Chapter 536: Chapter 311: The Co-Master Behind the Scenes, His Highness Xuyang (Congratulations Alliance Hierarch Yang ysl)
(This chapter is a bonus update for Alliance Hierarch “Yang ysl,” constituting the third release of the day.)
“Lin Wu will withhold nothing and simultaneously expresses his most honorable respects to Prince Xuyang.”
After saying this, Lin Wu too sat cross-legged on the ground, but he placed his right hand over his chest and bowed his head respectfully towards the “walnut.”
Once this ritual was completed, a thread of tea fragrance began to rise, and through the misty steam, the face of the other party appeared veiled and indistinct.
“Young Master Lin raised 23% more military funds this year than last. For your expansion efforts on Blue Capital Star, the prince has asked me to convey his most direct gratitude to you. Also, for your safety, he is prepared to transfer the control authority of the Purple Mirror Troop to you.”
The Purple Mirror Troop…
One of the Gardot Empire’s Royal Mecha Guard Armies…
It seemed his position within the prince’s power structure was becoming ever more significant.
Lin An’s lips curved into a slight smile, and he nodded in thanks,
“Thank you for the prince’s generous affection. This year, approximately 57.2 billion Star Coins have already been transferred, divided into 12,700 accounts flowing normally into the designated account cluster; there’s also about 16.7 billion Star Coins waiting to be transferred into the accounts.”
“I’ve always trusted Young Master Lin’s methods. The prince has praised you as a once-in-a-century financial genius and is thankful for your contributions to the Empire.”
Lin Wu’s face showed a smile as he lifted his teacup, and the fragrant tea slowly made its way down his throat.
“Please continue, Mr. Ren.”
“Regarding the battlefield casualties of the Sealing Abyss Deadpool, I hope you can report truthfully,” Ren Xiaowei also took an honest sip of tea, but his words were anything but relaxed.
“Sealing Abyss… Deadpool, I’m not aware of this situation. It happened during a standard intelligence interception when an unknown serious damage occurred,” Lin Wu shook his head and frowned slightly as he mentioned this.
“The Sealing Rites, Darkless Death Abyss. A set of eight characters, totaling sixty-four in number. Every Deadpool’s training cost is astronomical, and they are one of the forces that the prince values most. For them to silently perish like this, I’m afraid the Empire will thoroughly investigate.”
After draining his cup, Ren Xiaowei showed a surprised look, clearly very fond of the flavor of the tea, and so he took the initiative to pour himself another shallow cup.
Speaking of this matter, Lin Wu’s face also showed a trace of impatience and helplessness, “The Empire can thoroughly investigate, Lin has a clear conscience. However, the informants from the police stated that there were no remaining data at the scene, and the Sealing Abyss Deadpool were likely melted down in the steel smelting furnace.”
At the same time, his brow furrowed tightly, “However, what’s strange is that all the metallic materials in the laboratory of the Chade Metal Refinery were also thrown into the steel smelting furnace. Our current theory is that they encountered a mysterious force’s ambush. Mr. Ren, you are an expert in this field, do you have any information you could provide?”
Counter-questioning, Lin Wu never liked to be questioned on the defensive.
Ren Xiaowei looked down at the shallow tea in his cup, gently blew on it, “If we’re talking about a mysterious force, two have indeed surfaced recently.”
“The first is a mercenary group known as Hidden Peak, which has rapidly risen and completed several missions above ‘A’ level. It is certain that they possess high-level fighting Mecha and a special fleet hidden in the asteroid belts, but the mastermind behind them remains unknown.”
“The second is the unknown force that recently attacked the Federation Destroyer Fleet, which Young Master Lin must have heard about. Colonel He Gang from the War Department was furious. Although this force has not made itself known, their style is quite familiar—they should not conflict with your objectives…”
At this point, Ren Xiaowei’s expression turned peculiar.
“The Sword Axe Mercenary Corps did not perish to the last man… and it seems the Federation is unaware of this. I suspect someone is controlling it from the shadows, which is why I once quietly informed Colonel Li Shen, resulting in the destruction of the Federation Destroyer Fleet. They seem to be searching for something?”
Lin Wu’s hand, which was about to lift his teacup, paused in front of him as he narrowed his eyes, “A familiar style?”
“Yes, very much like Solomon’s way of doing things—cold-blooded, domineering, brutal, disregarding force. So, if they were after certain data, they most certainly would not carry out their mission so covertly; they would rather straightforwardly open the Realm-Breaking Gate and seize it through sheer power.”
Who could it be?
Although he had obtained a lot of intelligence from Ren Xiaowei, it now seemed to be more bewildering.
The goal of the mercenary groups should be the expansion of power; they might feasibly execute a mission for the data on Acabert Alloy.
So then…
The target was temporarily locked on Hidden Peak?
“Soon, I’ll prepare a report about the Sealing Abyss Deadpool’s death in battle, Young Master Lin need not worry. I believe His Highness will quickly send you a second Deadpool, and this one is likely not to focus on strength-based combat, so I hope Young Master Lin can make good use of them on the blade’s edge.”
Lin An nodded, since even Ren Xiaowei couldn’t obtain any useful information, there was no point for him to trouble himself any further.
At that moment, the wooden door of the tea room creaked open.
Both men ceased talking simultaneously, their eyes meeting as they looked back.
“I’m sorry, sir, is the tea supply in the tea room running low? Do you need me to refill the water?”
The white tea artist’s uniform draped over her body elegantly and gracefully.
It was clear that this tea artist, with her tender, longing gaze fixed on Lin Wu, was harboring special thoughts for him, and the clarity at the bottom of her eyes indicated she was unaware of the events that had occurred inside the pavilion.
Ren Xiaowei gently set down his teacup and turned to glance at the woman, a smile spreading across his face.
It seemed as though he had seen through her intent to get to know him, which made the girl named Minshi blush more and bow her head.
“Thank you, beautiful lady, we have enough tea for now. Could you please close the door?”
“Ah, I’m sorry, I truly apologize, sir.”
Minshi’s face turned crimson with embarrassment; it seemed she had indeed interrupted Mr. Lin’s conversation.
Watching the tea artist hastily retreat, Ren Xiaowei calmly picked up his cup of tea and drank it down, then smiled at the handsome man opposite him.
“What is it? Does Young Master Lin feel regretful? Shall I handle it for you?”
Lin Wu’s gaze lingered in the direction Minshi had left, as though he was reminiscing about something, and after about four or five seconds, he gently shook his head.
“It’s just a reflection on the fragile fate of beautiful women. Mr. Ren is jesting. On Blue Capital Star, how could I trouble you with such matters?”
Lin Wu stood up and slowly walked to the tea room’s door, gently securing the wooden latch, a hint of chilliness slowly revealing itself in his eyes.
“Young Master Lin truly has the bearing of a hero.”
“Please, Mr. Ren, do not flatter me to death. Everything I do is for the Empire, for His Highness, and for myself,” Lin Wu said frankly, making no attempt to hide his intentions.
As for being labeled a hero, he would never accept such a term.
It was His Highness who truly possessed the bearing of a hero…
“Let’s move on to the third topic. Recently, the Tang family and the Gaoling Family have been active, and I heard Young Master Lin has been involved. However, are you perhaps too focused on one woman?”
Ren Xiaowei took a leisurely sip of tea.
Lin Wu sighed, “Mr. Ren, you really hear a lot… Even more so than the parties involved in each matter, I am impressed. As for the matter of Loki Heavy Industry’s princess, I’ll explain myself later. Now that those two have paved the way, why wouldn’t I take advantage of it?”
Ren Xiaowei did not ask further but smiled, “However, the lady’s affections seem to be focused on someone else, and that person, in my assessment, has great potential.”
“Potential? Are you referring to that student from Dingchuan Academy?”
“Yes, the heir of Thunderbolt Fighting God, also possessing remarkable personal strength.”
“Intimidating names are just scarecrows after all. After all, he’s just a student, and the minor resources that a commoner can control… Tsk tsk, even if the Thunderbolt Fighting God himself appears, I’m sure the Empire will only lead to my disappointment, right Mr. Ren?” Lin Wu had a hint of a smile in his eyes.
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PS: Many plot hints buried for months will be unveiled in these next few chapters, and then wait for the climax to arrive. If I were to make a comparison… it could be akin to the Battle of Enies Lobby?