405 Mobley’s Ambition (1/2)
At the headquarters of the Snowflake Card Artisan Team, Mobley was looking at the invitation in his hand and thinking hard. He opened his communications card. ”Are you free, Miss Qing Qing?”
”Is something up, Captain Mobley?” Qing Qing's ethereal voice was as wispy as the clouds.
Mobley felt a pang in his heart. His feeling of estrangement hadn't changed since the beginning, and he still hadn't closed the distance between them. He didn't know how he should bring her—that woman who had no business appearing among humans—closer to him. She didn't need to deliberately show anything; the cold alienation exuded from her bones was nearly suffocating Mobley.
Seeing her face as elegant as a painting on the screen, Mobley felt like a fool. He had wanted to express his love for her so many times, and he had been cleverly fended off each time. She was so intelligent. Like some unfathomable swordsperson, she would seal off any path he might have taken before he could even make his move. Every time he wanted to open his mouth, she would change the subject or would flit away.
Still, Mobley was a towering figure. While it might have been hard for him to take, he didn't reveal a thing on his face, saying with a smile, ”There is something very important for which I need the assistance of Miss Qing Qing's wisdom.”
”I don't deserve such praise, Captain Mobley. Qing Qing will be there in a bit.” She pondered a moment before readily nodding.
A minute later, Qing Qing arrived at Mobley's office. He presented the invitation in his hands. ”I just got this today. It's quite interesting.”
”Moon Frost Island?” Qing Qing was a little surprised, though she immediately looked as though she were thinking of something.
”Indeed. I didn't think it could be Moon Frost Island, either. They are holding a summit, which is rather intriguing.” Mobley wore a meaningful smile on his tough face.
Qing Qing gave the invitation back to Mobley and said lightly, ”Moon Frost Island wants to take the opportunity to integrate the strength of the Heavenly Drum Village District, and now is the right time.”
”Ha ha. Great minds think alike, after all!” Mobley gave out a hearty laugh, but his gaze went suddenly explosive, overflowing with a fierce, in-charge look. ”Does Miss Qing Qing think we have the capital for a share?”
”We didn't have enough before, but we now have just barely enough.” Qing Qing spoke as lightly as ever, as though she hadn't been affected at all.
Mobley's ferocity abruptly disappeared without a trace as he rubbed his chin with a wry smile. ”Ai. What Miss Qing Qing said is right. We can barely do it, but we can still do it, even if just barely.”
The two were clear about what Moon Frost Island was planning. To increase their ability to survive in that chaotic world, Moon Frost Island wanted to take advantage of the situation to get all the big and small powers in the Heavenly Drum Village District to form a large body in the nature of an alliance. Once the alliance formed, it would mean a leviathan would take shape. With all the powers integrated across an entire flourishing district, they would become more powerful and terrifying than anything before.
Such a large body couldn't be controlled by any one power—not even by Moon Frost Island. It would have to be the final product of compromise among all the powers, and how to get a seat and a voice in that body was what Mobley was thinking about.
Moon Frost Island had courage beyond what anyone had imagined. In order to achieve that goal, they were even willing to give up absolute control. One could imagine, however, that if the new body took shape, Moon Frost Island would still occupy the most important position. While they couldn't decide where the leviathan would go, they could greatly influence its direction.
Mobley clearly understood that once the integration was accomplished, the Heavenly Drum Village District wouldn't have room for any other powers. Since that was the case, he knew they might as well get in early to be able to occupy a spot that might correspond to the Snowflake Card Artisan Team's interests.
Since the stimulant liquid had been put to use, the Snowflake Card Artisan Team's battle strength had gotten a big boost. Moreover, in the current situation, the Snowflake Card Artisan Team would have a lot more value by having more powerful battle ability. That left Mobley pretty smug.
”I wonder if you have any news about Chen Mu, Captain Mobley,” Qing Qing suddenly asked.
”Chen Mu?” Mobley felt abruptly disgusted, though he shook his head and kept his normal expression. ”Not yet. Our people are watching all around the Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Firm base. Last I heard, they still haven't found any sign of Chen Mu.”
”Where did he go?” Qing Qing muttered to herself as her face showed a rare frown. For Chen Mu alone to put down so many and then not to be seen was where she had her doubts. She didn't believe the nonsense about him going off traveling. Would a card master go off single-handedly for so long without being heard from? Even a card artisan wouldn't go off traveling like that in the current chaotic situation.
What did he really go off to do? Qing Qing's curious mind was provoked to the extreme, but she didn't have a clue.
Mobley's heart skipped a beat, and he didn't respond. He simply pretended to stare at the invitation in his hand and acted like he was in a daze.
After a long while, Qing Qing raised her head and dropped a word as she flitted off. ”I still have to trouble Captain Mo with the matter of Chen Mu. If it wouldn't be any bother, I would like to ask if Qing Qing might join the delegation to the summit.”