Chapter 923 - Old Fox and Lobbyists (2/2)
After he left, Han Xiao frowned.
“This guy has a seamless defense. If he doesn’t agree to spar, then I’ll need to think of another idea…”
Sorokin was also a person of influence, and he came all the way to discuss a possibility of cooperation, so Han Xiao could not show any hatred. He did not know the intentions of the other party, and if he ended up antagonizing them, that would be bad.
While Sorokin seemed very sincere on the surface, Han Xiao felt that the other party did not really want to work with him.
Recalling their conversation previously, Han Xiao found it difficult to read Sorokin’s personality, as though he was wearing a mask the whole time.
“I don’t even know what he’s thinking…” Han Xiao rubbed his temples, helplessly sighing.
Conversing with such people was the most taxing.
…
This year, the Tyrant’s Party and Black Star’s Party were held at the same time. The civilizations of Shattered Star Ring could not afford to snub either one, so they also sent messengers to follow the habits of previous years to attend the Tyrant’s Party.
On the top floor of the Bloodshed Land’s palace, Heber stood in front of a huge window. Outside the window was a black and gray fortress, as well as stars that spanned across the entire universe. His gaze was fixed toward the residences of the emissaries.
In recent years, these messengers would take advantage of the time before the party to network with the others, but now, there was almost no movement from these emissaries. Most of them stayed within their rooms, and the hall appeared cold and deserted, like stagnant water.
Because Black Star’s Party was livelier, the civilizations of the Shattered Star Ring all regarded Black Star’s Party as the main stage of communication, and the Tyrant’s Party was a secondary occasion. Matters to be discussed could be done on one side, and they did not need to move on the other.
Right now, these people participated in Tyrant’s Party more as a way to show their face, rather than as a grand and lively occasion.
“Humph, Black Star.”
Heber’s expression was tense, and the fist behind him was clenched tight.
At this point, his Chief Staff Officer Jorde walked in. Walking behind Heber, he whispered, “Your Excellency Heber, the emissary from the Limitless Financial Group has arrived. She’s waiting outside.”
“Let her in.” Heber did not even turn back.
A moment later, Lovell walked into the room. Gazing at the huge figure in front of the window, a wave of pressure assaulted her.
She calmed her mind and whispered, “I greet Your Excellency Heber.”
She was not even at the Calamity Grade and could not maintain the bearing her father Sorokin had in front of Han Xiao.
“I heard the Limitless Financial Group wants to work with us.” Heber indifferently glanced at Lovell.
“That’s right. It’s regarding the Flickering World. We…”
“You wish to be an investor, right? Such small matters need not be discussed with me. You may look for the respective officer.” Heber withdrew his gaze, uninterested.
Lovell gritted her teeth before taking out a letter. “His Excellency Sorokin tasked me with delivering this to you.”
“Letter?” Heber’s brows furrowed.
In this age where electronic communication was so convenient and efficient, a handwritten letter only meant that there was a need for secrecy. Heber was suspicious; he did not have any dealings with Sorokin, so why would the latter send him a letter? What did he mean? It was definitely not going to be a love letter.
Heber then turned to face Lovell, and with a gesture, the letter landed in his hands. The moment he opened it, his pupils shrank, and his expression became solemn.
“No wonder…”
Heber waved his hands, and the letter turned to ash before disintegrating into atoms. He gazed at Jorde. “Leave for now.”
Jorde was surprised, but he bowed and left, closing the door on his way out.
With only two of them in the room, a ray of light flashed past Heber’s eyes, and energy rushed out, filling the room and isolating any external detection.
“You guys wish for me to deal with the Black Star Army?”
“That’s right.” Lovell nodded.
“Humph, ridiculous!” Heber coldly replied. “While I have issues with Black Star, we’re still allies of the dynasty, and I can’t do anything about him. You’ve come to the wrong person.”
Lovell took a deep breath. Recalling what Sorokin had taught her, she said, “Black Star has only been around for twenty years, but how many years have you already been in the Shattered Star Ring? Black Star came later, but his business is flourishing, and his influence has surpassed yours. Your Excellency, are you willing to watch this continue?”
Heber’s expression was indifferent, but he did not refute.
“As for your ally, the Crimson Dynasty, they have always been biased toward the Black Star Army. Have you thought about why that’s so…”
Heber cut in. “He has the Evolution Cube, and I don’t have anything. It’s that simple.”
“Yes!” Lovell’s voice rose a notch. “That’s the crux!”
“Humph, so you want me to help you take his Evolution Cube?” Sarcasm laced Heber’s words.
“Of course not. We just need to come out with a way to make him lose the Evolution Cube. There’s a difference between the two.”
“Oh? What is that?”
“It’s almost impossible to rob, and the federation as well as the church will not rashly act. So, what we want is for Black Star to willingly give up his Evolution Cube.”
Heber almost burst into laughter. “Pass the Evolution Cube to an outsider? Do you think Black Star is a fool? I understand that b*stard Black Star. It’s easier for your Limitless Financial Group to go bankrupt tomorrow than for him to pass over his Evolution Cube.”
“No, I did not mean it that way. What if… we could make Black Star surrender the Evolution Cube to the dynasty?” Lovell replied.
Heber narrowed his eyes, seemingly interested.
“Go on.”