Chapter 2634: Chapter 1771: Alarm (It’s Snowing and I Don’t Want to Go Out for Food)

Due to Duanmu Huai’s outburst, the Tribunal lost two fleets, and there’s nothing Duanmu Huai can say about it. But that doesn’t mean others don’t have anything to say, for instance, Maria directly pushed him out after being asked several times by Duanmu Huai.

"If the Judge is so free, then go collect more resources. The current resources are not enough!"

Since Maria said so, Duanmu Huai didn’t have much to say, after all, he was indeed the one who destroyed those fleets. Anyway, being idle is being idle, so Duanmu Huai returned to the Tribunal’s main base located in the Boundary God Star System, responsible for overseeing the collection and transfer of resources. Incidentally, he also brought Hei Chuan Chi Yin to get familiar with the environment and to have a concrete understanding of the Tribunal’s work.

As for the resources themselves, they weren’t hard to find. Duanmu Huai directly contacted the Merchant Voyager Dada Niel, asking him to bring the needed resources. During this period, Dada Niel’s Commercial Alliance was booming and very prosperous, making a significant amount of money. Naturally, Dada Niel didn’t dare to neglect Duanmu Huai’s request and agreed immediately.

Now, the group stood on the dock, watching the scene of the transport fleet entering the port from afar.

"It’s really spectacular."

Looking through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the scene outside, Hei Chuan Chi Yin couldn’t help but marvel. The transport ships were generally large in size, and even though they couldn’t compare to warships in combat power, just their size was shocking enough. This was quite normal, as many ocean-going cargo ships weren’t much smaller than aircraft carriers, but that didn’t mean they could compete with destroyers in combat power.

But they are really huge...

Watching the transport ships take turns entering the port to unload, Hei Chuan Chi Yin was equally awestruck.

"Buying so many goods must have cost a lot, right?"

"No, not a penny was spent."

"Eh? No need to spend money?"

"That’s right, these are for tax offsets."

Duanmu Huai nodded. Joke about making the Tribunal spend money? What kind of dream is that? The Tribunal isn’t a business organization, and they don’t print money themselves.

"Tax offsets?"

"Eleven tax, you can think of it as a protection fee."

"Uh..."

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s answer, Hei Chuan Chi Yin’s expression was somewhat complex.

"Is it the kind of fee like in TV dramas, where gangs collect from shops?"

"That’s right."

"And they’re willing to give it...?"

"They get protection from the Tribunal, so naturally, they have to pay the price."

Duanmu Huai snorted coldly.

"We are not an organization to be trifled with. If they don’t pay, I don’t mind letting them experience the Tribunal’s power."

"..."

Hei Chuan Chi Yin looked at Duanmu Huai with a complex expression, then looked at Ann and Mary standing by. The latter shook her head silently, and Ann let out a wry smile.

"Actually, you don’t need to think it’s so complicated, Miss Heichuan."

"Really?"

"Yes, it’s like national taxation. States levy taxes from the people, and if they’re unwilling to pay, they face penalties or even imprisonment. And as a price for taxation, the state also protects its citizens from external threats, which isn’t much different from what the Tribunal does. Also, sometimes, if the state can’t engage in money transactions for some reason, it can achieve deals through tax reductions or alternative means."

While talking, Ann rolled her eyes at Duanmu Huai.

"It’s just that Mr. Knight’s words are too misleading."

"What’s misleading about it? Aren’t the essence and substance the same? What’s the difference?"

Duanmu Huai sneered.

"But for those listening... Okay, I know Mr. Knight doesn’t care about those details either."

Ann gave up on persuading, as she knew Duanmu Huai’s thoughts well.

At this moment, a cheerful and lively voice sounded.

"Yaho, big brothers and sisters, hello everyone."

With this voice, Hei Chuan Chi Yin saw a very cute white-haired girl with horse ears and a horse tail coming out from the side, grinning as she greeted everyone. Hei Chuan Chi Yin had seen her before and remembered her name was Zhenjiling, a Horse Maiden—Duanmu Huai said she was a Demonic Beast Lady, which Hei Chuan Chi Yin didn’t quite understand. But thinking about the many animations and comics in her world featuring girls with cat ears and such, perhaps Zhenjiling was similar?

"Is there something you need?"

"Hmm, wasn’t there talk before about making a video with Sister Chi Yin to introduce everyone? I just heard you were back, so I came to check it out."

"Introduce?"

"Yes, I heard Sister Chi Yin is a talented actress, very skilled at performing? Have you thought about continuing to act?"

"A talented actress, that’s an exaggeration..."

Hei Chuan Chi Yin hurriedly waved her hands, but then quickly looked confused, tilting her head.

"But haven’t I joined the Tribunal now? Can I still act?"

"In the Tribunal, only Mr. Knight takes being a Judge as his main job."

Ann chimed in with a playful smile.

"Everyone usually does their things unless Mr. Knight issues an order; that’s when we do Tribunal work. For instance, Greiya and I usually have princess duties, Miss Mary writes novels, and Zhenjiling frequently does live streams, right? This doesn’t conflict with our daily work."

"Ah... I see."

Hei Chuan Chi Yin nodded, then she looked toward Duanmu Huai.

"Is that alright, Mr. Duanmu?"

Truth be told, Hei Chuan Chi Yin still liked acting quite a bit, but she originally thought that upon arriving at the Tribunal, her job should only involve being Duanmu Huai’s stand-in for fighting and such, and acting would be out of the question.

"Of course, no problem, as long as it doesn’t delay the Tribunal’s tasks or violate any regulations, it’s totally fine."

Duanmu Huai shrugged his shoulders.

And after hearing Duanmu Huai’s response, Hei Chuan Chi Yin also pondered for a moment, then made up her mind.

"I... also hope to continue acting."

"No problem."

"That’s great."

Upon hearing Hei Chuan Chi Yin’s answer, Zhenjiling jumped up excitedly and grabbed her hand.

"Karen has always hoped to perform with others, as most of the Tribunal members aren’t accustomed to such things. But now there’s no issue, with Chi Yin sis here, it’ll be more convenient in the future for such activities."

Looking at the lively and cheerful Zhenjiling, Hei Chuan Chi Yin also smiled—this girl indeed had a really outstanding adorable aura, even Hei Chuan Chi Yin could sense that cuteness and goodness.

"Well then, please make a self-introduction for everyone, Chi Yin sis."

While speaking, Zhenjiling led Hei Chuan Chi Yin to the platform beside them, then pointed at the floating sphere next to her.

"What’s that?"

"Hm? It’s recording equipment for live streaming."

"There’s live streaming in the universe?"

"Of course, Karen streams a bit every day, chatting, singing, dancing with everyone, having fun together. In the future, Karen will also invite Chi Yin sis to stream together!"

Hearing what Zhenjiling said, Hei Chuan Chi Yin sighed in relief internally, at least from what she’d heard, it seemed there wasn’t much of a difference between this and the online streaming she’d seen in her own world. Discovering something familiar in a strange environment made Hei Chuan Chi Yin feel a bit reassured.

So she followed Zhenjiling’s guidance and made a self-introduction in front of the opened camera, chatted with Zhenjiling, and then showcased her acting skills.

"Thank you, Chi Yin sis!"

After finishing, Zhenjiling retracted the camera, then cheerfully thanked Hei Chuan Chi Yin.

"Everyone’s response is great, gained quite a few new followers, hope Chi Yin sis shows up more frequently."

"Are there many viewers?"

"Not bad, since Karen is the face of the Tribunal, everyone will watch."

Karen fiddled with the camera, then checked the viewer count.

"Currently, there are about 80 billion viewers."

"........Eh?"

For a moment, Hei Chuan Chi Yin wondered if she had misheard.

"80 billion?"

"Of course, the standard population of the Star Alliance Homeworld alone is 11.4 billion, not to mention there are so many planetary systems, and every world has many viewers closely following the Tribunal’s actions."

"........"

Upon hearing Zhenjiling’s response, Hei Chuan Chi Yin suddenly felt a little weak.

Based on her experience, a streaming audience of tens of thousands was considered remarkable, but having more viewers than the total population of her planet, what was that about?

So she had just performed in front of 80 billion viewers?

"Then, I’ll discuss the next performance with Chi Yin sis later."

After saying this, Zhenjiling waved at everyone, then turned to leave—naturally, as a Horse Maiden, her hundred-meter sprint was unmatched, Hei Chuan Chi Yin hadn’t even had a chance to speak before Zhenjiling’s petite figure already disappeared at the end of the hundreds-meter-long metal corridor.

"........Mr. Duanmu, this......"

"You’ll get used to it."

Seeing Hei Chuan Chi Yin’s pleading gaze, Duanmu Huai patted her shoulder.

"Besides, there’s no need to overthink it, the Tribunal has to do Tribunal things, this is just regular relaxation."

"Is it......."

"Exactly."

"Then, I have another question."

"Hm? What’s the question?"

"Just now, the screen over there kept flashing......"

As she spoke, Hei Chuan Chi Yin curiously pointed at the red dot on the bottom of the adjacent holographic screen.

"What’s that mean?"

"Oh, nothing, just detected some dangerous items........Whoa!?"

Duanmu Huai answered casually, then reacted and hurriedly issued an order.

"Seize that cargo ship over there!"

Causing trouble right under my nose, you’ve got some nerve!