The Gamer who traveled to Honkai: Star Rail

What was happening outside didn't matter much to Pei Guang. His focus now was to happily manage Aurum Alley with his team, pay off its debts, and lead it to new heights of prosperity.

Upon returning to Aurum Alley, Pei Guang and the others headed to the port where they found their diligent assistant, Mingxi. However, her face was clouded with worry.

Seeing her troubled expression, Pei Guang curiously asked, "What's wrong, Little Secretary? Why the long face? Is efficiency an issue?"

Mingxi shook her head. "With your help, the port's efficiency has multiplied several times over. In the short time you've been away, we've earned over 60,000 credits. We planned to use that to pay off the rent and further improve Aurum Alley. But… there's been an issue with transportation. Our goods keep getting damaged during transit."

Sushang frowned with concern. "Could it be because we stacked too much, causing accidents?"

Pei Guang shook his head. "Ah, Sushang, you're too young. I won't claim perfection, but with the loading methods I designed, unless the entire Starskiff gets blasted into orbit, there's zero chance of accidents. If there's damage, that means only one thing—someone's tampering with our cargo."

Mingxi nodded gravely. "Yes, the damage is highly unnatural. We've had to spend most of our earnings compensating for these losses. And we've spotted that corporate representative lurking around the port. We suspect it's his doing, but we have no evidence…"

The loading methods Pei Guang had implemented were precise. According to the workers, unless there was an outright collision, nothing should go wrong during transport. Xianzhou's Starskiffs weren't just fast; they were incredibly stable. Even at full speed, a crate of water wouldn't spill a single drop.

When Pei Guang personally supervised the cargo loading, not a single item was damaged. But after he left, suddenly entire shipments were showing up broken. The workers double-checked—no issues with the loading arrangements. They even reverted to the original stacking methods for safety, yet the damages continued. It was baffling.

During this time, some workers noticed the company's representative transporting goods as well. The problem was, everything he moved appeared perfectly legitimate.

Hearing this, March 7th and Bailu exchanged wide-eyed glances. Bailu then spoke first. "This feels… oddly familiar."

March 7th sighed. "I can't believe it. Ah Guang was right all along. I don't even need to guess—I know exactly who's behind this."

Their cryptic exchange left Stelle utterly confused. "What are you two talking about? Some kind of riddle?"

Sushang sat quietly, her eyes wide as she pressed her lips together; the day's experiences had completely shattered her sense of normalcy. Since she wasn't the sharpest when it came to scheming, she figured it was better to just wait for Pei Guang to explain.

March 7th and Bailu exchanged another glance before March 7th, being the more eloquent of the two, spoke up.

"When Ah Guang took us out to play, he taught us what real business warfare looks like. And this kind of trick? For Ah Guang, it's probably just another day at the office."

Pei Guang confidently declared, "Of course! No need to think twice—it's definitely that salesman's doing. Honestly, as his enemy, I'd love nothing more than to see him dead. In fact, I'd stab him right now if I could: once he's gone, I'd have no more competition. 

But as a player, I've got to say—I genuinely admire this guy. He's really putting in the effort, using highly efficient tactics in this business war! Seriously, I have to respect an NPC that's this dedicated to his job."

Everyone could tell that Pei Guang was both appreciating the guy and… well, sending a chill down their spines. His way of showing admiration was a bit too unique.

Sensing their looks, Pei Guang waved his hand dismissively. "Relax, relax! I'm just saying. Honestly, I'd rather see him bark like a dog after losing than go through all that violence."

Bailu nodded vigorously. "Exactly! Make him bark like a dog when he loses!"

Pei Guang smirked. "It's a shame, though. But no big deal—I'll come up with a way to take him down."

Mingxi, still concerned, asked cautiously, "There's one problem… Even if we suspect it's him, we don't have any solid proof, do we?"

Pei Guang nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. No problem, though—I'll just forge some evidence."

Mingxi choked on her own breath. "Cough, cough! Uh, isn't that… not exactly legal? I mean, forging evidence—"

Pei Guang cut her off casually. "You mean it's a crime? Not an issue. If it's not discovered, it's not a crime. And even if it is discovered, just deal with the people who found out and replace the judges with my own people. Problem solved."

Mingxi coughed even harder. "Cough—no need to go that far…"

March 7th quickly stepped in, patting Mingxi's shoulder. "Just let Ah Guang talk. Bottling it up isn't good for his mental health. Trust him—sure, he says some terrifying things, and yes, he can actually do them, but he won't. He's just venting."

Pei Guang nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Just talk. At most, I'll casually frame him a little. Business wars aren't about life and death. What's the point of turning a management game into a bloodbath? The fun is in crushing your opponent with superior strategy. As for business warfare, it's just one part of the game. If I really got rid of my rivals, I'd miss out on their dramatic defeat monologues—and that's no fun at all."

Mingxi's mind felt like it was spinning. Here they were, still without any concrete evidence, and Pei Guang had already made up his mind that the salesman was guilty. 

She didn't even know how to respond!

Pei Guang clapped his hands. "No worries. Leave it to me. Where is he now?"

Mingxi replied promptly, "I've already assigned people to keep an eye on him. He's still at the port, shipping goods. We've checked the cargo—it's all just regular Xianzhou specialty products."

Since suspicions arose, the Aurum Alley Merchant Guild had kept a close watch on the salesman. Every time he shipped goods, someone was observing him.

Unfortunately, despite all the surveillance, he'd only been shipping regular Xianzhou products. According to the paperwork and inspections, there were no contraband items—not even a single illicit coin.

Pei Guang's eyes lit up. "The goods are still there?"

Mingxi nodded. "Yes, and he's still at the port, shipping goods right in front of us—as if mocking us."

Mingxi clenched her fists, clearly frustrated. But she was a good person, and that's precisely why she had no idea how to deal with someone like him.

Pei Guang grinned. "Let's go! Time for me to meet him face-to-face!"

He was practically buzzing with excitement. After all, in games, he could only click, select, and follow scripted options. But now? Now he could personally investigate clues, and he was eager to showcase his professional player expertise.

At the port, the company salesman named Skott stood with his arms crossed, sunglasses perched on his face, watching the dockworkers handle his cargo.

When he noticed Pei Guang and his group approaching, a flicker of tension flashed behind his shades. Ever since making that bet with Pei Guang at the Aurum Alley port, things had been going downhill for him.

His meal orders kept getting swapped for something as simple as a cucumber salad. Guests he invited were driven off in frustration. Even his transportation routes constantly encountered unexpected issues.

As a seasoned company agent, he immediately recognized the signs—he was dealing with a pro.

They say you can spot a master's handiwork in a single move, and the fact that all these "coincidences" left no trace told him he wasn't up against some amateur. This wasn't someone pulling petty tricks for the first time!

If it had just been cheap sabotage, he wouldn't have been worried. What truly troubled him was returning to Aurum Alley and realizing things had started to improve.

After observing their financial flow and resource management, his analysis concluded that if Aurum Alley kept this up, they'd scrape together enough rent in just a few days. And if they managed that, things would get a lot harder for him.

Spotting Pei Guang's group, Skott didn't greet them first. Instead, it was Pei Guang who cheerfully waved. "Hey~"

Before Pei Guang could say more, Skott interrupted sharply. "Starting with 'hey'? That's a bit rude, don't you think? I'm here today representing the corporation, just a tourist in Aurum Alley. You can call me Skott. Now tell me, I'm simply shipping some goods—why are you tailing me?"

Pei Guang replied lazily, completely unfazed. "Nice to meet you, Skott. We need to inspect your packages."

Straight to the point.

Skott's eyes widened behind his sunglasses, his tone filled with disbelief. "Is this how Aurum Alley treats its tourists? Think carefully—if my goods are damaged, can you even afford to compensate me?"

Pei Guang chuckled. "Of course not. But I can guarantee your shipment's got issues."

Skott scoffed. "I know my cargo. There's nothing wrong with it."

Pei Guang smiled wider. "Then you won't mind if we check."

Skott spread his arms with exaggerated confidence. "Go ahead. But if you find nothing, I expect a formal apology."

Pei Guang shrugged. "We'll see about that."

While speaking, he discreetly opened his public storage space, moving some items to the forefront—tokens tied to the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and materials from Abominations of Abundance.

Noticing the shift in his inventory, March 7th and Stelle exchanged glances, their eyes drifting toward Pei Guang with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.