The Envoy of Abundance from Onphalus

　"Stop! Don't move!"

　A loud and authoritative rebuke rang out like a thunderclap!

　Ahead, amidst the wind and snow, a squad of fully armed Silvermane Iron Guards blocked their path like steel statues.

　They were dressed in heavy blue armor inlaid with silver, and carried standard long-handled weapons. Their eyes, hidden beneath their helmets, were cold and wary, fixed on the four uninvited guests in the snowstorm.

　The squad leader stepped forward, his weapon slamming into the ground with a clang, sending up a spray of snow: "By order of the Great Guardian! Seal off the area! Everyone, submit to inspection immediately! State your identities!"

　……

　Chapter 103 Sambo Saves the Day.

　Sambo's reaction was textbook-perfect – a guilty conscience. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, he shrank back behind the three of them.

　He poked his head out halfway and said in a low, urgent voice, "Look! What did I tell you? Iron Guard!"

　"Friends, please help me! I, Old Sambo, really can't go in! Someone like me needs at least ten years to get in!"

　"Think about it, how cruel is it for a good citizen like me, who is helpful and kind-hearted, to waste ten years in a dark and hopeless prison cell! Can you bear to see that?"

　He blinked, trying to squeeze out a few genuine tears.

　March 7th crossed her arms and glared at him irritably: "To be honest, locking you up might actually be a good thing for the security of Belleburg!"

　Just as the three hesitated about whether to pass the buck and settle things peacefully, the sharp eyes of the Iron Guard squad leader locked onto Sangbo's highly recognizable face.

　He shouted sternly, "Wanted criminal Sambokosky and his accomplices have been spotted! Attention all personnel! Arrest them immediately!"

　"It's over! It's over!"

　Sambo let out a wail.

　The misunderstanding had been established, and the Iron Guard's weapon, gleaming coldly, drew near. Surrender? Absolutely not!

　Dan Heng's eyes sharpened, and Ji Yun instantly deflected the incoming spear. San Yueqi dodged the attack, ice crystals condensing in her palm. Xing swung her signature baseball bat, whistling through the air, and smashed it into the shield of another Iron Guard.

　"Qiang!"

　“Bang!” “Crack!”

　The sounds of metal clashing, ice crystals shattering, and shields deflecting blows echoed through the wind and snow.

　The three worked together seamlessly. Although they had no intention of hurting anyone, their strength in self-defense was enough to overwhelm the well-trained Iron Guard, who was quickly knocked to the ground and temporarily rendered incapable of fighting.

　"Phew... Done!"

　March 7th clapped his hands, looked around, and exclaimed, "Hey? Where's that blue-haired swindler?"

　Everyone looked closely and saw that Sambo, who had been hiding in the back trembling just moments before, had vanished without a trace, disappearing into thin air with incredible speed.

　"Report! The main culprit, Sambokoski, has escaped! Repeat, the main culprit has escaped!"

　The defeated Iron Guard squad leader struggled to press the communicator, his voice filled with resentment and urgency, "Requesting backup from nearby patrols! The target is extremely dangerous... uh... slippery!"

　Just then, heavy footsteps broke through the wind and snow. A tall, straight figure clad in heavy silver-blue armor stood like a mobile fortress in front of the three.

　He held a huge, metallic, harp-shaped shield in his left hand and a heavy lance in his right. His eyes were cold and filled with the anger of being fooled. He was none other than the garrison commander, Jepardrando.

　He glanced at his three crippled subordinates on the ground, his gaze sharp as a blade, and let out a cold snort, barely containing his anger: "Where's Sambokoski? That blue-haired culprit!"

　His voice was deep and authoritative, carrying an undeniable power.

　The squad leader, who had just been helped up by his comrade, lowered his head in shame: "Report...reporting, sir! We lost him...that guy is like an eel in the snow, he didn't leave a trace..."

　Jepard's gaze returned to the three men, his shield tilting slightly forward in a defensive stance: "It's alright. With our accomplices here, the mastermind can't be far."

　His logic is simple and direct.

　"What accomplice?! We've been tricked by him!"

　March 7th was furious, pointing in the direction Sambo had disappeared. "That bastard! He dragged us into this mess! At the crucial moment, he ran away faster than any of the Rift Creators! He's so disloyal!"

　Xing nodded vigorously, her eyes burning with rage. She made a mental note of Sang Bo's name: "Next time we meet, I'll kick your ass until it's bruised!"

　Danheng remained relatively calm, but his tight grip on Jiyun's hand revealed his displeasure: "Your Excellency, we only met Sangbo by chance, we are not allies. He used us."

　Jepard frowned slightly as he watched the three men angrily accusing Sambo.

　The anger and injustice on their faces seemed genuine, making them seem unlike accomplices of a vicious criminal.

　His tense expression eased slightly, but as it was his duty, he had to act according to the rules.

　“I am Garrison Commander Jepardron, not a judge of the arbitration panel.”

　He said in a deep voice, his tone serious and businesslike, “As citizens of Belloberg, you have the right to defend yourselves, but the process should be conducted under the watchful eyes of the city builders, not here.”

　He waved his hand, "Take them back to the city for investigation."

　"But we're not citizens of Belleburg at all!"

　On March 7th, they protested loudly, "We come from outer space! Nameless passengers on the Star Train!"

　"Outside the sky?"

　Jepard's eyes instantly sharpened like a hawk's as he carefully examined the three men's peculiar attire, especially Xing's interstellar-style jacket and Dan Heng's spear, which clearly did not belong to the Belloberg craftsmanship.

　A dangerous alarm bell rang in his mind.

　"Are you... sure you're from outer space?"

　Jepard's voice carried a barely perceptible hint of seriousness as he confirmed it once more.

　"Of course!"

　Xing straightened her back, patted off imaginary dust from her clothes, and said confidently, "Can you find another outfit like this in Belleberg?"

　"That's right! Who would want to live permanently on your freezing planet like this!"

　March 7th added.

　Jepard nodded slowly, the last trace of doubt in his eyes replaced by cold resolve: "Hmm... then there are no more doubts. Everything... makes sense."

　"It matches up?"

　The three exchanged bewildered glances, a sense of foreboding creeping into their hearts. What did it mean to be matched up?

　Jepard abruptly raised his arm, his voice like shattering ice, echoing across the snowfield: "Silvermane Iron Guards! Hear my command! By order of High Guardian Cocolia: All extraterrestrial visitors approaching Beloborg, regardless of their reason, shall be immediately arrested and imprisoned in the Iron Prison! Execute this order!"

　"Qiang!"

　All the Iron Guards who could still stand instantly raised their shields and spears, their cold weapons all aimed at the three of them. The encirclement tightened abruptly, filled with murderous intent!

　Dan Heng's heart sank. He held his spear horizontally in front of his chest and quickened his pace to try and explain, "Officer Jepard! This must be a misunderstanding! We are new here and have no hostile intentions!"

　"The conflict just now was a last resort of self-defense, and we are willing to apologize and compensate for the losses!"

　A complex emotion flickered in Jepard's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by unwavering resolve. "The will of the High Keeper is the highest law of Beloborg! I understand your confusion, but an order is an order!"

　"Please surrender and come back to the city with me! Otherwise..."

　He slammed his shield down on the ground, sending snow flying.

　On March 7th, Danheng and Xing quickly exchanged a glance. Without a word, all three understood each other: this prison was absolutely off-limits! Heaven knows what awaited them inside. Everything seemed too suspicious.

　"run!"

　Dan Heng let out a low shout and swept his sword, forcing back the Iron Guards in front of him.

　"Ice wall!"

　On March 7th, with a push of his hands, a crystal-clear wall of ice instantly rose from the ground, temporarily blocking the pursuit from the flanks.

　Xing spotted the opening and was about to charge!

　At this critical moment——

　"Surprise! Ladies and gentlemen! Intermission is over, and it's time for a spectacular rescue!"

　A flippant yet familiar voice rang out from some obscure corner.

　Immediately afterwards, a dozen or so metal spheres painted with comical skull and heart patterns rolled in from all directions, landing at the feet of the guards and the train crew!

　"what?!"

　Jepard's pupils contracted, and he instinctively raised his shield to protect himself.

　"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

　A series of muffled explosions! No sparks, no shockwaves, only plumes of cloyingly sweet pink smoke instantly spreading out!

　"Cough cough... It's... It's a hypnotic bullet!"

　One of the guards exclaimed in surprise, but his voice quickly became weak and feeble.

　Like felled wheat, the Iron Guards collapsed to the ground one after another, falling into a deep sleep.

　Even someone as resilient as Jepard felt dizzy and his vision blurred after a few breaths. He swayed and could only barely keep from falling by using his shield.

　"Despicable... despicable!"

　Jepard gritted his teeth, glaring at the three men who were also inhaling the gas and staggering, his voice broken and intermittent.

　"Using...using such despicable means...so...so the performance just now...was all...just to buy time...to wait...for your accomplices to...set a trap..."

　He finally succumbed to the overwhelming drowsiness, and his tall body collapsed with a thud, his shield crashing onto the snow.

　The three members of the train crew weren't spared either. Xing's baseball bat slipped from his hand, his eyelids felt like they weighed a ton: "Sang...bo...you...you screwed me over..."

　Before she could finish speaking, she collapsed onto the cold snow, along with the equally dazed March 7th and the barely holding on Danheng.

　In the wind and snow, a flamboyant blue figure hummed a tune and walked with an air of nonchalance, emerging from behind a giant rock like a star taking his final bow.

　It was Sambokosky who had returned!

　He bowed exaggeratedly to the empty snowfield: "Ladies and Gentlemen! How would you rate Old Sambo's timely rescue performance? 7.8? 9.1? 11.45? Or... a perfect score?!"

　"What? No rating? Oh, dear viewers, if you don't give a rating, Old Sambo's fragile little heart will 'crack' and shatter!"

　He clutched his chest, making an exaggerated expression of utter heartbreak.

　After his self-directed and self-acted performance ended, Sambo quickly began to clean up the mess. He dragged Jepard and the other Iron Guards like sacks to a more conspicuous spot near the base of the Beloborg city wall.

　"Alright, get a good night's sleep here. The next patrol will be here in five minutes. You won't freeze to death."

　He patted Jepard's cold shoulder armor.

　Then, he turned to the three train crew members who were lying unconscious on the ground and carried them up one by one.

　As Xing was tossed onto his shoulder like a sack of flour, Sangbo grimaced and rubbed his still-throbbing buttocks, making a vicious gesture in the air towards the unconscious Xing: "Little brat, you kicked really hard! You almost kicked my perfect buttocks into eight pieces! I'll remember this!"

　He symbolically, and with a hint of revenge, lightly slapped Xing's unresponsive buttocks.

　"Tsk tsk tsk, you three are really... talented!"

　Sambo struggled to carry the three people away from the city wall, marveling at their progress.

　"Just landed in Yalilo-VI, and before I've even done anything wrong, I've already been issued the highest level of arrest warrant for Belloberg! Two levels higher than me, old Sambo! Awesome! Absolutely awesome!"

　"Now look what's happened. I can forget about getting into the upper levels openly. I really don't know if Boss Aha came here specifically to rewrite my script and just want to see some fun..."

　He adjusted the position of the three people on his shoulders, sighed as he looked towards the entrance to the lower area, and said, "Well, if you're going to do a good deed, you might as well go all the way. I can only take you to my old hideout in Panyan Town to lay low for a while. Let's go!"

　He carried three hot potatoes, stumbling along the way, his figure gradually disappearing into the vast snowstorm and the dark mine tunnels leading underground...

　……

　Chapter 104 Sowing Hope

　The emerald light, like a flowing river of life, swept across the entire slum of Panyan Town within two system timeframes.

　Russell's figure moved among the low shacks, each light tap of his fingertip accompanied by a faint glow as the pain dissipated and an incredulous sob.

　"My lungs...don't hurt anymore! They really don't hurt anymore!"

　An old miner, who had been coughing for half his life, greedily inhaled the dusty but no longer throat-severing air, his murky tears flowing into his deep wrinkles.

　The corner that was once crushed by despair is now filled with the ecstasy of surviving a disaster and whispers of disbelief.

　The soul, imprisoned in a broken body, never imagined it could once again touch the reality of health.

　Grateful gazes, almost tangible, focused on the silver-haired doctor, and whispers poured forth like a torrent.

　Several young men who had once made a living by petty theft crowded around Russell, their faces full of shame: "Doctor...we...we used to..."

　Russell's gaze swept calmly over them, carrying a penetrating insight into their hearts: "The evils of the past are like lesions that have been removed from your bodies. Remember the feeling of being reborn at this moment. If you commit injustice again, the retribution will be beyond my ability to remove."

　His voice was gentle yet carried immense weight, and the group nodded repeatedly, as if they wanted to swear an oath to the heavens.