Chapter 1 The Kidnapping of a Star

"Earlier today, famous singer Chen Xing was attacked in the New Feland No. 8 colony of the Ryan Star System in the Colton Star Cluster and is still missing. According to eyewitness reports from staff, the kidnappers are the Black Star Mercenary Group, a mercenary group with a good reputation in the Colton Star Cluster, and is an external force of the Dragon Tooth Floating Island. Specific details are temporarily unknown, and our station is actively communicating with the local police and Chen Xing's support team..."

Outside the hole in the hotel's outer wall, there were hover cars everywhere. In addition to the security forces cordoning off the scene, there was a large group of media reporters, some from the local New Feland Alliance media, and some from the interstellar media. Like sharks smelling blood, they quickly arrived at the scene after the incident and scrambled to publish first-hand reports.

If it were just an ordinary kidnapping case, these media outlets would not be interested, but this time was different. The kidnapped person was a celebrity, a star singer, and the incident happened in the downtown area. The kidnappers were actually a famous mercenary group. These reporters were very sensitive to hot topics and immediately realized the unusual nature of the situation. In addition to reporting the incident, they also began to fabricate various inside stories and speculate on the inside story.

Assassination for hire?

Love and hate entanglements?

Property disputes?

Anyway, the headlines and content were sensational. Chen Xing has many fans throughout the Shattered Star Ring, and they were all in an uproar. The news spread like a hurricane.

The local police were overwhelmed. It would have serious negative consequences if an interstellar star got into trouble on their territory. Moreover, Chen Xing was also a guest performer at the Unification Day celebration, which made it even more significant. If something happened, the New Feland Alliance would lose face. The Central Security Department had already begun to pay attention to the matter, putting great pressure on the local police chief.

Just as the situation was brewing, no one expected that Chen Xing would actually run back by himself, and with him was the kidnapper, the Black Star Mercenary Group. This development stunned both the police and the media.

As soon as Fording returned, he was surrounded by countless people. Reporters were asking questions, and the police pushed through the crowd to protect him. On the other side, the hover car driven by Han Xiao and others was also surrounded by police cars.

After convincing Fording, Han Xiao had Volga, the water elemental esper, use water-based healing spells to smooth out the injuries on Fording's face. The effect was remarkable. Although still a little haggard, Fording transformed back into a handsome young man. Unlike Chen Xing's feminine charm, Fording exudes a gentle temperament from the inside out when he controls the body, making people feel kind and inexplicably warm.

Having already thought of the wording, Fording calmly dealt with the media. When he was trapped in the body before, he watched Chen Xing's behavior throughout the entire process. He had never eaten pork, but he had seen pigs run. He was more than capable of handling the situation.

—If it were five years ago, Fording wouldn't have known so much. Chen Xing's memories and experiences of using the body were all things Fording had never experienced before, and they all became his experience.

The police and reporters didn't quite believe the excuse Fording came up with, but since the person involved had personally come forward, the matter could only be left unresolved. The local police chief gave a warning and then left. The reporters shook their heads and left disappointed.

The hotel manager approached and demanded that Han Xiao compensate for the damage to the outer wall. This was a legitimate request, so Han Xiao did not refuse. He paid a small sum of money and sent the hotel staff away. He also woke up the driver of the hover car and compensated him with 20 Enas to repair the car, which was more than enough.

After resolving these chores, things finally calmed down. Han Xiao was about to walk towards Fording when Chen Xing's manager, acting like a mother hen, stood in front of Fording and shouted, "Mercenaries are not welcome here, please leave immediately!"

Chen Xing does not belong to any entertainment group. She formed her own logistics team, most of whom are women. The manager is a Du Na person with purple skin and big eyes. She is a young girl who is fascinated by Chen Xing and willingly works for him. At this time, she is glaring at Han Xiao with anger.

Fording coughed lightly, "I have something to announce. First, all subsequent concerts are cancelled, and all schedules are cleared."

"O-okay." The manager didn't care about Han Xiao and quickly noted it down. She turned around and saw Fording staring at her, her cheeks turning purple and red. She was so shy that she almost panicked and quickly lowered her head, not daring to look Fording in the eyes, not knowing where to put her hands.

Seeing this, Han Xiao grinned and thought, "As expected of a protagonist-type character who relies on his face, his charm attribute is really high. This must come with a built-in charm spell..."

"Don't be nervous." Fording smiled gently, like a spring breeze, "Second, I want to temporarily stop my performing career and leave here with these mercenaries."

"O-okay... what?!" The manager subconsciously agreed, but suddenly reacted, her face changed drastically, and she looked at Han Xiao in shock, her eyes full of anger and hatred.

"Sorry, I guess you'll have to find another job." Fording reached out and touched the manager's head. The manager, who was like an angry lion a second ago, immediately became docile and cried like a rain-soaked pear blossom.

Next to her, her several female assistants were also crying, their eyes full of hostility towards Han Xiao, like love rivals who had snatched their love. However, when they turned to Fording, they had a look of grievance on their faces and rushed up to hug him. This scene was like a collective heartbreak, but they all didn't blame their "ex-boyfriend". Instead, they forgave him, hugged each other, and were extremely harmonious.

Han Xiao's cheeks twitched.

If handsome people can have several boats, then Fording is at least at the level of hundreds of boats racing.

High charm really allows you to do whatever you want.

You, are awesome.

I have nothing to say.

After disbanding the team and letting everyone pack their things and leave, Fording ignored Chen Xing's roar in his mind and came to Han Xiao, spreading his hands, "I'm free now, how are you going to help me?"

Han Xiao was about to speak when the panel suddenly reminded him that he had received a new mission.

[You have triggered the hidden mission [Choice]]

[Mission Introduction: You have discovered that Chen Xing is actually a spiritual host, and you have met Fording, the original owner of the body. He has decided to completely deal with Chen Xing in his mind, and your choice is crucial.]

[Mission Completion Condition i: Drive out or kill Fording's consciousness and let Chen Xing control the body.]

[Condition 2: Drive out or kill Chen Xing's consciousness and let Fording control the body.]

[Condition 3: Let Fording and Chen Xing reach a reconciliation, with both parties taking turns controlling the body.]

[Condition 4: Unknown]

[Note: As long as one of the conditions is met, you can choose to complete the mission. The mission reward depends on the different results.]

"Can you also help Chen Xing?" Han Xiao was stunned. Because he knew Fording's future well, he didn't think about this idea.

In that case, the fate of Fording, this protagonist-type character, is in his own hands. If he helps Chen Xing, he will have no future.

Interesting.

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes and carefully read the mission requirements again. The fourth requirement is unknown. Based on his experience, the rewards for this type of hidden requirement are generally the highest. So, in addition to helping either side and letting the two sides reach a reconciliation, what other better results are there?

No player had done this mission in his previous life, so Han Xiao had to rely on his many years of experience in farming missions to judge. The first two are simple and crude methods. The third requirement requires spending time allowing the two sides to communicate. The only thing he can do seems to be to let Fording continue to control the body, thereby creating an environment where the two can communicate harmoniously, because once Chen Xing regains the body, she will definitely cause trouble.

Moreover, the mission is one that he actively chooses to complete. By deduction, the fourth requirement should require a longer time.

Although he had just seen the mission, Han Xiao had already guessed a key point: time is a difficulty! The longer it drags on, the more opportunities Chen Xing will have to try to seize the body. This is an unstable factor.

Moreover, Fording's consciousness was able to be preserved until now because Chen Xing held back. Otherwise, she could have wiped out Fording's consciousness long ago. Perhaps because Fording had treated her before, she felt guilty and did not kill him. But if Chen Xing is forced into a corner, once she recovers, she may recklessly kill Fording. Thinking like this, the reward for Condition One should be very small—no matter who controls the body, the problem is essentially solved, so there is no mission failure.

After thinking about it, Han Xiao said to Fording: "If you don't want to hurt Chen Xing, then I won't take destructive measures. I have a few ways to suppress Chen Xing. There is a psychic in my team. Although he is not very strong, that is precisely the reason why he can keep her weak without seriously injuring her, so that she has no way to recover. If you want to completely solve the problem without hurting her, you can only rely on you and her to negotiate. I can at most prevent her from seizing the body and let you take the lead. But in that case, you can't leave our side, otherwise Chen Xing might succeed at any time."

These words were also spoken to Chen Xing to prevent her from becoming desperate.

"...Okay, then I'll try."

Fording nodded and smiled. He was quite optimistic. "It's enough as long as I can control the body. Fortunately, I learned the training methods of psychokinesis from her memory. If my own spirit becomes strong enough, she won't be able to do anything to me."

Hearing this, Han Xiao had a flash of inspiration.

He probably guessed what the fourth mission condition was.

'If that's the case, it really takes a lot of time...'