Chapter 224: How dare you touch my pepe! (1/2)

Layn didn't need to wait long for someone to replace the initial negotiator. From how quickly a new person appeared, it was obvious that this change was something that the other party anticipated and prepared for.

”My Lord, I apologize for the incompetence of my precedesor,” the new negotiator said as soon as he reached the talking distance away from Layn. ”I hoped I could be the one to talk business with you, sir, from the very beginning, but as I believe you are aware off, internal politics can be a bitch,” the man said, keeping a disgusting simile throughout his speech.

”I think I know what you are talking about,” Layn replied, glancing over his back towards where the rest of his group remained vigilant.

In theory, they were far enough for Layn to speak comfortably. Yet, the reality of the situation was that even outside Markus, Al, and other powerhouses, even the weakest of the bunch, were high enough on the cultivation ladder to easily monitor the entire discussion!

But just as Layn was aware of that fact, Markus would make sure that everyone would be aware of how Layn was aware. Otherwise, what Layn was about to speak about with Kazan's followers could easily uproot the trust between factions in the camp itself.

”Well, it's great we could establish something we can both understand so quickly,” the man said. He then pulled his left leg to the back, placed his right-hand flat over his heart, only to pull his fingers into a fist and slam it in the very same place a moment later. ”I'm Ceres. I'm lieutenant of his majesty, general Kazan,” he introduced himself, raising from the peculiar bow.

”I'm Layn, the overlord of the lands you guys wish to migrate to,” the archmage replied, not pulling any punches.

'Now, let this doubt fester whether I learned it from Castor or if I figured it out myself,' Layn thought, internally smiling when he saw the face of the man ahead of him sour slightly.

”Sir Layn,” Ceres spoke up. ”Would you like to elaborate where do you see the field for cooperation?” the man asked, stealthy clenching his teeth.

'Oh, I shouldn't push him like that,' Layn thought, rejoicing at the moment.

What he did earlier was just a small push. The fact that his negotiation partner reacted so heavily to the point of already getting annoyed only meant how incompetent he was.

That, or he was a genius of negotiation capable of even fooling Layn in regards to his state of mind.

”It's simple,” Layn smiled before stealing another glance behind his back. ”I own the land that you guys are interested in. The problem is, this land has scarce resources and several groups already interested in holding it all for their dear life,” Layn said, shrugging his arms only to roll his eyes a moment later. ”Isn't that annoying? Why hold on to something that you cannot really make use of if you can...” Layn took a little break, moving his eyes back on Ceres, ”sell it off?”

For a moment, Ceres simply stared at Layn as his eyes continued to widen in surprise.

”Sir, is that really all?” Ceres asked, clearly unwilling to believe that the situation could be that simple. After all, his entire nation wanted to migrate to Layn's lands and was stopped by the fact that they could really deal with him on their own.

Even for someone as rotten as a lieutenant from Kazan's faction, such a dreamy solution had to seem not a bit but insanely off!

”Obviously, nothing can be that easy,” Layn said. Then, just like before, he looked around as if wary of some kind of spies before taking a few steps forward and gesturing at the man to do the same.