concessions from the Chief Executive, which the Chief Executive agreed to. The atmosphere between the two parties eased somewhat, no longer as tense as it had been initially, and they began to converse amiably.

Suddenly, the Chief Executive’s phone rang. Upon answering, his expression became slightly deferential. After speaking a few quiet words to the person on the other end, he hung up. He then told Liu Hui, “Mr. Liu, the Central Leadership’s emergency meeting has concluded. They have decided to form an Investigation Team for this incident to come to Hong Kong and investigate the unauthorized military action and the threat made against the enterprise. The Central Leader asked me to convey to you that this incident is being treated as a sudden, isolated event resulting from illegal, private mobilization of troops, of which they had no prior knowledge. Furthermore, the regimental commander leading the action was only an acting commander; his position had not been formalized, meaning he did not hold formal officer status—he was essentially temporary staff. We hope the Starry Sky Group will not harbor any further intentions.”

Liu Hui chuckled. "I know how these things go; the blame will inevitably land on some temporary worker. I just can't quite fathom what our nation's defense security would look like if even temporary staff could mobilize the military."

A moment of awkward silence descended upon the room. While the 'temporary worker' excuse might fool the ignorant masses, everyone present was an astute member of the elite, fully aware of the true nature of this incident. Receiving this message relayed by the administrative chief left them all utterly speechless. ～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～ Gratitude to book friend: jack8599 for the monthly ticket support V

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